bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ekososiaalinen sivistys haastaa vapaan sivistystyön
Authors: Manninen Jyri , Nokelainen Riina
Published: June 2021

’Ekososiaalinen sivistys’ yhdistää kestävästä kehityksestä huolehtimisen yhteisölliseen vastuuseen, joka vaatii tietojen ja taitojen omaksumisen lisäksi asenteiden ja ajattelutapojen muutosta, sivistymistä. Aihetta käsittelevissä teksteissä ratkaisuksi tarjotaan transformatiivista oppimista. Vaarana on, että ekososiaalisen sivistyksen huumassa unohdetaan perinteinen aikuisten ympäristökasvatus ja muut didaktiset lähestymistavat. Etenkin vapaan sivistystyön on uudistuttava vastatakseen sivistyshaasteisiin.
Koronapandemian vaikutukset matkailutoimijoiden osaamisen kehittämiseen
Authors: Mikkonen Jenni , Skyttä Teija
Published: June 2021

Koronapandemiaan ajoittunut eteläsavolainen matkailualan osaamisen kehittämishanke muutti alan toimijoiden prioriteetteja. Digitaalinen myynti, vastuullisuus ja verkostoituminen nousivat kehittämisen kärjiksi. Pandemia vahvisti matkailualan toimijoiden yhteisöllisyyttä ja toi esiin alueellisten verkostojen merkityksen osaamisen jakamisessa ja rakenteiden kehittämisessä.
Planetaarinen kriisi tekee vastuullisuusasiantuntijoista aikuiskouluttajia
Authors: Käyrä Minna , Korsunova,  Angelina
Published: June 2021

Kun yhteiskunta siirtyy vähähiilisempään tulevaisuuteen, vastuullisuudesta tulee osa useaa työnkuvaa. Muutokset päästöjen vähentämiseksi yhteiskunnassa vaativat toimia kaikilla aloilla. Muutokset ovat niin laajoja, että jokaisen on otettava vastuullisuusasiat huomioon työssään.
Invasão biológica em sítios de Restinga no Nordeste brasileiro
Authors: Fabricante Juliano Ricardo , Cruz Anny Bianca Santos , Reis Francyelle Mathias dos , Almeida Thieres Santos
Published: June 2021

A Restinga é um importante ecossistema brasileiro que vem sendo acometido por problemas ambientais, a exemplo das invasões biológicas. Assim, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho realizar um levantamento das espécies naturalizadas e exóticas invasoras ocorrentes em sítios de Restinga no Nordeste brasileiro. Foram realizadas expedições em nove cidades de seis estados nordestinos. O levantamento ocorreu através de caminhadas (busca ativa) onde as espécies foram registradas por fotografias. Cada espécie foi classificada como naturalizada ou exótica invasora através de observações in situ e literatura específica. A composição de espécies das áreas foi comparada através da Similaridade de Jaccard (Sj) em três situações: lista completa, apenas as exóticas invasoras e apenas as naturalizadas. O teste de Mantel foi realizado para verificar se o tamanho e a distância entre áreas influenciaram nos resultados da similaridade. Foram amostradas 42 espécies, sendo 33 exóticas invasoras e nove naturalizadas. As espécies Leucena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Terminalia catappa L. e Cenchrus echinatus L. foram as únicas com ocorrência em todas as áreas. A similaridade florística variou bastante entre as situações testadas. O teste de Mantel não apresentou valores significativos. Nossos achados são preocupantes, em razão do elevado número de espécies e da alta quantidade de exóticas invasoras.
Perfil e sobrecarga dos cuidadores informais de idosos dependentes
Authors: Conceição Haylane Nunes da , Jesus Marisa Laiane Rios da Silva de , Gomes Inara Maria Nogueira , Luz Karla Rakel Gonçalves , Conceição Hayla Nunes da , Costa Filho Justino Gonçalves Dias , Luz Filho Carlos Antônio da
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil e a sobrecarga dos cuidadores informais de idosos dependentes. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e descritivo, realizado com os cuidadores informais de idosos dependentes cadastrados na área de abrangência de quatro Unidades Básicas de Saúde do município de Caxias, Maranhão. Os dados foram coletados no período de junho a outubro de 2019, por meio de um questionário elaborado pelos pesquisadores para a caracterização dos participantes e pela aplicação da versão brasileira da escala de Zarit Burder Interview. Resultados: A população do estudo foi composta por 52 cuidadores. A função de cuidador foi exercida mais frequentemente por cuidadores do sexo feminino (n=47; 90,4%), na faixa etária entre 41 a 50 anos de idade (n=21; 40,4%), casados (n=32; 61,3%), com ensino fundamental incompleto (n=23; 44,2%), sendo os filhos (n=22; 42,3%) os principais responsáveis pelo cuidado. A maioria dos cuidadores exerciam a função por mais de quatro anos (n=19; 36,5%), dedicando mais de oito horas diárias de assistência ao idoso (n=22; 42,3%) e não recebiam apoio de outras pessoas no cuidado (n=49; 94,2%). Constatou-se ainda que grande parte dos cuidadores apresentavam algum nível de sobrecarga (n=47; 90,4%). Conclusão: As informações referentes ao perfil e o nível de sobrecarga dos cuidadores informais poderão sensibilizar os profissionais da Atenção Básica do município sobre os impactos do cuidado ao idoso dependente na saúde de seus cuidadores, contribuindo para o planejamento de estratégias que assegurem a qualidade de vida e a saúde desta população.
Gavin Bone and his Old English Translations
Authors: Edwards A. S. G.
Published: June 2021

This article examines the verse translations of various shorter Old English poems and of Beowulf by the Oxford scholar Gavin Bone (1907–1942), mainly published posthumously. It provides a biographical account of him, before going on assess his introductions to Anglo-Saxon Poetry (1943) and Beowulf (1945). It further describes the various techniques Bone used in his translations, the lexical and metrical forms he employed, and their relative degrees of success. The article also considers the illustrations Bone created to accompany his Beowulf translation. It concludes with an examination of the afterlife and subsequent neglect of Bone's translations.
Giant Bug or Monstrous Vermin? Translating Kafka's Die Verwandlung in its Cultural, Social, and Biological Contexts
Authors: Barker Andrew
Published: June 2021

Since it would have been feasible for Kafka to call his story ‘Die Metamorphose’, the article first considers why most translators render Die Verwandlung as (The) Metamorphosis and not literally as The Transformation. Given the widespread impact of Darwinism and Social Darwinism when Kafka wrote the work in 1912, particular attention is paid to socio-biological factors that may have influenced his choice of title. The article further considers the possible impact of Yiddish theatre and Nietzschean philosophy upon Kafka's decision. It then examines how translators have tackled the story's opening sentence, given the difficulties of rendering the phrase ‘ungeheures Ungeziefer’ (literally ‘monstrous vermin’) in a way that does justice to the sentence's original structure and vocabulary. Finally, the article offers a possible solution to this problem.
Classification of 41 Hand and Wrist Movements via Surface Electromyogram Using Deep Neural Network
Authors: Sri-iesaranusorn Panyawut , Chaiyaroj Attawit , Buekban Chatchai , Dumnin Songphon , Pongthornseri Ronachai , Thanawattano Chusak , Surangsrirat Decho
Published: June 2021

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a non-invasive and straightforward way to allow the user to actively control the prosthesis. However, results reported by previous studies on using sEMG for hand and wrist movement classification vary by a large margin, due to several factors including but not limited to the number of classes and the acquisition protocol. The objective of this paper is to investigate the deep neural network approach on the classification of 41 hand and wrist movements based on the sEMG signal. The proposed models were trained and evaluated using the publicly available database from the Ninapro project, one of the largest public sEMG databases for advanced hand myoelectric prosthetics. Two datasets, DB5 with a low-cost 16 channels and 200 Hz sampling rate setup and DB7 with 12 channels and 2 kHz sampling rate setup, were used for this study. Our approach achieved an overall accuracy of 93.87 ± 1.49 and 91.69 ± 4.68% with a balanced accuracy of 84.00 ± 3.40 and 84.66 ± 4.78% for DB5 and DB7, respectively. We also observed a performance gain when considering only a subset of the movements, namely the six main hand movements based on six prehensile patterns from the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), a clinically validated hand functional assessment protocol. Classification on only the SHAP movements in DB5 attained an overall accuracy of 98.82 ± 0.58% with a balanced accuracy of 94.48 ± 2.55%. With the same set of movements, our model also achieved an overall accuracy of 99.00% with a balanced accuracy of 91.27% on data from one of the amputee participants in DB7. These results suggest that with more data on the amputee subjects, our proposal could be a promising approach for controlling versatile prosthetic hands with a wide range of predefined hand and wrist movements.
What’s in the Pipeline? Evidence on the Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via Building Wastewater Plumbing Systems
Authors: Dight Thomas , Gormley Michael
Published: June 2021

There is emerging evidence of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via the sanitary plumbing wastewater system, a known transmission pathway of SARS-CoV-1. These events can no longer be dismissed as isolated cases, yet a lack of awareness and of basic research makes it impossible to say just how widespread this mode of transmission might be. Virus is transmitted within wastewater systems by the aerosolisation of wastewater and subsequent transport of bioaerosols on naturally occurring airflows within the piped network. Central to the debate around risk to building occupants from SARS-CoV-2 spread via wastewater plumbing systems is the question of infectivity of faeces, urine and associated aerosols. This paper presents an examination of the processes which underlie this mode of transmission, and the existing epidemiological evidence, as well as existing mitigation strategies; significant gaps in the state of the knowledge are also identified. It is hoped that this review will cultivate a wider awareness and understanding of this most overlooked of threats, and to facilitate the selection and adoption of appropriate mitigation strategies. Key gaps in the knowledge span the rate of generation of bioaerosols within the building drainage system, their composition and transport properties, and the viability and infectivity of virions and other pathogens which they carry. While much of this work will be conducted in the laboratory, we also identify a dearth of field observations, without which it is impossible to truly grasp the scale of this problem, its character, or its solution.
Costs vs. Flexibility of Process Heat Recovery Solutions Considering Short-Term Process Variability and Uncertain Long-Term Development
Authors: Marton Sofie , Langner Christian , Svensson Elin , Harvey Simon
Published: June 2021

To significantly decrease fossil carbon emissions from oil refineries, a combination of climate mitigation options will be necessary, with potential options including energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage/utilization, biomass integration and electrification. Since existing refinery processes as well as many of the potential new processes are characterized by large heating demands, but also offer large opportunities for process excess heat recovery, heat integration plays a major role for energy efficient refinery operation after the implementation of such measures. Consequently, the process heat recovery systems should not only be able to handle current operating conditions, but also allow for flexibility towards possible future developments. Evaluation of the flexibility of process heat recovery measures with both these perspectives enables a more accurate screening and selection of alternative process design options. This paper proposes a new approach for assessing the trade-off between total annual cost and potential operating flexibility for the heat exchanger network in short-as well as in long-term perspectives. The flexibility assessment is based on the evaluation of a flexibility ratio (similar to the conventional flexibility index) to determine the range in which operating conditions may vary while at the same time achieving feasible operation. The method is further based on identification of critical operating points to achieve pre-defined flexibility targets. This is followed by optimization of design properties (i.e., heat exchanger areas) such that feasible operation is ensured in the critical operating points and costs are minimized for representative operating conditions. The procedure is repeated for a range of different flexibility targets, resulting in a curve that shows the costs as a function of desired flexibility ratio. The approach is illustrated by an example representing a heat exchanger network retrofit at a large oil refinery. Finally, the paper illustrates a way to evaluate the cost penalty if the retrofit is optimized for one operating point but then operated under changed conditions. Consequently, the presented approach provides knowledge about cost and flexibility towards short-term variations considering also changes in operating conditions due to long-term development.
Delignification of Low-Energy Mechanical Pulp (Asplund Fibers) in a Deep Eutectic Solvent System of Choline Chloride and Lactic Acid
Authors: Pérez Alan D. , Fiskari Juha , Schuur Boelo
Published: June 2021

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are considered as a green and environmentally benign solvent class for various applications, including delignification of biomass. One of the major challenges in the delignification of biomass by DES is attributed to the limitations in mass transfer. By subjecting wood chips to a low-energy mechanical refining, i.e., the Asplund process, the accessible surface area increases greatly, which in turn improves the mass transfer and increases the reaction rate. In this research, the DES delignification of Asplund fibers made of Norway spruce was studied as a strategy to produce papermaking fibers under mild conditions. A DES consisting of lactic acid and choline chloride was used due to its proven performance in delignification. Various operational conditions, such as temperature, time, DES-to-wood ratio, and the type of stirring were studied. A novel parameter,Q, allowed to evaluate the impact of the operational conditions on the quality of the pulp in terms of delignification degree and fiber length. The results showed that cooking temperature had the most significant effect on the pulp quality. Additionally, it was observed that cooking times between 30 and 45 min result in a pulp yield of about 50%, while fibers have a lignin content of about 14% and a fiber length of 0.6 mm. These results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain fibers of relatively good quality from DES delignification using Asplund fibers as the starting material.
Navigating Potential Hype and Opportunity in Governing Marine Carbon Removal
Authors: Boettcher Miranda , Brent Kerryn , Buck Holly Jean , Low Sean , McLaren Duncan , Mengis Nadine
Published: June 2021

As the technical and political challenges of land-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches become more apparent, the oceans may be the new “blue” frontier for carbon drawdown strategies in climate governance. Drawing on lessons learnt from the way terrestrial carbon dioxide removal emerged, we explore increasing overall attention to marine environments and mCDR projects, and how this could manifest in four entwined knowledge systems and governance sectors. We consider how developments within and between these “frontiers” could result in different futures—where hype and over-promising around marine carbon drawdown could enable continued time-buying for the carbon economy without providing significant removals, or where reforms to modeling practices, policy development, innovation funding, and legal governance could seek co-benefits between ocean protection, economy, and climate.
Quality Assessment of Published Systematic Reviews in High Impact Cardiology Journals: Revisiting the Evidence Pyramid
Authors: Abushouk Abdelrahman I. , Yunusa Ismaeel , Elmehrath Ahmed O. , Elmatboly Abdelmagid M. , Fayek Shady Hany , Abdelfattah Omar M. , Saad Anas , Isogai Toshiaki , Shekhar Shashank , Kalra Ankur , Reed Grant W. , Puri Rishi , Kapadia Samir
Published: June 2021

Objective:Systematic reviews are increasingly used as sources of evidence in clinical cardiology guidelines. In the present study, we aimed to assess the quality of published systematic reviews in high impact cardiology journals.

Methods:We searched PubMed for systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2019 in five general cardiology journals with the highest impact factor (according to Clarivate Analytics 2019). We extracted data on eligibility criteria, methodological characteristics, bias assessments, and sources of funding. Further, we assessed the quality of retrieved reviews using the AMSTAR tool.

Results:A total of 352 systematic reviews were assessed. The AMSTAR quality score was low or critically low in 71% (95% CI: 65.7–75.4) of the assessed reviews. Sixty-four reviews (18.2%, 95% CI: 14.5–22.6) registered/published their protocol. Only 221 reviews (62.8%, 95% CI: 57.6–67.7) reported adherence to the EQUATOR checklists, 208 reviews (58.4%, 95% CI: 53.9–64.1) assessed the risk of bias in the included studies, and 177 reviews (52.3%, 95% CI: 45.1–55.5) assessed the risk of publication bias in their primary outcome analysis. The primary outcome was statistically significant in 274 (79.6%, 95% CI: 75.1–83.6) and had statistical heterogeneity in 167 (48.5%, 95% CI: 43.3–53.8) reviews. The use and sources of external funding was not disclosed in 87 reviews (24.7%, 95% CI: 20.5–29.5). Data analysis showed that the existence of publication bias was significantly associated with statistical heterogeneity of the primary outcome and that complex design, larger sample size, and higher AMSTAR quality score were associated with higher citation metrics.

Conclusion:Our analysis uncovered widespread gaps in conducting and reporting systematic reviews in cardiology. These findings highlight the importance of rigorous editorial and peer review policies in systematic review publishing, as well as education of the investigators and clinicians on the synthesis and interpretation of evidence.
Congestive Heart Failure Exhibited Higher BMI With Lower Energy Intake and Lower Physical Activity Level: Data From the National Health and Examination Nutrition Survey
Authors: Xu Tianyu , Zhou Haobin , Ma Zhuang , Zhang Hao , Zeng Qingchun , Xu Dingli , Zhang Yuhui , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2021

Background: Despite that nutritional deficiency existed in congestive heart failure (CHF), there is a large amount of CHF patients suffering from obesity. This study aimed to identify the differences for increased BMI or obesity in CHF patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016. Differences were compared between CHF participants vs. non-CHF participants, and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 vs. BMI < 30 kg/m2 CHF participants.

Results: CHF participants were with higher BMI, lower energy and macronutrient intake, lower physical activity level and longer rest time, and lower hematocrit and hemoglobin level (all P < 0.05) than non-CHF participants. The prevalence of BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 in participants with CHF was 53.48%. There was no significant difference observed in energy and macronutrient intake between CHF participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or <30 kg/m2. The water intake (P = 0.032), sedentary time (P = 0.002), and hematocrit (P = 0.028) were significantly different between CHF with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and with <30 kg/m2.

Conclusion: Compared with non-CHF participants, CHF participants exhibited higher BMI with lower energy and macronutrient intake, lower physical activity level, longer rest time, and hemodilution with lower hematocrit and hemoglobin level. Among CHF participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, higher sedentary time and hematocrit were observed.
Myokine Responses to Exercise in a Rat Model of Low/High Adaptive Potential
Authors: Farrash Wesam F. , Phillips Bethan E. , Britton Steven L. , Qi Nathan , Koch Lauren G. , Wilkinson Daniel J. , Smith Ken , Atherton Philip J.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Assuming myokines underlie some of the health benefits of exercise, we hypothesised that ‘high responder trainer’ (HRT) rats would exhibit distinct myokine profiles to ‘low responder trainers’ (LRT), reflecting distinct health and adaptive traits.

Methods

Blood was collected from LRT and HRT (N=8) rats at baseline (BL), immediately (0h), 1h, and 3h after running; repeated after 3-wks training. Myokines were analysed by ELISA (i.e. BDNF/Fractalkine/SPARC/Irisin/FGF21/Musclin/IL-6).

Results

At baseline, Musclin (LRT: 84 ± 24 vs HRT: 26 ± 3 pg/ml, P=0.05) and FGF21 (LRT: 133 ± 34 vs HRT: 63.5 ± 13 pg/ml, P=0.08) were higher in LRT than HRT. Training increased Musclin in HRT (26 ± 3 to 54 ± 9 pg/ml, P<0.05) and decreased FGF21 in LRT (133 ± 34 to 60 ± 28 pg/ml, P<0.05). Training increased SPARC (LRT: 0.8 ± 0.1 to 2.1 ± 0.6 ng/ml, P<0.05; HRT: 0.7 ± 0.06 to 1.8 ± 0.3 ng/ml, P=0.06) and Irisin (LRT 0.62 ± 0.1 to 2.6 ± 0.4 ng/ml, P<0.01; HRT 0.53 ± 0.1 to 2.8 ± 0.7 ng/ml, P<0.01) while decreasing BDNF (LRT: 2747 ± 293 to 1081 ± 330 pg/ml, P<0.01; HRT: 1976 ± 328 to 797 ± 160 pg/ml, P<0.05). Acute exercise response of Musclin (AUC) was higher in LRT vs HRT (306 ± 74 vs. 88 ± 12 pg/ml×3h-1, P<0.01) and elevated in HRT after training (221 ± 31 pg/ml×3h-1, P<0.01). Training elevated SPARC (LRT: 2.4 ± 0.1 to 7.7 ± 1.3 ng/ml×3h-1, P<0.05; HRT: 2.5 ± 0.13 to 11.2 ± 2.2 ng/ml×3h-1, P<0.001) and Irisin (LRT: 1.34 ± 0.3 to 9.6 ± 1.7 ng/ml×3h-1, P<0.001; HRT: 1.5 ± 0.5 to 12.1 ± 1.9 ng/ml×3h-1, P<0.0001).

Conclusion

Exercise training alters how myokines are secreted in response to acute exercise. Myokine responses were not robustly linked to adaptive potential in aerobic capacity, making them an unlikely regulator of adaptive traits.
Recurring Translocations in Barrett’s Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bajpai Manisha , Panda Anshuman , Birudaraju Kristen , Van Gurp James , Chak Amitabh , Das Kiron M. , Javidian Parisa , Aviv Hana
Published: June 2021

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a premalignant metaplasia in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). BE can progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) with less than 15% 5-year survival. Chromosomal aneuploidy, deletions, and duplication are early events in BE progression to EA, but reliable diagnostic assays to detect chromosomal markers in premalignant stages of EA arising from BE are lacking. Previously, we investigated chromosomal changes in anin vitromodel of acid and bile exposure-induced Barrett’s epithelial carcinogenesis (BEC). In addition to detecting changes already known to occur in BE and EA, we also reported a novel recurring chromosomal translocation t(10:16) in the BE cells at an earlier time point before they undergo malignant transformation. In this study, we refine the chromosomal event with the help of fluorescence microscopy techniques as a three-way translocation between chromosomes 2, 10, and 16, t(2:10;16) (p22;q22;q22). We also designed an exclusive fluorescentin situhybridization for esophageal adenocarcinoma (FISH-EA) assay that detects these chromosomal breakpoints and fusions. We validate the feasibility of the FISH-EA assay to objectively detect these chromosome events in primary tissues by confirming the presence of one of the fusions in paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed human EA tumors. Clinical validation in a larger cohort of BE progressors and non-progressors will confirm the specificity and sensitivity of the FISH-EA assay in identifying malignant potential in the early stages of EA.
ADSC Exosomes Mediate lncRNA-MIAT Alleviation of Endometrial Fibrosis by Regulating miR-150-5p
Authors: Shao Xiaowen , Qin Jinlong , Wan Chendong , Cheng Jiajing , Wang Lian , Ai Guihai , Cheng Zhongping , Tong Xiaowen
Published: June 2021

Background

Secondary infertility remains a major complication of endometrial fibrosis in women. The use of exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) has shown promising results for the treatment of endometrial fibrosis. However, the mechanisms of action of ADSC-exosome (ADSC-Exo) therapy remain unclear.

Materials and Methods

An endometrial fibrosis model was established in mice treated with alcohol and endometrial epithelial cells (ESCs) treated with TGF-β1. ADSCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and exosomes were isolated from ADSCs using ExoQuick reagent. Exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), NanoSight, and Western blot analysis. The expression level of lncRNA-MIAT was detected by qPCR analysis. Western blot analysis was carried out to determine the protein levels of fibrosis markers (TGFβR1, α-SMA, and CK19). A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the relationship between target genes. The endometrial tissues of the endometrial fibrosis model were stained with HE and Masson’s trichrome.

Results

ADSCs and ADSC-Exos were successfully isolated, and the expression level of lncRNA-MIAT was significantly down-regulated in endometrial tissue and the TGF-β1-induced ESC injury model, whereas ADSC-Exos increased the expression of lncRNA-MIAT in the TGF-β1-induced ESC model. Functionally, ADSC-Exo treatment repressed endometrial fibrosis in vivo and in vitro by decreasing the expression of hepatic fibrosis markers (α-SMA and TGFβR1) and increasing the expression of CK19. Moreover, miR-150-5p expression was repressed by lncRNA-MIAT in the TGF-β1-induced ESC injury model. The miR-150-5p mimic promoted TGF-β1-induced ESC fibrosis.

Conclusion

ADSC-Exos mediate lncRNA-MIAT alleviation of endometrial fibrosis by regulating miR-150-5p, which suggests that lncRNA-MIAT from ADSC-Exos may be a viable treatment for endometrial fibrosis.
The Role of Early Growth Response Family Members 1–4 in Prognostic Value of Breast Cancer
Authors: Hao Leiyu , Huang Fengru , Yu Xinqian , Xu Bujie , Liu Yan , Zhang Yan , Zhu Yichao
Published: June 2021

Early growth response family members (EGRs), EGR1–4, have increasingly attracted attention in multiple cancers. However, the exact expression patterns and prognostic values of EGRs in the progress of breast cancer (BRCA) remain largely unknown. The mRNA expression and prognostic characteristics of EGRs were examined by the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Oncomine, and Kaplan-Meier plotter. Enrichment analyses were conducted based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and MethSurv were further explored. The protein expression of EGR1 in BRCA was measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The migration of mammary epithelial cells was determined by Boyden chamber assay. The transcriptional levels of EGR1/2/3 displayed significantly low expression in BRCA compared with that in normal tissues, while EGR4 was shown adverse expression pattern. Survival analysis revealed upregulated EGR1–4 were remarkably associated with favorable relapse-free survival (RFS). A close correlation with specific tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and several CpG sites of EGRs were exhibited. Immunohistochemistry assays showed that the protein expression of EGR1 was remarkably downregulated in BRCA compared with that in paracancerous tissues. The migration of MCF10A mammary epithelial cells was increased after the silence of EGR1 by siRNA transfection. This study provides a novel insight to the role of EGRs in the prognostic value of BRCA.
Extracellular Vesicles in Immune System Regulation and Type 1 Diabetes: Cell-to-Cell Communication Mediators, Disease Biomarkers, and Promising Therapeutic Tools
Authors: Grieco Giuseppina Emanuela , Fignani Daniela , Formichi Caterina , Nigi Laura , Licata Giada , Maccora Carla , Brusco Noemi , Sebastiani Guido , Dotta Francesco
Published: June 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are generated by cells of origin through complex molecular mechanisms and released into extracellular environment. Hence, the presence of EVs has been described in multiple biological fluids and in most cases their molecular cargo, which includes non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), messenger RNAs (mRNA), and proteins, has been reported to modulate distinct biological processes. EVs release and their molecular cargo have been demonstrated to be altered in multiple diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Notably, numerous evidence showed a relevant crosstalk between immune system and interacting cells through specific EVs release. The crosstalk between insulin-producing pancreatic β cells and immune system through EVs bidirectional trafficking has yet started to be deciphered, thus uncovering an intricate communication network underlying type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis. EVs can also be found in blood plasma or serum. Indeed, the assessment of circulating EVs cargo has been shown as a promising advance in the detection of reliable biomarkers of disease progression. Of note, multiple studies showed several specific cargo alterations of EVs collected from plasma/serum of subjects affected by autoimmune diseases, including T1D subjects. In this review, we discuss the recent literature reporting evidence of EVs role in autoimmune diseases, specifically focusing on the bidirectional crosstalk between pancreatic β cells and immune system in T1D and highlight the relevant promising role of circulating EVs as disease biomarkers.
In Situ Characterization of Human Lymphoid Tissue Immune Cells by Multispectral Confocal Imaging and Quantitative Image Analysis; Implications for HIV Reservoir Characterization
Authors: Moysi Eirini , Del Rio Estrada Perla M. , Torres-Ruiz Fernanda , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Koup Richard A. , Petrovas Constantinos
Published: June 2021

CD4 T cells are key mediators of adaptive immune responses during infection and vaccination. Within secondary lymphoid organs, helper CD4 T cells, particularly those residing in germinal centers known as follicular helper T cells (Tfh), provide critical help to B-cells to promote their survival, isotype switching and selection of high affinity memory B-cells. On the other hand, the important role of Tfh cells for the maintenance of HIV reservoir is well documented. Thus, interrogating and better understanding the tissue specific micro-environment and immune subsets that contribute to optimal Tfh cell differentiation and function is important for designing successful prevention and cure strategies. Here, we describe the development and optimization of eight multispectral confocal microscopy immunofluorescence panels designed for in depth characterization and immune-profiling of relevant immune cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human lymphoid tissue samples. We provide a comprehensive library of antibodies to use for the characterization of CD4+ T-cells -including Tfh and regulatory T-cells- as well as CD8 T-cells, B-cells, macrophages and dendritic cells and discuss how the resulting multispectral confocal datasets can be quantitatively dissected using the HistoCytometry pipeline to collect information about relative frequencies and immune cell spatial distributions. Cells harboring actively transcribed virus are analyzed using an in-situ hybridization assay for the characterization of HIV mRNA positive cells in combination with additional protein markers (multispectral RNAscope). The application of this methodology to lymphoid tissues offers a means to interrogate multiple relevant immune cell targets simultaneously at increased resolution in a reproducible manner to guide CD4 T-cell studies in infection and vaccination.
Placental Morphologic Similarities Between ZIKV-Positive and HIV-Positive Pregnant Women
Authors: Martins Ronchi Daiane Cristine , Scaranello Malaquias Mineia Alessandra , Rebutini Patrícia Zadorosnei , Panini do Carmo Letícia Arianne , Neto Plínio Cézar , Marini Emily Scaranello , Prokopenko Amanda , Nagashima Seigo , Zanluca Camila , Duarte dos Santos Claudia Nunes , de Noronha Lúcia
Published: June 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) caused global concern due to Brazil's unexpected epidemic, and it was associated with congenital microcephaly and other gestational intercurrences. The study aimed to analyze the placenta morphometric changes of ZIKV-infected pregnant women (ZIKV group; n = 23) compared to placentas of HIV-infected (HIV group; n = 24) and healthy pregnant women (N-control group; n = 22). It also analyzed the relationship between the morphometric results and pathological alterations on conventional microscopy, gestational trimester of infection, and presence of the congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). There was a significant increase in area (p = 0.0172), as well as a higher number of knots (p = 0.0027), sprouts (p < 0.0001), and CD163 +Hofbauer cells (HCs) (p < 0.0001) in the ZIKV group compared to the N-control group, suggesting that villous dysmaturity and HCs hyperplasia could be associated with ZIKV infections. The HIV group had a higher area (p < 0.0001), perimeter (p = 0.0001), sprouts (p < 0.0001), and CD163 + HCs (p < 0.0001) compared to the N-control group, demonstrating that the morphometric abnormalities found in the ZIKV and HIV group are probably similar. However, when ZIKV and HIV groups are compared, it was observed a higher number of sprouts (p = 0.0066) and CD163+ HCs (p < 0.0001) in the first one, suggesting that placental ZIKV congenital changes could be more pronounced.
Inflammasomes in Alveolar Bone Loss
Authors: Li Yang , Ling Junqi , Jiang Qianzhou
Published: June 2021

Bone remodeling is tightly controlled by osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Fine tuning of the osteoclast–osteoblast balance results in strict synchronization of bone resorption and formation, which maintains structural integrity and bone tissue homeostasis; in contrast, dysregulated bone remodeling may cause pathological osteolysis, in which inflammation plays a vital role in promoting bone destruction. The alveolar bone presents high turnover rate, complex associations with the tooth and periodontium, and susceptibility to oral pathogenic insults and mechanical stress, which enhance its complexity in host defense and bone remodeling. Alveolar bone loss is also involved in systemic bone destruction and is affected by medication or systemic pathological factors. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the osteoimmunological mechanisms involved in the dysregulation of alveolar bone remodeling. The inflammasome is a supramolecular protein complex assembled in response to pattern recognition receptors and damage-associated molecular patterns, leading to the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of inflammatory responses. Pyroptosis downstream of inflammasome activation also facilitates the clearance of intracellular pathogens and irritants. However, inadequate or excessive activity of the inflammasome may allow for persistent infection and infection spreading or uncontrolled destruction of the alveolar bone, as commonly observed in periodontitis, periapical periodontitis, peri-implantitis, orthodontic tooth movement, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, nonsterile or sterile osteomyelitis of the jaw, and osteoporosis. In this review, we present a framework for understanding the role and mechanism of canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes in the pathogenesis and development of etiologically diverse diseases associated with alveolar bone loss. Inappropriate inflammasome activation may drive alveolar osteolysis by regulating cellular players, including osteoclasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, periodontal ligament cells, macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, and adaptive immune cells, such as T helper 17 cells, causing increased osteoclast activity, decreased osteoblast activity, and enhanced periodontium inflammation by creating a pro-inflammatory milieu in a context- and cell type-dependent manner. We also discuss promising therapeutic strategies targeting inappropriate inflammasome activity in the treatment of alveolar bone loss. Novel strategies for inhibiting inflammasome signaling may facilitate the development of versatile drugs that carefully balance the beneficial contributions of inflammasomes to host defense.
Immunoglobulin Y for Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications in Infectious Diseases
Authors: Lee Lucia , Samardzic Kate , Wallach Michael , Frumkin Lyn R. , Mochly-Rosen Daria
Published: June 2021

Antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic drugs and vaccines are essential to maintaining the health of humans and animals. Yet, their production can be slow and expensive, and efficacy lost once pathogens mount resistance. Chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is a highly conserved homolog of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) that has shown benefits and a favorable safety profile, primarily in animal models of human infectious diseases. IgY is fast-acting, easy to produce, and low cost. IgY antibodies can readily be generated in large quantities with minimal environmental harm or infrastructure investment by using egg-laying hens. We summarize a variety of IgY uses, focusing on their potential for the detection, prevention, and treatment of human and animal infections.
Response of Fish and Invertebrate Larvae to Backreef Sounds at Varying Distances: Implications for Habitat Restoration
Authors: Anderson Emily R. , Butler Jack , Butler Mark J.
Published: June 2021

Underwater sound is used by many marine larvae to orient to coastal habitats including backreef, sponge-dominated hardbottom habitat in the Florida Keys (FL, United States)—a particularly “noisy” coastal habitat. However, the distance over which acoustic cues are attractive to settlement-stage larvae is generally unknown. We examined this phenomenon in a region of the Florida Keys where mass sponge die-offs have diminished both underwater soundscapes and larval settlement. The absence of pronounced hardbottom-associated sound over such a large area allowed us to experimentally test in situ the response of fish and invertebrate larvae to broadcasted sounds at different distances from their source. We first measured the signal-to-noise ratio of healthy hardbottom habitat soundscapes broadcast from an underwater speaker at seven distances to determine the maximum range of the signal. Based on those results, larval collectors were then deployed at 10, 100, 500, and 1,000 m from speakers broadcasting sounds recorded at either degraded or healthy hardbottom sites for five consecutive nights during each of three new and full moon periods in summer/fall 2019. Larval settlement onto those collectors was affected by lunar phase and soundscape type, but varied among species. In most cases, the effect was small and not likely to be ecologically significant. The absence of a strong larval settlement response to a sound cue lies in contrast to results from other studies. We suspect that the small (<500 m) radius of the broadcasted soundscapes may have limited the magnitude of the larval response to locally available larvae whose abundance may have been low because the experiment was conducted within a large, relatively quiet seascape. If true, it is possible that planktonic larvae may require a series of acoustic “sign-posts,” perhaps in combination with other cues (e.g., chemical), to successfully orient to distant nursery habitats. Although habitat restoration efforts may be able to restore healthy soundscapes, the typically small size and number of restoration sites may limit the range of the acoustic cue and thus larval attraction to restored habitats.
Evolving Perspectives of Stewardship in the Seafood Industry
Authors: Blasiak Robert , Dauriach Alice , Jouffray Jean-Baptiste , Folke Carl , Österblom Henrik , Bebbington Jan , Bengtsson Frida , Causevic Amar , Geerts Bas , Grønbrekk Wenche , Henriksson Patrik J. G. , Käll Sofia , Leadbitter Duncan , McBain Darian , Crespo Guillermo Ortuño , Packer Helen , Sakaguchi Isao , Schultz Lisen , Selig Elizabeth R. , Troell Max , Villalón José , Wabnitz Colette C. C. , Wassénius Emmy , Watson Reg A. , Yagi Nobuyuki , Crona Beatrice
Published: June 2021

Humanity has never benefited more from the ocean as a source of food, livelihoods, and well-being, yet on a global scale this has been accompanied by trajectories of degradation and persistent inequity. Awareness of this has spurred policymakers to develop an expanding network of ocean governance instruments, catalyzed civil society pressure on the public and private sector, and motivated engagement by the general public as consumers and constituents. Among local communities, diverse examples of stewardship have rested on the foundation of care, knowledge and agency. But does an analog for stewardship exist in the context of globally active multinational corporations? Here, we consider the seafood industry and its efforts to navigate this new reality through private governance. We examine paradigmatic events in the history of the sustainable seafood movement, from seafood boycotts in the 1970s through to the emergence of certification measures, benchmarks, and diverse voluntary environmental programs. We note four dimensions of stewardship in which efforts by actors within the seafood industry have aligned with theoretical concepts of stewardship, which we describe as (1) moving beyond compliance, (2) taking a systems perspective, (3) living with uncertainty, and (4) understanding humans as embedded elements of the biosphere. In conclusion, we identify emerging stewardship challenges for the seafood industry and suggest the urgent need to embrace a broader notion of ocean stewardship that extends beyond seafood.
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Were Associated With Adverse Clinical Outcomes: An Observational Cohort Study of 2,912 Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Lv Yong , Zhao Xiaodi , Wang Yan , Zhu Jingpu , Ma Chengfei , Feng Xiaodong , Ma Yao , Zheng Yipeng , Yang Liyu , Han Guohong , Xie Huahong
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim: The impact of liver function test (LFTs) abnormality on adverse clinical outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of abnormal LFTs on clinical outcomes in a large cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 2,912 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a makeshift hospital in China between 5 February and 23 March 2020. The association between LFTs abnormalities (baseline and peak values) and clinical outcomes was measured by using Cox regression models.

Results: On admission 1,414 patients (48.6%) had abnormal LFTs, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) elevation in 662 (22.7%), 221 (7.6%), 52 (1.8%), 135 (4.6%), and 536 (18.5%) patients, respectively, and hypoalbuminemia in 737 (25.3%) patients. During a median 13 (IQR: 8–19) days of hospitalization, 61 patients (2.1%) died, 106 patients (3.6%) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), and 75 patients (2.6%) required mechanical ventilation. After adjustment for confounders, baseline abnormal LFTs were independently associated with increased risks of mortality (adjusted HR 3.66, 95%CI 1.64–8.19, p = 0.002), ICU admission (adjusted HR 3.12 95%CI 1.86–5.23, p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (adjusted HR 3.00, 95%CI 1.63–5.52, p < 0.001), which was homogeneous across the severity of COVID-19 infection. Among the parameters of LTFs, the associations with the outcomes were more pronounced for AST and albumin abnormality. In contrast, ALT elevation was not significantly associated with those outcomes. Similar results were observed for peak values of LFTs during hospitalization.

Conclusions: Abnormality of AST, albumin, TBIL, ALP, and GGT but not ALT were independently associated with adverse outcomes.
Blood Eosinophils and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis of Real-World Data in China
Authors: Cui Yanan , Zhan Zijie , Zeng Zihang , Huang Ke , Liang Chen , Mao Xihua , Zhang Yaowen , Ren Xiaoxia , Yang Ting , Chen Yan
Published: June 2021

Background and Objective: Elevated eosinophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are recognized as a biomarker to guide inhaled corticosteroids use, but the value of blood eosinophils in hospitalized exacerbations of COPD remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of eosinophils in predicting clinical outcomes in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).

Methods: We analyzed data from the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease inpatient registry (ACURE) study, which is an ongoing nationwide multicenter, observational real-world study in patients admitted for AECOPD. Data collected between January 2018 and December 2019 in 163 centers were first reviewed. The eligible patients were divided into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic groups, according to blood eosinophil with 2% of the total leukocyte count as the threshold. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed to adjust for confounders.

Results: A total of 1,566 patients (median age: 69 years; 80.3% male) were included and 42.7% had an eosinophilic AECOPD. Eosinophil count <2% was associated with the development of respiratory failure and pneumonia. After PS matching, 650 pairs in overall patients, 468 pairs in patients with smoking history and 177 pairs in patients without smoking were selected, respectively. Only in patients with smoking history, the non-eosinophilic AECOPD was associated with longer median hospital stays (9 vs. 8 days, P = 0.034), higher dosage of corticosteroid use, higher economic burden of hospitalization, and poorer response to corticosteroid therapy compared to the eosinophilic AECOPD. No significant difference was found in patients without smoking. Eosinophil levels had no relationship with the change of COPD Assessment Test scores and readmissions or death after 30 days.

Conclusion: Elevated eosinophils were associated with better short-term outcomes only in patients with a smoking history. Eosinophil levels cannot be confidently used as a predictor alone for estimating prognosis.
A New Ciboria sp. for Soil Mycoremediation and the Bacterial Contribution to the Depletion of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Authors: Becarelli Simone , Chicca Ilaria , La China Salvatore , Siracusa Giovanna , Bardi Alessandra , Gullo Maria , Petroni Giulio , Levin David Bernard , Di Gregorio Simona
Published: June 2021

A Ciboria sp. strain (Phylum Ascomycota) was isolated from hydrocarbon-polluted soil of an abandoned oil refinery in Italy. The strain was able to utilize diesel oil as a sole carbon source for growth. Laboratory-scale experiments were designed to evaluate the use of this fungal strain for treatment of the polluted soil. The concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the soil was 8,538 mg/kg. Mesocosms containing the contaminated soil were inoculated with the fungal strain at 1 or 7%, on a fresh weight base ratio. After 90 days of incubation, the depletion of TPH contamination was of 78% with the 1% inoculant, and 99% with the 7% inoculant. 16S rDNA and ITS metabarcoding of the bacterial and fungal communities was performed in order to evaluate the potential synergism between fungi and bacteria in the bioremediation process. The functional metagenomic prediction indicated Arthrobacter, Dietzia, Brachybacerium, Brevibacterium, Gordonia, Leucobacter, Lysobacter, and Agrobacterium spp. as generalist saprophytes, essential for the onset of hydrocarbonoclastic specialist bacterial species, identified as Streptomyces, Nocardoides, Pseudonocardia, Solirubrobacter, Parvibaculum, Rhodanobacter, Luteiomonas, Planomicrobium, and Bacillus spp., involved in the TPH depletion. The fungal metabolism accelerated the onset of specialist over generalist bacteria. The capacity of the Ciboria sp. to deplete TPH in the soil in treatment was also ascertained.