bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Glycine by Microorganisms along the Altitude Changbai Mountain, China: An Uptake Test Using 13C,15N Labeling and 13C-PLFA Analysis
Authors: Xue Yan , Wu Zhijie , Zhang Lili , Bai Wei , Li Dongpo , Yang Lijie , Gong Ping , Wei Zhanbo , Song Yuchao , Cui Lei , Wu Kaikuo , Xiao Furong
Published: February 2022

External organic nitrogen (N) inputs can contrastingly affect the transformation and availability of N in forest soils, which is an important potential N resource and is possibly vulnerable to soil properties. Little is known about the transformation and availability of external small molecule organic N in forest soils and the underlying microbial mechanisms. Soil samples from Changbai Mountain at different altitudes (from 750 m to 2200 m) that ranged widely in soil properties were incubated with 13C, 15N-labeled glycine. The fate of 15N-glycine and the incorporation of 13C into different phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were measured at the same time. The addition of glycine promoted gross N mineralization and microbial N immobilization significantly. Mineralization of glycine N accounted for 6.2–22.5% of the added glycine and can be explicable in the light of a readily mineralizable substrate by soil microorganisms. Assimilation of glycine N into microbial biomass by the mineralization-immobilization-turnover (MIT) route accounted for 24.7–52.1% of the added label and was most mightily affected by the soil C/N ratio. We also found that the direct utilization of glycine is important to fulfill microorganism growth under the lack of available carbon (C) at upper elevations. The labeled glycine was rapidly incorporated into the PLFAs and was primarily assimilated by bacteria, indicating that different groups of the microbial community were answerable to external organic N. G+ bacteria were the main competitors for the exogenous glycine. Increased intact incorporation of glycine into microbial biomass and the concentration of PLFAs in general, particularly in G+ bacteria, suggest a diversified arrangement to response changes in substrate availability.
Production of Exopolysaccharides by Cultivation of Halotolerant Bacillus atrophaeus BU4 in Glucose- and Xylose-Based Synthetic Media and in Hydrolysates of Quinoa Stalks
Authors: Chambi Diego , Lundqvist Jenny , Nygren Erik , Romero-Soto Luis , Marin Katherine , Gorzsás András , Hedenström Mattias , Carlborg Markus , Broström Markus , Sundman Ola , Carrasco Cristhian , Jönsson Leif J. , Martín Carlos
Published: February 2022

A halotolerant, exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium isolated from the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus using next-generation sequencing. Comparisons indicate that the genome most likely (p-value: 0.0024) belongs to a subspecies previously not represented in the database. The growth of the bacterial strain and its ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) in synthetic media with glucose or xylose as carbon sources, and in hydrolysates of quinoa stalks, was investigated. The strain grew well in all synthetic media, but the growth in glucose was better than that in xylose. Sugar consumption was better when initial concentrations were low. The growth was good in enzymatically produced cellulosic hydrolysates but was inhibited in hemicellulosic hydrolysates produced using hydrothermal pretreatment. The EPS yields were up to 0.064 g/g on initial glucose and 0.047 g/g on initial xylose, and was higher in media with relatively low sugar concentrations. The EPS was isolated and purified by a sequential procedure including centrifugation, cold ethanol precipitation, trichloroacetic acid treatment, dialysis, and freeze-drying. Glucose and mannose were the main sugars identified in hydrolyzed EPS. The EPS was characterized by size-exclusion chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (HSQC NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. No major differences were elucidated between EPS resulting from cultivations in glucose- or-xylose-based synthetic media, while some divergences with regard to molecular-weight averages and FTIR and HSQC NMR spectra were detected for EPS from hydrolysate-based media.
Differences between Vegetarians and Omnivores in Food Choice Motivation and Dietarian Identity
Authors: Kim Gahyun , Oh Jieun , Cho Misook
Published: February 2022

Vegetarianism is on the rise worldwide and its importance is being emphasized in various ways, such as in its sustainability, environmental, food system, and ethical aspects. The purpose of the study is to identify motivations behind food choices and dietarian identity, to investigate the perceptions about plant-based foods, and to identify differences between vegetarians and omnivores. We conducted an online survey of 245 vegetarians and 246 omnivores. There was a significant difference between vegetarians and omnivores. In food choice motivations, vegetarians scored higher in the factors of ‘ethical concern’, ‘health’, and ‘convenience and price’, while omnivores responded higher in ‘sensory appeal’ and ‘weight control’ factors. In the dietarian identity, vegetarians scored higher in the ‘complex motivation’ and ‘strictness’ factors, while on the other hand omnivores scored higher in ‘out-group regard’ and ‘public regard’ factors. Although the reasons can be different, we confirmed that both vegetarians and omnivores are positive toward plant-based foods. Our results suggest that different strategies will be needed to promote plant-based food consumption to vegetarians and to omnivores.
Effects of Microbial Transformation on the Biological Activities of Prenylated Chalcones from Angelica keiskei
Authors: Xiao Yina , Lee Ik-Soo
Published: February 2022

Microbial transformation is an alternative method for structural modification. The current study aimed at application of microbial transformation for discovering new derivatives and investigating the structure-activity relationship of isobavachalcone (1), 4-hydroxyderricin (2), and xanthoangelol (3) isolated from the herb Angelica keiskei. In the initial screening process, 1–3 were incubated with microbes using a two-stage fermentation method and analyzed through TLC monitoring. The screening results showed that Rhizopus oryzae and Mucor hiemalis were able to transform 1 and 2, respectively. Additionally, M. hiemalis and Mortierella ramanniana var. angulispora were able to transform 3. Following scale-up fermentation, four new (4, 5, 7, and 10) and five known (6, 8, 9, 11, and 12) metabolites were produced. Cytotoxicity of all the compounds (1–12) was investigated using three human cancer cell lines including A375P, HT-29, and MCF-7 by MTT method. Meanwhile, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 1–12 was evaluated using l-tyrosine as a substrate. Overall, 1 and 3 displayed the highest cytotoxicity, and 5 and 7 exhibited the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with relatively low cytotoxicity. This allowed us to postulate that the introduction of 4′-O-glucopyranosyl group led to the reduction in cytotoxicity and improvement in tyrosinase inhibitory activity.
The Age of Discrimination: Race and American Foreign Policy after World War I
Authors: Krenn Michael L.
Published: February 2022

The decade after World War I has traditionally been defined as an “age of isolation.” The American public’s disillusionment with World War I, highlighted by the dismal failure of President Woodrow Wilson’s efforts to join the League of Nations, led to “A Return to Isolationism,” according to a brief summary of American diplomacy produced by the Department of State. Despite the fact that historian William Appleman Williams attempted to destroy the “legend of isolationism in the 1920s” and other scholars have followed his lead with a string of publications recounting the very active U.S. engagement with the rest of the world following the war, many textbooks continue to describe the 1920s as an age wherein the United States withdrew into a shell of isolation. My article suggests that one way of reconciling these apparently contradictory interpretations of American foreign policy in the decade after World War I is to examine one particular factor that has been largely overlooked: Whether “isolationist” or not, the United States during those years utilized race as a way to simultaneously build walls in and around the American nation as well as construct the ideological foundations for U.S. postwar expansion and engagement.
Integrated Analysis of RNA Binding Protein-Related lncRNA Prognostic Signature for Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Xu Shaohua , Xie Jiahui , Zhou Yanjie , Liu Hui , Wang Yirong , Li Zhaoyong
Published: February 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been well known for their multiple functions in the tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis of breast cancer (BC). Mechanistically, their production, function, or stability can be regulated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs), which were also involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of BC. However, the roles and clinical implications of RBP-related lncRNAs in BC remain largely unknown. Therefore, we herein aim to construct a prognostic signature with RBP-relevant lncRNAs for the prognostic evaluation of BC patients. Firstly, based on the RNA sequencing data of female BC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we screened out 377 differentially expressed lncRNAs related to RBPs. The univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses were then performed to establish a prognostic signature composed of 12-RBP-related lncRNAs. Furthermore, we divided the BC patients into high- and low-risk groups by the prognostic signature and found the overall survival (OS) of patients in the high-risk group was significantly shorter than that of the low-risk group. Moreover, the 12-lncRNA signature exhibited independence in evaluating the prognosis of BC patients. Additionally, a functional enrichment analysis revealed that the prognostic signature was associated with some cancer-relevant pathways, including cell cycle and immunity. In summary, our 12-lncRNA signature may provide a theoretical reference for the prognostic evaluation or clinical treatment of BC patients.
Transhumanities as the Pinnacle and a Bridge
Authors: Boltuc Piotr (Peter)
Published: February 2022

Transhumanities are designed as a multidisciplinary approach that transcends the limitations not only of specific disciplines, but also of the human species; these are primarily humanities for advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI leading to AGI). The view that philosophy, ethics and related disciplines pertain to all rational beings, not solely to humans, is essential to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. This approach turns out to be practical at the epoch of advanced AI. Many authors ponder how a kernel of ethical respect for human beings can be built into Artificial General Intelligence by the time it becomes a reality. I argue that the task requires, among other components, inculcating the core of the Humanities into advanced AI.
The Effects of Park Based Interventions on Health: The Italian Project “Moving Parks”
Authors: Toselli Stefania , Bragonzoni Laura , Dallolio Laura , Grigoletto Alessia , Masini Alice , Marini Sofia , Barone Giuseppe , Pinelli Erika , Zinno Raffaele , Mauro Mario , Astorino Gerardo , Loro Pilone Pietro , Galli Simona , Maietta Latessa Pasqualino
Published: February 2022

Obesity and physical inactivity are global health problems responsible for the risk increment of noncommunicable diseases. To overcome these problems, interventions aimed at increasing physical activity (PA) are necessary. Green space can have a positive influence on promoting PA, so, the aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of the project “The moving parks project”, which provides for the administration of PA to citizens within Bologna’s parks (Italy). An ad hoc questionnaire was administered before and after three months of outdoor PA. A total of 329 adult subjects participated in the survey. At follow-up, all psychosocial parameters showed an improvement, with a reduction in the state of tension, sadness and fatigue, and an improvement in the state of energy, serenity, and vitality. The impact of the interventions carried out in the “Moving Parks project” was positive and appears to be a good strategy for improving health outcomes.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use of Antidepressant and Antianxiety Pharmaceuticals as Well as Sick Leave in Poland
Authors: Krupa Dominika , Czech Marcin , Pinkas Jarosław , Mosiołek Anna
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major upheaval to the lives of people and placed a strain on societal mental health. The aim of this research is to estimate the impact of the pandemic on the mental condition of the Polish population measured through the consumption of relevant medication and medical leave of absence from the workplace. Methods: We analyzed national-level data on the consumption of pharmaceuticals used in clinical practice in Poland in the treatment of depression and anxiety alongside medical absence in the workplace using the Interrupted Time Series model to estimate the significance of the pandemic. Results: We found no significant change regarding the consumption of pharmaceuticals with the development of the pandemic. Conversely, medical leaves of absence for psychiatric reasons increased significantly with the onset of COVID-19. The influence was strongest in the diagnosis of anxiety or reaction to severe stress and weakest in recurrent depression. Conclusion: The pandemic had a significant influence on the ability to work for psychiatric patients in Poland but did not change pharmaceutical use. Physicians should consider the mental health of patients impacted by the anti-epidemic measures. Further study is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health in Poland.
Stability Risk Assessment of Underground Rock Pillars Using Logistic Model Trees
Authors: Li Ning , Zare Masoud , Yi Congke , Jimenez Rafael
Published: February 2022

Pillars are important structural elements that provide temporary or permanent support in underground spaces. Unstable pillars can result in rock sloughing leading to roof collapse, and they can also cause rock burst. Hence, the prediction of underground pillar stability is important. This paper presents a novel application of Logistic Model Trees (LMT) to predict underground pillar stability. Seven parameters—pillar width, pillar height, ratio of pillar width to height, uniaxial compressive strength of rock, average pillar stress, underground depth, and Bord width—are employed to construct LMTs for rock and coal pillars. The LogitBoost algorithm is applied to train on two data sets of rock and coal pillar case histories. The two models are validated with (i) 10-fold cross-validation and with (ii) another set of new case histories. Results suggest that the accuracy of the proposed LMT is the highest among other common machine learning methods previously employed in the literature. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis indicates that the average stress, p, and the ratio of pillar width to height, r, are the most influential parameters for the proposed models.
Developing a Risk Reduction Support System for Health System in Iran: A Case Study in Blood Supply Chain Management
Authors: Sibevei Ali , Azar Adel , Zandieh Mostafa , Khalili Seyed Mohammad , Yazdani Maziar
Published: February 2022

Health systems are recognised as playing a potentially important role in many risk management strategies; however, there is strong evidence that health systems themselves have been the victims of unanticipated risks and have lost their functionality in providing reliable services. Existing risk identification and assessment tools in the health sector, particularly in the blood supply chain, address and evaluate risks without taking into account their interdependence and a holistic perspective. As a result, the aim of this paper is to develop a new systemic framework based on a semi-quantitative risk assessment approach to measure supply chain risks, which will be implemented through a case study on the Iranian BSC. This paper identifies and assesses supply chain risks (SCRs) by employing a novel systemic process known as SSM-SNA-ISM (SSI). First, the supply chain and its risks are identified using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Then, given the large number of risks, the second stage uses Social Network Analysis (SNA) to identify the relationships between the risks and select the most important ones. In the third stage, risk levelling is performed with a more in-depth analysis of the selected risks and the application of Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM), and further analysis is performed using the Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC). The study found that by using the new proposed approach, taking into account risk relationships, and taking a holistic view, various supply chain risks could be assessed more effectively, especially when the number of risks is large. The findings also revealed that resolving the root risks of the blood supply chain frequently necessitates management skills. This paper contributes to the literature on supply chain risk management in two ways: First, a novel systemic approach to identifying and evaluating risks is proposed. This process offers a fresh perspective on supply chain risk modelling by utilising systems thinking tools. Second, by identifying Iranian BSC risks and identifying special risks.
Health Expenditure Data, Analysis and Policy Relevance in Australia, 1967 to 2020
Authors: Goss John R.
Published: February 2022

Since 1985, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published 85 health expenditure publications. It has gradually extended the scope of these publications by extending the health accounts to detail expenditure by disease and age/sex, by State, Territory and remoteness and by Indigenous status. These enhanced health expenditure databases were then used to understand in detail the drivers of health expenditure. Understanding the drivers of health expenditure enables policy makers to understand where to intervene so as to maximise the health improvements that arise from health expenditure growth.
Parental Preferences of Influenza Vaccination for Children in China: A National Survey with a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Jiang Minghuan , Gong Yilin , Fang Yu , Yao Xuelin , Feng Liuxin , Zhu Shan , Peng Jin , Shi Xinke
Published: February 2022

The influenza vaccination coverage among children is low in China. We aimed to conduct a nationwide survey to quantify parental preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for influenza vaccination for their children. Parents with children aged six months to 18 years from six provinces in China were investigated by a discrete choice experiment regarding six influenza vaccination attributes. Mixed logit models were used to estimate the relative importance of vaccine attributes and parents’ WTP. Interaction analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore preference heterogeneity. A total of 1206 parents were included in the analysis. Parents reported vaccine effectiveness as the most important vaccine attribute. The mode of vaccine administration had no significant impact on parents’ preferences. Parents aged over 30 years with higher education or income levels were more likely to prefer no influenza vaccination for their children. The largest marginal WTP (CNY 802.57) for vaccination and the largest increase in vaccine uptake (41.85%) occurred with improved vaccine effectiveness from 30% to 80%. Parents from central regions or mid-latitude areas had a relatively lower WTP than those from other regions. No significant difference in the relative importance of vaccine attributes were observed among parents from various regions of China.
Motor Competence in Individuals with Down Syndrome: Is an Improvement Still Possible in Adulthood?
Authors: Quinzi Federico , Vannozzi Giuseppe , Camomilla Valentina , Piacentini Maria Francesca , Boca Florin , Bortels Eric , Kathrein Eva , Magyar Adrian , Verdone Fabio , Sbriccoli Paola
Published: February 2022

In children, motor competence (MC) and the amount of physical activity are tightly interconnected. In adults with Down syndrome (DS), MC has been poorly addressed, resulting in a limited understanding of the possibility to improve MC over time. Here, we aim to: (1) investigate MC in adults with DS by comparing them with a group of typically developed peers and (2) verify the effect of an adapted karate program on MC. Adults with DS (DSG; n = 57) and typically developed adults (TDG; n = 21) performed the Test of Gross Motor Development version 3 (TGMD-3). The total TGMD-3 score (TOTTGMD-3), the locomotor (LOCTGMD-3), and object control (OBJTGMD-3) scores were computed. After a 40 week adapted karate program, DSG (n = 37) underwent the post-training TGMD-3 assessment. Compared to TDG, DSG showed lower TOTTGMD-3 (DSG: 45.5 ± 17.3; TDG: 77.3 ± 9.5), LOCTGMD-3 (DSG: 22.2 ± 10.0; TDG: 36.2 ± 7.6) and OBJTGMD-3 (DSG: 23.3 ± 10.9; TDG: 41.1 ± 5.6). After the training, TOTTGMD-3, LOCTGMD-3 and OBJTGMD-3 increased by 35.6%, 30.0% and 40.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that MC acquisition does not evolve into a mature form in adulthood in individuals with DS. Moreover, a brief exposure to an adapted karate program induces an increase in motor competence in DS, even in adulthood.
Urban Air Pollutant Monitoring through a Low-Cost Mobile Device Connected to a Smart Road
Authors: Chiesa Stefano , Di Pietro Antonio , Pollino Maurizio , Taraglio Sergio
Published: February 2022

Air pollutant monitoring is a basic issue in contemporary urban life. This paper describes an approach based on the diffused use of low-cost sensors that can be mounted on board urban vehicles for more abundant and distributed measures. The system exchanges data, exploiting a “Smart Road” infrastructure, with a central computing facility, the CIPCast platform, a GIS-based Decision Support System designed to perform real-time monitoring and interpolation of data with the aim of possibly issuing alarms with respect to different town areas. Experimental data gathering in the Rome urban area and subsequent processing results are presented. Algorithms for data fusion among different simulated monitoring systems and interpolation of data for a geographically denser map were utilised. Thus, in the framework of the Smart Road, protocols for data exchange were designed. Finally, air pollutant distribution maps were produced and integrated into the CIPCast platform. The feasibility of a full system architecture from the sensors to the real-time pollutant maps is shown.
Dual Nature of RAGE in Host Reaction and Nurturing the Mother–Infant Bond
Authors: Oshima Yu , Harashima Ai , Munesue Seiichi , Kimura Kumi , Leerach Nontaphat , Goto Hisanori , Tanaka Mariko , Niimura Akane , Hayashi Kenjiro , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Higashida Haruhiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko
Published: February 2022

Non-enzymatic glycation is an unavoidable reaction that occurs across biological taxa. The final products of this irreversible reaction are called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The endogenously formed AGEs are known to be bioactive and detrimental to human health. Additionally, exogenous food-derived AGEs are debated to contribute to the development of aging and various diseases. Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is widely known to elicit biological reactions. The binding of RAGE to other ligands (e.g., high mobility group box 1, S100 proteins, lipopolysaccharides, and amyloid-β) can result in pathological processes via the activation of intracellular RAGE signaling pathways, including inflammation, diabetes, aging, cancer growth, and metastasis. RAGE is now recognized as a pattern-recognition receptor. All mammals have RAGE homologs; however, other vertebrates, such as birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles, do not have RAGE at the genomic level. This evidence from an evolutionary perspective allows us to understand why mammals require RAGE. In this review, we provide an overview of the scientific knowledge about the role of RAGE in physiological and pathological processes. In particular, we focus on (1) RAGE biology, (2) the role of RAGE in physiological and pathophysiological processes, (3) RAGE isoforms, including full-length membrane-bound RAGE (mRAGE), and the soluble forms of RAGE (sRAGE), which comprise endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) and an ectodomain-shed form of RAGE, and (4) oxytocin transporters in the brain and intestine, which are important for maternal bonding and social behaviors.
Genome-Wide Analysis of LBD Transcription Factor Genes in Dendrobium catenatum
Authors: Jia Ru , Li Cheng , Wang Yuhua , Qin Xiangshi , Meng Lihua , Sun Xudong
Published: February 2022

The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) gene family comprises plant-specific transcription factors that control cell proliferation and differentiation during growth and development in many plant species. However, to date, no studies of the LBD gene family in Dendrobium catenatum have been reported. In this study, a genome-wide analysis of LBD genes was performed in D. catenatum and 24 LBD genes were identified. The genes were classified into two classes (I and II) based on phylogenetic relationships and motif structure. Subcellular localization analysis for DcaLBD6 and DcaLBD18 from class I and DcaLBD37 and DcaLBD41 from class II revealed that the proteins were localized in the nucleus. Transient expression analysis of DcaLBD6, DcaLBD18, DcaLBD37, and DcaLBD41 indicated that class I and class II members have opposite roles in regulating VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN 7 (VND7) expression. DcaLBD genes showed diverse expression patterns in response to different phytohormone treatments. Heat maps revealed diverse patterns of DcaLBD gene expression in different organs. These results lay the foundation for further detailed studies of the LBD gene family in D. catenatum.
Quantitative Visualization of the Interaction between Complement Component C1 and Immunoglobulin G: The Effect of CH1 Domain Deletion
Authors: Yanaka Saeko , Nishiguchi Shigetaka , Yogo Rina , Watanabe Hiroki , Shen Jiana , Yagi Hirokazu , Uchihashi Takayuki , Kato Koichi
Published: February 2022

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) adopts a modular multidomain structure that mediates antigen recognition and effector functions, such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity. IgG molecules are self-assembled into a hexameric ring on antigen-containing membranes, recruiting the complement component C1q. In order to provide deeper insights into the initial step of the complement pathway, we report a high-speed atomic force microscopy study for the quantitative visualization of the interaction between mouse IgG and the C1 complex composed of C1q, C1r, and C1s. The results showed that the C1q in the C1 complex is restricted regarding internal motion, and that it has a stronger binding affinity for on-membrane IgG2b assemblages than C1q alone, presumably because of the lower conformational entropy loss upon binding. Furthermore, we visualized a 1:1 stoichiometric interaction between C1/C1q and an IgG2a variant that lacks the entire CH1 domain in the absence of an antigen. In addition to the canonical C1q-binding site on Fc, their interactions are mediated through a secondary site on the CL domain that is cryptic in the presence of the CH1 domain. Our findings offer clues for novel-modality therapeutic antibodies.
The Protective Effects of n-Butylidenephthalide on Retinal Ganglion Cells during Ischemic Injury
Authors: Chou Yu-Yau , Chien Jia-Ying , Ciou Jhih-Wei , Huang Shun-Ping
Published: February 2022

Clinically, acute ischemic symptoms in the eyes are one of the main causes of vision loss, with the associated inflammatory response and oxidative stress being the key factors that cause injury. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common type of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION); however, there are still no effective or safe treatment options to date. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of n-butylidenephthalide (BP) treatment in an experimental NAION rodent model (rAION). BP (10 mg/kg) or PBS (control group) were administered on seven consecutive days in the rAION model. Rats were evaluated for visual function by flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) at 4 weeks after NAION induction. The retina and optic nerve were removed for histological examination after the rats were euthanized. The molecular machinery of BP treatment in the rAION model was analyzed using Western blotting. We discovered that BP effectively improves retinal ganglion cell survival rates by preventing apoptotic processes after AION induction and reducing the inflammatory response through which blood-borne macrophages infiltrate the optic nerve. In addition, BP significantly preserved the integrity of the myelin sheath in the rAION model, demonstrating that BP can prevent the development of demyelination. Our immunoblotting results revealed the molecular mechanism through which BP mitigates the neuroinflammatory response through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BP can be used as an exceptional neuroprotective agent for ischemic injury.
Natural Ligand-Mimetic and Nonmimetic Inhibitors of the Ceramide Transport Protein CERT
Authors: Hanada Kentaro , Sakai Shota , Kumagai Keigo
Published: February 2022

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are recognized as key players in the inter-organelle trafficking of lipids and are rapidly gaining attention as a novel molecular target for medicinal products. In mammalian cells, ceramide is newly synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and converted to sphingomyelin in the trans-Golgi regions. The ceramide transport protein CERT, a typical LTP, mediates the ER-to-Golgi transport of ceramide at an ER-distal Golgi membrane contact zone. About 20 years ago, a potent inhibitor of CERT, named (1R,3S)-HPA-12, was found by coincidence among ceramide analogs. Since then, various ceramide-resembling compounds have been found to act as CERT inhibitors. Nevertheless, the inevitable issue remains that natural ligand-mimetic compounds might directly bind both to the desired target and to various undesired targets that share the same natural ligand. To resolve this issue, a ceramide-unrelated compound named E16A, or (1S,2R)-HPCB-5, that potently inhibits the function of CERT has recently been developed, employing a series of in silico docking simulations, efficient chemical synthesis, quantitative affinity analysis, protein–ligand co-crystallography, and various in vivo assays. (1R,3S)-HPA-12 and E16A together provide a robust tool to discriminate on-target effects on CERT from off-target effects. This short review article will describe the history of the development of (1R,3S)-HPA-12 and E16A, summarize other CERT inhibitors, and discuss their possible applications.
Proinflammatory Cytokines (IL-1, -6, -8, -15, -17, -18, -23, TNF-α) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis—A Literature Review
Authors: Koper-Lenkiewicz Olga M. , Sutkowska Kinga , Wawrusiewicz-Kurylonek Natalia , Kowalewska Ewa , Matowicka-Karna Joanna
Published: February 2022

Conducted studies highlight that a mixture of genetic and environmental factors is responsible for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development. This study aimed to analyze the available literature for the relationship between, on the one hand, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the proinflammatory cytokines genes interleukin-1 (IL-1), -6, -8, -15, -17, -18, and -23, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and on the other hand, RA susceptibility, severity, and patients’ response to applied treatment. The PubMed database was searched for sources. Preference was given to articles which were published within the past 20 years. Data indicate that the relationship between selected SNPs in proinflammatory cytokines genes and susceptibility to developing RA is inconclusive, and it depends on the ethnicity of the population. Although the allelic and genotypic frequencies of many SNPs in proinflammatory cytokines genes analyzed did not differ between RA patients and healthy controls, deeper analysis showed that these polymorphisms have a relationship with clinicopathological features of RA. SNPs in proinflammatory cytokines genes also “modify patients’ response” to applied treatment. Further studies, on larger cohorts of subjects and in different populations, should be conducted to elucidate the role of SNPs in IL-1, -6, -8, -15, -17, -18, and -23, and TNF-α genes in RA patients.
Identification of Novel Genomic Regions for Bacterial Leaf Pustule (BLP) Resistance in Soybean (Glycine max L.) via Integrating Linkage Mapping and Association Analysis
Authors: Zhao Fangzhou , Cheng Wei , Wang Yanan , Gao Xuewen , Huang Debao , Kong Jiejie , Antwi-Boasiako Augustine , Zheng Lingyi , Yan Wenliang , Chang Fangguo , Kong Keke , Liao Ying-Yu , Huerta Alejandra I. , Liu Wusheng , Zhang Mengchen , Zhao Tuanjie
Published: February 2022

Bacterial leaf pustule (BLP), caused by Xanthornonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag), is a worldwide disease of soybean, particularly in warm and humid regions. To date, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of BLP resistance. The only single recessive resistance gene rxp has not been functionally identified yet, even though the genotypes carrying the gene have been widely used for BLP resistance breeding. Using a linkage mapping in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population against the Xag strain Chinese C5, we identified that quantitative trait locus (QTL) qrxp–17–2 accounted for 74.33% of the total phenotypic variations. We also identified two minor QTLs, qrxp–05–1 and qrxp–17–1, that accounted for 7.26% and 22.26% of the total phenotypic variations, respectively, for the first time. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 476 cultivars of a soybean breeding germplasm population, we identified a total of 38 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) on chromosomes (Chr) 5, 7, 8, 9,15, 17, 19, and 20 under artificial infection with C5, and 34 QTNs on Chr 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 20 under natural morbidity condition. Taken together, three QTLs and 11 stable QTNs were detected in both linkage mapping and GWAS analysis, and located in three genomic regions with the major genomic region containing qrxp_17_2. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of the relative expression levels of five potential candidate genes in the resistant soybean cultivar W82 following Xag treatment showed that of Glyma.17G086300, which is located in qrxp–17–2, significantly increased in W82 at 24 and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) when compared to that in the susceptible cultivar Jack. These results indicate that Glyma.17G086300 is a potential candidate gene for rxp and the QTLs and QTNs identified in this study will be useful for marker development for the breeding of Xag-resistant soybean cultivars.
TORS as Part of Multilevel Surgery in OSA: The Importance of Careful Patient Selection and Outcomes
Authors: Baptista Peter M. , Diaz Zufiaurre Natalia , Garaycochea Octavio , Alcalde Navarrete Juan Manuel , Moffa Antonio , Giorgi Lucrezia , Casale Manuele , O’Connor-Reina Carlos , Plaza Guillermo
Published: February 2022

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a relatively young technique principally devised for managing apneas in the tongue base area. This study summarizes and presents our personal experience with TORS for OSA treatment, with the aim to provide information regarding its safety, efficacy, and postoperative complications. A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing TORS with lingual tonsillectomy through the Da Vinci robot. The effectiveness of the surgical procedure was assessed employing the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and overnight polysomnography with the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). A total of 57 patients were included. Eighteen patients (31.6%) had undergone previous surgery. The mean time of TORS procedure was 30 min. Base of tongue (BOT) management was associated with other procedures in all patients: pharyngoplasty (94%), tonsillectomy (66%), and septoplasty (58%). At 6 months follow-up visit, there was a significant improvement in AHI values (from 38.62 ± 20.36 to 24.33 ± 19.68) and ESS values (from 14.25 ± 3.97 to 8.25 ± 3.3). The surgical success rate was achieved in 35.5% of patients. The most frequent major complication was bleeding, with the need for operative intervention in three cases (5.3%). The most common minor complications were mild dehydration and pain. TORS for OSA treatment appears to be an effective and safe procedure for adequately selected patients looking for an alternative therapy to CPAP.
Comparative Analysis of the Incidence of Selected Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Infections in Poland in 2010–2015: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Orzechowska Magda , Cybulski Mateusz , Krajewska-Kulak Elzbieta , Gniadek Agnieszka , Niczyporuk Wiaczeslaw
Published: February 2022

Sexually transmitted infections are common infectious diseases. The main aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in 2010–2015 in Poland, taking into account the administrative division of the country into provinces. This was a retrospective study. The analysed data came from the Centre for Health Information Systems of the Ministry of Health and constituted information being the epidemiological surveillance system in Poland. The analysis included data on the incidence of primary and secondary syphilis, gonorrhoea and non-gonococcal urethritis and genital infections. The overall incidence rates were disproportionately lower than European rates and those presented in studies from other countries. Young people, between 20 and 29 years of age, were the key groups at the highest risk of infection. The incidence rate of primary and secondary syphilis was lower in Poland than in Europe or America, but some regions, such as Mazovia and Lodz provinces, were found to have a higher incidence rate than other European rates. The reported incidence of gonorrhoea in Poland was also significantly lower compared with other countries, with a significantly higher number of infections in males than in females, and this was also one of the highest rates in EU countries. During the study period, the number of non-gonococcal genital infections systematically decreased, while in other countries of the European region, the incidence was among the highest of all sexually transmitted infections.
The Role of Inflammation in Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mennink Lilian M. , Aalbers Marlien W. , van Dijk Pim , van Dijk J. Marc C.
Published: February 2022

Subjective tinnitus is the perception of sound without the presence of an external source. Increasing evidence suggests that tinnitus is associated with inflammation. In this systematic review, the role of inflammation in subjective tinnitus was studied. Nine animal and twenty human studies reporting inflammatory markers in both humans and animals with tinnitus were included. It was established that TNF-α and IL-1β are increased in tinnitus, and that microglia and astrocytes are activated as well. Moreover, platelet activation may also play a role in tinnitus. In addition, we elaborate on mechanisms of inflammation in tinnitus, and discuss potential treatment options targeting inflammatory pathways.
Effect of Bound Water Content on Secondary Compression of Three Marine Silty Clays
Authors: Li Shuo , Wang Changming , Guo Fuyan , Liu Xiaoyang , Han Songling , Gao Ruiyuan
Published: February 2022

Secondary compression studies can provide insights for evaluating the engineering potential and environmental impact of soil. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of bound water content on the secondary compression of marine silty clay. To this end, a novel method was established based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the contents and limits of strongly bound water and weakly bound water for three typical marine silty clays including Tianjin mucky silty clay (TJ), Qingdao mucky silty clay (QD), and Weihai silty clay (WH). A total of 17 groups of uniaxial confined compression tests were performed for reconstituted samples at different absolute water contents under the condition of multistage loading to investigate their secondary compression characteristics. The results show that the initial dehydration temperature of strongly bound water (Ts) corresponds to the peak of the derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curve. The values of Ts for TJ, QD and WH are 112.35 °C, 109.67 °C and 118.46 °C, respectively. The initial dehydration temperatures of weakly bound water (Tw) for TJ, QD and WH are 55.26 °C, 52.56 °C and 56.56 °C, respectively. The secondary compression coefficient Cα changes little before the strongly bound water limit and increases dramatically as weakly bound water content increases at the same vertical stress. A piecewise linear model and a quadratic polynomial model are established for calculating the average secondary compression coefficient from bound water content. Weakly bound water is the determining factor controlling secondary compression. Increasing the bound water content weakens the connection force and friction force among the particles and the viscosity of weakly bound water. The results will guide decisions on long-term settlement assessment and facilitate understanding of the secondary compression mechanism of marine silty clays affected by bound water.
GlSwi6 Positively Regulates Cellulase and Xylanase Activities through Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling in Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Lian Ling-Dan , Shi Ling-Yan , Zhu Jing , Liu Rui , Shi Liang , Ren Ang , Yu Han-Shou , Zhao Ming-Wen
Published: February 2022

Ganoderma lucidum is a white-rot fungus that produces a range of lignocellulolytic enzymes to decompose lignin and cellulose. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has been implicated in xylanases and cellulases production. As the downstream transcription factor of Slt2-MAPK, the function of Swi6 in G. lucidum has not been fully studied. In this study, the transcription factor GlSwi6 in G. lucidum was characterized and shown to significantly positively regulate cellulases and xylanases production. Knockdown of the GlSwi6 gene decreased the activities of cellulases and xylanases by approximately 31%~38% and 54%~60% compared with those of the wild-type (WT) strain, respectively. Besides, GlSwi6 can be alternatively spliced into two isoforms, GlSwi6A and GlSwi6B, and overexpression of GlSwi6B increased the activities of cellulase and xylanase by approximately 50% and 60%, respectively. Further study indicates that the existence of GlSwi6B significantly increased the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. Our study indicated that GlSwi6 promotes the activities of cellulase and xylanase by regulating the Ca2+ signaling. These results connected the GlSwi6 and Ca2+ signaling in the regulation of cellulose degradation, and provide an insight for further improvement of cellulase or xylanase activities in G. lucidum as well as other fungi.
Efficacy of Myopia Control and Distribution of Corneal Epithelial Thickness in Children Treated with Orthokeratology Assessed Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Kuo Yu-Kai , Chen Yen-Ting , Chen Ho-Min , Wu Pei-Chang , Sun Chi-Chin , Yeung Ling , Lin Ken-Kuo , Chen Hung-Chi , Chuang Lan-Hsin , Lai Chi-Chun , Chen Yau-Hung , Liu Chun-Fu
Published: February 2022

The association between myopia control efficacy in children treated with orthokeratology and corneal epithelial thickness is still unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the corneal epithelial thickness and its association with axial length changes in children treated with orthokeratology. This retrospective cohort study enrolled children aged from 9 to 15 years who had received orthokeratology for myopia control and had been followed up for at least 1 year. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography was performed to generate wide epithelial thickness maps of the patients. Annual axial length changes were calculated from the axial length at 6 months after the initiation of orthokeratology lens wear and at final measurements. Corneal epithelial thickness data were obtained from 24 sectors and a central 2 mm zone of the wide epithelial thickness map. Associations between annual axial length changes and corneal epithelial thickness for each sector/zone of the wide epithelial thickness map, and orthokeratology treatment data were determined by generalized estimating equations. Finally, a total of 83 eyes of 43 patients (mean age 11.2 years) were included in the analysis. The mean annual axial length change was 0.169 mm; when regressing demographic and ortho-k parameters to mean annual axial length changes, age and target power were both negatively associated with them (β = −14.43, p = 0.008; β = −0.26, p = 0.008, respectively). After adjusting for age and target power, the annual axial length changes were positively associated with the corneal epithelium thickness of IT1, I1, SN2, and S2 sectors of the wide epithelial thickness map, and negatively with that of the I3 sector. In conclusion, we identified associations between annual axial length changes and the corneal epithelium thickness of certain sectors in children treated with orthokeratology. This may facilitate the design of orthokeratology lenses with enhanced efficacy for myopia control.
Age-Related Changes in Lipid and Glucose Levels Associated with Drug Use and Mortality: An Observational Study
Authors: Markovič Rene , Grubelnik Vladimir , Vošner Helena Blažun , Kokol Peter , Završnik Matej , Janša Karmen , Zupet Marjeta , Završnik Jernej , Marhl Marko
Published: February 2022

Background: The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus is complex and still unclear in some details. The main feature of diabetes mellitus is high serum glucose, and the question arises of whether there are other statistically observable dysregulations in laboratory measurements before the state of hyperglycemia becomes severe. In the present study, we aim to examine glucose and lipid profiles in the context of age, sex, medication use, and mortality. Methods: We conducted an observational study by analyzing laboratory data from 506,083 anonymized laboratory tests from 63,606 different patients performed by a regional laboratory in Slovenia between 2008 and 2019. Laboratory data-based results were evaluated in the context of medication use and mortality. The medication use database contains anonymized records of 1,632,441 patients from 2013 to 2018, and mortality data were obtained for the entire Slovenian population. Results: We show that the highest percentage of the population with elevated glucose levels occurs approximately 20 years later than the highest percentage with lipid dysregulation. Remarkably, two distinct inflection points were observed in these laboratory results. The first inflection point occurs at ages 55 to 59 years, corresponding to the greatest increase in medication use, and the second coincides with the sharp increase in mortality at ages 75 to 79 years. Conclusions: Our results suggest that medications and mortality are important factors affecting population statistics and must be considered when studying metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia using laboratory data.