bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upaya Adaptasi Kebiasaan Baru Akibat Pandemi Covid-19 di Lingkungan Panti Asuhan
Authors: Wahyuningrum Eka , Gayatina Andri Kenti
Published: September 2022

The Covid pandemic has occurred in all countries, including Indonesia. Covid-19 is not only transmitted to the adult age group, but also to the child age group. Preliminary studies at Hephata orphanage found that most children needed health information about Covid-19, eye health and maintaining personal hygiene during Covid-19. The purpose of this community service is to increase the adaptation of new habits due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the orphanage environment. Method of community services include giving posters "Stay Healthy with New Habits in the Covid-19 Pandemic", giving masks, hand sanitizer and hand washing soap, coloring pictures of new habits and education about Covid-19, impact and prevention of Covid-19 through habits new. PKM activities are carried out in 2 stages, namely providing facilities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and education. Based on observations, this activity was well received by the orphanage, it was seen that the caretakers and owners of the orphanage were directly involved in receiving facilities. In addition, the residents of the orphanage also seemed enthusiastic in coloring pictures and participating in education. There was an increase of the average score from 71 to 80. Conclusion: PKM activities increase the knowledge of Hephata orphanage children and support the implementation of new Covid-19 habits.
ABSTRAK
Pandemi Covid terjadi di seluruh negara termasuk Indonesia. Covid-19 tidak hanya menular pada golongan usia dewasa, namun juga golongan usia anak. Studi pendahuluan pada panti Hephata menemukan sebagian besar anak membutuhkan informasi kesehatan mengenai Covid-19, kesehatan mata dan menjaga kebersihan diri selama Covid. Tujuan dari pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah peningkatan adaptasi kebiasaan baru akibat pandemi Covid-19 di lingkungan panti asuhan. Metode: kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) yang dilaksanakan antara lain pemberian poster “Tetap Sehat dengan Kebiasaan Baru pada Pandemi Covid-19”, pemberian masker, hand sanitizer dan sabun cuci tangan, mewarnai gambar kebiasaan baru dan edukasi tentang Covid-19, dampak dan pencegahan Covid-19 melalui kebiasaan baru. Kegiatan PKM dilakukan dalam 2 tahap yaitu pemberian fasilitas pencegahan penularan Covid-19 dan edukasi. Berdasarkan observasi, kegiatan ini disambut baik oleh panti asuhan, terlihat antusias pengurus dan pemilik panti asuhan yang terlibat langsung dalam kegiatan penerimaan sarana. Selain itu, penghuni panti asuhan juga terlihat antusias dalam mewarnai gambar dan mengikuti edukasi. Terdapat peningkatan rerata pengetahuan tentang dari 71 menjadi 80. Kesimpulan: kegiatan PKM meningkatkan pengetahuan anak PA Hephata dan mendukung penerapan kebiasaan baru Covid-19.
Investigating the physiological response and antibody concentration of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) following Vibrio anguillarum vaccination depending on the stress coping style
Authors: Carbonara Pierluigi , Alfonso Sebastien , Zupa Walter , Manfrin Amedeo , Fiocchi Eleonora , Buratin Alessandra , Bertazzo Valentina , Cammarata Matteo , Spedicato Maria Teresa , Lembo Giuseppe
Published: September 2022

Stress coping styles (SCSs) are defined as coherent sets of individual physiological and behavioral differences in stress response consistent across time and context and are described in a wide range of taxa, including fishes. These differences in behavior and physiology are of great interest because they may have direct implications on animal health, welfare, and performance in farming systems, including aquaculture. In this study, the physiological responses of sea bream (Sparus aurata) from different SCSs following Vibrio anguillarum vaccination were monitored. Fish were first screened either bold or shy (proxy of proactive and reactive SCSs, respectively) using group risk-taking tests and were then injected with a vaccine against V. anguillarum. Following vaccination, the fish were implanted with an accelerometer tag to monitor their swimming activity (proxy of energy expenditure), and blood sampling was carried out to measure health and welfare parameters (e.g., cortisol, glucose, hemoglobin) and aspecific immunity (e.g., protease, total proteins). In addition, blood was also collected at three different sampling times to screen antibody levels and, thus, to evaluate the efficiency of the vaccine. Following vaccination, bold fish displayed lower swimming activity values, indicative of lower energy expenditure, and also displayed higher levels of hematocrit, total proteins, and lysozyme in the plasma than the shy ones, which could be indicative of better health/welfare status and greater aspecific immunity. Finally, the V. anguillarum vaccination appeared to be more efficient in bold fish since the number of total antibodies was found higher than in shy fish 1 month after vaccination. Such results could help improve both health/welfare and productivity of farmed sea breams by selecting more robust fish, better adapted to farming conditions.
Analysis of drug efficacy for inflammatory skin on an organ-chip system
Authors: Quan Qianghua , Weng Ding , Li Xuan , An Quan , Yang Yang , Yu Bowen , Ma Yuan , Wang Jiadao
Published: September 2022

Bacterial skin infections cause a variety of common skin diseases that require drugs that are safer than antibiotics and have fewer side effects. However, for evaluating skin disease drugs, human skin tissue in vitro constructed traditionally on Transwell has inefficient screening ability because of its fragile barrier function. With mechanical forces and dynamic flow, the organ-on-a-chip system became an innovative, automatic, and modular way to construct pathological models and analyze effective pharmaceutical ingredients in vitro. In this research, we integrated skin extracellular matrix and skin cells into a microfluidic chip to construct a biomimetic “interface-controlled-skin-on-chip” system (IC-SoC), which constructed a stable air–liquid interface (ALI) and necessary mechanical signals for the development of human skin equivalents. The results demonstrated that in the microfluidic system with a flowing microenvironment and ALI, the skin tissue formed in vitro could differentiate into more mature tissue morphological structures and improve barrier function. Then, following exposing the skin surface on the IC-SoC to the stimulation of Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), the barrier function decreased, as well as inflammatory factors such as IL-1α, IL-8, and PEG2 increased in the medium channel of the IC-SoC. After this pathological skin model was treated with dexamethasone and polyphyllin H, the results showed that polyphyllin H had a significant repair effect on the skin barrier and a significant inhibition effect on the release of inflammation-related cytokines, and the effects were more prominent than dexamethasone. This automated microfluidic system delivers an efficient tissue model for toxicological applications and drug evaluation for bacterial-infected damaged skin instead of animals.
Efficient biosynthesis of exopolysaccharide in Candida glabrata by a fed-batch culture
Authors: Xu Sha , Xu Jinke , Zeng Weizhu , Shan Xiaoyu , Zhou Jingwen
Published: September 2022

Polysaccharides are important natural biomacromolecules. In particular, microbial exopolysaccharides have received much attention. They are produced by a variety of microorganisms, and they are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The Candida glabrata mutant 4-C10, which has the capacity to produce exopolysaccharide, was previously obtained by random mutagenesis. In this study we aimed to further enhance exopolysaccharide production by systemic fermentation optimization. By single factor optimization and orthogonal design optimization in shaking flasks, an optimal fermentation medium composition was obtained. By optimizing agitation speed, aeration rate, and fed-batch fermentation mode, 118.6 g L−1 of exopolysaccharide was obtained by a constant rate feeding fermentation mode, with a glucose yield of 0.62 g g−1 and a productivity of 1.24 g L−1 h−1. Scaling up the established fermentation mode to a 15-L fermenter led to an exopolysaccharide yield of 113.8 g L−1, with a glucose yield of 0.60 g g−1 and a productivity of 1.29 g L−1 h−1.
Tailored Additives for Incorporation of Antibacterial Functionality Into Laser Sintered Parts
Authors: Wingham James R. , Ahmed Ifty , Islam Md Towhidul , Shepherd Joanna , Majewski Candice
Published: September 2022

Infectious disease is a major cause of death worldwide, and novel methods capable of controlling the spread of disease are in high demand. This research presents a method of producing antimicrobial microcomposites by exploiting the powder-based nature of the Laser Sintering Additive Manufacturing process, via the incorporation of silver-containing additives. Silver phosphate glass additives in different formulations were designed to determine the effect of dissolution rate on the antimicrobial efficacy. These were characterised and successfully incorporated into polyamide 12 parts, without affecting the mechanical properties. The printed microcomposite parts displayed both bactericidal and antibiofouling effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in nutrient-poor conditions, with the efficacy found to be more sensitive to silver content than degradation rate.
Spatial Deflection of Parallel Hydraulic Fractures and Induced Shear Stress Disturbance Under Different Perforation Cluster Spacing Considering Thermal Effects
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Liu Nana , Cui Yishuo , Liu Xuguang
Published: September 2022

Reliable estimation of fracture network length and morphology in hydrofracturing is crucial for controlling and optimizing fracturing effects. Hydraulic fracture propagation will be affected by a variety of factors to produce deflection, resulting in different fracture network morphology. To study the spatial deflection behaviours of multiple parallel hydraulic fractures, three-dimensional engineering-scale numerical model for multistage fracturing is established to study the induced shear stress disturbance and unstable spatial propagation behavior of hydraulic fractures under different perforation cluster spacing. In the model, the thermal diffusion, fluid flow and deformation of rock between the rock matrix and fluid in pores and fractures are considered to describe the thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling. In this study, the results show that the thermal effect between fracturing fluid and rock matrix is an important factor affecting fracture propagation, and thermal effects can increase induced shear stress area and promote fracture propagation. The induced shear stress disturbance caused by fracture propagation is superimposed in multiple fractures, resulting in stress shadow effect and spatial deflection of parallel fractures. The stress shadow areas and the spatial deflection of parallel hydraulic fractures will increase with the decrease of multiple perforation cluster spacing.
Dynamic transcriptome changes during osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells isolated from chicken
Authors: Lv Huijiao , Wang Tao , Zhai Shangkun , Hou Zhuocheng , Chen Sirui
Published: September 2022

Osteoblasts are indispensable for skeletal growth and maintenance. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are useful in studying osteogenesis. In this study, BMSCs isolated from White Leghorns were differentiated into osteoblasts in vitro. Cells induced for -1, 0, 1, 11, and 22 d were used for transcriptomic analyses using the HISAT2-Stringtie-DESeq2 pipeline. Weighted correlation network analysis was processed to investigate significant modules, including differentially expressed genes (DEGs), correlated with osteogenic differentiation. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed to elucidate the mechanisms of osteoblast differentiation. A total of 534, 1,144, 1,077, and 337 DEGs were identified between cells induced for -1 and 0, 0 and 1, 1 and 11, and 11 and 22 d, respectively (|log2FC| > 1.0, FDR <0.05). DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways related to cell proliferation in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation and pathways, such as the TGF-β signaling pathway, in the middle and late stages of osteogenic differentiation. A protein–protein interaction network of the 87 DEGs in the MEturquoise module within top 5-%-degree value was built utilizing the STRING database. This study is the first to elucidate the transcriptomic changes in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs isolated from White Leghorns at different times. Our results provide insight into the dynamic transcriptome changes during BMSC differentiation into osteoblasts in chicken.
Redundant mechanisms regulating the proliferation vs. differentiation balance in the C. elegans germline
Authors: Vanden Broek Kara , Han Xue , Hansen Dave
Published: September 2022

The proper production of gametes over an extended portion of the life of an organism is essential for a high level of fitness. The balance between germline stem cell (GSC) proliferation (self-renewal) and differentiation (production of gametes) must be tightly regulated to ensure proper gamete production and overall fitness. Therefore, organisms have evolved robust regulatory systems to control this balance. Here we discuss the redundancy in the regulatory system that controls the proliferation vs. differentiation balance in the C. elegans hermaphrodite germline, and how this redundancy may contribute to robustness. We focus on the various types of redundancy utilized to regulate this balance, as well as the approaches that have enabled these redundant mechanisms to be uncovered.
Ufl1 deficiency causes skin pigmentation by up-regulation of Endothelin-1
Authors: Wang Ke , Xu Hu-Ning , Wang Yi-Wen , Mao Jian , Liu Da , Zhu Xiao-Jing , Cong Yu-Sheng , Wang Miao
Published: September 2022

Ufmylation (UFM1 modification) is a newly identified ubiquitin-like modification system involved in numerous cellular processes. However, the regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of this modification remain mostly unknown. We have recently reported that Ufmylation family genes have frequent somatic copy number alterations in human cancer including melanoma, suggesting involvement of Ufmylation in skin function and disease. UFL1 is the only known Ufmylation E3-like ligase. In this study, we generated the skin-specific Ufl1 knockout mice and show that ablation of Ufl1 caused epidermal thickening, pigmentation and shortened life span. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that Ufl1 deletion resulted in upregulation of the genes involved in melanin biosynthesis. Mechanistically, we found that Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a novel substrate of Ufmylation and this modification regulates ET-1 stability, and thereby deletion of Ufl1 upregulates the expression and secretion of ET-1, which in turn results in up-regulation of genes in melanin biosynthesis and skin pigmentation. Our findings establish the role of Ufl1 in skin pigmentation through Ufmylation modification of ET-1 and provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention of skin diseases.
Exploring the role of nanomedicines for the therapeutic approach of central nervous system dysfunction: At a glance
Authors: Rhaman Md. Mominur , Islam Md. Rezaul , Akash Shopnil , Mim Mobasharah , Noor alam Md. , Nepovimova Eugenie , Valis Martin , Kuca Kamil , Sharma Rohit
Published: September 2022

In recent decades, research scientists, molecular biologists, and pharmacologists have placed a strong emphasis on cutting-edge nanostructured materials technologies to increase medicine delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). The application of nanoscience for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease (HD), brain cancer, and hemorrhage has the potential to transform care. Multiple studies have indicated that nanomaterials can be used to successfully treat CNS disorders in the case of neurodegeneration. Nanomedicine development for the cure of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system is critical. Nanoparticles may act as a drug transporter that can precisely target sick brain sub-regions, boosting therapy success. It is important to develop strategies that can penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and improve the effectiveness of medications. One of the probable tactics is the use of different nanoscale materials. These nano-based pharmaceuticals offer low toxicity, tailored delivery, high stability, and drug loading capacity. They may also increase therapeutic effectiveness. A few examples of the many different kinds and forms of nanomaterials that have been widely employed to treat neurological diseases include quantum dots, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, liposomes, and micelles. These unique qualities, including sensitivity, selectivity, and ability to traverse the BBB when employed in nano-sized particles, make these nanoparticles useful for imaging studies and treatment of NDs. Multifunctional nanoparticles carrying pharmacological medications serve two purposes: they improve medication distribution while also enabling cell dynamics imaging and pharmacokinetic study. However, because of the potential for wide-ranging clinical implications, safety concerns persist, limiting any potential for translation. The evidence for using nanotechnology to create drug delivery systems that could pass across the BBB and deliver therapeutic chemicals to CNS was examined in this study.
Curcumanes E and F, two rare sesquiterpenoids with a dicyclo[3.3.1]nonane moiety, from Curcuma longa and their vasorelaxant activities
Authors: Liu Juan , Qiao Ming-Ming , Peng Cheng , Shu Hong-Zhen , Meng Chun-Wang , Liu Fei , Xiong Liang
Published: September 2022

Two new sesquiterpenoids, curcumanes E (1) and F (2), were isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, and their structures and absolute configurations were examined using extensive spectroscopic analyses and ECD calculations. Interestingly, compounds 1 and 2 are diastereoisomers possessing a rare sesquiterpenoid skeleton that has been reported only once before. Both curcumanes E and F exhibit significant vasorelaxant effects against KCl-induced contraction of rat aortic rings, with EC50 values of 5.10 ± 0.79 and 5.58 ± 1.77 μM, respectively. These findings enrich the data concerning this rare type of sesquiterpenoids and further indicate that these rare sesquiterpenoids can effectively reduce blood pressure.
Soybean isoflavones modulate gut microbiota to benefit the health weight and metabolism
Authors: Huang Lili , Zheng Tao , Hui Huaying , Xie Guozhen
Published: September 2022

Soybean isoflavones (SIs) are widely found in food and herbal medicines. Although the pharmacological activities of SIs have been widely reported, their effects on the intestinal microecology of normal hosts have received little attention. Five-week-old Kunming (KM) mice were administered SIs (10 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Food intake, body weight, and digestive enzyme activity were measured. Small intestine microbiota, including lumen-associated bacteria (LAB) and mucosa-associated bacteria (MAB), were analyzed using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the mice that consuming SIs showed a higher food intake but a lower body weight gain rate than that of normal mice. Sucrase, cellulase, and amylase activities reduced, while protease activity increased after SIs intervention. Moreover, SIs increased the intestinal bacterial diversity in both LAB and MAB of normal mice. The composition of LAB was more sensitive to SIs than those of MAB. Lactobacillus, Adlercreutzia, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, Butyricicoccus, and Desulfovibrio were the differential bacteria among the LAB of mice treated with SIs. In addition, acetic acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and caproic acid decreased, while butyric acid and propionic acid increased in the mice treated with SIs. Taken together, SIs are beneficial for weight control, even in short-term interventions. The specific mechanism is related to regulating the gut microbiota, changing digestive enzyme activities, and further affecting carbohydrate absorption and metabolism.
Into the understanding the multicellular lifestyle of Proteus mirabilis on solid surfaces
Authors: Gmiter Dawid , Kaca Wieslaw
Published: September 2022

Indwelling urinary catheterization can lead to the development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), an important type of nosocomial infection, as well as other medical issues among institutionalized adults. Recently, Proteus mirabilis was highlighted as the important cause of CAUTIs. The pathogenicity of P. mirabilis is dependent on two multicellular types of surface colonization: the adherence and swarming motility. Adhesion, mostly mediated by fimbrial and nonfimbrial adhesins, is important for the initiation of biofilm formation. Moreover, the production of urease frequently results in biofilm crystallization, which leads to the blockage of catheters. The heterologous polymeric matrix of the biofilm offers protection against antibiotics and the host immune system. P. mirabilis displays remarkable motility abilities. After contact with solid surfaces, hyper-flagellated cells are able to rapidly migrate. The importance of swarming motility in CAUTIs development remains controversial; however, it was indicated that swarming cells were able to co-express other virulence factors. Furthermore, flagella are strong immunomodulating proteins. On the other hand, both biofilm formation and swarming motility implicates multiple inter- and intraspecies interactions, which might contribute to the pathogenicity.
Optotracing for live selective fluorescence-based detection of Candida albicans biofilms
Authors: Kärkkäinen Elina , Jakobsson Saga G. , Edlund Ulrica , Richter-Dahlfors Agneta , Choong Ferdinand X.
Published: September 2022

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, implicated in hospital-acquired infections, secondary infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, and is a significant contributor to the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden. Early detection of this pathogen is needed to guide preventative strategies and the selection and development of therapeutic treatments. Fungal biofilms are a unique heterogeneous mix of cell types, extracellular carbohydrates and amyloid aggregates. Perhaps due to the dominance of carbohydrates in fungi, to date, few specific methods are available for the detection of fungal biofilms. Here we present a new optotracing-based method for the detection and analysis of yeast and biofilms based on C. albicans SC5314 as a model. Using commercial extracts of cell wall carbohydrates, we showed the capability of the optotracer EbbaBiolight 680 for detecting chitin and β-glucans. The sensitivity of this tracer to these carbohydrates in their native environment within fungal cells enabled the visualization of both yeast and hyphal forms of the microbe. Analysis of optotracer fluorescence by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed extensive staining of fungi cell walls as well as the presence of intracellular amyloid aggregates within a subpopulation of cells within the biofilm. Further analysis of the photophysical properties of bound tracers by spectroscopy and spectral imaging revealed polymorphisms between amyloid aggregates within yeast and hyphal cells and enabled their differentiation. With exceptional spatial and temporal resolution, this assay adds a new technique that facilitates future understanding of fungal biofilms and their formation, and enables direct, unbiased diagnostics of these medically relevant biofilms, as well as the development of antifungal strategies.
The impact of periodontitis on vascular endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Li Qian , Ouyang Xiangying , Lin Jiang
Published: September 2022

Periodontitis, an oral inflammatory disease, originates from periodontal microbiota dysbiosis which is associated with the dysregulation of host immunoinflammatory response. This chronic infection is not only harmful to oral health but is also a risk factor for the onset and progress of various vascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary arterial disease. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is the initial key pathological feature of vascular diseases. Clarifying the association between periodontitis and vascular endothelial dysfunction is undoubtedly a key breakthrough for understanding the potential relationship between periodontitis and vascular diseases. However, there is currently a lack of an updated review of their relationship. Therefore, we aim to focus on the implications of periodontitis in vascular endothelial dysfunction in this review.
Developing Kinesemiotics: Challenges and solutions using the Functional Grammar of Dance
Authors: Maiorani Arianna , Liu Chun
Published: September 2022

This article aims to test the applicability and the possibility of adaptation of the Functional Grammar of Dance, which is at the core of the development of the new interdisciplinary research area called Kinesemiotics. As a model of analysis for movement-based communication, the Functional Grammar of Dance has already been used for the analysis of classical ballet choreography, and it is currently employed in a collaborative research project involving the authors of this article and their research group at Loughborough University in the UK, the University of Bremen in Germany, and the English National Ballet. The testing opportunity is provided by the challenging analysis of an iconic choreography of the 20th century: Lamentation, a solo piece created by Martha Graham. The analysis will show the applicability of the theory and the adaptability of the model of analysis, and it will also provide examples of the way a new type of annotation based on this grammar has been created and applied using the ELAN annotation software. The use of ELAN includes the implementation of a specifically compiled controlled vocabulary providing labels for coding the materiality, structure, and semantics of dance discourse systematically.
A synthesis of human conflict with an African megaherbivore; the common hippopotamus
Authors: van Houdt Shaya , Traill Lochran W.
Published: September 2022

The common hippopotamus is an extant African megaherbivore that is relatively understudied by scientists and underfunded by conservation organisations. Conflict with people, however, is a major concern given the danger that hippos pose to human life. Moreover, very little is known about human–hippo conflict (HHC), and experimental fieldwork on mitigation methods has hardly been conducted. Here we conduct an exhaustive review of the primary and grey literature outlining how the conflict between people and hippos arises, the impacts of conflict on both human communities and hippo populations, and all known intervention measures. Our review highlights the effectiveness of barriers around crops, riparian buffer zones (that exclude cattle and crop planting), and payments for environmental services as tools to mitigate HHC. This study also highlights the knowledge gaps in HHC research, particularly the spatial scale of HHC, the lack of field experimental research on deterrents, and a paucity of knowledge on outcomes of projected climate change and HHC.
Soluble programmed cell death-ligand 1 as a new potential biomarker associated with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Li Shuping , Yi Ling , Wei Xiqing , Zhang Jinguo , Wang Xiaojue , Jiang Chang , Yan Zhuohong , Song Liwei , Yang Bin , Wei Panjian , Gao Xiang , Wang Jinghui , Zhang Hongtao , Zhang Jian
Published: September 2022

Background

Soluble programmed cell death-ligand 1 (sPD-L1) has been well documented to activate immunosuppression and is considered an essential predictor of negative clinical outcomes for several malignances and inflammatory conditions. However, the clinical significance of sPD-L1 in the peripheral blood of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations of sPD-L1 with clinical features in CAD patients and evaluate the diagnostic value of this protein in CAD.

Methods

A total of 111 CAD patients and 97 healthy volunteers who served as healthy controls (HCs) were consecutively enrolled. Plasma levels of sPD-L1 were measured with an amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and hs-CRP was measured with a C-reactive protein assay kit. The levels of other inflammatory cytokines were assessed in 88 CAD patients and 47 HCs by a multiparameter immunoluminescence flow cytometry detection technique. A logistic regression model was used to assess the independent association of sPD-L1 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The correlation between sPD-L1 and inflammatory cytokines in ACS was also assessed.

Results

Plasma levels of sPD-L1 were significantly increased in CAD patients, especially those with ACS. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sPD-L1 (OR: 3.382, 95% CI: 2.249–5.084,p< 0.001), BMI, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, previous MI, and the levels of HDL-C, LDL-C and hs-CRP were significantly associated with ACS. sPD-L1 (OR: 3.336, 95% CI: 1.084–6.167,p= 0.001) was found to be independently and significantly associated with ACS in the subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis. Additionally, elevated plasma sPD-L1 levels were associated with increased interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in ACS patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the AUC of sPD-L1 for diagnosing ACS was 0.778, with a sensitivity of 73.9% and a specificity of 73.4%, which was comparable with that of the inflammatory biomarker hs-CRP.

Conclusion

The plasma sPD-L1 level reflects the severity of CAD, is associated with inflammatory responses and is a potential new biomarker for the diagnosis of ACS.
Trough cross-bedded rhodolith limestones in the Atlantic-linked Ronda Basin (Messinian, Southern Spain)
Authors: Braga Juan C. , Aguirre Julio
Published: September 2022

Rhodolith limestones occur in the upper part of the Miocene infill of the Ronda Basin in southern Spain. This basin was an embayment at the southern margin of the Atlantic-linked Guadalquivir Basin, the foreland basin of the Betic Cordillera. Messinian rhodolith limestones crop out in the mesa of the Roman settlement Acinipo. They mostly consist of trough cross-bedded rhodolith rudstones, which change basinward to large-scale planar cross-bedded rhodolith rudstones, which in turn pass laterally to planar cross-bedded and flat-bedded bryozoan rudstones. Rhodoliths in rudstones are generally broken, exhibiting several phases of breakage and restarted growth of coralline algae. Many rhodoliths also show asymmetrical growth. The rudstone matrix is a packstone with fragments of coralline algae, bryozoans, calcitic bivalves, echinoids, and foraminifers. Large lithoclasts from the basement, heavily bored by bivalves, are common in the rhodolith rudstone, especially in the most massive type. Rhodolith characteristics and sedimentary structures suggest that trough cross-bedded rhodolith rudstones accumulated in submarine dunes moved by storm surges in a littoral wedge at the western side of a small bay (the Ruinas de Acinipo bay) in the Ronda Basin. Large-scale planar cross-bedded coralline algal and bryozoan rudstones formed in the foresets of the wedge progradation below the storm-wave base. The dominance of Lithophyllaceae and Hapalidiales, with scarce representatives of Corallinaceae in the coralline algal assemblages, reflects that Ronda and Guadalquivir basins opened to the Atlantic Ocean.
Numerical simulation of stress wave propagation in joint rock specimens with cavity defects
Authors: Yu Qun , Yu Fang , Yao Dali , Jin Shengji
Published: September 2022

The process of crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence is the essential cause of rock failure. A three-dimensional numerical model based on microscopic damage mechanics is adopted to simulate the failure process and acoustic emissions (AEs) of a jointed rock mass containing a pre-existing hole subjected to stress waves. The numerically simulated results demonstrate that transmission energy plays an important role in the failure process of specimens. The greater the energy of joint transmission is, the greater the damage to the joint transmission area of the rock mass is. Furthermore, the joint width could significantly influence crack propagation patterns and the damage of the joint transmission area of rock specimens. Moreover, the degree of damage to the local joint transmission area of the rock mass is small but then becomes more obvious when the joint angle grows larger. In addition, the wavelength of the stress wave can also affect the failure modes of the rock when stress waves are applied. As the wavelength of the stress wave reduces, the larger the damage of the rock mass is and the smaller the effect of the joint on crack propagation is. Finally, the numerical results demonstrate that the width of the specimen has a significant effect on its dynamic failure mode and degree, showing an obvious size effect. This finding could explain the lateral growth of an existing flaw in its own plane, which is a phenomenon that has not been observed in laboratory experiments.
Provenance of the lower jurassic quartz-rich conglomerate in northwestern sichuan basin and its link with the pre-collisional unroofing history of the north longmen shan thrust belt, NE tibetan plateau margin
Authors: Lv Fan , Ran Bo , Liu Shugen , Wang Zijian , Sun Tong , Li Xianghui , Han Yuyue , Liang Ke
Published: September 2022

The research on the pre-collisional tectonic evolution of basin-mountain system at the margin of Tibetan plateau provides insights into the upward and outward growth mechanism of the plateau in the Cenozoic. Lower Jurassic Baitianba Formation quartz-rich conglomerate exposed along the edge of the northwest Sichuan Basin whereas these deposits were incompatible with peripheral carbonatite-dominated orogenic belts, which aroused our great interest. To better understand the origin of quartz-rich conglomerate and early erosional unroofing history of northeastern Tibetan Plateau margin, this study focuses on sandstone petrography analysis along with U-Pb age dating of the detrital zircons of Baitianba Formation gravel and sandstone sample from northwestern Sichuan Basin, which is located to north Longmen Shan thrust belt. In the distinctive Lower Jurassic quartz gravel samples, there are at least two distinct provenance sources. One is characterized by a unimodal age population at ca. 400–1,000 Ma but the absence of younger detrital zircons (<395 Ma), resembling the Early Paleozoic marine quartz sandstone due to the uplift and erosion of the Paleozoic basement of the Longmen Shan thrust belt. The other yield age clusters of ca. 1.8 Ga, 950–750 Ma, 450–420 Ma, 280–240 Ma, which is identical to the detrital zircons from the Upper Triassic strata. Furtherly, detrital zircon dating of our sandstone samples also exhibit strong similarity to the Upper Triassic strata detrital record. Detrital zircons linked with the sedimentological data show these quartz-rich conglomerate mainly recycled from the underlying Upper Triassic through long-term weathering.
Greek Upper Primary Grade Students’ Images About Science and Scientists: An Alternative Descriptive Piece of the Puzzle
Authors: Chionas Georgios , Emvalotis Anastassios
Published: September 2022

This study examined the perceptions of upper primary grade level students about science, scientists, and their work. Participants were 284 fifth- and sixth-grade students (aged 10–12) from six urban areas of Attica (Greece). An open-ended questionnaire was employed for data selection. Students’ responses were analyzed both qualitatively (through thematic analysis) and quantitatively. The findings suggest that the participants in this study hold distinct perceptions of what science is, who a scientist is, and how science is done. Although most students referred to science and scientists in a positive light, our findings suggested that they held traditional and narrow perceptions of such issues (e.g., a scientist is a brilliant, talented person who works in natural sciences, science is a contributor to human welfare, or science is a product). Our data also suggested that the students could not make a clear distinction between science and technology, concepts that were used interchangeably in our study. Educational implications that may help breaking these naïve perceptions were discussed.
Social support and general self-efficacy: Two predictors of quality of life at work in Ecuadorian teachers
Authors: Jaguaco Diego , Turpo-Chaparro Josué , Vásquez-Villanueva Salomon , Apaza-Romero Abel
Published: September 2022

The quality of life at work has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, generating labor overload, higher levels of stress, and a reduction in workers’ productivity. In the education sector, thousands of teachers were affected by the change to a new online work modality and the acquisition of new work tools. The aim of this study was to determine whether social support and general self-efficacy (GSE) significantly predict the quality of life at work in a group of Ecuadorian teachers. A total of 300 teachers of both genders, whose ages ranged between 21 and 64 years, participated in the study. For measurements, the Duke-UNK-11 General Sale Scale and the Scale of Quality of Life in the CVT-Gohisalo Work were used. The predictive analysis was performed through linear regression. The results show a moderately significant relationship between social support, GSE, and quality of life at work. Similarly, the multiple regression analysis confirms that social support and self-efficacy are variables that significantly predict the quality of life at work. The findings of this research also confirm that teachers with higher levels of GSE report higher levels of quality of life at work. In conclusion, the prediction of the variables social support and GSE in the quality of life at work of Ecuadorian teachers is confirmed. The implications of the predictive model mediating quality of life at work are discussed.
Identifying key genes of classic papillary thyroid cancer in women aged more than 55 years old using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Chang-Chun , Ullah Muhammad Hasnain Ehsan , Lin Xiao , Shan Su-Kang , Guo Bei , Zheng Ming-Hui , Wang Yi , Li Fuxingzi , Yuan Ling-Qing
Published: September 2022

Background

The incidence rate of thyroid carcinoma (THCA) markedly increased in the recent few decades and has been likely over-diagnosed, especially papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in women. However, the incidence of advanced-stage papillary thyroid cancer is also rising. According to earlier studies, tumors with identical pathology might have different clinical outcomes, which implies some variances in papillary thyroid cancer. Although the mortality of thyroid cancer has remained stable or declined, there is still an important problem in estimating whether it is benign or needs surgery for patients with papillary thyroid cancer.

Methods

After obtaining data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project-THCA database by R package TCGA bio links, 18 samples (11 at stage IV as high-risk group and 7 at stage I as low-risk group) were obtained using survival package and edgeR to ensure differential expression; ClusterProfiler package was used to carry on gene set enrichment analysis and searched the possible pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. STRING and Cytoscape were used to construct and modify the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network to get hub genes of differentially expressed genes. Next, the pROC package was used to get the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of hub genes’ disease-free survival (DFS). Then, transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs of key genes were predicted by ENCORI and AnimalTFDB. In the end, TF–target genes–miRNA regulatory network was also constructed by Cytoscape.

Results

Our research obtained the top 9 candidate genes from the whole network (IFNA1, MRC1, LGALS3, LOX, POSTN, TIMP1, CD276, SDC4, and TLR2). According to the ROC results, TIMP1, LOX, CD276, IFNA1, TLR2, and POSTN were considered to play a more critical role in malignant papillary thyroid cancer or immature cancer of papillary thyroid cancer. Our analysis concludes that TIMP1, LOX, CD276, IFNA1, TLR2, and POSTN are identified as thyroid cancer biomarkers, which lead to the different clinical courses of a woman older than 55 years old with papillary thyroid cancer. Especially CD276, POSTN, and IFNA1 may be considered as new biomarkers associated with the prognosis of thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

TIMP1, LOX, CD276, IFNA1, TLR2, and POSTN have different expressions in PTCs, which lead to the various clinical courses of a woman older than 55 years old with papillary thyroid cancer. Especially CD276, POSTN, and IFNA1 may be considered as new potential biomarkers associated with the prognosis of thyroid cancer. In addition, TF–miRNA–target gene regulatory network may help further reach for PTC.
The miR-33a-5p/CROT axis mediates ovarian cancer cell behaviors and chemoresistance via the regulation of the TGF-β signal pathway
Authors: Li Xin , Gao Xuzhu , Yuan Jia , Wang Fancheng , Xu Xiaolin , Wang Chenglong , Liu Huiqiang , Guan Wencai , Zhang Jihong , Xu Guoxiong
Published: September 2022

Due to the lack of symptoms and detection biomarkers at the early stage, most patients with ovarian cancer (OC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage and often face chemoresistance and relapse. Hence, defining detection biomarkers and mechanisms of chemoresistance is imperative. A previous report of a cDNA microarray analysis shows a potential association of carnitine O-octanoyltransferase (CROT) with taxane resistance but the biological function of CROT in OC remains unknown. The current study explored the function and regulatory mechanism of CROT on cellular behavior and paclitaxel (PTX)-resistance in OC. We found that CROT was downregulated in OC tissues and PTX-resistant cells. Furthermore, CROT expression was negatively correlated with the prognosis of OC patients. Overexpression of CROT inhibited the OC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and promoted cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-33a-5p bound directly to the 3’UTR of CROT to negatively regulate the expression of CROT and promoted OC cell growth. Finally, overexpression of CROT decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2, whereas knockdown of CROT increased the nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad4, two transducer proteins of TGF-β signaling, indicating that CROT is a tumor suppressor which mediates OC cell behaviors through the TGF-β signaling pathway. Thus, targeting the miR-33a-5p/CROT axis may have clinical potential for the treatment of patients with OC.
The changing view of insulin granule mobility: From conveyor belt to signaling hub
Authors: Gaus Bastian , Brüning Dennis , Groß Sofie , Müller Michael , Rustenbeck Ingo
Published: September 2022

Before the advent of TIRF microscopy the fate of the insulin granule prior to secretion was deduced from biochemical investigations, electron microscopy and electrophysiological measurements. Since Calcium-triggered granule fusion is indisputably necessary to release insulin into the extracellular space, much effort was directed to the measure this event at the single granule level. This has also been the major application of the TIRF microscopy of the pancreatic beta cell when it became available about 20 years ago. To better understand the metabolic modulation of secretion, we were interested to characterize the entirety of the insulin granules which are localized in the vicinity of the plasma membrane to identify the characteristics which predispose to fusion. In this review we concentrate on how the description of granule mobility in the submembrane space has evolved as a result of progress in methodology. The granules are in a state of constant turnover with widely different periods of residence in this space. While granule fusion is associated +with prolonged residence and decreased lateral mobility, these characteristics may not only result from binding to the plasma membrane but also from binding to the cortical actin web, which is present in the immediate submembrane space. While granule age as such affects granule mobility and fusion probability, the preceding functional states of the beta cell leave their mark on these parameters, too. In summary, the submembrane granules form a highly dynamic heterogeneous population and contribute to the metabolic memory of the beta cells.
Numerical investigation of heat transfer characteristics of moderator assembly employed in a low-enriched uranium nuclear thermal propulsion reactor
Authors: Li Wei , Guan Chaoran , Song Houde , Chai Xiang , Liu Xiaojing
Published: September 2022

The design of a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) reactor based on low-enriched uranium (LEU) requires additional moderator elements in the core to physically meet the critical requirements. This design softens the core energy spectrum and can provide more thermal neutrons for the fission reaction, but the heat transfer characteristics between the fuel and moderator assembly are more complex. Aiming at the typical LEU unit design, the heat transfer mathematical model is established using the principle of heat flow diversion and superposition. The model adopts the heat transfer relationship based on STAR-CCM+ simulation rather than the empirical expression used in the past literature to improve the applicability of the model. The heat transfer coefficients in the proposed model are evaluated under different Reynolds numbers and thermal power. The deviations between the proposed model and CFD simulation are analyzed. The results show that the calculation of the heat transfer coefficient between the proposed model and the CFD simulation maintains a good consistency, most of which are within 10%. It may provide a reliable and conservative temperature estimation model for future LEU core design.
A method of single-phase grounding fault line selection based on optimization spiking neural P systems
Authors: Tian Junyang , Jiang Liandian , Li Haiyong , Wei Hongbo , Liu Ying
Published: September 2022

It is important to select the fault line rapidly when single-phase grounding fault occurs in the small current grounding system. The fault information acquisition of existing methods generally need hardware modification, so the high cost makes it difficult to apply to the power grid in underdeveloped areas. Taking that into consideration, this paper proposed a method of steady-state information small current grounding fault line selection based on Optimization Spiking Neural P Systems (OSNPS). The method only needs the steady-state voltage and current data of the dispatch side to effectively identify the fault line, which greatly improves the range of application. According to the characteristics of power dispatching big data, the objective function is established and the normalized model parameters are optimized by OSNPS to improve the accuracy of fault line selection stably. Furthermore, PSCAD/EMTDC is used to simulate the small current grounding system, the main factors affecting the accuracy of fault line selection are analyzed and the relationship between fault information features and fault identification accuracy is revealed. What’s more, It is pointed out that the model parameters without optimization may have line selection failure. Finally, specific examples are given to verify that the model parameters optimized by OSNPS can effectively improve the accuracy of fault line selection.