bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RANCANG BANGUN TUNGKU PENGECORAN LOGAM ALUMINIUM
Authors: Minto  , Sumarsono  , Fajar Satriya Hadi  , Meriana Wahyu Nugroho
Published: March 2021

Rancang bangun tungku pengecoran logam Aluminium merupakan penelitian denganmetode development atau pengembangan media tungku pengecoran. Tujuan penelitian ini adalahuntuk membuat dan merancang tungku pengecoran logam AL. Penelitian ini mencakup dua halutama yaitu rancang bangun tungku pengecoran logam lunak (Al), mengetahui panas logam Lunak(Al) pada tungku pengecoran dengan menggunakan alat pengukur suhu infrared thermometer. Padapengecoran logam ini menggunakan spesimen Aluminium mengunakan mekanisme panas LPG.Alat yang digunakan untuk mengukur suhu adalah infrared, penggunaan alat inidilakukan tiap satumenit sekali dengan cara ditembakan ke logam lunak Al sampai batas leleh logam aluminium. Hasilpenelitian ini berupa Rancang bangun media tungku pengecoran ini meliputi perancangan desain,pemilihan drum dengan antara lain deamiter 350 mm, tinggi drum 500 mm , pembuatan kawat ram,pembuatan landasan. Hasil pada pengecoran menunjukan bahwa panas awal elpiji mulai dari waktu1 menit panas yang dihasilkan 950C sampai panas akhir pada menit 80, panas yang dihasilkan 4510.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Peserta Didik Melalui Penerapan Model Problem Based Learning Pada Pelajaran IPA Kelas VII
Authors: Lailatur Rohmah
Published: March 2021

Abstract: This study aims to improve students' creative thinking skills in science lessons by applying learning models using Problem Based Learning. The research subjects were 32 students in class VII G. The classroom action research was conducted in three cycles. Each cycle consists of four stages of activity, including planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. Written tests and questionnaires are used to measure creative thinking skills of cognitive and affective aspects. The results of the study were analyzed using descriptive percentage analysis and n-gain test to determine the increase in research results. Based on the results of the analysis, it is known that students' creative thinking abilities increased accompanied by an increase in classical learning completeness. The average percentage of creative thinking ability in the first cycle was 74.4%, the second cycle was 77.7%, and the third cycle was 81.5%. The percentage of completeness in the second cycle increased 9.4% and the third cycle increased 3.1% with the criteria of a low increase. It can be concluded that the Problem Based Learning model is able to improve the creative thinking skills of class VII G students in MTsN 5 Kediri.

Keywords: Problem Based Learning, the increase of creative thinking skill, science lessons.

 

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kreatif peserta didik pada pelajaran IPA dengan menerapkan model pembelajaran Problem Based Learning. Subyek penelitian yaitu 32 peserta didik kelas VII G. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini dilaksanakan tiga siklus. Tiap siklus terdiri dari empat tahap kegiatan, yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan, dan refleksi. Tes tertulis dan angket digunakan untuk mengukur kemampuan berpikir kreatif aspek kognitif dan afektif. Hasil penelitian dianalisis menggunakan analisis deskriptif persentase dan uji n-gain untuk mengetahui peningkatan hasil penelitian. Berdasarkan hasil analisis diketahui bahwa kemampuan berpikir kreatif peserta didik meningkat diiringi peningkatan ketuntasan belajar klasikal. Rata-rata persentase kemampuan berpikir kreatif pada siklus I sebesar 74,4%, siklus II 77,7%, dan siklus III 81,5%. Persentase ketuntasan pada siklus II meningkat 9,4% dan siklus III meningkat 3,1% dengan kriteria peningkatan rendah. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa model pembelajaran Problem Based Learning mampu meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kreatif peserta didik kelas VII G di MTsN 5 Kediri.

Kata Kunci: Problem Based Learning, peningkatan kemampuan berpikir kreatif, pelajaran IPA
Fair and Square Redistricting
Authors: Fox James
Published: March 2021

This article presents a new procedure for constructing fair legislative district maps. This straightforward, transparent, research-based procedure is intended to be helpful to those interested in promoting fair legislative district maps. The work draws upon a recent award-winning study of preferences of redistricting experts and lay citizens, alike. The approach draws upon that study to construct foundational legislative district maps. The mapping procedure then builds on that foundation, employing the well-established concept of partisan symmetry to construct maps that are fair to both major political parties. The article opens by discussing this new view of compact districts and describes the procedure for constructing the maps. Foundational maps are drawn for 12 states that have recently been under court scrutiny. Partisan symmetry is then applied to these maps to construct legislative district maps that are fair and square
Contact Lens Care: Past, Present and Future (a Literature Review)
Authors: Markosyan A. G.
Published: March 2021

Introduction. The number of contact lens users continues to increase, exceeding the total of more than 125 million people in the world. The trend of modern vision correction with contact lenses is the creation of customized contact lenses and specialty lens care products that better meet the needs of patients of all age groups.

Purpose. To study the evolution of contact lens care products, their properties, composition characteristics, reliability of cleaning and disinfection, advantages and disadvantages of multifunctional solutions and peroxide systems, compatibility with contact lens materials as well as the effct of contact lens care solutions on the eye microbiome based on a literature data review.

Material and methods. The analysis of scientifi publications available on Pubmed, BCLA, Elibrary, Elsevier and Medline for the last 20 years was carried out; 48 sources of literature were analyzed.

Results. The analysis of literature has shown that the evolution of both contact lenses and contact lens care products has tightened the control over the safety of wearing. We have studied not only the composition and characteristics of each component of contact lens care and disinfection systems, but also the properties of the eye microbiome and its changes whilst wearing contact lenses. It is noted that under otherwise equal conditions, peroxide systems for contact lens care provide more reliable protection against contamination of all types of lenses, as well as ensure a better disinfection, protecting the eye from possible microbial, toxic and allergic complications. We also analyzed patients’ behavior and identifid their concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion. The patient’s choice of a lens care product must be approved by contact lens specialist and ophthalmologist. Contact lens care products should ensure perfect cleaning, maximum disinfection, hydration and be compatible with lens materials; they should be selected taking into account the patient-specifi characteristics of the ocular surface, lifestyle and health condition. It is necessary to continuously educate and inform patients about the importance of lens care products, and special attention should be paid to care during a pandemic for the safe wearing of CL.
Evaluation of yield, yield components and incidence of CLCV disease through planting times and varietal interaction in cotton in the Multan region
Authors: Naimatullah Salma
Published: March 2021

Five Bt cotton varieties were evaluated for five different parameters (plant height, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield and CLCV incidence after 105 days of planting) under six different sowing times (01 March, 15 March, 01 April, 15 April, 01 May and 15 May) at CCRI, Multan during the year 2018.Results revealed highly significant differences among the varieties, sowing times and their interaction for all the traits under study. Regarding sowing times, highest yield (3676 kg/ha) was produced when the sowing was done on 01 March followed by March 15 sowing (3496 kg/ha) with 4.3 and 6.1 CLCuV incidence% respectively after 105 days of sowing.However, lowest yield of 2483 kg/ha was achieved through 15 May planting with 96.7% CLCuV incidence. Regarding varietal performance, CYTO-313 excelled all other varieties by producing 3356 kg/ha seed cotton yield followed by CIM-343 (3195 kg/ha) with CLCuV percent incidence of 53.1 and 50.9 respectively at 105 days of planting.It was concluded from the present investigations that first March sowing is the optimum sowing time with zero percent CLCuV incidence for Multan region. Furthermore, variety CYTO-313 should be given primacy on other four varieties when farmer is going to adopt first March sowing.
The effects of drought stress on physiological properties of cotton (G. Hirsutum L.)
Authors: Ekinci Remzi , Basbag Sema
Published: March 2021

As cotton is a product that is grown by irrigating during the summer and rainfall periods, global warming and the drought stress associated with it affect the cotton cultivation negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different field capacity saturation degrees (FCSD) on some physiological properties of cotton cultivars. The study was carried out in Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture in the experimental area in 2014-2015 with 3 replications according to the split plot design. The experiment was arranged in a split- plots design with three replications. Main plots were different FCSD (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40%) and sub plots were cotton varieties (Stoneville-453, GW-Teks, and Deltaopal). Leaf temperature (◦C), leaf stoma conductivity (mmol m−2 s−1) (leaf photosynthesis yield (µmol m−2 s−1), leaf SPAD value, canopy temperature (◦C) and seed cotton yield (g.per plant-1) properties were investigated in this study. Physiological adverse effects of cotton plant in limited irrigation conditions were determined. Although linear regression was determined between deficit irrigation conditions and leaf temperature, canopy temperature, leaf SPAD value, quadratic regression was detected between leaf stomatal conductivity, leaf photosynthesis yield and seed cotton yield
Post-stroke Neurogenesis: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Cuartero María Isabel , García-Culebras Alicia , Torres-López Cristina , Medina Violeta , Fraga Enrique , Vázquez-Reyes Sandra , Jareño-Flores Tania , García-Segura Juan M. , Lizasoain Ignacio , Moro María Ángeles
Published: March 2021

The substantial clinical burden and disability after stroke injury urges the need to explore therapeutic solutions. Recent compelling evidence supports that neurogenesis persists in the adult mammalian brain and is amenable to regulation in both physiological and pathological situations. Its ability to generate new neurons implies a potential to contribute to recovery after brain injury. However, post-stroke neurogenic response may have different functional consequences. On the one hand, the capacity of newborn neurons to replenish the damaged tissue may be limited. In addition, aberrant forms of neurogenesis have been identified in several insult settings. All these data suggest that adult neurogenesis is at a crossroads between the physiological and the pathological regulation of the neurological function in the injured central nervous system (CNS). Given the complexity of the CNS together with its interaction with the periphery, we ultimately lack in-depth understanding of the key cell types, cell–cell interactions, and molecular pathways involved in the neurogenic response after brain damage and their positive or otherwise deleterious impact. Here we will review the evidence on the stroke-induced neurogenic response and on its potential repercussions on functional outcome. First, we will briefly describe subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis after stroke beside the main evidence supporting its positive role on functional restoration after stroke. Then, we will focus on hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) neurogenesis due to the relevance of hippocampus in cognitive functions; we will outline compelling evidence that supports that, after stroke, SGZ neurogenesis may adopt a maladaptive plasticity response further contributing to the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia. Finally, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of specific steps in the neurogenic cascade that might ameliorate brain malfunctioning and the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment in the chronic phase.
pH-Responsive Amphiphilic Carboxylate Polymers: Design and Potential for Endosomal Escape
Authors: Wang Shiqi
Published: March 2021

The intracellular delivery of emerging biomacromolecular therapeutics, such as genes, peptides, and proteins, remains a great challenge. Unlike small hydrophobic drugs, these biotherapeutics are impermeable to the cell membrane, thus relying on the endocytic pathways for cell entry. After endocytosis, they are entrapped in the endosomes and finally degraded in lysosomes. To overcome these barriers, many carriers have been developed to facilitate the endosomal escape of these biomacromolecules. This mini-review focuses on the development of anionic pH-responsive amphiphilic carboxylate polymers for endosomal escape applications, including the design and synthesis of these polymers, the mechanistic insights of their endosomal escape capability, the challenges in the field, and future opportunities.
Comprehensive Single Cell Analyses of the Nutritional Environment of Intracellular Salmonella enterica
Authors: Röder Jennifer , Felgner Pascal , Hensel Michael
Published: March 2021

The facultative intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica Typhimurium (STM) resides in a specific membrane-bound compartment termed the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). STM is able to obtain all nutrients required for rapid proliferation, although being separated from direct access to host cell metabolites. The formation of specific tubular membrane compartments, called Salmonella-induced filaments (SIFs) are known to provides bacterial nutrition by giving STM access to endocytosed material and enabling proliferation. Additionally, STM expresses a range of nutrient uptake system for growth in nutrient limited environments to overcome the nutrition depletion inside the host. By utilizing dual fluorescence reporters, we shed light on the nutritional environment of intracellular STM in various host cells and distinct intracellular niches. We showed that STM uses nutrients of the host cell and adapts uniquely to the different nutrient conditions. In addition, we provide further evidence for improved nutrient supply by SIF formation or presence in the cytosol of epithelial cells, and the correlation of nutrient supply to bacterial proliferation.
A Prospective Analysis of the Correlation Between Postoperative Pain and Vital Pulp Therapy
Authors: Shallal-Ayzin Mark , Trinh Tam , Yeung William , Tawil Peter Z. , Haggerty Carol L. , Wu Di , Khan Asma A.
Published: March 2021

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is a viable treatment option for carious teeth with exposed pulps. To our knowledge, no study has examined the correlation between postoperative pain and the outcome of VPT on asymptomatic permanent teeth. The aim of this study was to examine whether odontogenic pain experienced after VPT on asymptomatic teeth with a carious pulp exposures is correlated with the progression of pulpal disease into a more inflamed or necrotic state. Direct pulp caps or partial pulpotomies using a tricalcium silicate (MTA Angelus, Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) were performed on asymptomatic permanent teeth using a standardized protocol. Patients were contacted at 24 h, 1 week, and 3 months following treatment and data was collected on post-operative pain and analgesic intake using a standardized questionnaire. At 6 months after treatment, an in-person clinical exam was performed which included standard vitality tests along with exposure of a periapical radiograph. Success was defined as an asymptomatic, functional tooth without any clinical or radiographic pathology. Data was analyzed using logistic regression. VPT was successful in 84.3% of patients at the 6 months timepoint. The percentage of patients that experienced pain at 24-h, 1 week, and 3-month time periods was 38, 22, and 12%, respectively. Pain at 3 months was significantly correlated with decreased outcome (p = 0.028). This data suggests that postoperative pain in the first 3 months after VPT is predictive of a poor treatment outcome.
Identification of Suitable Biomass Torrefaction Operation Envelops for Auto-Thermal Operation
Authors: Yun Huimin , Wang Ziliang , Wang Ruixu , Bi Xiaotao , Chen Wei-Hsin
Published: March 2021

Auto-thermal operation of biomass torrefaction can help avoid additional heat investment and the associated costs to the system. This work provides a general method for relating the feedstock-specific parameters to the energy balance and pre-diagnosing the potential of auto-thermal for different biomass torrefaction and pyrolysis systems. Both solid and gas thermal properties under various torrefaction conditions and their influences to the torrefaction system energy balances are considered. Key parameters that influence the process auto-thermal operation are analyzed, which include torrefaction reaction heat, torrefaction conditions, drying method, biomass species, and inert N2 flowrate. Equations of torgas and biomass higher heating values (HHVs), as well as the torrefaction reaction heat at different operating conditions are developed. It is found that torgas and biomass HHVs increase with torrefaction temperature and biomass weight loss. Torrefaction reaction heat has a linear relationship with the biomass weight loss, with a positive slope at 250–260°C, and a negative slope at 270–300°C, which indicates that torrefaction shifts from endothermic to exothermic at ∼270°C. Applying advanced drying technology and avoiding the use of N2 can help the system achieve auto-thermal operation at lower torrefaction temperature and residence time, thus leading to a higher process energy efficiency and product yield. This is the first work to relate the micro level element changes of biomass to the macro level process energy balances of the torrefaction system. This work is important in design and operation of the torrefaction system in both pilot and industrial scales to improve process efficiency and predict product quality in a reliable and economic manner.
Re-Estimating the Impact of Natural Gas on Global Carbon Emissions: The Role of Technological Innovation
Authors: Dou Yue , Zhao Jun , Dong Jiajia
Published: March 2021

To investigate the nexus between natural gas consumption, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and technological innovation, this study employs a balanced panel dataset of 73 countries for the period 1990–2019 based on the fixed effect and random effect estimation methods. Considering potential heterogeneity in the natural gas-CO2nexus, this study divides the 73 countries into regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) countries and non-RCEP countries for comparative analysis. The main findings indicate that natural gas consumption can significantly promote CO2emissions for the full sample and non-RCEP countries, and improved technological innovation can help alleviate CO2emissions from natural gas consumption. In the RCEP countries, technological innovation can improve the carbon emission reduction effect of natural gas. Furthermore, economic growth and global CO2emissions show an inverted U-shaped relationship, which confirms the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Finally, several policy implications are provided to reduce global CO2emissions and promote green recovery in the post-epidemic era.
The Potential Regulatory Network of Glutamate Metabolic Pathway Disturbance in Chinese Han Withdrawal Methamphetamine Abusers
Authors: Peng Sufang , Su Hang , Chen Tianzhen , Li Xiaotong , Du Jiang , Jiang Haifeng , Zhao Min
Published: March 2021

Objects

To explore the long-term influence of methamphetamine abuse on metabolomics character, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GS-MS) technology, and the potential regulatory network using the bioinformatics method.

Methods

Forty withdrawal methamphetamine abusers (WMA) were recruited from Shanghai Gaojing Forced Isolation Detoxification Institute. Forty healthy controls (HC) were recruited from society. GS-MS technology was used to detect metabolic products in serum. A bioinformatics method was used to build a regulatory network. Q-PCR was used to detect the candidate gene expressions, and ELISA was used to detect the regulatory enzyme expressions.

Results

Four pathways were significantly changed in the MA compared to the HC: (1) the arginine synthesis pathway, (2) alanine, aspartic acid and glutamate metabolic pathway, (3) cysteine and methionine metabolic pathway, and (4) the ascorbate and aldarate pathway (enrichment analysis p < 0.05, Impactor factor > 0.2). When focusing on the ‘Alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism’ pathway, a regulatory network was established, and the expression of candidate regulatory genes and enzymes was verified. It was found that the expression of DLG2 (Discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 2), PLA2G4 (Phospholipase A2 group IVE), PDE4D (Phosphodiesterase 4D), PDE4B (Phosphodiesterase 4B), and EPHB2 (Ephrin type-B receptor 2) were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05), However, after adjusting for age and BMI, only DLG2, PLA2G4, and EPHB2 remained significant (p < 0.05). The expression of enzymes was not significantly different (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Methamphetamine abuse influences the metabolic process in the long term, and DLG2, PLA2G4, and EPHB2 may regulate the glutamate metabolism pathway.
Hepatic Dendritic Cells in the Development and Progression of Metabolic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Méndez-Sánchez Nahum , Córdova-Gallardo Jacqueline , Barranco-Fragoso Beatriz , Eslam Mohammed
Published: March 2021

Metabolic Associated Fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a global health problem and represents the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world. MAFLD spectrum goes from simple steatosis to cirrhosis, in between metabolic steatohepatitis with progressive fibrosis, which pathogenesis is not completely understood. Hence, the role of the immune system has become an important fact in the trigger of inflammatory cascades in metabolic steatohepatitis and in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Among, the more studied immune cells in the pathogenesis of MAFLD are macrophages, T cells, natural killer and dendritic cells. In particular, hepatic dendritic cells had recently attracted a special attention, with a dual role in the pathogenesis of MAFLD. These cells have the capacity to switch from a tolerant state to active state inducing an inflammatory cascade. Furthermore, these cells play a role in the lipid storage within the liver, having, thus providing a crucial nexus between inflammation and lipid metabolism. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge on the dual role of dendritic cells in lipid accumulation, as wells as in the triggering of hepatic inflammation and hepatocytes cell death in metabolic steatohepatitis.
Allergic Reactions to Serine Protease-Like Proteins of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Nordengrün Maria , Abdurrahman Goran , Treffon Janina , Wächter Hannah , Kahl Barbara C. , Bröker Barbara M.
Published: March 2021

In cystic fibrosis (CF) infectious and allergic airway inflammation cause pulmonary exacerbations that destroy the lungs. Staphylococcus aureus is a common long-term colonizer and cause of recurrent airway infections in CF. The pathogen is also associated with respiratory allergy; especially the staphylococcal serine protease-like proteins (Spls) can induce type 2 immune responses in humans and mice. We measured the serum IgE levels specific to 7 proteases of S. aureus by ELISA, targeting 5 Spls (76 CF patients and 46 controls) and the staphopains A and B (16 CF patients and 46 controls). Then we compared cytokine release and phenotype of T cells that had been stimulated with Spls between 5 CF patients and 5 controls. CF patients had strongly increased serum IgE binding to all Spls but not to the staphopains. Compared to healthy controls, their Spl-stimulated T cells released more type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) and more IL-6 with no difference in the secretion of type 1- or type 3 cytokines (IFNγ, IL-17A, IL-17F). IL-10 production was low in CF T cells. The phenotype of the Spl-exposed T cells shifted towards a Th2 or Th17 profile in CF but to a Th1 profile in controls. Sensitization to S. aureus Spls is common in CF. This discovery could explain episodes of allergic inflammation of hitherto unknown causation in CF and extend the diagnostic and therapeutic portfolio.
Priming of Marine Macrophytes for Enhanced Restoration Success and Food Security in Future Oceans
Authors: Jueterbock Alexander , Minne Antoine J. P. , Cock J. Mark , Coleman Melinda A. , Wernberg Thomas , Scheschonk Lydia , Rautenberger Ralf , Zhang Jie , Hu Zi-Min
Published: March 2021

Marine macrophytes, including seagrasses and macroalgae, form the basis of diverse and productive coastal ecosystems that deliver important ecosystem services. Moreover, western countries increasingly recognize macroalgae, traditionally cultivated in Asia, as targets for a new bio-economy that can be both economically profitable and environmentally sustainable. However, seagrass meadows and macroalgal forests are threatened by a variety of anthropogenic stressors. Most notably, rising temperatures and marine heatwaves are already devastating these ecosystems around the globe, and are likely to compromise profitability and production security of macroalgal farming in the near future. Recent studies show that seagrass and macroalgae can become less susceptible to heat events once they have been primed with heat stress. Priming is a common technique in crop agriculture in which plants acquire a stress memory that enhances performance under a second stress exposure. Molecular mechanisms underlying thermal priming are likely to include epigenetic mechanisms that switch state and permanently trigger stress-preventive genes after the first stress exposure. Priming may have considerable potential for both ecosystem restoration and macroalgae farming to immediately improve performance and stress resistance and, thus, to enhance restoration success and production security under environmental challenges. However, priming methodology cannot be simply transferred from terrestrial crops to marine macrophytes. We present first insights into the formation of stress memories in both seagrasses and macroalgae, and research gaps that need to be filled before priming can be established as new bio-engineering technique in these ecologically and economically important marine primary producers.
Psoriasis and Diabetes, a Dangerous Association: Evaluation of Insulin Resistance, Lipid Abnormalities, and Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers
Authors: Brazzelli Valeria , Maffioli Pamela , Bolcato Vittorio , Ciolfi Christian , D'Angelo Angela , Tinelli Carmine , Derosa Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Aims: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated dermatosis with cardio-metabolic comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess insulin-resistance, lipid abnormalities, and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in psoriatic patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods and materials: We enrolled 425 patients: 86 psoriatics, 69 psoriatics with T2DM, 120 T2DM patients, and 150 healthy subjects. We measured the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), insulin-resistance parameters [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), and with homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA index)], lipidic panel, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), homocysteine, soluble adhesion molecules, matrix metalloproteinase, and adipocytokines.

Results: FPG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR were higher in diabetics with psoriasis (p < 0.0001) than in psoriatics. FPI levels were higher in diabetics with psoriasis than in diabetics and psoriatics (p < 0.0001), and higher in psoriatics than controls (p < 0.0001). Psoriatics and diabetics with psoriasis showed higher triglyceride and LDL-C levels (p < 0.0001) than diabetics. Homocysteine was higher in psoriatics and diabetics with psoriasis (p < 0.0001) than in diabetics. PAI-1 was higher in diabetics with psoriasis than diabetics (p < 0.01). sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were higher in diabetics with psoriasis than diabetics (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) and psoriatics (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001). Visfatin and resistin were lower in psoriatics (p < 0.0001) and in diabetics with psoriasis (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) than diabetics.

Conclusions: A limitation of this study is that there is a significant difference in mean age between controls and other study groups: the lack of matching between case and control groups may interfere with the external validity of the study findings. Despite this, the study highlights a pathogenetic link between psoriasis, considered a pre-diabetic condition, and diabetes. Insulin-resistance seems to be the keystone of psoriasis comorbidities. Psoriasis reinforces diabetes, causing a greater cardiometabolic risk.
Acitretin Promotes the Differentiation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in the Treatment of Psoriasis
Authors: Liu Panpan , Peng Cong , Chen Xiang , Wu Lisha , Yin Mingzhu , Li Jie , Qin Qunshi , Kuang Yehong , Zhu Wu
Published: March 2021

Increased numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are involved in the development of psoriasis. Acitretin is used to treat psoriasis by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, but little is known about the effect of acitretin on immune cells. Here, we reported that psoriasis patients had an expansion of MDSCs and monocytic-MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in peripheral blood and skin lesions. The number of MDSCs and M-MDSCs in peripheral blood correlated positively with disease severity. Acitretin could reduce the number of MDSCs and M-MDSCs in the peripheral blood of psoriasis patients as well as the spleen and skin lesions of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like model mice. Moreover, acitretin promoted the differentiation of MDSCs into macrophages, especially CD206+M2 macrophages, and CD11c+MHC-II+dendritic cells. Mechanically, acitretin dramatically increased the glutathione synthase (GSS) expression and glutathione (GSH) accumulation in MDSCs. Interruption of GSH synthesis abrogated the acitretin effect on MDSCs differentiation. Acitretin regulated GSS expression via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Thus, our data demonstrated a novel mechanism underlying the effects of acitretin on psoriasis by promoting MDSCs differentiation.
Integrated miRNA-Seq and mRNA-Seq Study to Identify miRNAs Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease Using Post-mortem Brain Tissue Samples
Authors: Li Qingqin S. , Cai Diana
Published: March 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading form of dementia, is associated with abnormal tau and β-amyloid accumulation in the brain. We conducted a miRNA-seq study to identify miRNAs associated with AD in the post-mortem brain from the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, n = 69) and superior temporal gyrus (STG, n = 81). Four and 64 miRNAs were differentially expressed (adjusted p-value < 0.05) in AD compared to cognitively normal controls in the IFG and STG, respectively. We observed down-regulation of several miRNAs that have previously been implicated in AD, including hsa-miR-212-5p and hsa-miR-132-5p, in AD samples across both brain regions, and up-regulation of hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-501-3p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, and hsa-miR-454-3p in the STG. The differentially expressed miRNAs were previously implicated in the formation of amyloid-β plaques, the dysregulation of tau, and inflammation. We have also observed differential expressions for dozens of other miRNAs in the STG, including hsa-miR-4446-3p, that have not been described previously. Putative targets of these miRNAs (adjusted p-value < 0.1) were found to be involved in Wnt signaling pathway, MAPK family signaling cascades, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) pathway, adaptive immune system, innate immune system, and neurogenesis. Our results support the finding of dysregulated miRNAs previously implicated in AD and propose additional miRNAs that appear to be dysregulated in AD for experimental follow-up.
PPAR-α Modulators as Current and Potential Cancer Treatments
Authors: Tan Yan , Wang Mina , Yang Ke , Chi Tiange , Liao Zehuan , Wei Peng
Published: March 2021

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. PPAR modulators may hold great potential for the management of cancer patients. Indeed, PPARs are critical sensors and regulators of lipid, and they are able to promote eNOS activation, regulate immunity and inflammation response, and affect proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells. Cancer, a name given to a group of diseases, is characterized by multiple distinctive biological behaviors, including angiogenesis, abnormal cell proliferation, aerobic glycolysis, inflammation, etc. In the last decade, emerging evidence has shown that PPAR-α, a nuclear hormone receptor, can modulate carcinogenesis via exerting effects on one or several characteristic pathological behaviors of cancer. Therefore, the multi-functional PPAR modulators have substantial promise in various types of cancer therapies. This review aims to consolidate the functions of PPAR-α, as well as discuss the current and potential applications of PPAR-α agonists and antagonists in tackling cancer.
The Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Combined With Brachytherapy Before Radical Hysterectomy on Stage IB2 and IIA Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Dang Yun , Liu Qing , Long Lixia , Luan Hua , Shi Qingfang , Tuo Xunyuan , Tuo Shumei , Li Yilin
Published: March 2021

Objective

This study aims to retrospectively evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy in patients with stage IB2 and IIA cervical cancer, who treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with brachytherapy or not before radical hysterectomy.

Methods

The data of patients who have diagnosed with stage IB2 and IIA cervical cancer between January 2010 and December 2013 were retrieved through the Hospital Information System (HIS) of Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy group (NACT+BT Group) and direct radical hysterectomy group (RH Group). The rate of adjuvant radiotherapy, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 183 patients were included in this study with 82 in the NACT+BT group and 101 in the RH group. The median follow up duration was 44.9 months for the NACT+BT group and 38.1 months for the RH group. The 5-year PFS for NACT+BT Group was 93.8%, which was significantly higher compared to the RH group (77.2%, P= 0.0202). The rate of postoperative adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy was significantly lower in the NACT+BT group compared to the RH group (30.49% vs 79.21%; P <0.05). COX multivariate analysis showed that NACT+BT increased PFS by 29% compared with RH treatment, and Positive margin decreased PFS and OS by by 4.7 and 6.87 times, respectively.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy (NACT+BT) can extend PFS, reduce postoperative pathological risk, and postoperative adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy compared to the direct radical hysterectomy (RH).
Immunosuppressive Microenvironment Revealed by Immune Cell Landscape in Pre-metastatic Liver of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zeng Dongqiang , Wang Miaohong , Wu Jiani , Lin Siheng , Ye Zilan , Zhou Rui , Wang Gaofeng , Wu Jianhua , Sun Huiying , Bin Jianping , Liao Yulin , Li Nailin , Shi Min , Liao Wangjun
Published: March 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, is prone to metastasis, especially to the liver. The pre-metastatic microenvironment comprising various resident stromal cells and immune cells is essential for metastasis. However, how the dynamic evolution of immune components facilitates pre-metastatic niche formation remains unclear.

Methods: Utilizing RNA-seq data from our orthotopic colorectal cancer mouse model, we applied single sample gene set enrichment analysis and Cell type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of RNA Transcripts to investigate the tumor microenvironment landscape of pre-metastatic liver, and define the exact role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) acting in the regulation of infiltrating immune cells and gene pathways activation. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to quantify the MDSCs levels in human and mice samples.

Results: In the current work, based on the high-throughput transcriptome data, we depicted the immune cell infiltration pattern of pre-metastatic liver and highlighted MDSCs as the dominant altered cell type. Notably, flow cytometry analysis showed that high frequencies of MDSCs, was detected in the pre-metastatic liver of orthotopic colorectal cancer tumor-bearing mice, and in the peripheral blood of patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer. MDSCs accumulation in the liver drove immunosuppressive factors secretion and immune checkpoint score upregulation, consequently shaping the pre-metastatic niche with sustained immune suppression. Metabolic reprogramming such as upregulated glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and HIF-1 signaling pathways in the primary tumor was also demonstrated to correlate with MDSCs infiltration in the pre-metastatic liver. Some chemokines were identified as a potential mechanism for MDSCs recruitment.

Conclusion: Collectively, our study elucidates the alterations of MDSCs during pre-metastatic niche transformation, and illuminates the latent biological mechanism by which primary tumors impact MDSC aggregation in the targeted liver.
Circulating miR-320a Acts as a Tumor Suppressor and Prognostic Factor in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Khandelwal Akanksha , Sharma Uttam , Barwal Tushar Singh , Seam Rajeev Kumar , Gupta Manish , Rana Manjit Kaur , Vasquez Karen M. , Jain Aklank
Published: March 2021

Dysregulated expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been observed in several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the diagnostic and prognostic potential of circulating miRNAs in NSCLC remains largely undefined. Here we found that circulating miR-320a was significantly down-regulated (~5.87-fold;p< 0.0001) in NSCLC patients (n= 80) compared to matched control plasma samples from healthy subjects (n= 80). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that NSCLC patients with lower levels of circulating miR-320a had overall poorer prognosis and survival rates compared to patients with higher levels (p< 0.0001). Moreover, the diagnostic and prognostic potential of miR-320a correlated with clinicopathological characteristics such as tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymph node metastasis. Functionally, depletion of miR-320a in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells induced their metastatic potential and reduced apoptosis, which was reversed by exogenous re-expression of miR-320a mimics, indicating that miR-320a has a tumor-suppressive role in NSCLC. These results were further supported by high levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins (e.g., Beta-catenin, MMP9, and E-cadherin) in lung cancer cells and tissuesviaimmunoblot and immunohistochemistry experiments. Moreover, through bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated thatAKT3was a direct target of miR-320a. In addition, AKT3-associated PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein-signaling pathways were elevated with down-regulated miR-320a levels in NSCLC. These composite data indicate that circulating miR-320a may function as a tumor-suppressor miRNA with potential as a prognostic marker for NSCLC patients.
SIMPLE: A Novel Scoring System for Predicting Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus Without Echocardiographic Evaluation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Gonen Ilker , Babayigit Aslan , Bornaun Helen , Yasa Beril , Memur Seyma , Semerci Seda Yilmaz , Cetinkaya Merih
Published: March 2021

Aim: To develop a novel clinical scoring system for predicting hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among ELBW infants born in the study center during a 6-month period. Fourteen items were selected on a literature review basis and weighed by severity on an arbitrary 1–4 scale, the sum of which represented the Scoring preterm Infants for PDA cLinically without Echocardiographic evaluation (SIMPLE) score. The SIMPLE scores were compared at several time points during the first 3 days of life between two groups of patients: those with an hsPDA at echocardiography and those without.

Results: A total of 48 ELBW infants were enrolled, of which 30 infants developed hsPDA. The SIMPLE scores of the infants with hsPDA were significantly greater than those of the infants who did not develop hsPDA. Cut-off SIMPLE scores that were significantly associated with detection of symptomatic hsPDA at each evaluation time point were identified.

Conclusions: SIMPLE is the first scoring system that depends on the risk factors and clinical findings of ELBW infants for early prediction of hsPDA. It is simple, objective and easy to perform, and it does not require any additional tests and/or echocardiographic evaluation. We suggest that SIMPLE can be used as a screening tool for determining the need for echocardiographic evaluation in ELBW infants in order to minimize the number of unnecessary pediatric cardiology consultations.
Electronic Nematic States Tuned by Isoelectronic Substitution in Bulk FeSe1−xSx
Authors: Coldea Amalia I.
Published: March 2021

Isoelectronic substitution is an ideal tuning parameter to alter electronic states and correlations in iron-based superconductors. As this substitution takes place outside the conducting Fe planes, the electronic behaviour is less affected by the impurity scattering experimentally and relevant key electronic parameters can be accessed. In this short review, I present the experimental progress made in understanding the electronic behaviour of the nematic electronic superconductors, FeSe1−xSx. A direct signature of the nematic electronic state is in-plane anisotropic distortion of the Fermi surface triggered by orbital ordering effects and electronic interactions that result in multi-band shifts detected by ARPES. Upon sulphur substitution, the electronic correlations and the Fermi velocities decrease in the tetragonal phase. Quantum oscillations are observed for the whole series in ultra-high magnetic fields and show a complex spectra due to the presence of many small orbits. Effective masses associated to the largest orbit display non-divergent behaviour at the nematic end point (x ∼ 0.175(5)), as opposed to critical spin-fluctuations in other iron pnictides. Magnetotransport behaviour has a strong deviation from the Fermi liquid behaviour and linear T resistivity is detected at low temperatures inside the nematic phase, where scattering from low energy spin-fluctuations are likely to be present. The superconductivity is not enhanced in FeSe1−xSx and there are no divergent electronic correlations at the nematic end point. These manifestations indicate a strong coupling with the lattice in FeSe1−xSx and a pairing mechanism likely promoted by spin fluctuations.
Neurophysiologic Profiling of At-Risk Low and Very Low Birth-Weight Infants Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Qi Ying , He Jingni
Published: March 2021

Low birth-weight (LBW) and very low birth-weight (VLBW) newborns have increased risks of brain injuries, growth failure, motor difficulties, developmental coordination disorders or delay, and adult-onset vascular diseases. However, relatively little is known of the neurobiologic underpinnings. To clarify the pathophysiologic vulnerabilities of such neonates, we applied several advanced techniques for assessing brain physiology, namely T2-relaxation-under-spin-tagging (TRUST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and phase-contrast (PC) MRI. This enabled quantification of oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), global cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). A total of 50 neonates (LBW-VLBW, 41; term controls, 9) participated in this study. LBW-VLBW neonates were further stratified as those with (LBW-VLBW-a, 24) and without (LBW-VLBW-n, 17) structural MRI (sMRI) abnormalities. TRUST and PC MRI studies were undertaken to determine OEF, CBF, and CMRO2. Ultimately, CMRO2 proved significantly lower (p = 0.01) in LBW-VLBW (vs term) neonates, both LBW-VLBW-a and LBW-VLBW-n subsets showing significantly greater physiologic deficits than term controls (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). CMRO2 and CBF in LBW-VLBW-a and LBW-VLBW-n subsets did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), although OEF showed a tendency to diverge (p = 0.15). However, OEF values in the LBW-VLBW-n subset differed significantly from those of term controls (p = 0.02). Compared with brain volume or body weight, these physiologic parameters yield higher area-under-the-curve (AUC) values for distinguishing neonates of the LBW-VLBW-a subset. The latter displayed distinct cerebral metabolic and hemodynamic, whereas changes were marginal in the LBW-VLBW-n subset (i.e., higher OEF and lower CBF and CMRO2) by comparison. Physiologic imaging may therefore be useful in identifying LBW-VLBW newborns at high risk of irreversible brain damage.
Exploring the Effect of Collective Cultural Attributes on Covid-19-Related Public Health Outcomes
Authors: Erman Aysegul , Medeiros Mike
Published: March 2021

Infections and deaths associated with COVID-19 show a high degree of heterogeneity across different populations. A thorough understanding of population-level predictors of such outcomes is crucial for devising better-targeted and more appropriate public health preparedness measures. While demographic, economic, and health-system capacity have featured prominently in recent work, cultural, and behavioral characteristics have largely been overlooked. However, cultural differences shape both the public policy response and individuals' behavioral responses to the crisis in ways that can impact infection dynamics and key health outcomes. To address this gap, we used meta-analytic methods to explore the global variability of three public health outcomes (i.e., crude test positivity, case/infection fatality, and mortality risk) during the first wave of the pandemic. This set of analyses identified several cultural/behavioral attributes (e.g., uncertainty avoidance and long-term vs. short-term normative orientation) as independent predictors of public health outcomes after adjusting for key demographic, political, economic, and health-system-related predictors; which were robust in sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that cultural attributes do in fact account for some of the global disparities in COVID-19-attributed health outcomes. As a consequence, policymakers should more explicitly consider a society's cultural attributes alongside other important parameters such as demographic characteristics and health system constraints in order to develop better tailored and more effective policy responses.