bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SH2 Domains: Folding, Binding and Therapeutical Approaches
Authors: Diop Awa , Santorelli Daniele , Malagrinò Francesca , Nardella Caterina , Pennacchietti Valeria , Pagano Livia , Marcocci Lucia , Pietrangeli Paola , Gianni Stefano , Toto Angelo
Published: December 2022

SH2 (Src Homology 2) domains are among the best characterized and most studied protein-protein interaction (PPIs) modules able to bind and recognize sequences presenting a phosphorylated tyrosine. This post-translational modification is a key regulator of a plethora of physiological and molecular pathways in the eukaryotic cell, so SH2 domains possess a fundamental role in cell signaling. Consequently, several pathologies arise from the dysregulation of such SH2-domains mediated PPIs. In this review, we recapitulate the current knowledge about the structural, folding stability, and binding properties of SH2 domains and their roles in molecular pathways and pathogenesis. Moreover, we focus attention on the different strategies employed to modulate/inhibit SH2 domains binding. Altogether, the information gathered points to evidence that pharmacological interest in SH2 domains is highly strategic to developing new therapeutics. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the molecular determinants of the thermodynamic stability as well as of the binding properties of SH2 domains appears to be fundamental in order to improve the possibility of preventing their dysregulated interactions.
Alarmins as a Possible Target of Future Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Imbalzano Egidio , Murdaca Giuseppe , Orlando Luana , Gigliotti-De Fazio Marianna , Terranova Dario , Tonacci Alessandro , Gangemi Sebastiano
Published: December 2022

To date, worldwide, atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiovascular disease in adults, with a prevalence of 2% to 4%. The trigger of the pathophysiological mechanism of arrhythmia includes several factors that sustain and exacerbate the disease. Ectopic electrical conductivity, associated with the resulting atrial mechanical dysfunction, atrial remodeling, and fibrosis, promotes hypo-contractility and blood stasis, involving micro endothelial damage. This causes a significant local inflammatory reaction that feeds and sustains the arrhythmia. In our literature review, we evaluate the role of HMGB1 proteins, heat shock proteins, and S100 in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation, offering suggestions for possible new therapeutic strategies. We selected scientific publications on the specific topics “alarmins” and “atrial fibrillation” from PubMed. The nonsystematic review confirms the pivotal role of molecules such as S100 proteins, high-mobility group box-1, and heat shock proteins in the molecular pattern of atrial fibrillation. These results could be considered for new therapeutic opportunities, including inhibition of oxidative stress, evaluation of new anticoagulant drugs with novel therapeutic targets, molecular and genetic studies, and consideration of these alarmins as predictive or prognostic biomarkers of disease onset and severity.
Induction of Somatic Embryogenesis in Plants: Different Players and Focus on WUSCHEL and WUS-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) Transcription Factors
Authors: Fambrini Marco , Usai Gabriele , Pugliesi Claudio
Published: December 2022

In plants, other cells can express totipotency in addition to the zygote, thus resulting in embryo differentiation; this appears evident in apomictic and epiphyllous plants. According to Haberlandt’s theory, all plant cells can regenerate a complete plant if the nucleus and the membrane system are intact. In fact, under in vitro conditions, ectopic embryos and adventitious shoots can develop from many organs of the mature plant body. We are beginning to understand how determination processes are regulated and how cell specialization occurs. However, we still need to unravel the mechanisms whereby a cell interprets its position, decides its fate, and communicates it to others. The induction of somatic embryogenesis might be based on a plant growth regulator signal (auxin) to determine an appropriate cellular environment and other factors, including stress and ectopic expression of embryo or meristem identity transcription factors (TFs). Still, we are far from having a complete view of the regulatory genes, their target genes, and their action hierarchy. As in animals, epigenetic reprogramming also plays an essential role in re-establishing the competence of differentiated cells to undergo somatic embryogenesis. Herein, we describe the functions of WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) transcription factors in regulating the differentiation–dedifferentiation cell process and in the developmental phase of in vitro regenerated adventitious structures.
Atraric Acid Ameliorates Hyperpigmentation through the Downregulation of the PKA/CREB/MITF Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Jing , Jiang Shengping , Huang Chengyun , Yang Xiaolong
Published: December 2022

Atraric acid (AA) is derived from lichens and is widely used in perfumes for its desirable scent. It has been reported as having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Hyperpigmentation is the underlying cause of a variety of dermatological diseases that have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and are frequently difficult to treat. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effects of AA on hyperpigmentation in vitro and in vivo and its potential molecular mechanisms. The cytological results revealed that at a dose of 250 μM, AA may reduce melanin content and tyrosinase levels without causing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the expression of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), phosphorylated protein kinase A (pPKA) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB) were downregulated in AA-administrated cells. In vivo, histological analysis showed that AA could inhibit melanin production and tyrosinase activity, and 3% AA had the best activity, with almost no side effects. Furthermore, the results of Western blot analysis and RT-PCR suggested that AA may suppress the mRNA transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) protein and tyrosine protease by decreasing the expression of MC1R, consequently decreasing the phosphorylation of PKA and CREB. Finally, the MC1R inhibitor MSG606 verified the hypothesis that AA suppresses melanin formation by downregulating the PKA/CREB/MITF signaling pathway. Taken together, our study offers valuable information for the development of AA as a possible ingredient in skin-lightening cosmeceuticals and hyperpigmentation inhibitors.
Spatio-Temporal Changes of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Stiffness in the Development of the Leech Hirudo verbana
Authors: Pulze Laura , Baranzini Nicolò , Congiu Terenzio , Acquati Francesco , Grimaldi Annalisa
Published: December 2022

The invertebrate leech Hirudo verbana represents a powerful experimental animal model for improving the knowledge about the functional interaction between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells within the tissue microenvironment (TME), and the key role played by ECM stiffness during development and growth. Indeed, the medicinal leech is characterized by a simple anatomical organization reproducing many aspects of the basic biological processes of vertebrates and in which a rapid spatiotemporal development is well established and easily assessed. Our results show that ECM structural organization, as well as the amount of fibrillar and non-fibrillar collagen are deeply different from hatching leeches to adult ones. In addition, the changes in ECM remodelling occurring during the different leech developmental stages, leads to a gradient of stiffness regulating both the path of migratory cells and their fates. The ability of cells to perceive and respond to changes in ECM composition and mechanics strictly depend on nuclear or cytoplasmic expression of Yes-Associated Protein 1 (YAP1), a key mediator converting mechanical signals into transcriptional outputs, expression, and activation.
Studying Peptide-Metal Ion Complex Structures by Solution-State NMR
Authors: Shalev Deborah E.
Published: December 2022

Metal chelation can provide structural stability and form reactive centers in metalloproteins. Approximately one third of known protein structures are metalloproteins, and metal binding, or the lack thereof, is often implicated in disease, making it necessary to be able to study these systems in detail. Peptide-metal complexes are both present in nature and can provide a means to focus on the binding region of a protein and control experimental variables to a high degree. Structural studies of peptide complexes with metal ions by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were surveyed for all the essential metal complexes and many non-essential metal complexes. The various methods used to study each metal ion are presented together with examples of recent research. Many of these metal systems have been individually reviewed and this current overview of NMR studies of metallopeptide complexes aims to provide a basis for inspiration from structural studies and methodology applied in the field.
BAC-FISH Based Physical Map of Endangered Catfish Clarias magur for Chromosome Cataloguing and Gene Isolation through Positional Cloning
Authors: Baisvar Vishwamitra Singh , Kushwaha Basdeo , Kumar Ravindra , Kumar Murali Sanjeev , Singh Mahender , Rai Anil , Sarkar Uttam Kumar
Published: December 2022

Construction of a physical chromosome map of a species is important for positional cloning, targeted marker development, fine mapping of genes, selection of candidate genes for molecular breeding, as well as understanding the genome organization. The genomic libraries in the form of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are also a very useful resource for physical mapping and identification and isolation of full-length genes and the related cis acting elements. Some BAC-FISH based studies reported in the past were gene based physical chromosome maps of Clarias magur (magur) to understand the genome organization of the species and to establish the relationships with other species in respect to genes’ organization and evolution in the past. In the present study, we generated end sequences of the BAC clones and analyzed those end sequences within the scaffolds of the draft genome of magur to identify and map the genes bioinformatically for each clone. A total of 36 clones mostly possessing genes were identified and used in probe construction and their subsequent hybridization on the metaphase chromosomes of magur. This study successfully mapped all 36 specific clones on 16 chromosome pairs, out of 25 pairs of magur chromosomes. These clones are now recognized as chromosome-specific makers, which are an aid in individual chromosome identification and fine assembly of the genome sequence, and will ultimately help in developing anchored genes’ map on the chromosomes of C. magur for understanding their organization, inheritance of important fishery traits and evolution of magur with respect to channel catfish, zebrafish and other species.
Poly(dithiophosphate)s, a New Class of Phosphorus- and Sulfur-Containing Functional Polymers by a Catalyst-Free Facile Reaction between Diols and Phosphorus Pentasulfide
Authors: Szabó Ákos , Szarka Györgyi , Trif László , Gyarmati Benjámin , Bereczki Laura , Iván Béla , Kovács Ervin
Published: December 2022

Novel poly(dithiophosphate)s (PDTPs) were successfully synthesized under mild conditions without any additive in the presence of THF or toluene diluents at 60 °C by a direct, catalyst-free reaction between the abundant phosphorus pentasulfide (P4S10) and glycols such as ethylene glycol (EG), 1,6-hexanediol (HD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). GPC, FTIR, 1H and 31P NMR analyses proved the formation of macromolecules with dithiophosphate coupling groups having P=S and P-SH pendant functionalities. Surprisingly, the ring-opening of THF by the P-SH group and its pendant incorporation as a branching point occur during polymerization. This process is absent with toluene, providing conditions to obtain linear chains. 31P NMR measurements indicate long-time partial hydrolysis and esterification, resulting in the formation of a thiophosphoric acid moiety and branching points. Copolymerization, i.e., using mixtures of EG or HD with PEG, results in polymers with broadly varying viscoelastic properties. TGA shows the lower thermal stability of PDTPs than that of PEG due to the relatively low thermal stability of the P-O-C moieties. The low Tgs of these polymers, from −4 to −50 °C, and a lack of PEG crystallites were found by DSC. This polymerization process and the resulting novel PDTPs enable various new routes for polymer synthesis and application possibilities.
Solubility Enhancement of Dihydroquercetin via “Green” Phase Modification
Authors: Terekhov Roman P. , Ilyasov Igor R. , Beloborodov Vladimir L. , Zhevlakova Anastasiya K. , Pankov Denis I. , Dzuban Alexander V. , Bogdanov Anatoliy G. , Davidovich Georgiy N. , Shilov Gennadii V. , Utenyshev Andrey N. , Saverina Evgenya A. , Selivanova Irina A.
Published: December 2022

Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) is a promising antioxidant for medical applications. The poor water solubility of this flavanonol at ambient conditions inhibits its implementation in clinical practice as an injectable dosage form. Thus, increasing water solubility is a critical step toward solving this problem. Herein we attempted to deal with this problem via DHQ phase modification while at the same time adhering to the principles of green chemistry as much as possible. Lyophilization is an appropriate method to achieve phase modification in an environment-friendly way. This method was employed to generate new phase modifications of DHQ that were then characterized. Mixtures of water with ethanol or acetonitrile were used as solvents for the preparation of the lyophilizates, DHQE, and DHQA, respectively. The results of dissolution testing of the obtained DHQE and DHQA demonstrated that the lyophilization increased water solubility at least 30-fold times. These new DHQ modifications were studied by scanning electron microscopy, mass-spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and thermal analysis. Their solid-state phases were confirmed to differ from the initial DHQ substance without any changes in the molecular structure. Both DHQE and DHQA showed as high antioxidant activity as the initial DHQ. These data demonstrate the potential of DHQE and DHQA as active pharmaceutical ingredients for injectable dosage forms.
Mathematical Model for Evaluation of Tumor Response in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy with 211At Using Implanted Mouse Tumor
Authors: Yonekura Yoshiharu , Toki Hiroshi , Watabe Tadashi , Kaneda-Nakashima Kazuko , Shirakami Yoshifumi , Ooe Kazuhiro , Toyoshima Atsushi , Nakajima Hiroo , Tomiyama Noriyuki , Bando Masako
Published: December 2022

Recent introduction of alpha-emitting radionuclides in targeted radionuclide therapy has stimulated the development of new radiopharmaceuticals. Preclinical evaluation using an animal experiment with an implanted tumor model is frequently used to examine the efficiency of the treatment method and to predict the treatment response before clinical trials. Here, we propose a mathematical model for evaluation of the tumor response in an implanted tumor model and apply it to the data obtained from the previous experiment of 211At treatment in a thyroid cancer mouse model. The proposed model is based on the set of differential equations, describing the kinetics of radiopharmaceuticals, the tumor growth, and the treatment response. First, the tumor growth rate was estimated from the control data without injection of 211At. The kinetic behavior of the injected radionuclide was used to estimate the radiation dose profile to the target tumor, which can suppress the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. An additional two factors, including the time delay for the reduction of tumor volume and the impaired recovery of tumor regrowth after the treatment, were needed to simulate the temporal changes of tumor size after treatment. Finally, the parameters obtained from the simulated tumor growth curve were able to predict the tumor response in other experimental settings. The model can provide valuable information for planning the administration dose of radiopharmaceuticals in clinical trials, especially to determine the starting dose at which efficacy can be expected with a sufficient safety margin.
Mobilome of the Rhus Gall Aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis Provides Insight into TE Insertion-Related Inactivation of Functional Genes
Authors: Ahmad Aftab , Ren Zhumei
Published: December 2022

Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a considerable proportion of insect genomic DNA; how they contribute to genome structure and organization is still poorly understood. Here, we present an analysis of the TE repertoire in the chromosome-level genome assembly of Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis. The TE fractions are composed of at least 32 different superfamilies and many TEs from different families were transcriptionally active in the S. chinensis genome. Furthermore, different types of transposase-derived proteins were also found in the S. chinensis genome. We also provide insight into the TEs related insertional inactivation, and exogenization of TEs in functional genes. We considered that the presence of TE fragments in the introns of functional genes could impact the activity of functional genes, and a large number of TE fragments in introns could lead to the indirect inactivation of functional genes. The present study will be beneficial in understanding the role and impact of TEs in genomic evolution of their hosts.
Initial Cybersecurity Framework in the New Capital City of Indonesia: Factors, Objectives, and Technology
Authors: Sensuse Dana Indra , Putro Prasetyo Adi Wibowo , Rachmawati Rini , Sunindyo Wikan Danar
Published: December 2022

As a newly built city and the new capital of Indonesia, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), is expected to become known worldwide as an economic driver, a symbol of national identity, and a sustainable city. As the nation’s capital, IKN will become the location for running central government activities and hosting representatives of foreign countries and international organizations or institutions. However, there is no concept of cybersecurity in IKN associated with existing functions and expectations of the city. This study identifies the initial cybersecurity framework in the new capital city of Indonesia, IKN. A PRISMA systematic review was used to identify variables and design an initial framework. The initial framework was then validated by cybersecurity and smart city experts. The results show that the recommended cybersecurity framework involved IKN’s factors as a livable city, a smart city, and a city with critical infrastructure. We applied five security objectives supported by risk management, governance, security awareness, and the latest security technology to these factors.
EREC: Enhanced Language Representations with Event Chains
Authors: Wang Huajie , Wang Yinglin
Published: December 2022

The natural language model BERT uses a large-scale unsupervised corpus to accumulate rich linguistic knowledge during its pretraining stage, and then, the information is fine-tuned for specific downstream tasks, which greatly improves the understanding capability of various natural language tasks. For some specific tasks, the capability of the model can be enhanced by introducing external knowledge. In fact, these methods, such as ERNIE, have been proposed for integrating knowledge graphs into BERT models, which significantly enhanced its capabilities in related tasks such as entity recognition. However, for two types of tasks, commonsense causal reasoning and predicting the ending of stories, few previous studies have combined model modification and process optimization to integrate external knowledge. Therefore, referring to ERNIE, in this paper, we propose enhanced language representation with event chains (EREC), which focuses on keywords in the text corpus and their implied relations. Event chains are integrated into EREC as external knowledge. Furthermore, various graph networks are used to generate embeddings and to associate keywords in the corpus. Finally, via multi-task training, external knowledge is integrated into the model generated in the pretraining stage so as to enhance the effect of the model in downstream tasks. The experimental process of the EREC model is carried out with a three-stage design, and the experimental results show that EREC has a deeper understanding of the causal relationship and event relationship contained in the text by integrating the event chains, and it achieved significant improvements on two specific tasks.
Predictive Factors of Giant Cell Arteritis in Polymyalgia Rheumatica Patients
Authors: Ramon André , Greigert Hélène , Ornetti Paul , Maillefert Jean-Francis , Bonnotte Bernard , Samson Maxime
Published: December 2022

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatism of the shoulder and pelvic girdles. In 16 to 21% of cases, PMR is associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA) that can lead to severe vascular complications. Ruling out GCA in patients with PMR is currently a critical challenge for clinicians. Two GCA phenotypes can be distinguished: cranial GCA (C-GCA) and large vessel GCA (LV-GCA). C-GCA is usually suspected when cranial manifestations (temporal headaches, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, or visual disturbances) occur. Isolated LV-GCA is more difficult to diagnose, due to the lack of specificity of clinical features which can be limited to constitutional symptoms and/or unexplained fever. Furthermore, many studies have demonstrated the existence—in varying proportions—of subclinical GCA in patients with apparently isolated PMR features. In PMR patients, the occurrence of clinical features of C-GCA (new onset temporal headaches, jaw claudication, or abnormality of temporal arteries) are highly predictive of C-GCA. Additionally, glucocorticoids’ resistance occurring during follow-up of PMR patients, the occurrence of constitutional symptoms, or acute phase reactants elevation are suggestive of associated GCA. Research into the predictive biomarkers of GCA in PMR patients is critical for selecting PMR patients for whom imaging and/or temporal artery biopsy is necessary. To date, Angiopoietin-2 and MMP-3 are powerful for predicting GCA in PMR patients, but these results need to be confirmed in further cohorts. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic challenges of subclinical GCA in PMR patients and will review the predictive factors of GCA in PMR patients.
Radiation Exposure during Fluoroscopy-Guided Ozone Chemonucleolysis for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Leoni Matteo Luigi Giuseppe , Vitali Sara , Micheli Fabrizio , Mercieri Marco , Varrassi Giustino , Casale Roberto , Occhigrossi Felice , Giordano Carlo
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Radiation exposure is a frequent drawback of spinal surgery, even if X-ray guidance plays a pivotal role in improving the accuracy and safety of spinal procedures. Consequently, radiation protection is essential to reduce potential negative biological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ radiation exposure, the radiation dose emission during fluoroscopy-guided ozone chemonucleolysis (OCN), and the potential role of patient characteristics. Methods: The radiation dose emission reports were retrospectively evaluated in patients who underwent single-level OCN for lumbar disc herniation. A generalized linear model (GLM) with a gamma distribution and log link function was used to assess the association between radiation emission and patients’ characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, level of disc herniation, disc height, and site of disc herniation. Results: Two hundred and forty OCN cases were analyzed. A safe and low level of radiation exposure was registered during OCN. The median fluoroscopy time for OCN was 26.3 (19.4–35.9) seconds, the median radiation emission dose was 19.3 (13.2–27.3) mGy, and he median kerma area product (KAP) was 0.46 (0.33–0.68) mGy ⋅ m2. The resulting KAP values were highly dependent on patient variables. In particular, sex, obesity, and residual disc height < 50% significantly increased the measured KAP, while levels of disc herniations other than L5-S1 reduced the KAP values. Conclusions: The radiation exposure during OCN is low and quite similar to a simple discography. However, patient characteristics are significantly related to radiation exposure and should be carefully evaluated before planning OCN.
Problematic Use of Social Networks during the First Lockdown: User Profiles and the Protective Effect of Resilience and Optimism
Authors: González-Nuevo Covadonga , Cuesta Marcelino , Muñiz José , Postigo Álvaro , Menéndez-Aller Álvaro , Kuss Daria J.
Published: December 2022

During the first lockdown, there was an increase in time spent using Social Networking Sites (SNS), which should be studied, as well as problematic SNS use. The present study has three objectives: to evaluate (i) the differences across gender and age and SNS type in increased SNS use, (ii) problematic SNS use during lockdowns, and (iii) the protective role of resilience and optimism on problematic SNS use. A total of 1003 participants (75.5% women) over 18 years old participated (M = 42.33; SD = 14.32 years). The use of SNS before and during lockdown, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction and problematic SNS use were evaluated. A repeated measures ANOVA and four regression analyses were calculated for the first objective regarding increased SNS use. Another linear regression analysis was calculated for the second objective regarding problematic SNS use. A correlational analysis has been performed to assess the protective roles of resilience and optimism. Differences in the increased use of SNS were found between the two time points and between the different types of SNS. Higher use of Instagram and YouTube was related to younger age. Being female was associated with higher Instagram use. Significant problematic use was found to be associated with younger age but was not dependent on gender. Higher levels of resilience and optimism were related to a lower level of problematic SNS use. SNS use during lockdown needs to be studied in order to understand factors that may protect against undesirable psychological consequences and support prevention programs.
Predictors of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage after Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Anterior Large Vessel Occlusion—Procedure Time and Reperfusion Quality Determine
Authors: Li Yan , van Landeghem Natalie , Demircioglu Aydin , Köhrmann Martin , Dammann Philipp , Oppong Marvin Darkwah , Jabbarli Ramazan , Theysohn Jens Matthias , Altenbernd Jens-Christian , Styczen Hanna , Forsting Michael , Wanke Isabel , Frank Benedikt , Deuschl Cornelius
Published: December 2022

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients following thrombectomy due to anterior large vessel occlusion (LVO). Methods: Data on stroke patients from January 2018 to December 2020 in a tertiary care centre were retrospectively analysed. sICH was defined as intracranial hemorrhage associated with a deterioration of at least four points in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or hemorrhage leading to death. A smoothed ridge regression model was run to analyse the impact of 15 variables on their association with sICH. Results: Of the 174 patients (median age 77, 41.4% male), sICH was present in 18 patients. Short procedure time from groin puncture to reperfusion (per 10 min OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.071–1.435; p = 0.004) and complete reperfusion (TICI 3) (OR 0.035; 95% CI 0.003–0.378; p = 0.005) were significantly associated with a lower risk of sICH. On the contrary, successful reperfusion (TICI 3 and TICI 2b) was not associated with a lower risk of sICH (OR 0.508; 95% CI 0.131–1.975, p = 0.325). Neither the total time from symptom onset to reperfusion nor the intravenous thrombolysis was a predictor of sICH (per 10 min OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.998–1.001, p = 0.745) (OR 1.305; 95% CI 0.338–5.041, p = 0.697). Conclusion: Our findings addressed the paramount importance of short procedure time and complete reperfusion to minimize sICH risk. The total ischemic time from onset to reperfusion was not a predictor of sICH.
Correlation of Biomarkers of Endothelial Injury and Inflammation to Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Munguía Levy , Nájera Nayelli , Martínez Felipe de Jesús , Díaz-Chiguer Dylan , Jiménez-Ponce Fiacro , Ortiz-Flores Miguel , Villarreal Francisco , Ceballos Guillermo
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 can trigger an intense systemic inflammation and prothrombotic state, leading to a rapid and disproportionate deterioration of lung function. An effective screening tool is essential to identify the patients at risk for severe disease. This observational study was conducted on hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 pneumonia in a general hospital in Mexico City between 1 March 2021 and 15 March 2021. Serum samples were analyzed to explore the role of biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation, oxidative stress, and endothelial damage with the severity of the disease. Our results demonstrated that Syndecan-1 and nitrites/nitrates showed a high correlation in severely ill patients. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients with elevated levels of SDC-1 were associated with severe disease. This molecule can potentially be used as a marker for the progression or severity of COVID-19. Preservation of glycocalyx integrity may be a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Performance of Colombian Silk Fibroin Hydrogels for Hyaline Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zuluaga-Vélez Augusto , Toro-Acevedo Carlos Andrés , Quintero-Martinez Adrián , Melchor-Moncada Jhon Jairo , Pedraza-Ordoñez Francisco , Aguilar-Fernández Enrique , Sepúlveda-Arias Juan Carlos
Published: December 2022

The development and evaluation of scaffolds play a crucial role in the engineering of hyaline cartilage tissue. This work aims to evaluate the performance of silk fibroin hydrogels fabricated from the cocoons of the Colombian hybrid in the in vitro regeneration of hyaline cartilage. The scaffolds were physicochemically characterized, and their performance was evaluated in a cellular model. The results showed that the scaffolds were rich in random coils and β-sheets in their structure and susceptible to various serine proteases with different degradation profiles. Furthermore, they showed a significant increase in ACAN, COL10A1, and COL2A1 expression compared to pellet culture alone and allowed GAG deposition. The soluble portion of the scaffold did not affect chondrogenesis. Furthermore, they promoted the increase in COL1A2, showing a slight tendency to differentiate towards fibrous cartilage. The results also showed that Colombian silk could be used as a source of biomedical devices, paving the way for sericulture to become a more diverse economic activity in emerging countries.
Playful Testing of Executive Functions with Yellow-Red: Tablet-Based Battery for Children between 6 and 11
Authors: Rosas Ricardo , Espinoza Victoria , Martínez Camila , Santa-Cruz Catalina
Published: December 2022

Executive functions are psychological processes of great importance for proper functioning in various areas of human development, including academic performance. For this reason, from both clinical and educational perspectives, there is great interest in how they are assessed. This article describes the development and standardization process of Yellow-Red, an instrument for directly assessing executive functions in children between 6 and 11 years of age in a playful format using digital support. The test was based on a three-factor model of executive functioning: inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Yellow-Red comprises six subtests: cognitive inhibition, behavioral inhibition, auditory working memory, visual working memory, cognitive flexibility, and a global assessment test of executive functions. The test was administered to 245 boys and girls between 6 and 11 years of age. Along with the Yellow-Red subtests, gold standard tests were applied for each of the executive functions assessed. The test’s psychometric properties are powerful in both reliability and validity evidence. The reliability indices are all greater than 0.8. As evidence of convergent validity, correlations were established between the tests, and the tests considered gold standards. All correlations were significant, with values ranging between 0.42 and 0.73. On the other hand, the factor structure of the test was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. Although it is possible to demonstrate the progressive differentiation of the factor structure with age, it was only possible to find two factors at older ages, one for inhibition/flexibility and one for working memory.
Registration of Nonlinear Hydrophysical Disturbances—Rogue Waves in Full-Scale Conditions
Authors: Dolgikh Grigory , Dolgikh Stanislav , Chupin Vladimir , Ovcharenko Vladimir , Shvets Vyacheslav , Yakovenko Sergey
Published: December 2022

In the paper, we discuss the results of processing and analysis of field data obtained from a laser-based supersensitive detector during the registering of hydrosphere pressure variations on the seabed at various points of the Sea of Japan shelf. The main focus is the study of physical mechanisms of the occurrence of nonlinear hydrophysical disturbances in the range of gravity and infragravity sea waves classed as rogue waves, the amplitudes of which are more than twice the amplitudes of the bordering signals in this range of periods. It has been established that in the range of gravity/wind sea wave periods (2–20 s), similar disturbances were registered by the supersensitive detector of hydrosphere pressure variations. The paper explains the appearance of such nonlinear disturbances. In addition to single large-amplitude nonlinear perturbations, classical nonlinear disturbances, related to the “one sister”, “two sisters”, and “three sisters” rogue wave types were discovered. Their occurrence is associated with the interaction of gravity and infragravity sea waves in the zone of the recording equipment location. In the course of spectral processing of the obtained field data, the main modes of wind waves and infragravity sea waves responsible for the formation of the observed rogue waves were identified. The intermodal energy transfer in the observed wave packet resembles in its behavior the modified Fermi–Past–Ulam recurrence. In the lower frequency range, non-linear hydrophysical disturbances of the “sea hole” and “crest” type were found; the origin of which is associated with atmospheric processes.
Establishment and Application of Microsatellite Multiplex PCR System for Cheilinus undulatus
Authors: Zhao Fangcao , Guo Liang , Zhang Nan , Zhu Kecheng , Yang Jingwen , Liu Baosuo , Guo Huayang , Zhang Dianchang
Published: December 2022

Cheilinus undulatus is a valuable seawater economic fish with tender meat, fresh taste, and high nutritional value; however, its population is rapidly declining because of massive fishing and habitat destruction. Assessing changes in genetic diversity and inbreeding levels is a very valuable monitoring tool, and multiplex PCR has the advantages of being time-efficient and economical. Here, we selected 12 pairs of polymorphic microsatellite loci, developed two multiplex PCR amplification systems based on these microsatellites, and used them to examine 30 C. undulatus specimens. The number of alleles (Na) for the 12 microsatellite markers ranged from 2 to 8. The effective allele number (Ne) ranged from 1.724 to 4.592. The expected heterozygosity (He) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.420 to 0.782 and 0.100 to 0.900, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.422 to 0.746, with a mean value of 0.557. 5 loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE, p < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). The multiplex PCR amplification system established in this study provides a basis for germplasm identification, genetic diversity analysis, and assessment of the effects of accretion and release of C. undulatus.
Characterization of Defensin-like Protein 1 for Its Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Virulence Properties for the Development of Novel Antifungal Drug against Candida auris
Authors: Kamli Majid Rasool , Sabir Jamal S. M. , Malik Maqsood Ahmad , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: December 2022

Candida auris has emerged as a pan-resistant pathogenic yeast among immunocompromised patients worldwide. As this pathogen is involved in biofilm-associated infections with serious medical manifestations due to the collective expression of pathogenic attributes and factors associated with drug resistance, successful treatment becomes a major concern. In the present study, we investigated the candidicidal activity of a plant defensin peptide named defensin-like protein 1 (D-lp1) against twenty-five clinical strains of C. auris. Furthermore, following the standard protocols, the D-lp1 was analyzed for its anti-biofilm and anti-virulence properties. The impact of these peptides on membrane integrity was also evaluated. For cytotoxicity determination, a hemolytic assay was conducted using horse blood. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 0.047–0.78 mg/mL and 0.095–1.56 mg/mL, respectively. D-lp1 at sub-inhibitory concentrations potentially abrogated both biofilm formation and 24-h mature biofilms. Similarly, the peptide severely impacted virulence attributes in the clinical strain of C. auris. For the insight mechanism, D-lp1 displayed a strong impact on the cell membrane integrity of the test pathogen. It is important to note that D-lp1 at sub-inhibitory concentrations displayed minimal hemolytic activity against horse blood cells. Therefore, it is highly useful to correlate the anti-Candida property of D-lp1 along with anti-biofilm and anti-virulent properties against C. auris, with the aim of discovering an alternative strategy for combating serious biofilm-associated infections caused by C. auris.
Alumina as an Antifungal Agent for Pinus elliottii Wood
Authors: Acosta Andrey P. , Gallio Ezequiel , Cruz Nidria , Aramburu Arthur B. , Lunkes Nayara , Missio André L. , Delucis Rafael de A. , Gatto Darci A.
Published: December 2022

This work deals with the durability of a Pinus elliotti wood impregnated with alumina (Al2O3) particles. The samples were impregnated at three different Al2O3 weight fractions (c.a. 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) and were then exposed to two wood-rot fungi, namely white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum). Thermal and chemical characteristics were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The wood which incorporated 0.3 wt% of Al2O3 presented a weight loss 91.5% smaller than the untreated wood after being exposed to the white-rot fungus. On the other hand, the highest effectiveness against the brown-rot fungus was reached by the wood treated with 5 wt% of Al2O3, which presented a mass loss 91.6% smaller than that of the untreated pine wood. The Al2O3-treated woods presented higher antifungal resistances than the untreated ones in a way that: the higher the Al2O3 content, the higher the thermal stability. In general, the impregnation of the Al2O3 particles seems to be a promising treatment for wood protection against both studied wood-rot fungi. Additionally, both FT-IR and TG results were valuable tools to ascertain chemical changes ascribed to fungal decay.
Research on the Relationships between Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capabilities, Organizational Agility, and Firm Performance
Authors: Li Guofan
Published: December 2022

To explore the impact of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities on enterprise performance mechanisms, on the basis of dynamic capabilities theory and upper echelons theory and according to the collected sample data using a structural equation model in an empirical test, this paper explores dynamic knowledgeability, organizational agility, business performance, and executive support provided by a theoretical model of four variables. The results show that knowledge-based dynamic capabilities and organizational agility have significant positive effects on firm performance; organizational agility has a mediating effect via the effect of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities on firm performance; and executive support has a moderating effect on the process of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities affecting organizational agility.
Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Intraday Efficiency of Agricultural Futures Markets
Authors: Aslam Faheem , Ferreira Paulo , Ali Haider
Published: December 2022

The investigation of the fractal nature of financial data has been growing in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the efficiency of agricultural futures markets by using multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA). To better understand the relative changes in the efficiency of agriculture commodities due to the pandemic, we split the dataset into two equal periods of seven months, i.e., 1 August 2019 to 10 March 2020 and 11 March 2020 to 25 September 2020. We used the high-frequency data at 15 min intervals of cocoa, cotton, coffee, orange juice, soybean, and sugar. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has great but varying impacts on the intraday multifractal properties of the selected agricultural future markets. In particular, the London sugar witnessed the lowest multifractality while orange juice exhibited the highest multifractality before the pandemic declaration. Cocoa became the most efficient while the cotton exhibited the minimum efficient pattern after the pandemic. Our findings show that the highest improvement is found in the market efficiency of orange juice. Furthermore, the behavior of these agriculture commodities shifted from a persistent to an antipersistent behavior after the pandemic. The information given by the detection of multifractality can be used to support investment and policy-making decisions.
Land Use Impacts on Traffic Congestion Patterns: A Tale of a Northwestern Chinese City
Authors: Bao Zhikang , Ou Yifu , Chen Shuangzhou , Wang Ting
Published: December 2022

Traffic congestion is a contemporary urban issue plaguing transportation planners, land developers, policy-makers, and citizens. While many studies have investigated the impact of built environments on traffic behavior in large metropolises on a regional scale, little attention has been paid to smaller urban areas, in China’s context, especially on a neighborhood level. This study investigates the spatial–temporal pattern of traffic congestion in a small-scale city, Xining, in China. By applying multivariate least-square regression analysis to social-sensing hyperlocal travel data, the results indicate that Xining is experiencing morning and evening traffic peaks on the weekdays and pre-weekends and only the evening peak during the weekends or holidays. The pre-weekend congestion is significantly worse than on a normal weekday, implying that stronger measures to consolidate traffic management should be implemented during this time. Educational land use and residential areas were found to contribute significantly to traffic congestion in Xining, and their combined effects tend to exacerbate the situation. The study furthers the understanding of traffic congestion in small urban areas, providing urban planners and policy-makers with new insights to formulate evidence-based strategies for mitigating traffic congestion.
The Time-Varying Effect of Interest Rates on Housing Prices
Authors: Lee Cheonjae , Park Jinbaek
Published: December 2022

This study analyzes the time-varying effect of interest rates on housing prices. As housing prices are too high for most consumers to afford with income alone, they use bank loans. Consequently, when interest rates fall, the demand for housing increases, causing prices to rise. This effect of interest rates was common in countries that implemented low-interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Korean data from March 1991 to March 2022, this study examined the impact of interest rate shocks on housing prices by employing a time-varying parameter vector autoregressive model. According to the analysis, in Korea, while the impact of the interest rate shocks on housing prices was not significant before the global financial crisis, it increased dramatically afterward. Particularly, the impact of interest rate shocks was strongest relative to the past during the period of the increase in house prices from 2020 to 2021. The rise in the effects of interest rate shocks on housing prices is attributed to the increased dependence on loans for housing purchases. The results suggest that given the recent substantial increments in interest rates due to inflation, an interest rate shock would likely cause a global housing market recession.
The Rule of Law and Human Mobility in the Age of Global Compacts: Relativizing the Risks and Gains of Soft Normativity?
Authors: Panizzon Marion , Vitiello Daniela , Molnár Tamás
Published: December 2022

The 2016 New York Declaration,1 for the first time in United Nations (UN) history, coalesced a diverging palette of regional and a few multilateral efforts before the UN General Assembly [...]
Mitochondria Clumping vs. Mitochondria Fusion in CMT2A Diseases
Authors: Franco Antonietta , Walton Caroline E. , Dang Xiawei
Published: December 2022

Phenotypic variations in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A) result from the many mutations in the mitochondrial fusion protein, mitofusin 2 (MFN2). While the GTPase domain mutations of MFN2 lack the ability to hydrolyze GTP and complete mitochondrial fusion, the mechanism of dysfunction in HR1 domain mutations has yet to be explored. Using Mfn1/Mfn2 double null cells and Mfn2 knock out (KO) fibroblasts, we measured the ability of this variant protein to change conformations and hydrolyze GTP. We found that a mutation in the HR1 domain (M376A) of MFN2 results in conformational change dysfunction while maintaining GTPase ability. Prolonged exposure to mitofusin agonist MiM 111 reverses mitochondrial fusion dysfunction in the HR1 mutant through encouraging an open conformation, resulting in a potential therapeutic model in this variant. Herein, we describe a novel mechanism of dysfunction in MFN2 variants through exploring domain-specific mitochondrial characteristics leading to CMT2A.