bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La igualdad de género en el cine de animación Rompiendo el techo laboral del sector audiovisual
Authors: YEBENES CORTES Pilar Pilar
Published: July 2022

El cine de animación adolece aún de una excesiva presencia de hombres en su seno, lo que tradicionalmente ha relegado a las mujeres casi a la invisibilidad, abocándolas, todavía hoy, a una lucha ardua por reafirmar su talento en la cinematografía española. Sólo cuatro mujeres han aparecido en los títulos de crédito en la Dirección de Animación. En muchas otras categorías que conforman el armazón de cualquier producción cinematográfica, las técnicas de iluminación, realizadoras, productoras, fotógrafas, montadoras, directoras de efectos digitales, diseñadoras de vestuario, constituyen un número escandalosamente bajo. El presente artículo pretende reflexionar y arrojar luz sobre esta situación tratando de despejar algunas de las preguntas, recurrentes y oportunas, respecto a la necesidad de abrir campo y oportunidades a un inmenso caudal de talento que tanta falta hace a nuestro cine y que en lo que a las mujeres respecta ha estado invisible y oculto durante décadas. La evolución del papel de la mujer y del cine de animación parte de una investigación iniciada hace veinte años con Cine de animación en España (Yébenes, 2002) y que ha continuado mostrando los diferentes datos contrastados de las producciones de animación nacional que se han generado en 100 años de animación, arte y tecnología (Yébenes, 2017). El informe MIA 2021 integrado por el equipo de investigación de mujeres de la industria de la animación constituye una investigación social con perspectiva de género que completa nuestras voces que pretenden proyectar la realidad mostrando resultados de representación de nuestro trabajo en la animación actual. Se incorporan en este artículo preguntas desarrollas estrictamente a mujeres dedicadas a la animación para ampliar la sensibilidad social en este campo.

 
Survey of Korean pediatrician’s perceptions of barriers to and improvements in breastfeeding
Authors: Bae Seong Phil , Lee Woo Ryoung , Hahn Won-Ho , Shin Hye-Jung , Ahn Young Min , Shin Son Moon , Kim Yong Joo , Kim Ellen Ai-Rhan , Shin Youn Jeong , Yi Dae Yong , Lee Soon Min , Lee Juyoung , Lee Jin A , Chung Sung-Hoon , Jung Euiseok , Choi Eui Kyung , Heo Ju Sun
Published: July 2022

Background: Although the benefits of breastfeeding are broadly acknowledged with the efforts of the government and several medical societies, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months is lower in Korea than in developed countries.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate pediatricians’ perceptions of breastfeeding barriers and the current breastfeeding counseling environment and propose government policies to encourage breastfeeding in Korea.Methods: Fourteen survey questions were developed during meetings of Korean Society of Breastfeeding Medicine experts. The Korean Pediatric Society emailed a structured questionnaire to domestic pediatricians registered as official members of the Korean Pediatric Society on May 4, 2021, and June 3, 2021. This study examined the survey responses received from 168 pediatricians.Results: The 168 respondents included 62 professors, 53 paid doctors, and 53 private physicians. Breastfeeding was recommended by 146 Korean pediatricians (86.9%). However, only 99 responders (59%) currently provide breastfeeding counseling in hospitals. Most respondents stated providing less than 15 minutes of breastfeeding counseling time in the clinic. Moreover, 89.88% of the respondents responded that they would participate in breastfeeding counseling education if an appropriate breastfeeding counseling program was newly established.Conclusion: This study showed that, although Korean pediatricians had a positive attitude toward breastfeeding, limited counseling was provided for parents. Along with policy support to improve the medical environment through the establishment of an appropriate breastfeeding counseling program, high-quality counseling and an increased breastfeeding rate are expected.
Negotiating Boundaries of Tolerance: The Scottish Police Authority and the Doctrine of Operational Independence
Authors: Malik Ali
Published: July 2022

In Scottish Affairs in 2001, Kenneth Scott and Roy Wilkie, while discussing the appointments of chief constables, noted that ‘the real power in Scottish policing is probably revealed where those elements in the tripartite system [chief constables, local government and central government] interact’ (2001: 57) irrespective of the constitutional and legislative boundaries. This paper examines the nascent police governance arrangements by shining a spotlight on the status of the operational independence doctrine in the post-reform era. It revisits the Scottish Police Authority’s attempts to negotiate its own boundaries of influence since its formation. The discussion draws on the 2012 reform legislation, official policy agenda that led to the creation of the Scottish Police Authority ( Malik, 2018 ), a select number of interviews with key architects of the Scottish police reform conducted between 2013–2016, official parliamentary reports, public meeting minutes, and HMICS and Audit Scotland inspection reports. The analysis suggests that the reform agenda did not seek to address the broad interpretation of operational independence that played a key part in diminishing the influence and performance of the local police boards. On the one hand, the Authority have attempted to challenge the scope of operational independence but with limited success. Conversely, and contradictorily, the influence of Ministers and the Scottish Government has gradually expanded. This raises important questions in relation to the essence of operational independence, when it is invoked and crucially who it is invoked against. New boundaries of tolerance and influence need to be negotiated for the Scottish Police Authority to be able to play a more meaningful and independent oversight role in police governance.
Framing COVID-19: Political Discourse of the SNP, ERC and Junts during the 2021 Scottish and Catalan Regional Elections
Authors: Gergi-Horgos Mátyás
Published: July 2022

Adding to the growing scholarship on discourse analysis, cognitive frame theory and minority nationalism, this study examines how three of the most successful regional powers in Europe, the SNP in Scotland and Junts and ERC in Catalonia framed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to mobilize voters during the 2021 Scottish and Catalan regional elections. The quantitative and qualitative assessment of their Facebook communication suggests that diagnostic, prognostic and motivation framing was applied which are key elements of successful voter mobilization. Communication directly related to COVID-19 was used strategically during the campaigns to criticize the central governments and ascribe blame for the health and economic crisis. Posts about the virus also offered a platform for parties to highlight the successes of regional crisis management and to depict nationalist party candidates for regional governance as truly experienced politicians. Lastly, the SNP, ERC and Junts all argued that the crisis highlighted the weaknesses of the state structures that Scotland and Catalonia belong to. By framing independence as the only viable path to end the COVID-19 crisis, parties offered citizens a clear plan that was entirely dependent on voters casting their ballot papers in favour of nationalist politics.
ON INTERNAL CATEGORIES IN HIGHER DIMENSIONAL GROUPS
Authors: EGE ARSLAN Ummahan , SOYLU YILMAZ Elis
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we demonstrated the equivalencies of internal categories

of cat-1 groups and cat-2 groups structures using some related equivalent

categories.
DYNAMICAL BEHAVIOURS OF A DISCRETIZED MODEL WITH MICHAELIS-MENTEN HARVESTING RATE
Authors: ÖZDOĞAN Nihal , YAKIT ONGUN Mevlüde
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we introduced nonstandard finite difference scheme (NSFD) for solving the continuos model with Michaelis-Menten harvesting rate. We have seen that the proposed scheme preserve local stability and positivity. Stability analysis of each fixed point of the discrete time model has been proven. Also, numerical comparisons were made between the nonstandard finite difference method and the other methods.
Contemplating the role of zinc-solubilizing bacteria in crop biofortification: An approach for sustainable bioeconomy
Authors: Upadhayay Viabhav Kumar , Singh Ajay Veer , Khan Amir , Sharma Adita
Published: July 2022

Modern agriculture pays attention to improving agricultural production by producing zinc-enriched crops through zinc-solubilizing bacteria to strengthen the bioeconomy. Zinc deficiency in the soil reduces plant growth and also leads to less uptake of zinc in the edible portion of plants. Therefore, the zinc content in the edible parts of plants can be increased through the biofortification approach. However, most of the biofortification approaches are laborious and need expensive input in routine practices. Therefore, the microbiological biofortification approach may be beneficial in increasing the zinc concentration in plants and improving crop quality with the ultimate benefit of a greener path. The use of microbes may thus be favorable for elevating zinc content in plants and enhancing crop quality, ultimately providing a summation of the role of microorganisms for a greener strategy. In addition, the application of zinc-solubilizing bacteria as a potential biosource represents a cost-effective and alternate biofortification strategy. Zinc-solubilizing bacteria act as natural bio-fortifiers that can solubilize the unavailable form of zinc by secreting organic acids, siderophores, and other chelating compounds. This review thus focuses on zinc-solubilizing bacteria for plant biofortification and their contribution to enhance crop yield and the bioeconomy in a more sustainable manner.
The repositioned drugs disulfiram/diethyldithiocarbamate combined to benznidazole: Searching for Chagas disease selective therapy, preventing toxicity and drug resistance
Authors: Almeida-Silva Juliana , Menezes Diego Silva , Fernandes Juan Mateus Pereira , Almeida Márcio Cerqueira , Vasco-dos-Santos Deyvison Rhuan , Saraiva Roberto Magalhães , Viçosa Alessandra Lifsitch , Perez Sandra Aurora Chavez , Andrade Sônia Gumes , Suarez-Fontes Ana Márcia , Vannier-Santos Marcos André
Published: July 2022

Chagas disease (CD) affects at least 6 million people in 21 South American countries besides several thousand in other nations all over the world. It is estimated that at least 14,000 people die every year of CD. Since vaccines are not available, chemotherapy remains of pivotal relevance. About 30% of the treated patients cannot complete the therapy because of severe adverse reactions. Thus, the search for novel drugs is required. Here we tested the benznidazole (BZ) combination with the repositioned drug disulfiram (DSF) and its derivative diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) upon Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. DETC-BZ combination was synergistic diminishing epimastigote proliferation and enhancing selective indexes up to over 10-fold. DETC was effective upon amastigotes of the BZ- partially resistant Y and the BZ-resistant Colombiana strains. The combination reduced proliferation even using low concentrations (e.g., 2.5 µM). Scanning electron microscopy revealed membrane discontinuities and cell body volume reduction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed remarkable enlargement of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae besides, dilated mitochondria with decreased electron density and disorganized kinetoplast DNA. At advanced stages, the cytoplasm vacuolation apparently impaired compartmentation. The fluorescent probe H2-DCFDA indicates the increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation in parasites incubated with DETC. The biochemical measurement indicates the downmodulation of thiol expression. DETC inhibited superoxide dismutase activity on parasites was more pronounced than in infected mice. In order to approach the DETC effects on intracellular infection, peritoneal macrophages were infected with Colombiana trypomastigotes. DETC addition diminished parasite numbers and the DETC-BZ combination was effective, despite the low concentrations used. In the murine infection, the combination significantly enhanced animal survival, decreasing parasitemia over BZ. Histopathology revealed that low doses of BZ-treated animals presented myocardial amastigote, not observed in combination-treated animals. The picrosirius collagen staining showed reduced myocardial fibrosis. Aminotransferase de aspartate, Aminotransferase de alanine, Creatine kinase, and urea plasma levels demonstrated that the combination was non-toxic. As DSF and DETC can reduce the toxicity of other drugs and resistance phenotypes, such a combination may be safe and effective.
Lymphostatin, a virulence factor of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli, inhibits proliferation and cytokine responses of human T cells in a manner associated with cell cycle arrest but not apoptosis or necrosis
Authors: Ruamsap Nattaya , Riyapa Donporn , Janesomboon Sujintana , Stevens Joanne M. , Pichyangkul Sathit , Pattanapanyasat Kovit , Demons Samandra T. , Stevens Mark P. , Korbsrisate Sunee
Published: July 2022

Lymphostatin is a virulence factor of enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) and non-O157 serogroup enterohaemorrhagicE. coli. Previous studies using whole-cell lysates of EPEC showed that lymphostatin inhibits the mitogen-activated proliferation of bulk human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the production of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ. Here, we used highly purified lymphostatin and PBMC-derived T cells to show that lymphostatin inhibits anti-CD3/anti-CD28-activated proliferation of human CD4+and CD8+T cells and blocks the synthesis of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ without affecting cell viability and in a manner dependent on an N-terminal DTD glycosyltransferase motif. Such inhibition was not observed with T cells activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, implying that lymphostatin targets T cell receptor signaling. Analysis of the expression of CD69 indicated that lymphostatin suppresses T cell activation at an early stage and no impacts on apoptosis or necrosis were observed. Flow cytometric analysis of the DNA content of lymphostatin-treated CD4+and CD8+T cells showed a concentration- and DTD-dependent accumulation of the cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, and corresponding reduction of the percentage of cells in S phase. Consistent with this, we found a marked reduction in the abundance of cyclins D3, E and A and loss of phosphorylated Rb over time in activated T cells from 8 donors treated with lymphostatin. Moreover, the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p27kip1, which inhibits progression of the cell cycle at G1 by acting on cyclin E-cdk2 or cyclin D-cdk4 complexes, was found to be accumulated in lymphostatin-treated T cells. Analysis of the abundance of phosphorylated kinases involved in signal transduction found that 30 of 39 were reduced in abundance following lymphostatin treatment of T cells from 5 donors, albeit not significantly so. Our data provide novel insights into the mode of action of lymphostatin on human T lymphocytes.
Gut microbiome is associated with metabolic syndrome accompanied by elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in men
Authors: Sheng Shifeng , Yan Su , Chen Jingfeng , Zhang Yuheng , Wang Youxiang , Qin Qian , Li Weikang , Li Tiantian , Huang Meng , Ding Suying , Tang Lin
Published: July 2022

It is predicted that by 2035, metabolic syndrome (MS) will be found in nearly more than half of our adult population, seriously affecting the health of our body. MS is usually accompanied by the occurrence of abnormal liver enzymes, such as elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). More and more studies have shown that the gut microbiota is involved in MS; however, the correlation between gut microbiota and MS with elevated GGT has not been studied comprehensively. Especially, there are few reports about its role in the physical examination of the population of men with MS and elevated GGT. By using the whole-genome shotgun sequencing technology, we conducted a genome-wide association study of the gut microbiome in 66 participants diagnosed as having MS accompanied by high levels of GGT (case group) and 66 participants with only MS and normal GGT level (control group). We found that the number of gut microbial species was reduced in participants in the case group compared to that of the control group. The overall microbial composition between the two groups is of significant difference. The gut microbiota in the case group is characterized by increased levels of “harmful bacteria” such as Megamonas hypermegale, Megamonas funiformis, Megamonas unclassified, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Fusobacterium mortiferum and decreased levels of “beneficial bacteria” such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium eligens, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides dorei, and Alistipes putredinis. Moreover, the pathways of POLYAMSYN-PWY, ARG+POLYAMINE-SYN, PWY-6305, and GOLPDLCAT-PWY were also increased in the case group, which may play a role in the elevation of GGT by producing amine, polyamine, putrescine, and endogenous alcohol. Taken together, there are apparent changes in the composition of the gut microbiome in men with MS and abnormal GGT levels, and it is high time to discover specific gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target in that population. More in-depth studies of relevant mechanism could offer some new methods for the treatment of MS with elevated GGT.
Development of an artificial synovial fluid useful for studying Staphylococcus epidermidis joint infections
Authors: Stamm Johanna , Weißelberg Samira , Both Anna , Failla Antonio Virgilio , Nordholt Gerhard , Büttner Henning , Linder Stefan , Aepfelbacher Martin , Rohde Holger
Published: July 2022

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major causative agent of prosthetic joint infections (PJI). The ability to form biofilms supports this highly selective pathogenic potential. In vitro studies essentially relying on phenotypic assays and genetic approaches have provided a detailed picture of the molecular events contributing to biofilm assembly. A major limitation in these studies is the use of synthetic growth media, which significantly differs from the environmental conditions S. epidermidis encounters during host invasion. Building on evidence showing that growth in serum substantially affects S. epidermidis gene expression profiles and phenotypes, the major aim of this study was to develop and characterize a growth medium mimicking synovial fluid, thereby facilitating research addressing specific aspects related to PJI. Using fresh human plasma, a protocol was established allowing for the large-scale production of a medium that by biochemical analysis matches key characteristics of synovial fluid and therefore is referred to as artificial synovial fluid (ASF). By analysis of biofilm-positive, polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA)-producing S. epidermidis 1457 and its isogenic, PIA- and biofilm-negative mutant 1457-M10, evidence is provided that the presence of ASF induces cluster formation in S. epidermidis 1457 and mutant 1457-M10. Consistent with the aggregative properties, both strains formed multilayered biofilms when analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In parallel to the phenotypic findings, expression analysis after growth in ASF found upregulation of genes encoding for intercellular adhesins (icaA, aap, and embp) as well as atlE, encoding for the major cell wall autolysin being responsible for eDNA release. In contrast, growth in ASF was associated with reduced expression of the master regulator agr. Collectively, these results indicate that ASF induces expression profiles that are able to support intercellular adhesion in both PIA-positive and PIA-negative S. epidermidis. Given the observation that ASF overall induced biofilm formation in a collection of S. epidermidis isolates from PJI, the results strongly support the idea of using growth media mimicking host environments. ASF may play an important role in future studies related to the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis PJI.
Late plasma exosome microRNA-21-5p depicts magnitude of reverse ventricular remodeling after early surgical repair of primary mitral valve regurgitation
Authors: Pizzino Fausto , Furini Giulia , Casieri Valentina , Mariani Massimiliano , Bianchi Giacomo , Storti Simona , Chiappino Dante , Maffei Stefano , Solinas Marco , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Lionetti Vincenzo
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Primary mitral valve regurgitation (MR) results from degeneration of mitral valve apparatus. Mechanisms leading to incomplete postoperative left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (Rev–Rem) despite timely and successful surgical mitral valve repair (MVR) remain unknown. Plasma exosomes (pEXOs) are smallest nanovesicles exerting early postoperative cardioprotection. We hypothesized that late plasma exosomal microRNAs (miRs) contribute to Rev–Rem during the late postoperative period.

Methods

Primary MR patients (n = 19; age, 45–71 years) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and blood sampling before (T0) and 6 months after (T1) MVR. The postoperative LV Rev–Rem was assessed in terms of a decrease in LV end-diastolic volume and patients were stratified into high (HiR-REM) and low (LoR-REM) LV Rev–Rem subgroups. Isolated pEXOs were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Exosomal microRNA (miR)-1, –21–5p, –133a, and –208a levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Anti-hypertrophic effects of pEXOs were tested in HL-1 cardiomyocytes cultured with angiotensin II (AngII, 1 μM for 48 h).

Results

Surgery zeroed out volume regurgitation in all patients. Although preoperative pEXOs were similar in both groups, pEXO levels increased after MVR in HiR-REM patients (+0.75-fold, p = 0.016), who showed lower cardiac mass index (–11%, p = 0.032). Postoperative exosomal miR-21-5p values of HiR-REM patients were higher than other groups (p < 0.05). In vitro, T1-pEXOs isolated from LoR-REM patients boosted the AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but not postoperative exosomes of HiR-REM. This adaptive effect was counteracted by miR-21-5p inhibition.

Summary/Conclusion

High levels of miR-21-5p-enriched pEXOs during the late postoperative period depict higher LV Rev–Rem after MVR. miR-21-5p-enriched pEXOs may be helpful to predict and to treat incomplete LV Rev–Rem after successful early surgical MVR.
Efficacy and safety of Wenxin Keli combined with metoprolol tartrate in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ping , Luo Yining , Chen Jiaxue , Xu Jingke , Shi Yuanshu , Chen Guoren , Ma Ping
Published: July 2022

Background

Wenxin Keli (WXKL) has good clinical value in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions, but there is insufficient evidence to support it. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of WXKL combined with metoprolol tartrate in the treatment of ventricular premature beats (VPCs).

Methods

We searched seven databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for this study. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted the data. The Cochrane Manual criteria were used for methodological quality assessment. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. Risk ratios (RR) were used for effect sizes for dichotomous data, demonstrated in effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 11 RCTs of WXKL combined with metoprolol tartrate in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that WXKL combined with metoprolol tartrate (treatment group) was more effective than metoprolol tartrate (control group) in improving premature ventricular contractions (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: [1.24, 1.40], P < 0.00001); significantly improved the rate of premature ventricular contractions (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: [1.23, 1.41], P < 0.00001); there was no difference in adverse drug reactions compared with the control group (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: [0.35, 0.1.05], P = 0.08), but the number of adverse reactions (n = 18) was less than that of the control group (n = 32), and the severity was lower than that of the control group. The included studies only mentioned randomization and did not describe the generation of random sequences in detail.

Conclusion

This study found that Wenxin Keli combined with metoprolol tartrate in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions increased the efficacy of the drug, reduced the occurrence of adverse reactions, and reduced the severity of adverse reactions. Due to the quality limitations of the included studies, more high-quality RCTs are needed in the future to provide more evidence for longer-term analyses.
Effect of electroacupuncture on the intestinal microflora in rats with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Li Chaonan , Qu Zhiyu , Liu Jiandang , Ruan Shuoquan , Chen Bingli , Ran Jinchuan , Shu Wen , Chen Yuelai , Hou Wenguang
Published: July 2022

Objective

To examine the effect of electroacupuncture on the urodynamics and gut microbiota of rats with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and methods

Thirty 2-month-old female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: normal (N), model (M), nonacupoint electric acupuncture control (NAAC), and electroacupuncture (EA). An SUI rat model was established through vaginal balloon dilatation and bilateral oophorectomy. After various treatments, urodynamic tests were performed, and feces were collected. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was used to investigate SUI-related changes in the intestinal flora.

Results

After treatment, compared with those of the M group, the leak point pressure and maximum bladder capacity of the electroacupuncture groups increased (P<0.05). The species community compositions of the N and M groups differed at the genus level, and there were 15 differentially abundant bacterial genera (P<0.05). The Blautia proportion was increased by electroacupuncture treatment (P<0.05) and was significantly positively correlated with the electroacupuncture treatment of SUI (according to Spearman correlation analysis).

Conclusion

Electroacupuncture treatment can improve signs of urine leakage in rats with SUI rats by increasing the leak point pressure and maximum bladder capacity. The enrichment of Blautia by electroacupuncture treatment enrichment may be related to SUI sign improvement.
The clinical characteristics of Chinese elderly patients with different durations of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yu Yun , Xie Kaipeng , Lou Qinglin , Xia Hui , Wu Dan , Dai Lingli , Hu Cuining , Shan Shan , Wang Kunlin , Tang Wei
Published: July 2022

Aims

To explore the clinical characteristics among elderly (aged ≥60 years) patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) of different durations.

Methods

Clinical characteristics were investigated in 3840 elderly T2DM patients according to their different durations of diabetes (< 1 year, 1~5 years, 5~10 years, and ≥ 10 years). Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used to assess the differences among groups for continuous variables. The chi-square and post hoc tests were carried out for dichotomous variables. The logistic regression was adopted to investigate the relationships between various durations of diabetes and the control rates of achieving the control targets for T2DM as well as diabetic vascular complications.

Results

There were 972, 896, 875 and 1097 patients with a duration of diabetes of <1, 1~5, 5~10 and ≥10 years, respectively. In logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, BMI, smoking and family history of diabetes, elderly T2DM patients with a duration of diabetes of ≥10 years were more likely to reach the comprehensive control targets for TC (ORTC = 1.36, 95% CI =1.14-1.63), LDL-C (ORLDL-C = 1.39, 95% CI =1.17-1.66), TG (ORTG = 1.76, 95% CI =1.46-2.12) and BMI (ORBMI = 1.82, 95% CI =1.52-2.18). Elderly T2DM patients with a duration of diabetes of 1~5 years were more likely to achieve the HbA1c control target (ORHbA1c = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.59-2.31) than elderly T2DM patients with a duration of diabetes of <1 year. Furthermore, in elderly T2DM patients with a duration of diabetes of 5~10 years or ≥ 10 years, the duration of diabetes was positively associated with diabetic macrovascular complications (coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease). In elderly T2DM patients with a duration of diabetes of over 10 years, the duration of diabetes was associated with diabetes kidney disease (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

It is worth noting that the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in different durations of diabetes are different.
Alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase ratio and hepatitis B virus on metabolic syndrome: a community-based study
Authors: Lin Ming-Shyan , Lin Huang-Shen , Chang Ming-Ling , Tsai Ming-Horng , Hsieh Yung-Yu , Lin Yu-Sheng , Tsai Meng-Shu , Yang Chia-Ling , Chen Mei-Yen
Published: July 2022

Background

The serum aminotransferase elevation in metabolic syndrome (MetS) reflected hepatosteatosis, but there is a conflict with the coexistence of viral hepatitis, especially for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio, MetS, and HBV infection in a rural Taiwanese population.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in southern Taiwan between March and December 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics, education, dietary behaviors, irregular exercise, substance use, and viral markers were performed to investigate the association between the ALT/AST ratio and MetS.

Results

Altogether, 2,416 participants (891 men and 1,525 women; mean age, 64.1 ± 14.9 years) were enrolled. Of the participants, 22.7% (n = 519) were seropositive for viral hepatitis. In the multivariable analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p < 0.001], ALT/AST ratio >1 (OR 2.63, 95% CI 2.15–3.21, p < 0.001), education (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p < 0.001), and HBV seropositivity (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.95, p = 0.021) were associated with the risk of MetS. The area under the curve of the ALT/AST ratio was 0.62 (95% CI 0.60–0.64, p < 0.001), and the cutoff value was >0.852 for the Youden index.

Conclusion

An ALT/AST ratio >1 could be a simple index for MetS prediction during community checkups. In contrast to age and betel nut chewing, HBV seropositivity and higher education might be inversely associated with MetS. Aggressive health promotion for MetS prevention has emerged as essential in participants without HBV and with lower education levels. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed to unlink these correlations.
Obesity and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients without comorbidities, a post-hoc analysis from ORCHID trial
Authors: Yu Peng , Tan Ziqi , Li Zhangwang , Xu Yi , Zhang Jing , Xia Panpan , Tang Xiaoyi , Ma Jianyong , Xu Minxuan , Liu Xiao , Shen Yunfeng
Published: July 2022

Objective

Large body of studies described individuals with obesity experiencing a worse prognosis in COVID-19. However, the effects of obesity on the prognosis of COVID-19 in patients without comorbidities have not been studied. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide evidence of the relationship between obesity and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients without comorbidities.

Methods

A total of 116 hospitalized COVID-19 patients without comorbidities from the ORCHID study (Patients with COVID-19 from the Outcomes Related to COVID-19 Treated with Hydroxychloroquine among Inpatients with Symptomatic Disease) were included. Obesity is defined as a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2. A Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for discharge and death after 28 days.

Results

The percentage of obesity in COVID-19 patients without comorbidities was 54.3% (63/116). Discharge at 28 days occurred in 56/63 (84.2%) obese and 51/53 (92.2%) non-obese COVID-19 patients without comorbidities. Four (3.4%) COVID-19 patients without any comorbidities died within 28 days, among whom 2/63 (3.2%) were obese and 2/53 (3.8%) were non-obese. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that obesity was independently associated with a decreased rate of 28-day discharge (adjusted HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35–0.83) but was not significantly associated with 28-day death (adjusted HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.18–7.06) in COVID-19 patients without any comorbidities.

Conclusions

Obesity was independently linked to prolonged hospital length of stay in COVID-19 without any comorbidity. Larger prospective trials are required to assess the role of obesity in COVID-19 related deaths.
Sex and dominance: How to assess and interpret intersexual dominance relationships in mammalian societies
Authors: Kappeler Peter M. , Huchard Elise , Baniel Alice , Canteloup Charlotte , Charpentier Marie J. E. , Cheng Leveda , Davidian Eve , Duboscq Julie , Fichtel Claudia , Hemelrijk Charlotte K. , Höner Oliver P. , Koren Lee , Micheletta Jérôme , Prox Lea , Saccà Tommaso , Seex Lauren , Smit Nikolaos , Surbeck Martin , van de Waal Erica , Girard-Buttoz Cédric
Published: July 2022

The causes and consequences of being in a particular dominance position have been illuminated in various animal species, and new methods to assess dominance relationships and to describe the structure of dominance hierarchies have been developed in recent years. Most research has focused on same-sex relationships, however, so that intersexual dominance relationships and hierarchies including both sexes have remained much less studied. In particular, different methods continue to be employed to rank males and females along a dominance hierarchy, and sex biases in dominance are still widely regarded as simple byproducts of sexual size dimorphism. However, males and females regularly compete over similar resources when living in the same group, and sexual conflict takes a variety of forms across societies. These processes affect the fitness of both sexes, and are mitigated by intersexual hierarchies. In this study, we draw on data from free-ranging populations of nine species of mammals that vary in the degree to which members of one sex dominate members of the other sex to explore the consequences of using different criteria and procedures for describing intra- and intersexual dominance relationships in these societies. Our analyses confirmed a continuum in patterns of intersexual dominance, from strictly male-dominated species to strictly female-dominated species. All indices of the degree of female dominance were well correlated with each other. The rank order among same-sex individuals was highly correlated between the intra- and intersexual hierarchies, and such correlation was not affected by the degree of female dominance. The relative prevalence of aggression and submission was sensitive to variation in the degree of female dominance across species, with more submissive signals and fewer aggressive acts being used in societies where female dominance prevails. Thus, this study provides important insights and key methodological tools to study intersexual dominance relationships in mammals.
The impact of environmental regulation on China’s industrial green development and its heterogeneity
Authors: Chen Huangxin , Yang Yuping , Yang Mengting , Huang Hao
Published: July 2022

The research analyzes the impact of environmental regulation on industrial green development using panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2018. We employ the Super-slack-based measuring (SBM) model to measure the level of domestic industrial green development and use the ordinary panel model, the panel threshold model, and the spatial panel model for empirical estimation. The results reveal that the environmental regulation index plays a significant role in promoting such development. Environmental regulation index, command-and-control environmental regulation, market-incentive environmental regulation, and public-participation environmental regulation all have only a single threshold of technological progress and fiscal decentralization. Further analysis shows that China’s industrial green development presents obvious spatial agglomeration characteristics, and there is a significantly positive spatial correlation between different environmental regulation indicators and industrial green development. Our findings provide useful policy recommendations for promoting industrial green development in China.
Experimental study on the response relationship between environmental DNA concentration and biomass of Schizothorax prenanti in still water
Authors: Zhang Jianmin , Ding Ruiyu , Wang Yurong , Wen Jiating
Published: July 2022

The superiority of the environmental DNA (eDNA) method for estimating the biomass of aquatic species has been demonstrated. However, the relationship between eDNA concentration and biomass is difficult to clarify under the influence of complex water flow and habitat conditions. It seriously restricts the popularization and application of the eDNA method in estimating aquatic biomass. In this paper, a typical fish species of rivers in southwest China, Schizothorax prenanti, was selected as the target species. Under standardized laboratory hydrostatic conditions, two environmental factors, water pH and water temperature were firstly determined through pre-experiments. Then we investigated the correlation between eDNA concentration and biomass under different body sizes and different body size compositions. The experimental results showed that water pH and the water temperature had a great influence on eDNA concentration. Therefore, the effects of these environmental factors need to be considered simultaneously when using eDNA concentration to estimate biomass. Under the premise of consistent environmental conditions, the biomass of Schizothorax prenanti was positively correlated with the eDNA concentration when the individual body size was the same. For each 1% increase in biomass of the fish, the eDNA concentration of adult (larger size) fish increased by 0.98%, while the eDNA concentration of juvenile (smaller size) fish increased by 1.38%. The smaller the size of individual fish, the greater the increase of eDNA concentration with biomass, and the increase of juvenile fish was about 1.4 times that the adult fish. When the biomass was the same but the body size composition was different, the higher the proportion of small body size individuals in the population, the higher the eDNA concentration. Special attention needs to be paid to the body size composition of the population to avoid the biomass estimation being lower than the actual value when the smaller size fish are dominant. The experimental results provide a strong basis for a more accurate estimation of aquatic biomass in reservoirs, lakes, and other still water areas by using the eDNA method.
Impaired antigen-specific B-cell responses after Influenza vaccination in kidney transplant recipients receiving co-stimulation blockade with Belatacept
Authors: Pernin Vincent , Meneghini Maria , Torija Alba , Jouve Thomas , Del Bello Arnaud , Sanz-Muñoz Iván , Eiros Jose Maria , Donadeu Laura , Polo Carol , Morandeira Francisco , Navarro Sergio , Masuet Cristina , Favà Alexandre , LeQuintrec Moglie , Kamar Nassim , Crespo Elena , Bestard Oriol
Published: July 2022

Emerging data suggest that costimulation blockade with belatacept effectively controls humoral alloimmune responses. However, whether this effect may be deleterious for protective anti-infectious immunity remains poorly understood. We performed a mechanistic exploratory study in 23 kidney transplant recipients receiving either the calcineurin-inhibitor tacrolimus (Tac, n=14) or belatacept (n=9) evaluating different cellular immune responses after influenza vaccination such as activated T follicular Helper (Tfh), plasmablasts and H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA)-specific memory B cells (HA+mBC) by flow-cytometry, and anti-influenza antibodies by hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), at baseline and days 10, 30 and 90 post-vaccination. The proportion of CD4+CD54RA-CXCR5+ Tfh was lower in belatacept than Tac patients at baseline (1.86%[1.25-3.03] vs 4.88%[2.40-8.27], p=0.01) and remained stable post-vaccination. At M3, HA+mBc were significantly higher in Tac-treated patients (0.56%[0.32-1.49] vs 0.27%[0.13-0.44], p=0.04) and correlated with activated Tfh numbers. When stratifying patients according to baseline HA+mBc frequencies, belatacept patients with low HA+mBC displayed significantly lower HA+mBc increases after vaccination than Tac patients (1.28[0.94-2.4] vs 2.54[1.73-5.70], p=0.04). Also, belatacept patients displayed significantly lower seroprotection rates against H1N1 at baseline than Tac-treated patients (44.4% vs 84.6%) as well as lower seroconversion rates at days 10, 30 and 90 after vaccination (50% vs 0%, 63.6% vs 0%, and 63.6% vs 0%, respectively). We show the efficacy of belatacept inhibiting T-dependent antigen-specific humoral immune responses, active immunization should be highly encouraged before starting belatacept therapy.
Combined Toxicity Evaluation of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin B1 on Kidney and Liver Injury, Immune Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota Alteration Through Pair-Feeding Pullet Model
Authors: Qing Hanrui , Huang Shimeng , Zhan Kai , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Jianyun , Ji Cheng , Ma Qiugang
Published: July 2022

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are often co-contaminated, but their synergistic toxicity in poultry is limitedly described. Furthermore, the traditional ad libitum feeding model may fail to distinguish the specific impact of mycotoxins on the biomarkers and the indirect effect of mildew on the palatability of feed. A pair-feeding model was introduced to investigate the specific effect and the indirect effect of the combined toxicity of OTA and AFB1, which were independent and dependent on feed intake, respectively. A total of 180 one-day-old pullets were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates, and each replicate contained 10 chicks. The control group (Group A) and the pair-feeding group (Group B) received the basal diet without mycotoxin contamination. Group C was administrated with OTA- and AFB1-contaminated feed (101.41 μg/kg of OTA + 20.10 μg/kg of AFB1). The scale of feeding in Group B matched with the feed intake of Group C. The trial lasted 42 days. Compared with the control group, co-contamination of OTA and AFB1 in feed could adversely affect the growth performance (average daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and shank length (SL)), decrease the relative weight of the spleen (p < 0.01), and increase the relative weight of the kidney (p < 0.01). Moreover, the reduction of feed intake could also adversely affect the growth performance (BW, ADG, and SL), but not as severely as mycotoxins do. Apart from that, OTA and AFB1 also activated the antioxidative and inflammation reactions of chicks, increasing the level of catalase (CAT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) while decreasing the level of IL-10 (p < 0.01), which was weakly influenced by the feed intake reduction. In addition, OTA and AFB1 induced histopathological changes and apoptosis in the kidney and liver as well as stimulated the growth of pernicious bacteria to cause toxic effects. There were no histopathological changes and apoptosis in the kidney and liver of the pair-feeding group. The combined toxicity of OTA and AFB1 had more severe effects on pullets than merely reducing feed supply. However, the proper reduction of the feed intake could improve pullets’ physical health by enriching the bacteria Lactobacillus, Phascolarctobacterium, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Barnesiella.
Gut mucosal immune responses and protective efficacy of oral yeast Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) vaccine in Carassius auratus gibelio
Authors: Dong Zhao-Ran , Mu Qing-Jiang , Kong Wei-Guang , Qin Da-Cheng , Zhou Yong , Wang Xin-You , Cheng Gao-Feng , Luo Yang-Zhi , Ai Tao-Shan , Xu Zhen
Published: July 2022

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) causes herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis (HVHN) disease outbreaks in farmed Cyprinid fish, which leads to serious economic losses worldwide. Although oral vaccination is considered the most suitable strategy for preventing infectious diseases in farmed fish, so far there is no commercial oral vaccine available for controlling HVNN in gibel carp (C. auratus gibelio). In the present study, we developed for the first time an oral vaccine against CyHV-2 by using yeast cell surface display technology and then investigated the effect of this vaccine in gibel carp. Furthermore, the protective efficacy was evaluated by comparing the immune response of a single vaccination with that of a booster vaccination (booster-vaccinated once 2 weeks after the initial vaccination). Critically, the activities of immune-related enzymes and genes expression in vaccine group, especially in the booster vaccine group, were higher than those in the control group. Moreover, strong innate and adaptive immune responses could be elicited in both mucosal and systemic tissues after receipt of the oral yeast vaccine. To further understand the protective efficacy of this vaccine in gibel carp, we successfully developed the challenge model with CyHV-2. Our results showed the relative percent survival was 66.7% in the booster vaccine group, indicating this oral yeast vaccine is a promising vaccine for controlling CyHV-2 disease in gibel carp aquaculture.
Single-cell RNA-Seq reveals changes in immune landscape in post-traumatic osteoarthritis
Authors: Sebastian Aimy , Hum Nicholas R. , McCool Jillian L. , Wilson Stephen P. , Murugesh Deepa K. , Martin Kelly A. , Rios-Arce Naiomy Deliz , Amiri Beheshta , Christiansen Blaine A. , Loots Gabriela G.
Published: July 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, affecting over 300 million people world-wide. Accumulating evidence attests to the important roles of the immune system in OA pathogenesis. Understanding the role of various immune cells in joint degeneration or joint repair after injury is vital for improving therapeutic strategies for treating OA. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) develops in ~50% of individuals who have experienced an articular trauma like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Here, using the high resolution of single-cell RNA sequencing, we delineated the temporal dynamics of immune cell accumulation in the mouse knee joint after ACL rupture. Our study identified multiple immune cell types in the joint including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, B cells, T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells. Monocytes and macrophage populations showed the most dramatic changes after injury. Further characterization of monocytes and macrophages reveled 9 major subtypes with unique transcriptomics signatures, including a tissue resident Lyve1hiFolr2hi macrophage population and Trem2hiFcrls+ recruited macrophages, both showing enrichment for phagocytic genes and growth factors such as Igf1, Pdgfa and Pdgfc. We also identified several genes induced or repressed after ACL injury in a cell type-specific manner. This study provides new insight into PTOA-associated changes in the immune microenvironment and highlights macrophage subtypes that may play a role in joint repair after injury.