bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGGUNAAN BAHASA BAKU DALAM DISKUSI SISWA KELAS XI MADRASAH ALIYAH IBNU KHALDUN BOBANEIGO HALMAHERA BARAT
Authors: Nada Anwar , Laonso Fatmawati
Published: September 2022

The research objectives are (1) to explain how the use of standard language in the discussion of class IX students of Madrasah Aliyah Ibn Khaldun Bobaneigo West Halmahera. (2) Describe the extent to which the use of standard language in the discussion of class IX students of Madrasah Aliyah Ibun Khaldun Bobaneigo West Halmahera. The method used in this research is quantitative description method. The population and sample in this study were all students of Class XI Madrasah Aliyah Ibn Khaldun Bobaneigo, North West Halmahera, totaling 25 students. Data analysis is quantitative or statistical. Based on data analysis and conclusions can be seen (1) Based on the results of the initial test, class XI students of Madrasah Aliyah Ibnu Khaldun Bobaneigo West Halmahera obtained a score range of 81- 100 very good qualifications amounted to 4 students by 20%, students who obtained a score range of 71-80 good qualifications amounted to 4 students by 20%, students who obtained a score range of 61-70 sufficient qualifications amounted to 2 students by 10%, and students who obtained a range of a score of 50-60 lacking qualifications amounted to 15 students by 50%, and (2) The final test results showed that the class XI Madrasah Aliyah Ibnu Khaldun Bobaneigo West Halmahera had been able to use standard language, students who obtained a score range of 81-100 qualified very well ( SB) as many as 5 students by 25%, students who get a score range of 71-80 good qualifications (B) as many as 5 students of the same size r 25%, students who get a score range of 61-70 are quite good (CB) as many as 15 students are 75%, and not students who get a score range of 50-60 have poor qualifications (K).
UPAYA MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR MEMBACA PERMULAAN MELALUI METODE KARTU SUKU KATA PADA SISWA KELAS I SDN 52 KOTA TERNATE
Authors: Marasabesy Anwar , Wahid Santi M.J.
Published: September 2022

The expected objectives of this study are to investigate the use the Reading method with Syllable flash Card in Indonesian language learning in the first years of State elementary school and to find out students’ learning outcomes after using the Reading method with Syllable Card. This research is a Classroom Action Research (CAR). This research includes Planning, Implementation, Observation/Observation, and Reflection which are sequential steps in each cycle. There are 28 students of elementary school participated in this research.  Data were collected through test. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of data analysis in the first cycle shows that the number of students who completed was 6 students with an average number of 21.42% and who did not complete were 22 students with an average number of 78.57%. Meanwhile, in the second cycle, 21 students were completed with an average score of 75% and those who did not complete were 7 students with an average score of 25%. Thus, the observations in the first cycle to the second cycle show that the target of completeness, it means that this research was no longer continued in the next cycle.
Hip Fracture As A Potential Contributor To Cognitive Decline And Dementia
Authors: Thompson Simon B N
Published: September 2022

This paper reviews the possible link between hip fracture and cognitive decline and dementia. There is a growing body of clinical research literature that indicates that cognitive decline is associated with the presence of delirium and that delirium is a predictor of dementia. Hip fracture is thought to be an independent factor that may lead to cognitive decline and dementia. It is suggested that cost implications should not become an obstacle to determining the best course of rehabilitation when delirium signals the need for preventive measures to protect the welfare of patients with hip fracture.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Recommendations for neuropsychological assessment
Authors: Thompson Simon B N
Published: September 2022

Carbon monoxide poisoning is potentially significant in terms of mortality rates, and survivors can have serious deleterious neurological consequences. Diagnosis may be hampered because of symptoms that are similar to other benign conditions. Neuropsychological assessment is complicated due to the need to assess potentially global brain dysfunction. Assessment recommendations are presented and discussed together with an overview of treatment options.
Rumination after 65: does its association with depression and gender change with age?
Authors: Emeline Spor , Carole Lefevre , Raphaële Miljkovitch
Published: September 2022

Context: It is well documented that, in adults, women are more prone to ruminate than men, and rumination and depression are robustly correlated. However, very little is known about how these links evolve as aging. The age-related cognitive and identity evolutions deeply modify the elderly’s overall functioning, legitimizing this issue. Method: Sixty-four participants were recruited by seniors’ networks. The participants had to be over 65 years old, without cognitive impairment or chronic pain. The experiment included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), to assess the presence and severity of depression, and the Mini-CERTS, which evaluates the frequency of both analytic and experiential repetitive thoughts. The Mental Alternation Test (MAT) was used as a preliminary test to help ensure that participants did not have cognitive impairment. Participants were contacted over the phone. A structured interview and a MAT test were used to assess the inclusion criteria. If the participant matched the required profile, the GDS and the mini-CERTS were administered in random order. Results: Results show a negative correlation between frequency of constructive repetitive thoughts and depression (r = -.49; p <.001) and a positive correlation between frequency of rumination and depression (r = .40; p <.001). No significant difference was shown regarding gender and frequency of ruminations (p> .05). Discussion: These results validate the maintenance of the links between repetitive thinking and depression during aging, but not the difference between men and women. These findings encourage the use of rumination-focused therapies in the treatment of depression in the elderly.
Maiden Speeches and Apprenticeship: Continuity and Change in U.S. Senate Norms
Authors: Basham Christopher Luke
Published: September 2022

When asked in confidential interviews about the continuity of apprenticeship, former U.S. Senators routinely raise the maiden speech tradition. However, no published study of the “rite of passage" exists. In this paper I provide the first historical and quantitative analysis of the maiden speech tradition and the apprenticeship norm held to underlie such behavior. Using survival analysis of the timing of senators’ speeches between the 80th–117th Congresses, I first refute decades of conventional wisdom: Senators never waited nearly as long as purported. Then, I test for political dynamics that underscore adherence to the norm. Although the data corroborate Sinclair’s (1989) observation that apprenticeship died by the late 1980s, I observe a dramatic uptick in recent years— behavior which appears almost entirely attributable to Republicans under the leadership of McConnell, who has expressed reverence for the tradition, perhaps bespeaking the power of party leadership to impress normative behavior upon new senators.
Türkiye’de İstihdam Edilen ve Edilmeyen Kadınların Temsiliyet Kısa Yolu Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: Yerlikaya Aysun , Özyakışır Deniz
Published: September 2022

Bu çalışmada bireylerin belirsizlik altında aldığı kararlarında temsiliyet kısa yolundan etkilenip etkilenmediği, istihdam edilen ve edilmeyen kadınlar çerçevesinde ele alınmıştır. Bunun için doktor olan kadınların ve ev kadınlarının karar alırken önsel bilgiyi kullanıp kullanmadıkları incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın temel amacı, kadınların rasyonellikten sapmalarında temsiliyet kısa yolunun etkisini ortaya çıkarmaktır. Uygulama yapılırken online anket tekniğiyle istihdam edilmiş ve edilmemiş 428 kadına temsiliyet kısa yolunu ölçmek için on dört soru sorulmuştur. Analiz sonucu literatüre uygun olup, bireylerin belirsizlik altında temsiliyet kısa yolu ile karar alarak rasyonellikten saptığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Conservative Women’s Organizations and their Approaches to the Women’s Rights from the Third Wave Feminist Perspective
Authors: Cangöz İncilay , Gönç Şavran Temmuz , Suğur Serap , Yeşildal Hatice
Published: September 2022

This study focuses on Islamist women's organizations as civil society actors. Although this research is based on a comprehensive field study covering all women's organizations and activists in Eskişehir, only the data gathered from interviews at Islamist women's organizations were analyzed for this study. The study investigates the position of Islamic women's organizations in women's movements in terms of their advocacy of women's rights and their stance against patriarchal domination in line with their understanding of the female body. The discourse of women's rights advocated in Islamist women's organizations is established concerning Islam. The discourse criticizes gender equality as a universal value and replaces it with gender justice because Islamist women believe that Western Feminism does not cover the reality of Muslim women. In line with the Islamic narration of creation, Islamist women advocate the distribution of justice according to the vital religious notion of created/given natural characteristics (fîtra) of the sexes. In addition, they do not see their bodies as their own but as God's trust and are thus against abortion. Therefore, within the women's movement in Turkey, tension is growing between secular women and Islamist women, between gender equality and gender justice, causing division rather than solidarity among women.
Edukasi Kesehatan Mata dan Deteksi Dini Gangguan Mata pada Santri di Pondok Pesantren
Authors: Ichsan Moh.
Published: September 2022

Gangguan mata adalah hal yang sering terjadi, dapat menyerang siapa saja dan kapan saja. Keluhannya bisa berupa mata merah, gatal, perih, gangguan penglihatan, hingga kebutaan. Untuk mengantisipasinya, perlu dilakukan pemeriksaan mata secara rutin agar penyakit mata cepat terdeteksi dan diobati sedini mungkin. Permasalahan yang didapatkan di Pondok Pesantren Amanah Putra Desa Toini, Santri belum memahami cara menjaga kesehatan mata dan saat libur pondok mereka selalu menghabiskan waktu mereka untuk bermain gadget seharian, oleh karena itu diperlukan kegiatan untuk membangun kesadaran akan pentingnya kesehatan mata. Salah satu cara yang dapat dilakukan yaitu dengan melakukan pemeriksaan mata dan juga edukasi kesehatan mata. Tujuan kegiatan pegabdian kepada masyarakat yaitu meningkatkan pengetahuan santri tentang pentingnya kesehatan mata serta dapat mendeteksi sedini mungkin gangguan pada mata. Metode pengabdian dengan memberikan edukasi tentang pentingnya menjaga kesehatan mata dan deteksi dini gangguan mata. Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan santri tentang Kesehatan mata dari 92,5% dengan pengetahuan kurang menjadi 80% pengetahuan baik, teridentifikasi gangguan mata lelah sebanyak 21 orang (52,5%), miopia 8 orang (20%), hordeolum 2 orang (5%), kalasion 1 orang (2,5%), low vision 1 orang (2,5%).
Existence and uniqueness of solutions for stochastic urban-population growth model
Authors: Boulaasair Lahcen , Bouzahir Hassane , Vargas Alessandro N. , Diop Mamadou Abdoul
Published: September 2022

Urban-population growth model has attracted attention over the last few decades due to its usefulness in representing population dynamics, virus dynamics, and epidemics. Researchers have included stochastic perturbation in the urban-population growth model to improve the model, attempting to capture the random nature of real-time dynamics. When doing so, researchers have presented conditions to ensure that the corresponding stochastic solution is both positive and unique (in probability). This paper advances that knowledge by showing that the stochastic diffusion constant can be both positive and negative—previous results in the literature have required that such a constant be positive only. A numerical simulation illustrates the paper's findings.
Assessing equivalent and inverse change in genes between diverse experiments
Authors: Neums Lisa , Koestler Devin C. , Xia Qing , Hu Jinxiang , Patel Shachi , Bell-Glenn Shelby , Pei Dong , Zhang Bo , Boyd Samuel , Chalise Prabhakar , Thompson Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2022

Background: It is important to identify when two exposures impact a molecular marker (e.g., a gene’s expression) in similar ways, for example, to learn that a new drug has a similar effect to an existing drug. Currently, statistically robust approaches for making comparisons of equivalence of effect sizes obtained from two independently run treatment vs. control comparisons have not been developed.

Results: Here, we propose two approaches for evaluating the question of equivalence between effect sizes of two independent studies: a bootstrap test of the Equivalent Change Index (ECI), which we previously developed, and performing Two One-Sided t-Tests (TOST) on the difference in log-fold changes directly. The ECI of a gene is computed by taking the ratio of the effect size estimates obtained from the two different studies, weighted by the maximum of the two p-values and giving it a sign indicating if the effects are in the same or opposite directions, whereas TOST is a test of whether the difference in log-fold changes lies outside a region of equivalence. We used a series of simulation studies to compare the two tests on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, balanced accuracy, and F1-score. We found that TOST is not efficient for identifying equivalently changed gene expression values (F1-score = 0) because it is too conservative, while the ECI bootstrap test shows good performance (F1-score = 0.95). Furthermore, applying the ECI bootstrap test and TOST to publicly available microarray expression data from pancreatic cancer showed that, while TOST was not able to identify any equivalently or inversely changed genes, the ECI bootstrap test identified genes associated with pancreatic cancer. Additionally, when investigating publicly available RNAseq data of smoking vs. vaping, no equivalently changed genes were identified by TOST, but ECI bootstrap test identified genes associated with smoking.

Conclusion: A bootstrap test of the ECI is a promising new statistical approach for determining if two diverse studies show similarity in the differential expression of genes and can help to identify genes which are similarly influenced by a specific treatment or exposure. The R package for the ECI bootstrap test is available at https://github.com/Hecate08/ECIbootstrap.
Hydrogenolysis of glycerol over TiO2-supported Pt-WOx catalysts: Effects of the TiO2 crystal phase and WOx loading
Authors: Wang Yaju , Zhou Zhiming , Wang Chao , Zhao Leihong , Xia Qineng
Published: September 2022

The selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) with high added value is attraction but challenging. Pt-WOx-based catalysts have been extensively studied in the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The catalyst support and the physicochemical state of WOx play important roles on this reaction. In this paper, Pt-WOx catalysts supported on TiO2 with different crystal forms were prepared and studied for their catalytic performance in hydrogenolysis of glycerol. It was observed that the catalytic performance of anatase-type (A-type) TiO2-supported catalyst (Pt/W/A-Ti) is much better than that of the rutile-type (R-type) TiO2 catalyst (Pt/W/R-Ti) due to its higher stability. Furthermore, the influence of W loading amount and state were thoroughly investigated for the Pt/W/A-Ti catalysts, and Pt/W/A-TiO2 with 5 wt% loading of WOx achieved the best catalytic performance (100% conversion of glycerol and 41% yield of 1,3-PDO under the optimal reaction conditions), owing to the suitable WOx domains and high dispersion of W species, as evidenced by XRD patterns and TEM images. Mechanism study by in-situ DRIFTS experiments indicated that glycerol was first converted to 3-hydroxypropanal and then converted to 1,3-PDO through subsequent reactions.
Resonant photoacoustic spectrometer enhanced by multipass absorption for detecting atmospheric CH4 at the ppb-level
Authors: Liu Qiang , Sun Yi , Qiu Xuanbing , Guo Guqing , Li Lin , Gong Ting , Li Chuanliang
Published: September 2022

A resonant photoacoustic spectrometer (PAS) was developed for detecting trace atmospheric CH4. The sensitivity of the PAS was significantly increased via a Herriott-type multipass cell with a beam pattern concentrated in the cavity. The effective optical pathlength of the PAS can be optimized to 6.8 m with 34 reflections and a diameter of 6 mm. A distributed feedback diode laser at 1,653 nm was employed as the light source, and wavelength modulation spectroscopy was used for the 2nd harmonic signal to reduce the noise of the system. The resonant cell of PA and optimal modulation frequency were obtained by varying the measurements. In comparison with a single path, the sensitivity of the multipass strategy was improved 13 times. To evaluate the long-term stability and minimum detection limit (MDL) of the system, an Allan variance analysis was performed, and the analysis illustrated that the MDL accomplished 116 ppb at an average time of 84 s. The system was utilized for 2 days test campaign to validate the feasibility and robustness of the sensor. The system provides a promising technique for online monitoring of greenhouse gasses.
A mitochondria-targeted nano-platform for pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: Tan Xiaoke , Zhu Xin , Xu Duanjie , Shi Yanmei , Wang Zhenzhen , Cao Mingzhuo , Hu Kai , Zhao Lingzhou , Zhao Junwei , Miao Mingsan , Zeng Huahui , Wu Xiangxiang
Published: September 2022

Liposome is a conventional drug delivery system which has been widely used in the pharmacy field. However, its applications are greatly restricted in clinical practice by the disadvantages of cholesterol and nonselective distribution. Herein, a novel platform for anti-tumor drug delivery was developed by incorporating an amphiphilic stachydrine-octadecane conjugate (SS) as the mitochondria-targeting molecule onto the triptolide-liposome surfaces (SS-TP LPs). The polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the suitable particle size (about 133 nm) of liposomes facilitated their stabilities, the long half-life in blood and the escape from the rapid elimination. The SS-TP LPs were internalized and accumulated into the mitochondria of cancer cells in a time-dependent manner, followed by triggering permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane by inhibiting Bcl-2, and then further caused greater cancer cell death via releasing cytochrome C and initiating a cascade of caspase 3 reactions. In the Pan02 tumor-bearing mice, the SS-TP LPs showed significant efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and reducing tumor size but synchronously exhibited specific mitochondria-targeting and much lower subacute toxicity compared with the free TP and TP LPs. Our study suggests that SS-TP LPs can be a promising anticancer drug delivery system for mitochondria-targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer.
A study of the solidification and stability mechanisms of heavy metals in electrolytic manganese slag-based glass-ceramics
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Han Fenglan , Yang Baoguo , Xing Zhibing , Liu Tengteng
Published: September 2022

To better solve the waste pollution problem generated by the electrolytic manganese industry, electrolytic manganese slag as the main raw material, chromium iron slag, and pure chemical reagents containing heavy metal elements mixed with electrolytic manganese slag doping. A parent glass was formed by melting the slag mixture at 1,250°C, which was, thereafter, heat-treated at 900°C to obtain the glass-ceramic. The results from characterizations showed that the heavy metal elements in the glass-ceramic system were well solidified and isolated, with a leakage concentration at a relatively low level. After crystallization, the curing rates of harmful heavy metals all exceed 99.9%. The mechanisms of heavy metal migration, transformation, and solidification/isolation in glass-ceramic curing bodies were investigated by using characterization methods such as chemical elemental morphological analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and electron microprobe. The most toxic Cr and Mn elements were found to be mainly kept in their residual state in the glass-ceramic system. It was concluded that the curing mechanism of the heavy metals in a glass-ceramic can either be explained by the chemical curing induced by bonding (or interaction) during phase formation, or by physical encapsulation. Characterization by using both Transmission electron microscopy and EPMA confirmed that Cr and Mn were mainly present in the newly formed spinel phase, while the diopside phase contained a small amount of Mn. Zn, Cd, and Pb are not found to be concentrated and uniformly dispersed in the system, which is speculated to be physical coating and curing.
Plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide, its precursors and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Mediating effects of renal function
Authors: Sanchez-Gimenez Raul , Peiró Óscar M. , Bonet Gil , Carrasquer Anna , Fragkiadakis Georgios A. , Bulló Mònica , Papandreou Christopher , Bardaji Alfredo
Published: September 2022

Aims

To examine associations of the gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors with risk of cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and determine whether these associations were mediated by renal function.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we included 309 patients with ACS. During a mean follow-up of 6.7 years, 131 patients developed major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality). Plasma concentrations of TMAO, trimethylamine (TMA), choline, betaine, dimethylglycine and L-carnitine were profiled by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Hazard ratios were estimated with multivariable Cox regression models. The mediating role of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was tested under a counterfactual framework.

Results

After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and medications, participants in the highest tertile vs. the lowest tertile of baseline TMAO and dimethylglycine concentrations had a higher risk of MACE [(HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.09) and (HR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.17, 3.99), respectively]. However, with regards to TMAO these associations were no longer significant, whereas for dimethylglycine, the associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for eGFR. eGFR mediated the associations of TMAO (58%) and dimethylglycine (32%) with MACE incidence. The associations between dimethylglycine and incident MACE were confirmed in an internal validation. No significant associations were found for TMA, choline, betaine and L-carnitine.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that renal function may be a key mediator in the association of plasma TMAO with the development of cardiovascular events after ACS. The present findings also support a role of dimethylglycine in the pathogenesis of MACE, which may be mediated, at least partially, by renal function.
Investigating the impact on learning outcomes through the use of EdTech during COVID-19: Evidence from an RCT in the Punjab province of Pakistan
Authors: Adil Fareeha , Nazir Rabia , Akhtar Misbah
Published: September 2022

The objective of the current study is to test the impact of low-tech solutions during COVID-19 school closures on maths, Urdu, and English scores for students in the underdeveloped district of Bahawalnagar, which is situated in the southern part of Punjab in Pakistan. The target population for this study is Grade 8 students attending private schools. Simple random sampling technique is adopted for the selection of participants in the study. We have tested the impact of three interventions, namely: Teaching at the right level (TaRL), Fortnightly assessments (FAS), and Digital teacher training sessions (DTS). Our findings show a significant and positive ‘Intention to Treat’ (ITT) impact on Urdu and English scores of the students in the TaRL treatment group. The students increased their English and Urdu scores by 0.56 SD. However, we found no significant impact of the intervention on maths scores in the TaRL treatment group. Fortnightly assessments and digital teacher training sessions were also found to contribute to higher English scores of the students. However, we found no ITT impact on the maths and Urdu scores for these treatment groups. The Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) analysis revealed positive and significant improvement in Urdu and English scores of the students in the TaRL treatment group. Key stakeholders whom we interviewed suggested that redesigning the curriculum and incorporating TaRL within this approach could facilitate enhancement in learning outcomes in students in deprived areas. Our findings are important to help inform policymakers on the importance of designing and implementing cost-effective, low-tech solutions to help reduce learning gaps.
Roles of estrogens, estrogen-like compounds, and endocrine disruptors in adipocytes
Authors: Lizcano Fernando
Published: September 2022

Women are subject to constitutional changes after menopause, which increases conditions and diseases prone to cardiovascular risks such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Both estrogens and androgens influence the individual’s metabolic mechanism, which controls the fat distribution and the hypothalamic organization of the regulatory centers of hunger and satiety. While androgens tend to accumulate fat in the splanchnic and the visceral region with an increase in cardiovascular risk, estrogens generate more subcutaneous and extremity distribution of adipose tissue. The absence of estrogen during menopause seems to be the main factor that gives rise to the greater predisposition of women to suffer cardiovascular alterations. However, the mechanisms by which estrogens regulate the energy condition of people are not recognized. Estrogens have several mechanisms of action, which mainly include the modification of specific receptors that belong to the steroid receptor superfamily. The alpha estrogen receptors (ERα) and the beta receptors (ERβ) have a fundamental role in the metabolic control of the individual, with a very characteristic corporal distribution that exerts an influence on the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Despite the significant amount of knowledge in this field, many of the regulatory mechanisms exerted by estrogens and ER continue to be clarified. This review will discuss the role of estrogens and their receptors on the central regulation of caloric expenditure and the influence they exert on the differentiation and function of adipocytes. Furthermore, chemical substances with a hormonal activity that cause endocrine disruption with affectation on estrogen receptors will be considered. Finally, the different medical therapies for the vasomotor manifestations of menopause and their role in reducing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk will be analyzed.
15-Deoxy-Delta-12,14-prostaglandin J2 modulates pro-labour and pro-inflammatory responses in human myocytes, vaginal and amnion epithelial cells
Authors: Rasheed Zahirrah BM. , Lee Yun S. , Kim Sung H. , Teoh Tg , MacIntyre David A. , Bennett Phillip R. , Sykes Lynne
Published: September 2022

Background

Prematurity is the leading cause of childhood death under the age of five. The aetiology of preterm birth is multifactorial; however, inflammation and infection are the most common causal factors, supporting a potential role for immunomodulation as a therapeutic strategy. 15-Deoxy-Delta-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) is an anti-inflammatory prostaglandin and has been shown to delay lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced preterm labour in mice and improve pup survival. This study explores the immunomodulatory effect of 15dPGJ2 on the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and contraction associated proteins in human cultured myocytes, vaginal epithelial cell line (VECs) and primary amnion epithelial cells (AECs).

Methods

Cells were pre-incubated with 32µM of 15dPGJ2 and stimulated with 1ng/mL of IL-1β as an in vitro model of inflammation. Western immunoblotting was used to detect phosphorylated p-65 and phosphorylated c-Jun as markers of NF-κB and AP-1 activation, respectively. mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was examined, and protein expression of COX-2 and PGE2 were detected by western immunoblotting and ELISA respectively. Myometrial contractility was examined ex-vivo using a myograph.

Results

15dPGJ2 inhibited IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1, and expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, COX-2 and PGE2 in myocytes, with no effect on myometrial contractility or cell viability. Despite inhibiting IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB, expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2, 15dPGJ2 led to activation of AP-1, increased production of PGE2 and increased cell death in VECs and AECs.

Conclusion

We conclude that 15dPGJ2 has differential effects on inflammatory modulation depending on cell type and is therefore unlikely to be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of preterm birth.
Spatial spillover of global value chain in eco-efficiency
Authors: Li Xinran , Liu Chengkun , Zhang Zhe
Published: September 2022

With increasing participation in the global value chain (GVC), China’s economy has gradually entered the middle and late stages of industrialization and vigorous urbanization. However, the accompanying problems, such as low-quality economic growth, excessive consumption of resources, scarce energy supply and environmental pollution, have also become major issues that social development must be solved. Therefore, based on estimating the comprehensive index of regional eco-efficiency, it is of great practical significance to clarify the impacts of GVC embeddedness and government environmental protection systems on regional eco-efficiency. From the perspective of spatial spillover, this study explored the spatial dependence of eco-efficiency between regions and deeply analyzed the spatial spillover effect of regional GVC embeddedness to provide feasible solutions for China to actively achieve the goals of “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality.” It was found that the deepening of GVC embeddedness can play a certain positive role in regional eco-efficiency; a region can not only improve its own eco-efficiency through traditional methods such as import and export, but also drive the improvement of eco-efficiency in other regions through spatial spillover. Our results can be used to manage resources in neighboring Asian countries and other developing regions globally.
Detecting COVID-19 infection status from chest X-ray and CT scan via single transfer learning-driven approach
Authors: Ghose Partho , Alavi Muhaddid , Tabassum Mehnaz , Ashraf Uddin Md. , Biswas Milon , Mahbub Kawsher , Gaur Loveleen , Mallik Saurav , Zhao Zhongming
Published: September 2022

COVID-19 has caused over 528 million infected cases and over 6.25 million deaths since its outbreak in 2019. The uncontrolled transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused human suffering and the death of uncountable people. Despite the continuous effort by the researchers and laboratories, it has been difficult to develop reliable efficient and stable vaccines to fight against the rapidly evolving virus strains. Therefore, effectively preventing the transmission in the community and globally has remained an urgent task since its outbreak. To avoid the rapid spread of infection, we first need to identify the infected individuals and isolate them. Therefore, screening computed tomography (CT scan) and X-ray can better separate the COVID-19 infected patients from others. However, one of the main challenges is to accurately identify infection from a medical image. Even experienced radiologists often have failed to do it accurately. On the other hand, deep learning algorithms can tackle this task much easier, faster, and more accurately. In this research, we adopt the transfer learning method to identify the COVID-19 patients from normal individuals when there is an inadequacy of medical image data to save time by generating reliable results promptly. Furthermore, our model can perform both X-rays and CT scan. The experimental results found that the introduced model can achieve 99.59% accuracy for X-rays and 99.95% for CT scan images. In summary, the proposed method can effectively identify COVID-19 infected patients, could be a great way which will help to classify COVID-19 patients quickly and prevent the viral transmission in the community.
Molecular heterogeneity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonates in Wuhan: Description of four novel variants
Authors: Shen Shanshan , Xiong Qian , Cai Wenqian , Hu Rui , Zhou Bin , Hu Xijiang
Published: September 2022

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common X-linked enzymopathies caused by G6PD gene variant. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristic of the G6PD deficiency among newborn screening population in Wuhan region. A total of 430,806 healthy neonates in Wuhan area of China were screened for G6PD deficiency from November 2016 to December 2021. The positive samples were further detected with gene analysis. Among the 957 neonates with abnormal G6PD enzyme activity, the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Wuhan was calculated as 0.22%. 38 genotypes were found and the top 5 frequencies of G6PD gene variants were c.1388G > A, c.1376G > T, c.95A > G, c.1024C > T and c.871G > A. Seven rare single variants (c.25C > T, c.152C > T, c.406C > T, c.497G > A, c.679C > T, c.854G > A and c.1057C > T) and two rare multiple variants (IVS-5 637/638T del/c.1311C > T/1365-13T > C and c.406C > T/c.1311C > T/1365-13T > C) were discovered in this study. In addition, four novel variants (c.49C > T, c.691G > A, c.857A > T and c.982G > A) were detected out in our cohort, which have never been reported before. The result indicated that a rich diversity of G6PD genetic variants in Wuhan region, also had its own regional characteristic. Our data provided the basic knowledge for future prevention and research of G6PD deficiency and the findings will be useful for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of G6PD deficiency in the Wuhan region.
Blocking LAIR1 signaling in immune cells inhibits tumor development
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Gui Xun , Deng Mi , Chen Heyu , Chen Yuanzhi , Liu Xiaoye , Ku Zhiqiang , Tan Lingxiao , Huang Ryan , He Yubo , Zhang Bruce , Lewis Cheryl , Chen Kenian , Xu Lin , Xu Jian , Huang Tao , Liao X. Charlene , Zhang Ningyan , An Zhiqiang , Zhang Cheng Cheng
Published: September 2022

The current immune checkpoint blockade therapy has been successful in treating some cancers but not others. New molecular targets and therapeutic approaches of cancer immunology need to be identified. Leukocyte associated immunoglobulin like receptor 1 (LAIR1) is an immune inhibitory receptor expressing on most immune cell types. However, it remains a question whether we can specifically and actively block LAIR1 signaling to activate immune responses for cancer treatment. Here we report the development of specific antagonistic anti-LAIR1 monoclonal antibodies and studied the effects of LAIR1 blockade on the anti-tumor immune functions. The anti-LAIR1 antagonistic antibody stimulated the activities of T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cellsin vitro. The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of intratumoral immune cells in syngeneic human LAIR1 transgenic mice treated with control or anti-LAIR1 antagonist antibodies indicates that LAIR1 signaling blockade increased the numbers of CD4 memory T cells and inflammatory macrophages, but decreased those of pro-tumor macrophages, regulatory T cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Importantly, the LAIR1 blockade by the antagonistic antibody inhibited the activity of immunosuppressive myeloid cells and reactivated T cells from cancer patientsin vitroand impeded tumor metastasis in a humanized mouse model. Blocking LAIR1 signaling in immune cells represents a promising strategy for development of anti-cancer immunotherapy.
Diagnostic accuracy and validation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scores in a large cohort of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: Moreel Lien , Boeckxstaens Lennert , Betrains Albrecht , Van Hemelen Maarten , Vanderschueren Steven , Van Laere Koen , Blockmans Daniel
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have shown that 18F-FDG PET may contribute to the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Previously, we developed a composite PET score called the Leuven score, which was recently adapted to the more concise Leuven/Groningen score by van der Geest et al. The aim of this study is to validate and compare the diagnostic accuracy and cut-off points of both scores in a large cohort of PMR patients.

Methods

Patients with a possible clinical diagnosis of PMR and a PET scan prior to the initiation of glucocorticoids between 2003 and 2020 were included retrospectively. The gold standard for the diagnosis of PMR was the judgment of two experienced clinicians after a follow-up of at least 6 months. FDG uptake was scored visually in 12 articular regions (scores 0–2) and a total skeletal score was calculated by summing the individual scores (maximum of 24 for the Leuven score and 14 for the Leuven/Groningen score). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Youden index were used to determine the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off points.

Results

A total of 162 patients with PMR and 83 control patients were included. Both PET scores showed high diagnostic accuracy in the ROC analysis (area under the curve 0.986 and 0.980, respectively). The Leuven Score provided a sensitivity of 91.4%, specificity of 97.6% and accuracy of 93.5% at its predefined cut-off point of 16. With the newly determined cut-off point of 12 the sensitivity was 98.8%, the specificity 95.2% and the accuracy 97.6%. The Leuven/Groningen score had a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 93.2%, 95.2%, and 93.9%, respectively, with the pre-specified cut-off point of 8, and 96.9%, 92.8%, and 95.5% with the optimal cut-off point of 7.

Conclusion

The original Leuven score and the simplified Leuven/Groningen score both had excellent diagnostic accuracy. The latter may be easier to apply in clinical practice.
Research on safety and compliance of imported microbial inoculants using high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Dong Lin , Zhang Zilong , Zhu Biyun , Li Shenwei , He Yan , Lou Yating , Li Ping , Zheng Huajun , Tian Zhengan , Ma Xia
Published: September 2022

Microbial inoculants are widely used in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, and biological control. Safety and compliance for active constituents are considered to be the most important measures of imported microbial inoculants. Microbial inoculants composition was commonly identified by phenotypic culture, which is time-consuming and labor intense with occasionally false negative results provided, and can only be tested for specific species. High-throughput sequencing (HTS), known for its non-targeted detection of unknown species composition in samples, is suitable for composition consistency identification and biosafety analysis of imported microbial inoculants. In this study, the application of HTS for microflora distribution and resistance gene was verified in microbial inoculants for environmental protection and then applicated in imported microbial inoculants. Both Illumina- and Nanopore-based HTS methods identified the same dominant bacterial species successfully in the imported microbial inoculants. The main component of bacterial species was Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, and Enterococcus faecium, and further confirmed with traditional methods. The antibiotic resistance genes Bacillus subtilis mprF, bcrA, blt, lmrB, rphB, tet(L), tmrB, vmlR, ykkC, and ykkD were detected in all samples. Our results indicated that HTS processes the application potential to identify the active ingredients of microbial inoculants. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of the microbial compositions in microbial formulation products is of high importance for port biosafety supervision.
Systemic exposure to propranolol in patients with chronic liver disease and its correlation with portal blood flow
Authors: Kim Tae-Eun , Kang Ju-Seop , An Wen , Sohn Joo Hyun
Published: September 2022

Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for the prevention of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in patients with chronic liver disease compared to that in healthy individuals. The relative amount of portal blood flow was measured to investigate the correlation of portal blood flow and the systemic exposure of propranolol. Thirty healthy subjects, 18 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), and 54 patients with cirrhosis were included in this prospective study. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were taken up to 8 h post-dose. The portal blood flow was estimated by H/L ratio using thallium-201 (201TI) per rectal scintigraphy. A total of 78 subjects completed the study. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to the last measurable time (AUClast, ng⋅h/mL) were 150.2 ± 154.1, 112.2 ± 84.7, and 204.0 ± 137.3 in healthy subjects, CAH patients, and cirrhosis patients, respectively. AUCrmlast showed positive correlation with the H/L ratio in patients with chronic liver disease (r = 0.5817, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the patients with cirrhosis showed higher systemic exposure to propranolol than healthy subjects or patients with CAH. The increase in systemic exposure to propranolol was correlated with the decrease in portal blood flow.
Two new forest pathogens in Phaeolus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) on Chinese coniferous trees were confirmed by molecular phylogeny
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Wu Ying-Da , Wang Ya-Rong , Zhou Meng , Qiu Jun-Zhi , Li De-Wei , Vlasák Josef , Liu Hong-Gao , Dai Yu-Cheng
Published: September 2022

Phaeolus schweinitzii (Fr.) Pat. was originally described in Europe and is considered a common forest pathogen on conifers in the Northern Hemisphere. Our molecular phylogeny based on samples from China, Europe, and North America confirms that P. schweinitzii is a species complex, including six taxa. P. schweinitzii sensu stricto has a distribution in Eurasia; the samples from Northeast and Southwest China are distantly related to P. schweinitzii sensu stricto, and two new species are described after morphological, phylogenetic, and geographical analyses. The species growing on Larix, Picea, and Pinus in Northeast China is described as Phaeolus asiae-orientalis. Another species mostly occurring on Pinus yunnanensis in Southwest China is Phaeolus yunnanensis. In addition, three taxa distributed in North America differ from P. schweinitzii sensu stricto. Phaeolus tabulaeformis (Berk.) Pat. is in Southeast North America, “P. schweinitzii-1” in Northeast North America, and “P. schweinitzii-2” in western North America.
Viral metatranscriptomic approach to study the diversity of virus(es) associated with Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the North-Western Himalayan region of India
Authors: Rashid Shahjahan , Wani Farhana , Ali Gowhar , Sofi Tariq A. , Dar Zahoor Ahmed , Hamid Aflaq
Published: September 2022

Plant viruses are a major threat to legume production worldwide. In recent years, new virus strains have emerged with increasing frequencies in various legume cropping systems, which demands the development of cutting-edge virus surveillance techniques. In this study, we surveyed the common bean fields of Kashmir valley for virus infection using a total of 140 symptomatic and non-symptomatic leaf samples collected from different locations. The genetic diversity of viruses was examined by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) with three viruses being identified, namely, Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV), Bean Common Mosaic Necrosis Virus (BCMNV), and Clover Yellow Vein Virus (ClYVV). BCMNV and ClYVV are new reports from India. De novo assembly of transcriptome constructed near-complete genomes of these viruses. RT-PCR results confirmed the presence of these viruses with an emerge incidence of 56. 4% for BCMV, 27.1% for BCMNV and 16.4 for ClYVV in the valley. Several samples were found to contain multiple virus infections with BCMV being the most predominant. Recombination events were detected in the genomes of BCMV and ClYVV, but not BCMNV. Phylogenetic and pairwise identity matrix evidence suggests viral import from multiple countries. Our results demonstrate that HTS followed by multiplex PCR assay is a simple, rapid, and reliable approach for simultaneous diagnosis of plant viruses.
Association between rumen microbiota and marbling grade in Hu sheep
Authors: Wang Jianghui , Zhang Yukun , Wang Xiaojuan , Li Fadi , Zhang Deyin , Li Xiaolong , Zhao Yuan , Zhao Liming , Xu Dan , Cheng Jiangbo , Li Wenxin , Lin Changchun , Yang Xiaobin , Zhai Rui , Zeng Xiwen , Cui Panpan , Ma Zongwu , Liu Jia , Zhang Xiaoxue , Wang Weimin
Published: September 2022

The marbling fat regulates the flavor of mutton and measures the fat density in the loin eye and is the most important parameter of carcass grading. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship of rumen microbiota and mutton marbling grade. One hundred and eighty-seven feedlot-finished Hu male lambs (Age: 180 day; Final BW: 46.32 ± 6.03 kg) were slaughtered, and ruminal contents and marbling grade were collected. Ruminal microbial DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to investigate microbial composition and to predict microbial metabolic pathways. The animal cohort was then grouped based on marbling grades [low marbling (LM), marbling grade ≤ 1; Medium marbling (MM), 1 < marbling grade ≤ 3; High Marbling (HM), 3 < marbling grade ≤ 5] and intramuscular fat-associated microorganisms were pinpointed using LEfSe and random forest classification model. Intramuscular fat content had significantly differences among the three groups (P < 0.05), and was significantly correlated with VFAs profiling. HM sheep showed a higher abundance of one bacterial taxon (Kandleria), and two taxa were overrepresented in the MM sheep (Pseudobutyrivibrio and Monoglobus), respectively. In addition, the main intramuscular fat deposition pathway was found to involve peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) fatty acid synthesis. By studying the effect of the ruminal microbiome on the marbling of sheep, the present study provides insights into the production of high-quality mutton.