bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Kanda Bakır Düzeyi Ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi
Authors: ALTUNER Yılmaz , EMÜL Esra
Published: September 2022

Vücutta eser element olarak bulunan bakır (Cu), birçok enzimin yapısında yer alırken, gebelik döneminde çeşitli faktörlere bağlı olarak miktarının değişiklik göstermesi ile gebe ve fetüs üzerinde olumsuz etkiler oluşturabilmektedir. Cu eksikliğinde prematürite, beslenme ve emilim bozuklukları, aşırı beslenme, kronik diyare görülürken, bakır toksisitesinde karaciğer ve böbrekte nekroz ve sindirim sistemi kanamalarını oluşturduğu ileri sürülmüştür. Karabük Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi’ne doğum yapmak üzere gelen gebelere (n=50) rastgele örneklem yöntemi ile hem kan analizi hem de anket uygulanarak sosyodemografik sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Gebelerin yaş ortalamaları 29.2±5.39 olup, %80’i herhangi bir işte çalışmazken, %20’si ilkokul ve %26’sı ortaokul mezunu olarak belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca gebelerin %18’inin kronik hastalığının bulunduğu, %12’sinde gestasyonel diabetes mellitus ve %4’ünde hipertansiyon olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırmamızda maternal kanda Cu düzeyi ortalama 200.7±43.3 μg/dl olarak bulunmuştur. Ayrıca gebenin maternal yaş, yaşam süresi, yaşadığı yerin fabrika, otogar ve anayola yakınlığı ile bakır düzeyi arasında herhangi bir ilişki bulunamazken (P>0.05), gebelerin lise ve ortaöğretim mezunu olan eşlerinde kan bakır düzeyleri arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmıştır (P
Optimalisasi Sistem Teknologi Hybrid Pada Rancangan PV-Grid-Baterai Untuk Kebutuhan Skala Rumah Tangga
Authors: Efendi Syah Rinal , Buana Lubis Arya Chandra , Satria Habib , Hermawan Indra
Published: September 2022

The use of electricity that has covered every area of ​​the earth is a valid fact. This makes electricity a primary need that must be continuously provided to meet the needs of the community. Based on these known facts, as much as 50% of this electricity user is in the form of a household scale. Therefore, a research was conducted on the analysis of the technology system conversion in the PV-grid-battery design at a household scale. This study aims to determine the level of technology conversion in the pv-grid-battery design at a household scale so that electric customers can utilize solar panel technology more optimally and well. The method used in this activity is to use a direct observation and data collection system. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of solar panels with a capacity of 120 Wp x 2 can help in backing up loads on a household scale. The household load power which is the parameter in this research activity is 450 VA (based on the power of the household kWhmeter).
Internal Quality Assurance System Based on Pesantren Values: Towards The Excellence of Schools in Indonesia
Authors: Thoyib Muhammad
Published: September 2022

This paper aims to provide an understanding of the internal quality assurance system (SPMI) based on pesantren (Islamic boarding school) values developed by one of the vocational high schools in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative case-study approach through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation supported by the interactive analytical model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldana to produce a comprehensive data analysis. The results of the study show that: 1) Determination of quality standards refers to the National Education Standards and Islamic boarding schools' values that are adjusted to the vision, mission, and conditions of the school for further School Self Evaluation to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and appropriate recommendations; 2) Quality fulfillment planning is prepared based on the results of quality mapping in the form of School Work Plans and School Annual Work Plans which contain quality targets, programs, indicators of the success of the person in charge and schedule of activities as well as sources of funding and budget; and 3) The implementation of quality fulfillment is designed by the person in charge of the activity by forming a team for implementing activities, technical activities, and credible budget details to ensure the achievement of the quality implementation that has been declared.
Development of Internal Quality Assurance System Model for Pesantren Using the 2020 Education Unit Accreditation Instrument
Authors: Lathifah Zahra Khusnul , Setyaningsih Sri , Wulandari Dian
Published: September 2022

This study aims to analyze and understand the Development of pesantren (Islamic Boarding School's) Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) Model Based on the Education Unit Accreditation Instrument (IASP) 2020. This study uses a Research and Development (R&D) approach. The data collection technique is done through interviews, observation and documentation. While the data analysis was carried out in a circular manner, starting from data collection, data reduction and drawing conclusions. The results show that pesantren Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) Model which refers to the Education Unit Accreditation Instrument (IASP) 2020 was developed with a quality scheme in four main areas:  firstly, the quality of graduates, secondly, the quality of the process, thirdly, the quality of minimum standard achievements, and fourthly, the quality of management. (Islamic boarding school management).
Student Entrepreneurship Development Model at Universities in West Sumatera, Indonesia
Authors: Novita Mona , Prasetyo Muhammad Anggung Manumanoso , Bashori Bashori , Badarussyamsi Badarussyamsi , Nurlailisna Novi
Published: September 2022

This study aims to determine, understand and analyze the higher education entrepreneurship development model. The model implementation process is carried out in stages, from the strategic plan stage, implementation in higher education units to mobilizing the community to participate in entrepreneurial activities. This study uses a qualitative approach with the type of case study conducted at the Padang State University (UNP) West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The results show that the development model refers to the System Theory, manifested in the VALUE concept (View, appreciate, lead, understand and evaluate). The key factor as the primary capital for the implementation of the model is the milieu of the Padang community, which is thick with the entrepreneurial spirit in a spiritual, religious frame – Muslimprenur. This study implies that the VALUE concept leadership management process can produce output through Muslimpreneur-based student entrepreneurship development, ultimately increasing the value of innovation and independence for students.
The Pattern of Development of Competence, Commitment, and Motivation of Teachers in Pesantren
Authors: Fauzi Imron , Ubaidillah Ubaidillah , Indrianto Nino , Aminulloh Aminulloh , Asshuwaifiyah Uwaisah
Published: September 2022

This study aims to analyze the development of competence, commitment, and motivation of teachers in the Mu'adah Islamic boarding school. This study used a qualitative method with a multi-case type and was conducted at the Al-Amin Sumenep and Sidogiri Islamic boarding schools, Pasuruan. Data collection techniques used the instruments of the interview, observation, and documentation. Several activities in analyzing data include; data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of this study found that the development of teacher competence at the Mu' Islamic boarding school is to apply a pattern based on spirituality and professionalism through integrated, holistic, and continuous coaching and training strategies, as well as to cultivate self-taught learning. The development of teacher commitment is based on the principle of devotion because Kyai, coaches, teachers, and students live together and are supported by a religiously nuanced Islamic boarding school environment. The development of teacher motivation is based on the values of sincerity and blessing combined with modern professional management.
Learner corpus research in Hong Kong: past, present and future
Authors: Liu Kanglong , Oiwun Cheung Joyce , Zhao Nan
Published: September 2022

As a field of research closely connected with second language acquisition, teaching and learning, learner corpus research (lcr) has garnered interest among language teachers and researchers in Hong Kong, where English is one of the two official languages (alongside Chinese) and also one of the chief mediums of instruction in education. In view of this unique situation, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of lcr within different teaching contexts in Hong Kong and identifies some major research trends and issues. Through this survey of the development of lcr in the region, we find that great advances have been made over the past three decades. Specifically, the object of analysis has shifted from cherry-picked, isolated textual features to operationalised parameters such as metadiscourse markers, lexical diversity, and syntactic complexity to study learners’ language output. Despite the progress that has been achieved so far, there remain a number of important questions for lcr in the context of Hong Kong. In particular, some researchers tend to broadly apply the term ‘learner corpus’ even to the language output of expert-level L2 speakers. Yet, whether this group of speakers can be treated as L2 learners, and their language output as a learner corpus, remains contested. In addition, existing learner corpora are also limited in their scope by genre, with the majority being compiled from letters and essay writings. This paper concludes with suggestions on how these limitations can be addressed in future research.
Children’s Literature: A Joint Venture
Authors: van Lierop-Debrauwer Helma
Published: September 2022

This article rereads research data on young children’s literary socialisation, children’s juries of literary awards, and young adults’ life writing from the perspective of recent theories contesting the idea of aetonormativity that has dominated children’s literature studies in the past decades. It is argued that intergenerational solidarity in children’s encounters with literature might be the best imaginable practice for reading promotion.
‘The highest salary ever paid to a human being’: Creating a Database of Film Costs from the Bank of England Archive
Authors: Chapman Llewella
Published: September 2022

Following the Cinematograph Films Act 1938, the Bank of England produced a ledger of film production costs, itemising British films produced between April 1938 and November 1939. This article will demonstrate how this ledger, and the subsequent database I have created based on it, can be of benefit to researchers of British film history. The detailed database contains the estimated final costs of 170 British films, including The Citadel, The Drum, The Lady Vanishes, Pygmalion, Sixty Glorious Years, A Yank at Oxford, Jamaica Inn and The Mikado with an accurate breakdown of costs for particular categories. The database can show researchers the impact of American investment in British film production, as well as details of the salaries of the highest paid stars and directors of British films made during this period.
Niteliksiz İşgücü Göçünün Ekonomik Büyümeye Etkisi: OECD Ülkeleri Örneği
Authors: ASYA Gökhan , AKTAŞ Adem
Published: September 2022

Küresel rekabetin seyrinin emekten bilgiye doğru şekillendiği cağımızda bilginin önemi her geçen gün artarak yükselmektedir. Bu yükselişe uyum sağlayan ülkeler kendi üretim faktörlerini bütünüyle bu değişime uyarlama gayreti içindedirler. Bununla birlikte, bilgi çağına henüz kendini uyarlayamamış, gelişimini istenilen düzeye ulaştıramamış, ülkelerden alınan niteliksiz iş gücü göçü ev sahibi ülke ekonomilerini nasıl etkilediği merak konusudur.

Bu çalışmada, bilgi ekonomisinin bilincinde olan ve dışardan göç alan OECD ülkelerinin almış olduğu niteliksiz iş gücü göçünün ekonomik büyümeye etkisi incelenmektedir. 31 OECD ülkesinin 2000-2015 dönemi yıllık verileri kullanılarak panel veri analizi yapılmıştır. Kurulan modelde bağımlı değişken olarak Reel GSYİH, bağımsız değişken olarak ise niteliksiz iş gücü göçü istihdamı, beşeri sermaye endeksi ve nüfus seçilmiştir.

Bulgulardan elde edilen sonuç, niteliksiz iş gücü göçü istihdamı ile reel GSYİH arasında pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu şeklindedir. Bununla birlikte beşeri sermaye ve reel GSYİH arasında da anlamlı ve pozitif bir ilişkinin varlığı gözlemlenmiştir. Fakat beşeri sermayenin Reel GSYİH üzerindeki etkisinin niteliksiz iş gücü göçü istihdamına kıyasen daha büyük olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
scATACpipe: A nextflow pipeline for comprehensive and reproducible analyses of single cell ATAC-seq data
Authors: Hu Kai , Liu Haibo , Lawson Nathan D. , Zhu Lihua Julie
Published: September 2022

Single cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) has become the most widely used method for profiling open chromatin landscape of heterogeneous cell populations at a single-cell resolution. Although numerous software tools and pipelines have been developed, an easy-to-use, scalable, reproducible, and comprehensive pipeline for scATAC-seq data analyses is still lacking. To fill this gap, we developed scATACpipe, a Nextflow pipeline, for performing comprehensive analyses of scATAC-seq data including extensive quality assessment, preprocessing, dimension reduction, clustering, peak calling, differential accessibility inference, integration with scRNA-seq data, transcription factor activity and footprinting analysis, co-accessibility inference, and cell trajectory prediction. scATACpipe enables users to perform the end-to-end analysis of scATAC-seq data with three sub-workflow options for preprocessing that leverage 10x Genomics Cell Ranger ATAC software, the ultra-fast Chromap procedures, and a set of custom scripts implementing current best practices for scATAC-seq data preprocessing. The pipeline extends the R package ArchR for downstream analysis with added support to any eukaryotic species with an annotated reference genome. Importantly, scATACpipe generates an all-in-one HTML report for the entire analysis and outputs cluster-specific BAM, BED, and BigWig files for visualization in a genome browser. scATACpipe eliminates the need for users to chain different tools together and facilitates reproducible and comprehensive analyses of scATAC-seq data from raw reads to various biological insights with minimal changes of configuration settings for different computing environments or species. By applying it to public datasets, we illustrated the utility, flexibility, versatility, and reliability of our pipeline, and demonstrated that our scATACpipe outperforms other workflows.
Process method of Si3N4 ceramic brazing sealed cavity for high-temperature application
Authors: Li Chen , Fang Zhihong , Sun Boshan , Xiong Jijun , Xu Aodi , Guo Ximing , Hong Yingping
Published: September 2022

The process method of a Si3N4 ceramic sealed cavity is realized by vacuum brazing and chemical reaction at 1,100°C and 0.5 MPa pressure. Through the combination of Si3N4 ceramic polishing and thinning, inductively coupled plasma etching, and high-temperature metal filler (Ti-Zr-Cu-Ni) brazing process, a vacuum-sealed cavity suitable for high-temperature environments was prepared. The cross section of the bonding interface was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), which indicated that the two Si3N4 ceramic were well bonded, the cavity structure remained intact, and the bonding interface strength exceeded 5.13 MPa. Furthermore, it retained its strong bonding strength after in high-temperature environments of 1,000, 1,050, and 1,100°C for 1 h. This indicates that a brazed vacuum-sealed cavity can be used in high-temperature environments. Through the proposed method, pressure sensor that can withstand high temperatures can be developed.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of cell-free and whole-cell DNA in diagnosing central nervous system infections
Authors: Yu Lili , Zhang Ye , Zhou Jiemin , Zhang Yu , Qi Xuejiao , Bai Kaixuan , Lou Zheng , Li Yi , Xia Han , Bu Hui
Published: September 2022

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) infections pose a fatal risk to patients. However, the limited sample volumes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and low detection efficiency seriously hinder the accurate detection of pathogens using conventional methods.

Methods

We evaluated the performance of metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing CNS infections. CSF samples from 390 patients clinically diagnosed with CNS infections were used for the mNGS of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) (n =394) and whole-cell DNA (wcDNA) (n =150).

Results

The sensitivity of mNGS using cfDNA was 60.2% (237/394, 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.1%–65.0%), higher than that of mNGS using wcDNA (32.0%, 95% [CI] 24.8%–40.2%, 48/150) and conventional methods (20.9%, 95% [CI] 16.2%–26.5%, 54/258) (P < 0.01, respectively). The accuracy of mNGS using cfDNA in positive samples was 82.6%. Most of viral (72.6%) and mycobacterial (68.8%) pathogens were only detected by the mNGS of cfDNA. Meningitis and encephalitis with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection might be more likely to result in critically ill diseases, while Human alphaherpesvirus 3 was prone to cause non-critically ill diseases.

Conclusions

This is the first report on evaluating and emphasizing the importance of mNGS using CSF cfDNA in diagnosing CNS infections, and its extensive application in diagnosing CNS infections could be expected, especially for viral and mycobacterial CNS infections.
PdpC, a secreted effector protein of the type six secretion system, is required for erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis LVS
Authors: Cantlay Stuart , Kaftanic Christian , Horzempa Joseph
Published: September 2022

Francisella tularensisis a gram negative, intracellular pathogen that is the causative agent of the potentially fatal disease, tularemia. During infection,F. tularensisis engulfed by and replicates within host macrophages. Additionally, this bacterium has also been shown to invade human erythrocytes and, in both cases, the Type Six Secretion System (T6SS) is required for these host-pathogen interaction. One T6SS effector protein, PdpC, is important for macrophage infection, playing a role in phagolysosomal escape and intracellular replication. To determine if PdpC also plays a role in erythrocyte invasion, we constructed apdpC-null mutant in the live vaccine strain,F. tularensisLVS. We show that PdpC is required for invasion of human and sheep erythrocytes duringin vitroassays and that reintroduction of a copy ofpdpC,in trans, rescues this phenotype. The interaction with human erythrocytes was further characterized using double-immunofluorescence microscopy to show that PdpC is required for attachment ofF. tularensisLVS to erythrocytes as well as invasion. To learn more about the role of PdpC in erythrocyte invasion we generated a strain ofF. tularensisLVS expressingpdpC-emgfp. PdpC-EmGFP localizes as discrete foci in a subset ofF. tularensisLVS cells grown in broth culture and accumulates in erythrocytes during invasion assays. Our results are the first example of a secreted effector protein of the T6SS shown to be involved in erythrocyte invasion and indicate that PdpC is secreted into erythrocytes during invasion.
Novel and diverse mycoviruses co-infecting a single strain of the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria dianthicola
Authors: Zhong Jie , Li Ping , Gao Bi Da , Zhong Shuang Yu , Li Xiao Gang , Hu Zhao , Zhu Jun Zi
Published: September 2022

Alternaria dianthicola is a pathogenic fungus that causes serious leaf or flower blight on some medicinal plants worldwide. In this study, multiple dsRNA bands in the range of 1.2-10 kbp were found in a Alternaria dianthus strain HNSZ-1, and eleven full-length cDNA sequences of these dsRNA were obtained by high-throughput sequencing, RT-PCR detection and conventional Sanger sequencing. Homology search and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the strain HNSZ-1 was infected by at least nine mycoviruses. Among the nine, five viruses were confirmed to represent novel viruses in the families Hypoviridae, Totiviridae, Mymonaviridae and a provisional family Ambiguiviridae. Virus elimination and horizontal transmission indicated that the (-) ssRNA virus, AdNSRV1, might be associated with the slow growth and irregular colony phenotype of the host fungus. As far as we know, this is the first report for virome characterization of A. dianthus, which might provide important insights for screening of mycovirus for biological control and for studying of the interactions between viruses or viruses and their host.
Personalized allocation of acetylsalicylic acid therapy for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease
Authors: Hegde Nischal N. , Mathew Navin , Thachathodiyl Rajesh , Menon Jaideep C.
Published: September 2022

Background

A single-daily dose of 75 mg of acetylsalicylic acid inhibits 100% of thromboxane-B2 synthesis within 30–60 min. Thromboxane-B2 synthesis then recovers slowly as new platelets are released from the bone marrow. Normally, only 10% of the platelets are replaced daily by new platelets entering circulation. Hence, 24 h after a dose of acetylsalicylic acid, thromboxane-B2 synthesis is still suppressed by more than 90%. Hence, there is an adequate anti-platelet effect even after 24 h of acetylsalicylic acid intake. However, some patients treated with once-daily acetylsalicylic acid may have an incomplete 24-h suppression of thromboxane-B2 synthesis due to increased platelet turnover. The response could be improved in such patients by twice-daily acetylsalicylic acid administration. This study aimed to identify such a group of patients who would benefit from a twice-daily dose of acetylsalicylic acid.

Materials and methods

Serum thromboxane-B2 levels were measured in 79 patients with coronary artery disease receiving 75 mg of acetylsalicylic acid for secondary prophylaxis. Serum levels of thromboxane-B2 were measured after 4 and 24 h of acetylsalicylic acid intake. Patients were then classified into three groups: steady suppression group (serum thromboxane B2 is adequately suppressed at 4 and 24 h), i.e., adequate response to acetylsalicylic acid; fast recovery group (more than 10% rise in serum thromboxane-B2 levels at 24-h when compared to at 4-h) and non-responders (serum thromboxane-B2 levels of >3,100 pg/ml after 4 h of acetylsalicylic acid intake). Patients in the fast recovery group were given twice-daily acetylsalicylic acid and thromboxane-B2 levels were re-measured.

Results

A total of 20 patients (24.3%) had steady suppression of thromboxane-B2 and 11 patients (13.9%) belonged to the fast recovery group, i.e., thromboxane-B2 levels were adequately suppressed at 4 h but had recovered by more than 10% at 24 h; which was adequately suppressed by twice-daily acetylsalicylic acid (p 0.004). A total of 48 patients (60.8%) were non-responders.

Conclusion

Twice-daily acetylsalicylic acid may be beneficial if serum thromboxane-B2 levels at 4 h are <3,100 and >3,100 pg/ml at 24 h. If thromboxane-B2 levels at 4 and 24 h is <3100 pg/ml but if there is a >10% rise in serum thromboxane B2 at 24 h as compared to that at 4 h, then twice-daily acetylsalicylic acid should be considered. However, if thromboxane-B2 at 4 and 24 h is >3,100 pg/ml consider switching over to a P2Y12 inhibitor.
Comprehensive care for people living with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—Integration of palliative care with disease-specific care: From guidelines to practice
Authors: Kowalczys Anna , Bohdan Michał , Wilkowska Alina , Pawłowska Iga , Pawłowski Leszek , Janowiak Piotr , Jassem Ewa , Lelonek Małgorzata , Gruchała Marcin , Sobański Piotr
Published: September 2022

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the leading global epidemiological, clinical, social, and economic burden. Due to similar risk factors and overlapping pathophysiological pathways, the coexistence of these two diseases is common. People with severe COPD and advanced chronic HF (CHF) develop similar symptoms that aggravate if evoking mechanisms overlap. The coexistence of COPD and CHF limits the quality of life (QoL) and worsens symptom burden and mortality, more than if only one of them is present. Both conditions progress despite optimal, guidelines directed treatment, frequently exacerbate, and have a similar or worse prognosis in comparison with many malignant diseases. Palliative care (PC) is effective in QoL improvement of people with CHF and COPD and may be a valuable addition to standard treatment. The current guidelines for the management of HF and COPD emphasize the importance of early integration of PC parallel to disease-modifying therapies in people with advanced forms of both conditions. The number of patients with HF and COPD requiring PC is high and will grow in future decades necessitating further attention to research and knowledge translation in this field of practice. Care pathways for people living with concomitant HF and COPD have not been published so far. It can be hypothesized that overlapping of symptoms and similarity in disease trajectories allow to draw a model of care which will address symptoms and problems caused by either condition.
Right ventricle remodeling after transcatheter tricuspid leaflet repair in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation: Lessons from the surgical experience
Authors: Albertini Alberto , Nerla Roberto , Castriota Fausto , Squeri Angelo
Published: September 2022

Clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common and associated with excess mortality. At the same time right ventricular (RV) failure is a complex clinical syndrome that results from many causes, but is often associated with long-term prognosis. Whilst results of isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery are often unsatisfactory and limited by the prohibitive risk of most patients, the recent development of percutaneous recovery techniques has opened new scenarios. In consideration of the complexity of the mechanisms that lead to right heart failure and RV dysfunction it is important to understand the real advantages that percutaneous TV treatment can offer, more specifically the effect of TR reduction on RV remodeling in the setting of functional tricuspid regurgitation (fTR).
Metabolic effects of prolactin
Authors: Pirchio Rosa , Graziadio Chiara , Colao Annamaria , Pivonello Rosario , Auriemma Renata S.
Published: September 2022

Over the last years, the metabolic role of PRL has emerged. PRL excess is known to promote weight gain, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and impairment in gluco-insulinemic and lipid profiles, likely due to the suppression of physiologic dopaminergic tone. Prolactin receptors and dopamine receptors type 2 have been demonstrated to be expressed on both human pancreatic β- cell and adipocytes, supporting a key role of prolactin and dopamine in peripheral metabolic regulation. Medical treatment with the dopamine agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline has been demonstrated to decrease the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity, and significantly improve gluco-insulinemic and lipid profiles. In hyperprolactinemic men with concomitant hypogonadism, correction of hyperprolactinaemia and testosterone replacement has been proven to restore metabolic impairment. In turn, low prolactin levels have also been demonstrated to exert a detrimental effect on weight gain, glucose and lipid metabolism, thus leading to an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, PRL values ranging from 25 to 100 mg/L, in absence of other recognizable pathological causes, have been proposed to represent a physiological response to the request for an increase in metabolic activity, and nowadays classify the so-called HomeoFIT- PRL as a promoter of metabolic homeostasis. The current review focuses mainly on the effects of hyperprolactinemia and its control by medical treatment with DAs on the modulation of food intake, body weight, gluco-insulinemic and lipid profile. Furthermore, it provides the latest knowledge about the metabolic impact of hypoprolactinemia.
Diagnostic model for predicting hyperuricemia based on alterations of the gut microbiome in individuals with different serum uric acid levels
Authors: Liang Meiting , Liu Jingkun , Chen Wujin , He Yi , Kahaer Mayina , Li Rui , Tian Tingting , Liu Yezhou , Bai Bing , Cui Yuena , Yang Shanshan , Xiong Wenjuan , Ma Yan , Zhang Bei , Sun Yuping
Published: September 2022

Background

We aimed to assess the differences in the gut microbiome among participants with different uric acid levels (hyperuricemia [HUA] patients, low serum uric acid [LSU] patients, and controls with normal levels) and to develop a model to predict HUA based on microbial biomarkers.

Methods

We sequenced the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rDNA gene in 168 fecal samples from HUA patients (n=50), LSU patients (n=61), and controls (n=57). We then analyzed the differences in the gut microbiome between these groups. To identify gut microbial biomarkers, the 107 HUA patients and controls were randomly divided (2:1) into development and validation groups and 10-fold cross-validation of a random forest model was performed. We then established three diagnostic models: a clinical model, microbial biomarker model, and combined model.

Results

The gut microbial α diversity, in terms of the Shannon and Simpson indices, was decreased in LSU and HUA patients compared to controls, but only the decreases in the HUA group were significant (P=0.0029 and P=0.013, respectively). The phylum Proteobacteria (P<0.001) and genus Bacteroides (P=0.02) were significantly increased in HUA patients compared to controls, while the genus Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus was decreased (P=0.02). Twelve microbial biomarkers were identified. The area under the curve (AUC) for these biomarkers in the development group was 84.9% (P<0.001). Notably, an AUC of 89.1% (P<0.001) was achieved by combining the microbial biomarkers and clinical factors.

Conclusions

The combined model is a reliable tool for predicting HUA and could be used to assist in the clinical evaluation of patients and prevention of HUA.
Hyperinsulinemia impairs the metabolic switch to ketone body utilization in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells under energy crisis via the inhibition of the SIRT3/SMCT1 pathway
Authors: Xie Jinlan , Zhong Feifei , Guo Zhenhong , Li Xinran , Wang Jingyu , Gao Zhongai , Chang Baocheng , Yang Juhong
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the effects and mechanism of hyperinsulinemia on the metabolic switch to β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) absorption and utilization under a starvation or hypoxic environment in proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Methods

A high-fat diet-induced hyperinsulinemia model in ZDF rats was used to test the expression of key enzymes/proteins of ketone body metabolism in the kidney. Notably, 12-week-old renal tubule SMCT1 specific knockout mice (SMCT1 flox/floxCre+) and control mice (SMCT1 flox/floxCre-) were used to confirm the roles of SMCT1 in kidney protection under starvation. The changes of key enzymes/proteins of energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and albumin endocytosis in HK2 cells under low glucose/hypoxic environments with or without 50 ng/mL insulin were studied. Silent information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) was overexpressed to evaluate the effect of hyperinsulinemia on the metabolic switch to BHB absorption and utilization through the SIRT3/SMCT1 pathway in HK2 cells.

Results

In ZDF rats, the expression of HMGCS2 increased, the SMCT1 expression decreased, while SCOT remained unchanged. In renal tubule SMCT1 gene-specific knockout mice, starvation for 48 h induced an increase in the levels of urine retinol-binding protein, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and transferrin, which reflected tubular damages. In HK2 cells under an environment of starvation and hypoxia, the levels of key enzymes related to fatty acid oxidation and ketone body metabolism were increased, whereas glucose glycolysis did not change. The addition of 2 mmol/l BHB improved ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, and endocytic albumin function, while cell apoptosis was reduced in HK2 cells. The addition of 50 ng/ml insulin resulted in the decreased expression of SMCT1 along with an impaired mitochondrial function, decreased ATP production, and increased apoptosis. The overexpression of SIRT3 or SMCT1 reversed these alterations induced by a high level of insulin both in low-glucose and hypoxic environments.

Conclusions

The increased absorption and utilization of BHB is part of the metabolic flexibility of renal tubular epithelial cells under starvation and hypoxic environments, which exhibits a protective effect on renal tubular epithelial cells by improving the mitochondrial function and cell survival. Moreover, hyperinsulinemia inhibits the absorption of BHB through the inhibition of the SIRT3/SMCT1 pathway.
Decreased Urine N6-methyladenosine level is closely associated with the presence of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wan Shu-jun , Hua Qiang , Xing Yu-jie , Cheng Yi , Zhou Si-min , Sun Yue , Yao Xin-ming , Meng Xiang-jian , Cheng Jin-han , Wu Han , Zhai Qing , Zhang Yan , Kong Xiang , Lv Kun
Published: September 2022

Background

To investigate the dynamic changes of urine N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) and evaluate the clinical significance.

Methods

First, the levels of urine m6A were examined and compared among 62 patients with T2DM, 70 patients with DN, and 52 age- and gender-matched normal glucose tolerant subjects (NGT) by using a MethyIFIashTM Urine m6A Quantification Kit. Subsequently, we compared the concentrations of urine m6A between different stages of DN. Moreover, statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of urine m6A with DN.

Results

The levels of m6A were significantly decreased in patients with DN [(16.10 ± 6.48) ng/ml], compared with NGT [(23.12 ± 7.52) ng/ml, P < 0.0001] and patients with T2DM [(20.39 ± 7.16) ng/ml, P < 0.0001]. Moreover, the concentrations of urine m6A were obviously reduced with the deterioration of DN. Pearson rank correlation and regression analyses revealed that m6A was significantly associated with DN (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) were 0.783 (95% CI, 0.699 – 0.867, P < 0.0001) for the DN and NGT groups, and 0.737 (95% CI, 0.639 – 0.835, P < 0.0001) for the macroalbuminuria and normoalbuminuria groups, and the optimal cutoff value for m6A to distinguish the DN from NGT and the macroalbuminuria from normoalbuminuria cases was 0.4687 (diagnostic sensitivity, 71%; diagnostic specificity, 76%) and 0.4494 (diagnostic sensitivity, 79%; diagnostic specificity, 66%), respectively.

Conclusions

The levels of urine m6A are significantly decreased in patients with DN and change with the deterioration of DN, which could serve as a prospective biomarker for the diagnosis of DN.
Temperature distribution simulation and thermal properties investigation of hollow slab beam based on meteorological data
Authors: Zeng Guosheng S , Song Jun , Zhu Chaoyu Y
Published: September 2022

Natural environment has a great impact on the performance of bridge structures, such as the ambient temperature, solar radiation, climate extremes and so on. Due to the lack of regional pertinence in the provisions of the existing specifications on the temperature load standard, and the lack of verification of its adaptability of hollow slab beam bridge in the reconstruction and expansion project, it is necessary to study the temperature load of the beam based on the temperature data of the area where the bridge site is located. Based on the measured meteorological data, the cross-section temperature distribution characteristics of the hollow slab beam and the temperature load effect were investigated. The vertical temperature load model of the short and medium-span hollow slab beam was proposed according to the simplified temperature curve. Firstly, based on the annual measured meteorological data, the plane model was established to analyze the temperature distribution characteristics of the hollow slab beam. Secondly, according to the temperature field distribution of the beam cross-section, the solid model of 16 m hollow slab beam was established to analyze the distribution of the temperature load effect. Finally, based on the preliminarily proposed temperature curve, vertical temperature load models were proposed by introducing the theory of extreme value extrapolation. The studies have shown that the temperature of the hollow slab beam is approximately horizontal distributed, and temperature extreme value appear at the location of the beam web. The roof and floor of the hollow slab beam are compressed and the webs are tensioned in the positive temperature difference state, the stress condition is opposite under the negative temperature difference state. The positive and negative temperature load models can meet the extrapolation requirements of the bridge design reference period. This study innovatively proposed a temperature load model based on the temperature curve corresponding to the most unfavorable effect of the beam. The extrapolation idea in the derivation of vehicle load model is introduced as well. And a temperature load model suitable for the extension of hollow slab bridges in Guangdong is established in this study.
Divergent trends of ecosystem status and services in the Hexi Corridor
Authors: Zhu Hanshou , Zhai Jun , Hou Peng , Gao Haifeng , He Yingli , Jin Diandian , Xu Ningning
Published: September 2022

In terms of ecosystem structure, quality, and service, we have constructed a total of 18 characteristic evaluation indicators that could reflect the “state change interaction” of the ecosystem and analyzed the Spatio-temporal change of the ecosystem in Hexi Corridor from 2000 to 2020. The results show that: 1. The improvement of ecosystem and service is more obvious in the areas with a better ecological background in the East. The supply and regulation services of the ecosystem are synergetic. 2. In the past 2 decades, the ecological conditions of the Hexi corridor have improved as a whole, and the hot spots for improving ecosystem quality and services have gradually moved eastward. 3. Ecosystem changes have significantly changed the quantity and relationship of ecosystem services, showing strong spatial heterogeneity. For example, the loss of natural vegetation in the central and eastern regions with good ecological backgrounds has improved the water conservation service and also enhanced the synergy between it and the supply service. From the perspective of the relationship between ecosystem regulation services and supply services, the coordination characteristics are weakened, but the performance of regions with a poor ecological background in the west is just the opposite. In short, the typical climate characteristics of dry land with little rain and the spatial pattern of water resource shortage not only jointly determine the ecosystem background of the region, but also bring significant spatial differences and greater uncertainties to the relationship between ecosystem transformation and ecosystem services. Therefore, dryland ecosystem management and protection should be based on detailed and differentiated ecosystem assessment, taking into account regional natural resource endowment, giving priority to improving the stability of the regional ecosystem and gradually increasing regional ecosystem services.
The effects of park and sea landscape on property value in a tourist city
Authors: Shi Dequn , Zhang Yuhui , Liang Zengxian
Published: September 2022

Theorists have traditionally considered the effects of single rather than multiple landscape attributes on property prices, and ignored the interaction between landscape-specific housing attributes. The aim of this paper is to analyze the hedonic attributes of property prices and compare the effects on property prices of two key landscape attributes. Seventeen hedonic attributes are used to build a hedonic-pricing model with five dimensions: structure, neighborhood and community, location, environment, and time. A sample of 688 valid houses within 1,000 m of Xiangshan Park in the city of Zhuhai, China is collected. The selected hedonic attributes are found to have significant effects on property prices, explaining around 91% of the observed variation in price. Proximity to the sea has a greater positive influence on property prices than proximity to parks. In addition, people prefer to buy properties with sea views than to live close to the sea.
FISH analysis of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of robertsonian translocation der(13; 14)(q10;q10) carriers
Authors: Zhu Saijuan , Zhu Yong , Zhang Feng , Wu Junping , Chen Ying , Sun Yijuan , Fu Jing , Wu Jiangnan , Xiao Min , Zhang Shuo , Zhou Jing , Lei Caixia , Jiang Feng
Published: September 2022

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of Robertsonian translocation der (13;14) (q10;q10) carriers has focused on a limited number of chromosomes mainly on chromosome 13, 18, 21, X, and Y. Here, we aimed to expand the analysis to all chromosomes by increasing the number of probes analyzed in fluorescence in situ hybridization. The incidence of numerical abnormalities of all chromosomes (1–22, X, and Y) was determined in sperm from 10 carriers of the Robertsonian translocation der(13;14)(q10;q10) and 10 normozoospermic males to fully assess the effect of translocation-derived chromosome on the segregation of all chromosomes during meiosis. Numerical abnormalities of the two translocated chromosomes were frequently detected in the sperm of der (13;14) translocation carriers, with an average frequency of 14.55% ± 6.00% for chromosome 13 and 13.27% ± 4.14% for chromosome 14. Numerical abnormalities of nontranslocated chromosomes, with an average frequency of 1.77% ± 0.62% (range, 1.16%–3.73%), was lower than that of translocated chromosome. However, the cumulative numerical abnormality of the 22 nontranslocated chromosomes was comparable to that of the two translocated chromosomes. Significantly increased numerical abnormalities in der(13;14) translocation carriers compared with those in normozoospermic males indicates the presence of translocation-derived chromosome disturbances, with translocated chromosomes being most affected; nontranslocated chromosomes were also affected, but to a lesser extent due to a mild interchromosomal effect.
Noncoding RNAs responsive to nitric oxide and their protein-coding gene targets shed light on root hair formation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Santos Camilla Alves , Moro Camila Fernandes , Salgado Ione , Braga Márcia Regina , Gaspar Marília
Published: September 2022

An overview of the total Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome, described previously by our research group, pointed some noncoding RNA (ncRNA) as participants in the restoration of hair-root phenotype in A. thaliana rhd6 mutants, leading us to a deeper investigation. A transcriptional gene expression profiling of seedling roots was performed aiming to identify ncRNA responsive to nitric oxide (GSNO) and auxin (IAA), and their involvement in root hair formation in the rhd6 null mutant. We identified 3,631 ncRNAs, including new ones, in A. thaliana and differential expression (DE) analysis between the following: 1) GSNO-treated rhd6 vs. untreated rhd6, 2) IAA-treated rhd6 vs. untreated rhd6, 3) GSNO-treated rhd6 vs. IAA-treated rhd6, and 4) WS-2 vs. untreated rhd6 detected the greatest number of DE genes in GSNO-treated rhd6. We detected hundreds of in silico interactions among ncRNA and protein-coding genes (PCGs), highlighting MIR5658 and MIR171 precursors highly upregulated in GSNO-treated rhd6 and wild type, respectively. Those ncRNA interact with many DE PCGs involved in hormone signaling, cell wall development, transcription factors, and root hair formation, becoming candidate genes in cell wall modulation and restoration of root hair phenotype by GSNO treatment. Our data shed light on how GSNO modulates ncRNA and their PCG targets in A. thaliana root hair formation.
Favored single nucleotide variants identified using whole genome Re-sequencing of Austrian and Chinese cattle breeds
Authors: Naji Maulana M. , Jiang Yifan , Utsunomiya Yuri T. , Rosen Benjamin D. , Sölkner Johann , Wang Chuduan , Jiang Li , Zhang Qin , Zhang Yi , Ding Xiangdong , Mészáros Gábor
Published: September 2022

Cattle have been essential for the development of human civilization since their first domestication few thousand years ago. Since then, they have spread across vast geographic areas following human activities. Throughout generations, the cattle genome has been shaped with detectable signals induced by various evolutionary processes, such as natural and human selection processes and demographic events. Identifying such signals, called selection signatures, is one of the primary goals of population genetics. Previous studies used various selection signature methods and normalized the outputs score using specific windows, in kbp or based on the number of SNPs, to identify the candidate regions. The recent method of iSAFE claimed for high accuracy in pinpointing the candidate SNPs. In this study, we analyzed whole-genome resequencing (WGS) data of ten individuals from Austrian Fleckvieh (Bos taurus) and fifty individuals from 14 Chinese indigenous breeds (Bos taurus, Bos taurus indicus, and admixed). Individual WGS reads were aligned to the cattle reference genome of ARS. UCD1.2 and subsequently undergone single nucleotide variants (SNVs) calling pipeline using GATK. Using these SNVs, we examined the population structure using principal component and admixture analysis. Then we refined selection signature candidates using the iSAFE program and compared it with the classical iHS approach. Additionally, we run Fst population differentiation from these two cattle groups. We found gradual changes of taurine in north China to admixed and indicine to the south. Based on the population structure and the number of individuals, we grouped samples to Fleckvieh, three Chinese taurines (Kazakh, Mongolian, Yanbian), admixed individuals (CHBI_Med), indicine individuals (CHBI_Low), and a combination of admixed and indicine (CHBI) for performing iSAFE and iHS tests. There were more significant SNVs identified using iSAFE than the iHS for the candidate of positive selection and more detectable signals in taurine than in indicine individuals. However, combining admixed and indicine individuals decreased the iSAFE signals. From both within-population tests, significant SNVs are linked to the olfactory receptors, production, reproduction, and temperament traits in taurine cattle, while heat and parasites tolerance in the admixed individuals. Fst test suggests similar patterns of population differentiation between Fleckvieh and three Chinese taurine breeds against CHBI. Nevertheless, there are genes shared only among the Chinese taurine, such as PAX5, affecting coat color, which might drive the differences between these yellowish coated breeds, and those in the greater Far East region.