bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Leuven Project: Enhancing Catholic School Identity?
Authors: McGregor Peter John
Published: March 2022

The stated aim of the Leuven Project is to help Catholic schools respond to the cultural and religious changes taking place in a pluralised and secularised society. In this new environment, the ideal Catholic school should be a ‘recontextualising’ school. This article examines the nature of the Project, and how it proposes to enhance Catholic school identity. It analyses the terminology that the Project uses and seeks to lay bare its epistemological and theological premises to critique them. In this critique, the key terms that are analysed and placed within their epistemological and theological contexts are ‘literal belief,’ ‘post-critical belief,’ ‘symbolic,’ ‘interpretation,’ ‘meta-narrative,’ ‘recontextualisation,’ ‘literal,’ ‘mediation,’ ‘presence,’ ‘faith,’ and ‘interruption.’
Washington View: Is education reform dead?
Authors: Ferguson Maria
Published: March 2022

For the last 40 years, business leaders, philanthropists, and a host of nonprofit advocacy groups have pushed for higher standards, academic rigor, standardized testing, and newer models of educating children. But, today, some of these reformers are feeling disillusioned and believe that the investments intended to transform education and provide equity and excellence for all students have fallen short. Maria Ferguson speaks to representatives of the movement to get their impressions of the current state of education reform.
Bookshelf: Kappan authors on their favorite reads
Authors: Lubienski Christopher
Published: March 2022

In this monthly column, Kappan authors discuss books and articles that have informed their views on education. Christopher Lubienski recommends How to Succeed in School Without Really Learning by David Labaree. Chad Aldeman recommends the 2008 Education Next article “Peaks, cliffs, and valleys: The peculiar incentives of teacher pensions.”
Negotiating Germany’s first Muslim–Christian kindergarten: Temporalities, multiplicities, and processes in interreligious dialogue
Authors: Emmerich Arndt-Walter
Published: March 2022

Drawing on fieldwork in the Northern German town of Gifhorn, the article analyses the negotiation process of Germany’s first Muslim–Christian kindergarten during its inception and consolidation phase between 2007 and 2020. Through the reconstruction of the kindergarten case, the study informs the literature on interreligious dialogue and governance of religious diversity from a local perspective. A temporal analysis is used for the study of dialogue to capture changing views and positions of different stakeholders during shifting opportunity structures, including the rise of far-right populism and deteriorating political relations between Germany and Turkey. Hence, the kindergarten, which mirrors Germanys’ national policy framework of institutionalizing Islam through treaties and dialogue cooperation, can be seen as a stage on which local negotiations and interreligious dynamics play out, uncovering complex intersections within the local, national, and international arena of politics.
Imaging diagnosis for anterior talofibular ligament injury: a systemic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Cao Mingming , Liu Shuxue , Zhang Xiongbiao , Ren Mingda , Xiao Zheng , Chen Jing , Chen Xianteng
Published: March 2022

A definite diagnosis of ankle ligament injury is crucial, and many imaging examinations can be used. This review systematically analyzed the effectiveness of various examination methods in the diagnosis of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injuries. Three English databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) and three Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP Database, and Wanfang Database) were searched and relevant studies were summarized. A total of 25 randomized controlled trials met the selection criteria, including six, 16, and three studies recruiting patients with acute, chronic, and both acute and chronic ATFL injuries, respectively. A total of 1409 participants were included. The pooled sensitivity rates of acute ATFL injuries were 82.1% (77.1%–86.5%) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 88.6% (82.0%–93.5%) by ultrasonography (US). The pooled sensitivity rates of chronic ATFL injuries were 86.3% (82.5%–89.5%) by MRI, 98.7% (95.3%–99.8%) by US, 74.4% (63.6%–83.4%) by stress radiography, and 100% (87.7%–100.0%) for MR arthrography. The pooled specificity rates of acute ATFL injuries were 37.8% (29.1%–47.2%) by MRI and 90.3% (80.1%–96.4%) by US. The pooled specificity rates of chronic ATFL injuries were 86.8% (81.3%–91.2%) by MRI, 94.0% (85.4%–98.3%) for US, 89.4% (76.9%– 96.5%) by stress radiography and 100% (54.1%–100.0%) by MR arthrography. In conclusion, US may be a valuable imaging technique with high sensitivity for diagnosing chronic lateral ankle ligament injuries.
Circ_0041732 regulates tumor properties of triple-negative breast cancer cells by the miR-149-5p/FGF5 pathway
Authors: Li Hongyang , Yin Hailin , Yan Yao
Published: March 2022

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancers with a high recurrence and mortality. The important factors promoting the TNBC process have not been fully identified. In this research, the role of a TNBC-related circular RNA (circRNA), circ_0041732, was revealed in TNBC cell tumor properties.

Methods

The expression levels of circ_0041732, microRNA-149-5p (miR-149-5p) and fibroblast growth factor 5 ( FGF5) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis or immunohistochemistry assay. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 and cell colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assays. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound-healing and transwell invasion assays. Cell angiogenic capacity was investigated by a tube formation assay. The targeting relationship between miR-149-5p and circ_0041732 or FGF5 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The impacts of circ_0041732 knockdown on tumor formation were determined by an in vivo assay.

Results

Circ_0041732 and FGF5 expression were significantly upregulated, whereas miR-149-5p was downregulated in TNBC tissues and cells compared with normal breast tissues and cells, respectively. Circ_0041732 silencing inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation, but induced apoptosis. Additionally, circ_0041732 regulated TNBC cell tumor properties by binding to miR-149-5p. MiR-149-5p also modulated TNBC cell tumor properties by targeting FGF5. Furthermore, circ_0041732 knockdown hindered tumor formation in vivo.

Conclusion

Circ_0041732 silencing suppressed TNBC cell tumor properties by decreasing FGF5 expression through miR-149-5p. This finding demonstrated that circ_0041732 had the potential as a therapeutic target for TNBC.
Institution of Higher Education Substance Use Amnesty Policies and Sexual Violence Reporting
Authors: Ellyson Alice M. , Ortega Alberto , Bedard-Gilligan Michele A.
Published: March 2022

Sexual violence (SV) is common among college students, but the vast majority of these experiences are not formally reported to institutions of higher education (IHEs). While it is well known that alcohol and drug use is highly associated with SV, little is known about whether policies and procedures regarding substance use (SU) at IHEs may contribute to low rates of reporting. This study describes the association between SU violations and SV reporting at IHE campuses in the US and examines whether SU amnesty policies are associated with more SV reporting. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between SU violations and SV reporting and assess differences between IHE campuses by amnesty policy status. Around 50% of campuses between 2001 and 2018 document neither SV reports nor SU violations. IHE campuses with amnesty policies have more SV reports. On average, IHEs with amnesty policies have 2.7 SV reports per 1000 students and an additional 0.02 SV reports for each SU violation per 1000 students. Amnesty policies that reduce the potential costs of reporting like facing disciplinary action for alcohol or drug use are positively associated with both the level and rate of SV reporting. Institutions of higher education administrators interested in making reporting an option for more SV survivors should examine how their policies, especially those related to alcohol, may play in creating barriers to SV reporting.
Hierarchical mode optimization strategy for gear engagement process of automated manual transmission with electromagnetic actuator
Authors: Pan Tao , Zang Huaiquan , Wu Peng
Published: March 2022

When vehicles equipped with automated manual transmission (AMT) are in the gear engagement process (GEP), the problems of longitudinal shift jerk and synchronizer wear deterioration is prominent, which seriously affects the GEP quality. This paper develops and evaluates a hierarchical mode optimization strategy (HMOS) for GEP. Firstly, the models of gear-shift actuator and three-stage GEP are established, and the correlation between sleeve displacement and cone torque is revealed based on the established models. Next, the HMOS is proposed for cone torque optimization and sleeve trajectory tracking during GEP. At the top layer of the HMOS, a novel sliding-mode predictive controller (SMPC) with constraints is proposed for the cone torque decision during the synchronization stage of the GEP. At the bottom layer of the HMOS, an MPC-based sleeve trajectory tracking controller integrated with a load torque disturbance observer (L-DOB) is presented. Finally, the simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test are carried out in a driving condition of power upshift from the first gear to the second gear to verify the performance of the optimization strategy. The verification results show that the proposed optimization strategy achieves satisfactory longitudinal shift jerk, synchronizer sliding work, and thermal stress.
Design and analysis of the mechanical properties of controllable porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Wang Xiaokang , Chen Jigang , Kang Yongxing , Sun Li
Published: March 2022

The porous scaffold – a substitute for artificial bone – is vital to bone defect repair and bone tissue regeneration in tissue engineering. In consideration of the limitations of few existing design methods, the significant difference between the internal pore structure of porous scaffolds and natural bone microstructure, and the low controllability of design methods. Based on Voronoi-Tessellation (VT) and random function theory, this paper proposed a design method with controllable pore density, adjustable pore shape and size, and heterogeneous pore distribution. The stress change law of porous scaffolds under compression was analyzed using finite element simulation experiments; the relationship between the porosity and the structural strength of porous scaffolds was obtained. Furthermore, the anisotropy of porous scaffolds was studied, and the change law of the macroscopic equivalent elastic modulus with the change in porosity of porous scaffolds was acquired. Under the same porosity, the mechanical properties of the porous scaffold with a uniform pore distribution and the porous scaffold designed in this paper were analyzed and compared; the damage extension laws of two different porous scaffolds were obtained. The results demonstrate that the design method proposed in this paper has high controllability, and the parametric modeling process is both random and controllable. The internal pore structures of porous scaffolds generated by the design method are closer to the microstructure of natural bone tissue – the structural strength satisfies the requirements of artificial implants.

Graphical abstract

[Formula: see text]
The use of patient-reported outcome measures to classify type 1 and 2 systemic lupus erythematosus activity
Authors: Eudy Amanda M , Reeve Bryce B , Coles Theresa , Lin Li , Rogers Jennifer L , Pisetsky David S , Criscione-Schreiber Lisa G , Doss Jayanth , Sadun Rebecca , Sun Kai , Clowse Megan EB
Published: March 2022

Objective

We developed a model that categorizes systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity into two dimensions: Type 1 SLE consists of inflammatory activity, including arthritis, nephritis, and rashes; Type 2 SLE includes fatigue, myalgia, mood disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have received attention as a way to capture symptomatology of SLE. The objective of this study was to explore the use of existing PRO measures to classify Type 1 and 2 SLE activity.

Methods

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients completed three questionnaires: Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ), Polysymptomatic Distress Scale (PSD), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and physician global assessments (PGA; 0–3) for Type 1 and Type 2 activity were also recorded. High Type 1 SLE activity was defined as cSLEDAI ≥4 (scored without labs), SLEDAI ≥6, active nephritis, or Type 1 PGA ≥1.0. High Type 2 SLE activity was defined as Type 2 PGA ≥1.0. Patients with both high Type 1 and 2 activity were defined as Mixed SLE, and patients with low Type 1 and 2 activity were defined as Minimal SLE. Data were reduced with a factor analysis. Using a reduced set of 13 variables, multinomial logistic regression models estimated the probability of Minimal, Type 1, Type 2, and Mixed SLE classification.

Results

The study included 208 patients with SLE. The model accurately predicted the clinician-based Type 1 and 2 SLE classification in 63% of patients; 73% of patients had their Type 1 SLE activity accurately predicted; and 83% had their Type 2 SLE activity accurately predicted. Performance varied by group: 87% of Minimal patients were correctly predicted to be in the Minimal SLE group, yet only about one-third of patients in the Type 1 group were correctly predicted to be in the Type 1 group.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate Type 2 SLE activity can be identified by patient-reported data. The use of PROs was not as accurate at predicting Type 1 activity. These findings highlight the challenges of using PROs to categorize and classify SLE symptoms since some manifestations of Type 1 activity (e.g., nephritis) may be essentially clinically silent while other Type 1 manifestations may cause severe symptoms.
Pedagogic Content Knowledge of Science: A Framework for Practice and Construct for Understanding Teacher Preparation
Authors: Ramchand Mythili
Published: March 2022

Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK) is variously considered a useful framework, construct, model and tool to both understand and help form the knowledge base for teaching. There exists extant literature on the PCK of science. Building on this literature, this study aims to contribute towards an understanding of implementing curriculum reforms in teacher education in India, by means of sharing knowledge and practice of using a PCK of science framework in one context. The article reports a one-time face-to-face engagement for 60 hours with 17 student teachers of a Bachelor of Education (BEd) programme. The first section of the article describes the process of engagement. The second section, ‘Analysis of Student Teachers’ Ideas on Science Content’, presents a brief analysis of changes in student teachers’ understanding of the concepts under study, and in the third section, ‘Reflections of the Teacher Educator’, the author provides her reflections of the process of using PCK as a framework for engagement and understanding of PCK as a construct for teaching about teaching science.
Bilinguals have more effective executive function: Evidence from an fNIRS study of the neural correlates of cognitive shifting
Authors: Li Hui , Wu Dandan , Yang Jinfeng , Xie Sha , Chang Chunqi , Luo Jiutong
Published: March 2022

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

The bilingual advantage in executive function (EF) has recently been explored with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology, but the results are still controversial because of the limited statistical analysis. This study aims to fill the gap by replicating the existing studies and advancing the statistical analysis.

Design/methodology/approach:

Altogether, 35 preschoolers (aged between 4.1 and 6.3 years, Mage = 5.0 years, SD = 0.59) completed the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Fourth Edition (PPVT-4) and the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task. Their behavioral performance and the associated brain activities during the three sessions of the DCCS task were measured using fNIRS. In addition, they were classified into either Bilingual or Monolingual groups based on the PPVT scores.

Data and analysis:

t-tests and quadratic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether children’s performance in the DCCS was related to their bilingualism and whether the changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) in the prefrontal regions were related to their bilingualism and performance in the DCCS.

Findings/conclusions:

The behavioral data analysis indicated no significant differences between the monolinguals and bilinguals. However, the fNIRS evidence indicated that (1) the monolinguals had to recruit 15 channels to complete the cognitive shifting of DCCS tasks, whereas the bilinguals only employed 11; (2) the bilinguals had significantly more brain activation with fewer channels in BA 44 than the monolinguals, demonstrating more effective executive function.

Originality:

This study has advanced the statistical analysis of the HbO changes for the cognitive shifting in the DCCS by confirming the nonlinear U-shape by quadratic regression a better fit than the linear V-shape by GLM.

Significance/implications:

This finding implies that early bilingual experience has equipped young children with more effective executive function.
Bayesian dynamic linear model framework for structural health monitoring data forecasting and missing data imputation during typhoon events
Authors: Wang Qi-Ang , Wang Chang-Bao , Ma Zhan-Guo , Chen Wei , Ni Yi-Qing , Wang Chu-Fan , Yan Bing-Gang , Guan Pei-Xuan
Published: March 2022

A Bayesian dynamic linear model (BDLM) framework for data modeling and forecasting is proposed to evaluate the performance of an operational cable-stayed bridge, that is, Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong, by using SHM strain field data acquired. One of the major challenges in dealing with the existing in-service bridge under extreme typhoon loads is to forecast structural behavior using the typhoon response exhibiting non-stationarity, large data fluctuations and strong randomness. The first attempt for SHM data modeling during extreme events, that is, typhoons, using BDLM framework, was conducted in this study. The data from multiple sensors are analyzed for one-step, multi-step ahead forecasting and missing data imputation. The overall bridge behavior is incorporated into a forecasting model by superposition of forecasting results of trend (representing the structural baseline response), periodic component (response component evolving regularly over time), and autoregressive component (time-dependent error) through BDLM algorithm. The results demonstrate that the BDLM framework yielded more accurate calculations compared with Gaussian process and Variational Heteroscedasticity Gaussian Process methods with respect to one-step ahead forecasting for strain data under typhoons. Multi-step ahead forecasting was successfully carried out both for non-typhoon and typhoon responses within an acceptable precision range. The correlation between periodic component and temperature was also investigated. Regarding missing data imputation, BLDM algorithm can generate robust results due to making full use of the monitoring data both before and after the missing segments.
What Drives Users to Adopt a Digital Museum? A Case of Virtual Exhibition Hall of National Costume Museum
Authors: Wu Yue , Jiang Qianling , Liang Hui’e , Ni ShiYu
Published: March 2022

The onset of technological innovations (mobile and handhelds, virtual reality, multi-touch screens, and interactive 3D) have provided creative ideas and perspectives for online communication, dissemination, and protection of cultural heritage for costume museums. Digital costume museums (DCM) digitized clothing collections for the Internet, conducive to enhancing visitors’ understanding, enjoyment, and positive attitudes and stimulating further learning, experience, and exploration. However, little attention has been paid to the influence and effects of these technologies on visitors’ experience toward digital costume museums. Improving users’ behavior intention and expanding the influence of digital costume museums are issues that need further discussion. In this study, we expand the technology acceptance model (TAM) by adding information quality and information richness as the system characteristics, constructing the research model, and 11 hypotheses of users’ behavior intention toward digital costume museums. Analysis of data collected from 265 costume-related respondents reveal that information quality (IQ) positively influences perceived convenience (PC) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), while information richness (IR) has a positive impact on perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived playfulness (PP). The finding also reveals that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived playfulness (PP) are significant predictors of users’ behavior intention (BI) toward using digital costume museums. The research conclusion enriches academic theories and brings practical inspiration for managers, curators, and practitioners to construct and innovate digital costume museums.
MNB1 gene is involved in regulating the iron-deficiency stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Song Hui , Chen Feng , Wu Xi , Hu Min , Geng Qingliu , Ye Min , Zhang Cheng , Jiang Li , Cao Shuqing
Published: March 2022

Background

Iron (Fe) is an essential mineral element that involves in many biological processes important for most plants growth and development. Fe-deficiency induces a complex series of responses in plants, involving physiological and developmental changes, to increase Fe uptake from soil. However, the molecular mechanism involved in plant Fe-deficiency is not well understood.

Results

Here, we found that the MNB1 (mannose-binding-lectin 1) gene is involved in the regulation of Fe-deficiency stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression abundance of MNB1 was inhibited by Fe-deficiency stress. Knockout of MNB1 led to enhanced Fe accumulation and tolerance, whereas the MNB1-overexpressing plants were sensitive to Fe-deficiency stress. Under conditions of normal and Fe-deficiency, lower H2O2 concentrations were detected in mnb1 mutant plants compared to wild type. On the contrary, higher H2O2 concentrations were found in MNB1-overexpressing plants, which was negatively correlated with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, in mnb1 mutants, the transcription level of the Fe uptake- and translocation-related genes, FIT, IRT1, FRO2, ZIF, FRD3, NAS4, PYE and MYB72, were considerably elevated during Fe-deficiency stress, resulting in enhanced Fe uptake and translocation, thereby increasing Fe accumulation.

Conclusions

Together, our findings show that the MNB1 gene negatively controls the Fe-deficiency response in Arabidopsis via modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the ROS-mediated signaling pathway, thereby affecting the expression of Fe uptake- and translocation-related genes.
Designing and describing an electronic referral system to facilitate direct hospital admissions
Authors: Montellier Marion , Delpech Raphaëlle , Mion Mathieu , Boué François , Metzger Marie-Hélène
Published: March 2022

Background

In France, the progressive use of emergency departments (EDs) by primary care providers (PCPs) as a point of access to hospitalization for nonurgent patients is one of the many causes of their overcrowding. To increase the proportion of direct hospital admissions, it is necessary to improve coordination between PCPs and hospital specialists. The objective of our work was to describe the design and implementation of an electronic referral system aimed at facilitating direct hospital admissions.

Methods

This initiative was conducted in a French area (Hauts-de-Seine Sud) through a partnership between the Antoine-Béclère University Hospital, the Paris-Saclay University Department of General Medicine and the local health care network. The implementation was carried out in 3 stages, namely, conducting a survey of PCPs in the territory about their communication methods with the hospital, designing and implementing a web-based application called “SIPILINK” (Système d'Information de la Plateforme d’Intermédiation Link) and an innovative organization for hospital management of the requests, and analysing through descriptive statistics the platform use 9 months after launch.

Results

The e-referral platform was launched in November 2019. First, a PCP filled out an electronic form describing the reason for his or her request. Then, a hospital specialist worked to respond within 72 h. Nine months after the launch, 132 PCPs had registered for the SIPILINK platform, which represented 36.6% of PCPs in this area. Of the 124 requests made, 46.8% corresponded to a hospitalization request (conventional or day hospitalization). The most requested specialty was internal medicine (48.4% of requests). The median time to first response was 43 min, and 43.5% of these requests resulted in direct admission (conventional or day hospitalization).

Conclusions

This type of system responds to a need for coordination in the primary-secondary care direction, which is less often addressed than in the secondary-primary care direction. The first results show the potential of the system to facilitate direct admissions within a short time frame. To make the system sustainable, the next step is to extend its use to other hospitals in the territory.
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine induces robust broadly cross-reactive antibody responses in Malawian adults previously infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Chibwana Marah G. , Moyo-Gwete Thandeka , Kwatra Gaurav , Mandolo Jonathan , Hermanaus Tandile , Motlou Thopisang , Mzindle Nonkululeko , Ayres Frances , Chaponda Mphatso , Tembo Godwin , Mwenechanya Percy , Mitole Ndaona , Jassi Chisomo , Kamng’ona Raphael , Afran Louise , Mzinza David , Mwandumba Henry C. , Gordon Stephen B. , Jere Khuzwayo , Madhi Shabir , Moore Penny L. , Heyderman Robert S. , Jambo Kondwani C.
Published: March 2022

Background

Binding and neutralising anti-Spike antibodies play a key role in immune defence against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since it is known that antibodies wane with time and new immune-evasive variants are emerging, we aimed to assess the dynamics of anti-Spike antibodies in an African adult population with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and to determine the effect of subsequent COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

Using a prospective cohort design, we recruited adults with prior laboratory-confirmed mild/moderate COVID-19 in Blantyre, Malawi, and followed them up for 270 days (n = 52). A subset of whom subsequently received a single dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx nCov-19) (n = 12). We measured the serum concentrations of anti-Spike and receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG antibodies using a Luminex-based assay. Anti-RBD antibody cross-reactivity across SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) was measured using a haemagglutination test. A pseudovirus neutralisation assay was used to measure neutralisation titres across VOCs. Ordinary or repeated measures one-way ANOVA was used to compare log10 transformed data, withpvalue adjusted for multiple comparison using Šídák's or Holm-Šídák's test.

Results

We show that neutralising antibodies wane within 6 months post mild/moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection (30–60 days vs. 210–270 days; Log ID506.8 vs. 5.3,p = 0.0093). High levels of binding anti-Spike or anti-RBD antibodies in convalescent serum were associated with potent neutralisation activity against the homologous infecting strain (p < 0.0001). A single dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine following mild/moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection induced a 2 to 3-fold increase in anti-Spike and -RBD IgG levels 30 days post-vaccination (both,p < 0.0001). The anti-RBD IgG antibodies from these vaccinated individuals were broadly cross-reactive against multiple VOCs and had neutralisation potency against original D614G, beta, and delta variants.

Conclusions

These findings show that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is an effective booster for waning cross-variant antibody immunity after initial priming with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The potency of hybrid immunity and its potential to maximise the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines needs to be taken into consideration when formulating vaccination policies in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is still limited access to vaccine doses.
Retrospective analysis of radiographic signs in feline pleural effusions to predict disease aetiology
Authors: Hung Lily , Hopper Belinda Judith , Lenard Zoe
Published: March 2022

Background

The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of underlying conditions causing pleural effusion in cats and to calculate the positive predictive values, negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of radiographic signs to predict aetiology of the pleural fluid.

Methods

Data from 148 cats with pleural effusion and diagnosed with known aetiologies were retrospectively analysed. Sixty one cats had thoracic radiographs evaluated by consensus through pre-defined radiographic signs by two radiologists blinded to the diagnoses.

Results

Congestive heart failure (53.4%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by neoplasia (20.3%), pyothorax (10.8%), idiopathic chylous effusion (5.4%), feline infectious peritonitis (1.4%) and "other" or cats with multiple diagnoses (total 8.8%). Cats with an enlarged cardiac silhouette had a high positive predictive value of congestive heart failure (90%). Mediastinal masses (100%)and pulmonary masses (100%) were highly predictive of neoplastic disease. Pulmonary nodules (50%) were poorly predictive of neoplastic disease. The remainder of the radiographic variables were not informative predictors of underlying disease.

Conclusions

In our sample of cats, congestive heart failure was the most common cause of pleural effusion. Radiographically enlarged cardiac silhouette and presence of a mediastinal mass may be useful predictors of aetiology, however there are limitations to the use of radiography alone as a diagnostic tool.
NADPH oxidase 4 signaling in a ventilator-induced lung injury mouse model
Authors: Lee Sang Hoon , Shin Mi Hwa , Leem Ah Young , Lee Su Hwan , Chung Kyung Soo , Kim Young Sam , Park Moo Suk
Published: March 2022

Background

For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, a ventilator is essential to supply oxygen to tissues, but it may also cause lung damage. In this study, we investigated the role of NOX4 using NOX4 knockout (KO) mice and NOX4 inhibitors in a ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) model.

Methods

Wild-type (WT) male C57BL/6J mice and NOX4 knockout (KO) male mice were divided into five groups: (1) control group; (2) high tidal ventilation (HTV) group: WT mice + HTV ± DMSO; (3) NOX4 KO group; (4) NOX4 KO with HTV group; (5) NOX4 inhibitor group: WT mice + HTV + NOX4 inhibitor. In the VILI model, the supine position was maintained at 24 mL/kg volume, 0 cm H2O PEEP, 100/min respiratory rate, and 0.21 inspired oxygen fraction. In the NOX4 inhibitor group, 50 μL anti-GKT 137831 inhibitor was injected intraperitoneally, 2 h after ventilator use. After 5 h of HTV, mice in the ventilator group were euthanized, and their lung tissues were obtained for further analysis. In addition, the relationship between EphA2 (which is related to lung injury) and NOX4 was investigated using EphA2 KO mice, and NOX4 and EphA2 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 38 patients with pneumonia were examined.

Results

Cell counts from BALFs were significantly lower in the NOX4 KO with HTV group (p < 0.01) and EphA2 KO with HTV group (p < 0.001) compared to that in the HTV group. In the NOX4 inhibitor group, cell counts and protein concentrations from BALF were significantly lower than those in the HTV group (both, p < 0.001). In the NOX4 KO group and the NOX4 inhibitor group, EphA2 levels were significantly lower than those in the HTV group (p < 0.001). In patients with respiratory disease, NOX4 and EphA2 levels were significantly higher in patients with pneumonia and patients who received ventilator treatment in the intensive care unit.

Conclusion

In the VILI model with high tidal volume, NOX4 KO, EphA2 KO or monoclonal antibodies attenuated the VILI. NOX4 and EphA2 levels were significantly higher in patients with pneumonia and especially in mechanical ventilated in the ICU. Inhibition of Nox4 is a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and reduction of VILI.
Pulmonary 99mTc-HMDP uptake correlates with restrictive ventilatory defects and abnormal lung reactance in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis patients
Authors: Monfort Astrid , Rivas Alexia , Banydeen Rishika , Inamo Jocelyn , Farid Karim , Neviere Remi
Published: March 2022

Background

Pulmonary involvement in individuals with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify 99mTc-hydroxy methylene diphosphonate (HMDP) lung retention in hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) cardiac amyloidosis patients and to relate tracer uptake intensity to pulmonary function and aerobic capacity.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 20 patients with biopsy-proven ATTRv cardiac amyloidosis and 20 control subjects. Cardiac involvement was confirmed by echocardiography and nuclear imaging using 99mTc-HMDP. Semi-quantitative analysis of the heart, rib and lung retention was assessed using a simple region of interest technique. Pulmonary function was evaluation by the means of whole-body plethysmography, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, forced oscillation technique and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Results

Pulmonary tracer uptake estimated by lung to rib retention ratio was higher in ATTRv amyloidosis patients compared with control subjects: median 0.62 (0.55–0.69) vs 0.51 (0.46–0.60); p = 0.014. Analysis of relation between lung 99mTc-HMDP retention and pulmonary function parameters shown statistically significant correlations with total lung volume (% predicted), lung reactance (Xrs 5 Hz) and peak VO2, suggesting total lung capacity restriction impaired elastic properties of the lung and poor aerobic capacity.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that some grade of pulmonary retention of 99mTc-HMDP may occur in patients with cardiac ATTRv amyloidosis, which can elicit deleterious effects on patient’s lung function and aerobic capacity.
Biosensor-driven, model-based optimization of the orthogonally expressed naringenin biosynthesis pathway
Authors: Van Brempt Maarten , Peeters Andries Ivo , Duchi Dries , De Wannemaeker Lien , Maertens Jo , De Paepe Brecht , De Mey Marjan
Published: March 2022

Background

The rapidly expanding synthetic biology toolbox allows engineers to develop smarter strategies to tackle the optimization of complex biosynthetic pathways. In such a strategy, multi-gene pathways are subdivided in several modules which are each dynamically controlled to fine-tune their expression in response to a changing cellular environment. To fine-tune separate modules without interference between modules or from the host regulatory machinery, a sigma factor (σ) toolbox was developed in previous work for tunable orthogonal gene expression. Here, this toolbox is implemented in E. coli to orthogonally express and fine-tune a pathway for the heterologous biosynthesis of the industrially relevant plant metabolite, naringenin. To optimize the production of this pathway, a practical workflow is still imperative to balance all steps of the pathway. This is tackled here by the biosensor-driven screening, subsequent genotyping of combinatorially engineered libraries and finally the training of three different computer models to predict the optimal pathway configuration.

Results

The efficiency and knowledge gained through this workflow is demonstrated here by improving the naringenin production titer by 32% with respect to a random pathway library screen. Our best strain was cultured in a batch bioreactor experiment and was able to produce 286 mg/L naringenin from glycerol in approximately 26 h. This is the highest reported naringenin production titer in E. coli without the supplementation of pathway precursors to the medium or any precursor pathway engineering. In addition, valuable pathway configuration preferences were identified in the statistical learning process, such as specific enzyme variant preferences and significant correlations between promoter strength at specific steps in the pathway and titer.

Conclusions

An efficient strategy, powered by orthogonal expression, was applied to successfully optimize a biosynthetic pathway for microbial production of flavonoids in E. coli up to high, competitive levels. Within this strategy, statistical learning techniques were combined with combinatorial pathway optimization techniques and an in vivo high-throughput screening method to efficiently determine the optimal operon configuration of the pathway. This “pathway architecture designer” workflow can be applied for the fast and efficient development of new microbial cell factories for different types of molecules of interest while also providing additional insights into the underlying pathway characteristics.
Dietary oxalate to calcium ratio and incident cardiovascular events: a 10-year follow-up among an Asian population
Authors: Bahadoran Zahra , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: March 2022

Background and aim

The potential cardiovascular impact of usual intakes of oxalate (Ox) is uninvestigated. We evaluated the effect of dietary Ox and its interaction with dietary calcium (Ca) on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

We included 2966 adult men and women aged 19–84 y without known CVD during baseline enrollment (2006–2008) of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated FFQ, and incident CVD (i.e., coronary heart disease, stroke, and CVD mortality) were documented through March 2018.

Results

A 7.1% incident of CVD occurred during a median follow-up of 10.6 y. After multivariable adjustment for traditional risk factors and key dietary nutrients, including total fat and fiber, Ox intakes ≥220 mg/d increased incident CVD (HR T3 vs. T1 = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02–2.12). This association was potentiated (HR T3 vs. T1 = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.19–4.89) in subjects who had a lower intake of Ca (< 981 mg/d); in a low-Ca diet, an even lower amount of dietary Ox (second tertile, 148–220 mg/d) was related to increased CVD events by 92% (HR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.00–3.70). No association was observed between dietary Ox and CVD events in the presence of medium- and high levels of Ca intakes. The critical cut-off point of Ox-to-Ca for predicting CVD events was 0.14, which was related to an increased risk of CVD by 37% (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02–1.84).

Conclusion

Higher dietary Ox intake appeared to be associated with a modestly elevated risk of incident CVD, especially in a diet with a lower amount of Ca.
Multifunctional nanoparticles co-loaded with Adriamycin and MDR-targeting siRNAs for treatment of chemotherapy-resistant esophageal cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiangyang , Wang Min , Feng Junyi , Qin Bin , Zhang Chenglin , Zhu Chengshen , Liu Wentao , Wang Yaohe , Liu Wei , Huang Lei , Lu Shuangshuang , Wang Zhimin
Published: March 2022

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) during cancer chemotherapy is a major challenge in current cancer treatment strategies. Numerous molecular mechanisms, including increased drug efflux, evasion of drug-induced apoptosis, and activation of DNA repair mechanisms, can drive chemotherapy resistance. Here we have identified the major vault protein (MVP) and the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) gene as two potential factors driving MDR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We have designed a novel and versatile self-assembling nanoparticle (NP) platform on a multifunctional carboxymethyl chitosan base to simultaneously deliver Adriamycin, and siRNAs targeting MVP and BCL2 (CEAMB NPs), thus reducing drug efflux and promoting apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. To achieve effective delivery to tumor tissues and inhibit tumor growth in vivo, carboxymethyl chitosan was engineered to contain multiple histidines for enhanced cytosol delivery, cholesterol for improved self-assembly, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies to target cancer cells. Our results indicate that these nanoparticles are efficiently synthesized with the desired chemical composition to self-assemble into cargo-containing NPs. Furthermore, we have shown that the synthesized NPs will successfully inhibit cancer cells growth and tumor development when delivered to cultured ESCC cells or to in vivo mouse xenograft models. Our engineered NPs offer a potential novel platform in treating various types of chemotherapy-resistant tumors.

Graphical Abstract
The Chinese version of the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire-16-C (QOLCE-16-C): translation, validity, and reliability
Authors: Tang Ping , Lu Qunfeng , Wu Yinghui , Wang Lin , Tang Wenjuan , Jiang Yan , Yang Liling , Ji Jianlin , Sun Xiaomin , Sun Jingmin , Yang Jie
Published: March 2022

Background

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases that adversely impact the quality of life of patients and their families. The “Quality of Life of Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire” (hereinafter referred to as “QOLCE-16”) is a 16-item measure that was designed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among children with epilepsy. The purpose of the study was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the QOLCE-16.

Methods

The 10 steps of Principles of Good Practices for translation and cultural adaptation of measures were adopted to translate the QOLCE-16 into Chinese. After that, item analysis, floor effect and ceiling effect, internal consistency, test–retest reliabilities, content validity and construct validity were conducted to test its applicability in children with epilepsy in China. A total of 435 native Chinese-speaking parents with children who had epilepsy from one children’s hospital were invited to take part in the study, including a cognitive interview sample of 5 and a validation sample of 430.

Results

A total of 414 objects were enrolled in our study for psychometric testing. The results of the item analysis revealed QOLCE-16-C to have good discrimination, the floor effect and ceiling effect were 0.2% and 1.0% respectively, and each item was significantly related to the total scale (P < 0.001). The Cronbach’s α value was 0.938 and the test–retest reliability was 0.724. For validity, results showed that the QOLCE-16-C had good content validity. Exploratory factor analysis indicated it was reasonable that the QOLCE-16-C consists of four dimensions after rotation. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good construct validity (χ2/df = 1.698, GFI = 0.913, CFI = 0.974, RMSEA = 0.058).

Conclusion

The Chinese version of QOLCE-16-C appears to be a culturally appropriate, valid and reliable tool to assess the health-related quality of life of children with epilepsy in China.
Expression and prognostic analyses of the significance of STEAP1 and STEAP2 in lung cancer
Authors: Liu Tianshu , Niu Xiaoxin , Li Yanqing , Xu Zekun , Chen Jie , Xu Geng
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. STEAP1 and STEAP2 are overexpressed in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression and prognostic value of STEAP1 and STEAP2 in patients with lung cancer.

Methods

The mRNA expression and protein expression of STEAP1 and STEAP2 and their prognostic characteristics were examined using Oncomine, GEPIA, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotters. The correlation analysis of STEAP1 and STEAP2 gene and protein levels was conducted using GeneMANIA and STRING. KEGG pathway analysis was used to explore the related signal pathways of STEAP 1 and STEAP2. Immunohistochemical methods were used to compare the expression of STEAP2 in normal lung and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were used to evaluate the expression of STEAP1 and STEAP2 in three lung cancer cell lines and normal lung epithelial cell lines.

Results

Analysis of the Oncomine database and GEPIA showed that STEAP1 was upregulated and STEAP2 was downregulated in lung cancer tissue, and both expressions were related to the clinical stage of lung cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that STEAP1 protein expression was significantly upregulated in lung cancer compared to that in adjacent tissues. The expression of STEAP1 was positively correlated with the migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells. Compared with paracancer tissues, the expression of STEAP2 protein in lung cancer was significantly downregulated and was correlated with the histological grade of squamous cell carcinoma, pathological classification of adenocarcinoma, tumor, lymph node, and metastasis clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis. The expression of STEAP2 was negatively correlated with the migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells. The KM curve showed that the downregulation of STEAP1 expression and upregulation of STEAP2 expression were related to a good lung cancer prognosis.

Conclusion

STEAP1 and STEAP2 are expected to be potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for lung cancer, which may provide more accurate prognostic indicators for lung cancer.
The role of health facility and individual level characteristics on medication adherence among PLHIV on second-line antiretroviral therapy in Northeast Ethiopia: use of multi-level model
Authors: Wedajo Shambel , Degu Getu , Deribew Amare , Ambaw Fentie
Published: March 2022

Background

Medication adherence plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired treatment outcomes. The proportion of HIV patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy is becoming a growing public health concern. However, to date, little attention has been given to second-line antiretroviral medication adherence. Moreover, the association between health facility characteristics and medication adherence has yet not been tested. Thus, this research was conducted to determine the magnitude of medication adherence and examine the role of facility-level determinants among HIV patients on second-line ART.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 HIV patients on second-line therapy who were selected via systematic random sampling in twenty public health facilities. Medication adherence was measured using the six-item Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) tool. Data were collected in a personal interview as well as document reviews. A multi-level binary logistic regression was used to uncover individual and facility-level determinants. The effect size was presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05.

Results

The magnitude of optimal medication adherence among HIV patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy was 69.5% (65.9–72.7%). Medication adherence was positively associated with the use of adherence reminder methods [AOR = 3.37, (95% CI 2.03–5.62)], having social support [AOR = 1.11, (95% CI 1.02–1.23)], and not having clinical depression [AOR = 3.19, (95% CI 1.93–5.27). The number of adherence counselors [AOR = 1.20, (95% CI 1.04–1.40)], teamwork for enhanced adherence support [AOR = 1.82, (95% CI 1.01–3.42)], and caseloads at ART clinics were all significantly correlated with ARV medication adherence at the facility level.

Conclusions

A large proportion of HIV patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy had adherence problems. Both facility-level and individual-level were linked with patient medication adherence. Thus, based on the identified factors, individual and system-level interventions should be targeted.