bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FATORES DE RISCO PARA QUEDA EM PACIENTES IDOSOS COM TONTURA
Authors: Lôbo Flávia , Alcantara de Oliveira Santos Mônica
Published: May 2022

Introdução:Tontura é um sintoma frequente em idosos e pode estar relacionada a episódios de queda, levando a comprometimento funcional e biológico. Nos últimos anos, a população idosa vem se tornando mais expressiva mundialmente, em termos demográficos, culminando na necessidade de identificar fatores de risco para queda.

Objetivo:Identificar fatores de risco associados a queda em idosos com tontura.

Metodologia: Amostra de 77 pacientes idosos com tontura divididos em dois grupos (com e sem queda) para análise de variáveis que pudessem os predispor a queda: faixa etária, sexo, comorbidades, polifarmácia, sintomas associados e dissociados da tontura, característica, topografia e etiologia da tontura.

Resultados:Tonturas de topografia vestibular central, mista e extravestibular apresentaram correlação com queda (p = 0,039). As etiologias cardiovascular (23,1% x 13,7%) e psicossomática (15,4% x 0%) evidenciaram associação (p = 0,015) com o grupo queda. Diabetes mellitus apresenta correlação importante com queda (42,3% x 19,6%; p = 0,034).

Conclusão:Tonturas de topografia vestibular central, mista e extravestibular, etiologias cardiovascular e psicossomática, e diabetes mellitus foram identificadas como fatores de risco para queda em idosos.

Palavras-chave: Tontura; idoso; fatores de risco; acidentes por quedas.
REMINISCÊNCIAS DAS LIÇÕES DE ANTHROPOTOMIA
Authors: Mendes Luz Marcus Alexandre
Published: May 2022

Segundo as Diretrizes para Autores, nenhum resumo é necessário.
Fildişi Sahili’nde Nikâh Merasimi
Authors: Coulıbaly Souleymane
Published: May 2022

Geçmişten bugüne kadar her toplumda nikâh önemli bir yere sahip olmuştur. Aile kurumu, insanlığın en eski ve köklü kurumudur. Toplumların huzur ve istikrarı her şeyden önce aile kurumunun temellerinin sağlam atılmasına bağlıdır. Bu sebeple insanlık tarihindeki bütün toplumlar ilk dönemlerden itibaren aile kurumunu düzenleyen birtakım tedbirlere başvurmuşlardır. Ayrıca, nikâhın dini bir yönü de olması sebebiyle Müslüman toplumlarda bu daha da önem kazanmaktadır. Geleneksel nikâh geçmişten bugüne kadar önemli yere sahip olmuştur ve kabilelerin dini yapılarına göre farklılık arz etmektedir. Fildişi Sahili’nde farklı farklı kabileler ve dinler bulunmaktadır. Kabileler arasında nikâhlar kıyılmaktadır. Fakat hangi dine mensup olursa olsun kabilelerin kendisine özgü adetleri bulunmakta ve pek çok alanda olduğu gibi nikâh konusunda da herkes kendi nikâh geleneğini uygulamaktadır. Müslümanlar da nikâh konusunda hem dine göre hareket etmekte hem de kendi kültürlerinde bulunan adetleri uygulamaktadırlar. Nikâh uygulamalarında adetlerin etkili olmasıyla bağlantılı olarak bazı Müslüman kabilelerin adetlerinde mehir olarak verilen mallar şarap gibi haram mallardan olabildiği gibi bazı gayrimüslim kabilelerin adetlerinde ise mehir olarak verilen mallar Müslümanlara göre helal sayılan mallardan olabilmektedir. Bunun yanında, Müslüman olan bazı kabilelerin kimi nikâh adetleri, İslam ile birlikte zaman içerisinde değişikliklere uğramıştır. Makalede Fildişi Sahili’ndeki genel yapı gösterilmiştir. Fildişi Sahili’nde altmıştan fazla kabile bulunmakta ve bu kabileler, dilleri ve adetleri birbirlerine yakın olan kabilelere nispetle dört ana kabilenin altında toplanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada; siyaset, ticaret ve sosyal hayat bakımından en önde gelen kabile olan Malinke kabilesinin nikâh merasimi konu edinilmiştir. Fildişi Sahili Medeni kanunu ve İslam Hukukuna göre nikâhın tanımı, şartları, günümüzdeki uygulama şekilleri ele alınmış ve tartışmalı konulara yer verilerek günümüz meselelerine çözümler getirilmeye çalışılmıştır.
Analisa Life Cycle Cost Sebagai Salah Satu Faktor Ekonomi dalam Menentukan Perkerasan Komposit dan Lentur Jalan Tol Jagorawi
Authors: Oktaviani Sri , Ayu Angreni Ida
Published: May 2022

LCCA digunakan untuk mendukung keputusan secara objektif terkait metode dan material yang mempengaruhi masa layan asset. Adanya keterbatasan dana membuat LCCA menjadi relevan untuk diterapkan karna para pengelola infrastruktur harus lebih cermat dalam pengambil keputusan untuk mendapatkan manfaat ekonomi tertinggi dengan biaya pengeluaran terendah. Penelitian ini meninjau 2 jenis perkerasan yang ada pada Jalan Tol Jagorawi yakni perkerasan lentur dan perkerasan komposit. Kondisi perkerasan pada Jalan Tol Jagorawi saat ini terdiri dari perkerasan komposit sebesar 55,1% dan perkerasan lentur sebesar 44,9%. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk untuk menentukan jenis perkerasan terbaik berdasarkan hasil analisis life cycle cost dengan bantuan software real cost 2.5. Data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah data volume lalu lintas dan data lapisan perkerasan eksisting yang diperoleh dari PT. Jasamarga Persero. Analisa perkerasan dilakukan berdasarkan nilai IRI dengan umur rencana 20 tahun. Skenario pemeliharaan didapat melalui analisa nilai IRI dengan menggunakan metode HDM-4. Berdasarkan pendekatan total life cycle cost dan pendekatan pembebanan lalu lintas didapatkan bahwa perkerasan komposit merupakan alternatif terbaik untuk diterapkan pada daerah studi, karena mempunyai total biaya terendah.
Model Parametrik Batas Atas dan Bawah Tarif Tol di Indonesia Menggunakan Stochastic Frontier Analysis
Authors: Wibowo Andreas , Santoso Sudiro Roi
Published: May 2022

Menentukan tarif tol yang wajar untuk menarik pembiayaan swasta di sektor jalan tol merupakan isu yang penting. Namun, studi eksisting untuk menyelesaikan isu ini masih belum tersedia. Tulisan ini bertujuan mengisi kekosongan pengetahuan tersebut dengan menawarkan model parametrik untuk mengestimasi batas atas dan bawah tarif tol menggunakan Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) berdasarkan data historis. Atribut data yang dikumpulkan meliputi biaya investasi, internal rate of return, tarif tol yang berlaku saat ini, durasi konsesi, tahun pertama operasi, dan panjang ruas jalan tol sampel. Skrining awal menggunakan Korelasi Pearson menghasilkan biaya investasi yang sudah disesuaikan terhadap inflasi (ternormalisasi) merupakan satu-satunya parameter yang secara statistik signifikan memengaruhi tarif tol. Statistik Mahalanobis-Distance selanjutnya menyimpulkan tidak ada kasus yang dianggap outlier multivariat sehingga seluruhnya (n = 50) dapat digunakan untuk SFA. Piranti lunak STATA® dimanfaatkan untuk membantu perhitungan mengestimasi parameter. Analisis memperlihatkan parameter SFA untuk batas atas dapat dibangun namun tidak untuk batas bawah karena hasil uji Likelihood Ratio memperlihatkan hipotesis nol tidak dapat ditolak, yang mengakibatkan model tereduksi menjadi Model Cobb-Douglas. Namun, model masih dapat dimanfaatkan untuk memprediksi tarif tol. Dengan mempertimbangkan sifat model yang parametris, model dapat bermanfaat dalam estimasi awal tarif tol dan menjadi acuan sebelum kajian yang lebih detail dilakukan dengan data yang memadai. Tulisan ini juga mengidentifikasi beberapa keterbatasan yang dapat menjadi arah bagi studi berikutnya guna mendapatkan hasil estimasi yang lebih bermakna dan akurat.
Characterization of the antagonism of the mycorrhizal fungus Waitea circinata against Magnaporthe oryzae, Cochliobolus miyabeanus, Monographella albescens and Sarocladium oryzae rice pathogens
Authors: Carvalho Jacqueline Campos Borba de , Chaibub Amanda Abdallah , Sousa Kellen Cristhina Inácio , Brito Denise Candine de , Silva Carlos de Sousa , Möller Priscilla Aguiar , Pereira Marlon Corrêa , Faria Fabrícia Paula de , Filippi Marta Cristina Corsi de , Araújo Leila Garcês de
Published: May 2022

Rice production is affected by important pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae, Cochliobolus miyabeanus, Monographella albescens and Sarocladium oryzae, and orchid mycorrhizal fungi can contribute to the biocontrol of these diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the antagonism mechanisms of W. circinata against rice pathogens. The indoleacetic acid (IAA) and lytic enzymes of W. circinata were quantified. The effectiveness of the bioagent and its metabolites was assessed in vitro. Antagonism in vivo against rice blast was also investigated.
Waitea circinata produced IAA (2.3 µg ml-1), cellulase and polyphenol oxidase in a qualitative test. Glucanase, chitinase and protease were also produced in culture with cell walls and in co-culture with pathogens to explain antibiosis. W. circinata acts on direct antagonism by antibiosis and volatile metabolites. Mycelial suspension reduced M. oryzae conidial germination, appressorium formation, and rice blast by 61, 82 and 84%, respectively. W. circinata, a unique bioagent, controls four rice pathogens from mechanisms of parasitism and antibiosis. The results could contribute to new formulations containing this fungus, enzymes as well as its volatile metabolites.
Core collection of common bean formed from traditional Brazilian germplasm
Authors: Torga Paula Pereira , Breseghello Flávio , Silva Erica Munique da , Vianello Rosana Pereira , Peloso Maria José Del , Melo Leonardo Cunha , Costa Joaquim Geraldo Caprio da , Silva Silvando Carlos da , Pereira Helton Santos , Abreu Aluana Gonçalves de
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to select traditional accessions, compose a core collection of common bean, and assess the representativeness of the collection in relation to the base collection accommodated in the BAG of Embrapa using analysis strategies for multivariate models. We used data characterizing 2903 accessions from collections representing all geographic areas of Brazil regarding three morphologic descriptors (seed color, growth habit type, and seed size) and four ecogeographic descriptors (geographical areas, states, altitudes, and soil classes). A set of 400 accessions were selected using multivariate models applied to the data transformed in multibinary values. The accessions sampled had maximum similarity (100%) to the traditional collection, phenotypic diversity, and representative heterogeneity in relation to the traditional collection. In the core collection, the accessions represented 9.5% of the traditional accessions and were equivalent to 3% of the accessions of the base collection. Thus, it is possible to form a core collection that is representative of the base collection regarding genetic diversity and the conservation of rare alleles.
A Single-Centered Cohort Study on Favipiravir Safety and Efficacy in Pediatric Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Rafiei Tabatabaei Sedigheh , Moradi Omid , Karimi Abdollah , Armin Shahnaz , Fahimzad Alireza , Mansour Ghanaie Roxana , Jamee Mahnaz , Mousavizadeh Azam , Amini Hossein , Mirrahimi Bahador
Published: May 2022

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the pediatric population. Objectives: Due to limited data, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of favipiravir in the hospitalized pediatric population diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: The present retrospective cohort study was conducted on pediatric patients aged 1 - 18 years with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to Mofid Children’s Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Favipiravir was administrated at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day (max: 3200 mg/day) on the first day and then 23 mg/kg/day (max: 1200 mg/day) for 7 to 14 days. The patients were evaluated regarding the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, duration of hospital stay, and mortality. Safety was measured by the occurrence of related adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Results: A total of 95 patients were included in the study. Favipiravir was administered to 25 patients. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation was reported in 4 (16.00%) and 11 (15.71%) patients in the favipiravir and control groups, respectively (P = 1.000). The median duration of hospital stays was significantly higher in patients who received favipiravir than in the controls (P = 0.002). No difference was observed in the mortality rate (P = 0.695). The ADRs, including decreased appetite, hypotension, and chest pain, were more prevalent in patients who received favipiravir than in the controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The administration of favipiravir in the pediatric population is associated with higher ADR occurrence with no positive effect on the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, hospital stay, and mortality. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary for better judgment.
Evaluation of Ascorbic Acid Niosomes as Potential Detoxifiers in Oxidative Stress-induced HEK-293 Cells by Arsenic Trioxide
Authors: Oftadeh Harsin Akram , Firozian Farzin , Soleimani Meysam , Mehri Fereshteh , Ranjbar Akram
Published: May 2022

Background: As an environmental contaminant, Arsenic (As) poses many risks to human health. Increased Oxidative Stress (OS) and decreased antioxidant cell defense are the suggested mechanisms of carcinogenicity and toxicity of As. As a powerful antioxidant and water-soluble compound, vitamin C protects cells and tissues against oxidation and has a wide range of healing properties. Objectives: The current study aimed to formulate a suitable ascorbic acid (vitamin C) niosome and compare it with vitamin C in preventing As-induced toxicity in HEK-293 cells. Methods: Various formulas of vitamin C niosomes were prepared by C-SPAN mixed with cholesterol. The physicochemical characteristics of niosomal formulations, including load size, zeta-potential, and the drug release profile, were evaluated in HEK-293 cells. Then, OS biomarkers such as total reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities determined the protective effects of vitamin C niosomes compared with vitamin C against As-induced toxicity. Results: The particle size and zeta potential of the optimal vitamin C niosome were 163.2 ± 6.1 nm and 23.3 ± 3.5 mV, respectively. Arsenic increased ROS and MDA levels while decreasing CAT, TAC, and SOD activities in the HEK-293 cell line. Finally, the vitamin C niosome decreased OS and increased antioxidant properties more than vitamin C. Significance: Vitamin C niosome was more effective than vitamin C in treating As-induced toxicity in vitro.
Intestinal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Hosseinzadeh-sohi Nahid , Najar-Peerayeh Shahin , Bakhshi Bita
Published: May 2022

Background: Gastrointestinal colonization with resistant pathogens is significant because they could be easily transmitted to other hosts or spread to different microbiota through mobile genetic elements. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E and CPE, respectively) among hemodialysis patients and the factors affecting their emergence in a hospital in Tehran. Methods: From January 2018 to May 2019, 150 hemodialysis patients referred to a hospital in Tehran were sampled in this study. Stool samples of the patients were diluted in saline and cultured on MacConkey agar plates containing cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem, and meropenem discs. The clinical data were analyzed to identify the risk factors using a logistic regression model. Results: The colonization rate of ESBL-E was 48.6%, while only 2% of patients were identified as the carriers of CPE (3 of 150). A higher prevalence rate was obtained for intestinal carriage of ESBL-E among hemodialysis patients aged 18 to 42 years using multivariate analysis. The prevalence rate of multidrug-resistant isolates was 73.8%. The blaCTX-M1 gene was identified as the most prevalent ESBL gene. Among carbapenemase-encoding genes, blaKPC and blaoxa-48 were found in 12 and two isolates, respectively. Conclusions: These results demonstrated a high prevalence rate of ESBLs among hemodialysis patients, although this rate was low for carbapenemases. Therefore, more control measures should be taken in hospitals to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in healthcare settings.
Evaluation of the Prevalence of Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Related Factors in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Receiving Tissue Plasminogen Activator
Authors: Sariaslani Payam , Piran Royah
Published: May 2022

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability. Based on reports, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) remains the only drug approved for the treatment of ischemic stroke and reduction of associated disabilities. One of the most common complications of this treatment is intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which can lead to mortality and aggravate initial symptoms. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hemogenic factors and the most important complication inhibiting the receiving of treatment (i.e., ICH). Methods: In total, 300 patients treated with rtPA, ICH was measured by using a CT scan, and the hemorrhage level was determined. Moreover, data analysis was performed in SPSS to compare the two groups in terms of demographic, clinical, and paraclinical findings, including age, gender, blood glucose level, the NIHSS score, early CT scores, history of diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke, hypertension, aspirin use, and smoking status. Results: Intracerebral hemorrhage was detected in 35 out of 300 patients. The mean age of the ICH group was 74 ± 14 years and significantly higher than the non-ICH group (68 ± 14 years) (P = 0.007). The mean NIHSS score was estimated at 15 ± 5 and 12 ± 5 in the ICH and non-ICH groups, respectively (P = 0.001). More bleeding was observed in patients with the upper one-third lesion of the infarct in the MCA arterial territory (P = 0.027). Conclusions: The prevalence of cerebral hemorrhage was 11.7% with 7.6% symptomatic ICH.
Comparing palliative treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma: photodynamic therapy vs. radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Mohammad Tayyaba , Kahaleh Michel
Published: May 2022

Referral to an endoscopist is often done once curative resection is no longer an option for cholangiocarcinoma management. In such cases, palliation has become the main objective of the treatment. Photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation can be performed to achieve palliation, with both procedures associated with improved stent patency and survival. Despite the greatly increased cost and association with photosensitivity, photodynamic therapy allows transmission to the entire biliary tree. In contrast, radiofrequency ablation is cheaper and faster to apply but requires intraductal contact. This paper reviews both modalities and compares their efficacy and safety for bile duct cancer palliation.
Covert prejudice and discourses of otherness during the refugee crisis: Α case study of the Greek islands’ press
Authors: Konstantopoulou Vasiliki-Ioanna , Didymiotis Orestis , Kouzelis Gerasimos
Published: May 2022

This study identifies the recurrent repertoires of covert prejudice in the regional press of three Greek islands (Lesvos, Chios, Samos) during the refugee crisis. Between 2015 and 2016, these islands were the first-line receiving communities for the many refugees and migrants who arrived in Europe through the Eastern Mediterranean route. This article applies a synthetic qualitative approach to discourse analysis, emphasizing the argumentation and narrative complexity of prejudiced discourse as articulated through the idiosyncratic prism of locality. By focusing our analysis on expressions of neo-racism, symbolic and aversive racism, our study identified five interpretative repertoires of prejudicial discourse: “superfluous bodies,” “threats of multiculturalism,” “agents of misery,” “bogus refugees,” and “capitalizing on the refugee crisis.”
O processo de elaboração do zoneamento ecológico econômico do Rio de Janeiro: desafios e perspectivas
Authors: Fontes Rodrigo Araujo , Fontes Carine Fonseca Lopes , Silva Elmo Rodrigues da
Published: May 2022

A Política Nacional do Meio Ambiente (Lei Federal nº 6.938/1981), estabeleceu, entre seus instrumentos de execução, o Zoneamento Ambiental e foi regulamentada pelo Decreto nº 4.297/2002 sob a denominação de Zoneamento Ecológico Econômico (ZEE). Esse Decreto, também estabeleceu critérios para a sua elaboração, dando competência aos entes federativos e orientando os estados a produzirem seus instrumentos.  A Lei Federal nº 12.651/2012 (Código Florestal) estabeleceu um prazo de cinco anos (art. 13, §2º) para que todos os estados elaborassem e aprovassem seus ZEEs. A elaboração do Zoneamento Ecológico Econômico do estado do Rio de Janeiro (ZEE/RJ) iniciou-se com a fase de instrumentalização jurídica, a partir da constituição da base legal (Lei Estadual nº 5.067/2007) que promove a elaboração do ZEE, cria seus preceitos, princípios, objetivos, diretrizes gerais e metodologia. Em seguida, realizou-se atividades de identificação de demandas, articulação institucional, mobilização de recursos e consolidação do projeto. Posteriormente, foi realizada a fase de diagnóstico, a qual gerou as análises de qualificação socioambiental na escala 1:100.000. Após as duas primeiras fases, o estado do Rio de Janeiro iniciou em 2014 as fases finais do ZEE, contendo o prognóstico, cenários, proposição de zonas e diretrizes, além da validação e subsídios à implementação.  Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar o processo de construção das etapas, trâmites e discussões do processo de elaboração do ZEE/RJ, identificar os desafios da elaboração e de implementação deste instrumento, além de apontar as principais perspectivas do ZEE-RJ. A abordagem metodológica foi qualitativa. O levantamento de dados consistiu em pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, complementada por entrevistas junto aos coordenadores do ZEE/RJ. Entre os principais resultados estão a sistematização dos aspectos legais e de construção dos arranjos institucionais do ZEE/RJ, além da identificação das etapas de elaboração do instrumento e construção de suas zonas.
Recent research advances in two-dimensional magnetic materials
Authors: Liu Nan-Shu , Wang Cong , Ji Wei ,   Beijing Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials & Micro-Nano Devices, Department of Physics, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Published: May 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with magnetic anisotropy can form magnetic order at finite temperature and monolayer limit. Their macroscopic magnetism is closely related to the number of layers and stacking forms, and their magnetic exchange coupling can be regulated by a variety of external fields. These novel properties endow 2D magnetic materials with rich physical connotation and potential application value, thus having attracted extensive attention. In this paper, the recent advances in the experiments and theoretical calculations of 2D magnets are reviewed. Firstly, the common magnetic exchange mechanisms in several 2D magnetic materials are introduced. Then, the geometric and electronic structures of some 2D magnets and their magnetic coupling mechanisms are introduced in detail according to their components. Furthermore, we discuss how to regulate the electronic structure and magnetism of 2D magnets by external (field modulation and interfacial effect) and internal (stacking and defect) methods. Then we discuss the potential applications of these materials in spintronics devices and magnetic storage. Finally, the encountered difficulties and challenges of 2D magnetic materials and the possible research directions in the future are summarized and prospected.
A tonic nicotinic brake controls spike timing in striatal spiny projection neurons
Authors: Matityahu Lior , Malgady Jeffrey M , Schirelman Meital , Johansson Yvonne , Wilking Jennifer A , Silberberg Gilad , Goldberg Joshua A , Plotkin Joshua L
Published: May 2022

Striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) transform convergent excitatory corticostriatal inputs into an inhibitory signal that shapes basal ganglia output. This process is fine-tuned by striatal GABAergic interneurons (GINs), which receive overlapping cortical inputs and mediate rapid corticostriatal feedforward inhibition of SPNs. Adding another level of control, cholinergic interneurons (CINs), which are also vigorously activated by corticostriatal excitation, can disynaptically inhibit SPNs by activating α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on various GINs. Measurements of this disynaptic inhibitory pathway, however, indicate that it is too slow to compete with direct GIN-mediated feedforward inhibition. Moreover, functional nAChRs are also present on populations of GINs that respond only weakly to phasic activation of CINs, such as parvalbumin-positive fast-spiking interneurons (PV-FSIs), making the overall role of nAChRs in shaping striatal synaptic integration unclear. Using acute striatal slices from mice we show that upon synchronous optogenetic activation of corticostriatal projections blockade of α4β2 nAChRs shortened SPN spike latencies and increased postsynaptic depolarizations. The nAChR-dependent inhibition was mediated by downstream GABA release, and data suggest that the GABA source was not limited to GINs that respond strongly to phasic CIN activation. In particular, the observed decrease in spike latency caused by nAChR blockade was associated with a diminished frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in SPNs, a parallel hyperpolarization of PV-FSIs, and was occluded by pharmacologically preventing cortical activation of PV-FSIs. Taken together, we describe a role for tonic (as opposed to phasic) activation of nAChRs in striatal function. We conclude that tonic activation of nAChRs by CINs maintains a GABAergic brake on cortically-driven striatal output by ‘priming’ feedforward inhibition, a process that may shape SPN spike timing, striatal processing, and synaptic plasticity.
Target binding triggers hierarchical phosphorylation of human Argonaute-2 to promote target release
Authors: Bibel Brianna , Elkayam Elad , Silletti Steve , Komives Elizabeth A , Joshua-Tor Leemor
Published: May 2022

Argonaute (Ago) proteins play a central role in post-transcriptional gene regulation through RNA interference (RNAi). Agos bind small RNAs (sRNAs) including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) to form the functional core of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The sRNA is used as a guide to target mRNAs containing either partially or fully complementary sequences, ultimately leading to downregulation of the corresponding proteins. It was previously shown that the kinase CK1α phosphorylates a cluster of residues in the eukaryotic insertion (EI) of Ago, leading to the alleviation of miRNA-mediated repression through an undetermined mechanism. We show that binding of miRNA-loaded human Ago2 to target RNA with complementarity to the seed and 3’ supplementary regions of the miRNA primes the EI for hierarchical phosphorylation by CK1α. The added negative charges electrostatically promote target release, freeing Ago to seek out additional targets once it is dephosphorylated. The high conservation of potential phosphosites in the EI suggests that such a regulatory strategy may be a shared mechanism for regulating miRNA-mediated repression.
Residual force enhancement is affected more by quadriceps muscle length than stretch amplitude
Authors: Bakenecker Patrick , Weingarten Tobias , Hahn Daniel , Raiteri Brent
Published: May 2022

Little is known about how muscle length affects residual force enhancement (rFE) in humans. We therefore investigated rFE at short, long, and very long muscle lengths within the human quadriceps and patellar tendon (PT) using conventional dynamometry with motion capture (rFETQ) and a new, non-invasive shear-wave tensiometry technique (rFEWS). Eleven healthy male participants performed submaximal (50% max.) EMG-matched fixed-end reference and stretch-hold contractions across these muscle lengths while muscle fascicle length changes of the vastus lateralis (VL) were captured using B-mode ultrasound. We found significant rFETQat long (7±5%) and very long (12±8%), but not short (2±5%) muscle lengths, whereas rFEWSwas only significant at the very long (38±27%), but not short (8±12%) or long (6±10%) muscle lengths. We also found significant relationships between VL fascicle length and rFETQ(r=0.63, p=0.001) and rFEWS(r=0.52, p=0.017), but relationships were not significant between VL fascicle stretch amplitude and rFETQ(r=0.33, p=0.126) or rFEWS(r=0.29, p=0.201). Squared PT shear-wave-speed-angle relationships did not agree with estimated PT force-angle relationships, which indicates that estimating PT loads from shear-wave tensiometry might be inaccurate. We conclude that increasing muscle length rather than stretch amplitude contributes more to rFE during submaximal voluntary contractions of the human quadriceps.
Comparative multi-tissue profiling reveals extensive tissue-specificity in transcriptome reprogramming during thermal adaptation
Authors: Hadadi Noushin , Spiljar Martina , Steinbach Karin , Çolakoğlu Melis , Chevalier Claire , Salinas Gabriela , Merkler Doron , Trajkovski Mirko
Published: May 2022

Thermal adaptation is an extensively used intervention for enhancing or suppressing thermogenic and mitochondrial activity in adipose tissues. As such, it has been suggested as a potential lifestyle intervention for body weight maintenance. While the metabolic consequences of thermal acclimation are not limited to the adipose tissues, the impact on the rest of the tissues in context of their gene expression profile remains unclear. Here, we provide a systematic characterization of the effects in a comparative multi-tissue RNA sequencing approach following exposure of mice to 10 °C, 22 °C, or 34 °C in a panel of organs consisting of spleen, bone marrow, spinal cord, brain, hypothalamus, ileum, liver, quadriceps, subcutaneous-, visceral- and brown adipose tissues. We highlight that transcriptional responses to temperature alterations exhibit a high degree of tissue-specificity both at the gene level and at GO enrichment gene sets, and show that the tissue-specificity is not directed by the distinct basic gene expression pattern exhibited by the various organs. Our study places the adaptation of individual tissues to different temperatures in a whole-organism framework and provides integrative transcriptional analysis necessary for understanding the temperature-mediated biological programming.
Typhoid toxin sorting and exocytic transport from Salmonella Typhi-infected cells
Authors: Chang Shu-Jung , Hsu Yu-Ting , Chen Yun , Lin Yen-Yi , Lara-Tejero Maria , Galan Jorge E
Published: May 2022

Typhoid toxin is an essential virulence factor for Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever in humans. This toxin has an unusual biology in that it is produced by Salmonella Typhi only when located within host cells. Once synthesized, the toxin is secreted to the lumen of the Salmonella-containing vacuole from where it is transported to the extracellular space by vesicle carrier intermediates. Here, we report the identification of the typhoid toxin sorting receptor and components of the cellular machinery that packages the toxin into vesicle carriers, and exports it to the extracellular space. We found that the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor serves as typhoid toxin sorting receptor and that the coat protein COPII and the GTPase Sar1 mediate its packaging into vesicle carriers. Formation of the typhoid toxin carriers requires the specific environment of the Salmonella Typhi-containing vacuole, which is determined by the activities of specific effectors of its type III protein secretion systems. We also found that Rab11B and its interacting protein Rip11 control the intracellular transport of the typhoid toxin carriers, and the SNARE proteins VAMP7, SNAP23, and Syntaxin 4 their fusion to the plasma membrane. Typhoid toxin’s cooption of specific cellular machinery for its transport to the extracellular space illustrates the remarkable adaptation of an exotoxin to exert its function in the context of an intracellular pathogen.
Effects of three probiotics and their interactions on the growth performance of and nutrient absorption in broilers
Authors: Zhang Lihuan , Wang Yanfei , Zhang Ruonan , Jia Hao , Liu Xuan , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three probiotics and their interactions on growth performance, intestinal digestion and absorption, and nutrient transporters in broilers. A total of 350 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into seven groups: the control group (broilers receiving normal drinking water), groups P1, P2 and P3 (broilers receiving drinking water with 1% Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis , respectively) and groups CP1, CP2 and CP3 (broilers receiving drinking water with a 1% compound probiotic mixture in 2:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:1:2 ratios, respectively). The feeding period was divided into two experimental periods: 1∼21 days and 22∼42 days. Compared to those in the control group, the broiler slaughter indexes and average daily feed intakes in the probiotics groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05), but the villus height in the small intestine increased significantly, and the crypt depth decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In the 1- to 21-day, experimental period, the broiler average daily gains in groups CP2 and CP3 were significantly greater than that in the control group. Amylase, lipase, and trypsin activities in the jejunum in groups CP and P3 increased significantly. GLUT2 mRNA expression in the probiotics group was significantly incresaed compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). In the 22- to 42-day period, the average daily gain in the CP group was significantly greater than that in the control group. Amylase activity in the CP2 group, and lipase and trypsin activities in the CP, P1 and P3 groups increased significantly. The GLUT2 mRNA expression in the CP group increased significantly (P < 0.05). In summary, three probiotics and their interactions improved the digestibility and absorption of nutrients by increasing the activities of digestive enzymes, improving the morphology of the digestive tract, and upregulating the expression of GLUT2 mRNA in the intestinalcell membrane to improve the production performance in broilers.
A new perleidid neopterygian fish from the Early Triassic (Dienerian, Induan) of South China, with a reassessment of the relationships of Perleidiformes
Authors: Yuan Zhiwei , Xu Guang-Hui , Dai Xu , Wang Fengyu , Liu Xiaokang , Jia Enhao , Miao Luyi , Song Haijun
Published: May 2022

Neopterygii is the largest clade of ray-finned fishes, including Teleostei, Holostei, and their closely related fossil taxa. This clade was first documented in the Early Carboniferous and underwent rapid evolutionary radiation during the Early to Middle Triassic. This article describes a new perleidid neopterygian species, Teffichthys elegans sp. nov., based on 13 well-preserved specimens from the lower Daye Formation (Dienerian, Induan) in Guizhou, China. The new species documents one of the oldest perleidids, providing insights into the early diversification of this family. The results of a phylogenetic analysis recover Teffichthys elegans sp. nov. as the sister taxon to Teffichthys madagascariensis within the Perleididae. T. elegans sp. nov. shares three derived features of Perleididae: the length of the anteroventral margin of the dermohyal nearly half the length of the anterodorsal margin of the preopercle; the anteroventral margin of the preopercle nearly equal to the anterior margin of the subopercle in length; and the anteroventral margin of the preopercle one to two times as long as the anterodorsal margin of the preopercle. It possesses diagnostic features of Teffichthys but differs from T. madagascariensis by the following features: presence of three supraorbitals; six pairs of branchiostegal rays; relatively deep anterodorsal process of subopercle; absence of spine on the posterior margin of the jugal; and pterygial formula of D26/P14, A22, C36/T39-41. The Perleidiformes are restricted to include only the Perleididae, and other previously alleged ‘perleidiform’ families (e.g., Hydropessidae and Gabanellidae) are excluded to maintain the monophyly of the order. Similar to many other perleidids, T. elegans sp. nov. was likely a durophagous predator with dentition combining grasping and crushing morphologies. The new finding also may indicate a relatively complex trophic structure of the Early Triassic marine ecosystem in South China.
The potential, analysis and prospect of ctDNA sequencing in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ding Yubo , Yao Jingwei , Wen Meiling , Liu Xiong , Huang Jialu , Zhang Minghui , Zhang Yu , Lv Yufan , Xie Zhuoyi , Zuo JianHong
Published: May 2022

Background

The genome map of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex. In order to explore whether circulating tumor cell DNA (ctDNA) can be used as the basis for sequencing and use ctDNA to find tumor related biomarkers, we analyzed the mutant genes of ctDNA in patients with liver cancer by sequencing.

Methods

We used next-generation targeted sequencing technology to identify mutations in patients with liver cancer. The ctDNA from 10 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (including eight cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and two cases of secondary hepatocellular carcinoma) was sequenced. We used SAMtools to detect and screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion deletion mutations (INDELs) and ANNOVAR to annotate the structure and function of the detected mutations. Screening of pathogenic and possible pathogenic genes was performed using American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. GO analysis and KEGG analysis of pathogenic and possible pathogenic genes were performed using the DAVID database, and protein–protein interaction network analysis of pathogenic and possible pathogenic genes was performed using the STRING database. Then, the Kaplan–Meier plotter database, GEPIA database and HPA database were used to analyse the relationship between pathogenic and possible pathogenic genes and patients with liver cancer.

Results

Targeted capture and deep sequencing of 560 cancer-related genes in 10 liver cancer ctDNA samples revealed 8,950 single nucleotide variation (SNV) mutations and 70 INDELS. The most commonly mutated gene was PDE4DIP, followed by SYNE1, KMT2C, PKHD1 and FN1. We compared these results to the COSMIC database and determined that ctDNA could be used for sequencing. According to the ACMG guidelines, we identified 54 pathogenic and possible pathogenic mutations in 39 genes in exons and splice regions of 10 HCC patients and performed GO analysis, KEGG analysis, and PPI network analysis. Through further analysis, four genes significantly related to the prognosis of liver cancer were identified.

Conclusion

In this study, our findings indicate that ctDNA can be used for sequencing. Our results provide some molecular data for the mapping of genetic variation in Chinese patients with liver cancer, which enriches the understanding of HCC pathogenesis and provides new ideas for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC patients.
Effects of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency on the Newborn: A Cohort Study
Authors: Sonowal Ramesh , Das Monigopa , Deka Bipul Prasad , Das Pritam
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency occurs during pregnancy all over the world because of lifestyle modifications, less sun exposure, sunscreen application and reduced amount of vitamin D in diet. At present, there are very limited number of studies regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and its effects in the newborns in the North Eastern region of India. Aim: To estimate serum vitamin D levels in pregnant women and newborn and correlation between maternal and newborn hypovitaminosis D. The study also assess the association of maternal vitamin D levels with the outcomes of early neonatal period. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, Assam, India, in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department over a period of one year (1st July 2019 to 30th June 2020). Seventy pregnant women attending antenatal ward, labour room of AMCH were recruited. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D level was assessed in the maternal and cord blood. Delivery details and foetal parameters were recorded. Primary outcome was to assess the correlation between maternal and cord blood vitamin D level and secondary outcome was to assess the association of maternal vitamin D level with demographic characteristics, economic and obstetrical characteristics, newborn characteristics and perinatal outcome. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), chi-square test and Fischer’s- exact test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 70 participants, majority of the pregnant women (61.43%) were vitamin D deficient, 22.86% were vitamin D insufficient and 15.71% had sufficient vitamin D levels. Maternal vitamin D level was significantly associated with maternal age (p=0.0043) and socio-economic status (p=0.0417). There was a significant positive association between the vitamin D level of the mother with the birth weight (p<0.001), birth length (p=0.0001), head circumference (p=0.0003) and chest circumference (p=0.001) of the newborns and also a positive correlation was found between the vitamin D level of the mother and the cord blood (r=0.984). There was a significant association between the vitamin D level of the mother and perinatal outcomes such as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission (p=0.0169) and Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (p=0.0029). Conclusion: The study shows that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy in North Eastern part of India and it has a significant role in foetal development and perinatal outcomes.
Clinical Pattern and Course of Nephrotic Syndrome in Children: An Observational Study
Authors: Kadam Rahul , Singaravelu Vidya , Bai Sushama S , Madhusudhan .
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Chronic renal diseases not only affects the personal life of an individual but also results in social and financial burden on their families too. Nephrotic syndrome is most common in the paediatric age group contributing to significant illness related morbidity and even mortality if not identified early and treated promptly. This common disease has shown varying clinical trends with studies attempting to document them. Aim: To study the clinical pattern and course of nephrotic syndrome in children. Materials and Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of medical records of diagnosed nephrotic syndrome patients in the Paediatrics and Nephrology Departments of a Tertiary Care Medical college hospital. The patients were prospectively followed-up for a period of two years. A total of 90 patients were enrolled into the study and their case records were systematically reviewed to obtain the details regarding age, sex distribution, number of admissions, hospital stay during first admission, complications and interim problems, histopathology finding where indicated, diagnostic classifications based on traditional operational definitions, treatment received, duration of remission after first episode and its relation to future relapses and the final outcome were noted and then statistically analysed. Results: Of the 90 cases of nephrotic syndrome, 14 were lost during follow-up, so remaining 76 patients were included. There were 49 males (64.5%) and 27 females (35.5%). Steroid- Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome (SSNS) was the most common type (59%). It was found that 67 (88.1%) patients had first episode within 1-5 years of age, 31(40.8%) had only 1st time admission, 35 (46%) had 2-4 times admissions, while the rest (13.2%) required more than 4 times admissions. Majority of the cases {48 (63.2%)} had hospital stay between 7-14 days. Infectious complications were the most common (35.3%) and 48 (63.1%) cases showed frequent relapse, while 16 (21%) never had a relapse. The final outcome showed 64 (84.2%) of the cases were in remission, 12 (15.8%) were still relapsing, and there was no mortality. Conclusion: Age of onset for nephrotic syndrome was 5 years in majority of cases. Males were more affected than females. Majority of the patients had hospital stay for 7-14 days. SSNS was the most common type of nephrotic syndrome and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) was the most common infectious complication. As respiratory and UTIs account for majority of relapses, prevention of respiratory infections by observing respiratory etiquettes, early and aggressive treatment and respiratory protective vaccines will go a long way in prevention of relapses.
Acute Kidney Injury as an Initial Presentation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma- A Rare Case Report
Authors: Roychoudhury Arnav KR. , Swain Meenakshi , Gowrishankar Swarnalata , Chakravarthy Rajasekara , Bansal Nidhi
Published: May 2022

Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a rare aggressive lymphoid neoplasm accounting for 3-7% of all Non Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL). Kidney involvement in MCL is rarely reported in biopsies from living patients, being caused by direct lymphoid infiltration. Only 19 cases have been documented of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) with lymphomatous infiltration. This case report is of a 50-year-old male who presented with AKI and was found to have a MCL infiltrating the kidneys.
Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Originating from Mid Left Anterior Descending ArteryAn Unexpected Encounter during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Tumkur Ashwin , Borad Dharmendra Kumar
Published: May 2022

The appearance of single coronary artery with anomalous Right Coronary Artery (RCA) originating from left coronary artery is an extremely rare encounter. Here, the authors report one such case of a 34-year-old male, who was serendipitously encountered with a single coronary artery with anomalous RCA arising from mid Left Anterior Descending (LAD)artery. He presented with anterior wall ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and developed complete heart block. His mid LAD supplying anomalous RCA was totally occluded which was successfully recanalised using drug-eluting stent. The computed tomographic angiography confirmed single coronary artery with anomalous RCA arising from mid LAD across the stent.Thus, if RCA is not seen during traditional coronary angiography, the interventionalist should keep in mind that RCA can originate from LAD.
High Diagnostic And Therapeutic Value of Digital Subtraction Angiography in Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Sahu Vijaya , Sahu C. D. , Pandey Nidhi , Bhutada Bhagyashri
Published: May 2022

Aims:

To describe the diagnostic and therapeutic value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and endovascular treatment in patients with direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) over a period of three years.

Settings:

Tertiary referral hospital, Chhattisgarh

Design:

Retrospective, noncomparative case series.

Material & Methods:

Medical records of consecutive patients who had direct CCF between January 2014 to January 2017 with minimum six months of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were initially evaluated by non-invasive imaging technique followed by DSA for confirmation. Endovascular embolization was done in all cases. A clinical cure was considered when there was a complete resolution of signs and symptoms of direct CCF and when the fistula was not observed on repeat DSA after three months, which was labeled as anatomically cured patients.

Results:

Total ten patients were analyzed; nine patients had unilateral CCF, only one had bilateral CCF. All patients had history of head trauma. Five (50%) patients were embolized with a coil, and the rest were embolized by a combination of coil and Onyx. In our study, carotid artery preservation was performed in 70% of patients. Latest clinical follow up showed good recovery Furthermore no procedure related complications were noted in any patients. There were no intraoperative or perioperative mortality noted.

Conclusion:

With the observed results and low rate of complications and morbidity, endovascular therapy could be the primary treatment for patients with direct CCFs.