bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENINGKATAN KREATIVITAS GURU SEKOLAH DASAR MELALUI PELATIHAN MEMBUAT DISPLAY KELAS
Authors: Aliza Nurul , Kusumawati Mia , Bustomi Domi
Published: May 2023

Teachers are professional teaching staff who carry out the task of educating the next generation of the nation. In addition to educating, teachers are also required to be creative in teaching and learning activities and in managing the class. The teacher's creativity in managing the class can affect learning motivation and student learning outcomes. Good classroom management can create conducive classroom learning activities. To overcome the problem of the lack of creativity of elementary school teachers, training was held to make Class Displays. This training activity was attended by 10 teachers from an elementary school located in Karangsegar Village. The method used in the training activities for making Class Displays conducted at SDN Karangsegar 01 is by conducting outreach related to Class Displays to elementary teachers by providing knowledge about the meaning, purpose and benefits of Class Displays, then providing training on making Class Displays. The purpose of the Class Display making training is to provide motivation, understanding and skills for Elementary School teachers in making creative Class Displays. The results of the Training on Making Class Displays, including teachers understanding Class Displays, increasing teacher creativity in class displays and helping to increase student enthusiasm in class learning.
PELATIHAN KERAJINAN TANGAN MENGGUNAKAN BAHAN RECYCLE UNTUK MELATIH KETERAMPILAN ANAK DESA SETIA JAYA
Authors: Aryunita Anisa , Arrahim Arrahim , Puspahaty Novita
Published: May 2023

Plastic and paper waste is waste that is very difficult to decompose, because plastic waste is always everywhere, both in rural and urban areas as a result of human activity and population density in Indonesia because it affects the increase in plastic waste and paper waste, waste that is difficult to decompose is plastic waste, for example disposable plastic straws and currently plastic waste is intended to be used as handicraft material because it can produce high selling points and in this study the authors use used plastic straws to be used as wall hangings to generate selling points to reduce the amount of plastic waste in Indonesia, so that children don't feel bored in learning which contains more material than handicrafts like this, with this program we hope that Indonesia will not have too much plastic waste and can help children become in productive.
SOSIALISASI HUKUM WARIS ISLAM DI DESA KARANGPATRI
Authors: Habibi Adam Firdaus , Eka Fatimah Dian , Samsiana Seta
Published: May 2023

As Muslims, especially in Bekasi Regency, heritage in Islamic teachings is one of the many Shari'a of Allah, apart from the obligation to pray, fast during Ramadan, pay zakat, perform the pilgrimage, and other Shari'a. Islamic inheritance law is a rule governing the assets of the deceased to his heirs. This means determining who is the heir, the share of each heir, determining the heir and the heir's share. The implementation of this socialization activity is carried out offline using the lecture method and presenting PPT, with the aim that the community can increase their understanding of Islamic law and to create a sakinah family through Islamic inheritance law. This program has been implemented in Karangpatri village, Pebayuran sub-district, Bekasi Regency which has realized various activities according to plan. First, from observation activities to find the right target and also get permission from the local agency. Second, program planning to gather several groups and create emotional closeness so that activities run smoothly. Third, socialization activities by providing inheritance law material to the public.
Clifton Walks: Milkmaids Real and Imaginary 1
Authors: Otagaki Yuko
Published: May 2023

Opening with the figure of the milkmaid in Ann Yearsley’s ‘Clifton Hill’ (1785), this essay considers the relationship between cows and people. Lacking the geographical mobility of middle- and upper-class people, these poets concentrate by necessity on the places and nature of their own localities. For example, ‘Clifton Hill’ depicts Yearsley attending to the farm animals of her working life, as well as the relationship between the people of her village and the local wildlife. Dealing also with representations of Japanese and French farm labourers – in Tōson Shimazaki’s Chikuma River Sketches (1911) and John Berger’s Pig Earth (1979) respectively – this essay proceeds on to offer a more general meditation on relationships between people, domestic animals and wildlife.
Afterword: ‘A tear to Nature’S tawny sons is due’: Alexander Wilson’S The foresters and Romantic Period Uprootings
Authors: Keegan Bridget
Published: May 2023

A weaver by training, Alexander Wilson left his hometown of Paisley on publishing his first book of poems in 1790. Wandering the Scottish countryside as a pedlar and chapman, he emigrated to America in 1794. The physical and political landscape of America offered new possibilities of self-fashioning for Wilson, who challenged the limits imposed by class and race in ways that became possible for men like him on a wide scale only from the Romantic period. The afterword rounds off this essay collection by considering the intersectionalities of environment, race, class and gender revealed by ‘The Foresters’, a 2,219-line loco-descriptive poem on the journey Wilson took with two companions to Niagara Falls.
In the Province of the Gods
Authors: Fries Kenny
Published: May 2023

Kenny Fries embarks on a journey of profound self-discovery as a disabled foreigner in Japan, a society historically hostile to difference. As he visits gardens, experiences Noh and butoh, and meets artists and scholars, he also discovers disabled gods, one-eyed samurai, blind chanting priests, and A-bomb survivors. When he is diagnosed as HIV positive, all his assumptions about Japan, the body, and mortality are shaken, and he must find a way to reenter life on new terms.
What Drowns the Flowers in Your Mouth: A Memoir of Brotherhood
Authors: González Rigoberto
Published: May 2023

Burdened by poverty, illiteracy, and vulnerability as Mexican immigrants to California’s Coachella Valley, three generations of González men turn to vices or withdraw into depression. As brothers Rigoberto and Alex grow to manhood, they are haunted by the traumas of their mother’s early death, their lonely youth, their father’s desertion, and their grandfather’s invective. Rigoberto’s success in escaping—first to college and then by becoming a writer—is blighted by his struggles with alcohol and abusive relationships, while Alex contends with difficult family relations, his own rocky marriage, and fatherhood. Descending into a dark emotional space that compromises their mental and physical health, the brothers eventually find hope in aiding each other. This is an honest and revealing window into the complexities of Latino masculinity, the private lives of men, and the ways they build strength under the weight of grief, loss, and despair.
Biomass and lipid production by the native green microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana in response to nutrients, light intensity, and carbon dioxide: experimental and modeling approach
Authors: Montoya-Vallejo Carolina , Guzmán Duque Fernando León , Quintero Díaz Juan Carlos
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Microalgae are photosynthetic cells that can produce third-generation biofuels and other commercial compounds. Microalgal growth is influenced by two main parameters: light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration, which represent the energy and carbon source, respectively. For photosynthesis, the optimum values of abiotic factors vary among species.

Methods: In this study, the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana was isolated from a freshwater lake. It was identified using molecular analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. A single-factor design of experiments in 250-mL Erlenmeyer flasks was used to evaluate which concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus increase the production of biomass and lipids. The response surface methodology was used with a 32-factorial design (light intensity and CO2 were used to evaluate its effect on biomass, lipid production, and specific growth rates, in 200-mL tubular photobioreactors (PBRs)).

Results and Discussion: Low levels of light lead to lipid accumulation, while higher levels of light lead to the synthesis of cell biomass. The highest biomass and lipid production were 0.705 ± 0.04 g/L and 55.1% ± 4.1%, respectively. A mathematical model was proposed in order to describe the main phenomena occurring in the culture, such as oxygen and CO2 mass transfer and the effect of light and nutrients on the growth of microalgae. The main novelties of this work were molecular identification of the strain, optimization of culture conditions for the indigenous microalgae species that were isolated, and formulation of a model that describes the behavior of the culture.
Aptamer-enriched scaffolds for tissue regeneration: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Parisi Ludovica , Ghezzi Benedetta , Toffoli Andrea , Macaluso Guido M. , Lumetti Simone
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Aptamers are a brand-new class of receptors that can be exploited to improve the bioactivity of tissue engineering grafts. The aim of this work was to revise the current literature on in vitro and in vivo studies in order to i) identify current strategies adopted to improve scaffold bioactivity by aptamers; ii) assess effects of aptamer functionalization on cell behavior and iii) on tissue regeneration.

Methods: Using a systematic search approach original research articles published up to 30 April 2022, were considered and screened.

Results: In total, 131 records were identified and 18 were included in the final analysis. Included studies showed that aptamers can improve the bioactivity of biomaterials by specific adsorption of adhesive molecules or growth factors from the surrounding environment, or by capturing specific cell types. All the studies showed that aptamers ameliorate scaffold colonization by cells without modifying the physicochemical characteristics of the bare scaffold. Additionally, aptamers seem to promote the early stages of tissue healing and to promote anatomical and functional regeneration.

Discussion: Although a metanalysis could not be performed due to the limited number of studies, we believe these findings provide solid evidence supporting the use of aptamers as a suitable modification to improve the bioactivity of tissue engineering constructs.
Actin cytoskeleton depolymerization increases matrix metalloproteinase gene expression in breast cancer cells by promoting translocation of cysteine-rich protein 2 to the nucleus
Authors: Mgrditchian Takouhie , Brown-Clay Joshua , Hoffmann Céline , Müller Tanja , Filali Liza , Ockfen Elena , Mao Xianqing , Moreau Flora , Casellas Carla Pou , Kaoma Tony , Mittelbronn Michel , Thomas Clément
Published: May 2023

The actin cytoskeleton plays a critical role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis; however, the coordination of its multiple functions remains unclear. Actin dynamics in the cytoplasm control the formation of invadopodia, which are membrane protrusions that facilitate cancer cell invasion by focusing the secretion of extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we investigated the nuclear role of cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2), a two LIM domain-containing F-actin-binding protein that we previously identified as a cytoskeletal component of invadopodia, in breast cancer cells. We found that F-actin depolymerization stimulates the translocation of CRP2 into the nucleus, resulting in an increase in the transcript levels of pro-invasive and pro-metastatic genes, including several members of the MMP gene family. We demonstrate that in the nucleus, CRP2 interacts with the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF), which is crucial for the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-13. Our data suggest that CRP2 and SRF cooperate to modulate of MMP expression levels. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association between high-level expression of SRF and shorter overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients with a high CRP2 expression profile. Our findings suggest a model in which CRP2 mediates the coordination of cytoplasmic and nuclear processes driven by actin dynamics, ultimately resulting in the induction of invasive and metastatic behavior in breast cancer cells.
Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells enhances osteogenesis and promotes critical cranial bone defect regeneration
Authors: Zhou Yiwen , Zhu Peixiang , Shen Siyu , Wang Yanyi , Li Baochao , Guo Baosheng , Li Huang
Published: May 2023

Background: Reconstruction of cranial bone defects is one of the most challenging problems in reconstructive surgery, and several biological tissue engineering methods have been used to promote bone repair, such as genetic engineering of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) is an important regulator of bone construction and can be used as a potential gene editing site. However, its role in the osteogenesis process of BMSCs remains unclear. This article clarifies the function of Fgfr2 in BMSCs and explores the role of Fgfr2-overexpressed BMSCs carried by light-induced porous hydrogel (GelMA) in the repair of cranial bone defects.

Methods: Lenti-virus was used to overexpress Fgfr2 in BMSCs, and cell counting kit-8, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were conducted to investigate the proliferation, migration, and characteristics. After 0, 3, 7, and 10 days of osteogenic or chondrogenic induction, the changes in osteogenic and chondrogenic ability were detected by real-time PCR, western blot, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin Red staining, and alcian blue staining. To investigate the viability of BMSCs carried by GelMA, calcein and propyl iodide staining were carried out as well. Finally, a critical cranial bone defect model was established in 6-week-old male mice and micro-computerized tomography, masson staining, and immunohistochemistry of OCN were conducted to test the bone regeneration properties of implanting Fgfr2-overexpressed BMSCs with GelMA in cranial bone defects over 6 weeks.

Results: Overexpression of Fgfr2 in BMSCs significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration and increased the percentage of CD200+CD105+ cells. After osteogenic and chondrogenic induction, Fgfr2 overexpression enhanced both osteogenic and chondrogenic ability. Furthermore, in cranial bone defect regeneration, BMSCs carried by light-induced GelMA showed favorable biocompatibility, and Fgfr2-overexpressed BMSCs induced superior cranial bone regeneration compared to a normal BMSCs group and an untreated blank group.

Conclusion:In vitro, Fgfr2 enhanced the proliferation, migration, and stemness of BMSCs and promoted osteogenesis and chondrogenesis after parallel induction. In vivo, BMSCs with Fgfr2 overexpression carried by GelMA showed favorable performance in treating critical cranial bone defects. This study clarifies the multiple functions of Fgfr2 in BMSCs and provides a new method for future tissue engineering.
Molecular epidemiology and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains isolated from dairy cattle milk in Northwest, China
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad , Xu Jie , Meng Xiaoqin , Wu Zhongyong , Hou Xiao , He Zhuolin , Shang Ruofeng , Zhang Hongjuan , Pu Wanxia
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Non-aureus Staphylococcus (NAS) species are currently the most commonly identified microbial agents causing sub-clinical infections of the udder and are also deemed as opportunistic pathogens of clinical mastitis in dairy cattle. More than 10 NAS species have been identified and studied but little is known about S. haemolyticus in accordance with dairy mastitis. The present study focused on the molecular epidemiology and genotypic characterization of S. haemolyticus isolated from dairy cattle milk in Northwest, China.

Methods

In this study, a total of 356 milk samples were collected from large dairy farms in three provinces in Northwest, China. The bacterial isolation and presumptive identification were done by microbiological and biochemical methods following the molecular confirmation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) were identified by PCR. The phylogenetic grouping and sequence typing was done by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) respectively.

Results

In total, 39/356 (11.0%) were identified as positive for S. haemolyticus. The overall prevalence of other Staphylococcus species was noted to be 39.6% (141/356), while the species distribution was as follows: S. aureus 14.9%, S. sciuri 10.4%, S. saprophyticus 7.6%, S. chromogenes 4.2%, S. simulans 1.4%, and S. epidermidis 1.1%. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 39 S. haemolyticus strains exhibited higher resistance to erythromycin (92.3%) followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (51.3%), ciprofloxacin (43.6%), florfenicol (30.8%), cefoxitin (28.2%), and gentamicin (23.1%). All of the S. haemolyticus strains were susceptible to tetracycline, vancomycin, and linezolid. The overall percentage of multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. haemolyticus strains was noted to be 46.15% (18/39). Among ARGs, mphC was identified as predominant (82.05%), followed by ermB (33.33%), floR (30.77%), gyrA (30.77%), sul1 (28.21%), ermA (23.08%), aadD (12.82%), grlA (12.82%), aacA-aphD (10.26%), sul2 (10.26%), dfrA (7.69%), and dfrG (5.13%). The PFGE categorized 39 S. haemolyticus strains into A-H phylogenetic groups while the MLST categorized strains into eight STs with ST8 being the most predominant while other STs identified were ST3, ST11, ST22, ST32, ST19, ST16, and ST7.

Conclusion

These findings provided new insights into our understanding of the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of S. haemolyticus in dairy farms to inform interventions limiting the spread of AMR in dairy production.
Metabolomics in viral hepatitis: advances and review
Authors: Yang Jiajia , Wang Dawei , Li Yuancheng , Wang Hongmei , Hu Qiang , Wang Ying
Published: May 2023

Viral hepatitis is a major worldwide public health issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people and causing substantial morbidity and mortality. The majority of the worldwide burden of viral hepatitis is caused by five biologically unrelated hepatotropic viruses: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV). Metabolomics is an emerging technology that uses qualitative and quantitative analysis of easily accessible samples to provide information of the metabolic levels of biological systems and changes in metabolic and related regulatory pathways. Alterations in glucose, lipid, and amino acid levels are involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, and amino acid metabolism. These changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways are associated with the pathogenesis and medication mechanism of viral hepatitis and related diseases. Additionally, differential metabolites can be utilized as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic responses. In this review, we present a thorough overview of developments in metabolomics for viral hepatitis.
Climate projections of precipitation and temperature in cities from ABC Paulista, in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo—Brazil
Authors: Valverde María Cleofé , Calado Bianca Nunes , Calado Gabrielle Gomes , Kuroki Larissa Yumi , Brambila Ricardo , Sousa Aline Ramos de
Published: May 2023

Cities are increasingly vulnerable to climate change's impacts and poorly adapted to extreme variability. This study aimed to evaluate climate projections of air temperature and precipitation in seven cities in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo that correspond to the Greater ABC Paulista. We used high-resolution models Eta-HADGEM2_ES (CMIP5), CNRM-CM6-1-HR (CMIP6), and the TerraClimate database to analyze future projections and the specific warming levels (SWLs), respectively. Model data were validated with observed data and bias was removed. A bias correction factor was generated and used in the climate projections for the different emission scenarios. The results show a consensus between the models and the SWLs (2 and 4°C) for the increase in maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperatures for all municipalities in ABC Paulista in different emission scenarios until the end of the 21st century. For the nearest future (2020–2040), the city of São Caetano do Sul (SCS) shows the highest positive annual anomalies of Tmax concerning the climatological period (1985–2015), for the scenario RCP4.5 (2.8°C) and the RCP8.5 (7.4°C), according to projections from the Eta-HADGEM2_ES, highlighting summer and autumn as the hottest. For precipitation, there was a consensus between the Eta-HADGEM2_ES and the CNRM-CM6-1-HR for a reduction in all scenarios and time-slices 2020–2040 and 2041–2070. The municipalities of Diadema (−78.4%) and SCS (−78%) showed the most significant reductions in December for the RCP8.5, and for SSP5-8.5, SCS shows −30.9% in December for the 2020–2040 time-slice. On the other hand, TerraClimate presents excess rain for Ribeirão Pires (+24.8%) and Santo André (+23.7%) in winter for SWL4°C. These results suggest that an increase in Tmax and Tmin, as projected, should influence the intensity of extreme heat events. Furthermore, a reduction in annual and seasonal rainfall does not mean a decrease in the region's extreme daily events that cause floods and landslides. However, it leaves an alert of water scarcity for the supply and demand of the population. ABC Paulista does not have adaptation plans to face extreme climate change. The results can contribute to the first phase of creating an adaptation plan, giving a first view of the climate threat that should intensify until the end of the twentieth century affecting the most vulnerable municipalities.
Role of atrial natriuretic peptide in the dissociation between flow relations with ventricular mass and function in a community with volume-dependent hypertension
Authors: Yusuf Suraj M. , Norton Gavin R. , Peterson Vernice R. , Mthembu Nonhlanhla , Libhaber Carlos D. , Tade Grace , Bello Hamza , Bamaiyi Adamu J. , Mmopi Keneilwe N. , Dessein Patrick H. , Peters Ferande , Sareli Pinhas , Woodiwiss Angela J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Whether differential effects of volume load on left ventricular mass (LVM) and function occur in sustained volume-dependent primary hypertension, and the impact of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on these effects, is unknown.

Methods

From aortic pressure, velocity and diameter measurements and echocardiography, we determined in an African community (n = 772), the impact of systemic flow-induced increases in central pulse pressure (PPc) and circulating ANP (ELISA) on LVM and indexes of function.

Results

Stroke volume (SV), but not aortic flow (Q), was associated with LVM and mean wall thickness (MWT) beyond stroke work and confounders (p < 0.0001). Adjustments for SV markedly decreased the relationships between PPc and LVMI or MWT. However, neither SV, nor Q were independently associated with either myocardial s', e', or E/e' (p > 0.14) and adjustments for neither SV nor Q modified relationships between PPc and s', e' or E/e' (p < 0.005 to <0.0001). SV was nevertheless strongly and independently associated with ANP (p < 0.0001) and ANP was similarly strikingly associated with s' (p < 0.0001) and e' (p < 0.0005), but not E/e', independent of confounders and several determinants of afterload. Importantly, ANP concentrations were inversely rather than positively associated with LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) (p < 0.005) and lower rather than higher ANP concentrations contributed markedly to the ability to detect DD in those with, but not without LV hypertrophy.

Conclusion

In populations with sustained volume-dependent hypertension, flow (SV)-related increases in PP have a major impact on LV structure, but not on function, an effect attributed to parallel striking beneficial actions of ANP on myocardial function.
The attitude of Iranian students and instructors toward implementing EMI through virtual exchange
Authors: Rakhshandehroo Mahboubeh , Rakhshandehroo Zahra
Published: May 2023

English-medium instruction (EMI) has been rapidly adopted worldwide as a strategy for internationalization, accompanied by a substantial amount of research attention. However, research on EMI has only recently been conducted in Iran. To contribute to the ongoing growing literature, this study explores the attitudes of Iranian students and instructors toward the possibility of implementing EMI in Iran through virtual exchange (VE). In order to determine whether EMI can be used through VE in Iran, a mixed method sequential explorative study was conducted. It has been identified that the linguistic readiness of students and/or instructors is the primary barrier to the success of EMI through VE in Iran because EMI is still in its infancy. In accordance with the literature, systematic support is required at the institutional level. Yet many of the students showed interest in the idea of EMI via VE, even if it was only a short one-session VE lesson, primarily to enhance their linguistic skills and global competencies. This study proposes that integrating EMI through VE at the graduate level may be more feasible. This is because there are already more EMI seminars and classes available, students are self-directed learners, and they may be better linguistically prepared. Regarding EMI access through VE, there were advantages and disadvantages. The benefit of using VE in EMI is that EMI would be accessible even to students living in less privileged locations, but the disadvantage is that the accessibility of the Internet may not be stable, considering requiring a VPN to access some websites. It is hoped that this study will serve as a useful starting point for future research in Iran and similar settings.
Comparative analysis of students’ emotional and motivational profiles in mathematics in grades 1–6
Authors: Hanin Vanessa , Gay Philippe
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Mathematics continues to be a real stumbling block for many low-performing students. Research over the past decades has highlighted the joint and determining effects of emotions and motivation on learning and performance in mathematics and has shown an increase in negative emotions over the course of schooling. Inter-individual emotional differences and increasing classroom heterogeneity necessitate profile analysis that focuses on particular combinations of variables as they exist within groups of individuals.

Methods

The purpose of this cross-sectional research is twofold: (1) to identify the emotional profiles of 1,505 elementary school students (ages 6–12) in mathematics, and (2) to document, on the basis of expectancy-value theory, how these profiles differ in terms of beliefs about competence, perceived value, and performance.

Results

The results highlighted two profiles over the 6 years: positive and negative. Three other profiles were observed repeatedly throughout schooling: the anxious, the self-esteem focused, and the emotionally disengaged.

Discussion

Three pivotal years emerged from the analyses: the first year (transition to a more formal type of teaching), the third year (enculturation in normative evaluation practices and social comparison) and the final year (centering of learning around the external certification test). In terms of the dependent variables, the tendency of young children to overestimate their competences attenuates their negative emotions and the undesirable effects of these in terms of learning. Anxious and full-negative profiles performed the poorest and placed less value on mathematical learning. These findings indicate that interventions addressing the specific needs of each age and profile are needed.
A real-world study for timely assessing the diabetic macular edema refractory to intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment
Authors: Hsieh Tsung-Cheng , Deng Guang-Hong , Chang Yung-Ching , Chang Fang-Ling , He Ming-Shan
Published: May 2023

Background

Early Identifying and characterizing patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) is essential for individualized treatment and outcome optimization. This study aimed to timely investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers of DME refractory to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

Methods

We retrospective reviewed 72 eyes from 44 treatment-naïve patients who were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF for DME. OCT scans prior to anti-VEGF were evaluated for serous retinal detachment (SRD), size of outer nuclear layer cystoid changes, diffuse retinal thickening, integrity of the inner segment-outer segment (IS-OS) junction, quantity and location of hyperreflective foci, vitreomacular interface abnormalities, and epiretinal membrane (ERM). The Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness was recorded at baseline and 4 months after treatment with anti-VEGF. The main outcome measure was the correlation between spectral-domain OCT measurements and BCVA response at baseline and after anti-VEGF treatment (mean change from baseline; ≥ 10 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in BCVA).

Results

Partially continuous IS-OS layers (partially vs. completely continuous: β, -0.138; Wald chi-square, 16.392; P<0.001) was predictor of better response to anti-VEGF treatment. In contrast, ERM (present vs. absent ERM: β, 0.215; Wald chi-square, 5.921; P=0.015) and vitreomacular traction (vitreomacular traction vs. posterior vitreous detachment: β=0.259; Wald chi-square=5.938; P=0.015) were the predictors of poor response. The improvement of BCVA trended toward the OCT predictive value of central macular thickness reduction; however, this was not significant.

Conclusion

Partially continuous IS-OS layers is predictive of better response to anti-VEGF therapy in DME. Meanwhile, ERM is a significant predictor of poor response.
Analysis of characteristics of four patients with adrenal unicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Yu Hao , Wang Yuepeng , Li Yijun , Du Jin , Guo Qinghua , Gu Weijun , Lyu Zhaohui , Dou Jingtao , Mu Yiming , Zang Li
Published: May 2023

Background

Castleman Disease (CD) is a group of diseases with characteristic lymph node histopathology, characterized by marked enlargement of deep or superficial lymph nodes. Adrenal CD is rarely reported, and an accurate preoperative diagnosis of adrenal CD is difficult.

Method

We report four cases of CD in the adrenal gland confirmed by pathology and review the characteristics of this rare disease, highlighting the necessity of diagnostic evaluation and follow-up of the patients.

Results

All of the patients sought medical advice because of adrenal incidentalomas. No significant abnormalities were presented in the biochemistry or endocrine systems. The imaging suggested a moderate-to-large mass with uneven moderate contrast enhancement of the adrenal region, similar to a pheochromocytoma. All cases were misdiagnosed as pheochromocytomas before operation and finally confirmed by histopathology. Three cases were pathologically diagnosed as hyaline vascular CD, and one case was diagnosed as plasma cell CD. All the patients are alive without recurrence after a median follow-up of 8 years.

Conclusion

The adrenal CD should be considered after excluding pheochromocytoma and malignancy in the adrenal region. The long-term prognosis of patients with complete resection of the mass is excellent.
An efficient user demand response framework based on load sensing in smart grid
Authors: Jiang Wenqian , Lin Xiaoming , Yang Zhou , Tang Jianlin , Zhang Kun , Zhou Mi , Xiao Yong
Published: May 2023

The current residential electricity demand is increasing. The demand side response of smart grid power users aims to enable users to reasonably plan their own power consumption through price incentives, so as to solve the problems of unreasonable power energy structure and low utilization rate. It is prominent to mine the rules of user response behaviors and design a reasonable incentive mechanism to maximize the enthusiasm of all participants. The traditional demand response is to ensure the stability of the power system from the macro-control load of the grid, which cannot meet the personalized requirements of power users. The existing incentive mechanism also does not comprehensively consider the profits of grid companies, low-voltage users, aggregators and other parties. In this paper, we propose a user demand response framework based on load awareness. Firstly, we devise a user demand response behaviour model based on short-term memory network. Secondly, we propose a demand response incentive scheme based on electric power scores. We also construct a deviation optimization integration adjustment model based on game theory to achieve the balance of profits among grid, aggregators and low-voltage users. The extensive experimental results show the effectiveness of our proposed framework.
Construction of carbon budget balance index and its application in the lake area
Authors: Li Shuoshuo , Liu Yaobin , Wei Guoen , Sevegnani Fábio , Deng Weifeng
Published: May 2023

The imbalance of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems exacerbates global warming. Identifying the spatial–temporal characteristics and drivers of the carbon budget is important for the effective management of complex ecosystems and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Based on the complex ecosystem theory, this article constructs two carbon indicators, carbon carrying capacity–carbon footprint matching degree (Carbon-MD), and carbon carrying capacity–carbon footprint coupling coordination degree (Carbon-CCD). Taking a typical lake region—urban agglomeration around Poyang Lake as an example, the spatial–temporal characteristics and driving factors of the carbon budget from 2000 to 2020 are revealed by GIS technology and geographically–temporally weighted regression model. The results show that there is a significant spatial and temporal variability of carbon budget in Poyang Lake city agglomerations from 2000 to 2020, the Carbon-MD shows a gradually decreasing trend, and the Carbon-CCD shows a gradually increasing characteristic from moderate disorder to basic coordination development. From the spatial pattern, the Carbon-MD of the study area showed an increasing character from the core area to the peripheral area of the lake, and the low-value area of Carbon-MD shows the trend of spreading from point to surface and the Carbon-CCD changes from scattered to group type. In addition, land use type always has a significant effect on the carbon budget, while there is a spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the effects of natural and socioeconomic factors on the carbon budget. The research results show that it is reasonable and scientific to construct carbon budget indicators from the perspective of matching supply and demand and coupling and coordination, which provides a quantitative carbon budget analysis tool for local policymakers.
DCIR suppresses osteoclastic proliferation and resorption by downregulating M-CSF and RANKL signaling
Authors: Kaifu Tomonori , Maruhashi Takumi , Chung Soo-Hyun , Shimizu Kenji , Nakamura Akira , Iwakura Yoichiro
Published: May 2023

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is an inhibitory C-type lectin receptor that acts as a negative regulator in the immune system and bone metabolism. We previously revealed that DCIR deficiency enhanced osteoclastogenesis and antigen presentation of dendritic cells, and that asialo-biantennary N-glycan (NA2) functions as a ligand for DCIR. NA2 binding to DCIR suppressed murine and human osteoclastogenesis that occurs in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL. The DCIR-NA2 axis, therefore, plays an important role in regulating osteoclastogenesis in both mice and humans, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we found that Dcir−/− bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMs) exhibited greater proliferative and differentiation responses to M-CSF and RANKL, respectively, than wild-type (WT) BMMs. Moreover, Dcir−/− osteoclasts (OCs) increased resorptive activity and cell fusion more significantly than WT OCs. DCIR deficiency affects gene expression patterns in OCs, and we found that the expression of neuraminidase 4 was increased in Dcir−/− OCs. Furthermore, DCIR-NA2 interaction in WT BMMs, but not Dcir−/− BMMs, decreased Akt phosphorylation in response to M-CSF and RANKL. These data suggest that DCIR regulates osteoclastogenesis by downregulating M-CSF and RANKL signaling, and that DCIR-mediated signaling may contribute to the terminal modification of oligosaccharides by controlling the expression of glycosylation enzymes.
Mooring tension assessment of a single line kelp farm with quantified biomass, waves, and currents
Authors: Fredriksson David W. , St. Gelais Adam T. , Dewhurst Tobias , Coleman Struan , Brady Damian C. , Costa-Pierce Barry Antonio
Published: May 2023

While the number of kelp farms have steadily increased, few have been deployed with sensors to measure mooring tensions with substantial biomass. During the kelp farming season of 2018–2019 in Saco Bay, Maine USA, a field study was conducted to assess mooring loads due to environmental conditions and kelp growth. The effort included the deployment of a farm with a 122 m cultivation line and spread mooring with rope, chain, and anchors in 15.2 m of water. The system was deployed with seeded twine in late November and harvested in May. In April, with kelp biomass estimated at 7.8 kg m−1, two load cells were installed to measure mooring tensions in response to currents and waves. The currents and waves were measured with two Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers deployed adjacent to the load cells. From these measurements, we characterized the maximum loading case in response to a complex hydrodynamic environment. The maximum tension occurred on the landward side of the farm even though wave exposure was seaward. The tension in the landward side mooring was dominated by steady drag from the currents going to the east southeast. During this event, the two profilers were positioned on the leading and trailing edges of the farm relative to the prevailing current direction. Velocities measured at 0.5 m bins showed a 26.7% reduction at the depths where the kelp was located. To analyze the dynamic portion of the load cell datasets, the oscillatory components were processed into energy density spectra. Results showed that mooring tensions were not affected by waves at frequencies greater than 0.175 Hz, with most of the energy occurring near 0.12 Hz. The tension spectra did reveal energy at frequencies between 0.0075 and 0.01 Hz, indicating a low frequency response, possibly due to nonuniform velocity profiles inducing vertical motion of the cultivation line. It was also observed that the landward mooring, subjected to higher currents, was more sensitive to oscillating loads than the slack seaward side. The high-fidelity dataset will be useful for numerical modeling validation to further understand these dynamics and to optimize kelp farm designs.
Energetic budget of diploid and triploid eastern oysters during a summer die-off
Authors: Bodenstein Sarah , Casas Sandra M. , Tiersch Terrence R. , La Peyre Jerome F.
Published: May 2023

Triploid oysters are widely used in off-bottom aquaculture of eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica. However, farmers of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and Atlantic coast estuaries have observed unresolved, late-spring die-offs of triploid oysters, threatening the sustainability of triploid aquaculture. To investigate this, the physiological processes underlying oyster growth (e.g., feeding, respiration) and mortality of one-year-old diploid and triploid oysters were compared in early summer following an uptick in mortality. It was predicted that higher triploid mortality was the result of energetic imbalances (increased metabolic demands and decreased feeding behavior). Oyster clearance rates, percentage of time valves were open, absorption efficiency, oxygen consumption rates (basal and routine), ammonia excretion rate were measured in the laboratory and scope for growth was calculated. In addition, their condition index, gametogenic stage, Perkinsus marinus infection level, and mortality were measured. Mortality of triploids in the laboratory was greater than for diploids, mirroring mortality observed in a related field study. The physiological parameters measured, however, could not explain triploid mortality. Scope for growth, condition index, and clearance rates of triploids were greater than for diploids, suggesting sufficient energy reserves, while all other measurements where similar between the ploidies. It remains to be determined whether mortality could be caused from disruption of energy homeostasis at the cellular level.
Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes?
Authors: Ling Kak-Ming , Stick Stephen Michael , Kicic Anthony
Published: May 2023

For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences. With little investment into new traditional antibiotics, safe and effective alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed. One gathering significant traction is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, little is known about which phages are effective for respiratory infections, the dynamics involved between phage(s) and the host airway, and associated by-products, including mucus. Work utilizing gut cell models suggest that phages adhere to mucus components, reducing microbial colonization and providing non-host-derived immune protection. Thus, phages retained in the CF mucus layer result from the positive selection that enables them to remain in the mucus layer. Phages bind weakly to mucus components, slowing down the diffusion motion and increasing their chance of encountering bacterial species for subsequent infection. Adherence of phage to mucus could also facilitate phage enrichment and persistence within the microenvironment, resulting in a potent phage phenotype or vice versa. However, how the CF microenvironment responds to phage and impacts phage functionality remains unknown. This review discusses CF associated lung diseases, the impact of CF mucus, and chronic bacterial infection. It then discusses the therapeutic potential of phages, their dynamic relationship with mucus and whether this may enhance or hinder airway bacterial infections in CF.
Immunotherapy and immunochemotherapy in combating visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Yadagiri Ganesh , Singh Aakriti , Arora Kanika , Mudavath Shyam Lal
Published: May 2023

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne disease, is caused by an obligate intramacrophage, kinetoplastid protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Globally, VL is construed of diversity and complexity concerned with high fatality in tropics, subtropics, and Mediterranean regions with ~50,000–90,000 new cases annually. Factors such as the unavailability of licensed vaccine(s), insubstantial measures to control vectors, and unrestrained surge of drug-resistant parasites and HIV-VL co-infections lead to difficulty in VL treatment and control. Furthermore, VL treatment, which encompasses several problems including limited efficacy, emanation of drug-resistant parasites, exorbitant therapy, and exigency of hospitalization until the completion of treatment, further exacerbates disease severity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of safe and efficacious therapies to control and eliminate this devastating disease. In such a scenario, biotherapy/immunotherapy against VL can become an alternative strategy with limited side effects and no or nominal chance of drug resistance. An extensive understanding of pathogenesis and immunological events that ensue during VL infection is vital for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies against VL. Immunotherapy alone or in combination with standard anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutic agents (immunochemotherapy) has shown better therapeutic outcomes in preclinical studies. This review extensively addresses VL treatment with an emphasis on immunotherapy or immunochemotherapeutic strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy.
Exploring the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in gout pathogenesis: a systematic review
Authors: Shirvani-Rad Salman , Khatibzade-Nasari Niloufar , Ejtahed Hanieh-Sadat , Larijani Bagher
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Gut dysbiosis is believed to be one of the several mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of gout. This systematic review aimed to summarize the role of gut dysbiosis in gout disease and uncover the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to October 2021. Animal studies and human observational studies, including case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies assessing the association between gut microbiota composition and gout were included. The quality of included studies has been evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment scale (NOS) and the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool.

Results

Initially, we found 274 studies among which 15 studies were included in this systematic review. Of them, 10 studies were conducted on humans and 5 studies were conducted on animals. Increased abundance of Alistipes and decreased abundance of Enterobacteriaceae alters purine metabolism, thereby aggravating gout condition. Moreover, a higher abundance of Phascolarctobacterium and Bacteroides in gout modulates enzymatic activity in purine metabolism. Butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, prausnitzii, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Bifidobacterium have higher abundance in healthy controls compared to gout patients, suggesting the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-releasing bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae, Prevotella, and Bacteroides, are also involved in the pathogenesis of gout disease by stimulating the innate immune system.

Conclusion

Exploring the role of gut dysbiosis in gout and the underlying mechanisms can help develop microbiota-modulating therapies for gout.