bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Lipocalin 2 in Alzheimer’s disease: potential utility in the differential diagnosis and relationship with other biomarkers
Authors: Hermann Peter , Villar-Piqué Anna , Schmitz Matthias , Schmidt Christian , Varges Daniela , Goebel Stefan , Bunck Timothy , Lindemann Hanna , Bogner Carla , Santana Isabel , Baldeiras Inês , Riggert Joachim , Zerr Inga , Llorens Franc
Published: January 2022

Background

Lipocalin-2 is a glycoprotein that is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the brain, it is expressed in response to vascular and other brain injury, as well as in Alzheimer’s disease in reactive microglia and astrocytes. Plasma Lipocalin-2 has been proposed as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease but available data is scarce and inconsistent. Thus, we evaluated plasma Lipocalin-2 in the context of Alzheimer’s disease, differential diagnoses, other biomarkers, and clinical data.

Methods

For this two-center case-control study, we analyzed Lipocalin-2 concentrations in plasma samples from a cohort of n = 407 individuals. The diagnostic groups comprised Alzheimer’s disease (n = 74), vascular dementia (n = 28), other important differential diagnoses (n = 221), and healthy controls (n = 84). Main results were validated in an independent cohort with patients with Alzheimer’s disease (n = 19), mild cognitive impairment (n = 27), and healthy individuals (n = 28).

Results

Plasma Lipocalin-2 was significantly lower in Alzheimer’s disease compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001) and all other groups (p < 0.01) except for mixed dementia (vascular and Alzheimer’s pathologic changes). Areas under the curve from receiver operation characteristics for the discrimination of Alzheimer’s disease and healthy controls were 0.783 (95%CI: 0.712–0.855) in the study cohort and 0.766 (95%CI: 0.627–0.905) in the validation cohort. The area under the curve for Alzheimer’s disease versus vascular dementia was 0.778 (95%CI: 0.667–0.890) in the study cohort. In Alzheimer’s disease patients, plasma Lipocalin2 did not show significant correlation with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration and AD-related pathology (total-tau, phosphorylated tau protein, and beta-amyloid 1-42), cognitive status (Mini Mental Status Examination scores), APOE genotype, or presence of white matter hyperintensities. Interestingly, Lipocalin 2 was lower in patients with rapid disease course compared to patients with non-rapidly progressive Alzheimer’s disease (p = 0.013).

Conclusions

Plasma Lipocalin-2 has potential as a diagnostic biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease and seems to be independent from currently employed biomarkers.
Attenuated androgen discontinuation in patients with hereditary angioedema: a commented case series
Authors: Maurer Marcus , Magerl Markus , Aygören-Pürsün Emel , Bork Konrad , Farkas Henriette , Longhurst Hilary , Kiani‑Alikhan Sorena , Bouillet Laurence , Boccon-Gibod Isabelle , Cancian Mauro , Zanichelli Andrea , Launay David
Published: January 2022

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by potentially severe and life-threatening attacks of localized swelling. Prophylactic therapies are available, including attenuated androgens. Efficacy of attenuated androgens has not been assessed in large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials and can be associated with frequent, and sometimes severe, side effects. As better tolerated targeted therapies become available, attenuated androgen withdrawal is increasingly considered by physicians and their patients with HAE. Attenuated androgens withdrawal has not been systematically studied in HAE, although examination of other disorders indicates that attenuated androgen withdrawal may result in mood disturbances and flu-like symptoms. Standardized protocols for attenuated androgen discontinuation that continue to provide control of attacks while limiting potential attenuated androgen withdrawal symptoms are not established as the outcomes of different withdrawal strategies have not been compared. We aim to describe the challenges of attenuated androgen discontinuation in patients with HAE and how these may continue into the post-androgen period.

Case presentation

We present a retrospective case series of 10 patients with confirmed type I HAE who have discontinued prophylactic treatment with attenuated androgens. The most common reason for attenuated androgen discontinuation was side effects. Attenuated androgens were either immediately withdrawn, tapered and/or overlapped with another treatment. The major challenge of discontinuation was the management of an increased frequency and severity of HAE attacks in some patients.

Conclusions

Healthcare teams need to undertake careful planning and monitoring after attenuated androgens discontinuation, and modify treatment strategies if HAE control is destabilized with an increased number of attacks. Discontinuation of attenuated androgens is definitively an option in an evolving HAE treatment landscape, and outcomes can be favourable with additional patient support and education.
Nontypical presentation of a common disease: a case report
Authors: Alshammasi Walaa , Bargawi Abeer , Abdulrahman Aljuhara , Alhaji Mariam , AL Qahtani Fakherah , Aldajani Ali
Published: January 2022

Background

Kawasaki disease is an idiopathic medium-sized vasculitis that occurs primarily in infants and children younger than 5 years of age. Atypical Kawasaki disease applies to patients who do not fulfill the complete criteria of fever of 5 days or more with at least four of five features: bilateral conjunctival injection, changes in the lips and oral cavity, cervical lymphadenopathy, extremity changes, and polymorphous rash.Acute kidney injuryis defined as a sudden decline in kidney function within hours, including structural injuries and loss of function. Acute kidney injury is extremely common in hospitalized pediatric patients. However, it is rarely documented in Kawasaki disease. Acute kidney injury is underestimated in Kawasaki disease due to the lack of a clear definition of age-specific normal serum creatinine levels and routine renal functions. This report describes a case who presented with clinical features suggestive of atypical Kawasaki disease and developed acute kidney injury.

Case presentation

A 2-year-old Saudi girl had a history of high-grade fever for 5 days, moderate dehydration, dry cracked lips, poor appetite, and generalized erythematous rash; therefore, she was diagnosed to have incomplete Kawasaki disease. Laboratory investigations revealed normochromic normocytic anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, high inflammatory markers, and acute kidney injury stage III. An echocardiogram showed a 4-mm dilatation on the left main coronary artery and a 3-mm dilatation on the right. A renal biopsy was not performed to identify the cause of the injury as it showed improvements after the start of the specific therapy for Kawasaki disease; intravenous immune globulin at a dose of 2 g/kg, aspirin at a high dosage of 80 mg/kg/day, and prednisolone at 2 mg/kg. In addition to the acute kidney injury management, normal saline boluses were followed by furosemide at a 2 mg/kg dose. Her urine output increased, and her renal functions normalized. She was discharged in good condition after 10 days.

Conclusions

It is valuable to check renal function tests in a confirmed case of Kawasaki disease to reduce the negative consequences of late acute kidney injury discovery. Early detection and intervention make a substantial difference in acute kidney injury management.
Pattern recognition in data as a diagnosis tool
Authors: Carpio Ana , Simón Alejandro , Torres Alicia , Villa Luis F.
Published: January 2022

Medical data often appear in the form of numerical matrices or sequences. We develop mathematical tools for automatic screening of such data in two medical contexts: diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and identification of cardiac abnormalities. The idea is first to implement adequate data normalizations and then identify suitable hyperparameters and distances to classify relevant patterns. To this purpose, we discuss the applicability of Plackett-Luce models for rankings to hyperparameter and distance selection. Our tests suggest that, while Hamming distances seem to be well adapted to the study of patterns in matrices representing data from laboratory tests, dynamic time warping distances provide robust tools for the study of cardiac signals. The techniques developed here may set a basis for automatic screening of medical information based on pattern comparison.
High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and risk factors among HIV-positive individuals in Yunnan, China
Authors: Tu Wei , Li Yu-Ye , Kuang Yi-Qun , Xie Rong-Hui , Dong Xing-Qi , Zhang Dan , Ma Yan-Ling , Zhang Wan-Yue , Lu Lin
Published: January 2022

Background

Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in China. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms.

Methods

We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 receiving ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) tests were also performed.

Results

Among the 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STIs was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in individuals receiving ART, respectively. The testing frequencies were 11.6% (11.8% vs. 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs. 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs. 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs. 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs. 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, CT, NG and MG, respectively. The percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in participants receiving ART. Female sex, an age between 18 and 35 years, ever injecting drugs, homosexual or bisexual status, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptomatic patients were not eliminated from having a laboratory-diagnosed STI.

Conclusions

The STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs. 49.0%), and HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found a high prevalence (6.4%) of MG in ART-naive individuals. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or hide their genital tract discomfort; thus, we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals regardless of whether they describe genital tract discomfort.
Sulfate-dependant microbially induced corrosion of mild steel in the deep sea: a 10-year microbiome study
Authors: Rajala Pauliina , Cheng Dong-Qiang , Rice Scott A. , Lauro Federico M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Metal corrosion in seawater has been extensively studied in surface and shallow waters. However, infrastructure is increasingly being installed in deep-sea environments, where extremes of temperature, salinity, and high hydrostatic pressure increase the costs and logistical challenges associated with monitoring corrosion. Moreover, there is currently only a rudimentary understanding of the role of microbially induced corrosion, which has rarely been studied in the deep-sea. We report here an integrative study of the biofilms growing on the surface of corroding mooring chain links that had been deployed for 10 years at ~2 km depth and developed a model of microbially induced corrosion based on flux-balance analysis.

Methods

We used optical emission spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of the mooring chain and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry coupled with scanning electron microscopy to identify corrosion products and ultrastructural features. The taxonomic structure of the microbiome was determined using shotgun metagenomics and was confirmed by 16S amplicon analysis and quantitative PCR of thedsrBgene. The functional capacity was further analyzed by generating binned, genomic assemblies and performing flux-balance analysis on the metabolism of the dominant taxa.

Results

The surface of the chain links showed intensive and localized corrosion with structural features typical of microbially induced corrosion. The microbiome on the links differed considerably from that of the surrounding sediment, suggesting selection for specific metal-corroding biofilms dominated by sulfur-cycling bacteria. The core metabolism of the microbiome was reconstructed to generate a mechanistic model that combines biotic and abiotic corrosion. Based on this metabolic model, we propose that sulfate reduction and sulfur disproportionation might play key roles in deep-sea corrosion.

Conclusions

The corrosion rate observed was higher than what could be expected from abiotic corrosion mechanisms under these environmental conditions. High corrosion rate and the form of corrosion (deep pitting) suggest that the corrosion of the chain links was driven by both abiotic and biotic processes. We posit that the corrosion is driven by deep-sea sulfur-cycling microorganisms which may gain energy by accelerating the reaction between metallic iron and elemental sulfur. The results of this field study provide important new insights on the ecophysiology of the corrosion process in the deep sea.
Encapsulation of thyme essential oil using electrospun zein fiber for strawberry preservation
Authors: Ansarifar Elham , Moradinezhad Farid
Published: January 2022

Background

Strawberry is a nutrient-rich and important small fruit because of its high content of beneficial phytochemicals and several vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B6. However, strawberry is highly perishable due to its susceptibility to mechanical damage, microbiological decay, and softening in texture. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in using various essential oils as natural food preservatives. Although, they have limited stability to exposure to high temperatures, light and oxygen, which could eventually affect sensory quality attributes. The electrospinning method is a simple and well-organized process that has been used to encapsulate essential oils. In this study, the effect of thyme essential oil (TEO) encapsulated into zein electrospun fiber film was assessed on extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of strawberry fruit during storage.

Findings

Results indicated that TEO presented potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus fumigatus. The scanning electron microscopy images of zein fiber had a linear shape, absence of beads, and smooth surface. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of TEO in the zein fiber was about 75.23%. Encapsulated TEO released at a slower rate than free TEO. The zein/TEO fibers (zein fiber film loaded with TEO) significantly (p ˂ 0.05) decreased weight loss and maintained the anthocyanin content, firmness and color of the strawberries during storage. After 15 days of storage, weight loss reduced about 15% and firmness was higher about 20% in packed fruit with zein/TEO fibers compared to control.

Conclusions

Interestingly, after 15 days of cold storage, the strawberries firmness, appearance, and sensory evaluation, which are important quality factors from both postharvest and consumers’ viewpoint, in zein/TEO fiber treatment were acceptable and had higher scores compared to the control. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the benefits of incorporating TEO into zein films, which could play a significant role in the active packaging and preservation of strawberry fruits.

Graphical Abstract
A review of open software resources in python for electrical resistivity modelling
Authors: Doyoro Yonatan Garkebo , Chang Ping-Yu , Puntu Jordi Mahardika , Lin Ding-Jiun , Van Huu Tran , Rahmalia Diah Ayu , Shie Meng-Shiun
Published: January 2022

Geophysical modelling performs to obtain subsurface structures in agreement with measured data. Freeware algorithms for geoelectrical data inversion have not been widely used in geophysical communities; however, different open-source modelling/inversion algorithms were developed in recent years. In this study, we review the structures and applications of openly Python-based inversion packages, such as pyGIMLi (Python Library for Inversion and Modelling in Geophysics), BERT (Boundless Electrical Resistivity Tomography), ResIPy (Resistivity and Induced Polarization with Python), pyres (Python wrapper for electrical resistivity modelling), and SimPEG (Simulation and Parameter Estimation in Geophysics). In addition, we examine the recovering ability of pyGIMLi, BERT, ResIPy, and SimPEG freeware through inversion of the same synthetic model forward responses. A versatile pyGIMLi freeware is highly suitable for various geophysical data inversion. The SimPEG framework is developed to allow the user to explore, experiment with, and iterate over multiple approaches to the inverse problem. In contrast, BERT, pyres, and ResIPy are exclusively designed for geoelectric data inversion. BERT and pyGIMLi codes can be easily modified for the intended applications. Both pyres and ResIPy use the same mesh designs and inversion algorithms, but pyres uses scripting language, while ResIPy uses a graphical user interface (GUI) that removes the need for text inputs. Our numerical modelling shows that all the tested inversion freeware could be effective for relatively larger targets. pyGIMLi and BERT could also obtain reasonable model resolutions and anomaly accuracies for small-sized subsurface structures. Based on the heterogeneous layered model and experimental target scenario results, the geoelectrical data inversion could be more effective in pyGIMLi, BERT, and SimPEG freeware packages. Moreover, this study can provide insight into implementing suitable inversion freeware for reproducible geophysical research, mainly for geoelectrical modelling.
Vaccine-associated complications: a comparative multicenter evaluation among dental practitioners and dental students—which candidate vaccine is more safe in SARS COV II, Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca), BBV152 (Covaxin), or BBIBP-CorV(Sinopharm)?
Authors: Houshmand Behzad , Keyhan Seied Omid , Fallahi Hamid Reza , Ramezanzade Shaqayeq , Sadeghi Erfan , Yousefi Parisa
Published: January 2022

Background

The rapidly developed vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 carry a risk of provoking side effects. This study aimed to evaluate current vaccination non-serious/serious side effects.

Methods

A multicenter electronic questionnaire via an online platform was conducted over a 1-week period among vaccinated dental staff and dental students inquiring whether they experienced vaccine-related side-effects after vaccine administration.

Results

A total of 1205 respondents with a mean age of 39 (SD: 12) were retained for the analyses. The following vaccines were reported; Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca), BBV152 (Covaxin), or BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm). The majority of respondents received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (51.1%) and Gam-COVID-Vac (37.6%). The symptoms most frequently reported after vaccination were fatigue (79%), local pain in the injection site (77.4%), malaise (73%), and body pain (71.1%). Enrollees reported more onset of reactions on 0–12 h (44.1%) and 12–24 h (29.0%) after vaccine administration (p value <0.001). In 75.7%, the side effects last for up to 3 days. Merely 5.5% of cases reported the presence of side effects after the first week. Individuals with a history of SARSCoV-2 and other infections (MERS, influenza, and EBV) were more likely to report a number of unserious systemic side effects.

Conclusion

The commonly reported adverse events were in line with similar studies. We have concerns with the frequency of serious adverse effects. This work necessitates the need for further clinical assessments with larger sample sizes.
Electronic Health Record–Integrated Tumor Board Application to Save Preparation Time and Reduce Errors
Authors: Nobori Alex , Jumniensuk Chayanit , Chen Xiang , Enzmann Dieter , Dry Sarah , Nelson Scott , Arnold Corey W.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

Multidisciplinary oncology meetings, or tumor boards (TBs), ensure and facilitate communication between specialties regarding the management of cancer cases to improve patient care. The organization of TB and the preparation and presentation of patient cases are typically inefficient processes that require the exchange of patient information via e-mail, the hunting for data and images in the electronic health record, and the copying and pasting of patient data into desktop presentation software.

METHODS

We implemented a standards-based electronic health record–integrated application that automated several aspects of TB organization and preparation. We hypothesized that this application would increase the efficiency of TB preparation, reduce errors in patient entry, and enhance communication with the clinical team. Our experimental design used a prospective evaluation by pathologists who were timed in preparing for weekly TBs using both the new application and the conventional method. In addition, patient data entry errors associated with each method were tracked, and TB attendees completed a survey evaluating satisfaction with the new application.

RESULTS

The total time savings for TB preparation using the digital TB application over the conventional method was 5 hours and 19 minutes, representing a 45% reduction in preparation time ( P < .01). Survey results showed that 91% of respondents preferred the digital method and believed that it improved the flow of the TB meeting. In addition, most believed that the digital method had an impact on subsequent patient care.

CONCLUSION

This study provides further evidence that new electronic systems have the potential to significantly improve the overall TB paradigm by optimizing and enhancing case organization, preparation, and presentation.
Compression Therapy for HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma Leg Lymphedema: Results of the Kenyan Improvised Compression for Kaposi Sarcoma Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chang Aileen Y. , Karwa Rakhi , Odhiambo Haji , Were Phelix , Fletcher Sara L. , Tonui Edith C. , Kohn Michael A. , Lee Jeannette , Chang Di , Lensing Shelly , Namaemba Diana Flora , Busakhala Naftali , Kiprono Samson K. , Maurer Toby , Goodrich Suzanne , Pastakia Sonak D.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

Evaluate the effectiveness of compression while receiving chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) lymphedema.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a single oncology clinic in western Kenya ( NCT03404297 ). A computer-generated randomization schedule was used to allocate treatment arms. Randomized block design was used for stratification by lymphedema stage. Participants were HIV positive adults age ≥ 18 years on antiretroviral therapy with biopsy-proven KS associated with leg lymphedema and being initiated on chemotherapy. The intervention was 10 weeks of weekly clinic-based application of two-component paste compression bandages. The primary outcome was change in the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Index (LELI) score from week 0 to week 14. The secondary outcomes were change in the Lymphedema Quality of Life measure (LYMQOL) and change in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 score from week 0 to week 14. Blinded outcome assessments were conducted.

RESULTS

Of 30 participants randomly assigned, 25 eligible patients (chemotherapy [control], n = 13; compression plus chemotherapy [intervention], n = 12) returned at week 14. Change in LELI, LYMQOL, and EORTC QLQ-C30 scores between week 14 and week 0 did not significantly differ by arm. The mean (standard deviation) change in LELI score was –25.9 (34.6) for the control arm compared with –13.3 (29.5) for the intervention arm, P = .340. The difference (95% CI) in the change in LELI score was –12.6 (–39.3 to 14.1).

CONCLUSION

Future studies evaluating a 14-week change in LELI for KS lymphedema should assume a standard deviation of approximately 30. Lessons learned from this pilot trial should inform the development of a larger, multicenter trial to evaluate the effectiveness of compression for KS lymphedema.
Universal Germline Panel Testing for Individuals With Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Produces High Diagnostic Yield
Authors: Horton Carolyn , LaDuca Holly , Deckman Ashley , Durda Kate , Jackson Michelle , Richardson Marcy E , Tian Yuan , Yussuf Amal , Jasperson Kory , Else Tobias
Published: January 2022

Background

Practice guidelines to identify individuals with hereditary pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) advocate for sequential gene testing strategy guided by specific clinical features and predate the routine use of multigene panel testing (MGPT).

Objective

To describe results of MGPT for hereditary PPGL in a clinically and ancestrally diverse cohort.

Setting

Commercial laboratory based in the United States.

Methods

Clinical data and test results were retrospectively reviewed in 1727 individuals who had targeted MGPT from August 2013 through December 2019 because of a suspicion of hereditary PPGL.

Results

Overall, 27.5% of individuals had a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (PV), 9.0% had a variant of uncertain significance, and 63.1% had a negative result. Most PVs were identified in SDHB (40.4%), followed by SDHD (21.1%), SDHA (10.1%), VHL (7.8%), SDHC (6.7%), RET (3.7%), and MAX (3.6%). PVs in FH, MEN1, NF1, SDHAF2, and TMEM127 collectively accounted for 6.5% of PVs. Clinical predictors of a PV included extra-adrenal location, early age of onset, multiple tumors, and positive family history of PPGL. Individuals with extra-adrenal PGL and a positive family history were the most likely to have a PV (85.9%). Restricting genetic testing to SDHB/C/D misses one-third (32.8%) of individuals with PVs.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate a high diagnostic yield in individuals with and without established risk factors, a low inconclusive result rate, and a substantial contribution to diagnostic yield from rare genes. These findings support universal testing of all individuals with PPGL and the use of concurrent MGPT as the ideal platform.
A Matrigel-based 3D construct of SH-SY5Y cells models the α-synuclein pathologies of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Zhao-Feng , Cui Lei , Jin Mi-Mi , Hu Dong-Yan , Hou Xiao-Gang , Liu Shu-Shu , Zhang Xiong , Zhu Jian-Hong
Published: January 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with α-synuclein-based Lewy body pathology, which has been difficult to observe in conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and even in animal models. We herein aimed to develop a three-dimensional (3D) cellular model of PD to recapitulate the α-synuclein pathologies. All-trans-retinoic acid-differentiated human SH-SY5Y cells and Matrigel were optimized for 3D construction. The 3D cultured cells displayed higher tyrosine hydroxylase expression than 2D cells and improved dopaminergic-like phenotypes, as suggested by RNA-sequencing analyses. Multiple forms of α-synuclein, including monomer, and low- and high-molecular mass oligomers, were differentially present in the 2D and 3D cells, but mostly remained unchanged upon N-methyl-4-phenyl pyridine or rotenone treatment. Phosphorylated α-synuclein was accumulated, and detergent-insoluble α-synuclein fraction was observed, in the neurotoxin-treated 3D cells. Importantly, Lewy body-like inclusions were captured in the 3D system, including proteinase K-resistant α-synuclein aggregates, ubiquitin aggregation, and β-amyloid and β-sheet protein deposition. The study provides a unique and convenient 3D model of PD that recapitulates critical α-synuclein pathologies and should be useful in multiple PD-associated applications.
Diverse mechanisms regulate contractile ring assembly for cytokinesis in the two-cell Caenorhabditis elegans embryo
Authors: Ozugergin Imge , Mastronardi Karina , Law Chris , Piekny Alisa
Published: January 2022

Cytokinesis occurs at the end of mitosis as a result of the ingression of a contractile ring that cleaves the daughter cells. The core machinery regulating this crucial process is conserved among metazoans. Multiple pathways control ring assembly, but their contribution in different cell types is not known. We found that in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo, AB and P1 cells fated to be somatic tissue and germline, respectively, have different cytokinesis kinetics supported by distinct myosin levels and organization. Through perturbation of RhoA or polarity regulators and the generation of tetraploid strains, we found that ring assembly is controlled by multiple fate-dependent factors that include myosin levels, and mechanisms that respond to cell size. Active Ran coordinates ring position with the segregating chromatids in HeLa cells by forming an inverse gradient with importins that control the cortical recruitment of anillin. We found that the Ran pathway regulates anillin in AB cells but functions differently in P1 cells. We propose that ring assembly delays in P1 cells caused by low myosin and Ran signaling coordinate the timing of ring closure with their somatic neighbors.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Label2label: training a neural network to selectively restore cellular structures in fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Kölln Lisa Sophie , Salem Omar , Valli Jessica , Hansen Carsten Gram , McConnell Gail
Published: January 2022

Immunofluorescence microscopy is routinely used to visualise the spatial distribution of proteins that dictates their cellular function. However, unspecific antibody binding often results in high cytosolic background signals, decreasing the image contrast of a target structure. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were successfully employed for image restoration in immunofluorescence microscopy, but current methods cannot correct for those background signals. We report a new method that trains a CNN to reduce unspecific signals in immunofluorescence images; we name this method label2label (L2L). In L2L, a CNN is trained with image pairs of two non-identical labels that target the same cellular structure. We show that after L2L training a network predicts images with significantly increased contrast of a target structure, which is further improved after implementing a multiscale structural similarity loss function. Here, our results suggest that sample differences in the training data decrease hallucination effects that are observed with other methods. We further assess the performance of a cycle generative adversarial network, and show that a CNN can be trained to separate structures in superposed immunofluorescence images of two targets.
Universalização dos serviços de água e esgoto: O que revelam os indicadores municipais de desenvolvimento
Authors: Guastalle Ruth de Lima , Bezerra Jakeline Rodrigues de Aquino , Pereira Raquel da Silva , Bresciani Luís Paulo , Maia Tomé Ivan
Published: January 2022

O presente estudo buscou identificar o desempenho das dimensões da sustentabilidade que compõem o triple bottom line, comparando os municípios com melhor posição no Ranking do Saneamento 2018, elaborado pelo Instituto Trata Brasil, com os municípios que ocupam as últimas posições do referido ranking. O estudo permitiu a análise e comparação de resultados sob a ótica das três dimensões do desenvolvimento sustentável: social, econômica e ambiental. A pesquisa utilizou o método documental, podendo ser caracterizada como descritiva, de abordagem qualitativa. Os resultados mais significativos foram observados nas dimensões social e econômica: quanto melhor a situação na universalização da água tratada, coleta e tratamento de esgoto, melhores os resultados em termos de saúde, educação e desenvolvimento econômico. Quanto à dimensão ambiental, em todos os municípios estudados a temática foi incorporada à estrutura institucional do ente público, com a criação de uma estrutura administrativa e de legislação específica.
Organização do trabalho nas dinâmicas de inovação: Evidências na Administração Pública
Authors: Saldanha Cristina Camila Teles , Cruz Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves da
Published: January 2022

O artigo objetiva analisar as percepções dos servidores públicos federais e estaduais quanto aos fatores estruturantes de organização do trabalho para inovação no setor público. O suporte teórico indica que práticas de organização do trabalho vinculam-se aos aspectos subjacentes às inovações. Embora haja expectativa por maior autonomia e flexibilidade que contribuem para inovações, a formalização do trabalho persiste em organizações públicas. Realizou-se pesquisa qualitativa e descritiva, via estudo de múltiplos casos em setores que atuam diretamente com inovações e em unidades de gestão de pessoas, responsáveis por repensar modos de estruturar o trabalho na esfera federal e estadual. A organização do trabalho foi decomposta em fatores estruturantes, selecionados após revisão bibliográfica, levantamento documental e análise de conteúdo. As percepções desses fatores foram capturadas em entrevistas semiestruturadas com questões abertas e fechadas, essas últimas atreladas às representações numéricas desses fatores para 14 entrevistados. Os achados indicaram que fatores como equipes interdisciplinares e redes repercutiram como boas práticas à inovação, enquanto autonomia, flexibilidade e teletrabalho revelaram-se emergentes. O fator mobilidade organizacional defronta com restrições legais e das chefias. Constatou-se igualmente que a ausência de recursos estimula buscar alternativas viáveis e criativas. Esta pesquisa contribui teoricamente ao retratar fatores estruturantes da organização do trabalho ligados a ações estratégicas de gestão de pessoas como incentivos a inovações no setor público. Empiricamente desvenda os ajustes na organização do trabalho voltados para a inovação como adaptação ao contexto. A organização do trabalho torna-se uma demanda imperativa nas dinâmicas de inovação na administração pública.
Underweight and associated factors among children under five years in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: An observational community-based study
Authors: Yazew Tamiru
Published: January 2022

Background: Acute and chronic child undernutrition is a continuous problem in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was initiated to compare the prevalence of underweight and its associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in the Kuyu district, North Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Methods: An observational community-based study was conducted on 612 children (304 from household security and 308 from household food insecurity). A structured and standardize questionnaire was used in this study. Anthropometric measurements were generated using WHO standardize. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent variables associated with underweight (weight-for-age) among children in household food security and insecurity, a p value less than 0.05 with 95%CI was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The results indicated that 30.9% [95%CI; 25.7, 36.2] and 36.7% [95% CI; 31.8, 42.5] of children were underweight for their age in household food security and insecurity. Low wealth status (AOR=3.2; 95%CI: 1.099, 9.275), poor dietary diets (AOR=5.2; 95%CI: 2.046, 13.27), and lack of breastfeeding for two years (AOR= 2.1; 95%CI= 1.78, 5, 42) were associated with underweight children in household food security. Whereas lack of antenatal care visits (AOR=0.52; 95%CI: 0.12, 0.68) and poor dietary diets (AOR=3.01; 95%CI= 2.1, 17.4) were other independent variables associated with underweight children in household food insecurity.

Conclusions: This study established that there was a high prevalence of underweight in children from Oromia.  Therefore, introducing household income generating activities are vital interventions in order to overcome the problem of undernutrition in this region.
Case Report: Digital analysis of occlusion with T-Scan Novus in occlusal splint treatment for a patient with bruxism
Authors: Shopova Dobromira , Bozhkova Tanya , Yordanova Svetlana , Yordanova Miroslava
Published: January 2022

Bruxism is a disease with a multifactorial etiology. Its clinical manifestations are most often an unaesthetic smile with abraded tooth surfaces, temporomandibular disorders and muscle hyperactivity. Here we present a case of bruxism where proper articulation of the occlusal splint was performed using the T-scan Novus system.

A patient with bruxism underwent treatment with stabilization splint made by 3D printer technology. Intraoral scanning was performed using Trios Color (3Shape, 2014), and the digital design was achieved using the 3Shape Dental system design - splint studio. Formlabs Form 2 printer with biocompatible resin Dental LT Clear Resin was used for printing. The T-Scan Novus system with software attached to it, version 9.1, was used for digital examination of the occlusion. A 2.7 mm thick occlusal splint was developed, and the software adapted the occlusion with antagonists. After adjustment with T-Scan Novus, a reduction in disocclusion time of the patient was achieved, which is a desired result in the treatment of bruxism. The position of the joint components was proven radiologically.

The treatment of bruxism with splint therapy continues to be the main method of treatment. Using digital technology allows for more accurate constructions and precise balancing of occlusal relationships.
Thromboembolic events during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer – any correlation to the central venous access? A clinical practice article
Authors: Eriksson Victoria , Eriksson Elisabeth , Sherif Amir
Published: January 2022

Patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer have a generally known 5-year overall survival of approximately 58% with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). During the last decades, addition of Cisplatinum-based NAC in fit patients prior to radical cystectomy (RC), has significantly improved OS, compared to RC only. However, some published studies following NAC addition, describe an intermediate risk increase of thromboembolic events (TEEs). Placement of central venous access (CVA) before NAC has also been suggested as being a potential risk factor for thrombosis. We present a combination of images and cases from the Northern Swedish health region where three patients developed venous TEE after CVA placement for NAC-administration and found that the time until curable RC was prolonged circa one month each, with an addition of one RC cancelled. These are serious events and to our knowledge, there are no current guidelines on prevention of TEE before RC. The aim with this report was to provide examples of these events and conclude that further prospective trials are warranted on prevention and future guidelines regarding venous anticoagulant treatment for TEE that occur pre-RC in NAC-patients.
Developmental psychology and age psychology
Authors: Sapogova Elena
Published: January 2022

The textbook contains systematized information about psychological, socio-cultural, historical-ethnographic, psychobiological and other aspects of the development of a person changing over time. The first section is devoted to general theoretical problems of developmental psychology, the second to the analysis of different ages.
The comprehensive nature of the manual makes it possible to solve the problems of formation in the professional consciousness of a stable complex of scientific categories and concepts, with the help of which the factual diversity of manifestations of the mental life of a developing person is described in psychology; familiarization with classical and modern interpretations of human development, with different variants of psychological interpretation of its essence, nature, mechanisms, driving forces and contradictions; disclosure of dialectics and phenomenology of the formation of a person as a cultural and historical subject; formation of ideas about the complexity and ambiguity of the evolution of a child as a human being; understanding the basic laws of the formation of personality and individuality of a person at each stage of its development.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
It is intended for the study of the discipline "Developmental psychology, age psychology" during the professional training of psychologists in universities and is aimed at students of bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology faculties of classical and pedagogical universities, humanities and medical universities, as well as graduate students, psychology teachers and practical psychologists who are improving their qualifications in the field of age psychology.
‘In a Mere Shirt and Capless’: The Uniform Crisis of the Polish Army During the Polish-Ukrainian-Bolshevik War 1918–21
Authors: Mieszkowski Łukasz
Published: January 2022

This article presents issues relating to the uniforms of the Polish Army during the wars of 1918–21 in the context of the severe economic and epidemic crisis plaguing both the country and the region. Drawing on the accounts of participants and eyewitnesses of the war, and also by making recourse to the largely unpublished documents of the Sanitary Headquarters of the Polish Army Command-in-Chief, I look at the causes, scale and effects of the severe shortage of uniforms and equipment – shortages that would beset and plague Polish soldiers. The second part of the article presents institutional, top-down attempts to improve the situation involving substantial foreign procurements. Asking whether the crisis was ever truly resolved, the findings here offer ultimately a negative assessment of what ultimately transpired. The article’s final section indicates the relationship between the catastrophic situation regarding supplies and the threats posed by the Spanish flu and typhus.
The Relationship between the State and Universities in the Czech Lands 1849–1939
Authors: Fasora Lukáš
Published: January 2022

This text summarises the results of extensive research into the relationship between the state and universities in 1849–1939, i.e. between the so-called ‘Thun reform’ and the closure of Czech universities by the Nazis. The focus is on the state’s respect for the privileged position of universities and the monitoring of tensions arising from the clash between legislation and the universities’ day-to-day operations, resulting mainly from satisfying the economic needs of universities on the one hand, and the interpretation of the responsibility and discipline of their academic staff towards the state and society on the other. The research shows the advancing erosion of the so-called Prussian (Humboldt’s) concept of an autonomous national-oriented university and the difficult search for a democratic alternative in interwar Central Europe’s unstable political and economic conditions.
Młodzież międzywojennego miasta w świetle prasy lokalnej. Przypadek Tarnowa
Authors: Wilk Marcin
Published: January 2022

Artykuł poświęcony jest wybranym aspektom funkcjonowania młodzieży w międzywojennym Tarnowie w opinii lokalnej prasy. Główne źródło stanowiły ukazujące się w latach 1918–1939 na tamtym terenie wybrane periodyki. Dobór tytułów uwzględniał strukturę społeczno-etniczną miasta. Analiza zawartości pozwoliła odtworzyć charakter i treść oczekiwań formułowanych wobec młodych ludzi.
Imágenes, imaginarios y nuevas narrativas en contextos de crisis.
Authors: Angulo Egea María
Published: January 2022

Este monográfico lo pensamos y elaboramos con el investigador y docente Víctor Silva Echeto en otoño de 2019. Víctor falleció, de manera sorpresiva, en agosto de 2020. Con todo, tanto la revista IC Journal, que ya había aprobado el proyecto de monográfico para el 2021, como yo misma, decidimos seguir adelante como un pequeño homenaje hacia nuestro colega y amigo. Ha sido duro perderle y no tenerle en el día a día universitario. Víctor siempre estaba, máxime cuando se trataba de proyectos de investigación que le interesaban y emocionaban como este monográfico sobre imágenes y narrativas de la crisis. Cuando lo diseñamos y presentamos a IC pensábamos en la crisis financiera del 2008 y su deriva en crisis sistémica; sin embargo, la crisis sanitaria, social y política que ha traído la COVID19 sin duda desborda lo planificado inicialmente. Pese a ello, creemos que esta realidad distópica en crisis que habitamos convierte este monográfico, así lo creería Víctor, en un proyecto de reflexión y de investigación urgente y necesario.
Imaginarios de la crisis en la cultura popular española (2008-2015): narrativas neoliberales en el entretenimiento y la ficción televisivos.
Authors: Oliva Mercè , Gómez-Puertas Lorena , Besalú Reinald
Published: January 2022

Este artículo analiza los imaginarios de la crisis representados en la cultura popular española mediante el estudio cualitativo de base semionarrativa de las series, los realities y los medios del corazón más consumidos entre 2008 y 2015. Estos textos muestran distintas formas de enfrentarse a la adversidad en relación al género de los personajes, y promueven valores neoliberales como el emprendimiento, la austeridad, la resiliencia, junto con apelaciones a la solidaridad entre ciudadanos.
El deseo de los menores por ser youtuber y/o influencer. Narcisismo como factor de influencia
Authors: Gutiérrez Arenas Pilar , Ramírez García Antonia
Published: January 2022

El uso de las redes sociales por los menores, además de ser una práctica muy extendida, es un factor que influye en la construcción de su identidad personal y social. Youtubers e influencers son los nuevos modelos a seguir, inciden en el pensamiento y en la forma de actuar de los preadolescentes. Esta influencia repercute en su elección vocacional y su proyecto de vida. Es por ello que nos cuestionamos cuáles son las variables que inciden en que los menores quieran ser youtubers o influencers, así como la idea que tienen acerca de estas nuevas profesiones. Para ello nos situaremos en un enfoque cuantitativo, donde se ha aplicado un cuestionario a 343 estudiantes andaluces de quinto y sexto curso de Educación Primaria. Los resultados evidencian que la variable narcisismo, es la que demuestra estar directamente relacionada con la intención de ser youtubers y/o influencers, no ocurriendo así con la autoestima. El sexo no se ha configurado como una variable que influya en este deseo, no así el nivel educativo. Como conclusión creemos que es básico favorecer entre los menores un pensamiento crítico que promueva la acción y la transformación personal, así como trabajar en el rasgo del narcisismo.