bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kültürel Ve Dini Etkileşimin Resim Sanatina Yansimasinin Analizi: 14.-15. Yüzyila Ait El Yazmalarinda Nuh’un Gemisi
Authors: MAKHMUHJONOVA Gulzoda , GÜR Durmuş
Published: March 2022

Bildirinin konusunu, 14.-15. yüzyıla tarihlendirilen resimli el yazmalarındaki Nuh’un Tufanı kompozisyonunun parçası olan Nuh’un gemisi oluşturmaktadır. Eski Ahit’te ayrıntılarıyla sunulan Nuh’un gemisinin Yeni Ahit’te anlatılmadığı, Kur’an-ı Kerim’de Nuh Suresi’nde ise hakkında kısa bilgilerin sunulduğu tespit edilmiştir. Nuh’un gemisini resmeden usta-sanatçıların kendinden önceki dönemlerde yapılmış resimleri inceledikleri, kültürel ve dini etkileşim içinde oldukları, kutsal kitapları okudukları anlaşılır. Nuh Suresi’nde, Nuh’un gemisi hakkında kısa bilgiler sunulmasına karşın Bizans resim sanatı ile İlhanlı-Timurlu resimli el yazmalarında geminin malzeme, form ve teknik özellikleri hakkında bilgiler tespit edilmiştir. Çok geniş bir alanı kapsayan, Bizans ve İlhanlı-Timurlu dönemi resim sanatında sıkça işlenen konunun, 14.-15. yüzyıla tarihlendirilen resimli el yazmalarından hareketle kültürel ve dini etkileşimi gün yüzüne çıkartmak mümkündür. Eski Ahit’te Yaratılış 6-9’de geminin ölçüleri, malzeme ve teknik özellikleri hakkında ayrıntılı bilgiler sunulmaktadır. Nuh Tufanı ile ilişkilendirilen gemi tasvirlerinin, bölgesel farklılık içermesinin yanında dönemsel ve dini açıdan da çeşitli şekillerde tasvir edildiği görülür. Bizans resim sanatında olduğu gibi İlhanlı-Timurlu resimli el yazmalarının bazılarında da, geminin Eski Ahit’te tarif edildiği gibi resmedilmesi, resimleri yapan kişilerin kültürel etkileşime açık olduğunu, çeşitli dinlerden etkilendiklerini ya da farklı dinlere mensup usta-sanatçı olma ihtimalini akıllara getirir. Tasvirlerin bazılarında, gemilerin siyah resmedilmesi dikkat çeken önemli bir husustur. Ayrıca gemilerin üzerinde halatlar vasıtasıyla çeşitli yönlerden tutturulmuş örtü benzeri bir uygulamanın bulunması, Yaratılış 6-9’de tanımı yapılan Nuh’un gemisinin üzerinin kapalı olduğu uygulamaları hatırlatmaktadır. Bizans resim sanatında özellikle duvar resimlerinde işlenen Eski Ahit konulu Nuh Tufanı tasvirlerinde, geminin tamamının ya da sadec
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Factors: Their Functional Role in Self-Renewal and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Mann Zoya , Sengar Manisha , Verma Yogesh Kumar , Rajalingam Raja , Raghav Pawan Kumar
Published: March 2022

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) possess two important properties such as self-renewal and differentiation. These properties of HSCs are maintained through hematopoiesis. This process gives rise to two subpopulations, long-term and short-term HSCs, which have become a popular convention for treating various hematological disorders. The clinical application of HSCs is bone marrow transplant in patients with aplastic anemia, congenital neutropenia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or replacement of damaged bone marrow in case of chemotherapy. The self-renewal attribute of HSCs ensures long-term hematopoiesis post-transplantation. However, HSCs need to be infused in large numbers to reach their target site and meet the demands since they lose their self-renewal capacity after a few passages. Therefore, a more in-depth understanding ofex vivoHSCs expansion needs to be developed to delineate ways to enhance the self-renewability of isolated HSCs. The multifaceted self-renewal process is regulated by factors, including transcription factors, miRNAs, and the bone marrow niche. A developed classical hierarchical model that outlines the hematopoiesis in a lineage-specific manner throughin vivofate mapping, barcoding, and determination of self-renewal regulatory factors are still to be explored in more detail. Thus, an in-depth study of the self-renewal property of HSCs is essentially required to be utilized forex vivoexpansion. This review primarily focuses on the Hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal pathway and evaluates the regulatory molecular factors involved in considering a targeted clinical approach in numerous malignancies and outlining gaps in the current knowledge.
Biomaterials as a Vital Frontier for Stem Cell-Based Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Nugud Ahmed , Alghfeli Latifa , Elmasry Moustafa , El-Serafi Ibrahim , El-Serafi Ahmed T.
Published: March 2022

Biomaterials and tissue regeneration represent two fields of intense research and rapid advancement. Their combination allowed the utilization of the different characteristics of biomaterials to enhance the expansion of stem cells or their differentiation into various lineages. Furthermore, the use of biomaterials in tissue regeneration would help in the creation of larger tissue constructs that can allow for significant clinical application. Several studies investigated the role of one or more biomaterial on stem cell characteristics or their differentiation potential into a certain target. In order to achieve real advancement in the field of stem cell-based tissue regeneration, a careful analysis of the currently published information is critically needed. This review describes the fundamental description of biomaterials as well as their classification according to their source, bioactivity and different biological effects. The effect of different biomaterials on stem cell expansion and differentiation into the primarily studied lineages was further discussed. In conclusion, biomaterials should be considered as an essential component of stem cell differentiation strategies. An intense investigation is still required. Establishing a consortium of stem cell biologists and biomaterial developers would help in a systematic development of this field.
Integrative Analysis of RNA Expression and Regulatory Networks in Mice Liver Infected by Echinococcus multilocularis
Authors: Liu Tingli , Li Hong , Li Yanping , Wang Liqun , Chen Guoliang , Pu Guiting , Guo Xiaola , Cho William C. , Fasihi Harandi Majid , Zheng Yadong , Luo Xuenong
Published: March 2022

The larvae of Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis, which poses a great threat to the public health. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the host and parasite interactions are still unclear. Exploring the transcriptomic maps of mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA expressed in the liver in response to E. multilocularis infection will help us to understand its pathogenesis. Using liver perfusion, different cell populations including the hepatic cells, hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells were isolated from mice interperitoneally inoculated with protoscoleces. Their transcriptional profiles including lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs were done by RNA-seq. Among these cell populations, the most differentially-expressed (DE) mRNA, lncRNAs and miRNAs were annotated and may involve in the pathological processes, mainly including metabolic disorders, immune responses and liver fibrosis. Following the integrative analysis of 38 differentially-expressed DEmiRNAs and 8 DElncRNAs, the lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA networks were constructed, including F63-miR-223-3p-Fbxw7/ZFP36/map1b, F63-miR-27-5p-Tdrd6/Dip2c/Wdfy4 and IFNgAS1-IFN-γ. These results unveil the presence of several potential lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA axes during E. multilocularis infection, and further exploring of these axes may contribute to better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms.
Periosteal Skeletal Stem Cells and Their Response to Bone Injury
Authors: Zhang Nian , Hu Liru , Cao Zhiwei , Liu Xian , Pan Jian
Published: March 2022

Bone exhibits remarkable self-repair ability without fibrous scars. It is believed that the robust regenerative capacity comes from tissue-resident stem cells, such as skeletal stem cells (SSCs). Roughly, SSC has two niches: bone marrow (BM) and periosteum. BM-SSCs have been extensively studied for years. In contrast, our knowledge about periosteal SSCs (P-SSCs) is quite limited. There is abundant clinical evidence for the presence of stem cell populations within the periosteum. Researchers have even successfully cultured “stem-like” cells from the periosteum in vitro. However, due to the lack of effective markers, it is difficult to evaluate the stemness of real P-SSCs in vivo. Recently, several research teams have developed strategies for the successful identification of P-SSCs. For the first time, we can assess the stemness of P-SSCs from visual evidence. BM-SSCs and P-SSCs not only have much in common but also share distinct properties. Here, we provide an updated review of P-SSCs and their particular responses to bone injury.
Rnf220 is Implicated in the Dorsoventral Patterning of the Hindbrain Neural Tube in Mice
Authors: Wang Yu-Bing , Song Ning-Ning , Zhang Lei , Ma Pengcheng , Chen Jia-Yin , Huang Ying , Hu Ling , Mao Bingyu , Ding Yu-Qiang
Published: March 2022

Rnf220 is reported to regulate the patterning of the ventral spinal neural tube in mice. The brainstem has divergent connections with peripheral and central targets and contains unique internal neuronal groups, but the role of Rnf220 in the early development of the hindbrain has not been explored. In this study, Nestin-Cre-mediated conditional knockout (Rnf220Nestin CKO) mice were used to examine if Rnf220 is involved in the early morphogenesis of the hindbrain. Rnf220 showed restricted expression in the ventral half of ventricular zone (VZ) of the hindbrain at embryonic day (E) 10.5, and as development progressed, Rnf220-expressing cells were also present in the mantle zone outside the VZ at E12.5. In Rnf220Nestin CKO embryos, alterations of progenitor domains in the ventral VZ were observed at E10.5. There were significant reductions of the p1 and p2 domains shown by expression of Dbx1, Olig2, and Nkx6.1, accompanied by a ventral expansion of the Dbx1+ p0 domain and a dorsal expansion of the Nkx2.2+ p3 domain. Different from the case in the spinal cord, the Olig2+ pMN (progenitors of somatic motor neuron) domain shifted and expanded dorsally. Notably, the total range of the ventral VZ and the extent of the dorsal tube were unchanged. In addition, the post-mitotic cells derived from their corresponding progenitor domain, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and serotonergic neurons (5-HTNs), were also changed in the same trend as the progenitor domains do in the CKO embryos at E12.5. In summary, our data suggest similar functions of Rnf220 in the hindbrain dorsoventral (DV) patterning as in the spinal cord with different effects on the pMN domain. Our work also reveals novel roles of Rnf220 in the development of 5-HTNs and OPCs.
SLC2A1 is a Diagnostic Biomarker Involved in Immune Infiltration of Colorectal Cancer and Associated With m6A Modification and ceRNA
Authors: Liu Xu-Sheng , Yang Jian-Wei , Zeng Jing , Chen Xue-Qin , Gao Yan , Kui Xue-Yan , Liu Xiao-Yu , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yao-Hua , Pei Zhi-Jun
Published: March 2022

Background: Overexpression of solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) promotes glycolysis and proliferation and migration of various tumors. However, there are few comprehensive studies on SLC2A1 in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to analyze the expression of SLC2A1 in pan-cancer and CRC and analyzed the correlation between SLC2A1 expression and clinical characteristics of TCGA CRC samples. The expression level of SLC2A1 in CRC was certified by cell experiments and immunohistochemical staining analysis. The Genome Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analyses of SLC2A1 relative genes were completed by bioinformatics analysis. The correlation between SLC2A1 expression level and CRC immune infiltration cell was analyzed by Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and TCGA database. The correlation between SLC2A1 expression level and ferroptosis and m6A modification of CRC was analyzed by utilizing TCGA and GEO cohort. Finally, the possible competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks involved in SLC2A1 in CRC are predicted and constructed through various databases.

Results: SLC2A1 is highly expressed not only in CRC but also in many other tumors. ROC curve indicated that SLC2A1 had high predictive accuracy for the outcomes of tumor. The SLC2A1 expression in CRC was closely correlated with tumor stage and progression free interval (PFI). GO, KEGG, and GSEA analysis indicated that SLC2A1 relative genes were involved in multiple biological functions. The analysis of TIMER, GEPIA, and TCGA database indicated that the SLC2A1 mRNA expression was mainly positively associated with neutrophils. By the analysis of the TCGA and GEO cohort, we identified that the expression of SLC2A1 is closely associated to an m6A modification relative gene Insulin Like Growth Factor 2 MRNA Binding Protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and a ferroptosis relative gene Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4).

Conclusion: SLC2A1 can be used as a biomarker of CRC, which is associated to immune infiltration, m6A modification, ferroptosis, and ceRNA regulatory network of CRC.
In situ Chemical Profiling and Imaging of Cultured and Natural Cordyceps sinensis by TOF-SIMS
Authors: Liu Qian-Bao , Lu Jing-Guang , Jiang Zhi-Hong , Zhang Wei , Li Wen-Jia , Qian Zheng-Ming , Bai Li-Ping
Published: March 2022

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is a sensitive surface analytical technology, which can simultaneously acquire diverse chemical components and their precise locations on the surfaces of samples without any requirements for chemical damage pretreatments or additional matrices. Commonly, the quality control of TCMs (traditional Chinese medicines) is limited by the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the specifically extractive constituents. In this study, a practical sample preparation strategy named two-layered media embedding sample preparation was developed to obtain ideal freezing sections of dried materials of Cordyceps sinensis. Meanwhile, the well-established sample preparation method was applied for in situ chemical profiling and imaging of natural (NCS) and cultured Cordyceps sinensis (CCS) by using TOF-SIMS. More than 200 components were tentatively identified and imaged in NCS and CCS at the same time. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed that most components have even distributions in caterpillars of Cordyceps sinensis, while TAGs, DAGs, MAGs, and FAs only have distributions outside caterpillars’ digestive chambers. This is the first time that components were in situ imaged for Cordyceps sinensis to exhibit the chemical distributions which have never been achieved by other analytical techniques so far. In addition, chemometrics was used to simplify and explain the massive TOF-SIMS mass data sets, which revealed the high chemical similarity between CCS and NCS. Furthermore, the relative quantification of TOF-SIMS data showed that CCS has comparable proportions of amino acids, nucleosides, monosaccharides, sphingolipids, sterols and other principles to NCS except for fatty acids, glycerides and glycerophospholipids. The higher amounts of TAGs and DAGs in CCS were confirmed by quantitative 1H-NMR, indicating reliable relative quantification of TOF-SIMS. In general, our research developed a novel approach of TOF-SIMS for in situ chemical analysis of TCMs, and its successful application in comparative study of CCS and NCS suggested that TOF-SIMS is an advanced and promising analytical technology for the research of TCMs.
Autophagy Modulators in Coronavirus Diseases: A Double Strike in Viral Burden and Inflammation
Authors: Silva Rafael Cardoso Maciel Costa , Ribeiro Jhones Sousa , da Silva Gustavo Peixoto Duarte , da Costa Luciana Jesus , Travassos Leonardo Holanda
Published: March 2022

Coronaviruses are the etiologic agents of several diseases. Coronaviruses of critical medical importance are characterized by highly inflammatory pathophysiology, involving severe pulmonary impairment and infection of multiple cell types within the body. Here, we discuss the interplay between coronaviruses and autophagy regarding virus life cycle, cell resistance, and inflammation, highlighting distinct mechanisms by which autophagy restrains inflammatory responses, especially those involved in coronavirus pathogenesis. We also address different autophagy modulators available and the rationale for drug repurposing as an attractive adjunctive therapy. We focused on pharmaceuticals being tested in clinical trials with distinct mechanisms but with autophagy as a common target. These autophagy modulators act in cell resistance to virus infection and immunomodulation, providing a double-strike to prevent or treat severe disease development and death from coronaviruses diseases.
Why the Mixed Layer Depth Matters When Diagnosing Marine Heatwave Drivers Using a Heat Budget Approach
Authors: Elzahaby Youstina , Schaeffer Amandine , Roughan Moninya , Delaux Sébastien
Published: March 2022

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme warming events that can result in significant damage to marine ecosystems and local economies. The primary drivers of these events have been frequently studied using an upper ocean heat budget. However, various surface mixed layer (SML) depths have been used with little attention paid to the impact of the depth chosen on heat budget term estimates. We analyse MHW drivers in two dynamically contrasting regions off the east coast of Australia (East Australian Current extension) and the west coast of New Zealand over a 30-year period (1985–2014, inclusive). We compare the magnitude of the air-sea heatflux and advection terms in a volume-averaged heat budget using three different SML depth estimates. We show that the SML depth over which the heat budget is calculated has direct consequences on the identification of MHW dominant drivers. The air-sea heatflux term is amplified when the SML depth is underestimated and dampened when overestimated. The variation in the magnitude of the advection term is dependent on the barotropic or baroclinic structure of the currents. We, also, show that the impact on MHW driver classification is both temporally and regionally dependent. Generally, a deep SML estimate results in more MHWs being classified as advection and less classified as air-sea heatflux-driven. However, during the cool months, a shallow estimate produces the opposite pattern and to a varying degree of intensity depending on the region's dynamics. Use of daily and spatially variable SML depth in a heat budget calculation allows the comparison between regions with different dynamics influencing the mixed layer depth. These results show that when using a heat budget approach to explore marine heatwaves over extended time and space (e.g., regions and seasons), it is imperative to consider the temporal and spatial variability in the SML depth.
Development of a Cushion-Shaped Device to Induce Respiratory Rhythm and Depth for Enhanced Relaxation and Improved Cognition
Authors: Ban Yuki , Karasawa Hiroyuki , Fukui Rui , Warisawa Shin'ichi
Published: March 2022

Workplace stress is a pertinent problem in today's world. Preventing and overcoming stress is critical for a healthy lifestyle because it is linked to various health problems and can lead to poor work performance. Controlling your breathing is one of the most effective ways to promote relaxation. However, regulating one's breathing necessitates some training and is not something that everyone can do easily. As a result, we concentrated on the relaxing effect of breathing and developed a cushion-shaped device that displays the desired respiratory motion. We used the effect of inducing one's respiratory movements by watching others' respiratory movements. When the user hugged the device, it changed the user's respiratory rhythm and depth. We conducted a user study with this device, which revealed that presenting respiratory motion can induce the user's respiratory rhythm and depth without any pre-training. Furthermore, subjective evaluation and ECG data suggested that using this device during task breaks can improve the relaxation effect and thus task performance after the break.
An Ellipsoidal Predictor–Corrector State Estimation Scheme for Linear Continuous-Time Systems With Bounded Parameters and Bounded Measurement Errors
Authors: Rauh Andreas , Rohou Simon , Jaulin Luc
Published: March 2022

For linear time-invariant dynamic systems with exactly known coefficients of their system matrices for which measurements with bounded errors are available at discrete time instants, an optimal polygonal state estimation scheme was recently published. This scheme allows for tightly enclosing all possible state trajectories in presence of uncertain, but bounded, system inputs which may be varying arbitrarily within in their bounds. Moreover, this approach is also capable of accounting for uncertainty related to the measurement time instants. However, the drawback of this polygonal technique is its rapidly increasing complexity for larger system dimensions. For that reason, the polygonal state enclosures are replaced by a computationally less expensive, but nearly optimal, ellipsoidal enclosure technique in this paper. Numerical simulations for representative benchmark examples focusing both on applications with precisely known and uncertain parameters conclude this contribution.
The Effect of High-Altitude Acclimatisation on Ultra-Short Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Boos Christopher John , Mellor Adrian , Woods David Richard , O’Hara John Paul
Published: March 2022

Introduction

High-altitude (HA) exposure affects heart rate variability (HRV) and has been inconsistently linked to acute mountain sickness (AMS). The influence of increasing HA exposure on ultra-short HRV and its relationship to gold standard HRV measures at HA has not been examined.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of adults aged ≥ 18 years undertaking a HA trek in the Dhaulagiri region of the Himalayas. Cardiac inter-beat-intervals were obtained from a 10-s recording of supra-systolic blood pressure (Uscom BP+ device) immediately followed by 300 s single lead ECG recording (CheckMyHeart device). HRV was measured using the RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences of NN intervals) at sea level (SL) in the United Kingdom and at 3,619, 4,600, and 5,140 m at HA. Oxygen saturations (SpO2) were measured using finger-based pulse oximetry. The level of agreement between the 10 and 300 s RMSSD values were examined using a modified Bland–Altman relative-difference analysis.

Results

Overall, 89 participants aged 32.2 ± 8.8 years (range 18–56) were included of which 70.8% were men. HA exposure (SL vs. 3,619 m) was associated with an initial increase in both 10 s (45.0 [31.0–82.0]) vs. 58.0 [33.0–119.0] ms) and 300 s (45.67 [33.24–70.32] vs. 56.48 [36.98–102.0] ms) in RMSSD. Thereafter at 4,600 and 5,140 m both 10 and 300 s RMSSD values were significantly lower than SL. From a total of 317 paired HRV measures the 10 and 300 s RMSSD measures were moderately correlated (Spearman r = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59–0.72; p < 0.0001). The median difference (bias) in RMSSD values (300 s − 10 s) was −2.3 ms with a lower and upper limit of agreement of −107.5 and 88.61 ms, respectively with no differences with altitude. Overall, 293/317 (92.4%) of all paired HRV values fell within the 95% CI limits of agreement. Neither HRV method was predictive of AMS.

Conclusion

Increasing HA affects ultra-short HRV in a similar manner to gold-standard 300 s. Ultra-short HRV has a moderate agreement with 300 s measurements. HRV did not predict AMS.
Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Phenylacetylglutamine in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Stent Stenosis
Authors: Fang Chen , Zuo Kun , Fu Yuan , Li Jing , Wang Hongjiang , Xu Li , Yang Xinchun
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Dysbiotic gut microbiota (GM) plays a regulatory role during the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. GM-derived metabolite phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln) enhances platelet responsiveness and thrombosis potential, thereby inducing major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the role of GM and microbial metabolite PAGln in the pathogenesis of in-stent stenosis remains unknown.

Methods

16S rRNA sequencing was performed on fecal samples in 103 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, including 35 individuals with in-stent patency (control), 32 individuals with in-stent hyperplasia (ISH), and 36 subjects with in-stent stenosis (ISS), and the levels of plasma PAGln were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The results revealed significantly enhanced microbial diversity and disrupted composition, such as enrichment of Roseburia, Blautia, and Ruminococcus, were observed in CAD patients with in-stent stenosis. The imbalance of microbial function related to PAGln synthesis and elevated plasma GM-derived metabolite PAGln levels was detected in CAD patients with in-stent stenosis. The GM-dependent diagnostic model could identify CAD patients with in-stent stenosis.

Conclusion

The current study revealed the disordered signature, altered functions, and potential diagnostic ability of GM in CAD patients with in-stent hyperplasia and stenosis. Enhanced microbiota-derived PAGln synthesis-related functions and elevated plasma PAGln levels were associated with in-stent stenosis and hyperplasia in CAD patients. Thus, an intervention targeting gut microbes may be a promising strategy to prevent stent stenosis in patients with CAD.
Lithotripsy of Calcified Aortic Valve Leaflets by a Novel Ultrasound Transcatheter-Based Device
Authors: Bernava Giacomo , Fermi Enrico , Gelpi Guido , Rizzi Stefano , Benettin Davide , Barbuto Marianna , Romagnoni Claudia , Ventrella Domenico , Palmieri Maria Chiara , Agrifoglio Marco , Polvani Gianluca , Bacci Maria Laura , Pasquino Enrico , Pesce Maurizio
Published: March 2022

The increasing incidence of calcific aortic valve disease necessitates the elaboration of new strategies to retard the progression of the pathology with an innovative solution. While the increasing diffusion of the transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) allows a mini-invasive approach to aortic valve substitution as an alternative to conventional surgical replacement (SAVR) in an always larger patient population, TAVR implantation still has contraindications for young patients. In addition, it is liable to undergo calcification with the consequent necessity of re-intervention with conventional valve surgery or repeated implantation in the so-called TAVR-in-TAVR procedure. Inspired by applications for non-cardiac pathologies or for vascular decalcification before stenting (i.e., coronary lithotripsy), in the present study, we show the feasibility of human valve treatment with a mini-invasive device tailored to deliver shockwaves to the calcific leaflets. We provide evidence of efficient calcium deposit ruptures in human calcified leaflets treated ex vivo and the safety of the treatment in pigs. The use of this device could be helpful to perform shockwaves valvuloplasty as an option to retard TAVR/SAVR, or as a pretreatment to facilitate prosthesis implantation and minimize the occurrence of paravalvular leak.
Land Use Change in a Pericolonial Society: Intensification and Diversification in Ifugao, Philippines Between 1570 and 1800 CE
Authors: Findley David Max , Bankoff Greg , Barretto-Tesoro Grace , Hamilton Rebecca , Kay Andrea U. , Acabado Stephen , Amano Noel , Kaplan Jed O. , Roberts Patrick
Published: March 2022

Land use modelling is increasingly used by archaeologists and palaeoecologists seeking to quantify and compare the changing influence of humans on the environment. In Southeast Asia, the intensification of rice agriculture and the arrival of European colonizers have both been seen as major catalysts for deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity change. Here we consider the Tuwali-Ifugao people of the Cordillera Central (Luzon, Philippines), who resisted Spanish colonial subjugation from the 16th to the mid-nineteenth century, in part through the development of a world-renowned system of intensive wet-rice terrace agriculture. To quantify changes in how the Tuwali-Ifugao used their environment, we model land use in Old Kiyyangan Village, a long-inhabited settlement, at two timepoints: circa 1570 CE, prior to the Spanish arrival in Luzon, and circa 1800 CE, before the village was sacked by Spanish military expeditions. Our model demonstrates that between 1570 and 1800 the adoption of rice as a staple and the corresponding expansion in terrace agriculture, along with a general diversification of diet and land use, enabled the village’s population to double without increasing total land use area. Further, this major intensification led to the solidification of social hierarchies and occurred without a proportional increase in deforestation.
Multifrequency Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar Data for Backscatter-Based Characterization of Land Use and Land Cover
Authors: Verma Shatakshi , Kumar Shashi , Mishra Varun Narayan , Raj Rahul
Published: March 2022

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar remote sensing extracts the information about the target using decomposition models to separate the polarimetric information into single-bounce (contributed by smooth surfaces), double-bounce (contributed by urban structure), and volume (mainly due to vegetation cover) scattering components. The penetration capacity of the electromagnetic wave into the surface increases with the decrease in its frequency. This study explores and compares the polarimetric decomposition models for scattering-based characterization of land use and cover using multifrequency spaceborne synthetic aperture radar sensor datasets that were acquired over San Francisco, CA, USA. The present work compares the scattering parameters of coherent (Pauli), roll-invariant (Barnes), eigenvalue–eigenvector (Cloude), and compact-polarimetric (Raney) decomposition modeling approaches for scattering-based characterization of urban structures, waterbody, and vegetation cover. The land use/cover classification was performed based on the scattering response of the scatterers using a support vector machine classifier. The outputs of the classification approach on multisensor, multifrequency, and multi-polarization polarimetric synthetic aperture radar data have shown reasonable accuracy in classifying the land use and land cover. The decomposition models fail to characterize the oriented urban structures that cause misclassification of urban structures as vegetation. The higher-order roll-invariant decomposition modeling approaches could improve the interpretation of different targets and accuracy in land use and land cover classification.
Formation and Evolution of Supradetachment Basins During Continental Extension: Insights From the Fuxin Basin in NE China
Authors: Sun Shouheng , Qiu Liang , Yan Dan-Ping , Zhou Zhicheng , Zhang Jiaming , Wang Xin , Wu Bingwei , Shi Haitao , Ariser Shahnawaz , Chu Rong , Fu Yu , Wang Yini
Published: March 2022

Supradetachment basins can record the stratigraphy and development of metamorphic core complexes (MCCs). The Fuxin supradetachment basin, which lies immediately to the west of the Yiwulvshan MCC in NE China, provides an excellent opportunity to establish the relationship between supradetachment basins and MCCs. In this study, we conducted field investigations, sedimentary facies analysis, and seismic profile interpretation to decipher the sedimentary processes and structural evolution of the basin and link them to the development of the Yiwulvshan MCC. The Fuxin Basin is filled predominantly by syn-rift volcanic sedimentary and post-rift clastic rocks, which developed in four stages, namely, proto-rift, fault subsidence, transition, and compression. The Fuxin Basin developed simultaneously with the two stages (earlier faulting-dominated and later exhumation stages) of development of the MCC. Erosion of the core of the Yiwulvshan MCC provided clastic material to the Fuxin Basin. Based on multi-stage reconstruction of the formation and evolution of the Fuxin Basin and Yiwulvshan MCC, we propose that rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate and retreat of the subduction trench provided the geodynamic setting for the crustal extension that formed the basin and MCC.
Lower Paleolithic Winds of Change: Prepared Core Technologies and the Onset of the Levallois Method in the Levantine Late Acheulian
Authors: Rosenberg-Yefet T. , Shemer M. , Barkai R.
Published: March 2022

The life cycle of a successful technological innovation usually follows a well-known path: a slow inception, gradual assimilation of the technology, an increase in its frequency up to a certain peak, and then a decline. These different phases are characterized not only by varying frequency of use but also by degree of standardization and distinguishability. The Levallois method, a sophisticated Middle Paleolithic technology aimed at producing desired stone items of predetermined morphology, is one such innovation. It has been repeatedly suggested that the Levallois method originated within earlier Lower Paleolithic Acheulian industries, and this work contributes to this discussion. We analyze the reduction trajectory of prepared cores and predetermined blanks from the late Acheulian sites of Jaljulia and Revadim, adding important new evidence for the Lower Paleolithic origins of the Levallois method and its adoption and assimilation in the human stone-tool repertoire of this period in the Levant. Revadim and Jaljulia also provide a rare opportunity to study patterns in the early assimilation of technological innovations. These sites yielded rich lithic assemblages typical of the late Acheulian in the Levant. The assemblages include handaxes but are mostly dominated by flake production technologies and flake-tools. The early appearance of prepared cores at both sites signals, in our view, the inception of concepts related to the Levallois method, termed here proto-Levallois, in the late Acheulian Levant. Through a detailed analysis of prepared cores and their products, we are able to characterize the early stages of assimilation of this method, using it as a case study in a broader discussion of the adoption and assimilation of technological innovations during Lower Paleolithic times.
Lights, Camera, Reaction: Evaluating Extent of Transformative Learning and Emotional Engagement Through Viewer-Responses to Environmental Films
Authors: Esmail Shefaza , Matthews-Roper Misty
Published: March 2022

In sustainability education affective responses to climate change are rarely discussed, and this is to the detriment of students. One way to address this gap in higher education for sustainability is learner-centred teaching using transformative learning principles. The processes for implementation may vary. Our preliminary study evaluated the contribution of environmental films paired with viewer-response activities, such as reflections and discussions, to create emotional engagement and facilitate transformative learning in an online course where content focused on sustainability and climate change. Data for the study were gathered through two questionnaires, student reflections, and interviews. Our study found that the process of film watching, reflection writing, and engaging in discussion was conducive to incorporating five of the six elements of transformative learning: individual experience, promoting critical reflection, awareness of context, dialogue, and authentic relationships. We conclude that films are an effective means of conveying complex content in an online course pertaining to climate change and sustainability. We propose pairing films with viewer-response strategies, especially reflections to allow students to identify their feelings, biases, and preconceived frames of references and stimulate the path toward transformative learning in higher education.
Annual Body Mass Index Gain and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Subsequent Pregnancy
Authors: Tano Sho , Kotani Tomomi , Ushida Takafumi , Yoshihara Masato , Imai Kenji , Nakano-Kobayashi Tomoko , Moriyama Yoshinori , Iitani Yukako , Kinoshita Fumie , Yoshida Shigeru , Yamashita Mamoru , Kishigami Yasuyuki , Oguchi Hidenori , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Weight change during the interpregnancy is related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the subsequent pregnancy. In interpregnancy care/counseling, the timeframe for goal setting is important, while the timing of the next conception is unpredictable and preventing age-related body weight gain is difficult. This study aimed to investigate the association between annual weight gain during the interpregnancy, which provide clearer timeframe, and GDM in subsequent pregnancies.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective study was conducted by collecting data on two pregnancies of the same women in 2009–2019. The association between annual BMI gain and GDM during the subsequent pregnancy was examined.

Results

This study included 1,640 pregnant women. A history of GDM [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 26.22; 95% confidence interval (CI), 14.93–46.07] and annual BMI gain (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.81) were related to GDM during the subsequent pregnancy. In the women with a pre-pregnant BMI of <25.0 kg/m2 and without GDM during the index pregnancy, an annual BMI gain of ≥0.6 kg/m2/year during the interpregnancy were associated with GDM in subsequent pregnancies; however, in the other subgroups, it was not associated with GDM in subsequent pregnancies.

Conclusions

For women with a pre-pregnant BMI of <25.0 kg/m2 and without GDM during the index pregnancy, maintaining an annual BMI gain of <0.6 kg/m2/year may prevent GDM during the subsequent pregnancy.
A Hypothesis From Metabolomics Analysis of Diabetic Retinopathy: Arginine-Creatine Metabolic Pathway May Be a New Treatment Strategy for Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Sun Ye , Kong Ling , Zhang Ai-Hua , Han Ying , Sun Hui , Yan Guang-Li , Wang Xi-Jun
Published: March 2022

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the serious complications of diabetes, which the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and its irreversibility renders the existing treatment methods unsatisfactory. Early detection and timely intervention can effectively reduce the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. Metabolomics is a branch of systems biology and a powerful tool for studying pathophysiological processes, which can help identify the characteristic metabolic changes marking the progression of diabetic retinopathy, discover potential biomarkers to inform clinical diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an update on the known metabolomics biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy. Through comprehensive analysis of biomarkers, we found that the arginine biosynthesis is closely related to diabetic retinopathy. Meanwhile, creatine, a metabolite with arginine as a precursor, has attracted our attention due to its important correlation with diabetic retinopathy. We discuss the possibility of the arginine-creatine metabolic pathway as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic retinopathy.
Increased Serum VEGF-B Level Is Associated With Renal Function Impairment in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wei Yaping , Han Shiyu , Zhou Ruonan , Xu Pingyuan , Zhou Lingyan , Zhu Ziwei , Kan Yue , Yang Xiaoying , Xiang Yingying , Cao Yue , Jin Yu , Yan Jing , Yu Xizhong , Wang Xin , Shang Wenbin
Published: March 2022

Aims/Introduction

Renal function impairment related to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) presents serious threat to public health. Previous studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) might contribute to renal injury. Therefore, this study investigated the association of serum VEGF-B level with the risk of renal function impairment in T2DM patients.

Materials and Methods

Serum VEGF-B levels were measured in 213 patients with type 2 diabetes and 31 healthy participants. Participants with type 2 diabetes were further divided into a group of 112 participants with eGFR<90 mL/min/1.73m2 and 101 participants with eGFR≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m2. Clinical data were collected, and a binary logistic regression model was employed to test the association between potential predictors and eGFR.

Results

Serum VEGF-B levels evaluated in type 2 diabetes patients compared with healthy controls. In patients with type 2 diabetes, serum VEGF-B level was positively correlated with triglyceride, serum creatinine and cystatin C while negatively correlated with HDL-C and eGFR. Binary logistic regression showed that serum VEGF-B level was an independent risk factor of eGFR<90 mL/min/1.73m2.

Conclusions

Serum VEGF-B level is associated with renal function impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes and may be a potential drug target for diabetic kidney disease.
Hydraulic Characteristics of Axial Flow Pump Device With Different Guide Vane Inlet Angles
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Hucheng , Wang Chuan , Ji Dongtao , Shi Wei , Lu Weigang , Lu Linguang
Published: March 2022

To improve the efficiency of low-head pump device in the large-discharge and low-head domain, the hydraulic characteristics of vertical axial flow pump devices with different guide vane inlet angles were studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and model test methods. The Q∼Hzz and Q∼ηzz curves of the pump device were obtained for different impeller blade angles when the inlet angle adjustments of the guide vane were 0° and −12°. The resulting hydraulic performance was compared and analyzed. The results showed that the pump device efficiency under low-head and large-discharge conditions was improved when the guide vane inlet angle was rotated in the clockwise direction. The reason for the increased pump device efficiency was analyzed using CFD. When the guide vane inlet angle adjustments were 0° and −12° under low-head working conditions, the vortex in the guide vane was eliminated, the hydraulic loss of the guide vane decreased, and the energy performance of the pump improved. When the operational conditions of the pump device deviate from its high-efficiency zone due to limitations in the pump model or the motor itself, the application of these results could improve its hydraulic performance, which is of great significance to the design and application of low-head pump devices.
Differential Responses of Small Mammals to Woody Encroachment in a Semi-Arid Grassland
Authors: Misher Chetan , Vats Gargi , Vanak Abi Tamim
Published: March 2022

Encroachment by woody invasive plants is a major threat to grasslands and savannah ecosystems worldwide. Rodents, being primary consumers, are likely to be the first to respond to changes in the structure and composition of native vegetation. We examined the effect of an invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora (hereafter Prosopis) on the native rodent community of an arid grassland system of Western India. Our sampling plots were divided into five categories representing different stages of Prosopis invasion and other land cover types. These consisted of restored native grassland, agriculture fallow, open brushland, sparse-Prosopis plots, and Prosopis-dominated plots. We also examined the impact of woody invasion on the response of native rodents toward moonlight and temperature. As hypothesized, we found a significantly higher abundance of rodent species in the native grassland habitat compared to sparse-Prosopis habitats. However, there was no significant difference in rodent abundance and diversity between the grassland and Prosopis-dominated habitats. Thus, species richness and abundance of rodents were the highest in the restored grasslands and dense Prosopis thickets, and the lowest in the sparse Prosopis, potentially showing a “U” shaped response to Prosopis invasion. We observed a species-specific effect of Prosopis on the activity of Tatera indica, Bandicota bengalensis, and Millardia meltada. Habitat type mediated the effect of different environmental factors (moonlight and temperature) on the activity of the most commonly ocurring species T. indica while activity of M. meltada showed a weak association with environmental factors. B. bengalensis was the most generalist species showing similar activity across all habitat types. Thus, the impact of Prosopis invasion on the rodent community was uneven, and depended on species as well as on local environmental characteristics.
Molecular-Based Diversity Studies and Field Surveys Are Not Mutually Exclusive: On the Importance of Integrated Methodologies in Mycological Research
Authors: Cazabonne Jonathan , Bartrop Lachlan , Dierickx Glen , Gafforov Yusufjon , Hofmann Tina A. , Martin Thomas E. , Piepenbring Meike , Rivas-Ferreiro Mauro , Haelewaters Danny
Published: March 2022

Understanding and describing the diversity of living organisms is a great challenge. Fungi have for a long time been, and unfortunately still are, underestimated when it comes to taxonomic research. The foundations were laid by the first mycologists through field observations. These important fundamental works have been and remain vital reference works. Nevertheless, a non-negligible part of the studied funga escaped their attention. Thanks to modern developments in molecular techniques, the study of fungal diversity has been revolutionized in terms of tools and knowledge. Despite a number of disadvantages inherent to these techniques, traditional field-based inventory work has been increasingly superseded and neglected. This perspective aims to demonstrate the central importance of field-based research in fungal diversity studies, and encourages researchers not to be blinded by the sole use of molecular methods.
Feasibility of Follow-Up Studies and Reclassification in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Gene Variants of Unknown Significance
Authors: Ghorbani Fatemeh , Alimohamed Mohamed Z. , Vilacha Juliana F. , Van Dijk Krista K. , De Boer-Bergsma Jelkje , Fokkens Michiel R. , Lemmink Henny , Sijmons Rolf H. , Sikkema-Raddatz Birgit , Groves Matthew R. , Verschuuren-Bemelmans Corien C. , Verbeek Dineke S. , Van Diemen Cleo C. , Westers Helga
Published: March 2022

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with autosomal dominant inheritance. Genetic testing for SCA leads to diagnosis, prognosis and risk assessment for patients and their family members. While advances in sequencing and computing technologies have provided researchers with a rapid expansion in the genetic test content that can be used to unravel the genetic causes that underlie diseases, the large number of variants with unknown significance (VUSes) detected represent challenges. To minimize the proportion of VUSes, follow-up studies are needed to aid in their reclassification as either (likely) pathogenic or (likely) benign variants. In this study, we addressed the challenge of prioritizing VUSes for follow-up using (a combination of) variant segregation studies, 3D protein modeling, in vitro splicing assays and functional assays. Of the 39 VUSes prioritized for further analysis, 13 were eligible for follow up. We were able to reclassify 4 of these VUSes to LP, increasing the molecular diagnostic yield by 1.1%. Reclassification of VUSes remains difficult due to limited possibilities for performing variant segregation studies in the classification process and the limited availability of routine functional tests.