bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bolos epidurales intermitentes programados para mantenimiento de la analgesia del trabajo de parto: Estudio observacional, analítico de tipo cohorte
Authors: Calderón Lozano Marjorie Lisseth , Moreno Gonzales Renato , Segura Pinedo Dante , Vásquez Rojas Gunther , Arenas Velásquez Anibal
Published: December 2021

Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre analgesia epidural mantenida mediante Bolos epidurales intermitentes programados (BEIP) y las complicaciones materno-perinatales. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de tipo Cohorte en gestantes entre 18 y 35 años, en trabajo de parto con dilatación cervical de 4 centímetros o más, agrupadas en dos cohortes según administración o no de analgesia epidural: En las gestantes del Grupo A, se administró analgesia epidural en bolo, con mantenimiento mediante BEIP con bupivacaína 0.0625% y fentanilo 25 ug en 10cc cada 60 minutos; en las gestantes del grupo B, no se administró analgesia epidural. Resultados: La duración del periodo de dilatación y expulsivo fue mayor en el grupo que recibió analgesia epidural de (532.91 ± 254 minutos) y de (429.19 ± 311 minutos) en el que no recibió; el tiempo del periodo expulsivo fue (16.97 ± 16 minutos) y (11.76 ± 10 minutos) en el grupo B, (p < 0.05); menor incidencia de desgarros perineales de primer grado en el grupo que recibió analgesia (16.12 % VS 25.35%; p=0.014). No se encontraron diferencias en la vía de culminación del parto, puntuación de APGAR, necesidad de reanimación neonatal e ingreso a Unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN). Conclusiones: Las gestantes que recibieron analgesia epidural mediante BEIP tuvieron una mayor duración del periodo de dilatación y del expulsivo, menor incidencia de desgarros perineales, sin incrementar la morbilidad neonatal.
Características métricas del paladar de neonatos nacidos a término y pre-término en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal
Authors: Munayco Magallanes Américo , Ocampo Escobedo Llisel Ocampo Escobedo , Cortez Marino María , Lapa Meza Maryjose
Published: December 2021

Objetivo: Determinar las características métricas del paladar en neonatos nacidos a término y pre-término en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de tipo transversal en el INMP en la ciudad de Lima – Perú mediante un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia en 60 neonatos; divididos en dos grupos: 30 neonatos nacidos a término y 30 neonatos nacidos pre-término. El registro del paladar se hizo mediante impresiones con silicona y cubetas de acrílico individualizadas, obteniéndose modelos de estudio con yeso Ortodóncico; dichos modelos fueron llevados a Tomografía Espiral Multicorte, para realizar las mediciones longitudinales, transversales y de profundidad en vistas axiales y sagitales.  Resultados: En neonatos pre-término el ancho promedio del paladar fue 26,4 mm, mientras que en los neonatos a término fue 29,5 mm. La profundidad promedio del paladar de los neonatos pre-término es 6,95 mm y en neonatos a término es 7,87mm. El índice palatal promedio en los neonatos pre-término es igual a 0,26 mm y en los neonatos a término es 0,27 mm. El Índice Palatal no presenta diferencias significativas en neonatos a término y pre-término (p=0,785). Conclusiones: La profundidad del paladar en neonatos pre-término es menor que en neonatos a término. Los neonatos a término tienen el paladar más ancho y largo que los neonatos pre-término. El índice palatal es el mismo en neonatos a término y pretérmino y, no es afectado por el género y edad gestacional.
Recomendaciones para la atención de recién nacidos hijos de madre COVID-19 positivas
Authors: Dávila Aliaga Carmen Rosa , Torres Marcos Elsa , Hinojosa Perez J. Rosmary , Espinoza Vivas Ylia
Published: December 2021

La COVID-19 fue declarada pandemia mundial por la OMS el 11 de marzo del 2020, en la actualidad hay más de 34 millones de personas infectadas en el mundo y más de un millón han fallecido1,2. Dong reportó de un total de 2,135 niños afectados solo el 1.5% en edad neonatal3.

En el Perú, al 30 de setiembre del 2020, se han reportado 818,290 infectados y 32,535 fallecidos. Según el registro de NOTI-CDC-MINSA Perú hasta el 20 de setiembre del presente año, 6183 recién nacidos sospechosos a COVID-19, representa una incidencia acumulada de 17.93 x 1000 nacimientos. Por otro lado, notificaron 313 casos positivos con PCRrt, de ellos fallecieron   24 recién nacidos4.

Los niños de todas las edades pueden enfermar con COVID-19, la mayoría no se enferman con tanta gravedad como los adultos, y algunos quizás no presenten síntomas. Los índices de hospitalización para niños han sido mucho más bajos que para los adultos5-8.

En estos momentos existen pocos datos epidemiológicos de la enfermedad en neonatos y menos aún de seguimiento de estos casos. La Red de la Sociedad Iberoamericana de Neonatología reportó que de  86 mujeres embarazadas con COVID-19,  6% de los recién nacidos fueron prematuros, 7% dieron positivo al PCRrt, ninguno  falleció, 76%  separó al binomio, en 95% de los casos la madre no pudo ser acompañada en el parto ni puerperio, solo 24% de las madres fueron  autorizadas  a amamantar9. Esta es una realidad que grafica parte de las consecuencias de la pandemia en la atención neonatal10.
Neisseria-Meningitis Diseases
Authors: Clark Stephen , Lucidarme Jay , Borrow Ray
Published: December 2021

Meningococcal disease is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus). It remains a significant public health issue globally causing both endemic and epidemic disease in developed and developing countries.

Approximately 10% of humans harmlessly carry N. meningitidis in the oronasopharynx. On very rare occasions the bacteria may cross the epithelium and enter the blood stream causing sudden onset of sepsis and or meningitis with high complication and case fatality rates, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

A limited number of strains cause the majority of invasive disease and, in normally healthy individuals, these practically always express a protective polysaccharide capsule on their cell surface.

There are 12 capsular serogroups, of which A, B, C, W, X and Y cause the vast majority of invasive meningococcal disease worldwide.

Polysaccharide-based vaccines target the capsule and so are serogroup-specific.

Plain (unconjugated) polysaccharide vaccines were developed first and have been used in control of serogroup A epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa and for controlling serogroup C disease in the military and college students. Associated limitations include poor immunogenicity in young children, hyporesponsiveness with repeat doses, inability to induce immune memory and lack of an effect on carriage.

Conjugated polysaccharide vaccines have none of these limitations and, most importantly, significantly reduce carriage. Therefore, large scale vaccination of cohorts with high carriage (catch-up campaigns) are highly effective in inducing herd protection.

Serogroup C conjugate vaccines have been hugely successful in dramatically reducing disease in the countries that have instigated immunization programs together with appropriate catch-up campaigns.

Meningococcal quadrivalent conjugate vaccines are now being implemented into schedules.

With the development and introduction of a meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine, serogroup A disease has disappeared from those sub-Saharan countries who have implemented campaigns.

The serogroup B polysaccharide is poorly immunogenic and so broad coverage protein-based serogroup B vaccines have been developed.
Application of Smart Oven Technology as an Effort to Increase Smoked Egg Production and Quality in Sania MSME
Authors: Arifa Yena , Humaidah Nurul , Widodo Feri , Muizzhuddin Muhammad , Pranoto Bibit
Published: December 2021

Mitra Home salted egg industry SANIA MSME is an MSME that engages in duck cultivation and the production of Smoked Salted Eggs. SANIA MSME was founded by a duck breeder group in 2008 in Kawedusan Ponggok Village, Blitar. Smoked salted eggs are known for their burnt/smoky aroma and greasy egg yolks. Smoked egg production is done manually using the use of smoking drums. These manual devices are only capable of baking 150 grains per day. Meanwhile, damage due to smoking with an oven drum can reach up to 15-20%. This can reduce profits by up to 20% per cycle of the smoking process. Damage occurs when users forget or are too late to lower the drum oven's temperature before it reaches temperatures of 1000C or more. The uneven heat can also result in a reduction to taste and greasiness of the egg yolks. Manual ovens take 7-10 hours at 80-900C to cook. From discussions with partners, it was discovered that they needed egg smoking ovens that feature thermoregulators and can produce even flows of smoke automatically. There is a need for technological innovation in the egg fumigation equipment category in the form of smart egg smoking ovens complete with thermoregulators and automatic smoke airflow systems. Smart ovens have the potential to increase productivity by 75% with a faster smoking process of 3-4 hours. The service method was carried out by way of producing a design for smart ovens, socialization and assistance in the use of the device, assistance in the production of smoked eggs, and program evaluation. The results of the mentoring activity suggested that the production of smoked eggs can increase by 70% with the level of cooking damage sitting at less than 10% and an improvement in the product's taste.
Managing Pemphigoid Gestationis
Authors: Savervall Christine , Thomsen Simon Francis
Published: December 2021

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is important to diagnose and treat because it carries considerable morbidity for the pregnant woman and can also constitute a risk to the fetus. Herein, the treatment options for PG and a proposed treatment algorithm for PG during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and late postpartum are reviewed.
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Children with Acute Central Nervous System Infection in Kerala, India
Authors: Thomas Mili , Swarnam Kamala , Viswanathan Indu Sunitha , Remadevi Gopika Sekhar , Khan Nazeer , Anilkumar TV
Published: December 2021

Background and aims: Infection of the central nervous system is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical profile and outcome of children aged 1 month to 15 years admitted with acute central nervous system infection between 2008 and 2020 in the Department of Pediatrics, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India.

Materials and methods: This was a case record based retrospective study.

Results: Of 62 children, 44 had meningitis and 18 had encephalitis. Most patients were in the age group 1-5 years old and males were the predominant sex (70.96%). Eighteen patients with meningitis had a clinical triad of fever, headache, and vomiting, while only three with encephalitis experienced this. Seizures and altered sensorium were seen significantly more in children with encephalitis. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis was seen in significantly more patients with meningitis compared with patients with encephalitis. Aetiology for meningitis included pneumococcus, Orientia tsutsugamushi (scrub typhus), meningococcus, and Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Causes of encephalitis included enterovirus, mumps virus, herpes simplex virus, dengue virus, and H1N1 influenza virus infection. Paediatric intensive care unit admission was more common for patients with encephalitis. One child with pneumococcal meningitis and another with dengue encephalitis died. Seizures were the most common sequelae.

Conclusion: Typical clinical features were not present in most patients with meningitis; therefore, a high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis. Exact aetiologies could not be identified in most of the patients. Pneumococcus, scrub typhus, and meningococcus were the aetiological agents identified for meningitis. Encephalitis was attributed to dengue virus, herpes simplex virus, enterovirus, mumps virus, and H1N1 influenza virus infection.
Methotrexate and The Lung in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Ahmad Al Nokhatha Shamma , Harrington Robert , Conway Richard
Published: December 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic rheumatic disease. While the most visible manifestation of RA is articular involvement, it is a true systemic disease with the potential to affect multiple organs. Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used medication to treat RA. MTX pneumonitis (MTX-pneu) is a rare disease entity reported in MTX users. It usually develops acutely or subacutely in the first year of treatment. MTX-pneu presents with cough, dyspnoea, and often fever. Pre-existing lung disease is a major risk factor and the clinical diagnosis is based on MTX exposure, symptoms, and laboratory and imaging findings. Treatment involves MTX cessation and high-dose glucocorticoids. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common manifestation of RA with clinical RA-ILD affecting up to 10% of patients. RA-ILD tends to be a more indolent process than MTX-pneu and frequently develops over years but can also be acute. Similar to MTX-pneu, RA-ILD presents with cough, dyspnoea, and often fever. Risk factors include age, male sex, disease activity, seropositivity, and smoking. Treatment is aimed at optimal control of RA disease and within this strategy there may be particular roles for rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept. Antifibrotics may also have a role. Given the distinct pathologies, the differentiation of these two entities is crucial. The treatment approach differs significantly and what is beneficial for one may be harmful for the other. In this paper, the authors discuss and contrast contemporary knowledge of MTX-pneu and RA-ILD.
Managing Chronic Pain in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wolf Theodore
Published: December 2021

ON DAY 3 of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2021 Congress, participants from across the globe accessed the virtual platform to join Jon Lampa, Associate Professor, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and his panel as they explored the challenges and opportunities of managing chronic pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
СULTURAL EPOCHS AS TEXT IN LESIA UKRAINKA’S DRAMAS
Authors: Turhan Olha
Published: December 2021

Based on Lesia Ukrainka’s dramas “Iphigenia in Tavrida”, “Cassandra”, “The Orgy”, “Ruphin and Priscilla”, and “The Stone Master”, the paper highlights peculiarities of cultural and historical codes of the Antiquity and the Middle Ages in the writer's works as well as literary manifestation of the world-view features of European and Ukrainian Modernism in the antique and medieval images and motifs.

Lesia Ukrainka reconsidered the heritage of archaic and late Antiquity, Hellenistic period, Galilee at the time of Jesus, Early Christianity, and Medieval Spain. Each of these epochs has its own dichotomy of social and biological phenomena, parameters of the world model, and dominant fundamental points.

Lesia Ukrainka’s dramas transform the material of various cultural epochs, providing polysemantic images that transfer the cosmos of a certain period into the neo-romantic and neo-classical system of images and symbols. In the dramas, the writer raised the issues recurrent in her works, such as love and sacrifice; beauty and ugliness; prophet, artist and ‘revolt of the masses’; reality and dream; good and evil; truth and benefit; nostalgia for chivalry; nostalgia for the Absolute; psychological and moral freedom and violence; spirit, soul, and body; spiritual nobility and the rule of brutes; nature and culture, etc. 

Numerous issues and characters, multifunctional ontological, cultural, and historical phenomena, cultural codes, symbols, and mythologems acquire an existential meaning in the author’s dramas fitting not only into various cultural contexts but also into the modern reconsideration of mythopoetics.
Lost from Sight: Developing Recognition of Māori Law in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Jones Carwyn
Published: December 2021

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the state legal system is increasingly drawing on aspects of Māori law. Recent decisions suggest that the courts are willing to consider Māori law as a source of New Zealand law. This marks a change from earlier approaches which recognised discrete customary practices as customary law. Questions of state recognition of customary law have tended to focus attention on common law tests and so obscure processes of the Indigenous legal system, the sources of Indigenous law, and Indigenous forms of legal reasoning and communication. This article suggests that by focusing instead on understanding the application of Māori law within a fuller cultural context, the New Zealand courts may be better able to reveal and understand the Indigenous legal principles and processes at work. This would include engaging with a different range of legal sources, including working with Māori stories as legal texts, to make visible aspects of Indigenous law that can help to drive developments in the state legal system.
De-ageing Family Law: Re-engineering the Children-Adults/Parents Machine
Authors: Chiu Man-chung
Published: December 2021

Since 2005, the Hong Kong Government has proposed to replace the concept of ‘parental rights’ with ‘parental responsibility’ in the legal machine controlling and regulating child custody in divorce cases. However, it has again reduced ‘children’ to a powerless position, arguing that it can positively protect the ‘best interests’ of children. In this article, the author suggests that only by de-ageing law can the unequal power relationship between children and adults be challenged, and hence, can – and will – children’s views and subjectivity be respected and constituted in family law proceedings.
MODELING PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS’ TRIP PRODUCTION IN HAWASSA CITY, ETHIOPIA
Authors: Gebre Girma , Quezon Emer T.
Published: December 2021

Today, overcrowded public transport demand, resulting in huge costs in an urban area. Similarly, there are a lot of people who use public transport in Hawassa city. This study aimed to develop public transport users' trip production models at the household level. Some socio-economic characteristics and trip detail of the public transport users were collected randomly from the different households through a questionnaire survey. The data gathered was fed into IBM SPSS package version 20 to develop linear regression models. The developed models are associated with trips for purpose and time intervals of trips made. The developed linear regression models, general trips, work trips, educational trips, and trips made before 8:00 AM and after 4:00 PM had good explanatory power. The value of explanatory power comprised of 0.656, 0.722, 0.549, 0.610 and 0.510. These values indicated the explanation power of the socio-economic characteristics on the trips made. It means the daily trips production was significantly affected by the number of working individuals, the different age brackets, cars and motorcycles, and the monthly income per household. The most frequent public transport users’ trips production regarding the trip purpose and time are work trips and occurred after 4:00 PM. This scenario represented a good model developed in this study. Hence, it is suggested that Hawassa city’s traffic management office use the developed models to predict the future trips demand to provide a proper scheme to avoid congestion during the peak hour of the day.
OBSERVING PEOPLE'S REACTIONS AND RESPONSES TO URBAN ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE (RTN) IN JORDAN
Authors: Jadaan Khair , Alsarayreh Duha , Obaid Mohammed
Published: December 2021

The subjective aspect of assessing Road Traffic Noise (RTN) in urban agglomerations is crucial, as it takes into consideration the sensitivity and specific reactions of residents to Road Traffic noise (RTN) in their living environments. This paper aims to present a detailed sociological study initiated to measure the level of public awareness regarding RTN and estimate the impact of RTN disturbance on RTN disturbance their daily activities. For this purpose, an attitudinal survey was conducted using a predesigned questionnaire with limited noise measurements. The questioners were distributed to the neighboring residents of one of the most congested arterial roads in Amman, Jordan’s capital. The questioner firstly focused on evaluating the awareness of respondents of the problem magnitude and its environmental and health impacts, and secondly, assessing the effects of RTN as perceived by the respondents on different daily activities. The analysis of the collected data found that around 50% of respondents believe that RTN impacts the environment, and 60% believe that RTN affects human health, while 38% consider changing their place of residence and moving to a quieter place. The main results of the study showed that RTN causes annoyance to people while performing their daily activities, especially while studying and resting. Further main reported impacts included causing fatigue (64%), anxiety (75%), nervousness (87%), focus reduction (89%), and discomfort (90%).
Fair and Square Redistricting
Authors: Fox James
Published: December 2021

The “Guide to Fair Maps” is written for citizens, advocates and commissioners, as well as legislators, lawyers and judges. This policy guide (1) discusses why Fair Maps are so important to preserve our representative democracy, (2) describes a straightforward test for gerrymandering; and (3) offers a procedure to eradicate gerrymandering while achieving other desired redistricting criteria. The guide contains a broad range of illustrative maps. An associated research paper, “Fair and Square Redistricting,” details, justifies and illustrates a new procedure for constructing legislative district maps. This approach is transparent, nonpartisan, and straightforward. The procedure builds maps where the districts are compact and the maps are verified to be free of gerrymandering.
PREVENTION AND DETOXIFICATION OF MYCOTOXINS IN FEED
Authors: Kosolapova Valentina , Khalifa Mohaimen , Mokrushina Olga
Published: December 2021

Through a comprehensive review of published reports on mycotoxin removal strategies, this work aims to update the understanding of the removal of mycotoxins present in the feed. Mycotoxins in feed: from prevention in the field to detoxification by adsorption or transformation. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites present worldwide in agricultural products and produced by fungi that cause a toxic response (mycotoxicosis) when ingested by animals. Prevention of mycotoxicosis includes strategies before and after harvesting. The best way to reduce the content of mycotoxins in the feed is to prevent the formation of mycotoxins, but it is often not enough, so other methods are needed. The most common approach in the feed industry is the inclusion of sorbing materials in the feed, which provides more or less selective removal of toxins by adsorption during passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Another reliable approach is the addition of enzymes or microorganisms that can remove toxins from some mycotoxins.
The Potential of Intercropping for Multifunctional Crop Protection in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Emery Sara E. , Anderson Peter , Carlsson Georg , Friberg Hanna , Larsson Mattias C. , Wallenhammar Ann-Charlotte , Lundin Ola
Published: December 2021

Oilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus) is a globally important crop which is increasingly under pressure from pests, pathogens and weeds. We investigated the potential of achieving multifunctional crop protection benefits by intercropping oilseed rape with legumes. A field experiment was conducted in which winter oilseed rape was intercropped with the annual frost sensitive legumes berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) or spring faba bean (Vicia faba), or with the winter grain legumes winter faba bean or winter peas (Pisum sativum). We tracked damage to winter oilseed rape by autumn and spring pests (slugs and insects), pathogens, weed biomass, as well as oilseed rape and intercrop yield in each treatment. Intercropping treatments resulted in pest damage that was equivalent or lower than in oilseed rape alone. Follow up field and lab assessments for the frost sensitive legume intercrops provided evidence for a reduction in autumn pest damage to OSR. Each legume intercrop had its own benefits and drawbacks in relation to pest, pathogen and weed suppression, suggesting that the plant species selected for intercropping with oilseed rape should be based on the pests, pathogens and weeds of greatest concern locally to achieve relevant multifunctional benefits. Our study provides a framework for further experiments in which the multifunctional effects of intercropping on pests, pathogens and weeds can be quantified.
In Situ Wood Fiber Dyeing Through Laccase Catalysis for Fiberboard Production
Authors: Colella Alberto , De Chiaro Addolorata , Lettera Vincenzo
Published: December 2021

The aim of the present work was to develop an innovative and environmentally friendly process for wood fiber dyeing and to produce 3-dimensionally fully colored medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The potential of laccase-catalyzed polymerization of selected precursors to form dyes useful in fiberboard manufacturing, a technique used for the first time in this field, was demonstrated. Some of the 7 aromatic compounds tested yielded colored products after laccase treatment under both acid and alkaline conditions, and a good variety of colors was attained by using mixtures of two different monomers. To demonstrate the coloration and design potential of laccase conversion of aromatic compounds, MDFs were enzymatically dyed using an in situ one-step laccase-catalyzed coloration process, and the results were compared against commercial MDFs obtained by using organic coloring agents. Important advantages over conventional processing methods include good color fastness and, in some cases, new hydrophobic properties, allowing designers and woodworkers to explore the beauty of textures and the use of simpler and milder processing conditions that eliminate harsh chemical use and reduce energy consumption.
Integrated Study of Transcriptome-wide m6A Methylome Reveals Novel Insights Into the Character and Function of m6A Methylation During Yak Adipocyte Differentiation
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Liang Chunnian , Wu Xiaoyun , Pei Jie , Guo Xian , Chu Min , Ding Xuezhi , Bao Pengjia , Kalwar Qudratullah , Yan Ping
Published: December 2021

Yak (Bos grunniens) is considered an iconic symbol of Tibet and high altitude, but they suffer from malnutrition during the cold season that challenges the metabolism of energy. Adipocytes perform a crucial role in maintaining the energy balance, and adipocyte differentiation is a complex process involving multiple changes in the expression of genes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a dynamic role in post-transcription gene expression regulation as the most widespread mRNA modification of the higher eukaryotes. However, currently there is no research existing on the m6A transcriptome-wide map of bovine animals and their potential biological functions in adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, we performed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to determine the distinctions in m6A methylation and gene expression during yak adipocyte differentiation. In yak adipocyte and preadipocyte the content of m6A and m6A-associated enzymes was substantially different. In the two groups, a total of 14,710 m6A peaks and 13,388 m6A peaks were identified. For the most part, m6A peaks were enriched in stop codons, 3′-untranslated regions, and coding regions with consensus motifs of GGACU. The functional enrichment exploration displayed that differentially methylated genes participated in some of the pathways associated with adipogenic metabolism, and several candidate genes (KLF9, FOXO1, ZNF395, and UHRF1) were involved in these pathways. In addition to that, there was a positive association between m6A abundance and levels of gene expression, which displayed that m6A may play a vital role in modulating gene expression during yak adipocyte differentiation. Further, in the adipocyte group, several methylation gene protein expression levels were significantly higher than in preadipocytes. In short, it can be concluded that the current study provides a comprehensive explanation of the m6A features in the yak transcriptome, offering in-depth insights into m6A topology and associated molecular mechanisms underlying bovine adipocyte differentiation, which might be helpful for further understanding its mechanisms.
Histone Lysine Methylation and Long Non-Coding RNA: The New Target Players in Skeletal Muscle Cell Regeneration
Authors: Mbadhi Magdaleena Naemi , Tang Jun-ming , Zhang Jing-xuan
Published: December 2021

Satellite stem cell availability and high regenerative capacity have made them an ideal therapeutic approach for muscular dystrophies and neuromuscular diseases. Adult satellite stem cells remain in a quiescent state and become activated upon muscular injury. A series of molecular mechanisms succeed under the control of epigenetic regulation and various myogenic regulatory transcription factors myogenic regulatory factors, leading to their differentiation into skeletal muscles. The regulation of MRFs via various epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, determine the fate of myogenesis. Furthermore, the development of histone deacetylation inhibitors (HDACi) has shown promising benefits in their use in clinical trials of muscular diseases. However, the complete application of using satellite stem cells in the clinic is still not achieved. While therapeutic advancements in the use of HDACi in clinical trials have emerged, histone methylation modulations and the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are still under study. A comprehensive understanding of these other significant epigenetic modulations is still incomplete. This review aims to discuss some of the current studies on these two significant epigenetic modulations, histone methylation and lncRNA, as potential epigenetic targets in skeletal muscle regeneration. Understanding the mechanisms that initiate myoblast differentiation from its proliferative state to generate new muscle fibres will provide valuable information to advance the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell transplant.
Sulforaphane Targets TRA-1/GLI Upstream of DAF-16/FOXO to Promote C. elegans Longevity and Healthspan
Authors: Ji Huihui , Qi Zhimin , Schrapel Daniel , Le Monika , Luo Yiqiao , Yan Bin , Gladkich Jury , Schaefer Michael , Liu Li , Herr Ingrid
Published: December 2021

Broccoli-derived isothiocyanate sulforaphane inhibits inflammation and cancer. Sulforaphane may support healthy aging, but the underlying detailed mechanisms are unclear. We used the C. elegans nematode model to address this question. Wild-type and 4 mutant C. elegans worm strains were fed in the presence or absence of sulforaphane and E. coli food bacteria transfected with RNA interference gene constructs. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, live imaging of mobility and pharyngeal pumping, fluorescence microscopy, RT–qPCR, and Western blotting were performed. In the wild type, sulforaphane prolonged lifespan and increased mobility and food intake because of sulforaphane-induced upregulation of the sex-determination transcription factor TRA-1, which is the ortholog of the human GLI mediator of sonic hedgehog signaling. In turn, the tra-1 target gene daf-16, which is the ortholog of human FOXO and the major mediator of insulin/IGF-1 and aging signaling, was induced. By contrast, sulforaphane did not prolong lifespan and healthspan when tra-1 or daf-16 was inhibited by RNA interference or when worms with a loss-of-function mutation of the tra-1 or daf-16 genes were used. Conversely, the average lifespan of C. elegans with hyperactive TRA-1 increased by 8.9%, but this longer survival was abolished by RNAi-mediated inhibition of daf-16. Our data suggest the involvement of sulforaphane in regulating healthy aging and prolonging lifespan by inducing the expression and nuclear translocation of TRA-1/GLI and its downstream target DAF-16/FOXO.
Mitochondria Endoplasmic Reticulum Contact Sites (MERCs): Proximity Ligation Assay as a Tool to Study Organelle Interaction
Authors: Benhammouda Sara , Vishwakarma Anjali , Gatti Priya , Germain Marc
Published: December 2021

Organelles cooperate with each other to regulate vital cellular homoeostatic functions. This occurs through the formation of close connections through membrane contact sites. Mitochondria-Endoplasmic-Reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCS) are one of such contact sites that regulate numerous biological processes by controlling calcium and metabolic homeostasis. However, the extent to which contact sites shape cellular biology and the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. A number of biochemical and imaging approaches have been established to address these questions, resulting in the identification of a number of molecular tethers between mitochondria and the ER. Among these techniques, fluorescence-based imaging is widely used, including analysing signal overlap between two organelles and more selective techniques such as in-situ proximity ligation assay (PLA). While these two techniques allow the detection of endogenous proteins, preventing some problems associated with techniques relying on overexpression (FRET, split fluorescence probes), they come with their own issues. In addition, proper image analysis is required to minimise potential artefacts associated with these methods. In this review, we discuss the protocols and outline the limitations of fluorescence-based approaches used to assess MERCs using endogenous proteins.
Targeting Selectins Mediated Biological Activities With Multivalent Probes
Authors: Ganesh Deepak , Jain Prashant , Shanthamurthy Chethan Devanur , Toraskar Suraj , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: December 2021

Selectins are type-I transmembrane glycoproteins that are ubiquitously expressed on activated platelets, endothelial cells, and leukocytes. They bind to cell surface glycoproteins and extracellular matrix ligands, regulate the rolling of leukocytes in the blood capillaries, and recruit them to inflammatory sites. Hence, they are potential markers for the early detection and inhibition of inflammatory diseases, thrombosis, cardiovascular disorders, and tumor metastasis. Fucosylated and sialylated glycans, such as sialyl Lewisx, its isoform sialyl Lewisa, and heparan sulfate, are primary selectin ligands. Functionalization of these selectin-binding ligands on multivalent probes, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and polymers, not only inhibits selectin-mediated biological activity but is also involved in direct imaging of the inflammation site. This review briefly summarizes the selectin-mediated various diseases such as thrombosis, cancer and recent progress in the different types of multivalent probes used to target selectins.
New Methylene Blue Covalently Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite as Interfacial Material for the Electroanalysis of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Chen Jifang , Gao Ziqing , Yang Ruonan , Jiang Huiling , Bai Lin , Shao Ailong , Wu Hai
Published: December 2021

New methylene blue (NMB), a phenothiazine dye, was covalently bonded to graphene oxide (GO) using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent, which was characterized by spectroscopic techniques and electrochemistry. The obtained GO–NMB nanocomposite was used as interface material to construct a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The electrochemical sensor based on GO–NMB nanocomposite exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which was also enhanced by GO within the GO–NMB nanocomposite. With the optimized experimental conditions, the developed sensor showed high sensitivity (79.4 μA mM−1 cm−2) for electrocatalytic determination of H2O2 at the applied potential of −0.50 V in the concentration range of 0.000333 to 2.28 mΜ. The low limit of detection (1.35 μM), good reproducibility, and high stability of the sensor suggests that the electrochemical sensor based on the GO–NMB nanocomposite possesses obvious advantages, which paves a new avenue to functionalize GO for obtaining electrode interface materials.
Pulsed Laser Deposited Zeolite Coatings on Femtosecond Laser-Nanostructured Steel Meshes for Durable Superhydrophilic/Oleophobic Functionalities
Authors: Ahmad Shahbaz , Egilmez M. , Iqbal M. , Ibrahim T. , Khamis M. , Alnaser Ali S.
Published: December 2021

Ultrafast laser structuring has proven to alter the wettability performance of surfaces drastically due to controlled modification of the surface roughness and energy. Surface alteration can be achieved also by coating the surfaces with functional materials with enhanced durability. On this line, robust and tunable surface wettability performance can be achieved by the synergic effects of ultrafast laser structuring and coating. In this work, femtosecond laser-structured stainless steel (SS-100) meshes were used to host the growth of NaAlSi2O6–H2O zeolite films. Contact angle measurements were carried on pristine SS-100 meshes, zeolite-coated SS-100 meshes, laser-structured SS-100 meshes, and zeolite-coated laser-structured SS-100 meshes. Enhanced hydrophilic behavior was observed in the zeolite-coated SS-100 meshes (contact angle 72°) and in laser-structured SS-100 meshes (contact angle 41°). On the other hand, superior durable hydrophilic behavior was observed for the zeolite-coated laser-structured SS-100 meshes (contact angle 14°) over an extended period and reusability. In addition, the zeolite-coated laser-structured SS-100 meshes were subjected to oil–water separation tests and revealed augmented effectuation for oil–water separation.
Climate Adaption for Energy Utilities: Lessons Learned From California's Pioneering Regulatory Actions
Authors: Ziaja Sonya , Chhabra Mohit
Published: December 2021

This Policy Brief provides lessons learned from regulation of climate adaptation by energy utilities. The regulatory bodies responsible for oversight of investor-owned energy utilities are ill-equipped to regulate climate adaptation in the energy sector; but they may be the only institutions with authority to do so. In 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission initiated the first quasi-legislative procedure to regulate investor owned energy utilities' climate adaptation activities. The Commission's new rules for climate adaptation offer some general guidance on climate adaptation, and require investor owned utilities to conduct and submit climate vulnerability studies. Structural limitations, including conflicting interest, capacity of staff, and scope of the problem hampered the success of adaptation regulation, which failed to address fundamental questions about what constitutes adaptive measures.
Safe Food, Dangerous Lands? Traditional Foods and Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Authors: Robin Tabitha , Burnett Kristin , Parker Barbara , Skinner Kelly
Published: December 2021

There is a deep and troubling history on Turtle Island of settler authorities asserting control over traditional foods, market-based and other introduced foods for Indigenous peoples. Efforts to control Indigenous diets and bodies have resulted in direct impacts to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of Indigenous peoples. Food insecurity is not only a symptom of settler colonialism, but part of its very architecture. The bricks and mortar of this architecture are seen through the rules and regulations that exist around the sharing and selling of traditional or land-based foods. Risk discourses concerning traditional foods work to the advantage of the settler state, overlooking the essential connections between land and food for Indigenous peoples. This article explores the ways in which the Canadian settler state undermined and continues to undermine Indigenous food sovereignty through the imposition of food safety rules and regulations across federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions.
Using the More Than Words Program With Chinese Families: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Lok Jasper S. Y. , Qi Xin , To Carol K. S.
Published: December 2021

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Hanen More Than Words® (HMTW) program amongst parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Hong Kong. In this prospective cohort study, 31 Cantonese-speaking young children with ASD and their parents were divided into either the HMTW group (n= 26) or a control group (n= 5). The HMTW intervention was provided over 11 weeks. The children’s communication abilities were measured prior to the intervention (Time 1) and 1 month after the end of the intervention (Time 2), and the results were compared between the two groups. The parents’ attributes and demographic information were measured at Time 1. The results showed a significant increase in children’s communication and social skills in the HMTW group compared with the control group. Children of parents with lower levels of Time 1 parenting self-efficacy exhibited facilitated growth in communication and social skills. These findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of the HMTW program in a Chinese cultural setting and demonstrate an important link between parenting self-efficacy and the effectiveness of the HMTW program.
The Cold Avoidance of Typhoons in Their North Turning Over the South China Sea
Authors: Lai Shaojun , Li Ying , He Fen , Wang Yufei , Chen Yan
Published: December 2021

Based on the typhoon best tracks of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), ERA5 reanalysis data of ECMWF at 0.25 degrees horizontal resolution, and NOAA optimal interpolated sea surface temperature (OISST V2) data, the dynamical compositing analysis is used to study the north turning at nearly 90 degrees of 4 westward typhoons over the South China Sea (SCS). The composite analysis results show that: (1) As the typhoon goes westward into the SCS, the upper-level westerly trough moves eastward to the vicinity of 110°E in the mainland of China, and the western North Pacific subtropical high (SH) retreats eastward at the same time, which weakens the steering flow of typhoon and slowes down its movement. (2) The cold air guided by the westerly trough invades southwardly into the western part of SCS from the mainland leading to a descending and divergent airflow in the lower-to-middle atmospheric layers and enhancing the eastward pressure gradient force (PGF) in the west quadrant of the typhoon, which blocks and repesl the typhoon from moving any further westward. (3) Due to the cold air intrusion, the vertical atmospheric stratification in the west quadrant of the typhoon becomes static and stable, which may suppress the convection, impeding a typhoon’s westward motion. (4) With the cold air involving to the south of the typhoon, the direction of the PGF on the typhoon switches from eastward to northward, and the SH falling southward enhances the southwesterly airflow on the south of the typhoon at the same time. The remarkable increase of the northward steering airflows of the typhoon results in an abrupt northward turn. (5) In addition, the sea surface temperature (SST) and the ocean heat content (OHC) on the western part of the SCS is also reduced, attributed to the cold air cooling, and the typhoon is likely to avoid the cold ocean and approach a relatively warmer region. This study suggests that cold avoidance during the westward movement of typhoons is worthy of consideration in the operational forecast of typhoon tracks.
Holocene Environmental Changes Inferred From an Aeolian-Palaeosol-Lacustrine Profile in the Mu Us Desert, Northern China
Authors: Liu Xiaokang , Lu Ruijie , Ding Zhiyong , Lyu Zhiqiang , Li Yijing , Dong Zhibao
Published: December 2021

An excavated profile of aeolian-palaeosol-lacustrine sediments (the Wapianliang profile), located at the southeastern part of the Mu Us Desert, Northern China, was studied to reconstruct regional Holocene environmental changes. A chronology was established based on three AMS 14C and two OSL dates, and variations in the lithology and grain size, magnetic susceptibility, soil micromorphology, and chemical elements were used to explore the regional depositional environments during the Holocene. The results showed that since around 14 ka BP, this region had experienced seven alternations of wetting and drying. A shallow lake, which was identified by celadon lacustrine sediments with sporadic freshwater gastropod fossils, occurred in this area from around 13.0 ka BP to 9.9 ka BP. There existed two obvious intervals of soil formation, inferred from the environmental proxies of the palaeosol/sandy palaeosol layers, with relatively fine average grain-size, high magnetic susceptibility value, remarkable pedogenesis features, and strong chemical weathering, in particular, a well-developed palaeosol layer dating from the middle Holocene (8.6 ka BP to 4.2 ka BP). A weakly-developed palaeosol layer (from around 1.2 ka BP) at the upper part of the profile is possibly an indication of the Medieval Warm Period. This implies a forest steppe environment at both of these sedimentary stages. After 0.9 ka BP, a desert environment returned, analogous to before around 13.0 ± 1.4 ka BP, between 9.9 ± 1.1 ka BP to 8.6 ka BP, and between 4.2 ka BP to 1.6 ka BP, indicating the aggravation of aeolian activity and the expansion of mobile sand dunes. The variations in sedimentary environments were mainly triggered by changes in the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM).
A Premature Rise of Luteinizing Hormone Is Associated With a Reduced Cumulative Live Birth Rate in Patients ≥37 Years Old Undergoing GnRH Antagonist In Vitro Fertilization Cycles
Authors: Gao Fumei , Wang Yanbin , Wu Dan , Fu Min , Zhang Qiuxiang , Ren Yumeng , Yang Zexi , Shen Huan , Han Hongjing
Published: December 2021

This is a retrospective cohort study included 1021 patients underwent a flexible GnRH antagonist IVF protocol from January 2017 to December 2017 to explore the effect of a premature rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) level on the cumulative live birth rate. All patients included received the first ovarian stimulation and finished a follow-up for 3 years. A premature rise in LH was defined as an LH level >10 IU/L or >50% rise from baseline during ovarian stimulation. The cumulative live birth rate was calculated as the number of women who achieved a live birth divided by the total number of women who had either delivered a baby or had used up all their embryos received from the first stimulated cycle. In the advanced patients (≥37 years), the cumulative live birth rate was reduced in patients with a premature rise of LH (β: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.88; p=0.03), compared to patients (≥37 years) without the premature LH rise. The incidence of premature LH rise is associated with decreased rates of cumulative live birth rate in patients of advanced age (≥37 years) and aggravated the reduced potential of embryos produced by the advanced age, not the number of embryos.