bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Bok is stable at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and does not mediate proteasome inhibitor-induced apoptosis
Authors: Bonzerato Caden G. , Keller Katherine R. , Schulman Jacqualyn J. , Gao Xiaokong , Szczesniak Laura M. , Wojcikiewicz Richard J. H.
Published: December 2022

Controversy surrounds the cellular role of the Bcl-2 family protein Bok. On one hand, it has been shown that all endogenous Bok is bound to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), while other data suggest that Bok can act as a pro-apoptotic mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization mediator, apparently kept at very low and non-apoptotic levels by efficient proteasome-mediated degradation. Here we show that 1) endogenous Bok is expressed at readily-detectable levels in key cultured cells (e.g., mouse embryonic fibroblasts and HCT116 cells) and is not constitutively degraded by the proteasome, 2) proteasome inhibitor-induced apoptosis is not mediated by Bok, 3) endogenous Bok expression level is critically dependent on the presence of IP3Rs, 4) endogenous Bok is rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the absence of IP3Rs at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and 5) charged residues in the transmembrane region of Bok affect its stability, ability to interact with Mcl-1, and pro-apoptotic activity when over-expressed. Overall, these data indicate that endogenous Bok levels are not governed by proteasomal activity (except when IP3Rs are deleted) and that while endogenous Bok plays little or no role in apoptotic signaling, exogenous Bok can mediate apoptosis in a manner dependent on its transmembrane domain.
Progress in silk and silk fiber-inspired polymeric nanomaterials for drug delivery
Authors: Pacheco Marisa O. , Eccles Lauren E. , Davies Nickolas A. , Armada Jostin , Cakley Alaura S. , Kadambi Isiri P. , Stoppel Whitney L.
Published: December 2022

The fields of drug and gene delivery have been revolutionized by the discovery and characterization of polymer-based materials. Polymeric nanomaterials have emerged as a strategy for targeted delivery because of features such as their impressive biocompatibility and improved availability. Use of naturally derived polymers in these nanomaterials is advantageous due to their biodegradability and bioresorption. Natural biopolymer-based particles composed of silk fibroins and other silk fiber-inspired proteins have been the focus of research in drug delivery systems due to their simple synthesis, tunable characteristics, and ability to respond to stimuli. Several silk and silk-inspired polymers contain a high proportion of reactive side groups, allowing for functionalization and addition of targeting moieties. In this review, we discuss the main classes of silk and silk-inspired polymers that are being used in the creation of nanomaterials. We also focus on the fabrication techniques used in generating a tunable design space of silk-based polymeric nanomaterials and detail how that translates into use for drug delivery to several distinct microenvironments.
Baroclinic effects on the distribution of tropical cyclone eye subsidence
Authors: Schubert Wayne H. , Taft Richard K. , Slocum Christopher J.
Published: December 2022

Solutions of the secondary (transverse) circulation equation for an axisymmetric, gradient balanced vortex are used to better understand the distribution of subsidence in the eye of a tropical cyclone. This secondary circulation equation is derived using both the physical radius coordinate r and the potential radius coordinate R. In the R-coordinate version, baroclinic effects are implicit in the coordinate transformation and are recovered in the final step of transforming the solution for the streamfunction Ψ back from R-space to r-space. Two types of elliptic problems for Ψ are formulated: 1) the full secondary circulation problem, which is formulated on 0 ≤ R < ∞, with the diabatic forcing due to eyewall convection appearing on the right-hand side of the elliptic equation; 2) the restricted secondary circulation problem, which is formulated on 0 ≤ R ≤ Rew, where the constant Rew is the potential radius of the inside edge of the eyewall, with no diabatic forcing but with the streamfunction specified along R = Rew. The restricted secondary circulation problem can be solved semi-analytically for the case of vertically sheared, Rankine vortex cores. The solutions identify the conditions under which large values of radial and vertical advection of θ are located in the lower troposphere at the outer edge of the eye, thereby producing a warm-ring thermal structure.
The influence of the parasocial relationship on the learning motivation and learning growth with educational YouTube videos in self regulated learning
Authors: Beautemps Jacob , Bresges André
Published: December 2022

Parasocial relationships (PSRs) or parasocial interactions (PSIs) have been extensively researched in the field of marketing and television. As a result, we know that viewers form strong relationships with presenters and this greatly impacts the product they sell. However, whether this effect also impacts learning through educational videos is rarely researched. In this study, the correlation between PSI and learning growth, as well as learning motivation, was investigated. The results showed no correlation between PSI and learning growth, but a slight correlation between PSI and learning motivation, especially in the case of female participants. This shows potential for the creation of educational videos. Simultaneously, the findings are important for the training of teachers, because through research on PSI we understand the factors that can lead to the improvement of interaction and relationships.
A comparative research on teachers’ knowledge in five Asia-Pacific countries in the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of tourism and hospitality education
Authors: Chen Yen-Jung , Hsu Liwei
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of 2020 has drastically impacted almost every aspect of our daily life. Empirical evidence is lacking on which sector of knowledge in technology-enhanced teaching needs to be developed further for tourism and hospitality programs conducted online. The present study investigated teachers’ technology, learners, pedagogy, academic discipline content knowledge, and context knowledge (TLPACK) in tourism and hospitality online education settings using comparative research methods. A total of 173 participants from five countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) were surveyed online. The results revealed that, despite the fact that they were from different countries, all teachers reached a consensus that their knowledge about learners was the lowest during the online teaching period of the pandemic; meanwhile, they all ranked academic knowledge as the highest among these five variables except Vietnamese teachers who considered their knowledge on pedagogy to be the highest. Additionally, their TLPACK revealed significant differences in various countries and differences in academic discipline content knowledge are caused by the interaction of nationality and gender. This study overcomes a major limitation of previous studies on how the pandemic has affected educational praxis as the focus of previous research has been on the situation in a single country. Therefore, the present study’s findings can serve as a reference for practitioners of tourism and hospitality online education in Asia-Pacific region when facing unprecedented and urgent changes of educational practices during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plant in vitro cultures: A promising and emerging technology for the feasible production of antidiabetic metabolites in Caralluma tuberculata
Authors: Ali Amir , Mashwani Zia-ur-Rehman , Ahmad Ilyas , Raja Naveed Iqbal , Mohammad Sher , Khan Safir Ullah
Published: December 2022

Caralluma tuberculata, a medicinal and edible plant of the genusCaralluma, belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. Traditionally, its succulent stems are used as folk medicine for life-threatening diabetes mellitus (DM) disease. Its antidiabetic potential is ascribed to the presence of various secondary metabolites (e.g., pregnane glycosides, flavone glycosides, megastigmane glycosides, polyphenols, ferulic acid, quercetin, and bitter principles, among others) that act as effective and safe antidiabetic agents. The mechanisms of these bioactive secondary metabolites inC. tuberculataherbal medicine include lowering the blood glucose level, stimulating B cells of the pancreas to release more insulin, enhancing the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, inhibiting the action of glucagon and the hydrolysis of glycogen, and increasing the use of glucose in tissues and organ. However, overexploitation, alterations in natural environmental conditions, lower seed viability, and slow growth rate are responsible for the extinction of species from natural habitats, then becoming critically endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List categories. Therefore, its limited availability does not meet the higher worldwide market demand ofC. tuberculataas an antidiabetic drug. Thus, for its conservation and sustainable utilization, researchers across the globe are working on devising strategies to conserve and improve biomass along with the secondary metabolite profiles ofC. tuberculatausingin vitroapproaches. The current review describes the recent progress on antidiabetic phytoconstituents, their cellular mechanisms, and their subsequent clinical outcomes in the drug discovery management of DM. Moreover,in vitromethods such as callus culture, micropropagation, and nano-elicitation strategies for conserving and producing bioactive secondary metabolites have been concisely reviewed and discussed.
Assessment of biodiversity, global distribution, and putative ecological niches of suessiacean dinoflagellates by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Jang Se Hyeon
Published: December 2022

Dinoflagellates in the family Suessiaceae, so-called suessiacean dinoflagellates, play diverse roles in aquatic ecosystems, being distributed from tropical to polar waters and from marine to freshwater habitats and encompassing free-living forms, symbionts, and parasites. Despite their importance due to the variety of ecological roles and biodiversity, very few studies have characterized small suessiacean species. Recent advances in molecular techniques could provide insights into the yet unexplored ecological roles they play in aquatic environments. Using a global DNA metabarcoding dataset, this study elucidated the hidden biodiversity, global distribution, and ecological characteristics of suessiacean dinoflagellates. The results of this study indicated that the family Suessiaceae was the sixth highest in terms of read count and the ninth highest in terms of amplicon sequence variant (ASV) richness from a total of 42 categorized dinoflagellate families, suggesting that their global abundance has been greatly underestimated. Furthermore, metabarcodes of suessiacean dinoflagellates were found to be cosmopolitan in distribution, although the ecological niche of each taxon was distinctly different within the group based on their latitudinal and vertical distribution patterns. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis discovered at least five new phylogenetic groups and three new individual species within the family. Collectively, the findings of this study highlight the significance of suessiacean dinoflagellates in global aquatic ecosystems and reveal the importance of big data obtained from environmental DNA in exploring the ecological functions of understudied species.
CLIC-01: Manufacture and distribution of non-cryopreserved CAR-T cells for patients with CD19 positive hematologic malignancies
Authors: Kekre Natasha , Hay Kevin A. , Webb John R. , Mallick Ranjeeta , Balasundaram Miruna , Sigrist Mhairi K. , Clement Anne-Marie , Nielsen Julie S. , Quizi Jennifer , Yung Eric , Brown Scott D. , Dreolini Lisa , Waller Daniel D. , Smazynski Julian , Gierc Nicole S. , Loveless Bianca C. , Clark Kayla , Dyer Tyler , Hogg Richard , McCormick Leah , Gignac Michael , Bell Shanti , Chapman D. Maria , Bond David , Yong Siao , Fung Rachel , Lockyer Heather M. , Hodgson Victoria , Murphy Catherine , Subramanian Ana , Wiebe Evelyn , Yoganathan Piriya , Medynski Liana , Vaillan Dominique C. , Black Alice , McDiarmid Sheryl , Kennah Michael , Hamelin Linda , Song Kevin , Narayanan Sujaatha , Rodrigo Judith A. , Dupont Stefany , Hawrysh Terry , Presseau Justin , Thavorn Kednapa , Lalu Manoj M. , Fergusson Dean A. , Bell John C. , Atkins Harold , Nelson Brad H. , Holt Robert A.
Published: December 2022

Access to commercial CD19 CAR-T cells remains limited even in wealthy countries like Canada due to clinical, logistical, and financial barriers related to centrally manufactured products. We created a non-commercial academic platform for end-to-end manufacturing of CAR-T cells within Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system. We report initial results from a single-arm, open-label study to determine the safety and efficacy of in-house manufactured CD19 CAR-T cells (entitled CLIC-1901) in participants with relapsed/refractory CD19 positive hematologic malignancies. Using a GMP compliant semi-automated, closed process on the Miltenyi Prodigy, T cells were transduced with lentiviral vector bearing a 4-1BB anti-CD19 CAR transgene and expanded. Participants underwent lymphodepletion with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, followed by infusion of non-cryopreserved CAR-T cells. Thirty participants with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=25) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=5) were infused with CLIC-1901: 21 males (70%), median age 66 (range 18-75). Time from enrollment to CLIC-1901 infusion was a median of 20 days (range 15-48). The median CLIC-1901 dose infused was 2.3 × 106 CAR-T cells/kg (range 0.13-3.6 × 106/kg). Toxicity included ≥ grade 3 cytokine release syndrome (n=2) and neurotoxicity (n=1). Median follow-up was 6.5 months. Overall response rate at day 28 was 76.7%. Median progression-free and overall survival was 6 months (95%CI 3-not estimable) and 11 months (95% 6.6-not estimable), respectively. This is the first trial of in-house manufactured CAR-T cells in Canada and demonstrates that administering fresh CLIC-1901 product is fast, safe, and efficacious. Our experience may provide helpful guidance for other jurisdictions seeking to create feasible and sustainable CAR-T cell programs in research-oriented yet resource-constrained settings.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03765177, identifier NCT03765177.
In silico characterization of Cnidarian’s antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Leal Edwar , Múnera Marlon , Suescún-Bolívar Luis Parmenio
Published: December 2022

The characterization of active compounds in Cnidaria sheds light on a large bank of substances against multiresistant bacteria related to diseases in humans, which makes it a cutting edge with a repertoire of antimicrobial molecules worthy of bioprospecting analysis. Thus, the main nabof this research was to characterize antimicrobial peptides (AMP) belonging to the defensin family in different species of Cnidarians through bioinformatic approaches. To this, an exhaustive search was carried out for sequences homologous to antimicrobial peptides belonging to the defensin family in genomes availables for Cnidarians. Also, 3D models of AMP were obtained by modeling based on homology, functional characterization of peptides found was performed with machine learning approaches. Characterization of twelve peptides derived from 11 Cnidarian species was possible due to 3D modeling, which showed structural similarity with defensins reported in several species such as Nasonia vitripennis, Pisum sativum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Aurelia aurita. Also, different physicochemical properties such as hydrophobic moment, hydrophobicity, net charge, amphiphilic index, and isoelectric point were evaluated. These peptides showed values ​​that are ideal for AMP. Further, functional characterization showed a bactericidal potential of 20 peptides against multiresistant bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These peptides with action potential were found in 17 species from Cnidarians and obtained by homology through the defensin Aurelin, described in the Cnidarian Aurelia aurita, and Mus musculus’ Beta-defensin 7. Finally, a phylogenetic tree was performed, it showed that defensins are distributed in all Cnidarians regardless of the taxonomic group. Thus, the origin of defensins in the Phylum Cnidaria is not monophyletic. Our results show that Cnidaria has AMP with structural and physicochemical characteristics similar to those described in defensins of insects, mammals, and plants. The structural characteristics of these peptides, their physicochemical properties, and their functional potential outline them as promising templates for the discovery of new antibiotics.
A solution for autonomous, adaptive monitoring of coastal ocean ecosystems: Integrating ocean robots and operational forecasts
Authors: Ford David A. , Grossberg Shenan , Rinaldi Gianmario , Menon Prathyush P. , Palmer Matthew R. , Skákala Jozef , Smyth Tim , Williams Charlotte A. J. , Lorenzo Lopez Alvaro , Ciavatta Stefano
Published: December 2022

This study presents a proof-of-concept for a fully automated and adaptive observing system for coastal ocean ecosystems. Such systems present a viable future observational framework for oceanography, reducing the cost and carbon footprint of marine research. An autonomous ocean robot (an ocean glider) was deployed for 11 weeks in the western English Channel and navigated by exchanging information with operational forecasting models. It aimed to track the onset and development of the spring phytoplankton bloom in 2021. A stochastic prediction model combined the real-time glider data with forecasts from an operational numerical model, which in turn assimilated the glider observations and other environmental data, to create high-resolution probabilistic predictions of phytoplankton and its chlorophyll signature. A series of waypoints were calculated at regular time intervals, to navigate the glider to where the phytoplankton bloom was most likely to be found. The glider successfully tracked the spring bloom at unprecedented temporal resolution, and the adaptive sampling strategy was shown to be feasible in an operational context. Assimilating the real-time glider data clearly improved operational biogeochemical forecasts when validated against independent observations at a nearby time series station, with a smaller impact at a more distant neighboring station. Remaining issues to be addressed were identified, for instance relating to quality control of near-real time data, accounting for differences between remote sensing and in situ observations, and extension to larger geographic domains. Based on these, recommendations are made for the development of future smart observing systems.
Comparative experiment of steel bar corrosion at concrete construction joints
Authors: Huang Guohua , Wu Binzhong , Shen Yin , Wang Li , Li Guoping
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Construction joint is common and even inevitable in most of the reinforcement concrete structures. This study was to assess the effect of construction joints on chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete.

Methods: Test parameters included two environmental conditions (salt solution immersion condition and cyclic wet-dry condition), two forms of construction joint (direct wet joint and roughened wet joint) and four types of steel bar (mild steel bar, ferritic stainless-steel bar, austenitic-ferritic stainless-steel bar and epoxy-coated steel bar). The corrosion test of 90 specimens was carried out by electrochemical accelerated corrosion method. The weight loss of each steel bar and steel bar section in specimens was measured. An influence coefficient (k_j) of construction joint on local weigh loss of steel bars was defined.

Results: Except for epoxy-coated steel bars, the most severe corrosion of experimental steel bars in concrete specimens all occurred at the joints, while the corrosion in non-joint sections of steel bars was relatively uniform and less. The weight loss rate of specimens has the range of 1.18% to 15.73% with an average value of 6.22%. The average k_j of mild steel bars, S11203 stainless steel bars, and S23043 stainless steel bars are 1.38, 1.92, and 1.97, respectively. The average k_j of specimens in immersion condition and cyclic wet-dry condition are 1.44 and 2.07. The corrosion of epoxy-coated steel bars mainly occurred at the damage locations of epoxy coating, not mainly at the joints.

Conclusion: Chloride-induced corrosion of steel bars at construction joints was always more severe than at non-joints, especially in cyclic wet-dry environments, even for stainless-steel bar, but epoxy-coated steel bars were excluded.
Machine learning techniques to evaluate the ultrasonic pulse velocity of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete modified with nano-silica
Authors: Khan Kaffayatullah , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Sahar Umbreen Us , Ahmad Waqas , Shah Kamran , Mohamed Abdullah
Published: December 2022

It is evident that preparing materials, casting samples, curing, and testing all need time and money. The construction sector will benefit if these problems can be handled using cutting-edge techniques like machine learning. Also, a material’s ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) is affected by various variables, and it is difficult to study their combined effect experimentally. This research used machine learning to assess the UPV and SHapley Additive ExPlanations techniques to study the impact of input parameters of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete modified with nano-silica (HFRNSC). Three ML algorithms were employed, i.e., gradient boosting regressor, adaptive boosting regressor, and extreme gradient boosting, for ultrasonic pulse velocity evaluation. The accuracy of machine learning models was measured via the coefficient of determination (R2), k-fold analysis, statistical tests, and comparing the predicted and actual ultrasonic pulse velocity. This study determined that the gradient boosting and adaptive boosting models had a good level of accuracy for ultrasonic pulse velocity, but the extreme gradient boosting method estimated the ultrasonic pulse velocity of HFRNSCs with a greater degree of precision. Also, from the statistical checks and k-fold approach, it was discovered that the extreme gradient boosting method is more exact in estimating the ultrasonic pulse velocity of HFRNSCs. The SHapley Additive ExPlanations analysis revealed that the age of the specimen and nano-silica had a greater positive impact on the ultrasonic pulse velocity of HFRNSCs, whereas the coarse aggregate to fine aggregate ratio had a negative impact. In addition, fiber volume was found to have both positive and negative effects. By aiding the development of rapid and low-cost methods for determining material properties and the influence of input parameters, the construction industry may profit from the use of such technologies.
Bibliographic trends in mineral fiber-reinforced concrete: A scientometric analysis
Authors: Mohamad Moasas Abdulrhman , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Ahmad Waqas , Khan Kaffayatullah , Al-Hashem Mohammed Najeeb , Qureshi Hisham Jahangir , Mohamed Abdullah
Published: December 2022

In the construction industry, pursuing sustainable development by using sustainable materials necessitates using renewable resources. Among different renewable materials, mineral-derived natural fibers are relatively cheaper and abundantly available in various countries. This study summarizes the research advancements on concrete reinforced with mineral-derived natural fibers. This review on the incorporation of mineral fibers in concrete evaluates, identifies, and synthesizes research outcomes for creating a summary of current evidence which can contribute to evidence-based practice. Mapping knowledge, c/o-occurrence, and co-citation are hard gears for innovative research. Accordingly, the present study is aimed at exploring the literature on key features of mineral fiber-reinforced concrete by performing a scientometric analysis. The current study implemented an advanced approach for mining, processing, and analyzing data, interpretation, and presentation of available bibliographic data on mineral fibers in concrete. Furthermore, the discussion on the applications and limitations of using mineral fiber-reinforced concrete in the construction industry is also made. The current research may aid academics in exchanging new ideas and techniques and developing collective efforts.
A diagnostic model for serious COVID-19 infection among older adults in Shanghai during the Omicron wave
Authors: Bao Suxia , Lu Guanzhu , Kang Yaoyue , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wang Yuhuan , Yan Lei , Yin Donglin , Bao Yujie , Yuan Xiaoling , Xu Jie
Published: December 2022

Background

The Omicron variant is characterized by striking infectivity and antibody evasion. The analysis of Omicron variant BA.2 infection risk factors is limited among geriatric individuals and understanding these risk factors would promote improvement in the public health system and reduction in mortality. Therefore, our research investigated BA.2 infection risk factors for discriminating severe/critical from mild/moderate geriatric patients.

Methods

Baseline characteristics of enrolled geriatric patients (aged over 60 years) with Omicron infections were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate factors correlated with severe/critical patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for predicting variables to discriminate mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients.

Results

A total of 595 geriatric patients older than 60 years were enrolled in this study. Lymphocyte subset levels were significantly decreased, and white blood cells (WBCs) and D-dimer levels were significantly increased with disease progression from a mild/moderate state to a severe/critical state. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified a panel of WBCs, CD4+ T cell, and D-dimer values that were correlated with good diagnostic accuracy for discriminating mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients with an area under the curve of 0.962.

Conclusion

Some key baseline laboratory indicators change with disease development. A panel was identified for discriminating mild/moderate patients from severe/critical patients, suggesting that the panel could serve as a potential biomarker to enable physicians to provide timely medical services in clinical practice.
Case report: A rare case of Rosai–Dorfman–Destombes disease after the COVID-19 infection
Authors: Gogia Pooja , Tanni Fahmina , Coca-Guzman Juan , Chen Neil , Huang Yiwu
Published: December 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is known to cause immune dysregulation and, therefore, has varied and often rare presentations. Rosai–Dorfman–Destombes disease (RDD) is an unusual non-Langerhans cell (non-LC) histiocytosis presenting with massive lymphadenopathy and various systemic symptoms. A 55-year-old Asian-American woman with no significant medical history or recent use of new drugs initially presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and urticarial rash 1 week after receiving the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (Moderna, mRNA-1273) against SARS-CoV-2. The biopsy of the skin rash was consistent with a drug reaction. Approximately 2 months later, she developed mild flu-like symptoms and was diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection. Her symptoms were mild and self-resolving. Approximately 3 months later, she developed a generalized patchy erythematous rash on the face and the body that gradually worsened; diffuse lymphadenopathy involving the bilateral cervical, axillary, and inguinal areas; and constitutional symptoms. Laboratory results were consistent with lymphopenia, anemia, and an elevated sedimentation rate. Supraclavicular lymph node biopsy showed Rosai–Dorfman disease with a marked polyclonal plasmacytosis. She was started on a tapering dose of corticosteroids and showed clinical improvements over the next few weeks. Herein, we present a rare case of a histiocytic disorder that developed after contracting the SARS-COV2 infection in the event of receiving a recent mRNA COVID vaccination.
Rapid, accurate, and novel diagnostic technique for respiratory pathogens: Clinical application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay in older patients with pneumonia, a multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Wei Shanchen , Wang Lina , Shi Mingwei , Li Jun , Sun Chunping , Liu Yingying , Zhang Zhi , Wu Yiqun , Huang Lei , Tang Fei , Lv Liping , Mu Xiangdong , Tian Wei , Lin Caiwei , Lu Jianrong , Sun Baojun , Dai Bin , Xiong Hui , Nie Xiuhong , Ding Weimin , Ouyang Yuqing , Lin Lianjun , Liu Xinmin
Published: December 2022

Background

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a novel nucleic acid amplification method using only one type of enzyme that can amplify DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions. Chips for Complicated Infection Detection (CCID) is based on LAMP. This study translate CCID into clinical application and evaluate its diagnostic value for pneumonia.

Methods

Eighty one older patients with pneumonia were prospectively enrolled from January 1 to July 23, 2021, and 57 sputum/airway secretion and 35 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected and analyzed by CCID and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs). Samples were collected, transported, monitored, and managed by a multidisciplinary team using a sample management information system.

Results

CCID turnaround time was 50 min, and the detection limit was 500 copies/reaction. The percentage of positive samples was significantly higher using CCID than CMTs, especially for Klebsiella pneumoniae (odds ratio [OR], 9.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–70.5; p < 0.05), Enterococcus faecalis (OR, ∞; p < 0.01), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (OR, ∞; p < 0.01), fungi (OR, 26.0; 95% CI, 3.6–190.0; p < 0.01), and viruses (CCID only; p < 0.01). In addition, the percentage of positive results was significantly higher using CCID than CMTs in patients who used antibiotics for more than 3 days (91.9% vs. 64.9%; p < 0.01). Analyzing clinical impact, 55 cases (59.8%) benefited from CCID.

Conclusion

CCID allows the rapid and accurate detection of pneumonia in older patients. Moreover, this technique is less affected by previous antibiotic treatment and can improve patient care.
Stings on wings: Proteotranscriptomic and biochemical profiling of the lesser banded hornet (Vespa affinis) venom
Authors: Sunagar Kartik , Khochare Suyog , Jaglan Anurag , Senthil Samyuktha , Suranse Vivek
Published: December 2022

Distinct animal lineages have convergently recruited venoms as weaponry for prey capture, anti-predator defence, conspecific competition, or a combination thereof. Most studies, however, have been primarily confined to a narrow taxonomic breadth. The venoms of cone snails, snakes, spiders and scorpions remain particularly well-investigated. Much less explored are the venoms of wasps (Order: Hymenoptera) that are infamous for causing excruciating and throbbing pain, justifying their apex position on Schmidt’s pain index, including some that are rated four on four. For example, the lesser banded wasp (V. affinis) is clinically important yet has only been the subject of a few studies, despite being commonly found across tropical and subtropical Asia. Stings from these wasps, especially from multiple individuals of a nest, often lead to clinically severe manifestations, including mastocytosis, myasthenia gravis, optic neuropathy, and life-threatening pathologies such as myocardial infarction and organ failure. However, their venom composition and activity remain unexplored in the Indian subcontinent. Here, we report the proteomic composition, transcriptomic profile, and biochemical and pharmacological activities of V. affinis venom from southern India. Our findings suggest that wasp venoms are rich in diverse toxins that facilitate antipredator defence. Biochemical and pharmacological assessments reveal that these toxins can exhibit significantly higher activities than their homologues in medically important snakes. Their ability to exert potent effects on diverse molecular targets makes them a treasure trove for discovering life-saving therapeutics. Fascinatingly, wasp venoms, being evolutionarily ancient, exhibit a greater degree of compositional and sequence conservation across very distant populations/species, which contrasts with the patterns of venom evolution observed in evolutionarily younger lineages, such as advanced snakes and cone snails.
Targeting the lung endothelial niche to promote angiogenesis and regeneration: A review of applications
Authors: Tsikis Savas T. , Hirsch Thomas I. , Fligor Scott C. , Quigley Mikayla , Puder Mark
Published: December 2022

Lung endothelial cells comprise the pulmonary vascular bed and account for the majority of cells in the lungs. Beyond their role in gas exchange, lung ECs form a specialized microenvironment, or niche, with important roles in health and disease. In early development, progenitor ECs direct alveolar development through angiogenesis. Following birth, lung ECs are thought to maintain their regenerative capacity despite the aging process. As such, harnessing the power of the EC niche, specifically to promote angiogenesis and alveolar regeneration has potential clinical applications. Here, we focus on translational research with applications related to developmental lung diseases including pulmonary hypoplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. An overview of studies examining the role of ECs in lung regeneration following acute lung injury is also provided. These diseases are all characterized by significant morbidity and mortality with limited existing therapeutics, affecting both young children and adults.
Confounds in neuroimaging: A clear case of sex as a confound in brain-based prediction
Authors: Weber Kenneth A. , Teplin Zachary M. , Wager Tor D. , Law Christine S. W. , Prabhakar Nitin K. , Ashar Yoni K. , Gilam Gadi , Banerjee Suchandrima , Delp Scott L. , Glover Gary H. , Hastie Trevor J. , Mackey Sean
Published: December 2022

Muscle weakness is common in many neurological, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal conditions. Muscle size only partially explains muscle strength as adaptions within the nervous system also contribute to strength. Brain-based biomarkers of neuromuscular function could provide diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value in treating these disorders. Therefore, we sought to characterize and quantify the brain's contribution to strength by developing multimodal MRI pipelines to predict grip strength. However, the prediction of strength was not straightforward, and we present a case of sex being a clear confound in brain decoding analyses. While each MRI modality—structural MRI (i.e., gray matter morphometry), diffusion MRI (i.e., white matter fractional anisotropy), resting state functional MRI (i.e., functional connectivity), and task-evoked functional MRI (i.e., left or right hand motor task activation)—and a multimodal prediction pipeline demonstrated significant predictive power for strength (R2 = 0.108–0.536, p ≤ 0.001), after correcting for sex, the predictive power was substantially reduced (R2 = −0.038–0.075). Next, we flipped the analysis and demonstrated that each MRI modality and a multimodal prediction pipeline could significantly predict sex (accuracy = 68.0%−93.3%, AUC = 0.780–0.982, p < 0.001). However, correcting the brain features for strength reduced the accuracy for predicting sex (accuracy = 57.3%−69.3%, AUC = 0.615–0.780). Here we demonstrate the effects of sex-correlated confounds in brain-based predictive models across multiple brain MRI modalities for both regression and classification models. We discuss implications of confounds in predictive modeling and the development of brain-based MRI biomarkers, as well as possible strategies to overcome these barriers.
Tryptophan metabolism and gut flora profile in different soybean protein induced enteritis of pearl gentian groupers
Authors: Zhang Wei , Pang Aobo , Tan Beiping , Xin Yu , Liu Yu , Xie Ruitao , Zhang Haitao , Yang Qihui , Deng Junming , Chi Shuyan
Published: December 2022

The substitution of high-level soy meals for fish meal (FM) generally leads to fish enteritis, accompanied by significant variations in gut flora. Relevant studies have pointed out a close relationship between tryptophan metabolism mediated by gut flora and vertebrate inflammatory bowel disease. Present study examines the role of tryptophan metabolism and gut flora profile in fish enteritis caused by different soybean meals. The 960 groupers were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n= 4), which including: (1) FM (the control group, fed with 50% FM feed), (2) SBM40 (replacing 40% FM with soybean meal), (3) SPC40 (replacing 40% FM with soybean protein concentrate), and (4) FSBM40 (replacing 40% FM with fermented soybean meal). Under average temperature and natural light, the groupers were cultivated with feeds of iso-nitrogen and iso-lipid for 10 weeks. The results showed that soybean meal feeds at all experimental levels had negative effects on fish gut physiology and growth performance. Typical enteritis features and fluctuations of immune system occur, which can be observed in the enzyme activities of total superoxide dismutase and lysozyme and in the contents of immunoglobulin M, complement 3 and complement 4. 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing indicated that it greatly influenced the gut flora with the abundance of maleficent bacteria, like Vibrio, amplified with increasing dietary soybean meals. According to the “3 + 2” full-length transcriptome sequencing, soy meals at the three experimental levels inhibited the key gene expressions of tryptophan metabolic pathway in fish gut, however, there are some differences in the types of key genes that are inhibited. The canonical correlation analysis showed that the changes in key gene expressions in tryptophan metabolic pathway had a positive correlation with the expressions of pro-inflammatory genes (P< 0.05) and negatively correlated with the expression of anti-inflammatory genes (P< 0.05). It is speculated from this study that tryptophan metabolism is closely related to fish soy meal-related enteritis, and the abnormal tryptophan metabolism caused by intestinal flora imbalance may play an important role. In the future research, we can further study the tolerance of fish to soy meals feed from two aspects of tryptophan metabolism and intestinal flora changes.
The effects of antioxidants on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nejadhosseinian Mohammad , Djalalinia Shirin , Haerian Hoda , Alikhani Majid , Mansour Asieh , Mousavian Amir-Hossein , Mardani-Fard Heydar Ali , Kasaeian Amir , Faezi Seyedeh Tahereh
Published: December 2022

Objective

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the growing health problems with a considerable burden. With recent research on the possible effectiveness of antioxidants in the remission of KOA symptoms, a systematic review and meta-analysis was required to confirm this hypothesis.

Design

Literature studies were searched on the most comprehensive databases such as PubMed, International Scientific Indexing, and Scopus, with no language and time restrictions. On 17 July 2021, a search strategy was developed based on the roots of “osteoarthritis (OA)” and “antioxidants,” with no time or language limitations. As the primary outcome, pain was evaluated based on all indicators for evaluating pain [e.g., Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores, the visual analog scale (VAS), and the numerical rating scale (NRS)]. The symptoms and functions of KOA and quality of life (QOL) were also considered as secondary outcomes, each of which was measured and reported by the corresponding instrument in the studies. To measure the changes in pain, symptoms, and functions of participants, we included randomized controlled trials with a placebo control or other medical therapeutic interventions. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test, which was deemed to be statistically significant at 0.1, and the results were checked by the trim-and-fill test.

Results

After refinement, data were extracted from 31 documents from 7,698 primary searched papers. Using the VAS as a reliable psychometric measuring instrument, the present study revealed that a significant difference in the characteristics of disease-related symptoms of patients with KOA was reached after antioxidant therapy (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.467, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.303–0.632, p < 0.0001). The results reported by WOMAC confirmed no significant difference in the combined score, difficulty score, pain score, and stiffness score.

Conclusion

As the first comprehensive systematic review of the association between antioxidant supplementation and KOA, this study showed that antioxidants can decrease disease-related symptoms in patients with KOA. The results can be useful for health policy decisions and future related studies.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022351060, identifier: CRD42022351060.
Technological interventions in improving the functionality of proteins during processing of meat analogs
Authors: Kumar Pavan , Sharma Neelesh , Ahmed Muideen Adewale , Verma Akhilesh K. , Umaraw Pramila , Mehta Nitin , Abubakar Ahmed Abubakar , Hayat Muhammad Nizam , Kaka Ubedullah , Lee Sung-Jin , Sazili Awis Qurni
Published: December 2022

Meat analogs have opened a new horizon of opportunities for developing a sustainable alternative for meat and meat products. Proteins are an integral part of meat analogs and their functionalities have been extensively studied to mimic meat-like appearance and texture. Proteins have a vital role in imparting texture, nutritive value, and organoleptic attributes to meat analogs. Processing of suitable proteins from vegetable, mycoproteins, algal, and single-cell protein sources remains a challenge and several technological interventions ranging from the isolation of proteins to the processing of products are required. The present paper reviews and discusses in detail various proteins (soy proteins, wheat gluten, zein, algal proteins, mycoproteins, pulses, potato, oilseeds, pseudo-cereals, and grass) and their suitability for meat analog production. The review also discusses other associated aspects such as processing interventions that can be adapted to improve the functional and textural attributes of proteins in the processing of meat analogs (extrusion, spinning, Couette shear cell, additive manufacturing/3D printing, and freeze structuring). ‘
Enteral supplementation with probiotics in preterm infants: A retrospective cohort study and 6-year follow-up
Authors: Brown Beth Ellen , Huisman Esther , Miller Michael R. , Ulrich Cindy , Reid Gregor , da Silva Orlando
Published: December 2022

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of an enteral probiotics supplementation protocol on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants born <33 weeks gestational age (GA) or birth weight (BW) <1,500 g. In addition, a 6-year follow-up is presented after instigation of probiotic use. In October 2014, our NICU introduced an enteral probiotics supplementation protocol for infants born <33 weeks GA or BW <1,500 g. Infants received 0.5 g of Bifidobacterium breve HA-129, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-111, Bifidobacterium bifidum HA-132, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis HA-116, and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum HA-135 (FloraBABYⓇ) daily until discharge or transfer from hospital. The incidence of NEC was compared among infants for 2 years pre- and post implementation of the protocol then 6-years following continuous implementation of the probiotic use. In total, 370 infants not treated with probiotics between 2012 and 2014 were included with an incidence of NEC at 4.9%. In comparison, the 367 infants who received had a 67% reduction (4.9–1.6%, p = 0.01) in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The results remained significant (aOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.72; p < 0.01) after adjusting for GA, small for gestational age, and antenatal corticosteroid use. Data from the Canadian Neonatal Network not only showed a consistently high rate of NEC in October 2014, but also identified exceedingly high rates (8.7–15.6%) in some hospitals up to 2021, while our rates have been consistently low with using the probiotic as standard therapy for low BW premature babies, with no serious side effects reported. In conclusion, the introduction of a five-strain probiotic natural health product has coincided with a reduced incidence and complications of NEC in our NICU setting.
Health economic impacts associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Brazil
Authors: Leal Joice Silva Vieira , Fogal Aline Siqueira , Meireles Adriana Lúcia , Cardoso Letícia de Oliveira , Machado Ísis Eloah , Menezes Mariana Carvalho de
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is among the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to estimate the financial costs of hospitalizations and procedures of high and medium complexity for NCDs attributable to the consumption of SSBs in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in 2019.

Methods

This ecological study used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 and the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The attributable costs were estimated from the population-attributable fraction (PAF) and the costs in the treatment of chronic diseases [type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (IHD)], stratified by sex, age group, level of complexity of treatment, and federative units.

Results

In 2019, in Brazil, US$ 14,116,240.55 were the costs of hospitalizations and procedures of high and medium complexity in the treatment of NCDs attributable to the consumption of SSBs. These values were higher in males (US$ 8,469,265.14) and the southeast and southern regions, mainly in the state of São Paulo. However, when evaluating these results at a rate per 10,000 inhabitants, it was observed that the states of Paraná, Tocantins, and Roraima had higher costs per 10,000 inhabitants. Regarding the age groups, higher costs were observed in the older age groups.

Conclusion

This study revealed the high financial impact of the NCDs treatment attributed to the consumption of SSBs in Brazil and the variability among Brazilian macro-regions. The results demonstrate the urgency and need for the expansion of policies to reduce the consumption of SSBs in Brazil with strategies that consider regional particularities.