bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Mechanical and Immunological Profiles of Polymeric Microneedles to Enable Vaccine and Immunotherapy Applications
Authors: Shah Shrey A. , Oakes Robert S. , Kapnick Senta M. , Jewell Christopher M.
Published: March 2022

Biomaterials hold great promise for vaccines and immunotherapy. One emerging biomaterials technology is microneedle (MNs) delivery. MNs are arrays of micrometer-sized needles that are painless and efficiently deliver cargo to the specialized immunological niche of the skin. MNs typically do not require cold storage and eliminate medical sharps. Nearly all materials exhibit intrinsic properties that can bias immune responses toward either pro-immune or inhibitory effects. Thus, because MNs are fabricated from degradable polymers to enable cargo loading and release, understanding the immunological profiles of these matrices is essential to enable new MN vaccines and immunotherapies. Additionally, understanding the mechanical properties is important because MNs must penetrate the skin and conform to a variety of skin or tissue geometries. Here we fabricated MNs from important polymer classes – including extracellular matrix biopolymers, naturally-derived polymers, and synthetic polymers – with both high- and low-molecular-weights (MW). We then characterized the mechanical properties and intrinsic immunological properties of these designs. The library of polymer MNs exhibited diverse mechanical properties, while causing only modest changes in innate signaling and antigen-specific T cell proliferation. These data help inform the selection of MN substrates based on the mechanical and immunological requirements needed for a specific vaccine or immunotherapy application.
Fantastic Beasts: Unfolding Mixoplankton Temporal Variability in the Belgian Coastal Zone Through DNA-Metabarcoding
Authors: Lapeyra Martin Jon , John Uwe , Royer Colin , Gypens Nathalie
Published: March 2022

Protists engaging in photo- and phago- mixotrophy (mixoplankton) are common members of the global plankton community. They are involved in primary production and contribute to the carbon and nutrient cycling. Two major mixoplankton functional types (MFTs) are considered based upon the origin of their photosynthetic abilities: innate for constitutive-mixoplankton (CM) and obtained from prey for non-constitutive mixoplankton (NCM). Regardless of their significance, little attention has been paid to their diversity and temporal succession. We performed a metabarcoding survey of the V4-18S rRNA gene in 92 surface water samples collected during 2018–2019 in five fixed stations of the Belgian Coastal Zone. Environmental data such as nutrients, sea surface temperature, salinity, Chl-a and light were collected to understand their influences over mixoplankton community changes. The temporal diversity of mixotrophs, autotrophs, and heterotrophs was analyzed and the distinct seasonal patterns were evidenced. Results showed that dinoflagellates and ciliates were the major mixoplankton contributors. There were no significant differences among protist communities between the stations sampled. The time-series showed high proportional abundances of CM, accounting in average for 24.4% of the reads, against the low contribution of NCM, 4.8%. CM dinoflagellates belonging to Heterocapsa, Alexandrium, Karlodinium, and Tripos genus were the most abundant, and co-occurred with strict autotrophic plankton. Strombidium genus ciliates were the most representative organisms for NCM. Mixoplankton showed lower diversity than autotrophs and heterotrophs throughout the time series, however, the environmental factors controlling the seasonal community shifts (β-diversity) were similar. Overall, the metabarcoding approach allowed to depict with high resolution the composition of mixoplankton and its diversity among auto- and heterotrophs in the Belgian Coastal Zone.
Developing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Capabilities for Anthropogenic Radionuclide Analysis to Extend the Set of Oceanographic Tracers
Authors: Hain Karin , Martschini Martin , Gülce Fadime , Honda Maki , Lachner Johannes , Kern Michael , Pitters Johanna , Quinto Francesca , Sakaguchi Aya , Steier Peter , Wiederin Andreas , Wieser Alexander , Yokoyama Akihiko , Golser Robin
Published: March 2022

Recent major advances in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA) regarding detection efficiency and isobar suppression have opened possibilities for the analysis of additional long-lived radionuclides at ultra-low environmental concentrations. These radionuclides, including 233U, 135Cs, 99Tc, and 90Sr, will become important for oceanographic tracer application due to their generally conservative behavior in ocean water. In particular, the isotope ratios 233U/236U and 137Cs/135Cs have proven to be powerful fingerprints for emission source identification as they are not affected by elemental fractionation. Improved detection efficiencies allowed us to analyze all major long-lived actinides, i.e., 236U, 237Np, 239,240Pu, 241Am as well as the very rare 233U, in the same 10 L water samples of a depth profile from the northwest Pacific Ocean. For this purpose, a simplified and very flexible chemical purification procedure based on extraction chromatography (a single UTEVA® column) was implemented which can be extended by a DGA® column for Am purification. The procedure was validated with the reference materials IAEA-381/385. With the additional increase in ionization efficiency expected for the extraction of actinides as fluoride molecules from the AMS ion source, a further reduction of chemical processing may become possible. This method was successfully applied to an exemplary set of air filter samples. In order to determine the quantitative 237Np concentration reliably, a 236Np spike material is being developed in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Ion-Laser Interaction Mass Spectrometry (ILIAMS), a novel technique for the efficient suppression of stable isobaric background, has been developed at VERA and provides unprecedented detection sensitivity for the fission fragments 135Cs, 99Tc, and 90Sr. The corresponding setup is fully operational now and the isobar suppression factors of >105 achieved, in principle, allow for the detection of the mentioned radionuclides in the environment. Especially for 90Sr analysis, this new approach has already been validated for selected reference materials (e.g., IAEA-A-12) and is ready for application in oceanographic studies. We estimate that a sample volume of only (1–3) L ocean water is sufficient for 90Sr as well as for 135Cs analysis, respectively.
Transcriptome Analysis of Crassostrea sikamea (♀) × Crassostrea gigas (♂) Hybrids Under Hypoxia in Occluded Water
Authors: Zhang Xuekai , Fan Chao , Li Jinlong , Zhang Xingzhi , Li Qiongzhen , Wang Zhaoping
Published: March 2022

Hypoxia is considered to be one of the key factors affecting the survival of ocean organisms, it is necessary to parse the molecular processes involved in response to hypoxia. As a potential breeding species, the hybrid of Crassostrea sikamea (♀) × Crassostrea gigas (♂) shows valuable heterosis in survival and growth traits. Thus, RNA de novo was deployed in this study to analyze the molecular processes in the hybrids under hypoxia stress. The hybrids were cultured in occluded water, then the dissolved oxygen was gradually consumed by oysters, and the gill tissue of hybrids was sampled at the very beginning and the lowest respiration point in the experiment. In the current study, 901 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under hypoxia compared to normoxia, among which 432 DEGs were downregulated, and the other 469 DEGs were upregulated. A total of 27 GO terms were significantly enriched, such as an integral component of membrane, extracellular region, immune response, tumor necrosis factor receptor binding, and neurotransmitter: sodium symporter activity. Besides, 19 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched, such as apoptosis, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, complement, and coagulation cascades, antigen processing and presentation, notch signaling pathway, and cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction. The current results showed that the TRAIL genes were downregulated, but the HSP70 and LIGHT genes were upregulated, which indicated the inhibition of Apoptosis, and the activity of innate immunity in oysters under hypoxia. This study provides preliminary insight into the molecular response to hypoxia in the gill of hybrids.
An Efficient Strategy Combining Immunoassays and Molecular Identification for the Investigation of Fusarium Infections in Ear Rot of Maize in Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Shang Guofu , Li Shuqin , Yu Huan , Yang Jie , Li Shimei , Yu Yanqin , Wang Jianman , Wang Yun , Zeng Zhu , Zhang Jingbo , Hu Zuquan
Published: March 2022

Fusarium is one of the most important phytopathogenic and mycotoxigenic fungi that caused huge losses worldwide due to the decline of crop yield and quality. To systematically investigate the infections of Fusarium species in ear rot of maize in the Guizhou Province of China and analyze its population structure, 175 samples of rotted maize ears from 76 counties were tested by combining immunoassays and molecular identification. Immunoassay based on single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion protein was first employed to analyze these samples. Fusarium pathogens were isolated and purified from Fusarium-infected samples. Molecular identification was performed using the partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) sequences. Specific primers were used to detect toxigenic chemotypes, and verification was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). One-hundred and sixty three samples were characterized to be positive, and the infection rate was 93.14%. Sixteen species of Fusarium belonging to six species complexes were detected and Fusarium meridionale belonging to the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) was the dominant species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification illustrated that 69 isolates (56.10%) were potential mycotoxin-producing Fusarium pathogens. The key synthetic genes of NIV, NIV + ZEN, DON + ZEN, and FBs were detected in 3, 35, 7, and 24 isolates, respectively. A total of 86.11% of F. meridionale isolates carried both NIV- and ZEN-specific segments, while Fusarium verticillioides isolates mainly represented FBs chemotype. All the isolates carrying DON-producing fragments were FGSC. These results showed that there are different degrees of Fusarium infections in Guizhou Province and their species and toxigenic genotypes display regional distribution patterns. Therefore, scFv-AP fusion-based immunoassays could be conducted to efficiently investigate Fusarium infections and more attention and measures should be taken for mycotoxin contamination in this region.
Untangling the Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Composition and Response of Soil Physiochemical Properties to Different Nitrogen Applications in Sugarcane Field
Authors: Khan Abdullah , Jiang Hongtao , Bu Junyao , Adnan Muhammad , Gillani Syeda Wajeeha , Hussain Muhammad Azhar , Zhang Muqing
Published: March 2022

Minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and investigating an appropriate ecofriendly level of nitrogen fertilizer is the key to sustainable agriculture. Sugarcane is the main cash crop of China, especially in the Guangxi region. Information regarding the effect of different nitrogen levels on sugarcane rhizosphere microbiota is still limited. In this study, we evaluated the effect of four different levels of nitrogen fertilizers on rhizosphere bacterial composition using high throughput sequencing, along with soil physiochemical properties, sugarcane agronomic and yield performance. The four treatment combinations were CK (no fertilizers), L (Low, 100 kg ha–1), M (Medium, 150 kg ha–1), and H (High, 200 kg ha–1). The results showed that M nitrogen application significantly altered the rhizosphere bacterial community, soil properties, and sugarcane yield. The richness and evenness of the bacterial community were higher in M treatment than CK. In M treatment important bacterial phyla Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria increased by 47 and 71%, respectively; and at genus level, Acidothermus and Bradyrhizobium increased by 77.2 and 30.3%, respectively, compared to CK. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis further confirmed the level of differences among the treatments. The PCA analysis explained 80% of the total variation among the treatments. Spearmen correlation heatmap showed that environmental factors such as pH, AP (available phosphorous), AK (available potassium), and SCAT (soil catalase) were the key factors impacting sugarcane rhizosphere microbiome composition. The H and L nitrogen application alter the bacterial community and sugarcane performance but the M nitrogen application appears to be ecofriendly, productive, and an appropriate nitrogen application rate that could be further used in the Guangxi region.
Host Cell Glycocalyx Remodeling Reveals SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Glycomic Binding Sites
Authors: Sheng Ying , Vinjamuri Anita , Alvarez Michael Russelle S. , Xie Yixuan , McGrath Marisa , Chen Siyu , Barboza Mariana , Frieman Matthew , Lebrilla Carlito B.
Published: March 2022

Glycans on the host cell membrane and viral proteins play critical roles in pathogenesis. Highly glycosylated epithelial cells represent the primary boundary separating embedded host tissues from pathogens within the respiratory and intestinal tracts. SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for the COVID-19 pandemic, reaches into the respiratory tract. We found purified human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) inhibited the viral binding on cells. Spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) binding to host cells were partly blocked by co-incubation with exogenous HMOs, most by 2-6-sialyl-lactose (6′SL), supporting the notion that HMOs can function as decoys in defense against SARS-Cov2. To investigate the effect of host cell glycocalyx on viral adherence, we metabolically modified and confirmed with glycomic methods the cell surface glycome to enrich specific N-glycan types including those containing sialic acids, fucose, mannose, and terminal galactose. Additionally, Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that the S protein preferentially binds to terminal sialic acids with α-(2,6)-linkages. Furthermore, site-specific glycosylation of S protein RBD and its human receptor ACE2 were characterized using LC-MS/MS. We then performed molecular dynamics calculations on the interaction complex to further explore the interactive complex between ACE2 and the S protein. The results showed that hydrogen bonds mediated the interactions between ACE2 glycans and S protein with desialylated glycans forming significantly fewer hydrogen bonds. These results supported a mechanism where the virus binds initially to glycans on host cells preferring α-(2,6)-sialic acids and finds ACE2 and with the proper orientation infects the cell.
Application of Intracranial Pressure-Directed Therapy on Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Yang Jun , Lu Junlin , Li Runting , Lin Fa , Chen Yu , Han Heze , Yan Debin , Li Ruinan , Li Zhipeng , Zhang Haibin , Yuan Kexin , Li Hongliang , Zhang Linlin , Shi Guangzhi , Zhou Jianxin , Wang Shuo , Zhao Yuanli , Chen Xiaolin
Published: March 2022

Objective

Elevated ICP is a well-recognized phenomenon in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) that has been demonstrated to lead to poor outcomes. Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is the most important reason for a poor clinical outcome after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. DCI is understood as a multifactorial process that evolves over time, largely caused by the sequelae of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The study aimed to assess how to better define the association between ICP and DCI, and whether rational ICP management can improve the outcome of aSAH patients.

Methods

We prospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with aSAH and received microsurgery clipping at our department from December 2019 to January 2021. Subdural ICP monitoring devices were kept to monitor the ICP. The ICP values were recorded every 1-h epochs. ICP -guided dehydration treatments were routinely performed to control the ICP level of patients after surgery. To evaluate whether the subdural ICP-directed management improved the prognosis of the aSAH patients, we compared the outcome data of the patients in our cohort with those treated at another ward of our hospital at the same period.

Results

In total, 144 consecutive aSAH patients received microsurgery clipping at our department, 68 of whom underwent ICP monitoring. A total of 11,424 1-h ICP measurements were recorded for the included patients (1.30 years of recordings). Of 68 patients with ICP monitoring, 27 (27/68, 39.7%) patients developed DCI. Univariate analysis showed that higher Hunt-Hess grade (OR 2.138, 95% CI 1.025–4.459, p = 0.043), higher preoperative modified Rankin Scale score (OR 1.534, 95% CI 1.033–2.276, p = 0.034), and the max ICP value of each day value >28.5 mmHg (OR 4.442, 95% CI 1.509–13.082, p = 0.007) were associated with DCI. Also, patients with ICP-directed treatment showed a significantly lower DCI incidence than patients without ICP monitoring.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that I less than 15 mmHg possibly constitute normal values and that 28.5 mmHg is the ICP threshold most strongly associated with the occurrence of DCI in aSAH patients. Patients who received the ICP-directed treatment presented a lower incidence of DCI. Our findings provide a basis for the recommendation of ICP-directed treatment after aSAH.

Trial Registration Number

NCT04785976.
A Novel Nomogram for Predicting Postoperative Liver Failure After Major Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lei Zhengqing , Cheng Nuo , Si Anfeng , Yang Pinghua , Guo Guangmeng , Ma Weihu , Yu Qiushi , Wang Xuan , Cheng Zhangjun
Published: March 2022

Background

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is the most common cause of mortality after major hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. We aim to develop a nomogram to preoperatively predict grade B/C PHLF defined by the International Study Group on Liver Surgery Grading (ISGLS) in HCC patients undergoing major hepatectomy.

Study Design

The consecutive HCC patients who underwent major hepatectomy at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital between 2008 and 2013 served as a training cohort to develop a preoperative nomogram, and patients from 2 other hospitals comprised an external validation cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression was applied to identify preoperative predictors of grade B/C PHLF. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to establish a nomogram model. Internal and external validations were used to verify the performance of the nomogram. The accuracy of the nomogram was also compared with the conventional scoring models, including MELD and ALBI score.

Results

A total of 880 patients who underwent major hepatectomy (668 in the training cohort and 192 in the validation cohort) were enrolled in this study. The independent risk factors of grade B/C PHLF were age, gender, prothrombin time, total bilirubin, and CSPH, which were incorporated into the nomogram. Good prediction discrimination was achieved in the training (AUROC: 0.73) and validation (AUROC: 0.72) cohorts. The calibration curve also showed good agreement in both training and validation cohorts. The nomogram has a better performance than MELD and ALBI score models.

Conclusion

The proposed nomogram showed more accurate ability to individually predict grade B/C PHLF after major hepatectomy in HCC patients than MELD and ALBI scores.
Bioelectric Dysregulation in Cancer Initiation, Promotion, and Progression
Authors: Sheth Maulee , Esfandiari Leyla
Published: March 2022

Cancer is primarily a disease of dysregulation – both at the genetic level and at the tissue organization level. One way that tissue organization is dysregulated is by changes in the bioelectric regulation of cell signaling pathways. At the basis of bioelectricity lies the cellular membrane potential or Vmem, an intrinsic property associated with any cell. The bioelectric state of cancer cells is different from that of healthy cells, causing a disruption in the cellular signaling pathways. This disruption or dysregulation affects all three processes of carcinogenesis – initiation, promotion, and progression. Another mechanism that facilitates the homeostasis of cell signaling pathways is the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by cells. EVs also play a role in carcinogenesis by mediating cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the production and release of EVs is altered in cancer. To this end, the change in cell electrical state and in EV production are responsible for the bioelectric dysregulation which occurs during cancer. This paper reviews the bioelectric dysregulation associated with carcinogenesis, including the TME and metastasis. We also look at the major ion channels associated with cancer and current technologies and tools used to detect and manipulate bioelectric properties of cells.
Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Strategies Based on 15 Types of Stem Cells in Animal Models
Authors: Shang Zhizhong , Wang Ruirui , Li Dongliang , Chen Jinlei , Zhang Baolin , Wang Mingchuan , Wang Xin , Wanyan Pingping
Published: March 2022

Objective:The optimal therapeutic strategies of stem cells for spinal cord injury (SCI) are fully explored in animal studies to promote the translation of preclinical findings to clinical practice, also to provide guidance for future animal experiments and clinical studies.

Methods:PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wangfang, VIP, and CBM were searched from inception to September 2021. Screening of search results, data extraction, and references quality evaluation were undertaken independently by two reviewers.

Results and Discussion:A total of 188 studies were included for data analysis. Results of traditional meta-analysis showed that all 15 diverse types of stem cells could significantly improve locomotor function of animals with SCI, and results of further network meta-analysis showed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells had the greatest therapeutic potential for SCI. Moreover, a higher dose (≥1 × 106) of stem cell transplantation had better therapeutic effect, transplantation in the subacute phase (3–14 days, excluding 3 days) was the optimal timing, and intralesional transplantation was the optimal route. However, the evidence of current animal studies is of limited quality, and more high-quality research is needed to further explore the optimal therapeutic strategies of stem cells, while the design and implementation of experiments, as well as measurement and reporting of results for animal studies, need to be further improved and standardized to reduce the risk when the results of animal studies are translated to the clinic.

Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].
Improvement of Coral Sand With MICP Using Various Calcium Sources in Sea Water Environment
Authors: Peng Jie , Cao Tianci , He Jia , Dai Di , Tian Yanmei
Published: March 2022

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising technique for strengthening soil. The influences calcium sources (calcium chloride, calcium acetate, and calcium nitrate) and seawater/freshwater environment on the improvement of coral sand were studied. A microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) aqueous solution experiment was carried out to explore the influence of the different calcium source and seawater/freshwater on the relationship between calcium carbonate precipitation and time. Coral sand column treatment tests were conducted to investigate the environmental impact on soil strengthening. The results show that the actual production of calcium carbonate is 20% lower than the theoretical value. Calcium chloride was found to be the optimal calcium source in terms of the seawater environment affect 2% of calcium carbonate production compared with the freshwater environment. The results of tests on three different calcium sources (calcium chloride, calcium acetate, and calcium nitrate) showed that seawater adversely affected the unconfined compression strength (UCS) and the tensile splitting strength (TSS) of strengthened specimens compared with freshwater. The UCS and TSS values in the freshwater environment were approximately 30–45% higher than those in the seawater environment. Nevertheless the strengthened specimens in the seawater environment exhibited high strength, and the MICP improvement effect can be guaranteed. Therefore, The MICP technology can be used to improve coral sand for construction work in seawater environments.
Liquid Metal-Embedded Layered-PDMS Antenna for Flexible and Conformal Applications
Authors: Wang Meng , Liu Zhifu , Dong Jian
Published: March 2022

This article proposes a dual-band slot IFA antenna using a combined technique of liquid metal (LM) filling and polydimethylsiloxane substrate. The antenna working at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz consists of three liquid metal layers—radiation patch, short circuit stub, and ground plane and can be bent to different radiuses for flexible, conformal, and wearable applications. The vacuum filling method enables realization of a monolithic-integrated substrate. The applicability of this antenna for a wearable wristband is validated through simulation.
Development and Utilization of Functional Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR Markers for Key Genes Underpinning Fiber Length and Strength in Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: Li Lihua , Sun Zhengwen , Zhang Yan , Ke Huifeng , Yang Jun , Li Zhikun , Wu Liqiang , Zhang Guiyin , Wang Xingfen , Ma Zhiying
Published: March 2022

Fiber length (FL) and fiber strength (FS) are the important indicators of fiber quality in cotton. Longer and stronger fibers are preferred for manufacturing finer yarns in the textile industry. Functional markers (FMs) designed from polymorphic sites within gene sequences attributing to phenotypic variation are highly efficient when used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding superior varieties with longer FL and higher FS. The aims of this study were to develop FMs via kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays and to validate the efficacy of the FMs for allele discrimination and the potential value in practice application. We used four single-nucleotide polymorphism markers and 360 cotton accessions and found that two FMs, namely, D11_24030087 and A07_72204443, could effectively differentiate accessions of different genotypes with higher consistency to phenotype. The appeared frequencies of varieties harbored Hap2 (elite alleles G and T) with longer FL (> the mean of accessions with non-elite allele, 28.50 mm) and higher FS (> the mean of accessions with non-elite allele, 29.06 cN•tex–1) were 100 and 72.7%, respectively, which was higher than that of varieties harbored only on a single elite allele (G or T, 77.9 or 61.9%), suggesting a favorable haplotype for selecting varieties with superior FL and FS. These FMs could be valuable for the high-throughput selection of superior materials by providing genotypic information in cotton breeding programs.
Exploring Students’ Use of a Mobile Application to Support Their Self-Regulated Learning Processes
Authors: Baars Martine , Khare Sanyogita , Ridderstap Léonie
Published: March 2022

Being able to self-regulate one’s learning is essential for academic success but is also very difficult for students. Especially first year students can be overwhelmed with the high study load and autonomy in higher education. To face this challenge, students’ monitoring and self-regulated learning (SRL) processes are crucial. Yet, often students are not aware of effective SRL strategies or how to use them. In this study, the use of a mobile application with gamification elements (i.e., Ace Your Self-Study App) to support first-year university students’ SRL processes was investigated. In Study 1a, the Ace your self-study app was implemented in a first-year psychology course, and students’ SRL skills, motivation, self-efficacy, app use and satisfaction, and performance were measured. The results showed a significant increase in autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and metacognitive self-regulation skills (MSR-R) across the 5-week course. Moreover, students who used the mobile application with gamified elements showed higher autonomous motivation. Nevertheless, most students used the app only for a limited number of self-study sessions. In Study 1b, students’ self-study experiences were captured using focus group interviews to shed some more light on why students did or did not use the app. The results show that if students feel they do not need support for their SRL processes during self-study, they are less inclined to use the app. Specifically, regarding using study strategies, it was found that only if students’ strategies do not work well in their perception, they feel the need to change their way of studying and choose another strategy. These results are discussed in the context of theory on SRL and how to support it.
Performance Effects of High Performance Work Systems on Committed, Long-Term Employees: A Multilevel Study
Authors: Pahos Nikolaos , Galanaki Eleanna
Published: March 2022

Even though effects of High Performance Work Systems (HPWS) on employee performance have been widely investigated, there is no consensus on how this link is achieved. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory (SET), this paper attempts to shed more light in this relationship by investigating the mediating role of affective, normative, and continuance commitment in the relationship between HPWS and employee performance. Moreover, the potential moderating role of employee tenure on the HPWS—organizational commitment link is examined. Using data from 342 subordinates and 115 supervisors from 111 service organizations in Greece, our multilevel analysis shows that affective commitment fully mediates the relationship between HPWS and employee performance. In addition, employee tenure positively moderates the relationships between HPWS and affective and normative commitment. The paper discusses theoretical implications and provides recommendations for practitioners.
A Challenging Yet Motivating Journey: The Experiences of Young Adult Parents With Serious Mental Health Conditions in the USA
Authors: Sabella Kathryn , Baczko Amanda , Lane Ian A. , Golden Laura , Pici-D'Ottavio Emma , O'Neill Murron
Published: March 2022

In recent decades the average age of becoming a parent has increased, the rate of teen pregnancies has decreased, and a new developmental period of emerging adulthood is marked by diverse pathways into adulthood. Today, those who become parents in young adulthood (18–24 years old) and their children may be vulnerable to poor outcomes observed in teen parents (13–19 years old) of previous generations. Young adults with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) who encounter additional challenges navigating young adulthood and tend to parent earlier than their peers may be at particularly increased risk of poor outcomes. To date, little research has been done to understand the experiences of young adult parents, especially those with SMHC. This study describes themes from qualitative interviews with 18 young adults with SMHC in the United States who became parents before the age of 25. Life story narrative interviews, conducted mostly by young adults with lived experience, asked participants to describe their parenting and mental health experiences and their school, training, and work experiences. Participants described the challenges of simultaneously parenting young children and managing a mental health condition, experiences of discrimination, and fear of future discrimination related to their mental health condition. However, parents also expressed that their children motivated them to maintain recovery and build a good life for their family. This is the first study to qualitatively explore the experiences of young adult parents with SMHC. While many of these findings align with prior qualitative research on mothers with mental illness, by exclusively focusing on individuals who become parents earlier than their peers and including father experiences, this research adds to our understanding of how individuals simultaneously navigate parenting and managing a serious mental health condition. These findings should inform larger-scale research studies on the experiences and outcomes of young adults with SMHC who become parents in their late teens or early twenties. A better understanding of their experiences should inform public mental health services that incorporate parenting as an important element of an individual's personal recovery model.
Cancer Screening Practices Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Datta Geetanjali D. , Lauzon Marie , Salvy Sarah-Jeanne , Hussain Shehnaz K. , Ghandehari Sara , Merchant Akil , Merin Noah M. , Reckamp Karen , Figueiredo Jane C.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact long-standing efforts to increase adherence to cancer screening guidelines. Healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced significant hardship, but generally have greater access to preventive services, making them a particularly relevant population in which to understand cancer screening behaviors during the pandemic. We report data from 794 HCWs enrolled in the NCI-funded Serological Sciences Network for Coronavirus Associations and Longitudinal Evaluation Study from December 2020 to April 2021. Participants reported lifestyle and screening behaviors during relevant look-back periods which included the pandemic timeframe. Among women between the ages of 40 and 74, 25.7% were overdue for mammographic breast cancer screening. Among participants 50–75 years old, 38.9% were overdue for colorectal cancer screening. The proportion over-due varied according to race/ethnicity. Lifetime low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening among HCWs age 50–80 years who were smokers was 10.9%. Strategies to address screening disruptions are needed to minimize the impact of later stage of diagnosis.
Social Isolation, Cognitive Function, and Depression Among Chinese Older Adults: Examining Internet Use as a Predictor and a Moderator
Authors: Li Yunjun , Bai Xiao , Chen Honglin
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Despite the theoretical and practical interest in Internet use among older adults, evidence examining the impacts of Internet use on late-in-life health is limited. This study examines how Internet use affects depression and cognitive function in older adults and investigates if Internet use moderates the relationship between social isolation and depression/cognitive function.

Method

We performed regression analyses using data came from the second wave of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey of 2016. Our final sample featured 8,835 older adults.

Results

The results show 11.4% of Chinese older adults often used the Internet to engage in at least one activity. Internet use was negatively associated with depression, but it was positively related to cognitive function. Socially isolated older adults were more likely to have more depressive symptoms and higher level of cognitive function. There was also an interaction effect between Internet use and social isolation on depression/cognitive function. The negative effect of social isolation was stronger for older adults who used the Internet less. The moderating effect of Internet use was significant for both males and females. However, among those who used the Internet more, the depression levels of socially isolated male participants were much lower than female participants.

Conclusions

Our results reveal the importance of considering Internet use in buffering the negative effects of social isolation and the associated health burdens for aging populations. Recommendations for service practice and future research are discussed.
A Path Analysis of the Effect of Neighborhood Built Environment on Public Health of Older Adults: A Hong Kong Study
Authors: Chen Shuangzhou , Wang Ting , Bao Zhikang , Lou Vivian
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Health deterioration among frail older adults is a public health concern. Among the multi-dimensional factors, the neighborhood built environment is crucial for one's health. Although the relationship between the built environment and health in the general population has been thoroughly investigated, it has been ignored in the case of frail older adults, who may have difficulties in their daily basic living skills. A path analysis is constructed to model the proposed theoretical framework involving the neighborhood built environment and health among frail older adults. This study thus aims to investigate the environmental influences on health, and to validate the theoretical framework proposed for health and social services.

Methods

This study used secondary data collected in Hong Kong. A sample of 969 older community dwellers aged 60 or above were frail with at least one activity of daily living. Demographic information, neighborhood built environment data, service utilization, and health conditions were collected from these participants and their caregivers. A path analysis was performed to examine the proposed theoretical framework.

Results

The health condition was of general concern, including frailty and incapacities in daily activities in frail older adults. Besides psychosocial factors, service use, and caregivers' care quality, the built environment had a significant impact on the health of older adults as well. Specifically, more facilities offering services and groceries, a shorter distance to the nearest metro station, and more greenery exposure are associated with a better-expected health condition among frail older adults.

Discussion

The proposed theoretical framework successfully supplements past negligence on the relationship between the built environment and the health of frail older adults. The findings further imply that policymakers should promote the usability of transit and greenery in neighborhoods and communities. In addition, service utilization should be improved to meet the basic needs of frail older adults in the communities.
Lise Meitner, the Scientist Who Changed Medicine by Splitting Atoms
Authors: Drake Rebecca , Terry Samantha Y. A. , Langdon Sophie
Published: March 2022

The splitting of atoms, also known as nuclear fission, produces radiation and radioactivity. Dr Lise Meitner discovered how radioactivity could be produced in 1939. She found that firing a small particle called a neutron into another atom could cause radiation to be released. Radioactive atoms created in this way can be useful for detecting cancer or checking whether the body’s organs are working properly. When radioactive atoms are injected into the blood of a patient, they travel through the body and release radiation that can be detected using special cameras, creating images or videos of the body’s tissues. In this way, radiation helps doctors to better diagnose and treat patients. Unfortunately, Dr Meitner faced many obstacles and was never credited officially for her key discovery of nuclear fission.
External Forcing of the Solar Dynamo
Authors: Charbonneau Paul
Published: March 2022

In this paper I examine whether external forcing of the solar dynamo on long timescales can produce detectable signal in the form of long term modulation of the magnetic cycle. This task is motivated in part by some recent proposals (Abreu et al., 2012; Astron. Ap., 548, A88; Stefani et al., 2021; Solar Phys., 296, 88), whereby modulation of the solar activity cycle on centennial and millennial timescales, as recovered from the cosmogenic radioisotope record, is attributed to perturbation of the tachocline driven by planetary orbital motions. Working with a two-dimensional mean-field-like kinematic dynamo model of the Babcock-Leighton variety, I show that such an external forcing signal may be detectable in principle but is likely to be obliterated by other internal sources of fluctuations, in particular stochastic perturbations of the dynamo associated with convective turbulence, unless a very efficient amplification mechanism is at play. I also examine the ability of external tidal forcing to synchronize an otherwise autonomous, internal dynamo operating at a nearby frequency. Synchronization is readily achieved, and turns out to be very robust to the introduction of stochastic noise, but requires very high forcing amplitudes, again highlighting the critical need for a powerful amplification mechanism.
A Spike Protein-Based Subunit SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine for Pets: Safety, Immunogenicity, and Protective Efficacy in Juvenile Cats
Authors: Tabynov Kairat , Orynbassar Madiana , Yelchibayeva Leila , Turebekov Nurkeldi , Yerubayev Toktassyn , Matikhan Nurali , Yespolov Tlektes , Petrovsky Nikolai , Tabynov Kaissar
Published: March 2022

Whereas, multiple vaccine types have been developed to curb the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among humans, there are very few vaccines being developed for animals including pets. To combat the threat of human-to-animal, animal-to-animal, and animal-to-human transmission and the generation of new virus variants, we developed a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine which is based on the recombinant spike protein extracellular domain expressed in insect cells and then formulated with appropriate adjuvants. Sixteen 8–12-week-old outbred female and male kittens (n = 4 per group) were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: spike protein alone; spike plus ESSAI oil-in-water (O/W) 1849102 adjuvant; spike plus aluminum hydroxide adjuvant; and a PBS control. All animals were vaccinated intramuscularly twice, 2 weeks apart, with 5 μg of spike protein in a volume of 0.5 ml. On days 0 and 28, serum samples were collected to evaluate anti-spike IgG, antibody inhibition of spike binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), neutralizing antibodies against wild-type and delta variant viruses, and hematology studies. At day 28, all groups were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus 106 TCID50 intranasally. On day 31, tissue samples (lung, heart, and nasal turbinates) were collected for viral RNA detection, and virus titration. After two immunizations, both vaccines induced high titers of serum anti-spike IgG that inhibited spike ACE-2 binding and neutralized both wild-type and delta variant virus. Both adjuvanted vaccine formulations protected juvenile cats against virus shedding from the upper respiratory tract and viral replication in the lower respiratory tract and hearts. These promising data warrant ongoing evaluation of the vaccine's ability to protect cats against SARS-CoV-2 infection and in particular to prevent transmission.
Case Report: Aortic Regurgitation of Postocclusion and Long-Term Outcome Following PDA Correction in an Adult Dog
Authors: Ro Woong-Bin , Park Hee-Myung , Song Doo-Won , Kim Heyong-Seok , Lee Ga-Won , Kang Jin-Ho , Jo Chan-Ho , Kang Min-Hee
Published: March 2022

A 9-year-old intact female Maltese dog was admitted for further evaluation of previously diagnosed patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The dog showed severe coughing and exercise intolerance. On physical examination, a grade VI/VI continuous heart murmur was auscultated. Thoracic radiography demonstrated cardiomegaly, pulmonary overcirculation, and moderate bronchointerstitial pattern. Echocardiography revealed severe dilation of the left ventricle and atrium, decreased left ventricular contractility, and left-to-right PDA. On electrocardiography (ECG), R amplitude was increased. Computed tomographic angiography revealed type IIA PDA. The serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration was >10,000 pmol/L. Transarterial occlusion was performed and the Amplatz® Canine Duct Occluder was successfully deployed. On echocardiography 48 h after the procedure, aortic regurgitation (AR) and residual ductal flow were noted. Long-term follow-up on clinical signs, physical examination, radiography, echocardiography, ECG, and serum NT-proBNP were evaluated until 30 months after correction of PDA. The clinical indices of physical examination, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, ECG, and serum NT-proBNP concentration were improved, although the postocclusion AR and residual ductal flow persisted. The dog followed up without clinical signs for 41 months following the correction. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to demonstrate quite a long time of follow-up (41 months) in an older dog with transarterial occlusion of PDA with postocclusion AR and residual flow.
A Risk Model Based on Immune-Related Genes Predicts Prognosis and Characterizes the Immune Landscape in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Xie Yan , Fu Ruimin , Xiao Zheng , Li Gang
Published: March 2022

Aberrant immune gene expression has been shown to have close correlations with the occurrence and progression of esophageal cancer (EC). We aimed to generate a prognostic signature based on immune-related genes (IRGs) capable of predicting prognosis, immune checkpoint gene (ICG) expressions, and half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) for chemotherapy agents for EC patients. Transcriptome, clinical, and mutation data on tumorous and paratumorous tissues from EC patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, we performed differential analysis to identify IRGs differentially expressed in EC. Their biofunctions and related pathways were explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. These gene expression profiling data were merged with survival information and subjected to univariate Cox regression to select prognostic genes, which were then included in a Lasso-Cox model for signature generation (risk score calculation). Patients were divided into the high- and low-risk groups using the median risk score as a cutoff. The accuracy of the signature in overall survival prediction was assessed, so were its performances in predicting ICG expressions and IC50 for chemotherapy and targeted therapy agents and immune cell landscape characterization. Fifteen prognostic IRGs were identified, seven of which were optimal for risk score calculation. As expected, high-risk patients had worse overall survival than low-risk individuals. Significant differences were found in tumor staging, immune cell infiltration degree, frequency of tumor mutations, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and immune checkpoint gene expressions between high- vs. low-risk patients. Further, high-risk patients exhibited high predicted IC50 for paclitaxel, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and erlotinib compared to low-risk patients. The seven-IRG-based signature can independently and accurately predict overall survival and tumor progression, characterize the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and estimate ICG expressions and IC50 for antitumor therapies. It shows the potential of guiding personalized treatment for EC patients.