bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunobiological characteristics of microglial cells and in vitro models for their obtaining
Authors: Mantsivoda Veranika E. , Antonevich Natalia G. , Hancharou Andrei Y.
Published: December 2022

Microglial cells are one of the main cellular elements of the central nervous system. In recent years, more and more data has appeared about the role of microglial cells in the pathogenesis of various mental and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the study of human brain microglia is limited for technical and ethical reasons, so the development of a new in vitro cell model of human microglia is a perspective trend in biology and medicine. The aim of this review is to describe the functional and immunological properties of microglia and to analyse in vitro models that currently used for study the properties of cells in normal and pathological conditions.
Spanje als vroegmodern Hollywood
Authors: Vergeer Tim
Published: December 2022

Vertalingen en bewerkingen van Spaans toneel in de zeventiende-eeuwse Nederlanden Het zijn grote producties met actie, spektakel, romantiek en verwarring. Helden en heldinnen weten ondanks grote tegenslag toch alles op het nippertje te redden. En de hoofdrollen worden gespeeld door de beroemdste acteurs. Dit is niet een beschrijving van Hollywood in de twintigste eeuw, maar van Madrid in de zestiende en zeventiende eeuw. Al ver voor de uitvinding van film en de eerste Hollywoodsuccessen uit de jaren 1920 gingen mensen in steden als Amsterdam in drommen naar de theaters om de première bij te wonen van een zogeheten comedia, een tragikomisch toneelstuk van Spaanse oorsprong, vertaald en bewerkt voor de Nederlandse markt.
Made to Fail: Chaosmo-Technics of Japan’s Robot Theater
Authors: Xu Ruowen
Published: December 2022

By attending to the disorganization, this article theorizes the entanglement of the technological disorder and the cosmological chaos from the case study of Japan’s Robot Theater Project (2008 to present), which stages the near-future human-robot cohabitation using social robots. Centered on the performativity of disorder, contingency, and dysfunction enacted by the robots, I examine how the Zen-Buddhist-inspired thinking of the chaos and the void is incorporated into prototyping dysfunctional social robots. I coin the term ‘chaosmo-technics’ as a conceptual tool to investigate the counter-performance of defective technology, decoding how prototyping technological disorder is situated in Japanese cosmological thinking and the disaster fallouts of the post-Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. The article’s approach to disorganization via the lenses of chaosmo-technics aims to examine the limitations of the technological organization, unveiling its relations to other alien forms of (dis)organization in the names of error, chaos, nullification, uncontrollability, and catastrophe in the context of Japan’s robot theater.
Klasifikasi kata kerja tak ergatif dan kata kerja tak akusatif dalam Bahasa Melayu: Agentiviti dan penamat
Authors: Yusof Maslida , Bustaman Mughni Murni , Abd Wahab Kartini
Published: December 2022

Makalah ini bertujuan membincangkan sifat semantik kata kerja tak ergatif dan kata kerja tak akusatif bahasa Melayu. Berdasarkan Hipotesis Tak Akusatif, kata kerja tak transitif dibahagikan kepada kata kerja tak akusatif dan kata kerja tak ergatif.  Kedua-dua subkelas kata kerja tak transitif ini kelihatan sama pada tahap permukaan tetapi mempunyai representasi sintaksis yang berbeza. Dengan menggunakan analisis semantik yang berdasarkan klasifikasi kata kerja Aktionsart dalam teori Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), makalah ini akan memberi perhatian kepada konsep aspektual agentiviti dan penamat yang mewujudkan perbezaan antara kedua-dua kata kerja tersebut.  Klasifikasi kata kerja Aktionsart yang membahagikan kata kerja kepada kata kerja keadaan, aktiviti, penyempurnaan dan pencapaian membuktikan bahawa ciri agentiviti hanya terdapat dalam kata kerja aktiviti dan ciri penamat terdapat pada kata kerja keadaan, penyempurnaan dan pencapaian. Dari perspektif Aktionsart, apabila kata kerja tak transitif ialah proses (atau aktiviti) maka kata kerja ini dipetakan sebagai tak ergatif manakala apabila kata kerja ini bertitik penamat, maka ia direalisasikan sebagai tak akusatif.  Secara tidak langsung, makalah ini membuktikan penamat dan agentiviti mendasari perbezaan dalam subklasifikasi tak transitif secara merentas linguistik.
A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) investigation of the L2 learning model of motivational development among Tahfiz students
Authors: Abdullah Hazlina , Ibrahim Mikail , Harun Haliza , Baharun Hazleena , Ishak Maziahtusima , Mohd Ali Suraini
Published: December 2022

This study explores the motivation of learning English among students in selected Tahfiz government and state schools in Malaysia. Questionnaires adapted from Dornyei (2004), with an additional construct, were administered to 1,017 students aged 13 to 17. Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Robust Maximum Likelihood estimation technique (MLR) were used. From the SEM analysis, a new model of motivation in learning English among Tahfiz students is proposed. The study discovered that attitudes towards community, promotion, prevention, parental encouragement, interest, Islamic values, ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and attitudes towards learning English all play central roles in the proposed model. A comparison motivation model between the Tahfiz government and state schools was also provided. The results suggest that Tahfiz English language teachers and other relevant parties should be aware of their students’ motivation in learning English, and try to create a more conducive learning environment in the classroom. This can equip the students with sufficient language skills to be well-rounded Islamic preachers.
Making sense of leadership and language styles of student leaders in a Malaysian public secondary school
Authors: Syed Shaharuddin Sharifah Syakila , Harun Minah
Published: December 2022

Language plays an essential role in everyday experiences, given that it can facilitate and maintain congenial relationships if it is used properly. Not much is known about how young student leaders make sense of their communicative acts with their peers, especially in the Malaysian context. The study investigated student leaders' sensemaking of leadership and language use in a public secondary school in Northern Malaysia. Their narratives were obtained through a qualitative study using focus groups and face-to-face in-depth interviews. The findings revealed several themes that explain the preferred spoken language styles among the student leaders in performing their responsibilities at school. The study demonstrated that appropriate language use should be part of the training of student leaders at school or leadership training curriculum for secondary school leaders nationwide. In that way, the student leaders will not only be exposed to proper language use in communicating leadership, but they will also be motivated to polish up and reflect on their language use for continuous self-development.
Om lekfullhet och disciplin i forskningen
Authors: Holmberg Per
Published: December 2022

Men för att ringa in begreppen lekfullhet och disciplin, behöver jag först ta er med till en lägenhet i Göteborg, närmare bestämt i övre Guldheden. Där, i en kökssoffa allra längst upp i hörnlägenheten med utsikt över hela staden, tillbringade jag en stor del av min uppväxt. Anledningen var att jag hade kommit till lite väl tidigt i mina föräldrars relation. De hade just tagit studenten – och det var stort – men sedan kom det ett hot mot den unga familjens klassresa. Och det hotet var jag. Därför ryckte min morfar och mormor ut, och hämtade mig till sin kökssoffa...
Native and engineered extracellular vesicles for wound healing
Authors: Lu Shengli , Lu Liping , Liu Yang , Li Zenan , Fang Yuan , Chen Zhizhao , Zhou Jianda
Published: December 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) that act as messengers mediate communication between parent and recipient cells through their contents, including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. These endogenous vesicles have emerged as a novel cell-free strategy for the treatment of diseases. EVs can be released by various types of cells with unique biological properties. Recent studies have shown that native EVs are used as therapeutic agents to promote tissue repair by delivering various growth factors and trophic factors including VEGF, EGF, TFN-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β to participate in all physiological processes of wound healing. Furthermore, to improve their specificity, safety, and efficiency for wound healing, the content and surface of EVs can be designed, modified, and engineered. The engineering strategies of EVs are divided into parent cell modification and indirect modification of EVs. The therapeutic potential of current EVs and engineered EVs for wound healing still requires the exploration of their large-scale clinical applications through innovative approaches. Herein, we provide an overview of the current biological knowledge about wound healing and EVs, as well as the application of native EVs in promoting wound healing. We also outline recent advances in engineering EV methodologies to achieve ideal therapeutic potential. Finally, the therapeutic applications of engineered EVs in wound healing are reviewed, and the challenges and prospects for the translation of engineered EVs to clinical applications are discussed.
Extraction and purification of antioxidative flavonoids from Chionanthus retusa leaf
Authors: Wang Zhen , Yang Shilong , Gao Yajun , Huang Jianting
Published: December 2022

In this work, flavonoids from the leaves of Chionanthus retusa were extracted using alcohol, and the extraction yield was optimized by single-factor and orthogonal experiments. Then, the extracted solution with flavonoids was purified via macroporous resin by elution with different concentrations of ethanol. The antioxidative activity of total flavonoid in purified extracted solution was evaluated by detecting its ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals. The results demonstrated that ethanol with a concentration of 60%, ultrasonic power of 140 W, liquid–solid ratio of 25:1 ml g−1, and water-bath temperature of 80°C were the optimal conditions for the extraction of total flavonoids from C. retusa leaf, achieving a yield of 121.28 mg g−1. After purification by macroporous resin using different concentrations of ethanol, the highest content of total flavonoids (88.51%) in the extracted solution can be obtained with the 50% ethanol eluant. The results of scavenging DPPH free radicals suggest that the purified flavonoids in the 50% ethanol eluant had the best antioxidant capacity over the flavonoids in other ethanol eluants. In addition, it is confirmed the antioxidant capacity of the extractives was associated with the content of total flavonoids and kinds of flavonoids. These results may provide a feasible pathway to make full use of total flavonoids from C. retusa leaf.
Growth factor for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic heart disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tan Ling , Long Lin-Zi , Li Hong-Zheng , Yang Wen-Wen , Peng Yu-Xuan , Lu Jie-Ming , Liao Fei-Fei , Ma Xiao-Chang , Qu Hua , Fu Chang-Geng , Zhang Shan-Shan
Published: December 2022

Aim: This study was designed to systematically evaluate the effects of growth factor (GF) for therapeutic angiogenesis on ischemic heart disease (IHD) by pooling the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods and Results: PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to October 2022. RCTs, investigating the effects of GF therapy on IHD, were included. The risk bias of included study was assessed according to Cochrane tool. Weighted mean difference (WMD), calculated with fixed effect model or random effect model, was used to evaluate the effects of GF therapy on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class. Relative risk (RR) was used to evaluate the effects of GF therapy on all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and revascularization. Meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis and publication bias analysis were performed by RevMan 5.3 or Stata 15.1 software. Twenty-nine studies involving 2899 IHD patients (1,577 patients in GF group and 1,322 patients in control group) were included. Compared with the control group, GF therapy did not reduce all-cause mortality (RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.54–1.24; p = 0.341), MACE [(RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.61–1.12; p = 0.227), revascularization (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.82–1.96, p = 0.290) and CCS angina class (WMD: −0.08, 95% CI: −0.36 to 0.20, p = 0.560). However, GF therapy could increase LVEF during short-term follow-up (<1 year).

Conclusion: GF for therapeutic angiogenesis was beneficial for increasing LVEF during short-term follow-up (<1 year), however, the therapy was not efficacious in decreasing all-cause mortality, MACE and revascularization.
Application of nanomaterials in diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: Yu Shuangqi , Chen Lijie , Xu Hongyu , Long Shengrong , Jiang Jiazhi , Wei Wei , Niu Xing , Li Xiang
Published: December 2022

Diagnosing and treating glioblastoma patients is currently hindered by several obstacles, such as tumor heterogeneity, the blood-brain barrier, tumor complexity, drug efflux pumps, and tumor immune escape mechanisms. Combining multiple methods can increase benefits against these challenges. For example, nanomaterials can improve the curative effect of glioblastoma treatments, and the synergistic combination of different drugs can markedly reduce their side effects. In this review, we discuss the progression and main issues regarding glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment, the classification of nanomaterials, and the delivery mechanisms of nanomedicines. We also examine tumor targeting and promising nano-diagnosis or treatment principles based on nanomedicine. We also summarize the progress made on the advanced application of combined nanomaterial-based diagnosis and treatment tools and discuss their clinical prospects. This review aims to provide a better understanding of nano-drug combinations, nano-diagnosis, and treatment options for glioblastoma, as well as insights for developing new tools.
Gut microbiota and its derived SCFAs regulate the HPGA to reverse obesity-induced precocious puberty in female rats
Authors: Wang Li , Xu Hao , Tan Bin , Yi Qin , Liu Huiwen , Deng Hongrong , Chen Yunxia , Wang Rui , Tian Jie , Zhu Jing
Published: December 2022

The intestinal microbiota and its derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can reverse obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases, but whether it has an effect on obesity complicated by precocious puberty and its potential mechanism need to be further understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the gut microbiota and its derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on obesity-induced precocious puberty rats and their regulatory mechanisms. We constructed obesity-induced precocious puberty rats using a high-fat diet (HFD) had notable similarity to precocious puberty caused by obesity due to overeating in children. We then added acetate, propionate, butyrate or their mixture to the HFD, and investigated the effect of intestinal microbiota and its derived SCFAs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) in rats with obesity-induced precocious puberty. We found that obesity-induced precocious puberty rats had an early first estrous cycle, increased hypothalamic mRNA expression of Kiss1, GPR54 and GnRH, and early gonadal maturation. Meanwhile, the intestinal microbiota imbalance and the main SCFAs production decreased in the colon. The addition of acetate, propionate, butyrate or their mixture to the HFD could significantly reverse the precocious puberty of rats, reduce GnRH release from the hypothalamus and delay the development of the gonadal axis through the Kiss1–GPR54–PKC–ERK1/2 pathway. Our findings suggest that gut microbiota-derived SCFAs are promising therapeutic means for the prevention of obesity-induced precocious puberty and provide new therapeutic strategies with clinical value.
Endocrine effects of three common gas signaling molecules in humans: A literature review
Authors: Qi Wei , Man Luo , Suguro Sei , Zhao Yidan , Quan Heng , Huang Chuoji , Ma Haoran , Guan Haoran , Zhu Yizhun
Published: December 2022

Gases such as hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide have important regulatory effects on the endocrine and physiological processes of the body and are collectively referred to as “gas signaling molecules”. These gas signaling molecules are also closely related to Alzheimer’s disease, the inflammatory response and depression. In this paper, we introduce the production and metabolic pathways of NO, H2S and SO2 in living organisms and review the regulatory functions of gas signaling molecules in the endocrine system and their mechanisms in relation to their clinical applications. This work will provide a basis for finding targets for intervention and establishing novel prevention and treatment strategies for related diseases.
Risk factors of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients with longer duration of diabetes
Authors: Siddiqui Khalid , George Teena P. , Joy Salini S. , Alfadda Assim A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the major cause of end stage renal disease, characterized by proteinuria with a subsequent decline in glomerular filtration rate. Although hyperglycemia is the major risk factor for the development and progression of kidney disease among diabetic patients, many other risk factors also contribute to structural and functional changes in the kidneys. As recommended by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), CKD classification based on cause and severity, links to risk of adverse outcomes including mortality and kidney outcomes.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of risk factors associated with the severity of CKD among participants with longer duration of diabetes. This study also aims to find whether number of risk factors vary among risk of CKD progression categories based on KDIGO classification.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional study retrospectively selected 424 participants from type 2 diabetic cohort and categorized them based on the classifications for the diagnosis of kidney diseases in patients with diabetes, according to the KDIGO guidelines. Odds ratios and 95% CI of each risk factors according to severity of renal disease were determined.

Results

Based on KDIGO classification, participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were categorized in to low risk (n=174); moderately increased risk (n=98); and high/very high risk (n=152). Type 2 diabetic participants with risk factors such as, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, DM duration ≥15 years and diabetic retinopathy showed a high/very high risk of CKD progression when compared with low-risk category. While T2D participants with risk factors such as, lack of exercise, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy showed a moderately increased risk of CKD progression. In addition, participants with highest number of risk factors were significantly distributed among high/very high risk of CKD progression category.

Conclusion

This study findings conclude that patients with T2DM and duration of ≥15 years, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetic retinopathy have an increased prevalence of advanced CKD. In addition to this, increased number of risk factors could be an indicator of the severity of CKD in T2D.
P2-type purinergic signaling in the regulation of pancreatic β-cell functional plasticity as a promising novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Mesto Nour , Movassat Jamileh , Tourrel-Cuzin Cécile
Published: December 2022

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by a chronic hyperglycemia due to an impaired insulin secretion and a decreased in peripheral insulin sensitivity. This disease is a major public health problem due to it sharp prevalence. Therefore, it is crucial to readapt therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this pathology. One of the strategies would be through P2-type purinergic receptors pathway via ATP binding. In addition to its well-known role as an intracellular energy intermediary in numerous biochemical and physiological processes, ATP is also an important extracellular signaling molecule. ATP mediates its effects by binding and activating two classes of P2 purinoreceptors: P2X receptors that are ligand-gated ion channel receptors, existing in seven isoforms (P2X 1 to 7) and P2Y receptors that are G-protein coupled receptors, existing in eight isoforms (P2Y 1/2/4/6/11/12/13/14). These receptors are ubiquitously distributed and involved in numerous physiological processes in several tissues. The concept of purinergic signaling, originally formulated by Geoffrey Burnstock (1929-2020), was also found to mediate various responses in the pancreas. Several studies have shown that P2 receptors are expressed in the endocrine pancreas, notably in β cells, where ATP could modulate their function but also their plasticity and thus play a physiological role in stimulating insulin secretion to face some metabolic demands. In this review, we provide a historical perspective and summarize current knowledge on P2-type purinergic signaling in the regulation of pancreatic β-cell functional plasticity, which would be a promising novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The molecular basis of the associations between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and colorectal cancer
Authors: Qiu Ting , Hu Weitao , Rao Zilan , Fang Taiyong
Published: December 2022

Background: Given the ongoing research on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), the number of studies suggesting a strong link between NAFLD and CRC is on the rise, while its underlying pathological mechanisms remain uncertain. This study aims to explore the shared genes and mechanisms and to reveal the molecular basis of the association between CRC and NAFLD through bioinformatics approaches.

Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE89632 is downloaded for NAFLD cases and healthy controls. Additionally, the GSE4107 and GSE9348 datasets are obtained for CRC cases and healthy controls. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are obtained for NAFLD and CRC datasets, as well as shared genes between the two disorders. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses are further conducted. Subsequently, the STRING database and Cytoscape software are utilized to establish the PPI network and identify the hub genes. Then, co-expression analysis is performed using GeneMANIA. Subsequently, ROC curves and external datasets validation were applied to further screen the candidate markers. Finally, NetworkAnalyst is available as a means to construct a miRNA-gene regulatory network.

Results: Under the threshold of FDR ≤ 0.01, 147 common genes are obtained in NAFLD and CRC. Categorization of GO functions shows that DEGs are predominantly enriched in “response to organic substance”, “cellular response to chemical stimulus”, and “response to external stimulus”. The predominant KEGG pathways in DEGs are the “IL-17 signaling pathway”, the “TNF signaling pathway”, “Viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor”, “Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction”, and the “Toll-like receptor signaling pathway”. Additionally, MYC, IL1B, FOS, CXCL8, PTGS2, MMP9, JUN, and IL6 are identified as hub genes by the evaluation of 7 algorithms. With the construction of miRNA-gene networks, 2 miRNAs, including miR-106a-5p, and miR-204-5p are predicted to be potential key miRNAs.

Conclusion: This study identifies possible hub genes acting in the co-morbidity of NAFLD and CRC and discovers the interaction of miRNAs and hub genes, providing a novel understanding of the molecular basis for the relevance of CRC and NAFLD, thus contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat NAFLD and CRC.
Immunogenic change after percutaneous microwave ablation in pulmonary malignancies: Variation in immune cell subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhang Mingming , Wang Jun , Li Yang , Wang Taijie , Xia Jianguo , Feng Bo , Shen Jialin
Published: December 2022

Introduction

To investigate immunogenic changes after percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in pulmonary malignancies.

Methods

Twenty-two consecutive patients with pulmonary malignancies who underwent percutaneous lung tumor MWA were prospectively enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected on the day before (D0) and one month (M1) after MWA. Changes in immune cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells, and B, natural killer, regulatory T (Treg), and CD3-CD20+ cells) and cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, 4, 6, 10, 17A, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and interferon-γ) were noted and compared. Progression-free survival (PFS) and potentially related factors were analyzed.

Results

The proportion of CD8+ T cells increased from 22.95 ± 7.38% (D0) to 25.95 ± 9.16% (M1) (p = 0.031). The proportion of Treg cells decreased from 10.82 ± 4.52% (D0) to 8.77 ± 2.05% (M1) (p = 0.049). The IL-2 concentration was also decreased from 1.58 ± 0.46 pg/mL (D0) to 1.26 ± 0.60 pg/mL (M1) (p = 0.028). The reduction in Treg cells predicted PFS independently of clinical prognostic features in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 4.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–18.66, p = 0.018). A reduction in the proportion of Treg cells was observed in 15 patients (68.2%) and the average of the reduction was 2.05 ± 4.60%. Those patients with a reduction in the proportion of Treg cells that was more than average showed a significantly longer median PFS time than those with a reduction that was less than average (16 months vs. 8.5 months, p = 0.025).

Discussion

Percutaneous MWA of pulmonary malignancies leads to immunogenic changes. The reduction in the proportion of Treg cells was independently associated with PFS.
A novel differential evolution algorithm for a flange coupling using ANSYS simulations
Authors: Ji Yaofeng , Lu Qingbo
Published: December 2022

A novel modified multi-objective differential evolution algorithm was proposed to minimize material mass and margin strength of a flange couplings optimization system. Chaos operator was used to calculate the scaling factor of differential evolution algorithm for the reduction of user participation. Finite element simulation was facilitated to validate the effectiveness of the modified evolution algorithm. Results demonstrate that the structural dimensions influenced material mass more evidently than performance. Hence, this study verifies the feasibility of the modified evolution algorithm for multi-objective optimization on non-standard flange couplings in mechanical industry.
Prediction of bronchodilation test in adults with chronic cough suspected of cough variant asthma
Authors: Hao Huijuan , Pan Yilin , Xu Zichong , Xu Zengchao , Bao Wuping , Xue Yishu , Lv Chengjian , Lin Jingwang , Zhang Yingying , Zhang Min
Published: December 2022

Background

Many patients with cough variant asthma (CVA) are underdiagnosed and undertreated due to the atypical symptoms, low diagnostic sensitivity of bronchodilator response (BDR), and limited application of bronchial challenge test.

Objective

To investigate whether airway reversibility in BDR can predict CVA diagnosis in patients with chronic cough and negative BDR.

Methods

This open-label, prospective cohort study included patients with chronic cough, nearly normal chest CT scan, and negative BDR results. Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists were given for 4 weeks. The confirmed diagnosis of CVA was defined as improved symptoms and an increase of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) by >12% and >200 mL after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results

Of 155 patients recruited, 140 completed the study. Patients in the CVA positive diagnosis group had greater absolute (Δ) and percent (Δ%) improvements in FEV1 and forced expiratory flows (FEFs), and higher fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) than in the CVA negative diagnosis group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of ΔFEV1%, FEF25–75%pred (percentage of predicted forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75%) and FENO for CVA positive diagnosis was 0.825, 0.714, and 0.637, with cutoff values of 5.90%, 61.99% and 41.50 ppb, respectively. A joint model of ΔFEV1% combined with FEF25–75%pred or FENO increased the AUC to 0.848 and 0.847, respectively.

Conclusion

ΔFEV1% in BDR can predict a CVA diagnosis and response to anti-asthma treatment in patients with chronic cough and negative BDR.

Clinical trial registration

[http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx], identifier [ChiCTR2000029065].
Prognosis and pain dissection of novel signatures in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma based on fatty acid metabolism-related genes
Authors: Ding Ruifeng , Wei Huawei , Jiang Xin , Wei Liangtian , Deng Mengqiu , Yuan Hongbin
Published: December 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor that is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. The prognostic value of fatty acid metabolism-related genes (FMGs) in RCC remains unclear. Alongside this insight, we collected data from three RCC cohorts, namely, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), E-MTAB-1980, and GSE22541 cohorts, and identified a total of 309 FMGs that could be associated with RCC prognosis. First, we determined the copy number variation and expression levels of these FMGs, and identified 52 overall survival (OS)-related FMGs of the TCGA-KIRC and the E-MTAB-1980 cohort data. Next, 10 of these genes—FASN, ACOT9, MID1IP1, CYP2C9, ABCD1, CPT2, CRAT, TP53INP2, FAAH2, and PTPRG—were identified as pivotal OS-related FMGs based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox regression analyses. The expression of some of these genes was confirmed in patients with RCC by immunohistochemical analyses. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the identified FMGs were effective in predicting the prognosis of RCC. Moreover, an optimal nomogram was constructed based on FMG-based risk scores and clinical factors, and its robustness was verified by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis, calibration curve analysis, and decision curve analysis. We have also described the biological processes and the tumor immune microenvironment based on FMG-based risk score classification. Given the close association between fatty acid metabolism and cancer-related pain, our 10-FMG signature may also serve as a potential therapeutic target with dual effects on ccRCC prognosis and cancer pain and, therefore, warrants further investigation.
Impact of physical exercise programs in breast cancer survivors on health-related quality of life, physical fitness, and body composition: Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Joaquim Ana , Leão Inês , Antunes Pedro , Capela Andreia , Viamonte Sofia , Alves Alberto J. , Helguero Luísa A. , Macedo Ana
Published: December 2022

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and despite remarkable progress in its treatment, the survivors’ quality of life is hampered by treatment-related side effects that impair psychosocial and physiological outcomes. Several studies have established the benefits of physical exercise in breast cancer survivors in recent years. Physical exercise reduces the impact of treatment-related adverse events to promote a better quality of life and functional outcomes.

Aim

This study aims to provide an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effect of physical exercise on the health-related quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition of breast cancer survivors.

Methods

PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses from January 2010 to October 2022. The main focus was ascertaining the effectiveness of physical exercise in breast cancer survivors undergoing curative treatment (surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy). Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies.

Results

A total of 101 studies were identified, and 12 were yielded for final analysis. The eligible studies included nine systematic reviews/meta-analyses, one meta-analysis/meta-regression, and two systematic reviews. The number of randomised clinical trials included in each review varied from 11 to 63, and the number of participants was from 214 to 5761. A positive and significant effect of different physical exercise interventions on health-related quality of life was reported in 83.3% (10 studies) of the eligible studies. Physical exercise also improved cardiorespiratory fitness (3 studies; 25%) and showed to be effective in reducing body weight (3 studies; 25%) and waist circumference (4 studies; 33.3%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that physical exercise is an effective strategy that positively affects breast cancer survivors’ quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. Healthcare professionals should foster the adoption of physical exercise interventions to achieve better health outcomes following breast cancer treatments.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-11-0053/, identifier INPLASY2022110053.
Identification of a cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature to predict the prognosis and immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Huang Juntao , Xu Ziqian , Yuan Zhechen , Teh Bing Mei , Zhou Chongchang , Shen Yi
Published: December 2022

Background

Cuproptosis is considered a novel copper-induced cell death model regulated by targeting lipoylated TCA cycle proteins. In this study, we established a novel signature based on cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (crlncRNAs) to predict the prognosis and immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

RNA-seq matrix, somatic mutation files, and clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. After dividing patients into two sets, a crlncRNA signature was established based on survival related crlncRNAs, which were selected by the univariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression. To evaluate the model, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were utilized, and a nomogram was established for survival prediction. Immune landscape analysis, drug sensitivity, cluster analysis, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and ceRNA network analysis were conducted subsequently.

Results

A crlncRNA related prognosis signature was finally constructed with 12 crlncRNAs. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were 0.719, 0.705 and 0.693 respectively for 1, 3, and 5-year’s overall survival (OS). Patients in the low-risk group behaved a better prognosis, lower TMB, higher immune function activity and scores. In addition, patients from cluster 2 were more sensitive to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Conclusion

In this study, we constructed a novel crlncRNA risk model to predict the survival of HNSCC patients. This reliable and acceptable prognostic signature may guide and promote the progress of novel treatment strategies for HNSCC patients.
Autologous cord blood mononuclear cell infusion for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm monozygotic twins: A study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded multicenter trial
Authors: Zhuxiao Ren , Ruoyu Huang , Liling Yang , Xuejun Ren , Chunhui Yang , Wanfen Ruan , Zhifeng Chen , Yiheng Dai , Qi Zhang , Wei Wei , Zhipeng Liu , Jingjun Pei , Qigai Yin , Jie Yang
Published: December 2022

Background

Preterm-associated complications remain the main cause of neonatal death. Survivors face the challenges of short- and long-term complications. Among all complications, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the first important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Current treatment does not address this main preterm complication. Cord blood is regarded as a convenient source of stem cells. The paracrine bioactive factors of stem cells contribute to tissue repair and immune modulation. Our clinical studies and those of others have shown that cord blood cell infusion is both safe and possibly effective in the prevention and treatment of BPD. The therapeutic use of cord blood has emerged as a promising therapy. However, the genetic heterogeneity between control and intervention groups may reduce the comparability especially among small sample trials. The purpose of this study protocol is to investigate the effects of autologous cord blood mononuclear cell (ACBMNC) infusion on the prevention of BPD in very preterm monozygotic twins of less than 32 gestation weeks.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded multicenter clinical trial, 60 pairs of monozygotic twin preterm neonates of less than 32 weeks admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are randomly assigned to receive intravenous ACBMNC infusion (targeted at 5 × 107 cells/kg) or placebo (normal saline) within 24 h after birth in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome will be survival without BPD at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. The secondary outcomes will include the mortality rate, BPD severity, other common preterm complication rates, respiratory support duration, length and cost of hospitalization, and long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes during a 2-year follow-up. Furthermore, we will perform single-cell RNA sequencing for cord blood cells and blood cells 3–10 days after intervention and detect whether reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines are present.

Conclusion

This will be the first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy of ACBMNC infusion to prevent BPD in monozygotic twin premature infants and investigate the underlying protective mechanisms. The results of this trial will provide valuable clinical evidence for translational application of cord blood cell therapy in very preterm infants.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05087498, registered 10/09/2021, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000BAD7&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0002PLA&ts=2&cx=qvyylv.
Continuous-wave terahertz quantum cascade laser based on a hybrid bound to bound quantum design
Authors: Li Weijiang , Li Yuanyuan , Ma Yu , Xu Yunfei , Liu Junqi , Zhuo Ning , Lu Quanyong , Wang Lijun , Zhang Jinchuan , Zhai Shenqiang , Liu Shuman , Liu Fengqi
Published: December 2022

We report a low threshold power density and high power output terahertz quantum cascade laser emitting at ∼3.9 THz operating in continuous-wave mode. The high output power and wall-plug efficiency are achieved based on a hybrid bound-to-bound quantum active design. A record output power of 312 mW and a low threshold power density of 0.8 kW/mm3 (threshold current density of 109 A/cm2) in continuous-wave mode at 20 K is demonstrated for a 300-μm-wide and 2-mm-long single-ridge device. The highest wall-plug efficiency is 1.38% and the slope efficiency is 684 mW/A with an internal quantum efficiency of ∼120 photons per injected electron. The demonstration of this low-threshold and high-power THz laser will promote THz-based remote sensing and standoff detection for pharmaceutical and health industry applications.
Discreteness of cell–surface contacts affects spatio-temporal dynamics, adhesion, and proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kimmle Esther , Hajian Foroushani Zahra , Keppler Stephan , Thoma Judith , Hayashi Kentaro , Yamamoto Akihisa , Bastmeyer Martin , Tanaka Motomu
Published: December 2022

The self-renewal and lineage-specific differentiation of stem cells are regulated by interactions with their microenvironments, called stem cell niche. Stem cells receive both biochemical and biophysical cues from their niche, which leads to the activation of signaling pathways, resulting in the modulation of gene expressions to guide their fate. Most of previous studies are focused on the effect of substrate stiffness using hydrogels with different Young’s moduli, and information is lacking on the effect of the discreteness of cell–substrate contacts on stem cells. Using mouse pluripotent, embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as the model system for early development, we quantitatively investigated the migration, dynamic deformation, and adhesion of mESCs on sparse and dense gelatin nanofibers deposited on glass surfaces, with a continuous layer of gelatin coated on glass substrates as the control. After confirming the maintenance of pluripotency on all the surfaces throughout the experiments, the centroid trajectories were monitored using timelapse imaging. The mean square displacement analysis indicated that both the diffusion coefficient and exponent were largest on sparse nanofibers, while the diffusion coefficient of mESCs on dense nanofibers was comparable to that on the control. Moreover, power spectral analysis of the shape deformation in the Fourier mode indicated that mESCs predominantly underwent elliptic deformation (mode 2), with the largest energy dissipation on sparse nanofibers. These data suggest that mESCs can deform and move on sparse nanofibers owing to the discrete cell–surface contact points. Intriguingly, using a self-developed technique based on laser-induced shock waves, a distinctly larger critical pressure was required to detach cells from nanofibers than from continuous gelatin. This finding suggests that the continuous but weak cell-substrate contacts suppress the deformation-driven mESC migration. As one of the key biological functions of stem cells, the proliferation rate of mESCs on these surfaces was determined. Although the observed difference was not statistically significant, the highest proliferation rate was observed on nanofibers, suggesting that the discreteness of cell–surface contacts can be used to regulate not only spatio-temporal dynamics but also the biological function of pluripotent stem cells.
Overview of multipath mitigation technology in global navigation satellite system
Authors: Xue Zhihao , Lu Zukun , Xiao Zhibin , Song Jie , Ni Shaojie
Published: December 2022

The global navigation satellite system is a high-precision radio navigation system based on artificial satellites. Among the factors affecting the positioning accuracy of the navigation satellite system, the multipath signal is the most significant and challenging to eliminate. Furthermore, the multipath environment of the receiver is also becoming more complex, and it seriously threatens the measurement accuracy and stability of the receiver. The multipath mitigation technology is also continuously improved and developed in practical application. This paper firstly introduces the concept and characteristics of multipath signals, and summarizes the influence of multipath signals on navigation satellite systems from two aspects of code tracking loop and carrier tracking loop. Furthermore, the existing multipath mitigation technology is summarized in four stages: signal system design, antenna design, baseband signal processing, and navigation data processing. Finally, according to the summary of the existing technology and the new demand, the future development direction of multipath suppression technology is prospected.
Flight performance of pollen starved honey bees and incomplete compensation through ingestion after early life pollen deprivation
Authors: Brodschneider Robert , Omar Eslam , Crailsheim Karl
Published: December 2022

We investigated the effect of adult honey bee pollen nutrition on the flight performance of honey bees. Therefore, caged bees were allowed to perform 30 min of defecation/training flights every second day before flight performance of pollen-fed bees and pollen-deprived bees older than 16 days were compared in a flight mill. We first fed 10 µL of 1 M glucose solution to bees, and after they metabolized this during flight, they were fed 10 µL of 2 M glucose solution for a second flight test. Pollen-deprived bees flew longer and further than pollen-fed bees in both flights. Pollen-fed bees flew faster in the early period at the beginning of flights, whereas pollen-deprived bees were faster in the final phases. Pollen-fed bees were able to raise their maximum flight speed in 2 M glucose solution flights, whereas pollen-constraint bees were not. The two groups did not differ in abdomen fresh weight, but the fresh weight of the head and thorax and dry weight of the head, thorax and abdomen were higher in pollen-fed bees. In a second experiment, we constrained pollen consumption of caged bees during the first 7 days and compared daily consumption of bees from day 8–16 to consumption of bees unrestricted in pollen. We found that pollen-deprived bees perceive the pollen shortage and try to compensate for their needs by consuming significantly more pollen at the later phase of their life than pollen-fed bees of the same age. Still, bees constrained from pollen in the first 7 days did only reach 51.1% of the lifetime consumption of unconstrained bees. This shows that bees can sense the need for essential nutrients from pollen, but their physiological apparatus does not allow them to fully compensate for their early life constraint. Pollen deprivation only in the first 7 days of worker life likewise significantly reduced fresh and dry weights of the body sections (head, thorax, and abdomen) and survival. This underlines the importance of protein consumption in a short critical period early in adult bees’ lives for their development and their performance later in life.
The effect of emotion regulation on happiness and resilience of university students: The chain mediating role of learning motivation and target positioning
Authors: Chen Xiaoxue , Huang Zejuan , Lin Wei
Published: December 2022

Objective

To investigate the effect andmechanism among emotion regulation, relationship,happiness, learning motivation, target positioning, and resilience of university students.

Method

A total of 904 university students in China were included in this cross-sectional survey from April to May this year. The self-administered questionnaires, including the adapted Mental Health Scale with a Healthy Personality Orientation for College Students, were used to construct structural equations to test the chain mediating effects of learning motivation and target positioning based on a multi-stage whole group sample of university students.

Result

Emotion regulation indirectly affected happiness through the mediating effect of interpersonal relationship (Med = −0.387, p = 0.001). Learning motivation and target positioning play the chain mediating role in the effect of emotion regulation on happiness (Med = −0.307, p = 0.001) and resilience (Med = −0.275, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Emotion regulation indirectly affected happiness and resilience through the chain mediating effect of learning motivation and target positioning.