bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Síndrome congénito del Zika y su relación con la pérdida de audición en infantes: Una revisión de la literatura
Authors: Dominguez Meza Antonio Carlos
Published: December 2023

Introducción: Los niños con microcefalia secundario al Virus Zika, se agrupan bajo el síndrome congénito del Zika (SZC), el extremo más grave de un espectro de defectos de nacimiento que incluyen además alteraciones en las funciones sensoriales de visión y audición, ya que el virus Zika  está incluido dentro de las infecciones virales causadoras de hasta el 40% de las pérdidas  auditivas congénitas y adquiridas. Objetivo: identificar en la literatura científica la relación existente entre el Síndrome Congénito del Zika y la pérdida de audición en infantes. Metodología: Revisión sistemática en las principales bases de datos como Science Direct – Elsevier,  Online Library,  Coronavirus Databases,  Embase,  Springer, entre otras. Resultados: Se encontraron 18 artículos indexados con descriptores de los cuales se incluyeron 8 al cumplir con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Discusiones: se evidencia que la pérdida de audición está presente en las diversas poblaciones de infantes evaluadas por medio de pruebas objetivas, las cuales permiten obtener respuestas importantes de la actividad eléctrica a nivel del nervio y la vía auditiva,  presentándose fallas notables en los niños con síndrome congénito del Zika. Conclusiones: De acuerdo a los estudios incluidos en la presente investigación es poca la evidencia científica que pueda aportar una asociación significativa y absoluta entre el síndrome congénito del Zika y la pérdida de audición en infantes.
Fonoaudiólogos y educadores diferenciales en la educación superior inclusiva con la población sorda
Authors: Sastre Gonzalez Carmen Obdulia , Martinez López Claudia Marcela , Arriagada Ruiz Claudia Yanett , Subiabre Perez Gabriela Paz
Published: December 2023

La Educación Superior es un derecho fundamental de todo ser humano, desde esta premisa la universidad para los estudiantes sordos es un espacio intercultural que brinda la oportunidad de intercambios de experiencias, costumbres,  aprendizajes que se dan durante la inclusión en educación, convirtiéndose para la población en un reto que les permite la independencia, autonomía e igualdad de oportunidades, por esta razón el fonoaudiólogo y el educador diferencial  se convierten en profesionales que deben participar en los procesos para la toman decisiones, eliminando barreras, generando facilitadores. El objetivo de este estudio fue diseñar los lineamientos de promoción para la participación de fonoaudiólogos y educadores diferenciales en educación superior de la persona sorda. La metodología de investigación fue cualitativa, descriptiva, en el cual se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a profesionales hombres y mujeres de Colombia y Chile, mayores de 18 años con experiencia en educación superior. Los resultados indican que el diseño de lineamientos permite el trabajo interdisciplinar tanto del fonoaudiólogo como del educador diferencial en procesos de inclusión de estudiantes sordos en educación superior respondiendo a las necesidades, mitigando barreras y evitando el fracaso y la deserción académica, como conclusión se establece la importancia de tener en cuenta la participación de los profesionales, resaltando elementos cruciales como: Conocimiento, profesional, sensibilización, reflexivo, comunicación, contexto, apoyo y ajustes, soportando la base principal de la formación, el desempeño para la comprensión y el reconocimiento de sus roles en los equipos de inclusión. Dichos elementos son la base fundamental para la construcción de los lineamientos.
Comparison of the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina on the physical indicators of children aged 5 to 7 years with autism spectrum
Authors: Alamdar Sanaz , Rostami Saeid
Published: December 2023

Introduction: recently, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, which is a neurodevelopmental condition, has increased. Autism is the third most common developmental disorder after mental retardation and cerebral palsy. This study compared aimed the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina on the physical characteristics of children aged 5 to 7 years with an autism spectrum.
Methods: this study is pre-test and post-test and is of quasi-experimental type. A total of 30 patients approved by a physician with autism spectrum in the age group of 5 to 7 years, including 15 boys and 15 girls, randomly participated in this study with a parental consent form. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 10, each group including 5 boys and 5 girls. The first group, the control group Mean and standard deviation of age (6.87 ± 0.87) years, height (111.13 ± 1.08) cm, weight (27.3 ± 3.2) kg and fat percentage (27.3 ± 1.4) kg, the second group that 8 weeks They only took supplements Mean and standard deviation of age (6.2 ± 0.78) years, height (116.9 ± 2.52) cm, weight (28.4 3 3.02 kg) and fat percentage (27.4 ± 0.42) kg and the third group Mean and deviation Criterion of age (6 ± 0.81) years, height (116 ± 0.87) cm, weight (27.20 ± 4.1) kg and fat percentage (26.1 ± 0.05 kg), who performed resistance training for 8 weeks. For statistical analysis of the SPSS-16 software, a study of basic motor skills and autism components was performed from Ulrich’s third test, KolmogorovSmirnov test to check the normality of the data and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively. An association between exercise and supplementation and increased muscle strength was used. Paired t-test was used to confirm or reject the hypotheses and independent t-test was used to compare groups and the validity of the Ulrich test was used. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to confirm the reliability of the Ulrich test.
Results: The results showed that a significant difference was observed in the mentioned variables between the three groups (P <0.05). So that the increase in strength in the exercise group was more effective than the supplemented group and the control group.
Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that 8 weeks of resistance training with the use of spirulina algae on the physical indicators of children 5 to 7 years with autism spectrum and therefore, as an effective program can be on the agenda of sports coaches and occupational therapists. Be mentally placed.
Remuneración económica y sus dificultades en el cumplimiento al código de ética de la fisioterapia
Authors: Hernandez quintero Julian andres
Published: December 2023

Introducción: Dado el código de ética de la fisioterapia y el deber del cumplimiento de la Ley 528 de 1999, se realiza una reflexión bioética sobre el posible efecto de la remuneración económica del fisioterapeuta y sus dificultades al cumplimiento de dicho código; además, se discute la posibilidad de la intervención de la bioética en efectos económicos de los profesionales. Metodología: Obedeciendo al propósito principal de ilustrar a los protagonistas de la salud sobre la situación de remuneración laboral de los fisioterapeutas como un potencial modificador del bienestar, se revisan datos científicos que reposan en la literatura gris y en la disponibilidad en bases de datos como PubMed; Scielo; y Google Académico que expresan la actualidad de las condiciones laborales en materia de economía y las leyes que regularizan el actuar ético de los profesionales en fisioterapia. Resultados: De acuerdo con la actualidad laboral de la fisioterapia, la información expresa la necesidad de aceptar las condiciones económicas de los profesionales en materia de su ejercicio profesional como un factor que modifica el bienestar del trabajador, y, por ende, el de su paciente. Se argumenta la intervención de la bioética en los aspectos económicos como una herramienta de soluciones sostenibles y políticas que permitan el desarrollo del ejercicio profesional de la fisioterapia como un aspecto importante para su vida y la vida de quienes interviene. Conclusión: Por último, se recomiendan algunas acciones dirigidas a la investigación para un entendimiento completo de la actualidad económica de los fisioterapeutas, y, posteriormente, iniciar el escalonamiento a la intervención de la bioética en temas económicos de los profesionales en esta área.
Rol del cuidador como facilitador o barrera frente al abordaje fisioterapéutico en la parálisis cerebral
Authors: Santos Gómez Jhon F. , Restrepo Jiménez Natalia , Suárez Muñoz Lina Giccela
Published: December 2023

En la parálisis cerebral como condición de salud infantil más común es clave un diagnóstico temprano y un abordaje transdisciplinario allí cobra especial relevancia el rol de los diferentes actores implicados en el proceso de rehabilitación, particularmente, los familiares o cuidadores del niño como barreras o facilitadores. Objetivo: analizar las implicaciones del rol de la familia/cuidador como barrera o facilitador frente a la atención fisioterapéutica integral en la parálisis cerebral. Metodología: se realizó una revisión integradora. Resultados: se documentaron seis características de los roles de familiares/cuidadores: “esfuerzo”, “actitud”, “mentalidad inclusiva”, “tolerancia a la frustración”, “comunicación” y “empoderamiento”, además se identificaron elementos socioculturales y contextuales con influencia en la calidad de vida de las personas con esta discapacidad y su progreso dentro de la rehabilitación, tales como: el hogar, la escuela y las actividades de ocio; así como las actitudes de la familia. Conclusiones: el cuidador de una persona con parálisis cerebral actúa en diferentes contextos, conllevando ajustes dentro de su rutina diaria, estos pueden ir en perjuicio o beneficio de él y la persona a su cargo, provocando efectos negativos o positivos dentro del proceso de rehabilitación, incluyendo la misma condición de salud.
Puesta a Prueba de una Herramienta Ecológica Para Evaluar el Funcionamiento Ejecutivo: la App Laberinto
Authors: García Matías Jonás , Comesaña Ana , Cifuentes María Virginia , Aguilar María José , García Bauza Cristian
Published: December 2023

Los instrumentos neuropsicológicos que tradicionalmente se utilizan para la evaluación y estimulación cognitiva con papel y lápiz suelen presentar algunas limitaciones. Las tareas informatizadas, además de conservar una buena confiabilidad y validez, presentan ciertas estrategias en su confección que superan las limitaciones de las pruebas tradicionales. En este sentido, aquellas que se encuentran diseñadas en un entorno de realidad virtual presentan además validez ecológica. Por ello, el objetivo principal de este trabajo fue diseñar y poner a prueba un instrumento que evalúe diferentes procesos cognitivos mediante realidad virtual en adultos jóvenes, con la idea de implementarlo y utilizarlo a futuro, tanto para el entrenamiento como para la rehabilitación cognitiva, en personas de diferentes edades. Para ello, se implementó un diseño descriptivo-correlacional y transversal, desarrollando una herramienta de software llamada “App Laberinto" que permite realizar, a partir de su uso en diferentes sesiones variando el nivel de complejidad, el entrenamiento y estimulación cognitiva de adultos jóvenes y registrar y almacenar los resultados de su desempeño en cada oportunidad. En esta primera toma de datos, se obtuvieron mediciones ajustadas, haciendo plausible la puesta a prueba posterior del instrumento en entrenamiento y rehabilitación cognitiva. Se pudo concluir que esta herramienta presenta un diseño ecológico e intuitivo, ya que arroja índices basados en tiempos de reacción y en precisión de la respuesta. Estos índices ofrecen una medida prometedora que, en contraste con las utilizadas en tareas neuropsicológicas tradicionales, pueden considerarse una medición más precisa y objetiva de las funciones cognitivas
Biomechanical analysis of lower limbs during stand-to-sit tasks in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Pan Jing , Huang Wenqin , Huang Zhiguan , Luan Jun , Zhang Xiaohui , Liao Bagen
Published: December 2023

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative disease among the older people that severely affects their daily life. Previous studies have confirmed that movement biomechanics are altered in patients with KOA during task performance. However, changes that occur in lower limb joints and muscles in the three planes during stand-to-sit (STS) tasks in patients with early-stage KOA are unclear.

Method: Of the 36 participants recruited in this study, 24 (8 males and 16 females) and 12 (4 males and 8 females) were added to the KOA and control groups, respectively. The Nexus Vicon motion capture system along with Delsys wireless surface electromyography devices and plantar pressure measurement mat was used to record test data. A Visual 3D software was used to process the data and calculate the biomechanical and electromyographic parameters during STS tasks.

Results: There was no significant difference in task duration between the two groups. Patients with KOA could perform a greater range of pelvic motion and smaller range of hip and knee joint motion with a lower maximum hip joint angular acceleration in the sagittal plane and greater knee and ankle joint motion in the coronal plane. There was no significant difference in the motion range in the horizontal plane. During the STS task, patients in the KOA group had a lower vertical ground reaction force (GRF) amplitude on the injured side but a higher integrated GRF on both sides than those in the control group. Moreover, patients with KOA demonstrated higher PERM and PABM of the lower limb joints and smaller knee PADM and ankle PEM. Additionally, maximum activation levels of GMed muscle, affected-side gluteus medius (GM), ST, rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were lower in patients with KOA than in controls. Conversely, the activation level of biceps femoris (BF) was higher. Furthermore, the integral EMG values of GMed, GM, ST, VL, RF, vastus medialis VM, and TA muscles on the affected side were lower, except for the BF muscle, in patients with KOA.

Conclusion: Compared with the participants in the control group, patients with early-stage KOA exhibited consistent changes in sEMG parameters and biomechanical alterations in the sagittal plane, as observed in previous studies. However, differences in parameters were observed in the coronal and transverse planes of these patients. The noninvasive analysis of the 3D parameters of the involved motion patterns may lead to the early detection of KOA.
Dynamical alterations of brain function and gut microbiome in weight loss
Authors: Zhou Jing , Wu Xiaoling , Xiang Tianyuan , Liu Fei , Gao Hui , Tong Li , Yan Bin , Li Zhonglin , Zhang Chi , Wang Linyuan , Ou Lei , Li Zhongxia , Wang Wen , Yang Tingting , Li Fengyun , Ma Huimin , Zhao Xiaojuan , Mi Na , Yu Ziya , Lan Canhui , Wang Qi , Li Hao , Wang Liming , Wang Xiaoning , Li Yongli , Zeng Qiang
Published: December 2023

Objective

Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is an effective weight loss strategy. However, little is known about the dynamic effects of IER on the brain-gut-microbiome axis.

Methods

In this study, a total of 25 obese individuals successfully lost weight after a 2-month IER intervention. FMRI was used to determine the activity of brain regions. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to identify differentially abundant gut microbes and pathways in from fecal samples.

Results

Our results showed that IER longitudinally reduced the activity of obese-related brain regions at different timepoints, including the inferior frontal orbital gyrus in the cognitive control circuit, the putamen in the emotion and learning circuit, and the anterior cingulate cortex in the sensory circuit. IER longitudinally reduced E. coli abundance across multiple timepoints while elevating the abundance of obesity-related Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacterokles uniformis. Correlation analysis revealed longitudinally correlations between gut bacteria abundance alterations and brain activity changes.

Conclusions

There was dynamical alteration of BGM axis (the communication of E. coli with specific brain regions) during the weight loss under the IER.
The effects of nano-silver loaded zirconium phosphate on antibacterial properties, mechanical properties and biosafety of room temperature curing PMMA materials
Authors: Chen Xingjian , Yan Tongtong , Sun Shiqun , Li Aoke , Wang Xiaorong
Published: December 2023

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) frequently features in dental restorative materials due to its favorable properties. However, its surface exhibits a propensity for bacterial colonization, and the material can fracture under masticatory pressure. This study incorporated commercially available RHA-1F-II nano-silver loaded zirconium phosphate (Ag-ZrP) into room-temperature cured PMMA at varying mass fractions. Various methods were employed to characterize Ag-ZrP. Subsequently, an examination of the effects of Ag-ZrP on the antimicrobial properties, biosafety, and mechanical properties of PMMA materials was conducted. The results indicated that the antibacterial rate against Streptococcus mutans was enhanced at Ag-ZrP additions of 0%wt, 0.5%wt, 1.0%wt, 1.5%wt, 2.0%wt, 2.5%wt, and 3.0%wt, achieving respective rates of 53.53%, 67.08%, 83.23%, 93.38%, 95.85%, and 98.00%. Similarly, the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli registered at 31.62%, 50.14%, 64.00%, 75.09%, 86.30%, 92.98%. When Ag-ZrP was introduced at amounts ranging from 1.0% to 1.5%, PMMA materials exhibited peak mechanical properties. However, mechanical strength diminished beyond additions of 2.5%wt to 3.0%wt, relative to the 0%wt group, while PMMA demonstrated no notable cytotoxicity below a 3.0%wt dosage. Thus, it is inferred that optimal antimicrobial and mechanical properties of PMMA materials are achieved with nano-Ag-ZrP (RHA-1F-II) additions of 1.5%wt to 2.0%wt, without eliciting cytotoxicity.
Climate change and urban stormwater: vulnerability analysis of the 2010 floods in Lomé, Togo
Authors: Attipo Reisch Vanel , Emvoulou Innocent Joachim , Coffi Aholou Cyprien
Published: December 2023

This manuscript assesses the vulnerability to flooding between June and August 2010 in Lomé, Togo. To this end, we administered a survey to 312 inhabitants of different areas affected by flooding. The flood risk assessment methodology is based on the analysis of socio-economic indicators, risk exposure indicators, sensitivity indicators and indicators relating to the recovery capacity of flood victims. The analyses showed that 61.5% of respondents had no perception of the risk, compared with 38% who were aware of a very low level of risk compared with 2010. In addition, 84.2% of people living in areas vulnerable to flooding said they were not aware of the risk of flooding in their area. The government's assistance consisted of emergency supplies (food, medicines and temporary accommodation) for the most vulnerable sections of the population. The relevance of this research is not limited to understanding vulnerability to flooding, as it also brings new clarity to the relationship between urban management and socio-economic challenges. This research shows that vulnerability has been exacerbated by socio-economic insecurity and the inadequacy of sanitation facilities.
A novel PHKA2 variant in a Chinese boy with glycogen storage diseases type IXa
Authors: Zhu Hongdan , Zhang Tao , Yuan Hua , Chen Yan , Ding Jinlong , Ding Haigang , Shi Xiaoliang , Gu Dalei , Ma Yingying
Published: December 2023

Background

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of heterogeneous inherited metabolic disorders with an incidence of 4%–5%. There are 19 types of GSDs, making diagnosis one of the greatest challenges.

Methods

The proband and his parents were referred to our hospital for genetic diagnosis. Ultrasound screening suggested hepatomegaly. A novel insertion variant NM_000292 c.1155_1156insT (p. 386N>*) in PHKA2 gene was identified using trio whole exome sequencing (Trio-WES), which resulted in the codon of amino acid 386 from asparagine to termination (p. 386N>*). The 3D mutant protein structure was predicted using AlphaFold, and the results showed that the truncated PHKA2 protein contained 385 of the 1,235 amino acids of the mature protein.

Conclusion

We describe a previously unreported case of a GSDs IXa type Chinese boy caused by a novel PHKA2 variant. This clinical case contributes to the understanding of the characteristics of GSDs type IXa and expands the variants spectrum of genes related to GSDs type IXa. Our findings demonstrated the significance of genetic testing in the diagnosis of GSDs.
Attributions of emission-reduction and meteorological conditions to typical heavy pollution episodes in a cold metropolis, northeast China
Authors: Li Junfei , Sun Li , Yao Xin , Zang Shuying , Wang Jiao , Ma Dalong
Published: December 2023

Heavy pollution episodes frequently occurred in winter in northeast China due to the multiple anthropogenic emissions coupled with adverse meteorological conditions, which increased the difficulty of environmental pollution control. To better enact strategies for mitigating air pollution in the post-pandemic era, daily pollutant concentration monitoring and meteorological data were used to evaluate the changes and meteorological factors of air pollutants before (2019) and during (2020) the lockdown in Harbin City, northeast China. Moreover, typical pollution episodes under COVID-19 lockdown were identified, and their emission sources, meteorology conditions, and regional pollution transportation were analyzed. The results showed significant decreases in NO2, PM10 and CO, while O3 increased, and no differences in PM2.5 and SO2 during the lockdown compared with non-lockdown periods. It indicated that reduced activities of transportation resulted in reductions of NO2 concentrations by 16%, and stationary emission sources were less affected. Correlation between PM2.5 and O3 tended to change from positive to negative as the threshold of PM2.5 = 90 μg m−3, with the main controlling factor changed from their common gaseous precursors to meteorological conditions (temperature <0°C and wind speed <2 m s−1). Pollution days were concentrated in the COVID-19 lockdown period with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant. SO2 dominant pollution and PM2.5 dominant pollution were distinguished from six sustained heavy pollution events. PM2.5 and SO2 played essential roles in SO2 dominant pollution, which derived from local emissions of coal combustion and firework discharge. PM2.5 dominant pollution might be chemical transformed from coal burning, vehicle exhaust, and other secondary precursors, which was affected and aggravated by CO, NO2, high relative humidity and low wind speed affected by local emission and long-distance transport.
Association between glycemic traits and melanoma: a mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Zhang Yun-Chao , Lu Cen-Di , Li Quan-Yao , Shi Jin-Na , Shi Jun , Yang Min
Published: December 2023

Background: The causation of Glycemic Traits and risks of Melanoma remains unknown. We used Mendelian Randomization (MR) to assess the links between Glycemic Traits and Melanoma.

Method: Pooled data from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) were utilized to examine the relationships that exist between Fasting Insulin (n = 26), 2-h Glucose (n = 10), Fasting Glucose (n = 47), HbA1c (n = 68), and Type-2 Diabetes (n = 105) and Melanoma. We evaluated the correlation of these variations with melanoma risk using Two-Samples MR.

Result: In the IVW model, Fasting Glucose (OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.993–0.998, p < 0.05, IVW), Type-2 Diabetes (OR = 0.998, 95%CI = 0.998–0.999, p < 0.01, IVW) and HbA1c (OR = 0.19, 95%CI = 0.0415–0.8788, p < 0.05, IVW) was causally associated with a lower risk of Melanoma. In all models analyzed, there was no apparent causal relationship between Fasting Insulin and Melanoma risk. There was no obvious causal difference in the IVW analysis of 2-h Glucose and Melanoma, but its p < 0.05 in MR Egger (OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.9883–0.9984, p < 0.05, MR Egger), and the direction was consistent in other MR analyses, suggesting that there may be a causal relationship.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a higher risk of Fasting Glucose, Type-2 Diabetes, 2-h Glucose, and HbA1c may be associated with a lower risk of Melanoma. However, no causal relationship between fasting insulin and melanoma was found. These results suggest that pharmacological or lifestyle interventions that regulate plasma glucose levels in the body may be beneficial in the prevention of melanoma.
Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study
Authors: Masuda Hazuki , Okada Shima
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Menstruation-related symptoms (MRSs) significantly impact women's health and contribute to economic burdens worldwide. Current interventions, primarily pharmacological ones, have limitations and side effects that underscore the need for alternative management strategies. This study explores the association between MRSs and lifestyle factors, specifically physical activity and sleep timing across menstrual cycle phases, to inform non-pharmacological intervention development.

Methods

Fourteen female students from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, with regular menstrual cycles (25–38 days), not on hormonal treatment or engaged in shift work, participated in this observational study. Using a Fitbit Inspire 2, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and sleep timing were monitored over a complete cycle. Menstrual cycle phases were defined based on ovulation day, predicted using home luteinizing hormone tests. Participants completed daily electronic questionnaires rating MRSs using a modified menstrual distress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model with a gamma distribution and logarithmic link function, examining the relationship of TDEE and the midpoint of sleep time (MS time) with MRS severity.

Results and discussion

The following observations were noted: first, MRS severity, except for behavioral change symptoms, significantly increased during the menstrual and luteal phases compared to the follicular phase. Second, delayed MS time was associated with reduced pain, concentration symptoms, water retention, and negative affect during the menstrual phase and reduced negative affect during the luteal phase. Finally, an increase in TDEE was associated with reduced concentration symptoms, autonomic reaction symptoms, and negative affect during the menstrual and luteal phases and reduced water retention only during the luteal phase. This study provides insights into the relationship between MRSs and TDEE/MS time, suggesting potential non-therapeutic approaches for symptom management, though further research is needed to substantiate these findings for practical applications.
The mosquito effect: regulatory and effector T cells acquire cytoplasmic material from tumor cells through intercellular transfer
Authors: Hioki Kaito A. , Ryan Daniel J. , Thesmar Iris , Lynch Adam C. , Pobezinsky Leonid A. , Pobezinskaya Elena L.
Published: December 2023

The phenomenon of intercellular transfer of cellular material, including membranes, cytoplasm, and even organelles, has been observed for decades. The functional impact and molecular mechanisms of such transfer in the immune system remain largely elusive due to the absence of a robust in vivo model. Here, we introduce a new tumor mouse model, where tumor cells express the soluble ultra-bright fluorescent protein ZsGreen, which allows detection and measurement of intercellular transfer of cytoplasm from tumor cells to infiltrating immune cells. We found that in addition to various types of myeloid lineage cells, a large fraction of T regulatory cells and effector CD8 T cells acquire tumor material. Based on the distribution of tumor-derived ZsGreen, the majority of T cells integrate captured cytoplasm into their own, while most myeloid cells store tumor material in granules. Furthermore, scRNA-seq analysis revealed significant alterations in transcriptomes of T cells that acquired tumor cell cytoplasm, suggesting potential impact on T cell function. We identified that the participation of T cells in intercellular transfer requires cell-cell contact and is strictly dependent on the activation status of T lymphocytes. Finally, we propose to name the described phenomenon of intercellular transfer for tumor infiltrating T cells the “mosquito effect”.
Evaluation of the humoral and mucosal immune response of a multiepitope vaccine against COVID-19 in pigs
Authors: Mosqueda Juan , Hernández-Silva Diego Josimar , Vega-López Marco Antonio , Vega-Rojas Lineth J. , Beltrán Rolando , Velasco-Elizondo Andrés , Ramírez-Estudillo María del Carmen , Fragoso-Saavedra Mario , Pérez-Almeida Chyntia , Hernández Jesús , Melgoza-González Edgar A. , Hinojosa-Trujillo Diana , Mercado-Uriostegui Miguel Ángel , Mejía-López Alma Susana , Rivera-Ballesteros Carlos , García-Gasca Teresa
Published: December 2023

Introduction

This study evaluated the immune response to a multiepitope recombinant chimeric protein (CHIVAX) containing B- and T-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike’s receptor binding domain (RBD) in a translational porcine model for pre-clinical studies.

Methods

We generated a multiepitope recombinant protein engineered to include six coding conserved epitopes from the RBD domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Pigs were divided into groups and immunized with different doses of the protein, with serum samples collected over time to determine antibody responses by indirect ELISA and antibody titration. Peptide recognition was also analyzed by Western blotting. A surrogate neutralization assay with recombinant ACE2 and RBDs was performed. Intranasal doses of the immunogen were also prepared and tested on Vietnamese minipigs.

Results

When the immunogen was administered subcutaneously, it induced specific IgG antibodies in pigs, and higher doses correlated with higher antibody levels. Antibodies from immunized pigs recognized individual peptides in the multiepitope vaccine and inhibited RBD-ACE2 binding for five variants of concern (VOC). Comparative antigen delivery methods showed that both, subcutaneous and combined subcutaneous/intranasal approaches, induced specific IgG and IgA antibodies, with the subcutaneous approach having superior neutralizing activity. CHIVAX elicited systemic immunity, evidenced by specific IgG antibodies in the serum, and local mucosal immunity, indicated by IgA antibodies in saliva, nasal, and bronchoalveolar lavage secretions. Importantly, these antibodies demonstrated neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

Discussion

The elicited antibodies recognized individual epitopes on the chimeric protein and demonstrated the capacity to block RBD-ACE2 binding of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and four VOCs. The findings provide proof of concept for using multiepitope recombinant antigens and a combined immunization protocol to induce a neutralizing immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in the pig translational model for preclinical studies.
Screening and validation of double allele-specific binding F-primers for the measurement of antihypertensive pharmacogenomics
Authors: Ping Yang , Quanlin Su , Yue Hu , Jing Zhang , Wenjun Lan
Published: December 2023

Objective

Previous studies have proposed that genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6*10, ADRB1, NPPA, CYP3A5*3, ACE, CYP2C9*3, and AGTR1 are involved in antihypertensive pharmacogenomics. The purpose of this study is to develop an amplification analysis using double allele-specific (AS) binding primers for accurate measurement of antihypertensive pharmacogenomics.

Methods

To establish a quadruplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis for genotyping of CYP2D6*10, ADRB1 (1165 G>C), NPPA (2238 T>C) and CYP3A5*3, and a triplex qPCR analysis for genotyping of ACE (I/D), CYP2C9*3 and AGTR1 (1166 A>C), mismatch AS F-primers were screened by detection of plasmid/gDNA, and were validated by agreement analysis/reproducibility evaluation, in which the ΔCq (differences in threshold cycles between the wild-type F-primer-based amplification assay and the mutant-type F-primer-based amplification assay) was employed to determine genotypes.

Results

Seven pairs of primers were successfully selected through three rounds of F-primers screening. Except for ADRB1, the robustness assessment showed the amplification efficiency ranging from 0.9 to 1.1. In agreement analysis, two specimens in the training set (n = 203) were defined by the triplex analysis rather than NGS as heterozygotes for ACE, which was evidenced by gel electrophoresis. Reproducibility evaluation demonstrated that the coefficient of variation (CV) was <5%.

Conclusion

Multiplex amplification analysis using screened AS binding primers is a simple, reliable, and accurate tool to guide drug delivery in antihypertensive personalized treatment.
A review of the literature of Listeria monocytogenes in Africa highlights breast milk as an overlooked human source
Authors: Sarr Marièma , Alou Maryam Tidjani , Padane Abdou , Diouf Fatou Samba , Beye Mamadou , Sokhna Cheikh , Fenollar Florence , Mboup Souleymane , Raoult Didier , Million Matthieu
Published: December 2023

According to the latest WHO estimates (2015) of the global burden of foodborne diseases, Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for one of the most serious foodborne infections and commonly results in severe clinical outcomes. The 2013 French MONALISA prospective cohort identified that women born in Africa has a 3-fold increase in the risk of maternal neonatal listeriosis. One of the largest L. monocytogenes outbreaks occurred in South Africa in 2017–2018 with over 1,000 cases. Moreover, recent findings identified L. monocytogenes in human breast milk in Mali and Senegal with its relative abundance positively correlated with severe acute malnutrition. These observations suggest that the carriage of L. monocytogenes in Africa should be further explored, starting with the existing literature. For that purpose, we searched the peer-reviewed and grey literature published dating back to 1926 to date using six databases. Ultimately, 225 articles were included in this review. We highlighted that L. monocytogenes is detected in various sample types including environmental samples, food samples as well as animal and human samples. These studies were mostly conducted in five east African countries, four west African countries, four north African countries, and two Southern African countries. Moreover, only ≈ 0.2% of the Listeria monocytogenes genomes available on NCBI were obtained from African samples, contracted with its detection. The pangenome resulting from the African Listeria monocytogenes samples revealed three clusters including two from South-African strains as well as one consisting of the strains isolated from breast milk in Mali and Senegal and, a vaginal post-miscarriage sample. This suggests there was a clonal complex circulating in Mali and Senegal. As this clone has not been associated to infections, further studies should be conducted to confirm its circulation in the region and explore its association with foodborne infections. Moreover, it is apparent that more resources should be allocated to the detection of L. monocytogenes as only 15/54 countries have reported its detection in the literature. It seems paramount to map the presence and carriage of L. monocytogenes in all African countries to prevent listeriosis outbreaks and the related miscarriages and confirm its association with severe acute malnutrition.
Personality traits and Chinese college students’ satisfaction with physical education classes: the mediating role of trait fluency and the moderating role of physical education class difficulty
Authors: Chen Zhiduo , Tian Yuge , Li Min , Yang Shangjian
Published: December 2023

Background

This study aims to investigate the impact mechanism of personality traits on physical education satisfaction among college students, validating the mediating effect of trait flow and the moderating effect of physical education difficulty. By analyzing the influence mechanism of personality traits on college students’ satisfaction with physical education classes, it helps to explore more channels to enhance satisfaction with physical education classes.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Big Five Personality Scale, the Physical Education Class Satisfaction Scale, the Trait Fluency Scale, and the Physical Education Class Difficulty Scale with 868 public physical education students in 10 universities in Shanghai. Moderated mediation modeling was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro.

Results

Personality traits are positively correlated with physical education satisfaction, and the predictive effect is significant (β = 0.786, p < 0.001). This association is mediated by trait fluency (indirect effect: β = 0.797, p < 0.001), accounting for 62.7% of the total effect. Physical education difficulty significantly moderates the predictive effects of personality traits on physical education satisfaction (β = −0.183, p < 0.01) and trait fluency (β = −0.130, p < 0.001). Additionally, physical education difficulty significantly moderates the predictive effect of trait fluency on physical education satisfaction (β = 0.172, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Personality traits predict physical education satisfaction, with trait fluency playing a mediating role, and physical education difficulty moderates the direct and indirect paths through which personality traits influence physical education satisfaction.
High psychological stress levels related to delivery can increase the occurrence of postpartum mental disorders
Authors: Sun Ruixue , Zhao Mingzhe , Ma Liangkun , Duan Yanping , Wei Jing
Published: December 2023

Objective

The study sought to explore the relationship between high psychological stress levels related to delivery and postpartum mental disorders.

Methods

A total of 284 parturients were included in the study from July 2021 to January 2022. The stress level at 1 month postpartum was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Parturients with an IES-R score ≤ 9 were included in the low psychological stress level group, and those with an IES-R score > 9 were included in the high psychological stress level group. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Union Physio-Psycho-Social Assessment Questionnaire (UPPSAQ-70), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) were conducted at 42 ± 7 days postpartum to assess the mental health of parturients.

The parturients’ mental health after birth was assessed by the EPDS, UPPSAQ-70, and SCL-90. Semi-structured diagnostic interviews were conducted at 42 ± 7 days postpartum by using the M.I.N.I.

Results

The incidence rate of postpartum mental disorders was 20.42% (58/284), the incidence rates of postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder were 17.96% (51/284), 11.97% (34/284), 4.58% (13/284) and 1.41% (4/284), respectively, and the comorbidity rate was 58.62% (34/58). A history of mental disorders and pregnancy complications were risk factors for postpartum depression (p = 0.028, p = 0.040, respectively); a history of mental disorders, a lack of physical exercise, partner violence and pregnancy complications were risk factors for postpartum anxiety disorders (p = 0.003, p = 0.007, p = 0.031, p = 0.048, respectively); and the delivery of female infants was a risk factor for postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (p = 0.022).

The risk of postpartum depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder was 9.125 times (95% CI = 3.900 ~ 21.349, p < 0.01), 7.310 times (95% CI = 2.588 ~ 20.649, p < 0.01) and 6.259 times (95% CI = 1.347 ~ 29.093, p < 0.01) higher in postpartum women with high psychological stress levels related to delivery than in those with low psychological stress levels, respectively.

Conclusion

The incidence of postpartum mental disorders is high and has a positive correlation with the level of psychological stress. This may lead to a new perspective of the effect of psychological stress on postpartum mental disorders and attract more attention to other mental disorders in addition to postpartum depression.
Personality traits and the degree of work addiction among Polish women: the mediating role of depressiveness
Authors: Rachubińska Kamila , Cybulska Anna Maria , Kupcewicz Ewa , Panczyk Mariusz , Grochans Szymon , Walaszek Ireneusz , Grochans Elżbieta
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Workaholism is an addiction, however the obsessive-compulsive components alone may prove insufficient in determining its nature. The aim of the following study was to determine the mediating role of depressiveness in the relationships between workaholism and personality traits according to the five-factor model among Polish women.

Methods

The research study was carried out among 556 women residing in the West Pomerania Voivodeship in Poland. The research was based on a survey performed using a questionnaire technique. The following research instruments adapted to Polish conditions were employed to assess the incidence of work addiction among female adults: The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), The Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) Questionnaire, and The Beck Depression Inventory–BDI I-II.

Results

A positive correlation between the intensity of neuroticism and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.204, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (35%) with the severity of depression symptoms as a mediating factor was observed (β = 0.110, p < 0.001). Respondents characterized by high neuroticism showed a greater severity of the symptoms of depression (β = 0.482, p < 0.001), which is a factor increasing the work addiction risk (β = 0.228, p < 0.001). No effect of extraversion intensity on the work addiction risk was found (β = 0.068, p = 0.081). Respondents characterized by a high level of extraversion displayed lower severity of the symptoms of depression (β = −0.274, p < 0.001). A negative correlation between the intensity of agreeableness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = −0.147, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (27.8%) was observed. A positive correlation between the intensity of conscientiousness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.082, p = 0.047). Respondents characterized by a high level of conscientiousness showed a lower severity of depression symptoms (β = −0.211, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Depressiveness plays the role of a mediator between neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness as well as conscientiousness, and work addiction. Depressiveness is a factor which increases the risk of work addiction.
A hybrid computational approach to anticipate individuals in sequential problem solving
Authors: Zamprogno Giacomo , Dietz Emmanuelle , Heimisch Linda , Russwinkel Nele
Published: December 2023

Human-awareness is an ever more important requirement for AI systems that are designed to assist humans with daily physical interactions and problem solving. This is especially true for patients that need support to stay as independent as possible. To be human-aware, an AI should be able to anticipate the intentions of the individual humans it interacts with, in order to understand the difficulties and limitations they are facing and to adapt accordingly. While data-driven AI approaches have recently gained a lot of attention, more research is needed on assistive AI systems that can develop models of their partners' goals to offer proactive support without needing a lot of training trials for new problems. We propose an integrated AI system that can anticipate actions of individual humans to contribute to the foundations of trustworthy human-robot interaction. We test this in Tangram, which is an exemplary sequential problem solving task that requires dynamic decision making. In this task the sequences of steps to the goal might be variable and not known by the system. These are aspects that are also recognized as real world challenges for robotic systems. A hybrid approach based on the cognitive architecture ACT-R is presented that is not purely data-driven but includes cognitive principles, meaning heuristics that guide human decisions. Core of this Cognitive Tangram Solver (CTS) framework is an ACT-R cognitive model that simulates human problem solving behavior in action, recognizes possible dead ends and identifies ways forward. Based on this model, the CTS anticipates and adapts its predictions about the next action to take in any given situation. We executed an empirical study and collected data from 40 participants. The predictions made by CTS were evaluated with the participants' behavior, including comparative statistics as well as prediction accuracy. The model's anticipations compared to the human test data provide support for justifying further steps built upon our conceptual approach.
Explosions of Ball Lightning inside Enclosed Spaces
Authors: Nikitin Anatoly I. , Nikitin Vadim A. , Velichko Alexander M. , Nikitina Tamara F.
Published: December 2023

According to observations, the energy density contained inside ball lightning can reach 1010 J/m3, and its charge can range from 10−3 to 10−1 C. Witnesses often report seeing moving sparks about one millimeter in size inside the ball lightning shell. When the ball lightning shell ruptures, charge carriers fly out of it in the form of a sheaf of sparks. For many years, the press has published reports of the destruction of houses inside of which a ball lightning explosion had occurred. These events remained unexplained for a long time. This article, for the first time in the world, provides a physical explanation of these events. This article is based on the ball lightning model developed by the authors. According to this model, ball lightning consists of an ensemble of positively charged elements (dynamic electric capacitors) located inside a spherical shell of polarized water molecules. The dynamic capacitor is a system of cyclically moving electrons and ions. The expansion of this capacitor is restrained by the compression force of the ball lightning shell in the non-uniform electric field of the ball lightning core. The model allows us to find a physical explanation for most of the observed properties of ball lightning. Using the example of a simplified model of ball lightning (when the contribution of the kinetic energy of the dynamic capacitors was not taken into account), an analysis of the forces acting inside ball lightning was carried out. It was shown that when the shell of ball lightning is destroyed, the charges emitted from the core remain on the walls of the room or on loose objects for some time. The Coulomb force of the repulsion of charges turns out to be large enough to squeeze out the walls of a building or throw a heavy object or person out of the house.
Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound for Complications of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Han Samuel , Papachristou Georgios I.
Published: December 2023

Progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma can result in disease complications such as biliary obstruction and gastric outlet obstruction. The recent advances in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have transformed EUS from a purely diagnostic technology to a therapeutic modality, particularly with the development of lumen-apposing metal stents. In terms of biliary drainage, EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy offer safe and effective techniques when conventional transpapillary stent placement via ERCP fails or is not possible. If these modalities are not feasible, EUS-guided gallbladder drainage offers yet another salvage technique when the cystic duct is non-involved by the cancer. Lastly, EUS-guided gastroenterostomy allows for an effective bypass treatment for cases of gastric outlet obstruction that enables patients to resume eating within several days. Future randomized studies comparing these techniques to current standard-of-care options are warranted to firmly establish therapeutic EUS procedures within the treatment algorithm for this challenging disease.