bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of SERT and p11 mRNA Levels in Airline Pilots: A Translational Approach
Authors: Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Olvera-Alvarez María Irma , Alvarez-Herrera Samantha , Maldonado-García Jose Luis , López-Torres Adolfo , Ramírez-Marroquín Oscar Abelardo , González-Ruiz Octavio , Nogueira-Fernández José Manuel , Mendoza-Contreras José Manuel , Sánchez-García Héctor Omar , José-Alfallo José Antonio , Valencia Baños Atenodoro , Torres-Serrano Ana Berta , Jiménez-Genchi Janeth , Mendieta-Cabrera Danelia , Pérez-Sánchez Gilberto , Pavón Lenin
Published: March 2022

Airline pilots are frequently exposed to numerous flights per week, changes in their circadian rhythms, and extended periods away from home. All these stressors make pilots susceptible to developing psychiatric disorders. Recently, emphasis has been placed on the need for molecular tests that help in the diagnosis of depression. The genes SLC6A4 and S100A10 encode serotonin transporter (SERT) and p11 protein, respectively. Their expression has been frequently associated with stress and depression. In this work, we quantified, by quantitative PCR, the expression of SERT and p11 in peripheral mononuclear cells of airline pilots compared to patients with depression and healthy volunteers. Moreover, by mass spectrometry, we quantified the serum serotonin levels in the same three groups. We found that SERT and p11 were overexpressed in the mononuclear cells of airline pilots and depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers. Although serum serotonin was not different between healthy volunteers and airline pilots, a decreasing trend was observed in the latter. As expected, serum serotonin in the patients was significantly lower. Alterations in SERT and p11 in airline pilots could be related to professional stress, a condition that could potentially affect their long-term mental health.
A Modified Implementation Mapping Methodology for Evaluating and Learning From Existing Implementation
Authors: Schultes Marie-Therese , Albers Bianca , Caci Laura , Nyantakyi Emanuela , Clack Lauren
Published: March 2022

When empirically supported interventions are implemented in real-world practice settings, the process of how these interventions are implemented is highly relevant for their potential success. Implementation Mapping is a method that provides step-by-step guidance for systematically designing implementation processes that fit the respective intervention and context. It includes needs assessments among relevant stakeholders, the identification of implementation outcomes and determinants, the selection and design of appropriate implementation strategies, the production of implementation protocols and an implementation outcome evaluation. Implementation Mapping is generally conceptualized as a tool to prospectively guide implementation. However, many implementation efforts build on previous or ongoing implementation efforts, i.e., “existing implementation.” Learnings from existing implementation may offer insights critical to the success of further implementation activities. In this article, we present a modified Implementation Mapping methodology to be applied when evaluating existing implementation. We illustrate the methodology using the example of evaluating ongoing organized colorectal cancer screening programs in Switzerland. Through this example, we describe how we identify relevant stakeholders, implementation determinants and outcomes as well as currently employed implementation strategies. Moreover, we describe how we compare the types of strategies that are part of existing implementation efforts with those that implementation science would suggest as being suited to address identified implementation determinants. The results can be used for assessing the current state of implementation outcomes, refining ongoing implementation strategies, and informing future implementation efforts.
Urban-Rural Disparity in Cognitive Performance Among Older Chinese Adults: Explaining the Changes From 2008 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Tao , Lu Beiyin , Wang Xiaohe
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aims to identify the dynamic changes in cognitive performance differentials between urban and rural older adults in China from 2008 to 2018 and decomposes determinants affecting such changes.

Methods

Two waves (2008 and 2018) of data were extracted from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The cognitive function was tested using the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The effects of the explanatory variables (demographic, economic, neighborhood, environmental events and social and cultural domains) on the changes in the urban-rural inequality of cognitive performance were divided into two components using the Juhn–Murphy–Pierce (JMP) decomposition: quantity effect and price effect.

Results

A total of 14,628 (urban respondents: 5,675, rural respondents: 8,953) and 10,311 older adults (urban respondents: 5,879, rural respondents: 4,432) for 2008 and 2018, respectively, were included in our study. A narrowing of 0.071 in the urban-rural disparity in cognitive function score of the older adults from 2008 to 2018 was identified. Quantity and price effects of explanatory variables contributed 65.21 and 46.84%, respectively, to the observed components in explaining the narrowed disparity. Quantity effects of age (35.71%), exercise (56.72%), self-rated economic status (33.19%) and price effect of homeownership (54.97%) contributed significantly to the reduced urban-rural gap. Contrastingly, inequality in pension (−27.31%) and social security (−23.11%) between urban and rural widened cognitive performance differentials. Furthermore, effects of hunger in childhood (−10.53%) and less years of schooling (−77.20%) on the increase in urban-rural inequality seemed to be stronger over time.

Conclusion

Economic development and reform of the rural health system are responsible for the decline in the urban-rural disparity in the cognitive performance of older adults. Equalizing the distribution of social security and welfare between urban and rural must be highlighted for eliminating cognitive ability disparity. Additionally, rural older adults who endured hunger and poor education in childhood also deserve further policy interventions.
Racial Evolution of an Urban Planet: Scenes From the North American Frontier
Authors: Wyly Elvin
Published: March 2022

In the Summer of 2020, as the latest coronavirus quickened its evolutionary journeys through the human mobilities of planetary urban systems, the research journal of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published an article by the world's most famous urban economist. Edward Glaeser's article, “The Closing of America's Urban Frontier,” celebrates the influential interpretation of U.S. history offered by Frederick Jackson Turner in a lecture delivered in Chicago in 1893, as part of Glaeser's advocacy of neoliberal, supply-side deregulated city-building as social policy. Yet Glaeser carefully evades the fundamental ethnoracial inequalities at the heart of Turner's frontier thesis, which were inseparable from the Social Darwinist hijacking of evolutionary thought that corrupted economics and other social sciences beginning in the late 19th century. In this paper, the Glaeser-Turner genealogy is used to interpret today's evolving materialities and discourses of race, class, identity, and urbanism. A mixed-methods blend of quantitative modeling and simple, descriptive online media analysis in the spirit of Robert Park's “Natural History of the Newspaper” is used to map the contours of competition, succession, and representation in a planetary urbanism that is now diagnosed as a new phase of “cognitive-cultural” capitalism. Cognitive-capitalist urbanism evolves along multiple semiotic frontiers of cosmopolitan diversity and multidimensional, intersectional hybridity – while valorizing performative competitive hierarchies that legitimate the reproduction of the structured inequalities of capital accumulation. Combinatoric expansion of the spatio-temporal reference points of identity and ancestry present daunting challenges to all who pursue equity or equality – requiring careful strategic confrontation of the meanings of neoliberal planetary human evolution.
Label-Free Detection of Ochratoxin A Using Aptamer as Recognition Probe at Liquid Crystal-Aqueous Interface
Authors: Devi Manisha , A Kavyasree , Pani Ipsita , Sil Soma , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: March 2022

Aqueous interfaces of stimuli-responsive, thermotropic nematic liquid crystals (LC) have been utilized in the design of biosensing platforms for a range of analytes. Owing to the orientational changes in LC, these interfaces can easily report aptamer-target binding events at the LC-aqueous interface. We demonstrate a label-free, simple and robust technique for the detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA) using aptamer as the recognition probe. The self-assembly of CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; cationic surfactant) at aqueous-LC interface gives a homeotropic orientation of LC. In presence of negatively charged OTA specific aptamer, aptamer forms a complex with CTAB. Formation of aptamer-CTAB complex results in ordering transition of LCs to planar/tilted. In presence of OTA, OTA forms a strong and stable G-quadruplex structure of aptamer that results in the redistribution of CTAB at LC-aqueous interface and leads to homeotropic orientation of LC. The designed LC aptasensor exhibits a detection limit of 0.1 nM. We observed that the sensitivity of LC aptasensor was affected by the pH and ionic strength. In addition, we demonstrated the applicability of the designed LC aptasensor for the detection of OTA in tap water and apple juice. This approach offers advantages over the conventional detection methods in terms of fabrication, ease of operation, and analysis.
Heavy Metal Ions Removal From Wastewater Using Cryogels: A Review
Authors: Türkmen Deniz , Bakhshpour Monireh , Akgönüllü Semra , Aşır Süleyman , Denizli Adil
Published: March 2022

Water contamination by heavy metal pollution is induced by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater is of prime importance for a clean environment and human health. The heavy metal problem is seriously threatened to human health. In addition, these metals are toxic and carcinogenic. They cause serious problems for aquatic ecosystems and especially humans. Different methods have been utilized to remove heavy metals from the wastewater, such as membrane filtration, adsorption, and ion exchange. Adsorption is one of the most efficient processes to clean contaminated water. The adsorption process presents advantages such as availability, low cost, and eco-friendly nature. The commercial adsorbents and the polymeric adsorbents are showed a high removal capacity for heavy metal ions capturing and removing from wastewater. Several researchers have widely used cryogels as a unique bio-adsorbent for heavy metals removal from wastewaters. Cryogels are efficient for the removal of heavy metal ions. This manuscript comprehensively and critically reviews current research in heavy metal adsorption by cryogels that prepared various technology and highlights the main advantages of these materials. Cryogels are synthetic polymers used in adsorption experiments in recent years. Because of their macropores, they provide an excellent advantage as an adsorbent in continuous and batch adsorption processes. The process applied for cryogel formation is called cryogelation. These macroporous gel matrices can be produced with different shapes and the gels are of interest in the bioseparation area since they can meet needs that conventional chromatographic media are less suitable to fulfill. The structure, synthesis, and composition of various cryogels are presented. Cryogels are generally synthesized by bulk polymerization under semifrozen conditions at −12 and 18°C for 12 to 24 h. The cryogels have a high removal capacity rate of over 90%. In the cryogels based studies, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal, surface area, elemental, and computerized microtomography (μCT) analyses can be used for the characterization of cryogels structure.
Toward Sustainable Wellbeing: Advances in Contemporary Concepts
Authors: O'Mahony Tadhg
Published: March 2022

Sustainability and wellbeing are two key global policy priorities, which despite considerable overlap, are invariably isolated. In wellbeing, the importance of social dimensions is an emergent conclusion, but recognition of the environment and nature is embryonic. In sustainability, wellbeing remains poorly characterized. Despite some procedural advantages, in practice, a continued ambiguity risks compromising both goals, and improved conceptual integration is therefore necessary. In this review article, key contemporary wellbeing accounts are considered, including preferences, needs, capabilities, happiness, psychological wellbeing, and physical wellness. Wellbeing literature suggests that a holistic multidimensional account is strongly supported, that is context- and value-dependent, with a prominent role for social and relational dimensions. A transdisciplinary systems thinking approach is appropriate to integrate from the individualism characteristic of wellbeing, to the interdependent human and environmental systems of sustainability. It is recognized that both wellbeing and sustainability are complex and value-laden, requiring the surfacing of values and ethics. A synthesis of the two branches of literature asserts four fundamental lenses: the framing of growth and change; social justice; the ethics of freedom; and the value of nature. The conceptual synthesis both platforms the relational approach of “care,” and underlines the imperative to reconsider the place of consumption. An integrated “sustainable wellbeing” offers the potential for win-win outcomes, in transformation to a flourishing of human wellbeing and the natural world.
The Survival of Salmonella Senftenberg, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium sporogenes in Sandy and Clay Loam Textured Soils When Applied in Bovine Slurry or Unpasteurised Digestate and the Run-Off Rate for a Test Bacterium, Listeria innocua, When Applied to Grass in Slurry and Digestate
Authors: Russell Lauren , Whyte Paul , Zintl Annetta , Gordon Stephen V. , Markey Bryan , de Waal Theo , Nolan Stephen , O'Flaherty Vincent , Abram Florence , Richards Karl , Fenton Owen , Bolton Declan
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the survival of Salmonella Senftenberg, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium sporogenes in sandy and clay loam textured soils when applied in bovine slurry or unpasteurised digestate, using laboratory based inoculation studies. The run-off rate for a test bacterium, Listeria innocua, when applied to grass in slurry and digestate, was also examined using field studies. Bovine slurry and digestate were inoculated with the target bacteria to a final concentration of 106 log10 cfu/g or spores/g, thoroughly mixed into soil samples and incubated at 4°C or 14°C. Samples were removed periodically and the surviving cells enumerated using AOAC or equivalent methods. The loss of viability/culturability phase followed first order kinetics and T90 values ranged from 11.9 to 166.7 d at 4°C and from 6.0 to 156 d at 14°C. With the exception of E. coli O157:H7 and E. faecalis in sandy loam textured soil at 14°C (T90 values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in slurry) the type of soil texture or application material (slurry or digestate) did not affect survival rates. In the field study, 12 grass covered micro-plots were prepared. L. innocua was applied in digestate and bovine slurry and rainfall was simulated at a target rate of ~11 mm per plot per h−1. Rainfall simulation (30 min) took place after 24, 48 h, 14 d and 30 d. Run-off samples were tested for the L. innocua strain using Brilliance Listeria agar supplemented with streptomycin sulphate (1,000 μg/ml) at 37°C for 48 h, as were soil samples after 30, 58, 86 and 112 d. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower counts were obtained in the run-off from digestate after 1, 2 and 30 d as compared to slurry. It was concluded that the type of organic fertiliser does not affect the bacterial survival rates in sandy and clay soils, with the exception of E. coli O157:H7 and E. faecalis in sandy loam textured soil at 14°C. Furthermore, bacteria may be retained better in the soil-digestate matrices during rainfall although additional research is required to further validate and provide the scientific basis for this observation.
A Multicentric European Clinical Study on Custom-Made Porous Hydroxyapatite Cranioplasty in a Pediatric Population
Authors: Zaed Ismail , Safa Adrian , Spennato Piero , Mottolese Carmine , Chibbaro Salvatore , Cannizzaro Delia , Faggin Roberto , Frassanito Paolo , Maduri Rodolfo , Messerer Mahmoud , Servadei Franco
Published: March 2022

Background

Cranioplasty (CP) is a surgical intervention aiming to re-establish the integrity of skull defects. Autologous bone and different heterologous materials are used for this purpose, with various reported related complications, especially in children.This study aims to evaluate the rate of complication in a multicentric cohort of pediatric patients treated by porous hydroxyapatite (PHA) CP implantation and to assess the reliability of post-marketing clinical data collected by a manufacturing company.

Methods

The authors proactively collected clinical data from 20 institutions in different European countries for patients under the age of 16 treated with a PHA implant. The data were obtained by conducting an on-site interview with physicians in charge of the patients (Post-Marketing Surveillance, PMS group). The endpoints were the incidence of adverse events and related implant removal. The clinical data were compared to the company-based register including all patients under the age of 16 who received the same implant from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2020, and the collecting complications voluntarily reported by surgeons (Database, DB group).

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and rate of complications. In the PMS group, a total of 11 (16.9%) complications were reported in the group of 65 patients that were proactively collected. Both fractures and infections were the most common complications with 4 cases each (6.2%). In the case of both infections and fractures, revision surgery was required for only one patient (1.5%). Three (4.5%) cases of displacements were reported, and in one (1.5%) case, a surgical revision was required, for a total of 3 (4.5%) cases requiring surgical revision. The average follow-up was 26.7 months.

Conclusions

Different from a previous study on adult age, pediatric neurosurgeons are more prone to report even to the manufacturing company complications related to skull reconstruction in children. Therefore, these data can be compared with those of other clinical studies. The PHA CP in this series of 65 patients presents a complication rate collected on-site that is similar to other heterologous materials.
One Health and Cattle Genetic Resources: Mining More than 500 Cattle Genomes to Identify Variants in Candidate Genes Potentially Affecting Coronavirus Infections
Authors: Bovo Samuele , Schiavo Giuseppina , Fontanesi Luca
Published: March 2022

Epidemiological and biological characteristics of coronaviruses and their ability to cross species barriers are a matter of increasing concerns for these zoonotic agents. To prevent their spread, One Health approaches should be designed to include the host (animal) genome variability as a potential risk factor that might confer genetic resistance or susceptibility to coronavirus infections. At present, there is no example that considers cattle genetic resources for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the variability of six genes (ACE2, ANPEP, CEACAM1 and DPP4 encoding for host receptors of coronaviruses; FURIN and TMPRSS2 encoding for host proteases involved in coronavirus infection) by mining whole genome sequencing datasets from more than 500 cattle of 34 Bos taurus breeds and three related species. We identified a total of 180 protein variants (44 already known from the ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome). Some of them determine altered protein functions or the virus–host interaction and the related virus entry processes. The results obtained in this study constitute a first step towards the definition of a One Health strategy that includes cattle genetic resources as reservoirs of host gene variability useful to design conservation and selection programs to increase resistance to coronavirus diseases.
Serum Cortisol and Its Correlation with Leucocyte Profile and Circulating Lipids in Donkeys (Equus asinus)
Authors: Alberghina Daniela , Statelli Alessandra , Monteverde Vincenzo , Vazzana Irene , Cascone Giuseppe , Panzera Michele
Published: March 2022

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th–11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann–Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found in Group B with monocytes (r = 0.37, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.30, p < 0.05), and in Group C with monocytes (r = 0.79, p < 0.01), basophils (r = 0.6, p < 0.05), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.63, p < 0.05). Higher cortisol values related to late pregnancy are also found in this species. These preliminary results provide evidence for a relationship between cortisol and the immune system as well as cortisol and lipid metabolism modulated by age and pregnancy when parameters are within normal values.
Surgical Applications of Materials Engineered with Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Perrault David P. , Sharma Ayushi , Kim Jessica F. , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Wan Derrick C.
Published: March 2022

The infection of surgically placed implants is a problem that is both large in magnitude and that broadly affects nearly all surgical specialties. Implant-associated infections deleteriously affect patient quality-of-life and can lead to greater morbidity, mortality, and cost to the health care system. The impact of this problem has prompted extensive pre-clinical and clinical investigation into decreasing implant infection rates. More recently, antimicrobial approaches that modify or treat the implant directly have been of great interest. These approaches include antibacterial implant coatings (antifouling materials, antibiotics, metal ions, and antimicrobial peptides), antibacterial nanostructured implant surfaces, and antibiotic-releasing implants. This review provides a compendium of these approaches and the clinical applications and outcomes. In general, implant-specific modalities for reducing infections have been effective; however, most applications remain in the preclinical or early clinical stages.
A Correlation Study of COVID-19 in Europe Considering Different Vaccines, Age Groups and Variants Including Delta and Omicron
Authors: Iqbal Hasan , Umair Muhammad , Rizvi Syeda Amna , Cheema Muhammad Aamir
Published: March 2022

Vaccination has been the most effective approach in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the world’s population has been vaccinated and sufficient data is available to analyze the impact of COVID-19 vaccines around the globe. In this paper, we present a correlation analysis between administered vaccine doses and COVID-19 cases/deaths in Europe. The correlation analysis is performed considering different types of vaccinations, different age groups and different COVID-19 variants (including the prevalent Delta and Omicron variants). We present a detailed analysis for 30 European countries giving various insights such as efficacy of six different vaccines, effect of vaccinating different age groups and how the correlation evolves as different COVID-19 variants emerge.
Vitamin D Counteracts Lipid Accumulation, Augments Free Fatty Acid-Induced ABCA1 and CPT-1A Expression While Reducing CD36 and C/EBPβ Protein Levels in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages
Authors: Marino Mirko , Venturi Samuele , Del Bo’ Cristian , Møller Peter , Riso Patrizia , Porrini Marisa
Published: March 2022

The biologically active form of vitamin D, calcitriol (VD3), has received great attention for its extraskeletal effects, such as a protective role on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the present work is to test the capacity of VD3 to affect lipid metabolism and fatty acid accumulation in an in vitro model of monocyte (THP-1)-derived macrophages. Cells were treated for 24 h with oleic/palmitic acid (500 μM, 2:1 ratio) and different VD3 concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 nM). Lipid accumulation was quantified spectrophotometrically (excitation: 544 nm, emission: 590 nm). C/EBPβ, PPAR-γ1, CD36, CPT-1A, and ABCA1 protein levels were assessed by ELISA kits at different time-points (1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h). VD3 at 50 and 100 nM significantly reduced fatty acids accumulation in macrophages by 27% and 32%, respectively. In addition, tested at 50 nM, VD3 decreased CD36, PPAR-γ1, and C/EBPβ, while it increased ABCA1 and CPT-1A protein levels in free fatty acid-exposed cells. In conclusion, VD3 reduced fatty acid accumulation in THP-1-derived macrophages exposed to lipid excess. The anti-atherogenic effect of VD3 could be ascribable to the regulation of proteins involved in lipid transport and clearance.
Anti-Inflammatory CDGSH Iron-Sulfur Domain 2: A Biomarker of Central Nervous System Insult in Cellular, Animal Models and Patients
Authors: Kung Woon-Man , Lin Chai-Ching , Chen Wei-Jung , Jiang Li-Lin , Sun Yu-Yo , Hsieh Kuang-Hui , Lin Muh-Shi
Published: March 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) promotes brain inflammation; conversely, brain injury promotes spinal neuron loss. There is a need to identify molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for central nervous system (CNS) injury. CDGSH iron-sulfur structural domain 2 (CISD2), an NF-κB antagonist, is downregulated after injury in vivo and in vitro. We aimed to examine the diagnostic value of CISD2 in patients with CNS insult. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CISD2 levels were decreased in 13 patients with CNS insult and were negatively correlated with plasma IL6 levels (associated with disease severity; r = −0.7062; p < 0.01). SCI-induced inflammatory mediators delivered through CSF promoted mouse brain inflammation at 1 h post-SCI. Anti-CISD2 antibody treatment exacerbated SCI-induced inflammation in mouse spine and brain. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated siCISD2-transfected EOC microglial cells exhibited proinflammatory phenotypes (enhanced M1 polarization, decreased M2 polarization, and increased intranuclear NF-κB p65 translocation). Plasma and CSF CISD2 levels were increased in three patients with CNS insult post-therapeutic hypothermia. CISD2 levels were negatively correlated with plasma and CSF levels of inflammatory mediators. CISD2 inhibition and potentiation experiments in cells, animals, and humans revealed CISD2 as a biomarker for CNS insult and upregulation of CISD2 anti-inflammatory properties as a potential therapeutic strategy for CNS insult.
HREM, RNAseq and Cell Cycle Analyses Reveal the Role of the G2/M-Regulatory Protein, WEE1, on the Survivability of Chicken Embryos during Diapause
Authors: Pokhrel Narayan , Genin Olga , Sela-Donenfeld Dalit , Cinnamon Yuval
Published: March 2022

Avian blastoderm can enter into diapause when kept at low temperatures and successfully resume development (SRD) when re-incubated in body temperature. These abilities, which are largely affected by the temperature and duration of the diapause, are poorly understood at the cellular and molecular level. To determine how temperature affects embryonic morphology during diapause, high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) analysis was utilized. While blastoderms diapausing at 12 °C for 28 days presented typical cytoarchitecture, similar to non-diapaused embryos, at 18 °C, much thicker blastoderms with higher cell number were observed. RNAseq was conducted to discover the genes underlying these phenotypes, revealing differentially expressed cell cycle regulatory genes. Among them, WEE1, a negative regulator of G2/M transition, was highly expressed at 12 °C compared to 18 °C. This finding suggested that cells at 12 °C are arrested at the G2/M phase, as supported by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (BrdU) assay and phospho-histone H3 (pH 3) immunostaining. Inhibition of WEE1 during diapause at 12 °C resulted in cell cycle progression beyond the G2/M and augmented tissue volume, resembling the morphology of 18 °C-diapaused embryos. These findings suggest that diapause at low temperatures leads to WEE1 upregulation, which arrests the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, promoting the perseverance of embryonic cytoarchitecture and future SRD. In contrast, WEE1 is not upregulated during diapause at higher temperature, leading to continuous proliferation and maladaptive morphology associated with poor survivability. Combining HREM-based analysis with RNAseq and molecular manipulations, we present a novel mechanism that regulates the ability of diapaused avian embryos to maintain their cytoarchitecture via cell cycle arrest, which enables their SRD.
A Review of Embodied Carbon in Landscape Architecture. Practice and Policy
Authors: Nikologianni Anastasia , Plowman Theodoros , Brown Benjamin
Published: March 2022

This paper aims to discuss the importance of the climate crisis and embodied carbon in the landscape architecture sector. The study was carried out in a multiprofessional team with the collaboration of the Landscape Institute (LI) Chartered Body of Landscape Architecture, UK, and experts in the field. Using the expertise and knowledge of professionals as well as existing landscape examples and pioneering tools on carbon, this review paper focuses on the importance of low/net-zero carbon landscapes for our cities and regions and the ways in which these can contribute to the broader health and wellbeing of our communities. Examining the current situation on carbon methodologies and the latest knowledge on carbon calculations through a landscape lens, the paper explores why embodied carbon is important for open spaces/landscapes and the necessary policies to support a more efficient implementation of these concepts. The intensity of recent environmental challenges demands action. This review highlights the need for holistic approaches that integrate embodied carbon calculations on large-scale landscape design. Using the innovative example of the Pathfinder App, a carbon calculation tool, as well as other similar software, this paper argues that more steps are needed towards the calculation and adaptation of CO2 emissions resulting from design, construction and materials in landscape schemes. The low availability of carbon calculation tools, specially developed for landscape schemes, is a major concern for the profession as it creates several issues with the sustainable development of the landscape projects as well as fragmented policies that exclude spatial and open spaces. Even though carbon calculation and embodied carbon are being calculated in buildings or materials, it is a relatively new area when it comes to land, the landscape and open and green space, and therefore, this study will present and discuss some of the pioneering carbon calculation tools focusing on landscape projects.
A Machine-Learning-Based Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Literature on Anal Cancer
Authors: Franco Pierfrancesco , Segelov Eva , Johnsson Anders , Riechelmann Rachel , Guren Marianne G. , Das Prajnan , Rao Sheela , Arnold Dirk , Spindler Karen-Lise Garm , Deutsch Eric , Krengli Marco , Tombolini Vincenzo , Sebag-Montefiore David , De Felice Francesca
Published: March 2022

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus (ASCC) is a rare disease. Barriers have been encountered to conduct clinical and translational research in this setting. Despite this, ASCC has been a prime example of collaboration amongst researchers. We performed a bibliometric analysis of ASCC-related literature of the last 20 years, exploring common patterns in research, tracking collaboration and identifying gaps. The electronic Scopus database was searched using the keywords “anal cancer”, to include manuscripts published in English, between 2000 and 2020. Data analysis was performed using R-Studio 0.98.1091 software. A machine-learning bibliometric method was applied. The bibliometrix R package was used. A total of 2322 scientific documents was found. The average annual growth rate in publication was around 40% during 2000–2020. The five most productive countries were United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), France, Italy and Australia. The USA and UK had the greatest link strength of international collaboration (22.6% and 19.0%). Two main clusters of keywords for published research were identified: (a) prevention and screening and (b) overall management. Emerging topics included imaging, biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes. Further efforts are required to increase collaboration and funding to sustain future research in the setting of ASCC.
Energy Sources for Exosome Communication in a Cancer Microenvironment
Authors: Thakur Abhimanyu , Johnson Amanda , Jacobs Emily , Zhang Kui , Chen Jonathan , Wei Zhubo , Lian Qizhou , Chen Huanhuan Joyce
Published: March 2022

Exosomes are crucial extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of approximately 30–200 nm. They are released by most cell types in their extracellular milieu and carry various biomolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. Exosomes are increasingly studied in various diseases, including cancer, due to their role in local and distant cell–cell communication in which they can promote tumor growth, cancer progression, and metastasis. Interestingly, a tremendous number of exosomes is released by malignant cancer cells, and these are then taken up by autologous and heterologous recipient stromal cells such as immune cells, cancer stem cells, and endothelial cells. All these events demand an enormous amount of energy and require that exosomes remain stable while having the capacity to reach distant sites and cross physical barriers. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research pertaining to the energy sources of exosomes, and questions remain about how they maintain their motility in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and beyond. Moreover, exosomes can produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an important energy molecule required by all cells, and mitochondria have been identified as one of the exosomal cargoes. These findings strengthen the prospect of exosomal communication via transfer of mitochondria and the bioenergetics of target recipient cells. In the TME, the accumulation of ATP and lactate may facilitate the entry of exosomes into cancer cells to promote metastasis, as well as help to target cancer cells at the tumor site. This review highlights how exosomes obtain sufficient energy to thrive in the TME and communicate with distant physiological destinations.
Use of Hypolipidemic Drugs and the Risk of Second Primary Malignancy in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Halámková Jana , Bohovicová Lucia , Pehalová Lucie , Goněc Roman , Staněk Teodor , Kazda Tomáš , Mouková Lucie , Krákorová Dagmar Adámková , Kozáková Šárka , Svoboda Marek , Demlová Regina , Kiss Igor
Published: March 2022

An increasing number of studies has brought evidence of the protective role of statin use against different types of cancer. However, data on their association with second primary malignancies (SPMs) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of hypolipidemic treatment in the prevention of second primary cancer in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. We conducted a retrospective single-institution study of 1401 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer from January 2003 to December 2016, with follow-up until December 2020. An SPM was detected in 301 patients (21%), and the incidence was significantly lower in patients with statin medication. However, stratification by cancer types revealed an increased incidence of bladder and gastric cancer in hypolipidemic users. A Kaplan−Meier analysis of early-stage CRC survivors with an SPM showed a significant survival benefit in patients without a history of hypolipidemic treatment. Despite the protective role of statins on overall second cancer incidence, these data indicate that CRC survivors treated with hypolipidemic drugs should be screened more cautiously for SPMs, especially for gastric and bladder cancer.
Serine Palmitoyltransferase Gene Silencing Prevents Ceramide Accumulation and Insulin Resistance in Muscles in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Imierska Monika , Zabielski Piotr , Roszczyc-Owsiejczuk Kamila , Sokołowska Emilia , Pogodzińska Karolina , Kojta Iwona , Błachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka
Published: March 2022

Skeletal muscles account for ~80% of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and play a key role in lipid metabolism. Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) contributes to metabolic changes in muscles, including the development of insulin resistance. The studies carried out to date indicate that the accumulation of biologically active lipids, such as long-chain acyl-CoA, diacylglycerols and ceramides, play an important role in the development of insulin resistance in skeletal muscles. Unfortunately, it has not yet been clarified which of these lipid groups plays the dominant role in inducing these disorders. In order to explore this topic further, we locally silenced the gene encoding serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) in the gastrocnemius muscle of animals with HFD-induced insulin resistance. This enzyme is primarily responsible for the first step of de novo ceramide biosynthesis. The obtained results confirm that the HFD induces the development of whole-body insulin resistance, which results in inhibition of the insulin pathway. This is associated with an increased level of biologically active lipids in the muscles. Our results also demonstrate that silencing the SPT gene with the shRNA plasmid reduces the accumulation of ceramides in gastrocnemius muscle, which, in turn, boosts the activity of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of ceramide synthesis does not significantly affect the content of other lipids, which suggests the leading role of ceramide in the lipid-related induction of skeletal muscle insulin resistance.
Distinctive Phenotype of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with SARS-CoV-2 According to Patients’ Age: A Monocentric Experience
Authors: Giannattasio Antonietta , Orlando Francesca , D’Anna Carolina , Muzzica Stefania , Angrisani Francesca , Acierno Sabrina , Paciello Francesca , Savoia Fabio , Tardi Maria , Mauro Angela , Martemucci Luigi , Tipo Vincenzo
Published: March 2022

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a disease temporally related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and it is characterized by fever, conjunctival injections, rash, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular complications. We evaluated the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging features, therapeutic interventions, and hospital course of a monocentric cohort, and we analyzed these findings according to two age groups. Methods: Patients with MIS-C admitted to a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital from November 2020 to November 2021 were considered for the enrollment. Results: Overall, 35 consecutive patients were included. Most of the children did not require intensive care unit at the admission. The clinical presentation of MIS-C slightly differs according to age groups. Mucocutaneus involvement was more frequent in younger patients, while abdominal symptoms were present in 54% of patients aged less than 5 years and in 95% of patients aged more than 5 years (p < 0.05). In addition, the number of cases with troponin above the normal reference value was significantly higher in older patients (77%) compared to younger cases (15%) (p < 0.01). Conclusions: MIS-C is a new emerging condition and represents a challenge to pediatricians due to the severity of presentation. Further studies to better characterize the long-term outcome of MIS-C patients are mandatory.
Effect of Inserted Ti Layers on the Phase Transformation of Al/Ni Multilayer Foils
Authors: Liu Binbin , Zhu Zhu , Liu Caiyun , Wang Yao , Ye Feng
Published: March 2022

The thin Ti layers were inserted in the interfaces of base Al/Ni multilayer foils to form the Al/Ti/Ni/Ti (ATNT) foils through magnetron deposition. Al and Ni were determined in the as-deposited foils, while the absence of Ti was due to the strongly textured polycrystalline structure. TEM analysis implied an asymmetric interface structure between the Ni/Ti/Al interfaces and Al/Ti/Ni interfaces. After annealing at 473 K and 573 K for 3 h, the phase composition was the same as the initial state, which changed to be Al3Ni2, Ni3(AlTi), Ni and a small amount of Al3Ti when the treating temperature reached 673 K. Further increasing the annealing temperature to 773 K and 873 K leads to the appearance of stable AlNi. The obtained results implied that the inserted Ti layers impeded atomic interdiffusion and the formation of Al3Ni at the early stage, but had less impact on the final products. This further indicated that adding the inserted transition layer provides a reference to balance the storage stability and reaction performance of Al/Ni foils with regard to the applications.
Study on Structural Evolution of Synthetic Graphite Derived from Lignite Prepared by High Temperature–High Pressure Method
Authors: Wang Yi-Ming , Zhang Chun-Hua
Published: March 2022

Abundant and cheap lignite is regarded as inferior fuel due to its disadvantages such as low heat and high moisture. In order to realize the high value and clean, non-fuel utilization of lignite, we used lignite as precursor to prepare high-quality synthetic graphite through graphitization treatment using the high temperature–high pressure (HTHP) method, and afterwards characterized the samples by XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM-EDS, and HRTEM, and systematically analyzed the effect of P-T conditions on the structure evolution of lignite. Our results demonstrated that temperature dominates the graphitization of lignite, and high pressure accelerates the graphitization process of lignite. Under HTHP treatment, the aromatic layer of lignite accelerates directional rearrangement; the ordered domain increases rapidly, and the ductility and stacking degree of the carbon sheets of the lignite sample are greatly enhanced. Compared with the traditional high-temperature graphitization method, the HTHP method greatly reduces the graphitization temperature and shortens the graphitization time. Remarkably, the as-prepared graphite with a graphitization degree of 91.87% superior to graphite fabricated by the conventional high-temperature processing were rapidly prepared from lignite at 6 GPa and 1300 °C in 20 min. This study demonstrates that the HTHP method is a feasible and effective method to realize the green, efficient, and high value utilization of lignite.
Impact of Surgery and Chemotherapy on Metastatic Extrauterine Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Imura Yoshinori , Takenaka Satoshi , Outani Hidetatsu , Nakai Takaaki , Yasuda Naohiro , Nakai Sho , Wakamatsu Toru , Tamiya Hironari , Okada Seiji
Published: March 2022

Background: Few studies have described the characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with metastatic extrauterine leiomyosarcoma (euLMS). Therefore, we retrospectively investigated the clinicopathological features, clinical outcomes, and prognostic factors of patients with euLMS. Methods: We recruited 61 patients with metastatic euLMS treated from 2006 to 2020 and collected and statistically analyzed information on patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related factors. The median follow-up period was 21.1 months. Results: Sixty-one patients with euLMS and a median age of 59 years were included. Furthermore, their five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 38.3%. Univariate analysis revealed that primary tumor size >10 cm, synchronous metastasis, initial metastatic sites >1, and no metastasectomy with curative intent were significantly associated with poor OS rate. Multivariate analysis identified primary tumor size >10 cm as an independent prognostic factor for poor OS. Among 24 patients who received metastasectomy with curative intent, the interval from the initial diagnosis to development of metastasis ≤6 months was significantly correlated with unfavorable OS. Among 37 patients who did not receive metastasectomy, chemotherapy after metastasis development was significantly related to better OS. Conclusions: Complete metastasectomy should be considered for metastatic euLMS treatment. Moreover, chemotherapy could prolong survival in patients with metastasis who are ineligible for metastasectomy.
A Pleiotropic Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Modulation of Wnt/β-Catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathways in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implication in Chemotherapeutic Drug Response
Authors: Sharma Uttam , Murmu Masang , Barwal Tushar Singh , Tuli Hardeep Singh , Jain Manju , Prakash Hridayesh , Kaceli Tea , Jain Aklank , Bishayee Anupam
Published: March 2022

Despite the availability of modern techniques for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), tumor recurrence and metastasis are significant challenges in clinical management. Thus, ESCC possesses a poor prognosis and low five-year overall survival rate. Notably, the origin and recurrence of the cancer phenotype are under the control of complex cancer-related signaling pathways. In this review, we provide comprehensive knowledge about long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in ESCC and its implications in hindering the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. We observed that a pool of lncRNAs, such as HERES, TUG1, and UCA1, associated with ESCC, directly or indirectly targets various molecules of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and facilitates the manifestation of multiple cancer phenotypes, including proliferation, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to anticancer treatment. Additionally, several lncRNAs, such as HCP5 and PTCSC1, modulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways during the ESCC pathogenesis. Furthermore, a few lncRNAs, such as AFAP1-AS1 and LINC01014, block the efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, and gefitinib, used for ESCC treatment. Therefore, this review may help in designing a better therapeutic strategy for ESCC patients.