bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oficinas de fotografia na pesquisa-intervenção: construção de coletivos de trabalho
Authors: Dias Lúcia Regina Ruduit , Zanella Andréa Vieira , Tittoni Jaqueline
Published: June 2022

O presente artigo analisa as contribuições de oficinas de fotografia na construção de coletivos de trabalho. Três diferentes equipes foram investigadas: duas no Brasil (assistência social governamental e assistência universitária em direitos de gênero) e uma na Suíça (animação sociocultural). As oficinas de fotografia foram planejadas não como uma técnica isolada, mas como uma maneira de investir em compromissos éticos, estéticos e políticos das trabalhadoras, bem como, na pesquisa como trabalho coletivo. As oficinas de fotografia contribuíram para a constituição de resistências a processos de individualização e na emergência de processos de criação no trabalho, respeitando as singularidades das equipes.
A revolução sexual nos anos 70 e o pensamento contracultural de Rosie Marie Muraro
Authors: Barros Patrícia Marcondes de
Published: June 2022

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar o pensamento de Rosie Marie Muraro, tida como uma das principais feministas brasileiras e interlocutora das ideias libertárias nos anos 70. Através de suas obras, no contexto de repressão militar no Brasil, concomitante a revolução sexual em curso, deu visibilidade a luta da mulher na perspectiva da contracultura, discutindo violência de gênero, androginia e sexualidade da mulher brasileira. Afirmou a necessidade de superar o dualismo oriundo da sociedade patriarcal e capitalista, reunificando aquilo que comumente colocam como opostos, “homem e mulher”, em um só corpo, transcendendo a questão sexual.
“Ecce Homo” de Nietzsche – uma página da história da leitura
Authors: Sochodolak Hélio
Published: June 2022

Nos textos de Nietzsche (1844-1990), quer os publicados pelo autor ou não, há inúmeras referências ao ato de ler e escrever. De forma que eles constituem importante referência para uma história da leitura, ou até mesmo para uma história da produção e da recepção dos textos. Tomando como ponto de partida as questões sistematicamente discutidas na tese: O jovem Nietzsche e a leitura (2005). Nosso alvo aqui são alguns dos significados da leitura em um texto autobiográfico de Nietzsche do final do século XIX.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) By-Product Extract Influences the Oxylipids Profile in Primary Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells in a Model of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ciampi Francesco , Gandy Jeffery , Ciliberti Maria Giovanna , Sevi Agostino , Albenzio Marzia , Santillo Antonella
Published: June 2022

Aerobic metabolism produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a natural by-product that can play a significant role in cell signaling and homeostasis. Excessive and uncontrolled production of ROS, however, can lead to oxidative stress that causes damage to immune cells and is related to several diseases in dairy cattle. Endothelial cells are essential for optimal immune and inflammatory responses but are especially sensitive to the damaging effects of ROS. Accordingly, investigating antioxidant strategies that can mitigate the detrimental impact of ROS on endothelial functions could impact compromised host defenses that lead to increased disease susceptibility. The objective of this study was to test the antioxidant effect of different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 μg/ml) of pomegranate by-product extract (PBE) on bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). A model of oxidative stress was developed using in vitro exposure of BAEC to 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) to induce the formation of ROS. The BAEC were then analyzed for cell viability, ROS production, fatty acids profile, and oxylipids formation. The BAECs viability did not change after different concentrations of PBE and remained up to 80% over control; whereas, intracellular ROS showed a reduction passing from 20 to 50% with increasing PBE concentration from 20 to 80 μg/ml, respectively. The PBE extract clearly demonstrated efficacy in reducing the concentrations of pro-inflammatory oxylipids with a concomitant enhancement of anti-inflammatory oxylipids. In particular, the pro-inflammatory 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and its derived anti-inflammatory 13-hydroperoxoctadecaienoic acid were found lower and higher, respectively, in PBE+AAPH treated cells than AAPH treatment. Data from the present study support in vivo future experimental use of pomegranate by-product extract to study its potential beneficial effect against oxidative stress conditions in dairy cattle.
Increased Femoral Anteversion Does Not Lead to Increased Joint Forces During Gait in a Cohort of Adolescent Patients
Authors: Alexander Nathalie , Brunner Reinald , Cip Johannes , Viehweger Elke , De Pieri Enrico
Published: June 2022

Orthopedic complications were previously reported for patients with increased femoral anteversion. A more comprehensive analysis of the influence of increased femoral anteversion on joint loading in these patients is required to better understand the pathology and its clinical management. Therefore, the aim was to investigate lower-limb kinematics, joint moments and forces during gait in adolescent patients with increased, isolated femoral anteversion compared to typically developing controls. Secondly, relationships between the joint loads experienced by the patients and different morphological and kinematic features were investigated. Patients with increased femoral anteversion (n = 42, 12.8 ± 1.9 years, femoral anteversion: 39.6 ± 6.9°) were compared to typically developing controls (n = 9, 12.0 ± 3.0 years, femoral anteversion: 18.7 ± 4.1°). Hip and knee joint kinematics and kinetics were calculated using subject-specific musculoskeletal models. Differences between patients and controls in the investigated outcome variables (joint kinematics, moments, and forces) were evaluated through statistical parametric mapping with Hotelling T2 and t-tests (α = 0.05). Canonical correlation analyses (CCAs) and regression analyses were used to evaluate within the patients’ cohort the effect of different morphological and kinematic predictors on the outcome variables. Predicted compressive proximo-distal loads in both hip and knee joints were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. A gait pattern characterized by increased knee flexion during terminal stance (KneeFlextSt) was significantly correlated with hip and knee forces, as well as with the resultant force exerted by the quadriceps on the patella. On the other hand, hip internal rotation and in-toeing, did not affect the loads in the joints. Based on the finding of the CCAs and linear regression analyses, patients were further divided into two subgroups based KneeFlextSt. Patients with excessive KneeFlextSt presented a significantly higher femoral anteversion than those with normal KneeFlextSt. Patients with excessive KneeFlextSt presented significantly larger quadriceps forces on the patella and a larger posteriorly-oriented shear force at the knee, compared to patients with normal KneeFlextSt, but both patients’ subgroups presented only limited differences in terms of joint loading compared to controls. This study showed that an altered femoral morphology does not necessarily lead to an increased risk of joint overloading, but instead patient-specific kinematics should be considered.
D1244: Design and Construction of the First Adaptive High-Rise Experimental Building
Authors: Blandini Lucio , Haase Walter , Weidner Stefanie , Böhm Michael , Burghardt Timon , Roth Daniel , Sawodny Oliver , Sobek Werner
Published: June 2022

An interdisciplinary research team of the University of Stuttgart has been working extensively since 2017 on the development and integration of adaptive systems and technologies in order to provide solutions for a more sustainable built environment. An experimental 36.5 m tall high-rise building, called D1244, was designed and completed in 2021 to show the potential of adaptive structures and facades as well as to verify on a real scale the developed systems and the related numerical predictions. The building was designed to offer a flexible experimental platform: each component is dismountable so that structural as well as facades elements can be replaced with new ones introducing new functionalities to be investigated. The structure is currently equipped with twenty-four hydraulic actuators that are installed in the columns and diagonal bracers. Strain gauge sensors and an optical tracking system are employed to monitor the state of the structural system. This paper describes the design and construction of the adaptive tower as well as the preliminary experimental testing on different scaled structural prototypes. The research work on these prototypes provided relevant information for the final set-up of the high-rise building. An outlook on future research, including the planned first structural testing phase and the implementation of adaptive façade systems, is included at the end.
Connecting the DOTs on Cell Identity
Authors: Wille Coral K. , Sridharan Rupa
Published: June 2022

DOT1-Like (DOT1L) is the sole methyltransferase of histone H3K79, a modification enriched mainly on the bodies of actively transcribing genes. DOT1L has been extensively studied in leukemia were some of the most frequent onco-fusion proteins contain portions of DOT1L associated factors that mislocalize H3K79 methylation and drive oncogenesis. However, the role of DOT1L in non-transformed, developmental contexts is less clear. Here we assess the known functional roles of DOT1L both in vitro cell culture and in vivo models of mammalian development. DOT1L is evicted during the 2-cell stage when cells are totipotent and massive epigenetic and transcriptional alterations occur. Embryonic stem cell lines that are derived from the blastocyst tolerate the loss of DOT1L, while the reduction of DOT1L protein levels or its catalytic activity greatly enhances somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells. DOT1L knockout mice are embryonically lethal when organogenesis commences. We catalog the rapidly increasing studies of total and lineage specific knockout model systems that show that DOT1L is broadly required for differentiation. Reduced DOT1L activity is concomitant with increased developmental potential. Contrary to what would be expected of a modification that is associated with active transcription, loss of DOT1L activity results in more upregulated than downregulated genes. DOT1L also participates in various epigenetic networks that are both cell type and developmental stage specific. Taken together, the functions of DOT1L during development are pleiotropic and involve gene regulation at the locus specific and global levels.
The Application Value of Metagenomic and Whole-Genome Capture Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis and Epidemiological Analysis of Psittacosis
Authors: Duan Zhimei , Gao Yanqiu , Liu Bin , Sun Baohua , Li Shuangfeng , Wang Chenlei , Liu Dongli , Wang Kaifei , Zhang Ye , Lou Zheng , Xie Lixin , Xie Fei
Published: June 2022

Background

To evaluate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for the early diagnosis of psittacosis, and to investigate its epidemiology by whole-genome capture.

Methods

Twenty-one bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples of 16 psittacosis patients from multiple centers during August 2019 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. mNGS with normal datasets (10 M 75-bp single-end reads after sequencing) and larger datasets (30 M 150-bp paired-end reads after sequencing) as well as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to detect the pathogen. Also, whole-genome capture of Chlamydophila psittaci was applied to draw the phylogenetic tree.

Results

mNGS successfully detected the pathogen in all 16 cases (100%), while qPCR was positive only in 5 out of 10 cases (50%), indicating a significantly higher sensitivity of mNGS than qPCR (p < 0.01). BALF-mNGS performed better than blood-mNGS (16/16 versus 3/5, p < 0.05). In addition, larger datasets (the read counts have tripled, and the base number was 12-fold larger compared to clinical mNGS with a normal dataset) of mNGS showed significantly increased contents of human DNA (p < 0.05) and decreased reads per million of the pathogen, suggesting no improvement. Whole-genome capture results of five samples (>60% coverage and >1 depth) were used to construct the phylogenetic tree.

Conclusion

Significant advantages of mNGS with normal datasets were demonstrated in early diagnosing psittacosis. It is the first study to use whole-genome capture to analyze C. psittaci epidemiological information.
Pathophysiological Role of Nucleic Acid-Sensing Pattern Recognition Receptors in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Kano Norisuke , Ong Guang Han , Ori Daisuke , Kawai Taro
Published: June 2022

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play critical roles in recognizing pathogen-derived nucleic acids and inducing innate immune responses, such as inflammation and type I interferon production. PRRs that recognize nucleic acids include members of endosomal Toll-like receptors, cytosolic retinoic acid inducible gene I-like receptors, cyclic GMP–AMP synthase, absent in melanoma 2-like receptors, and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptors. Aberrant recognition of self-derived nucleic acids by these PRRs or unexpected activation of downstream signaling pathways results in the constitutive production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines, which lead to the development of autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. In this review, we focus on the nucleic acid-sensing machinery and its pathophysiological roles in various inflammatory diseases.
The Particular Expression Profiles of Circular RNA in Peripheral Blood of Myocardial Infarction Patients by RNA Sequencing
Authors: Li Qi , Wang Yuanyong , An Yi , Wang Jianxun , Gao Yufang
Published: June 2022

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common illnesses seriously harmful to human health. Notwithstanding, the systems of its pathogenesis are as yet not totally demonstrated. CircRNA is one sort of non-coding RNA, and late distributed information proposes that circRNAs assume a significant part in heart diseases; however, their expression profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with MI are not yet totally characterized. Therefore, RNAs from peripheral blood were recruited for high-throughput RNA-seq analysis. A total of 3,862 circRNAs were distinguished to be remarkably different, including 2,738 circRNAs being upregulated and 1,124 circRNAs being downregulated. circTMEM165, circUBAC2, circZNF609, circANKRD12, and circSLC8A1 were reconfirmed by RT-qPCR in the cell model. ROC curves uncovered that they have great sensitivity and specificity in the determination of MI. Besides, circRNAs are associated with cell metabolism and function by directing complex networks among circular RNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs. In outline, our study portrayed the specific articulation profiles of circular RNA in patients with MI. The outcomes showed that circRNAs might fill in as a sort of ideal biomarkers for MI diagnosis. Further exploration of these circRNAs may enrich our understanding of MI etiology and progression.
Demand Ischemia as a Predictor of Mortality in Older Patients With Delirium
Authors: Kumar Manish , Patil Shivaraj , Godoy Lucas Da Cunha , Kuo Chia-Ling , Swede Helen , Kuchel George A. , Chen Kai
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The impact of demand ischemia on clinical outcomes in patients with delirium remains largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effects of demand ischemia in older patients with delirium on in-hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS) using the largest US inpatient care database, National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Methods

We obtained data from the year 2010 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We used the International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes to identify all the records with a primary or secondary diagnosis of delirium with or without demand ischemia and other clinical characteristics. We then compared in-hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS) in patients with and without demand ischemia.

Results

We analyzed 232,137 records. Patients with demand ischemia had higher overall in-hospital mortality than those without demand ischemia (28 vs. 12%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for clinical comorbidities and complications, demand ischemia was no longer associated with increased in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.96–1.35; p = 0.141). However, further analysis with the exclusion of critically ill patients with non-cardiogenic shock or mechanical ventilation showed a significant association of demand ischemia with increased in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13–1.71; p = 0.002). Among non-critically ill survivors, patients with demand ischemia had a longer median LOS [4, (3–7) days] than those without demand ischemia [4, (2–6) days] (p < 0.001). However, the difference was not statistically significant after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusion/Relevance

Demand ischemia did not affect mortality in critically sick patients. In non-critically ill patients, however, demand ischemia was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality, likely due to the severity of the underlying acute illness. Measures aimed at mitigating risk factors that contribute to delirium and/or demand ischemia need to be explored.
On-Demand Drug Delivery: Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Applications
Authors: Genç Hatice , Efthimiadou Eleni , Cicha Iwona
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including life-threatening atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis, account for almost 50% of all deaths in Europe and around 30% of all deaths worldwide. Despite the ongoing improvement and accessibility of invasive cardiovascular interventions and pharmacological therapies, pathological processes often progress asymptomatically, before manifesting themselves as unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death or stroke. Since atherosclerosis and thrombosis represent localized disease processes, insufficient response to systemically-administered drugs is a common problem. The available pharmacological therapies are often burdened by poor tolerability, limited efficacy and/or bioavailability. Although encapsulating drugs in a nanoscale shell increases their circulation time and availability, it does not guarantee disease-specific targeting, or the proper control of the drug release. In contrast, on-demand drug delivery has the advantage of localized treatment and allows reducing off-target effects by a stimuli-controlled drug release in the affected region. Such “smart” systems are expected to have a great therapeutic potential in CVD. This mini-review article highlights recent advances in stimuli-responsive drug delivery approaches to CVD, with specific drug release triggered either internally or externally.
Suzdalevo Lake (Central Siberia, Russia)—A Tunguska Event-Related Impact Crater?
Authors: Kavková Radana , Vondrák Daniel , Chattová Barbora , Svecova Eva , Takac Marian , Golias Viktor , Štorc Richard , Stanghellini Carlo , Kletetschka Gunther
Published: June 2022

In 1908, a massive explosion known as the Tunguska Event (TE) occurred in Central Siberia. However, its origin remains widely discussed and environmental impacts are not known in detail. We investigated evidence of the TE in sediments of Suzdalevo Lake, which is located near the explosion epicenter. According to local nomads (Evenkis), Suzdalevo Lake did not exist before the TE and was considered as a possible impact-origin water body. However, apart from oral testimony, there is no evidence of the lake formation process. Two short sediment cores (SUZ1 and SUZ3) were retrieved from the lake and dated using 210Pb and 137Cs. The sedimentary record was characterized using magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence, and the screening for melted magnetic microspherules. To study possible effects of the TE on the lake ecosystem, we performed diatom and freshwater fauna remains analyses. Results indicate that the lake contains sediments that originated before the TE and thus its formation was not related to the impact. Also, the depth to diameter ratio of the lake basin is too low (<1/100) for a young impact crater. In one of the two cores (SUZ1), we documented distinct changes in the lake-catchment ecosystem that occurred within a 5-cm-thick depth interval calculated for the best fit depths for the year 1908 using three alternative age-depth models (CRS, CIC, CFCS), namely, increases in terrestrial matter input (abundant fine plant macroremains, peaks in magnetic susceptibility and the Sr to Rb ratio) and taxonomic diversity and relative abundance of benthic taxa. The shifts in aquatic biota assemblages were likely caused by nutrient supply and improved water column mixing following a catchment disturbance. Nevertheless, precise timing of the observed abrupt changes in relation to the TE is not clear due to uncertainty of the 210Pb dating method and absence of melted magnetic microspherules or an event layer. The disturbance signals in the proxy data may postdate the TE. Our results demonstrate potential usefulness of the paleolimnological approach to understand the possible environmental consequences of the TE and similar events elsewhere.
Real-Time Monitoring System of Landslide Based on LoRa Architecture
Authors: Wang Chenhui , Guo Wei , Yang Kai , Wang Xi , Meng Qingjia
Published: June 2022

The equal time interval sampling in the existing landslide monitoring system cannot detect the abnormal change of landslides in real time. This study proposes a novel landslide monitoring method based on the long range (LoRa) network and intelligent sensing Internet of Things (IoT) to address these drawbacks. The overall structure, hardware circuit, and software design of intelligent sensing monitoring technology are described comprehensively. The designed adaptive data collection strategy can effectively capture abnormal changes in the landslide monitoring parameters, which provides a better alternative monitoring scheme for the real-time data collection of disaster body status. Furthermore, it can ensure data accuracy for the research of intelligent large-scale landslide disaster monitoring and prediction. The field test demonstrates that the proposed system presents the technical characteristics of low power consumption, self-organizing network, stable and reliable communication, and long transmission distance, which is effective for mountain landslide monitoring in harsh environments.
Fabrication of a Flexible Aqueous Textile Zinc-Ion Battery in a Single Fabric Layer
Authors: Yong Sheng , Hillier Nicholas , Beeby Stephen
Published: June 2022

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIB), with various manganese oxide-based cathodes, provide a promising solution for textile-based flexible energy storage devices. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, a flexible aqueous ZIB with manganese-based cathode fabricated in a single woven polyester cotton textile. The textile was functionalized with a flexible polymer membrane layer that fills the gaps between textile yarns, enabling fine control over the depth of penetration of the spray deposited manganese oxide cathode and zinc anode. This leaves an uncoated region in the textile-polymer network that acts as the battery’s separator. The textile battery cell was vacuum impregnated with the aqueous electrolyte, achieving good wettability of the electrodes with the electrolyte. Additionally, the choice of cathodic material and its influence over the electrochemical performance of the zinc ion battery was investigated with commercially available Manganese (IV) oxide and Manganese (II, III) oxide. The textile ZIB with Manganese (II, III) oxide cathode (10.9 mAh g−1 or 35.6 µA h.cm−2) achieved better performance than the textile ZIB with Manganese (IV) oxide (8.95 mAh g−1 or 24.2 µAh cm−2) at 1 mA cm−2 (0.3 A g−1). This work presents a novel all-textile battery architecture and demonstrates the capability of using manganese oxides as cathodes for a full textile-based flexible aqueous ZIB.
Sequential Screening Strategy in Early, Middle, and Late Pregnancy in Women at High Risk of Hyperglycemia
Authors: Xu Yi , Wei Qiang , Zhang Li , Duan Mei-fan , Wang Yue-mei , Huang Nan
Published: June 2022

Background

Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) is closely associated with short- and long-term adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. However, the screening and diagnostic strategies for pregnant women with risk factors for HIP are not set. This prospective study aimed to explore a screening strategy for women at high risk for HIP.

Methods

A total of 610 pregnant women were divided into experimental (n=305) and control (n=305) groups. Pregnant women underwent a 75-g OGTT in early (<20 weeks), middle (24–28 weeks), and late pregnancy (32–34 weeks) in the experimental group and only in middle pregnancy in the control group. The general conditions, HIP diagnosis, and perinatal outcomes of the two groups were compared.

Results

In the experimental group, HIP was diagnosed in 29.51% (90/305), 13.44% (41/305), and 10.49% (32/305) of patient in early, middle, and late pregnancy, respectively. The total HIP diagnosis rate was significantly higher in the experimental group (53.44% vs. 35.74%, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (odds ratio, OR=9.676, P<0.001), pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥23 kg/m2 (OR=4.273, P<0.001), and maternal age ≥35 years (OR=2.377, P=0.010) were risk factors for HIP diagnosis in early pregnancy. Previous GDM (OR=8.713, P=0.002) was a risk factor for HIP diagnosis in late pregnancy. No significant differences in perinatal clinical data were observed between the experimental and control groups. The gestational age at delivery was significantly earlier in the experimental subgroup with early-HIP than in the experimental and control subgroups with normal blood glucose (NBG). The weight gain during pregnancy was lower in the experimental early-HIP, middle-HIP, and control NBG subgroups.

Conclusions

We recommend sequential screening in early and middle pregnancy for high-risk pregnant women with maternal age ≥35 years or pre-pregnancy BMI ≥23 kg/m2, and in early, middle, and late pregnancy for high-risk pregnant women with a previous history of GDM.

Trial Registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR2000041278).
Association Between Circulating Regulator of Calcineurin 2 Concentrations With Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Wang Hongya , Fang Xia , Ren Qian , Zeng Yan , Tan Xiaozhen , Ye Ting , Fan Jiahao , Xu Yong
Published: June 2022

Background

Regulator of calcineurin 2 (RCAN2) has been reported to promote food intake and weight gain in animal studies. However, its effect on body weight in humans is unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum RCAN2 concentrations and participants with overweight/obesity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 872 Chinese adults, including 348 participants with normal weight (NW), 397 participants with overweight (OW), and 127 participants with obesity (OB). All participants were divided into NW, OW and OB groups according to their body mass index (BMI). Serum RCAN2 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum RCAN2 concentrations gradually increased with the increase of BMI (p < 0.001). The percentages of OW/OB gradually increased in tandem with increasing tertiles of RCAN2 (p < 0.001). Additionally, serum RCAN2 concentrations were significantly correlated with a series of anthropometric and metabolic parameters, predominantly including body weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of OW/OB was significantly increased with the increase of serum RCAN2 concentrations. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that serum RCAN2, especially serum RCAN2/(AST/ALT) ratio, might serve as a candidate biomarker for obesity.

Conclusion

Serum RCAN2 concentrations were increased in subjects with OW/OB. The increased serum RCAN2 concentrations were associated with the increased risks of OW/OB.
Characterization of the Soil Prokaryotic Community With Respect to Time and Fertilization With Animal Waste–Based Digestate in a Humid Continental Climate
Authors: Suproniene Skaidre , Doyeni Modupe Olufemi , Viti Carlo , Tilvikiene Vita , Pini Francesco
Published: June 2022

There is a renewed global awareness to improve soil health through the intensification and management of organic inputs such as the application of animal waste–based digestate and other types of organic fertilizers to the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of animal waste–based digestate application on soil prokaryotic diversity and composition in an agricultural cropping system over a period of 3 years, cultivated with three different annual cereal crops (spring wheat, triticale, and barley). Treatments were laid out in a randomized design with five conditions (three replicates per condition): fertilizer treatments included three different types of digestate (pig manure, chicken manure, and cow manure digestates), synthetic mineral nitrogen, and unfertilized control. Prokaryotic soil communities were characterized by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The three most abundant phyla identified were Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria, which accounted for over 55% of the total prokaryotic community. Other phylogenetic groups such as Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes were also identified as part of the native soil microbiota. It was observed that the period of digestate application did not significantly influence the prokaryotic diversity in the soil. On the contrary, sampling time was a major factor in driving β-diversity. A correlation with soil pH was also observed for several taxonomic groups, indicating its importance in shaping prokaryotic community composition. Our study showed that the richness and diversity of the soil prokaryotic community were not affected by digestate application, while other factors such as the yearly crop varieties and seasonal/climate changes were the major contributors to differentiating the prokaryotic community composition over time.
The Source Mechanism and Fault Movement Characterization of the 2022 Mw6.7 Menyuan Earthquake Revealed by the Joint Inversion With InSAR and Teleseismic Observations
Authors: Bao Xin , Zhang Rui , Wang Ting , Shama Age , Zhan RunQing , Lv Jichao , Wu Renzhe , Fu Yin , Liu Guoxiang
Published: June 2022

The characteristics of active fault movements are essential for estimating the earthquake potential on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in a complex geological setting. The 2022 Menyuan Mw6.7 earthquake was studied by a joint seismological and geodetic methodology to deepen the scientific understanding of the source parameters and deformation mechanisms. Firstly, the entire InSAR co-seismic deformation field is obtained based on ascending and descending Sentinel-1A imagery. Subsequently, a Bayesian algorithm is applied in fault geometry and slip distribution determination by combining InSAR measurements and teleseismic data. And the fault movement characteristics of the 2022 Menyuan earthquake are analyzed. Finally, a comprehensive “surface-subsurface" analysis of the effects caused by this earthquake was carried out by combining InSAR and fault data. The results demonstrate that the ground settlement and uplift induced by the 2022 Menyuan earthquake are significant, with a maximum relative deformation of 56 cm. The seismogenic fault is on the junction of the Lenglongling (LLL) and Tuolaishan (TLS) faults, and the main body is in the western part of the LLL fault, a high dip left-lateral strike-slip fault with NWW-SEE strike. The slip distribution results indicate that the largest slip of 3.45 m occurs at about 5 km below the ground, and the earthquake magnitude is Mw6.63. And further analysis by integrated geological structure and inversion results reveals that the earthquakes that occurred on the North Lenglongling Fault (NLLL) in 1986 and 2016 have contributed to the 2022 Menyuan earthquake.
Pollen-Based Holocene Thawing-History of Permafrost in Northern Asia and Its Potential Impacts on Climate Change
Authors: Li Wenjia , Tian Fang , Rudaya Natalia , Herzschuh Ulrike , Cao Xianyong
Published: June 2022

As the recent permafrost thawing of northern Asia proceeds due to anthropogenic climate change, precise and detailed palaeoecological records from past warm periods are essential to anticipate the extent of future permafrost variations. Here, based on the modern relationship between permafrost and vegetation (represented by pollen assemblages), we trained a Random Forest model using pollen and permafrost data and verified its reliability to reconstruct the history of permafrost in northern Asia during the Holocene. An early Holocene (12–8 cal ka BP) strong thawing trend, a middle-to-late Holocene (8–2 cal ka BP) relatively slow thawing trend, and a late Holocene freezing trend of permafrost in northern Asia are consistent with climatic proxies such as summer solar radiation and Northern Hemisphere temperature. The extensive distribution of permafrost in northern Asia inhibited the spread of evergreen coniferous trees during the early Holocene warming and might have decelerated the enhancement of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) by altering hydrological processes and albedo. Based on these findings, we suggest that studies of the EASM should consider more the state of permafrost and vegetation in northern Asia, which are often overlooked and may have a profound impact on climate change in this region.
A Biodiversity Hotspot Losing Its Biocultural Heritage: The Challenge to Biocultural Conservation of Brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata)
Authors: Bastos Juan Gomes , Kury Lorelai , Hanazaki Natalia , Capozzi Rebeca , Fonseca-Kruel Viviane Stern da
Published: June 2022

The biocultural heritage of a region is developed and adapted after centuries of interrelationships between humans and nature. The endangered brazilwood [Paubrasilia echinata (Lam.), E. Gagnon, H.C. Lima, and G.P. Lewis] is a flagship species with cultural and economic importance that is directly affected by the history of human occupation on the Brazilian coast from the Portuguese colonization beginning in the 16th century onward. Despite its historical–cultural relevance, the lack of effective management and the anthropic pressure in coastal areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF; one of the terrestrial hotspots for biodiversity conservation) has led to the fragmentation of landscape connectivity and drastic degradation of the knowledge associated with biodiversity, including that of brazilwood, which also affects the biocultural diversity of the region. In southeastern Brazil, in the region of Cabo Frio, state of Rio de Janeiro, there are fragments of forest remnants with genetically ancient populations of brazilwood (possibly from the colonization period). The recognition of this valuable natural and cultural heritage induced the establishment of protected areas (PAs) in this region in 1986. Here, we studied how the increase in urbanization can affect the biocultural heritage of a flagship species even those close to protected areas. In nearby areas with populations of brazilwood, we interviewed residents from three communities, namely, Peró and Jacaré (municipality of Cabo Frio), and José Gonçalves (municipality of Armação dos Búzios). We conducted semi-structured interviews and free lists using visual stimuli to understand the current knowledge on this species. Thus, we verified socio-ecological dissociation, both inside and outside the PAs. This indicates a possible threat of losing the local knowledge network and the native populations of brazilwood in these areas, which consequently reveals the weaknesses of the current management models of the local PAs. Despite this, we showed that residents are interested in increasing local mobilization, awareness, environmental education, and reforestation actions aimed at the biocultural conservation of the species that gives the country its name, as well as that of the Atlantic Forest biome.
The Flow Around a Lorry Platoon Subject to a Crosswind—a Detached Eddy Simulation
Authors: He M. , Huo S. , Hemida H. , Soper D. , Sterling M. , Baker C.
Published: June 2022

Technological developments in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) have created opportunities to allow groups of vehicles to travel in close proximity, through methods known as platooning. There are potential benefits from platooning in terms of fuel consumption, through a reduction in aerodynamic drag for trailing vehicles in the platoon; however, it is still not understood whether these benefits remain when the platoon is subject to crosswind. For the first time, this study examines the flow structure and aerodynamic response of a platoon of eight closely spaced lorry type vehicles subjected to a crosswind with a 30o yaw angle. The numerical study is conducted using a Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation. It is observed that there is an increase in the overall drag when compared to a similar simulation with no crosswinds. Streamline illustrations indicate that a recirculation region is formed on the leeside of the lorries, which with the chosen vehicle spacing does not exhibit any interactions with the consecutive lorry, resulting in a diminished drag reduction. High pressure on the windward side of the lorries and a low pressure region on the top of the lorry boxes results in high lift, side force and rolling moment coefficients, but relatively minor pitching and yawing moments.
Genetic Variations in Metallothionein Genes and Susceptibility to Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Wei Shudan , Yu Xiangyuan , Wen Xiaolan , Zhang Min , Lang Qi , Zhong Ping , Huang Bo
Published: June 2022

Background: The involvement of oxidative stress in the pathological process of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) gives rise to the interest in exploring the association of genetic variations in antioxidant metallothionein (MT) genes with HDP susceptibility.

Methods: Seventeen single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in MT genes were selected to conduct genotyping based on a case-control study consisting of 371 HDP cases (pregnancy with chronic hypertension (66), gestational hypertension (172), and preeclampsia or preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension (133)) and 479 controls. The association between SNPs in MTs and the risk of HDP was estimated with unconditional logistic regression analysis and further tested with the false-positive report probability (FPRP) procedure. The joint effects of SNPs on the HDP risk were assessed by haplotype analysis.

Results: After the adjustment for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (pre-BMI) in the logistic regress analysis and followed by the FPRP test, the genetic variation rs10636 (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30–0.71 for GG vs. CC, p = 0.000 and OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32–0.73 for GG vs. CG/CC, p = 0.001) in MT2A was associated with gestational hypertension. Other four SNPs, that is, rs11076161 (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.35–2.63 for GG vs. GA/AA, p = 0.000) in MT1A; rs7191779 (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11–2.13 for CC vs. CG/GG, p = 0.010) in MT1B; rs8044719 (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40–0.80 for GT vs. GG, p = 0.001) in MT1DP; and rs8052334 (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.11 for TT vs. TC/CC, p = 0.012) in MT1B were significantly associated with the susceptibility of HDP. The haplotype analysis among 11, 10, 10, and seven SNPs in MT (MT1A, MT2A, MT1M, MT1B, and MT1DP) genes showed that eight (A-C-G-T-C-G-A-G-C-G-C, OR = 4.559; A-C-T-C-C-C-A-G-C-G-C, OR = 5.777; A-C-T-T-C-G-A-G-C-G-C, OR = 4.590; G-A-T-C-C-G-C-G-G-C-C, OR = 4.065; G-A-T-C-G-C-C-G-G-C-C, OR = 4.652; G-A-T-T-C-C-C-G-G-C-C, OR = 0.404; G-C-T-C-C-C-A-G-G-C-C, OR = 1.901; G-C-T-T-C-C-A-G-G-C-C, and OR = 3.810), five (C-G-A-T-C-A-C-C-G-G, OR = 2.032; C-G-A-T-C-G-C-C-G-G, OR = 2.077; G-A-C-T-C-A-C-C-T-G, OR = 0.564; G-G-A-G-C-A-C-C-G-G, OR = 5.466; G-G-A-T-T-A-G-C-G-G, and OR = 0.284), five (A-C-G-T-C-G-A-G-C-C, OR = 2.399; A-C-T-C-C-C-C-T-G-G, OR = 0.259; G-A-T-C-C-C-C-G-G-C, OR = 1.572; G-A-T-C-G-C-C-G-G-C, OR = 0.001; G-C-T-C-G-C-A-G-G-C, and OR = 2.512), and five (A-C-T-C-C-C-G, OR = 0.634; G-A-G-C-C-C-G, OR = 4.047; G-A-T-T-G-C-G, OR = 0.499; G-C-G-T-C-A-G, and OR = 7.299; G-C-T-C-C-A-G, OR = 1.434) haplotypes were significantly associated with pregnancy with chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension and HDP.

Conclusion: These variant MT alleles and their combination patterns may be used as genetic markers for predicting HDP susceptibility.
Clinical Evaluation of Two Non-Invasive Genetic Tests for Detection and Monitoring of Urothelial Carcinoma: Validation of UroVysion and Xpert Bladder Cancer Detection Test
Authors: Kavcic Niko , Peric Ivan , Zagorac Andreja , Kokalj Vokac Nadja
Published: June 2022

A variety of commercially available urinary molecular markers have been introduced for detecting and monitoring urothelial carcinoma (UC). We prospectively evaluated the UroVysionTM Bladder Cancer Kit (FISH) and the Xpert® Bladder Cancer Detection (Xpert) test. Both tests were performed on voided urine samples after negative cystoscopy and negative abdominal ultrasound (US) and/or negative computed tomography urography (CTU). Urine specimens from 156 patients diagnosed with hematuria and suspected of having UC and 48 patients followed up after treatment of UC were analyzed using FISH and Xpert. Among 204 patients, 20 had UC, 11 located in the bladder, six in the ureter, and three in the renal pelvis. FISH had an overall sensitivity (SN) of 78%, a specificity (SP) of 93%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%. Xpert had an overall SN of 90%, an SP of 85%, and an NPV of 98%. Both tests had high SN, SP, and NPV. The SP of FISH was significantly higher. By using FISH and Xpert in addition to cystoscopy, renal and bladder US, and/or CTU in the diagnostic workup of patients with hematuria and follow-up after transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), a substantial number of patients (10%) otherwise missed were discovered to have UC.
Novel Hypoxia-Associated Gene Signature Depicts Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Predicts Prognosis of Colon Cancer Patients
Authors: Xu Yixin , Cao Can , Zhu Ziyan , Wang Yibo , Tan Yulin , Xu Xuezhong
Published: June 2022

Hypoxia, a typical hallmark of numerous tumors, indicates poor infiltration of antitumor lymphocytes, as well as facilitates the development, progression, and drug resistance of malignant cells. Here, the present research was performed to identify novel hypoxia-related molecular markers and their correlation to the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in colon cancer. The expression of hypoxia-related gene signature was extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) COAD cohort. Based on this signature, a risk score model was constructed using the Lasso regression model. Its discrimination ability and stability were validated in another independent cohort (GSE17536) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Moreover, molecular biology experiments (quantitative real-time PCR and multiple immunohistochemistry) were performed to validate the results of bioinformatics analyses. Three hub genes, including PPFIA4, SERPINE1, and STC2, were chosen to build the risk score model. All of these genes were increasingly expressed in the hypoxia subgroup (HS). Compared with the normoxia subgroup (NS), HS had worse pathological features (T, N, M, and stage) and overall survival (OS), more expression of immune checkpoint molecules, poorer infiltration of some pro-inflammation immune cells (CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells), and enriched infiltration of M0/M2 macrophages. After the risk model was proven to be valuable and stable, a nomogram was built based on this model and some clinicopathological factors. Moreover, it had been identified that three hub genes were all increasingly expressed in hypoxic conditions by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results of multiple immunohistochemistry (mIHC) also showed that higher expression of hub genes was associated with poorer infiltration of pro-inflammation immune cells (CD8+ T cells and M1 macrophages) and richer infiltration of anti-inflammation immune cells (Treg cells and M2 macrophages). In conclusion, the present study uncovered the relations among hypoxia, TIME, and clinicopathological features of colon cancer. It might provide new insight and a potential therapeutic target for immunotherapy.
Protective Effects of Engineered Lactobacillus crispatus on Intrauterine Adhesions in Mice via Delivering CXCL12
Authors: Kong Yao , Liu Zhaoxia , Xiao Qin , Wu Fei , Hu Lijuan , Deng Xiaorong , Chen Tingtao
Published: June 2022

Endometrial injury is the main cause of intrauterine adhesions (IUA), and there is currently no effective prevention and treatment. Immune cells play an important role in damage repair by sensing the change in the microenvironment. Exogenous CXCL12 can promote tissue regeneration and repair by recruiting immune cells, but its effect and possible mechanism on endometrial regeneration and repair have not been reported. In the present study, we constructed an engineered a Lactobacillus crispatus strain by transforming a pMG36e plasmid carrying a CXCL12 gene into the bacterium, and developed two animal models, the intrauterine adhesion mice with or without diabetes to evaluate the positive effects of this strain on the prevention of IUA after accepting intrauterine surgery in normal and diabetic mice. The results showed that vaginal application of L. crispatus-pMG36e-mCXCL12 strains significantly diminished the levels of pro-inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum and uterine tissues of IUA mice, and resulted in the inhibition of the inflammatory (toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κb, TLR4/NF-κB) and fibrotic (transforming growth factor-β1/smads, TGF-β1/Smads) signalling pathways in the uterine tissues. The high-throughput sequencing results further indicated that treatment with L. crispatus-pMG36e-mCXCL12 strains greatly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and reduced that of the pathogenic Klebsiella spp. in IUA mice. Furthermore, among intrauterine adhesion mice with diabetes, we obtained similar results to non-diabetic mice, that is, L.crispatus-pMG36e-mCXCL12 significantly improved fibrosis and inflammation in the uterine cavity of diabetic mice, and restored the vaginal microbiota balance in diabetic mice. Therefore, we speculated that vaginal administration of L. crispatus-pMG36e-mCXCL12 strains can effectively alleviate intrauterine adhesions by restoring the microbial balance and reducing inflammation and fibrosis caused by surgery.