bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O atuar da equipe de saúde no manejo do delirium em idosos: análise segundo Freire
Authors: Longhi Fabiana Amaral , Giroti Suellen Karina de Oliveira , Haddad Maria do Carmo Fernandez Lourenço , Carreira Lígia , Dellaroza Mara Solange Gomes
Published: March 2022

Identificar a opinião da equipe de enfermagem quanto à equipe de saúde e familiares envolvidos no manejo do delirium no idoso. Estudo exploratório, descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas realizada com 28 profissionais de enfermagem de uma unidade clínica num hospital de nível terciário, na Região Sul. Os dados foram categorizados através da técnica de análise de conteúdo com apoio do software NVivo ® e discutidos à luz do pensar de Paulo Freire. Emergiram três categorias temáticas: “Atuação junto com a interdisciplinaridade”; “O contexto da família relacionado ao cuidado do idoso com delirium” e “Limitação estrutural do processo de trabalho da equipe de enfermagem no manejo do delirium”. Há necessidade de que os profissionais de todas as áreas envolvidas no cuidado do idoso com delirium conheçam as ações específicas de cada um no controle e prevenção do distúrbio, inclusive o papel dos familiares. Essa constatação está de acordo com o pensamento de Paulo Freire, para quem o profissional precisa progredir de uma consciência ingênua sobre seu trabalho e ambiente para ter uma consciência crítica sobre sua realidade, reconhecendo seu campo de trabalho e suas ações, para assim ser possível transformar sua prática.
Prevalência dos erros inatos do metabolismo detectados pela triagem neonatal no estado do Piauí, Brasil: 2013-2019
Authors: Aguiar Maria Rikelly Frota , Silva Sandiely Santos da , Furtado Denis Romulo Leite , Melo Júnior Lenilson do Nascimento , Nascimento Motta Fábio , Canalle Renata
Published: March 2022

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de Erros Inatos do Metabolismo (EIM) detectados pela triagem neonatal no estado do Piauí no período de 2013 a 2019. Métodos: Dispomos de informações como distribuição dos dados mensalmente, etnia e sexo. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, quantitativa e transversal, baseado em uma análise do banco de dados do Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública Dr Costa Alvarenga - LACEN, verificando os anos decorrentes da implementação de acordo com a portaria de cada EIM. Resultados: Foram 270.378 recém-nascidos triados de 2013 a 2019. No período de estudo, foram obtidas as seguintes prevalências: DB 1:48, somente em 2019; HAC 1:184, somente em 2019; HC 1:185, com dados coletados no período de estudo 2013 a 2019; FC 1:242, de 2014 a 2019; traço falciforme 1:946; doença falciforme 1:1.507; alfa talassemia 1:233.611 nas Hemoglobinopatias, de 2014 a 2019; PKU 1:2.481, com dados coletados no período de 2013 a 2019. Conclusão: Nessa análise percebeu-se que no estado do Piauí tem prevalências altas na maioria das doenças analisadas, o que aumenta a importância da atenção para esses dados, para futuras atitudes públicas de saúde para o melhor manejo dessas doenças como: diagnóstico preciso e tratamento precoce.
Factors affecting the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): A review
Authors: Kumar Satish , Chaves Maiana Silva , Silva Ana Flávia Bezerra , Vale William Gomes , Negreiros Natanael Aguiar Braga , Arcce Irving Mitchell Laines , Melo Luciana Magalhães , Freitas Vicente José de Figueirêdo
Published: March 2022

Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos is a supplementary technique for in vivo and in vitro embryo production. In the last decade, the technique has been improved but did not achieve a satisfactory commercial level. Also, the results were variable. The pregnancy and live birth rates were 16 to 52% and 5.3 to 26.9% after implantation of vitrified embryos, respectively (from the year 1993 to 2020). In final consideration, the quality of oocytes and embryos is the most important factor to obtain better results after cryopreservation. The addition of antioxidant and lipid-depleting agents to the medium is a factor that improves cryogenic tolerance. Additionally, two-step vitrification is a reliable method for cryopreservation. Studying epigenetic effects and introducing lipidomic, transcriptomic and proteomic technologies can help improve this technology.
Relações interespecíficas da família Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura): registro de necrofagia envolvendo a espécie Rhinella diptycha (Cope, 1862)
Authors: Costa Rafael Dioni Leandro , Brito Wenner Justino Bezerra de
Published: March 2022

O estudo comportamental é fundamental para melhorar a compreensão da história natural das espécies, principalmente quando envolve organismos predadores que são peças essenciais na estruturação de comunidades biológicas. Tratando-se dos anfíbios anuros, já se tem relatos de algumas espécies que tendem a apresentar comportamentos generalistas e oportunistas, sendo os anfíbios da família Bufonidae bons representantes para evidenciar comportamentos desse caráter. Portanto, objetivou-se com a presente comunicação descrever um evento inédito envolvendo o ato necrófago para a espécie R. diptycha em ambiente urbano, sendo este um comportamento incomum para anfíbios anuros. Juntamente ao relato, foi realizada uma compilação de eventos envolvendo interações predador/presa com anfíbios, sendo possível evidenciar a família Bufonidae como a mais representativa entre as que foram amostradas.
Radiographic study of the rhizogenesis in Brazilian adolescents and its contribution to dental age estimation
Authors: Pontes Marcia de Amorim , Bortolami Priscilla Belandrino , Oliveira Gabriella Bernardo de , Santana Vitor Felipe Gato , Franco Raquel Porto Alegre Valente , Silva Edhuin Victor Candia da , Figueiredo Francine Kuhl Panzarella de , Junqueira Jose Luiz Cintra , Franco Ademir
Published: March 2022

When applied to the examination of the living, methods for dental age estimation are based on clinical (visual or direct) or radiographic (radiographic or indirect) analyses. Two-dimensional (2D) techniques, such as panoramic radiography, or three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities, such as cone-beam computed tomography, enable the visualization of multiple anatomical structures simultaneously. The development of each structure contributes to the age estimation process by providing age information. This study tested the performance of age information from rhizogenesis for age estimation. The sample consisted of panoramic radiographs of 568 female (n = 284) and male (n = 284) individuals, aged between 12 and 17.99 years. Tooth development was classified according to Demirjian et al. (1973) technique, and the age was calculated with the method of Willems et al. (2001). The average chronological age of each individual was compared with the estimated dental age, allowing the quantification of the error of the method for each age group at intervals of one year each. For both sexes, there was an overestimation of the chronological age in the age group of 12 |— 14.99 years, while age was underestimated in the age group of 16 |— 17.99 years (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant differences between sexes were observed in the age group of 15 |— 17.99 years (p < 0.05). The increasing error of the method in the late stages of root formation suggests that age information from the scarce remaining apical development of the permanent dentition may not be appropriate enough for sufficiently accurate forensic examinations.
Imaging Tumour Metabolism - From Mouse to Man
Authors: Brindle Kevin
Published: March 2022

By imaging the metabolism of a tumour we can potentially determine likely disease prognosis as well as detect very early responses to treatment, which can then be used to tailor treatment to the individual patient.
Integrin Regulated Autoimmune Disorders: Understanding the Role of Mechanical Force in Autoimmunity
Authors: Banerjee Souradeep , Nara Ritika , Chakraborty Soham , Chowdhury Debojyoti , Haldar Shubhasis
Published: March 2022

The pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders is multifactorial, where immune cell migration, adhesion, and lymphocyte activation play crucial roles in its progression. These immune processes are majorly regulated by adhesion molecules at cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell–cell junctions. Integrin, a transmembrane focal adhesion protein, plays an indispensable role in these immune cell mechanisms. Notably, integrin is regulated by mechanical force and exhibit bidirectional force transmission from both the ECM and cytosol, regulating the immune processes. Recently, integrin mechanosensitivity has been reported in different immune cell processes; however, the underlying mechanics of these integrin-mediated mechanical processes in autoimmunity still remains elusive. In this review, we have discussed how integrin-mediated mechanotransduction could be a linchpin factor in the causation and progression of autoimmune disorders. We have provided an insight into how tissue stiffness exhibits a positive correlation with the autoimmune diseases’ prevalence. This provides a plausible connection between mechanical load and autoimmunity. Overall, gaining insight into the role of mechanical force in diverse immune cell processes and their dysregulation during autoimmune disorders will open a new horizon to understand this physiological anomaly.
The Viable But Non-Culturable State of Listeria monocytogenes in the One-Health Continuum
Authors: Lotoux Aurélie , Milohanic Eliane , Bierne Hélène
Published: March 2022

Many bacterial species, including several pathogens, can enter a so-called “viable but non-culturable” (VBNC) state when subjected to stress. Bacteria in the VBNC state are metabolically active but have lost their ability to grow on standard culture media, which compromises their detection by conventional techniques based on bacterial division. Under certain conditions, VBNC bacteria can regain their growth capacity and, for pathogens, their virulence potential, through a process called resuscitation. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the VBNC state of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium responsible for listeriosis, one of the most dangerous foodborne zoonosis. After a brief summary of characteristics of VBNC bacteria, we highlight work on VBNC Lm in the environment and in agricultural and food industry settings, with particular emphasis on the impact of antimicrobial treatments. We subsequently discuss recent data suggesting that Lm can enter the VBNC state in the host, raising the possibility that VBNC forms contribute to the asymptomatic carriage of this pathogen in wildlife, livestock and even humans. We also consider the resuscitation and virulence potential of VBNC Lm and the danger posed by these bacteria to at-risk individuals, particularly pregnant women. Overall, we put forth the hypothesis that VBNC forms contribute to adaptation, persistence, and transmission of Lm between different ecological niches in the One-Health continuum, and suggest that screening for healthy carriers, using alternative techniques to culture-based enrichment methods, should better prevent listeriosis risks.
SPR741, Double- or Triple-Combined With Erythromycin and Clarithromycin, Combats Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Its Biofilms, and Persister Cells
Authors: She Pengfei , Liu Yaqian , Xu Lanlan , Li Yimin , Li Zehao , Liu Shasha , Hussain Zubair , Wu Yong
Published: March 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a major clinical and public health threat owing to the increasing prevalence of healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant strains. However, increasing antibiotic resistance and the absence of clinically effective antimicrobial agents make combination therapy an urgent need. This study investigated the anti-microbial activity of SPR741, a polymyxin B derivative, in combination with macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin and clarithromycin), against extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. Monotherapy, double, and triple combination therapies were performed to identify the most effective treatment combination using in vitro checkerboard, time-killing kinetics. Furthermore, we evaluated the biofilm eradication and persister cell-killing activity of these combinations using laser confocal microscopy and colony forming unit counting. In addition, a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model was used to assess the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of the triple antibiotic combination against pandrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in vivo. Our results suggested that SPR741 combined with macrolides exhibited strong synergistic antibacterial activity against extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. These antibiotic combinations could also effectively eradicate highly resistant bacterial biofilms and persister cells in vitro and demonstrate considerable efficacy and low toxicity in vivo. In summary, our findings indicated that SPR741, in combination with macrolide antibiotics (double or triple combination), has the potential to serve as a novel treatment option against drug-resistant K. pneumoniae -related infections.
Characterizing and Evaluating Diurnal Salivary Uric Acid Across Pregnancy Among Healthy Women
Authors: Riis Jenna L. , Cook Stephanie H. , Letourneau Nicole , Campbell Tavis , Granger Douglas A. , Giesbrecht Gerald F.
Published: March 2022

Uric acid levels during pregnancy have been examined as a potential indicator of risk for gestational diabetes mellites, hypertension, and related adverse birth outcomes. However, evidence supporting the utility of serum uric acid levels in predicting poor maternal and fetal health has been mixed. The lack of consistent findings may be due to limitations inherent in serum-based biomeasure evaluations, such as minimal repeated assessments and variability in the timing of these assessments. To address these gaps, we examined repeated measurements of diurnal salivary uric acid (sUA) levels in a sample of 44 healthy women across early-mid and late pregnancy. We assessed potential covariates and confounds of sUA levels and diurnal trajectories, as well as associations between maternal weight gain and blood pressure during pregnancy and sUA concentrations. Using multilevel linear models, we found sUA increased across pregnancy and displayed a robust diurnal pattern with the highest concentrations at waking, a steep decline in the early morning, and decreasing levels across the day. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, age, prior-night sleep duration, and fetal sex were associated with sUA levels and/or diurnal slopes. Maternal blood pressure and gestational weight gain also showed significant associations with sUA levels across pregnancy. Our results expand upon those found with serum UA measurements. Further, they demonstrate the feasibility of using at-home, minimally-invasive saliva sampling procedures to track UA levels across pregnancy with potential applications for the long-term monitoring of maternal cardiometabolic risk.
Peroxiredoxin 6 Modulates Insulin Secretion and Beta Cell Death via a Mitochondrial Dynamic Network
Authors: Pacifici Francesca , Della-Morte David , Capuani Barbara , Coppola Andrea , Scioli Maria Giovanna , Donadel Giulia , Andreadi Aikaterini , Ciccosanti Fabiola , Fimia Gian Maria , Bellia Alfonso , Orlandi Augusto , Lauro Davide
Published: March 2022

In pancreatic beta cells, mitochondrial metabolism controls glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by ATP production, redox signaling, and calcium (Ca2+) handling. Previously, we demonstrated that knockout mice for peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6-/-), an antioxidant enzyme with both peroxidase and phospholipase A2 activity, develop a mild form of diabetes mellitus with a reduction in GSIS and in peripheral insulin sensitivity. However, whether the defect of GSIS present in these mice is directly modulated by Prdx6 is unknown. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to evaluate if depletion of Prdx6 affects directly GSIS and pancreatic beta β-cell function. Murine pancreatic β-cell line (βTC6) knockdown for Prdx6 (Prdx6KD) was employed, and insulin secretion, ATP, and intracellular Ca2+ content were assessed in response to glucose stimulation. Mitochondrial morphology and function were also evaluated through electron microscopy, and by testing mitochondrial membrane potential, oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial mass. Prdx6KD cells showed a significant reduction in GSIS as confirmed by decrease in both ATP release and Ca2+ influx. GSIS alteration was also demonstrated by a marked impairment of mitochondrial morphology and function. These latest are mainly linked to mitofusin downregulation, which are, in turn, strictly related to mitochondrial homeostasis (by regulating autophagy) and cell fate (by modulating apoptosis). Following a pro-inflammatory stimulus (typical of diabetic subjects), and in agreement with the deregulation of mitofusin steady-state levels, we also observed an enhancement in apoptotic death in Prdx6KD compared to control cells. We analyzed molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis, and we further demonstrated that Prdx6 suppression activates both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, ultimately leading to caspase 3 and PARP-1 activation. In conclusion, Prdx6 is the first antioxidant enzyme, in pancreatic β-cells, that by controlling mitochondrial homeostasis plays a pivotal role in GSIS modulation.
High Serum AST/ALT Ratio and Low Serum INS*PA Product Are Risk Factors and Can Diagnose Sarcopenia in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: He Yong , Ding Fing , Yin Mengting , Zhang He , Hou Lisha , Cui Tao , Xu Jinfeng , Yue Jirong , Zheng Qin
Published: March 2022

Background

Sarcopenia is an age-related clinical condition and associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. However, to date, there is no global standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia, and fewer serum biomarkers have been suggested for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. It is, thus, important that sarcopenia-related serological diagnostic markers be explored. The present study was based on the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria to assess whether aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and fasting insulin*prealbumin (INS*PA) product are diagnostic markers associated with sarcopenia in various ethnic groups in western China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 4,099 adults (1,471 men and 2,628 women) from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. The value of serum biomarkers was based on laboratory data. The accompanying metabolic disorders and the associated parameters were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between markers and sarcopenia. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the test in differentiating sarcopenia.

Results

Binary regression analysis showed that high serum AST/ALT (OR = 2.247) and adrenal cortisol (PTC, OR = 1.511), low serum INS*PA (OR = 2.970), free triiodothyronine (FT3, OR = 1.313), 25-OH-VitD (VitD, in male participants, OR = 1.817), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, in female subjects, OR = 1.250) were independent risk factors for sarcopenia (P < 0.05). AST/ALT and INS*PA were not affected by metabolic factors and had better diagnostic efficacy for sarcopenia. The AUC of the INS*PA was the highest (0.705, 0.706, and 0.701, respectively, P < 0.05), followed by that of the AST/ALT (0.680, 0.675, and 0.695, respectively, P < 0.05). The AUC of the AST/ALT/(INS*PA)*10,000 used to diagnose sarcopenia was 0.727.

Conclusion

Among middle-aged and older adults of multiple ethnicities in western China, we found that higher AST/ALT and lower INS*PA levels are associated with an increased prevalence of sarcopenia. Since these serum biomarkers are inexpensive and can be obtained easily from biochemical routine, regular follow-up of AST/ALT and INS*PA may be an effective strategy in sarcopenia screening and management.
N6-Methyladenosine-Related Gene Signature Associated With Monocyte Infiltration Is Clinically Significant in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Du Runyu , Li Ling , Wang Yanjun
Published: March 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to reveal the potential crosstalk between immune infiltration and N6- methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the placentas of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to construct a model for the diagnosis of GDM.

Methods

We analyzed imbalanced immune infiltration and differentially expressed m6A-related genes (DMRGs) in the placentas of patients with GDM, based on the GSE70493 dataset. An immune-related DMRG signature, with significant classifying power and diagnostic value, was identified using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Based on the selected DMRGs, we developed and validated a nomogram model using GSE70493 and GSE92772 as the training and validation sets, respectively.

Results

Infiltration of monocytes was higher in GDM placentas than in control samples, while the infiltration of macrophages (M1 and M2) in GDM placentas was lower than in controls. A total of 14 DMRGs were strongly associated with monocyte infiltration, seven of which were significant in distinguishing patients with GDM from normal controls. These genes were CD81, CFH, FABP5, GBP1, GNG11, IL1RL1, and SLAMF6. The calibration curve, decision curve, clinical impact curve, and receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the nomogram recognized GDM with high accuracy in both the training and validation sets.

Conclusions

Our results provide clues that crosstalk between m6A modification and immune infiltration may have implications in terms of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GDM.
Redox Homeostasis in Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of Mitochondrial Sirtuins
Authors: Zullo Alberto , Guida Rosa , Sciarrillo Rosaria , Mancini Francesco P.
Published: March 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite successful advances in both pharmacological and lifestyle strategies to fight well-established risk factors, the burden of CVD is still increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to further deepen our knowledge of the pathogenesis of the disease for developing novel therapies to limit even more its related morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress has been identified as a common trait of several manifestations of CVD and could be a promising target for innovative treatments. Mitochondria are a major source of oxidative stress and sirtuins are a family of enzymes that generate different post-translational protein modifications, thus regulating important cellular processes, including cell cycle, autophagy, gene expression, and others. In particular, three sirtuins, SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5 are located within the mitochondrial matrix where they regulate energy production and antioxidant pathways. Therefore, these sirtuins are strongly involved in the balance between oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the activities of these sirtuins with a special focus on their role in the control of oxidative stress, in relation to energy metabolism, atherosclerosis, and CVD.
Congenital Hypothyroidism in Preterm Newborns – The Challenges of Diagnostics and Treatment: A Review
Authors: Klosinska Martyna , Kaczynska Agnieszka , Ben-Skowronek Iwona
Published: March 2022

Preterm newborns are forced to adapt to harsh extrauterine conditions and endure numerous adversities despite their incomplete growth and maturity. The inadequate thyroid hormones secretion as well as the impaired regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis may lead to hypothyroxinemia. Two first weeks after birth are pivotal for brain neurons development, synaptogenesis and gliogenesis. The decreased level of thyroxine regardless of cause may lead to delayed mental development. Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a disorder highly prevalent in premature neonates and it originates from maternal factors, perinatal and labor complications, genetic abnormalities, thyroid malformations as well as side effects of medications and therapeutic actions. Because of that, the prevention is not fully attainable. CH manifests clinically in a few distinctive forms: primary, permanent or transient, and secondary. Their etiologies and implications bear little resemblance. Therefore, the exact diagnosis and differentiation between the subtypes of CH are crucial in order to plan an effective treatment. Hypothyroxinemia of prematurity indicates dynamic changes in thyroid hormone levels dependent on neonatal postmenstrual age, which directly affects patient’s maintenance and wellbeing. The basis of a successful treatment relies on an early and accurate diagnosis. Neonatal screening is a recommended method of detecting CH in preterm newborns. The preferred approach involves testing serum TSH and fT4 concentrations and assessing their levels according to the cut-off values. The possible benefits also include the evaluation of CH subtype. Nevertheless, the reference range of thyroid hormones varies all around the world and impedes the introduction of universal testing recommendations. Unification of the methodology in neonatal screening would be advantageous for prevention and management of CH. Current guidelines recommend levothyroxine treatment of CH in preterm infants only when the diagnose is confirmed. Moreover, they underline the importance of the re-evaluation among preterm born infants due to the frequency of transient forms of hypothyroidism. However, results from multiple clinical trials are mixed and depend on the newborn’s gestational age at birth. Some benefits of treatment are seen especially in the preterm infants born <29 weeks’ gestation. The discrepancies among trials and guidelines create an urgent need to conduct more large sample size studies that could provide further analyses and consensus. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on congenital hypothyroidism in preterm infants. We discuss screening and treatment options and demonstrate present challenges and controversies.
Research on Lightning Overvoltage of Oil-Gas Pipeline Caused by Lightning Strikes on Adjacent Electrical Transmission Line
Authors: Hu Shangmao , Hu Yuanchao , Wang Jing , An Yunzhu , Liu Gang , Liu Zhixiang , Cheng Yan
Published: March 2022

As natural lightning strikes on a transmission tower, lightning current will flow along grounding lines into the adjacent tower grounding grid. As lightning current is dispersed from the tower grounding grid into the soil, a lightning overvoltage may be produced on adjacent pipelines. In this paper, the lightning current shunt characteristics in multi-tower scenarios are calculated by simulation method under different soil resistivity conditions. Then, based on the lightning current shunt characteristics, the current dispersion process among multi-tower grounding grids and the pipeline is analyzed with different soil resistivities, gap distances, and lightning current amplitudes. Finally, the protective effect of “drain wire” and “forced commutation” on pipeline overvoltage are compared. Simulation results showed that with increasing soil resistivity, tower grounding resistance was increased and tower shunt coefficient decreased. Considering lightning current through the multi-tower grounding grids, pipeline overvoltage is much larger than that of a single tower. Pipeline overvoltage is increased with soil resistivity and lightning current amplitude, while it is decreased with “pipeline-line” distance. Both “drain wire” method and “forced commutation” method can effectively reduce pipeline potential.
Greening the Workforce: A Strategic Way to Spur the Environmental Performance in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Nisar Qasim Ali , Akbar Ahsan , Naz Shumaila , Haider Syed Arslan , Poulova Petra , Hai Mahnoor Abdul
Published: March 2022

The study examines the effect of green human resource management (GHRM) on the environmental performance of hotels. It also investigates the crucial role of pro-environmental psychological capital, psychological green climate, and pro-environmental behaviors to enhance the environmental performance. The target population consisted of green hotel employees. Data collected using a survey questionnaire from 374 employees were subjected to partial least squares structural equation modeling for analysis. As per the findings, green human resource practices (green training and development, green performance management and appraisal, and green empowerment) are significant predictors for pro-environmental psychological capital, which further contributes positively toward the psychological green climate. It was also found that the psychological green climate is positively related to pro-environmental behaviors. Findings revealed that employees’ pro-environmental behaviors play a significant role to enhance the environmental performance of hotels. Moreover, it is indicated that green HRM practices indirectly contribute to environmental performance through pro-environmental psychological capital, psychological green climate, and pro-environmental behaviors. This study is one of the few attempts to integrate the green HRM practices with pro-environmental psychological capital, green climate, and pro-environmental behaviors to predict the environmental performance in hotels. It examines the moderating role of environmental consciousness that was almost ignored. This study is important for hotels that are trying to adopt green HR practices. It provided several suggestions to the practitioners while making the strategy to promote environmental performance with the help of green HR practices through various ways. It also assists the hotel management to enhance pro-environmental psychological capital by promoting green recruitment and selection, green training and development, green performance management and appraisal, and green empowerment for the promotion of environmental performance.
The Role of Racial and Ethnic Factors in MicroRNA Expression and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Flowers Elena , Kanaya Alka M. , Zhang Li , Aouizerat Bradley E.
Published: March 2022

Prior studies focused on circulating microRNAs and the risk for complex diseases have shown inconsistent findings. The majority of studies focused on European and East Asian racial or ethnic groups, however, ancestry was not typically reported. We evaluated the risk for type 2 diabetes as an exemplar to show that race and ethnic group may contribute to inconsistent validation of previous findings of associations with microRNAs.
The Presence of Vacuolated Kupffer Cells Raises a Clinical Suspicion of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C in Neonatal Cholestasis
Authors: Wang Neng-Li , Chen Lian , Lu Yi , Xie Xin-Bao , Lin Jing , Abuduxikuer Kuerbanjiang , Wang Jian-She
Published: March 2022

Early diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) in neonatal cholestasis is still challenging because splenomegaly is non-specific and oxysterol profiling studies also have a relatively low specificity. This study explores a method for identifying infants with a high clinical suspicion of NP-C in neonatal cholestasis. We reviewed the clinical findings of 9 neonatal cholestatic infants with NP-C genetically diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2020. Seven underwent liver biopsy at ages ranging from 35 to 112 d. Foam cells were only detected in 2 (28.6%, 2/7) liver tissues obtained beyond 3 months of age. However, vacuolated Kupffer cells were detected in all 7 liver tissues. Their significance was explored by using 168 neonatal cholestatic infants, who underwent genetic tests and liver biopsy between January 2018 and December 2020. Of them, 26 detected vacuolated Kupffer cells. Six (23.1%, 6/26) were diagnosed as NP-C, comparing to none of the 142 neonatal cholestatic infants without vacuolated Kupffer cells (χ2 = 33.983, p < 0.001). The ratio of positive diagnosis of NP-C was 31.6% (6/19) in neonatal cholestatic infants with both vacuolated Kupffer cells and splenomegaly. Therefore, we conclude that the presence of vacuolated Kupffer cells can raise a high clinical suspicion of NP-C in neonatal cholestatic infants, especially in those with splenomegaly.
Evaluation of Spike Protein Epitopes by Assessing the Dynamics of Humoral Immune Responses in Moderate COVID-19
Authors: Chen Lingyun , Pang Pengfei , Qi Huan , Yan Keqiang , Ren Yan , Ma Mingliang , Cao Ruyin , Li Hua , Hu Chuansheng , Li Yang , Xia Jun , Lai Danyun , Dong Yuliang , Jiang Hewei , Zhang Hainan , Shan Hong , Tao Shengce , Liu Siqi
Published: March 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 is a major target for diagnosis and vaccine development because of its essential role in viral infection and host immunity. Currently, time-dependent responses of humoral immune system against various S protein epitopes are poorly understood. In this study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), peptide microarray, and antibody binding epitope mapping (AbMap) techniques were used to systematically analyze the dynamic changes of humoral immune responses against the S protein in a small cohort of moderate COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized for approximately two months after symptom onset. Recombinant truncated S proteins, target S peptides, and random peptides were used as antigens in the analyses. The assays demonstrated the dynamic IgM- and IgG recognition and reactivity against various S protein epitopes with patient-dependent patterns. Comprehensive analysis of epitope distribution along the spike gene sequence and spatial structure of the homotrimer S protein demonstrated that most IgM- and IgG-reactive peptides were clustered into similar genomic regions and were located at accessible domains. Seven S peptides were generally recognized by IgG antibodies derived from serum samples of all COVID-19 patients. The dynamic immune recognition signals from these seven S peptides were comparable to those of the entire S protein or truncated S1 protein. This suggested that the humoral immune system recognized few conserved S protein epitopes in most COVID-19 patients during the entire duration of humoral immune response after symptom onset. Furthermore, in this cohort, individual patients demonstrated stable immune recognition to certain S protein epitopes throughout their hospitalization period. Therefore, the dynamic characteristics of humoral immune responses to S protein have provided valuable information for accurate diagnosis and immunotherapy of COVID-19 patients.
Predicting Blood Parasite Load and Influence of Expression of iNOS on the Effect Size of Clinical Laboratory Parameters in Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection With Different Inoculum Concentrations in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Rodrigues Wellington Francisco , Miguel Camila Botelho , Marques Laís Corrêa , da Costa Thiago Alvares , de Abreu Melissa Carvalho Martins , Oliveira Carlo José Freire , Lazo-Chica Javier Emilio
Published: March 2022

In Chagas disease, the initial responses of phagocyte-mediated innate immunity are strongly associated with the control ofTrypanosoma cruziand are mediated by various signaling pathways, including the inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) pathway. The clinical and laboratory manifestations of Chagas disease depend on the parasite–host relationship, i.e., the responsive capacity of the host immune system and the immunogenicity of the parasite. Here, we evaluated effect sizes in clinical and laboratory parameters mediated by acute infection with different concentrations ofT. cruziinoculum in mice immunosuppressedviaiNOS pathway inactivation. Infection was induced in C57BL/6 wild-type and iNOS-/-mice with the “Y” strain ofT. cruziat three inoculum concentrations (3 × 102, 3 × 103, and 3 × 104). Parasitemia and mortality in both mouse strains were monitored. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify amastigotes in cardiac tissues and cardiac musculature cells. Biochemical parameters, such as blood urea nitrogen, sodium, albumin, and globulin concentrations, among others, were measured, and cytokine concentrations were also measured. Effect sizes were determined by the eta squared formula. Compared with that in wild-type animals, mice with an absence of iNOS expression demonstrated a greater parasite load, with earlier infection and a delayed parasitemia peak. Inoculum concentration was positively related to death in the immunosuppressed subgroup. Nineteen parameters (hematological, biochemical, cytokine-related, and histopathological) in the immunocompetent subgroup and four in the immunosuppressed subgroup were associated with parasitemia. Parasitemia, biochemical parameters, and hematological parameters were found to be predictors in the knockout group. The impact of effect sizes on the markers evaluated based onT. cruziinoculum concentration was notably high in the immunocompetent group (Cohen’sd= 88.50%;p<.001). These findings contribute to the understanding of physiopathogenic mechanisms underlyingT. cruziinfection and also indicate the influence of the concentration ofT. cruziduring infection and the immunosuppression through the iNOS pathway in clinical laboratory heterogeneity reported in acute Chagas disease.
In-Depth Molecular Profiling Specifies Human Retinal Microglia Identity
Authors: Wolf Julian , Boneva Stefaniya , Rosmus Dennis-Dominik , Agostini Hansjürgen , Schlunck Günther , Wieghofer Peter , Schlecht Anja , Lange Clemens
Published: March 2022

Microglia are the tissue-resident macrophages of the retina and brain, being critically involved in organ development, tissue homeostasis, and response to cellular damage. Until now, little is known about the molecular signature of human retinal microglia and how it differs from the one of brain microglia and peripheral monocytes. In addition, it is not yet clear to what extent murine retinal microglia resemble those of humans, which represents an important prerequisite for translational research. The present study applies fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate human retinal microglia from enucleated eyes and compares their transcriptional profile with the one of whole retinal tissue, human brain microglia as well as classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes. Finally, human retinal microglia are compared to murine retinal microglia, isolated fromCx3cr1GFP/+mice. Whereas human retinal microglia exhibited a high grade of similarity in comparison to their counterparts in the brain, several enriched genes were identified in retinal microglia when compared to whole retinal tissue, as well as classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes. In relation to whole retina sequencing, several risk genes associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) were preferentially expressed in retinal microglia, indicating their potential pathophysiological involvement. Although a high degree of similarity was observed between human and murine retinal microglia, several species-specific genes were identified, which should be kept in mind when employing mouse models to investigate retinal microglia biology. In summary, this study provides detailed insights into the molecular profile of human retinal microglia, identifies a plethora of tissue-specific and species-specific genes in comparison to human brain microglia and murine retinal microglia, and thus highlights the significance of retinal microglia in human retinal diseases and for translational research approaches.
Influence of CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 Genotypes on Recurrence of Plasmodium vivax
Authors: Cardoso Jaiana L. M. , Salazar Yanka E. A. R. , Almeida Anne C. G. , Barbosa Laila R. A. , Silva Emanuelle L. , Rodrigues Maria Gabriela Almeida , Rodrigues-Soares Fernanda , Sampaio Vanderson S. , Siqueira André M. , Lacerda Marcus V. G. , Monteiro Wuelton M. , Melo Gisely C.
Published: March 2022

Background

The influence of the CYPs (cytochrome P-450) in the success of antimalarial therapy remains uncertain. In this study, the association of CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms and predicted phenotypes with malaria recurrence was investigated.

Methods

After diagnosis of vivax malaria, individuals treated at a reference center in Manaus were followed up for 180 days. Patients were separated into two groups: a recurrence group and a non-recurrence group. Genotyping of CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 was performed using a TaqMan™ assay and real-time PCR.

Findings

The frequencies of decreased-function and normal-function alleles and phenotypes for all CYPs were similar between the groups, except for the CYP2D6*2xN allele (p=0.047) and the CYP2D6 gUM phenotype (p=0.057), which were more frequent in individuals without recurrence. Despite this, the CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 genotypes had no association with an increased risk of recurrence. CYPs polymorphisms also had no influence in parasite clearance, neither in the time nor the number of recurrence episodes. MAIN

Conclusion

This prospective cohort study demonstrated that CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms have no influence on malaria recurrence. Nonetheless, our findings suggest that the CYP2D6 predicted ultrarapid phenotype was less susceptible to recurrence, and that patients with the CYP2D6 gUM phenotype are less susceptible to primaquine failure. Additional investigation of pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics are needed before implementing CYP analysis to better orientate individualized radical treatment of vivax malaria in reference centers that treat patients with multiple recurrences.
Polymeric Organo-Hydrogels: Novel Biomaterials for Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Drug Delivery Platforms
Authors: Aktas Nahit , Alpaslan Duygu , Dudu Tuba Erşen
Published: March 2022

In the recent two decades, tremendous devices and materials such as stents, biomimetic organs, scaffolds, and vessels have been developed for medical purposes. When such devices are utilized in the body, the side effects or biocompatibility of the materials have to be studied extensively. Interdisciplinary studies have reviled numerous strategies to overcome adverse body reactions against implanted devices. Besides naturally occurring materials such as collagen, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and dextran, various synthetic and modified materials such as poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(acrylamide) have been accomplished. In this context, progress in polymer science makes hydrogels a valuable candidate for those utilizations. Moreover, hydrogels received enormous attention as drug delivery devices because of their unique properties, such as soft structure and responsive capabilities based on the functional group attached. Particularly, the developments in synthetic materials have brought out numerous materials for medical and pharmaceutical applications. In recent studies, organo-hydrogels, a branch of hydrogels, have drawn considerable attention over hydrogels because of superior properties such as the coexistence of organic and aqueous phases and viscoelastic bi-phasic natures. They were prepared in bulk forms and nano-scale dimensions, which allow them to be utilized more extensively. These incredible structures provide them with extensive features to be utilized from head to toe in every aspect of health care application. In this short review, we will focus on some of the pioneering perspectives of organo-hydrogels particularly accomplished in clinical therapy and the use of their biodegradable, target-responsive properties as sensing components in novel microscale apertures.
Atorvastatin Effectively Inhibits Ancestral and Two Emerging Variants of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Authors: Zapata-Cardona María I. , Flórez-Álvarez Lizdany , Zapata-Builes Wildeman , Guerra-Sandoval Ariadna L. , Guerra-Almonacid Carlos M. , Hincapié-García Jaime , Rugeles María T. , Hernandez Juan C.
Published: March 2022

This article evaluated the in vitro antiviral effect of atorvastatin (ATV) against SARS-CoV-2 and identified the interaction affinity between this compound and two SARS-CoV-2 proteins. The antiviral activity of atorvastatin against this virus was evaluated by three different treatment strategies [(i) pre-post treatment, (ii) pre-infection treatment, and (iii) post-infection treatment] using Vero E6 and Caco-2 cells. The interaction of atorvastatin with RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) and 3CL protease (3-chymotrypsin-like protease) was evaluated by molecular docking. The CC50s (half-maximal cytotoxic concentrations) obtained for ATV were 50.3 and 64.5 μM in Vero E6 and Caco-2, respectively. This compound showed antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain in Vero E6 with median effective concentrations (EC50s) of 15.4, 12.1, and 11.1 μM by pre-post, pre-infection, and post-infection treatments, respectively. ATV also inhibited Delta and Mu variants by pre-post treatment (EC50s of 16.8 and 21.1 μM, respectively). In addition, ATV showed an antiviral effect against the D614G strain independent of the cell line (EC50 of 7.4 μM in Caco-2). The interaction of atorvastatin with SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and 3CL protease yielded a binding affinity of −6.7 kcal/mol and −7.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Our study demonstrated the in vitro antiviral activity of atorvastatin against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain and two emerging variants (Delta and Mu), with an independent effect of the cell line. A favorable binding affinity between ATV and viral proteins by bioinformatics methods was found. Due to the extensive clinical experience of atorvastatin use, it could prove valuable in the treatment of COVID-19.
Comparative Evaluation of the Salivary and Buccal Mucosal Microbiota by 16S rRNA Sequencing for Forensic Investigations
Authors: Wang Shuangshuang , Song Feng , Gu Haoyu , Wei Xiaowen , Zhang Ke , Zhou Yuxiang , Luo Haibo
Published: March 2022

The human microbiome has emerged as a new potential biomarker for forensic investigations with the development of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis during the last decade. The oral cavity has many different microbial habitats, with each habit colonized by specific and individualized microbiota. As saliva and buccal mucosa are common biological evidence in forensic science, understanding the differences of microbial communities between the two is important for forensic original identification. Moreover, the oral microbiota is individualized, whereas there are few studies on the application of forensic personal identification that need to be supplemented. In this study, Streptococcus was the most abundant genus, with an average relative abundance of 49.61% in the buccal mucosa, while in the saliva, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Neisseria had similar proportions (20%, 15%, 16%) and were the dominant genera. The α and β diversity displayed a significant distinctness between the saliva and buccal mucosal groups. The community assembly mechanism stated that the deterministic process played a more significant effect in shaping the salivary bacterial community assembly than buccal mucosa, which explained the microbial differences. Of the test samples, 93.3% can be correctly classified with the random forest model based on the microbial differences. Targeting the low-abundance bacteria at the species level, 52% of experimental participants could be discriminated by using the observed unique bacterial species. In conclusion, the salivary bacterial community composition differed from that of the buccal mucosa and showed high richness and diversity. With the random forest model, the microbiota of saliva and buccal mucosa can be classified, which can be used in identifying the source of oral biological trace. Furthermore, each individual has a unique bacterial community pattern, and the presence or absence of unique bacteria and differences in the composition of the core oral microbiota are the key points for forensic personal discrimination that supplement the study of oral microbial application to forensic personal discrimination. Whether for original identification or personal discrimination, the oral microbiome has great potential for application.