bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of TRIB3 disrupts the tumor progression induced by integrin αvβ3 in lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Wen , Ma Junjun , Meng Lifeng , Liu Dabei , Chen Jun
Published: April 2022

Background

Integrin αvβ3 has been proposed as crucial determinant for tumor sustained progression and a molecular marker for the estimation of tumor angiogenesis. Our study suggested that integrin αvβ3 could efficiently promote lung cancer cell proliferation and stem-like phenotypes in a tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) dependent manner.

Result

Integrin αvβ3 could mediate the activation of FAK/AKT pro-survival signaling pathway. Meanwhile, activated TRIB3 interacted with AKT to upregulated FOXO1 and SOX2 expression, resulting in sustained tumor progression in lung cancer. Our further analysis revealed that TRIB3 was significantly upregulated in lung tumor tissues and correlated with the poor outcome in clinical patients, indicating the potential role of TRIB3 in diagnostic and prognostic estimation for patients with lung cancer.

Conclusion

Our study showed here for the first time that integrin αvβ3 promote lung cancer development by activating the FAK/AKT/SOX2 axis in a TRIB3 dependent signaling pathway, and interrupting TRIB3/AKT interaction significantly improved the outcome of chemotherapy in tumor-bearing mice, representing a promising therapeutic strategy in lung cancer.
Retraction Note: Role of short-wavelength blue light in the formation of cataracts and the expression of caspase-1, caspase-11, Gasdermin D in rat lens epithelial cells: insights into a novel pathogenic mechanism of cataracts
Authors: Wang Yamin , Zhang Min , Sun Ying , Wang Xiaohui , Song Zhaowei , Li Huazhang , Liu Kexin , Li Zhijian
Published: April 2022

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-020-01565-z.
A national recruitment strategy for HIV-serodiscordant partners living in Canada for the Positive Plus One study: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Xi Min , Bullock Sandra , Mendelsohn Joshua B. , Iveniuk James , Moravan Veronika , Burchell Ann N. , Tan Darrell H. S. , Daftary Amrita , Thompson Tamara , Lebouché Bertrand , Bisaillon Laura , Myers Ted , Calzavara Liviana
Published: April 2022

Background

With the recent shift in focus to addressing HIV risk within relationships and couple-based interventions to prevent HIV transmission, successful recruitment of individuals involved in HIV-serodiscordant relationships is crucial. This paper evaluates methods used by the Positive Plus One (PP1) study to recruit and collect data on a diverse national sample of dyads and individuals involved in current or past HIV-serodiscordant relationships, discusses the strengths and limitations of the recruitment approach, and makes recommendations to inform the interpretation of study results and the design of future studies.

Methods

PP1 used a multi-pronged approach to recruit adults involved in a current or past HIV-serodiscordant relationship in Canada from 2016 to 2018 to complete a survey and an interview. Upon survey completion, index (first recruited) partners were invited to recruit their primary current HIV-serodiscordant partner. We investigated participant enrollment by recruitment source, participant-, relationship-, and dyad-level sociodemographic characteristics, missing data, and correlates of participation for individuals recruited by their partners.

Results

We recruited 613 participants (355 HIV-positive; 258 HIV-negative) across 10 Canadian provinces, including 153 complete dyads and 307 individuals who participated alone, and representing 460 HIV-serodiscordant relationships. Among those in current relationships, HIV-positive participants were more likely than HIV-negative participants to learn of the study through an ASO staff member (36% v. 20%, p < 0.001), ASO listserv/newsletter (12% v. 5%, p = 0.007), or physician/staff at a clinic (20% v. 11%, p = 0.006). HIV-negative participants involved in current relationships were more likely than HIV-positive participants to learn of the study through their partner (46% v. 8%, p < 0.001). Seventy-eight percent of index participants invited their primary HIV-serodiscordant partner to participate, and 40% were successful. Successful recruitment of primary partners was associated with longer relationship duration, higher relationship satisfaction, and a virally suppressed HIV-positive partner.

Conclusions

Our findings provide important new information on and support the use of a multi-pronged approach to recruit HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals involved in HIV-serodiscordant relationships in Canada. More creative strategies are needed to help index partners recruit their partner in relationships with lower satisfaction and shorter duration and further minimize the risk of “happy couple” bias.
Online reach and engagement of a child nutrition peer-education program (PICNIC): insights from social media and web analytics
Authors: Henström Maria , Duncanson Kerith , Collins Clare E. , Ashton Lee M. , Davidson Emma , Ball Richard
Published: April 2022

Background

Parents frequently seek parental advice online and on social media; thus, these channels should be better utilized in child health interventions. The Parents in Child Nutrition Informing Community (PICNIC) program aims to facilitate peer-to-peer sharing of evidence-based child feeding information and support parents within their social networks. The present study aimed to explore web and social media analytics to evaluate reach and user engagement with the PICNIC online components.

Methods

Online user activity data from the PICNIC Facebook closed group and public Page were collected through Facebook Insights, and program-specific website traffic data through Google Analytics. Analytics data from Nov-2019 to April-2021 was evaluated through visualisation and summary statistics to obtain insights into program growth and current reach in Australia, compare demographics of audience reached through the online channels, and explore parents’ use and engagement in PICNIC content.

Results

Results showed steady program growth in the 18 months of recruitment; participant numbers grew from 102 to 261 peer educators while the Facebook Page audience increased threefold, totalling 1615 followers. Intervention posts shared on Facebook (4–5 posts/week) typically reached only a portion of PICNIC Page followers each week, but also reached a wider audience through their friends. Throughout the evaluated period, Facebook users actively engaged in PICNIC posts, although the level of engagement varied considerably from post to post. Furthermore, results from this study suggest the strategy of directing potentially interested parents from social media to the website for program sign-up was successful. Finally, the explored data gave insights into users’ availability, demographics and engagement, which will be used to inform refinement of the PICNIC website and social media strategies.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm the benefits of using a peer education approach and existing social network channels to disseminate evidence-based child feeding information to parents. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of web and social media analytics to be used as part of a continuous evaluation for gaining insight to inform further development and improvement of program strategies.

Trial registration

The PICNIC project was retrospectively submitted for registration with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR),ACTRN12622000230752(09/02/2022).
PINK1 mediated mitophagy attenuates early apoptosis of gingival epithelial cells induced by high glucose
Authors: Zhu Chunhui , Zhao Ying , Pei Dandan , Liu Zhongbo , Liu Jin , Li Ye , Yu Shuchen , Ma Lingyan , Sun Junyi , Li Ang
Published: April 2022

Background

Oxidative stress mediated by hyperglycemia damages cell-reparative processes such as mitophagy. Down-regulation of mitophagy is considered to be a susceptible factor for diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. However, the role of mitophagy in DM-associated periodontitis has not been fully elucidated. Apoptosis of human gingival epithelial cells (hGECs) is one of the representative events of DM-associated periodontitis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitophagy activated in the process of high glucose (HG)-induced hGECs apoptosis.

Methods

For dose–response studies, hGECs were incubated in different concentrations of glucose (5.5, 15, 25, and 50 mmol/L) for 48 h. Then, hGECs were challenged with 25 mmol/L glucose for 12 h and 48 h, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), caspase 9 and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Subsequently, autophagy was evaluated by estimating P62, LC3 II mRNA levels, LC3 fluorescent puncta and LC3-II/I ratio. Meanwhile, the involvement of PINK1-mediated mitophagy was assessed by qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. Finally, hGECs were transfected with shPINK1 and analyzed by MMP, caspase 9 and annexin V-FITC apoptosis.

Results

The number of TUNEL-positive cells and caspase 9 protein were significantly increased in cells challenged with HG (25 mmol/L) for 48 h (HG 48 h). MMP was impaired both at HG 12 h and HG 48 h, but the degree of depolarization was more serious at HG 48 h. The autophagy improved as the amount of LC3 II increased and p62 decreased in HG 12 h. During this process, HG 12 h treatment induced PINK1-mediated mitophagy. PINK1 silencing with HG 12 h resulted in MMP depolarization and cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

These results suggested that loss of the PINK1 gene may cause mitochondrial dysfunction and increase sensitivity to HG-induced apoptosis of hGECs at the early stage. PINK1 mediated mitophagy attenuates early apoptosis of gingival epithelial cells induced by high glucose.
Mandibular incisors with two canals are associated with the presence of the distolingual root in mandibular first molars: a cone-beam computed tomographic study
Authors: Lee Ju-Bin , Seo Min-Seock
Published: April 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the root canal configurations and the association between mandibular first molars and distolingual root (DLR) and mandibular incisors using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Mandibular first molars and incisors were evaluated using CBCT images of 150 patients. Mandibular first molars were classified according to the presence or absence of DLR. The curvature of the DLR was evaluated using Schneider’s method in buccolingual and mesiodistal orientations. The angle of the mesiolingual–distolingual–distobuccal canal orifices (ML–DL–DB) was evaluated at the pulpal floor level. The mandibular central and lateral incisors were classified as either single canal or two canals. The association between the root canal system of the mandibular first molar and mandibular incisors was evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and odds ratios from binary logistic regression. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results

The frequency of mandibular first molars with DLR was 27.0% and that of mandibular incisors with two canals was 25.8%. The curvature of the DLR was 37.1° in the buccolingual orientation and 10.4° in the mesiodistal orientation. The angle of ML–DL–DB was 79.0°. The presence of two canal systems in mandibular incisors was associated with the presence of DLR in the mandibular first molar (left central incisors:p = 0.001, odds ratio = 4.25; left lateral incisors:p < 0.001, odds ratio = 3.8; right central incisors:p = 0.003, odds ratio = 3.86; right lateral incisors:p = 0.001, odds ratio = 3.44) but not with the curvature of the DLR or angle of the ML–DL–DB orifice (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The mandibular first molar showed a high incidence of separate DLRs. It was confirmed that DLR in the mandibular first molar is highly associated with the presence of two-canal system in the mandibular incisors. This association can aid clinicians in successful endodontic treatments.
Development and validation of the oral presentation evaluation scale (OPES) for nursing students
Authors: Chiang Yi-Chien , Lee Hsiang-Chun , Chu Tsung-Lan , Wu Chia-Ling , Hsiao Ya-Chu
Published: April 2022

Background

Oral presentations are an important educational component for nursing students and nursing educators need to provide students with an assessment of presentations as feedback for improving this skill. However, there are no reliable validated tools available for objective evaluations of presentations. We aimed to develop and validate an oral presentation evaluation scale (OPES) for nursing students when learning effective oral presentations skills and could be used by students to self-rate their own performance, and potentially in the future for educators to assess student presentations.

Methods

The self-report OPES was developed using 28 items generated from a review of the literature about oral presentations and with qualitative face-to-face interviews with university oral presentation tutors and nursing students. Evidence for the internal structure of the 28-item scale was conducted with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA, respectively), and internal consistency. Relationships with Personal Report of Communication Apprehension and Self-Perceived Communication Competence to conduct the relationships with other variables evidence.

Results

Nursing students’ (n = 325) responses to the scale provided the data for the EFA, which resulted in three factors: accuracy of content, effective communication, and clarity of speech. These factors explained 64.75% of the total variance. Eight items were dropped from the original item pool. The Cronbach’s α value was .94 for the total scale and ranged from .84 to .93 for the three factors. The internal structure evidence was examined with CFA using data from a second group of 325 students, and an additional five items were deleted. Except for the adjusted goodness of fit, fit indices of the model were acceptable, which was below the minimum criteria. The final 15-item OPES was significantly correlated with the students’ scores for the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension scale (r = −.51, p < .001) and Self-Perceived Communication Competence Scale (r = .45, p < .001), indicating excellent evidence of the relationships to other variables with other self-report assessments of communication.

Conclusions

The OPES could be adopted as a self-assessment instrument for nursing students when learning oral presentation skills. Further studies are needed to determine if the OPES is a valid instrument for nursing educators’ objective evaluations of student presentations across nursing programs.
Prevalence of burnout syndrome among unmatched trainees and residents in surgical and nonsurgical specialties: a cross-sectional study from different training centers in Palestine
Authors: Shawahna Ramzi , Maqboul Iyad , Ahmad Ola , Al-Issawy Afnan , Abed Batoul
Published: April 2022

Background

Burnout is a psychological syndrome that involves physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of burnout among unmatched trainees and residents in surgical and nonsurgical specialties in Palestine. Additionally, this study also sought to identify the associated variables and predictors of higher burnout scores.

Methods

This study was conducted in a cross-sectional design using a questionnaire in the period between October 2020 and March 2021. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic characteristics of the residents and trainees in 18 different training centers/hospitals. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to determine burnout among the residents and trainees. Pearson’s correlations, analysis of variance, Student’s t-test, and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the data.

Results

The study tool was completed by 250 residents and trainees in surgical and nonsurgical specialties (response rate = 83.3%). Of all participants, 203 (81.2%) reported a moderate-severe degree of burnout in the personal domain, 188 (75.2%) reported a moderate-severe degree of burnout in the work-related domain, and 97 (38.8%) reported moderate-severe degree of burnout in the client-related domain. There was a moderate and positive correlation between personal and work-related burnout scores (Pearson’s r = 0.69, p-value < 0.001), and client-related burnout scores (Pearson’s r = 0.52, p-value < 0.001). Similarly, there was a moderate and positive correlation between work-related and client-related burnout scores (Pearson’s r = 0.57, p-value < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model showed that higher burnout scores were predicted by being married, not having another paid employment, inability to financially support oneself, frequent consumption of tea/coffee, dissatisfied with the training/job, thinking to change the profession, and long working hours.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that burnout was highly prevalent among residents and trainees in surgical and nonsurgical specialties in Palestine. Decision-makers in healthcare authorities, hospital managers, professional groups, directors of residency programs, and educators/trainers should consider addressing burnout and improving the well-being of residents and trainees in surgical and nonsurgical specialties in Palestine. Future studies are still needed to determine which interventions could be effective in reducing burnout among residents and trainees in surgical and nonsurgical specialties in Palestine.
Validation of at-the-bedside formulae for estimating ventilator driving pressure during airway pressure release ventilation using computer simulation
Authors: Mistry Sonal , Das Anup , Saffaran Sina , Yehya Nadir , Scott Timothy E. , Chikhani Marc , Laffey John G. , Hardman Jonathan G. , Camporota Luigi , Bates Declan G.
Published: April 2022

Background

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is widely available on mechanical ventilators and has been proposed as an early intervention to prevent lung injury or as a rescue therapy in the management of refractory hypoxemia. Driving pressure ($$\Delta P$$ΔP) has been identified in numerous studies as a key indicator of ventilator-induced-lung-injury that needs to be carefully controlled.$$\Delta P$$ΔPdelivered by the ventilator in APRV is not directly measurable in dynamic conditions, and there is no “gold standard” method for its estimation.

Methods

We used a computational simulator matched to data from 90 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to evaluate the accuracy of three “at-the-bedside” methods for estimating ventilator$$\Delta P$$ΔPduring APRV.

Results

Levels of$$\Delta P$$ΔPdelivered by the ventilator in APRV were generally within safe limits, but in some cases exceeded levels specified by protective ventilation strategies. A formula based on estimating the intrinsic positive end expiratory pressure present at the end of the APRV release provided the most accurate estimates of$$\Delta P$$ΔP. A second formula based on assuming that expiratory flow, volume and pressure decay mono-exponentially, and a third method that requires temporarily switching to volume-controlled ventilation, also provided accurate estimates of true$$\Delta P$$ΔP.

Conclusions

Levels of$$\Delta P$$ΔPdelivered by the ventilator during APRV can potentially exceed levels specified by standard protective ventilation strategies, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. Our results show that$$\Delta P$$ΔPdelivered by the ventilator during APRV can be accurately estimated at the bedside using simple formulae that are based on readily available measurements.
Loss of perivascular aquaporin-4 localization impairs glymphatic exchange and promotes amyloid β plaque formation in mice
Authors: Simon Matthew , Wang Marie Xun , Ismail Ozama , Braun Molly , Schindler Abigail G. , Reemmer Jesica , Wang Zhongya , Haveliwala Mariya A. , O’Boyle Ryan P. , Han Warren Y. , Roese Natalie , Grafe Marjorie , Woltjer Randall , Boison Detlev , Iliff Jeffrey J.
Published: April 2022

Background

Slowed clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) is believed to underlie the development of Aβ plaques that characterize Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aβ is cleared in part by the glymphatic system, a brain-wide network of perivascular pathways that supports the exchange of cerebrospinal and brain interstitial fluid. Glymphatic clearance, or perivascular CSF-interstitial fluid exchange, is dependent on the astroglial water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) as deletion ofAqp4in mice slows perivascular exchange, impairs Aβ clearance, and promotes Aβ plaque formation.

Methods

To define the role of AQP4 in human AD, we evaluated AQP4 expression and localization in a human post mortem case series. We then used the α-syntrophin (Snta1) knockout mouse model which lacks perivascular AQP4 localization to evaluate the effect that loss of perivascular AQP4 localization has on glymphatic CSF tracer distribution. Lastly, we crossed this line into a mouse model of amyloidosis (Tg2576 mice) to evaluate the effect of AQP4 localization on amyloid β levels.

Results

In the post mortem case series, we observed that the perivascular localization of AQP4 is reduced in frontal cortical gray matter of subjects with AD compared to cognitively intact subjects. This decline in perivascular AQP4 localization was associated with increasing Aβ and neurofibrillary pathological burden, and with cognitive decline prior to dementia onset. In rodent studies,Snta1gene deletion slowed CSF tracer influx and interstitial tracer efflux from the mouse brain and increased amyloid β levels.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the loss of perivascular AQP4 localization may contribute to the development of AD pathology in human populations.
The cerebrospinal fluid biomarker ratio Aβ42/40 identifies amyloid positron emission tomography positivity better than Aβ42 alone in a heterogeneous memory clinic cohort
Authors: Amft Michaela , Ortner Marion , Eichenlaub Udo , Goldhardt Oliver , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Hedderich Dennis M. , Yakushev Igor , Grimmer Timo
Published: April 2022

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis for detecting amyloid positivity may be as reliable as positron emission tomography (PET). We evaluated the performance of the amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 ratio for predicting amyloid positivity by PET, compared with Aβ42 alone, and phosphorylated tau 181 (pTau181)/Aβ42 and total tau (tTau)/Aβ42 ratios, using fully automated CSF immunoassays (Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) in a heterogeneous cohort of patients with a range of cognitive disorders reflecting the typical population of a memory clinic.

Methods

CSF samples from 103 patients with known amyloid PET status (PET positive = 54; PET negative = 49) were retrospectively selected from one site in Germany; 71 patients were undergoing treatment for mild cognitive impairment (n = 44) or mild-to-moderate dementia (n = 27) due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and 32 patients were undergoing treatment for non-AD-related cognitive disorders. Aβ42, pTau181, and tTau concentrations were measured in CSF samples using the respective Elecsys® CSF immunoassays modified for use on the cobas e 411 analyzer; Aβ40 concentrations were measured using a non-commercially available robust prototype assay. Sensitivities/specificities for amyloid positivity cut-offs (Youden-derived and pre-defined) were calculated, and receiver operating characteristic analyses determined area under the curve (AUC) versus amyloid PET status. Limitations include a small sample size, use of a pre-analytical protocol not in accordance with the Elecsys CSF immunoassay method sheets, and the lack of a pre-defined cut-off for Aβ42/40.

Results

Point estimates for sensitivity and specificity of CSF biomarkers and biomarker ratios versus amyloid PET were 0.93 and 0.57 for Aβ42, 0.96 and 0.69 for pTau181/Aβ42, 0.92 and 0.69 for tTau/Aβ42, and 0.94 and 0.82 for Aβ42/40. For AUCs, point estimates (95% confidence intervals) versus amyloid PET were 0.78 (0.68−0.88) for Aβ42, 0.88 (0.81−0.95) for pTau181/Aβ42, 0.87 (0.80−0.95) for tTau/Aβ42, and 0.90 (0.83−0.97) for Aβ42/40.

Conclusions

CSF Aβ42/40 ratio can predict PET amyloid positivity with high accuracy in patients with a range of cognitive disorders when evaluating Aβ pathology independent of tau and neurodegeneration for research purposes. The performance of Aβ42/40 was comparable with pTau181/Aβ42 and tTau/Aβ42 used in clinical practice and better than Aβ42 alone.
Cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels along the Alzheimer’s disease continuum and associations with blood-brain barrier integrity, age, cognition, and biomarkers
Authors: Zebhauser Paul Theo , Berthele Achim , Goldhardt Oliver , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Priller Josef , Ortner Marion , Grimmer Timo
Published: April 2022

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate levels have been suggested to be associated with disease severity and progression in several neurological diseases as an indicator of impaired energy metabolism, neuronal death, or microglial activation. Few studies have examined CSF lactate levels in dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and found higher values in AD patients compared to healthy controls (HC). However, these studies were mostly small in size, the inclusion criteria were not always well defined, and the diagnostic value and pathophysiological significance of CSF lactate in AD remain unclear.

Methods

We examined CSF lactate levels and potentially associated factors in a large (n=312), biologically and clinically well-defined sample of patients with AD at the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI-AD) and dementia (ADD), HC, and patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

Results

Contrary to previous studies, patients with ADD and HC did not differ in CSF lactate levels. However, we found higher values for patients with MCI-AD compared to those with ADD and to HC in univariate analysis, as well as for MCI-AD compared to ADD when controlling for age and blood-brain barrier integrity. CSF lactate levels were associated with age and blood-brain barrier integrity but not with clinical severity or CSF biomarkers of AD.

Conclusions

CSF lactate does not indicate biological or clinical disease severity in AD, nor does it differentiate between patients with AD and HC or patients with FTLD. However, higher CSF lactate levels were found in earlier stages of AD, which might be interpreted in the context of inflammatory processes.
Interaction between AhR and HIF-1 signaling pathways mediated by ARNT/HIF-1β
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Hu Yuxia , Yang Fan , Zhang Jingwen , Zhang Jianxin , Yu Wanjia , Wang Minjie , Lv Xiaoli , Li Jun , Bai Tuya , Chang Fuhou
Published: April 2022

Background

The main causes of lung cancer are smoking, environmental pollution and genetic susceptibility. It is an indisputable fact that PAHs are related to lung cancer, and benzo(a) pyrene is a representative of PAHs. The purpose of the current investigation was to investigate the interaction between AhR and HIF-1 signaling pathways in A549 cells, which provide some experimental basis for scientists to find drugs that block AhR and HIF-1 signaling pathway to prevent and treat cancer.

Methods

This project adopts the CYP1A1 signaling pathways and the expression of CYP1B1 is expressed as a measure of AhR strength index. The expression of VEGF and CAIX volume as a measure of the strength of the signal path HIF-1 indicators. Through the construction of plasmid vector, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunoprecipitation, the interaction between AhR signaling pathway and HIF-1 signaling pathway was observed.

Results

BaP can enhance the binding ability of HIF-1α protein to HIF-1β/ARNT in a dose-dependent manner without CoCl2. However, the binding ability of AhR protein to HIF-1β/ARNT is inhibited by HIF-1α signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner with CoCl2.

Conclusion

It is shown that activation of the AhR signaling pathway does not inhibit the HIF-1α signaling pathway, but activation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway inhibits the AhR signaling pathway.
20 years of ordinal patterns: Perspectives and challenges
Authors: Leyva Inmaculada , Martínez Johann H. , Masoller Cristina , Rosso Osvaldo A. , Zanin Massimiliano
Published: April 2022

In 2002, in a seminal article, Bandt and Pompe proposed a new methodology for the analysis of complex time series, now known as Ordinal Analysis. The ordinal methodology is based on the computation of symbols (known as ordinal patters) which are defined in terms of the temporal ordering of data points in a time series, and whose probabilities are known as ordinal probabilities. With the ordinal probabilities the Shannon entropy can be calculated, which is the permutation entropy. Since it was proposed, the ordinal method has found applications in fields as diverse as biomedicine and climatology. However, some properties of ordinal probabilities are still not fully understood, and how to combine the ordinal approach of feature extraction with machine learning techniques for model identification, time series classification or forecasting, remains a challenge. The objective of this perspective article is to present some recent advances and to discuss some open problems.
Does Childbearing Affect Cognitive Health in Later Life? Evidence From an Instrumental Variable Approach
Authors: Bonsang Eric , Skirbekk Vegard
Published: April 2022

Cognitive decline is a widespread concern as populations grow older. However, population aging is partly driven by a decrease in fertility, and family size may influence cognitive functioning in later life. Prior studies have shown that fertility history is associated with late-life cognition, but whether the relationship is causal remains unclear. We use an instrumental variable approach and data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe to examine whether having three or more versus two children affects late-life cognition. Parents often prefer to have at least one son and one daughter. We thus exploit the sex composition of the first two children as a source of exogenous variation in the probability of having three or more children. Results indicate that having three or more versus two children has a negative effect on late-life cognition. This effect is strongest in Northern Europe, perhaps because higher fertility decreases financial resources yet does not improve social resources in this region. Future studies should address the potential effects of childlessness or having one child on late-life cognition and explore the mediating mechanisms.
Experimental warming during incubation improves cold tolerance of blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) chicks
Authors: Page Jennifer L. , Nord Andreas , Dominoni Davide M. , McCafferty Dominic J.
Published: April 2022

Climate change and increasing air temperature may alter environmental conditions for developing birds, with a range of phenotypic consequences for offspring. The thermal environment during incubation may affect the trade-off between growth and thermoregulation, but the effects of temperature on the ontogeny of endothermy are not fully understood. Therefore, we experimentally tested whether heating the nest cup of Eurasian blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) during incubation would influence cold tolerance of the chicks after hatching. Chicks from both heated and control nests showed a decrease in cooling rate with age as they became increasingly endothermic and homeothermic. However, chicks from previously heated nests cooled at a lower rate per unit surface area and from across the whole body. These chicks also had a greater body mass during the first 12 days of life compared with chicks from control nests. Lower cooling rates in heated chicks may reflect greater thermogenic capacity or a reduced surface area to volume ratio owing to a greater body mass. Future projections for climate change predict rising air temperature and increased likelihood of heatwaves, even in temperate regions. Our results indicate that nest microclimate can affect thermoregulation in offspring, and thus may be used to predict some of the future physiological responses of birds to climate change during breeding.
Salt-Assisted Pyrolysis of Covalent Organic Framework for Controlled Active Nitrogen Functionalities for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Charles-Blin Youn , Kondo Taiga , Wu Yang , Bandow Shunji , Awaga Kunio
Published: April 2022

The development of defect-containing metal-free carbon materials is an exciting challenge, as it could contribute greatly to the emergence of more sustainable fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Here we report the combination of a covalent organic framework (COF) as a host material and potassium carbonate as an activator to synthesize, from relatively low temperature and with good control, hierarchical mesoporous/microporous structures, high-porosity (up to 2053 m2 g−1) and nitrogen-doped carbon materials with oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. Indeed, the formation of large sp2 domains and the nature of heteroatom catalytic active sites, ranging from a large content of pyridinic (N-6) to quaternary (N-Q) functionalities, could be simply controlled within a range of pyrolysis temperatures from 625 °C to 775 °C. The resulting ORR properties of carbon material exhibit systematic behaviour regarding the pyrolysis temperature, testifying good control upon carbon material nature. Thus, this work opens new ways to explore COF capabilities to efficiently synthesize metal-free carbon materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems.
Ni(II) Salt-catalyzed Direct Aryl Thioetherification of 1-Naphthylamine and Its Derivative with Disulfides
Authors: Jiang Chunfeng , Liu Kaixuan , Zhang Le , Liu Tian , Zhang Nan , Xu Youjun
Published: April 2022

The direct C–H aryl thioetherification of 1-naphthylamine and its derivative with diaryl disulfides was developed with a Ni(II) salt catalytic system under air. The protocol was compatible with a wide range of functional groups. 1-Naphthylamine and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine were converted into various aryl sulfide compounds under standard conditions. The application of the proposed methodology to prepare some highly-functionalized small molecules as building blocks for bioactive compounds was explored. Control experiments revealed the Ni(II)/Ni(IV) cyclic mechanism of the catalytic system.
A Reputational Theory of Firm Dynamics
Authors: Board Simon , Meyer-ter-Vehn Moritz
Published: April 2022

We study the life cycle of a firm that produces a good of unknown quality. The firm manages its quality by investing while consumers learn via public breakthroughs; if the firm fails to generate such breakthroughs, its revenue falls and it eventually exits. Optimal investment depends on the firm’s reputation (the market’s belief about its quality) and self-esteem (the firm’s own belief about its quality), and is single-peaked in the time since a breakthrough. We derive predictions about the distribution of revenue and propose a method to decompose the impact of policy changes into investment and selection effects. (JEL D11, D21, D25, D83, G31, L15)
An Index of Competitiveness and Cooperativeness for Normal-Form Games
Authors: Demuynck Thomas , Seel Christian , Tran Giang
Published: April 2022

We develop an index of competitiveness and cooperativeness that is based on the primitives of a normal-form game, i.e., players, strategies and payoffs. The index relies on the unique decomposition of a given game into a zero-sum game and a common interest game. The index decreases in the distance to its zero-sum part and increases in common interest part. The comparative statics of our index coincide with economic intuition. The index also supports experimental findings in well-known classes of games in the sense that more cooperative and less competitive behavior correlates with lower values of the index. (JEL C71, C72)
Correlation between helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency in children
Authors: Zhang Yuanda , Bi Jing , Wang Meiying , Deng Hongyu , Yang Wen-li
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and Iron deficiency (ID) in children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Baoding Children's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of one thousand children who came to our hospital for physical examination and met the inclusion criteria were continuously included in this study. All the children were given questionnaires (personal and family social and economic status), a stool Hp antigen test and/or a 13C-urea breath test, as well as measurements of hemoglobin (Hb), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Children who tested positive for Hp were divided into the Hp group and children who tested negative for Hp were divided into the control group. ID or IDA was diagnosed based on the child's blood test results.

Results: A total of 902 children met the inclusion criteria, including 194 (21.5%) in the Hp group and 708 (78.5%) in the control group. The incidence of ID and IDA in Hp group was higher than that in control group (2=9.112, 2=4.478; All P < 0.05); The levels of MCV, SI, SF and Hb in Hp group were lower than those in control group (t=5.288; T = 3.864; T = 6.751; T =11.841, all P < 0.05), TIBC level was higher than that of control group (T =7.630, P < 0.05); The levels of MCHC and RDW in THE Hp group were not statistically significant compared with the control group. Logistic regression showed that Hp infection was not a combined risk factor for ID. Older age, higher educational background of the mother, living in the city, and higher family income were the combined protective factors to prevent the occurrence of ID in children.

Conclusion: Hp infection is not a combined risk factor for the development of ID in children. The influence of family social and economic factors should be taken into consideration when analyzing the correlation between Hp infection and ID.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5175

How to cite this:Zhang Y, Bi J, Wang M, Deng H, Yang W. Correlation between helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency in children. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5175

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Evaluation of lead toxicity on the retina of pregnant rats and their pups: the possible ameliorative role of pomegranate juice
Authors: El-Beltagy Abd El-Fattah B. M. , Abdelaziz Karoline K. , Saleh Amira M. B. , Elsayyad Hassan I. H. , Gahnem Reham A.
Published: April 2022

Background: Lead (Pb) exposure even at a low dose can induce functional and structural impairments in both humans and experimental animals. The present study evaluated the potential ameliorative role of pomegranate juice (PJ), as a powerful antioxidant fruit against histopathological and ultrastructural changes caused by Pb in the retina of pregnant rats and their neonates.

Methods: 24 pregnant female rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n=6): control, PJ supplemented (100 μL PJ), Pb treated (18.5 mg / kg B.Wt), and Pb co-supplemented alternatively with PJ group. After birth, the mother rats, as well as their neonates at different ages (7, 14, and 21 days old), were dissected and the eyes were removed for histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigation of the retina.

 Results: The obtained results revealed deleterious histological and ultrastructural lesions in all retinal cell layers of Pb-treated female rats and their offspring. Such lesions included hypertrophied cells of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with pronounced vacuolated mitochondria and fragmented Bruch's membrane. The outer and inner segments of photoreceptors appeared fragmented and detached from the RPE. Additionally, the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) appeared disorganized with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. The immunohistochemical results displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) weak expression and P53 strong expression in the retinal sections of the Pb-treated group of female rats and their neonates if compared with control.

Conclusions: PJ successfully alleviated the deleterious histological and ultrastructural as well as immunohistochemical changes induced by lead.
Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts
Authors: Brown Robin , Goulder Philip , Matthews Philippa C.
Published: April 2022

Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people chronically infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, and consider how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.
Preface
Authors: Taimalu Merle , Lepp Liina , Tuul Maire
Published: April 2022

Eesti Haridusteaduste Ajakirja kuuenda vabanumbri artikleid ühendavaks märksõnaks kujunes koostöö. See on fookuses kõigis haridusvaldkonda suunavates dokumentides, olgu need õppekavad, kutsestandardid või valdkonna arengukavad. Selles vabanumbris antakse seitsmes artiklis ülevaade tehtud uuringutest, mis on mitmekesised nii valimite kui ka uuringutes kasutatud metoodikate poolest. Kolmes esimeses artiklis on juttu lasteaias ja üldhariduskoolis tehtavast, käsitledes erivajadustega laste õpetamist, kiusamisega toimetulekut ja laste üldpädevusi. Neli artiklit aga keskenduvad kõrgkooli kontekstile. Tutvustatakse kutseõpetajakoolituse üliõpilaste toetamist e-portfoolioga, õpetajakoolituse üliõpilaste neuromüüte, õppejõudude ja üliõpilaste arusaamu tagasisidest ning noorte õppejõudude ametialast enesemääratlust. Vabanumbri lõpus tutvustab Jaan Kõrgesaar Anastasiou, Gregory ja Kauffmani koostatud hariduspeatükki teoses "Commentary on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".
The role of ePortfolios in supporting vocational teacher students’ learning
Authors: Roos Liana , Trasberg Karmen , Eller Diana , Kalk Karmen
Published: April 2022

Siinses uurimuses seati eesmärgiks selgitada välja kutseõpetajakoolituse üliõpilaste arusaamad kutsestandardile toetuva e-portfoolio rollist õpingute toetamisel ning nende kogemused e-portfoolio koostamise protsessis. Viie fookusrühma intervjuu (n = 19) induktiivse sisuanalüüsi tulemused näitavad, et kutsestandardile toetuvat e-portfooliot kogetakse õpingute teljena, mis muudab nähtavaks varasema erialase töökogemuse, õppimise ja arengu ning kujundab arusaama kutseõpetaja elukutsest. Samas rõhutavad tulemused e-portfoolio lõimimise olulisust kutseõpetaja bakalaureuseõppekavasse ning vajadust tõhustada juhendamist eeskätt protsessi alguses, et toetada üliõpilaste toimetulekut e-portfoolio avatud olemuse ning kohati vastuoluliste eesmärkidega.

 Summary
Learning-related neuromyths among student teachers in Estonia
Authors: Poom-Valickis Katrin , Aus Kati , Malleus-Kotšegarov Elina
Published: April 2022

Haridusüldsusel on suur huvi neuroteaduste uurimustulemuste rakendamise vastu praktikas, kuid valdkondlike teadmiste puudumine ning teadlaste ja õpetajate vähene kommunikatsioon keeruliste teadustulemuste tõlgendamisel on viinud mitmete väärarusaamade ehk neuromüütide tekkeni. Siinse uuringu eesmärk oli kaardistada, kuivõrd on rahvusvahelistes uuringutes esitatud väärarusaamad levinud meie tulevaste õpetajate hulgas ning kas õpetajaks õppijaid iseloomustavad taustategurid (nt vanus, läbitud õpingud, õppekava või töökogemus õpetajana) on seotud sellega, milliseid väärarusaamu enam tõeseks peetakse. Küsitluses osales kokku 297 õpetajakoolituse üliõpilast Tallinna ja Tartu Ülikoolist. Kõige levinum neuromüüt tudengite hulgas on arusaam, et inimesed õpivad paremini, kui info jagamisel arvestatakse nende visuaalse, auditiivse ja kinesteetilise õpistiiliga. Õppekavade arendus ja interdistsiplinaarne koostöö teadusvaldkondade vahel on võti teaduspõhise õpetajakoolituse arendamisel.

 Summary
Idealismi ilu ja valu
Authors: Kõrgesaar Jaan
Published: April 2022

2018. aastal ilmus teos "Commentary on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities". See sisaldas ka hariduspeatükki (Education), mille autorid on Anastasiou, Gregory ja Kauffman. Peatükis räägitakse kaasava haridussüsteemi tähtsusest, mis aitab tagada puuetega inimestele õigust haridusele. Lisaks on autorid avanud ka kompromisse ja kitsaskohti, mis sellega kaasneda võivad.
Sissejuhatus / Introduction
Authors: Parts Priit-Kalev , Rennu Madis , Jõeste Kristi
Published: April 2022

Introduction