bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyamide-Based Adhesive Lascaux 5350 in Textile Conservation—Properties, Stability and Use
Authors: Krejčí Jan , Škrdlantová Markéta , Drábková Klára , Bureš Víchová Jana
Published: December 2022

Lascaux Polyamid-Textil-Schweisspulver 5350 is a hot-melt adhesive with promising properties for applications in textile conservation. The study presented aims at examining the properties and long-term stability of this adhesive. It also deals with the possibilities of its use for bonding proteinaceous and cellulosic textiles and describes particular methods of using the adhesive either in the form of powder or as a prepared adhesive film. The adhesion techniques are compared with conventional sewing methods commonly used to consolidate damaged textile objects. In addition, the study also deals with the reversibility of the adhesive treatments.
Uncovering the Carbon Emission Intensity and Reduction Potentials of the Metro Operation Phase: A Case Study in Shenzhen Megacity
Authors: Chen Kunyang , Zhang Guobin , Wu Huanyu , Mao Ruichang , Chen Xiangsheng
Published: December 2022

The huge energy consumption of metro operations has become a significant challenge faced by the urban public transportation sector to achieve low-carbon development. Using Shenzhen as an example, this study has made efforts to quantify the metro’s energy consumption and carbon emission intensity during the operation phase by using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. Furthermore, this study evaluates the actions that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and emissions. A comparative analysis between metros and other public transportation modes has also been conducted. The results show that the annual carbon emissions from the metro’s operation phase in Shenzhen city increased from 63,000 t CO2e in 2005 to 1.3 Mt CO2e in 2021, and the historically accumulated carbon emissions are 9.5 Mt CO2e. The unit operating mileage, the unit station area, and the per capita carbon emission intensity were 2.1 kg CO2e/km, 132.5 kg CO2e/m2, and 0.6 kg CO2e per capita (13th Five-Year Plan Period), respectively. By continually promoting the low-carbon operation of the subway, the cumulative carbon savings could reach 0.1 Mt CO2e (2022–2035).
The Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Family-Based Education to Strengthen Latinx Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: The Familias Activas Experience
Authors: Hurtado Choque Ghaffar Ali , García Cosavalente Hilda Patricia , Chan Alexander E. , Rodriguez Matthew R. , Sumano Eva
Published: December 2022

Adolescent years are a time of joy and can represent a challenge for parents and youth, especially for immigrants to the US who are adjusting to their host country. Programs focusing on family skills and positive youth development (PYD) can contribute to youth wellbeing especially, however, few exist for low-income immigrant families. (1) Background: The major goals of this project are to strengthen both PYD and healthy parenting practices by implementing an evidence-informed program, Familias Activas. A theory of change guided the development of Familias Activas in which three factors: parent training, positive youth development, and youth physical activity sessions (soccer) aimed to improve Latinx youth mental health. Youth participated in weekly soccer practices led by trained soccer coaches while parents/caregivers attended parent education. Both sessions lasted eight weeks. (2) Method: We describe the formative stage of the research project as well as the pilot implementation of the Familias Activas program, which provides critical insights for the development of a PYD program. (3) Results: Evaluation surveys were administered to youth and their parents. Thirty youths and sixteen parents completed the survey. The Kidscreen scale had a mean for most items ranging from 3.6 to 4.2. Participating youth were 11 years old and most affirmed they were Latinx. The feasibility program quality mean was 4.2 indicating an overall positive result for the pilot program.. Implications of PYD programs for Latinx youth are discussed. (4) Conclusions: The current paper presents a model for positively influencing the physical and mental wellbeing of Latinx youth and their parents. The model is culturally responsive in its involvement of both parents and youth in programming.
The Effect of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton (Zingiberaceae) Extract on Prion Propagation in Cell-Based and Animal Models
Authors: Lee Sungeun , Lee Hakmin , Kim Jaehyeon , Kim Ji Hoon , Gao Eun Mei , Lee Yoonjeong , Yoo Miryeong , Trinh Trang H. T. , Kim Jieun , Kim Chul Young , Ryou Chongsuk
Published: December 2022

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders in humans and animals for which no therapies are currently available. Here, we report that Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton (Zingiberaceae) (CpV) extract was partly effective in decreasing prion aggregation and propagation in both in vitro and in vivo models. CpV extract inhibited self-aggregation of recombinant prion protein (PrP) in a test tube assay and decreased the accumulation of scrapie PrP (PrPSc) in ScN2a cells, a cultured neuroblastoma cell line with chronic prion infection, in a concentration-dependent manner. CpV extract also modified the course of the disease in mice inoculated with mouse-adapted scrapie prions, completely preventing the onset of prion disease in three of eight mice. Biochemical and neuropathological analyses revealed a statistically significant reduction in PrPSc accumulation, spongiosis, astrogliosis, and microglia activation in the brains of mice that avoided disease onset. Furthermore, PrPSc accumulation in the spleen of mice was also reduced. CpV extract precluded prion infection in cultured cells as demonstrated by the modified standard scrapie cell assay. This study suggests that CpV extract could contribute to investigating the modulation of prion propagation.
New Frontiers on ER Stress Modulation: Are TRP Channels the Leading Actors?
Authors: Vestuto Vincenzo , Di Sarno Veronica , Musella Simona , Di Dona Giorgio , Moltedo Ornella , Gomez-Monterrey Isabel Maria , Bertamino Alessia , Ostacolo Carmine , Campiglia Pietro , Ciaglia Tania
Published: December 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a dynamic structure, playing multiple roles including calcium storage, protein synthesis and lipid metabolism. During cellular stress, variations in ER homeostasis and its functioning occur. This condition is referred as ER stress and generates a cascade of signaling events termed unfolded protein response (UPR), activated as adaptative response to mitigate the ER stress condition. In this regard, calcium levels play a pivotal role in ER homeostasis and therefore in cell fate regulation since calcium signaling is implicated in a plethora of physiological processes, but also in disease conditions such as neurodegeneration, cancer and metabolic disorders. A large body of emerging evidence highlighted the functional role of TRP channels and their ability to promote cell survival or death depending on endoplasmic reticulum stress resolution, making them an attractive target. Thus, in this review we focused on the TRP channels’ correlation to UPR-mediated ER stress in disease pathogenesis, providing an overview of their implication in the activation of this cellular response.
Study on ZmRPN10 Regulating Leaf Angle in Maize by RNA-Seq
Authors: Ji Xiangzhuo , Jin Bingbing , Zhuang Zelong , Chang Fangguo , Wang Fang , Peng Yunling
Published: December 2022

Ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated proteolysis (UPP) plays a crucial role in almost all aspects of plant growth and development, proteasome subunit RPN10 mediates ubiquitination substrate recognition in the UPP process. The recognition pathway of ubiquitinated UPP substrate is different in different species, which indicates that the mechanism and function of RPN10 are different in different species. However, the homologous ZmRPN10 in maize has not been studied. In this study, the changing of leaf angle and gene expression in leaves in maize wild-type B73 and mutant rpn10 under exogenous brassinosteroids (BRs) were investigated. The regulation effect of BR on the leaf angle of rpn10 was significantly stronger than that of B73. Transcriptome analysis showed that among the differentially expressed genes, CRE1, A-ARR and SnRK2 were significantly up-regulated, and PP2C, BRI1 AUX/IAA, JAZ and MYC2 were significantly down-regulated. This study revealed the regulation mechanism of ZmRPN10 on maize leaf angle and provided a promising gene resource for maize breeding.
Intronic Enhancer Is Essential for Nr5a1 Expression in the Pituitary Gonadotrope and for Postnatal Development of Male Reproductive Organs in a Mouse Model
Authors: Shima Yuichi , Miyabayashi Kanako , Mori Takami , Ono Koji , Kajimoto Mizuki , Cho Hae Lim , Tsuchida Hitomi , Uenoyama Yoshihisa , Tsukamura Hiroko , Suzuki Kentaro , Choi Man Ho , Toida Kazunori
Published: December 2022

Nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) is expressed in the pituitary gonadotrope and regulates their differentiation. Although several regulatory regions were implicated in Nr5a1 gene expression in the pituitary gland, none of these regions have been verified using mouse models. Furthermore, the molecular functions of NR5A1 in the pituitary gonadotrope have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we generated mice lacking the pituitary enhancer located in the 6th intron of the Nr5a1 gene. These mice showed pituitary gland-specific disappearance of NR5A1, confirming the functional importance of the enhancer. Enhancer-deleted male mice demonstrated no defects at fetal stages. Meanwhile, androgen production decreased markedly in adult, and postnatal development of reproductive organs, such as the seminal vesicle, prostate, and penis was severely impaired. We further performed transcriptomic analyses of the whole pituitary gland of the enhancer-deleted mice and controls, as well as gonadotropes isolated from Ad4BP-BAC-EGFP mice. These analyses identified several genes showing gonadotrope-specific, NR5A1-dependent expressions, such as Spp1, Tgfbr3l, Grem1, and Nr0b2. These factors are thought to function downstream of NR5A1 and play important roles in reproductive organ development through regulation of pituitary gonadotrope functions.
Determination of BRCAness Phenotype in Breast Tumors for the Appointment of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Based on Platinum and Taxanes
Authors: Tsyganov Matvey Mihajlovich , Ibragimova Marina K. , Garbukov Evgeniy Y. , Bragina Olga D. , Karchevskaya Ariana A. , Usynin Evgeny A. , Litvyakov Nikolai V.
Published: December 2022

The concept of BRCAness was developed because of similarities between sporadic and hereditary breast cancer. BRCAness defines the pathogenesis and treatment sensitivity of many types of cancer, as well as the presence of a defect in the homologous recombination repair of tumor cells simulating the loss of BRCA1 or BRCA2, as in the presence of germline mutations. The question of treatment effectiveness for BRCA-like tumors is controversial and open. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in BRCA-deficient breast cancer patients without germline mutations. The study involved 130 patients with breast cancer in stages IIA–IIIB. The treatment regimen included neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy. The materials used were tumor samples from before and after chemotherapy. DNA and RNA were isolated from the tumor material. RNA was used to assess the expression level of BRCA1, while DNA was used for methyl-sensitive PCR. A microarray analysis was performed on high-density DNA chips from an Affymetrix CytoScanTM HD Array to assess DNA copy number aberration (CNA status) and loss of heterozygosity. A statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 8.0 application package. It was noted that the existence of copy number aberrations in genes was statistically significantly associated with tumor treatment response and disease prognosis. Patients with partial regression had a statistically significantly higher amount of deletion than patients without an objective response (5/25 patients; 16%), as shown in the general sample of patients (52.9% versus 27.1%, respectively) at p = 0.0001 and in patients treated with anthracycline-containing regimen (p = 0.0001). In addition, it was shown that patients with BRCA1 deletion had higher rates of metastatic-free survival (log rank test, p = 0.009). BRCAness patients had a higher rate of 5-year metastatic survival, but not of treatment efficacy. The prospective study showed the positive effect of assessing the BRCAness phenotype of a tumor before treatment and of prescribing personalized NAC regimens. The objective response rate was statistically significantly more often observed in the group of patients with personalized chemotherapy (85.0% (34/40 patients) versus 62.3% (56/90 patients); p = 0.007). Despite the controversial effectiveness of BRCA-like tumor treatment, our data showed high predictive and prognostic significance of the BRCAness phenotype for the personalization of platinum and taxane regimens.
Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Reveals Interactions between Endometrial Stromal Cells, Epithelial Cells, and Lymphocytes during Mouse Embryo Implantation
Authors: Jiang Luhan , Cao Dandan , Yeung William S. B. , Lee Kai-Fai
Published: December 2022

The decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) is an essential process facilitating embryo implantation. However, the roles of non-decidualized and decidualized ESCs in regulating the microenvironment of a receptive endometrium remain unclear. We investigated single-cell transcriptomic changes in the uterus of a CD-1 mouse model at the post-implantation stage. The implantation and inter-implantation sites of the uteruses of pregnant mice at 4.5 and 5.5 days post-coitum were dissected for single-cell RNA sequencing. We identified eight cell types: epithelial cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, mesothelial cells, lymphocytes, myocytes, myeloids, and pericytes. The ESC transcriptome suggests that the four ESC subtypes are involved in the extracellular remodeling during implantation. The trajectory plot of ESC subtypes indicates embryo implantation that involves a differentiation pathway from undifferentiated ESCs (ESC 1) to decidualized ESCs (DEC ESCs), with distinct signaling pathways between the ESC subtypes. Furthermore, the ligand-receptor analysis suggests that ESCs communicate with epithelial cells and immune cells through nectin and ICAM signaling. Collectively, both decidualized and non-decidualized ESCs may regulate the endometrial microenvironment for optimal endometrial receptivity and immune tolerance. This study provides insights on the molecular and cellular characteristics of mouse ESCs in modulating the epithelial and lymphocyte functions during early embryo implantation.
Nano Functional Food: Opportunities, Development, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Su Qijun , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Xin , Wang Yan , Zeng Zhanghua , Cui Haixin , Wang Chunxin
Published: December 2022

A functional food is a kind of food with special physiological effects that can improve health status or reduce illness. However, the active ingredients in functional foods are usually very low due to the instability and easy degradation of some nutrients. Therefore, improving the utilization rate of the effective ingredients in functional food has become the key problem. Nanomaterials have been widely used and studied in many fields due to their small size effect, high specific surface area, high target activity, and other characteristics. Therefore, it is a feasible method to process and modify functional food using nanotechnology. In this review, we summarize the nanoparticle delivery system and the food nanotechnology in the field of functional food. We also summarize and prospect the application, basic principle, and latest development of nano-functional food and put forward corresponding views.
Aβ-Targeting Bifunctional Chelators (BFCs) for Potential Therapeutic and PET Imaging Applications
Authors: Krasnovskaya Olga , Kononova Aina , Erofeev Alexander , Gorelkin Peter , Majouga Alexander , Beloglazkina Elena
Published: December 2022

Currently, more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease resulting in personality changes, cognitive impairment, memory loss, and physical disability. Diagnosis of AD is often missed or delayed in clinical practice due to the fact that cognitive deterioration occurs already in the later stages of the disease. Thus, methods to improve early detection would provide opportunities for early treatment of disease. All FDA-approved PET imaging agents for Aβ plaques use short-lived radioisotopes such as 11C (t1/2 = 20.4 min) and 18F (t1/2 = 109.8 min), which limit their widespread use. Thus, a novel metal-based imaging agent for visualization of Aβ plaques is of interest, due to the simplicity of its synthesis and the longer lifetimes of its constituent isotopes. We have previously summarized a metal-containing drug for positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we have summarized a recent advance in design of Aβ-targeting bifunctional chelators for potential therapeutic and PET imaging applications, reported after our previous review.
Cannabidiol and Nano-Selenium Increase Microvascularization and Reduce Degenerative Changes in Superficial Breast Muscle in C. perfringens-Infected Chickens
Authors: Konieczka Paweł , Szkopek Dominika , Kinsner Misza , Kowalczyk Paweł , Michalczuk Monika , Bień Damian , Banach Joanna , Matusevičius Paulius , Bogucka Joanna
Published: December 2022

Here, we demonstrated the potential of Cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and nanosized selenium (nano-Se) for the modulation of microvascularization and muscle fiber lesions in superficial breast muscle in C. perfringens-challenged chickens. The administration of CBD resulted in a decreased number of atrophic fibers (3.13 vs. 1.13/1.5 mm2) compared with the control, whereas nano-Se or both substances resulted in a decreased split fiber number (4.13 vs. 1.55/1.5 mm2) and in a lower number of necrotic myofibers (2.38 vs. 0.69/1.5 mm2) in breast muscle than the positive control. There was a significantly higher number of capillary vessels in chickens in the CBD+Nano-Se group than in the control and positive control groups (1.31 vs. 0.97 and 0.98, respectively). Feeding birds experimental diets lowered the activity of DNA damage repair enzymes, including 3,N4-ethenodeoxycytosine (by 39.6%), 1,N6-ethenodeoxyadenosine (by 37.5%), 8-oxo-guanine (by 36.2%), formamidopyrimidine (fapy)-DNA glycosylase (by 56.2%) and human alkyl adenine DNA glycosylase (by 40.2%) in the ileal mucosa, but it did not compromise the blood mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (−2.67 OD/min on average). These findings indicate a potential link between gut mucosa condition and histopathological changes in superficial pectoral muscle under induced inflammation and show the ameliorative effect of CBD and nano-Se in this cross-talk due to their protection from mucosal DNA damage.
Inhibitors of the Sialidase NEU3 as Potential Therapeutics for Fibrosis
Authors: Karhadkar Tejas R. , Chen Wensheng , Pilling Darrell , Gomer Richard H.
Published: December 2022

Fibrosing diseases are a major medical problem, and are associated with more deaths per year than cancer in the US. Sialidases are enzymes that remove the sugar sialic acid from glycoconjugates. In this review, we describe efforts to inhibit fibrosis by inhibiting sialidases, and describe the following rationale for considering sialidases to be a potential target to inhibit fibrosis. First, sialidases are upregulated in fibrotic lesions in humans and in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. Second, the extracellular sialidase NEU3 appears to be both necessary and sufficient for pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Third, there exist at least three mechanistic ways in which NEU3 potentiates fibrosis, with two of them being positive feedback loops where a profibrotic cytokine upregulates NEU3, and the upregulated NEU3 then upregulates the profibrotic cytokine. Fourth, a variety of NEU3 inhibitors block pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model. Finally, the high sialidase levels in a fibrotic lesion cause an easily observed desialylation of serum proteins, and in a mouse model, sialidase inhibitors that stop fibrosis reverse the serum protein desialylation. This then indicates that serum protein sialylation is a potential surrogate biomarker for the effect of sialidase inhibitors, which would facilitate clinical trials to test the exciting possibility that sialidase inhibitors could be used as therapeutics for fibrosis.
Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of Cassava Tuberous Roots in Response to Postharvest Physiological Deterioration
Authors: Li Ruimei , Yuan Shuai , Zhou Yangjiao , Wang Shijia , Zhou Qin , Ding Zhongping , Wang Yajie , Yao Yuan , Liu Jiao , Guo Jianchun
Published: December 2022

Cassava is one of the most versatile tuberous-root crops on Earth. However, the postharvest storage properties of cassava tuberous root mean that it is perishable through a process known as postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), which seriously affects its starch quality. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional regulatory activity of cassava against the PPD response is necessary in order to extract key molecular mechanisms related to PPD tolerance. In this study, we found that RYG1 tuberous roots showed delayed PPD compared to those of SC8. In addition, RYG1 roots maintained a more stable cell wall structure after storage than those of SC8. The transcriptome changes in tuberous roots were analyzed for both RYG1 and SC8 after 21 days of storage (SR and SS) compared to fresh (FR and FS) by the RNA-Seq method. The total number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the various comparisons of these four samples ranged from 68 to 3847. Of these, a total of 2008 co-DEGs in SR vs. SS were shared by either SR vs. FR or SS vs. FS. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that upregulated co-DEGs in SR vs. SS were mainly enriched in photosynthesis, protein processing, hormone and cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis. By contrast, the downregulated co-DEGs were mainly related to cell wall organization, starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of the co-DEGs showed a complex interaction of genes in different pathways, and 16 hub genes were characterized to have a degree in excess of 15, among which eight genes were associated with photosynthesis. These results provide new information for the study of cassava resistance to PPD and lay a foundation for the further molecular breeding of storage-tolerant cassava varieties.
Myelinating Co-Culture as a Model to Study Anti-NMDAR Neurotoxicity
Authors: Sabet Mercedeh Farhat , Barman Sumanta , Beller Mathias , Meuth Sven G. , Melzer Nico , Aktas Orhan , Goebels Norbert , Prozorovski Tim
Published: December 2022

Anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is frequently associated with demyelinating disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease (MOGAD)) with regard to clinical presentation, neuropathological and cerebrospinal fluid findings. Indeed, autoantibodies (AABs) against the GluN1 (NR1) subunit of the NMDAR diminish glutamatergic transmission in both neurons and oligodendrocytes, leading to a state of NMDAR hypofunction. Considering the vital role of oligodendroglial NMDAR signaling in neuron-glia communication and, in particular, in tightly regulated trophic support to neurons, the influence of GluN1 targeting on the physiology of myelinated axon may be of importance. We applied a myelinating spinal cord cell culture model that contains all major CNS cell types, to evaluate the effects of a patient-derived GluN1-specific monoclonal antibody (SSM5) on neuronal and myelin integrity. A non-brain reactive (12D7) antibody was used as the corresponding isotype control. We show that in cultures at the late stage of myelination, prolonged treatment with SSM5, but not 12D7, leads to neuronal damage. This is characterized by neurite blebbing and fragmentation, and a reduction in the number of myelinated axons. However, this significant toxic effect of SSM5 was not observed in earlier cultures at the beginning of myelination. Anti-GluN1 AABs induce neurodegenerative changes and associated myelin loss in myelinated spinal cord cultures. These findings may point to the higher vulnerability of myelinated neurons towards interference in glutamatergic communication, and may refer to the disturbance of the NMDAR-mediated oligodendrocyte metabolic supply. Our work contributes to the understanding of the emerging association of NMDAR encephalitis with demyelinating disorders.
Circulating MicroRNAs and Extracellular Vesicle-Derived MicroRNAs as Predictors of Functional Recovery in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Burlacu Codrin-Constantin , Ciobanu Daniela , Badulescu Andrei-Vlad , Chelaru Vlad-Florin , Mitre Andrei-Otto , Capitanescu Bogdan , Hermann Dirk M. , Popa-Wagner Aurel
Published: December 2022

Stroke accounts for the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, with limited therapeutic strategy in both the acute and chronic phases. Blood-based biomarkers are intensively researched and widely recognized as useful tools to predict the prognoses of patients confronted with therapeutically limited diseases. We performed a systematic review of the circulating biomarkers in IS patients with prognostic value, with a focus on microRNAs and exosomes as predictive biomarkers of motor and cognitive recovery. We identified 63 studies, totalizing 72 circulating biomarkers with prognostic value in stroke recovery, as follows: 68 miRNAs and exosomal-miRNAs being identified as predictive for motor recovery after stroke, and seven biomarkers being predictive for cognitive recovery. Twelve meta-analyses were performed using effect sizes (random-effects and fixed-effects model). The most significant correlation findings obtained after pooling were with miR-21, miR-29b, miR-125b-5p, miR-126, and miR-335. We identified several miRNAs that were correlated with clinical outcomes of stroke severity and recovery after ischemic stroke, providing predictive information on motor and cognitive recovery. Based on the current state of research, we identified serum miR-9 and neutrophil miR-29b as the most promising biomarkers for in-depth follow-up studies, followed by serum miR-124 and plasma miR-125b.
Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Protects against Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Budden Kurtis F. , Gellatly Shaan L. , Vaughan Annalicia , Amorim Nadia , Horvat Jay C. , Hansbro Nicole G. , Wood David L. A. , Hugenholtz Philip , Dennis Paul G. , Wark Peter A. B. , Hansbro Philip M.
Published: December 2022

Bifidobacterium are prominent gut commensals that produce the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate, and they are often used as probiotics. Connections between the gut and the lung, termed the gut–lung axis, are regulated by the microbiome. The gut–lung axis is increasingly implicated in cigarette smoke-induced diseases, and cigarette smoke exposure has been associated with depletion of Bifidobacterium species. In this study, we assessed the impact of acetate-producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum (WT) and a mutant strain with an impaired acetate production capacity (MUT) on cigarette smoke-induced inflammation. The mice were treated with WT or MUT B. longum subsp. longum and exposed to cigarette smoke for 8 weeks before assessments of lung inflammation, lung tissue gene expression and cecal SCFAs were performed. Both strains of B. longum subsp. longum reduced lung inflammation, inflammatory cytokine expression and adhesion factor expression and alleviated cigarette smoke-induced depletion in caecum butyrate. Thus, the probiotic administration of B. longum subsp. longum, irrespective of its acetate-producing capacity, alleviated cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and the depletion of cecal butyrate levels.
A Real-Time Infodemiology Study on Public Interest in Mpox (Monkeypox) following the World Health Organization Global Public Health Emergency Declaration
Authors: Bhagavathula Akshaya Srikanth , Raubenheimer Jacques E.
Published: December 2022

Google Trends (GT) is a useful real-time surveillance tool for epidemic outbreaks such as monkeypox (Mpox). GT provides hour-by-hour (real-time) data for the last seven days of Google searches. Non-real-time data are a random sample that encompasses search trends from 2004 and up to 72 h. Google Health Trends (GHT) API extracts daily raw search probabilities relative to the time period and size of the underlying population. However, little is known about the utility of GT real-time surveillance and GHT API following the public health announcements. Thus, this study aimed to analyzed Mpox GT real-time, non-real-time, and GHT API data 72 h before and after the WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in the top five Mpox-affected countries. Joinpoint regression was used to measure hourly percentage changes (HPC) in search volume. The WHO PHEIC statement on Mpox generated 18,225.6 per 10 million Google searches in the U.S. and Germany (946.8), and in 0–4 h, the HPC increased by an average of 103% (95% CI: 37.4–200.0). This study showed the benefits of real-time surveillance and the GHT API for monitoring online demand for information on emerging infectious diseases such as Mpox.
Engineering Dental Tissues Using Biomaterials with Piezoelectric Effect: Current Progress and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ghosh Sumanta , Qiao Wei , Yang Zhengbao , Orrego Santiago , Neelakantan Prasanna
Published: December 2022

Dental caries and traumatic injuries to teeth may cause irreversible inflammation and eventual death of the dental pulp. Nevertheless, predictably, repair and regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex remain a formidable challenge. In recent years, smart multifunctional materials with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative properties have emerged as promising approaches to meet this critical clinical need. As a unique class of smart materials, piezoelectric materials have an unprecedented advantage over other stimuli-responsive materials due to their inherent capability to generate electric charges, which have been shown to facilitate both antimicrobial action and tissue regeneration. Nonetheless, studies on piezoelectric biomaterials in the repair and regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex remain limited. In this review, we summarize the biomedical applications of piezoelectric biomaterials in dental applications and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the biological effect of piezoelectricity. Moreover, we highlight how this state-of-the-art can be further exploited in the future for dental tissue engineering.
An Illusion of Control: How El Salvador’s President Rhetorically Inflates His Ability to Quell Violence
Authors: Bishop Sarah C.
Published: December 2022

To create an illusion of improving country conditions with respect to gang violence, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele relies on rhetorical strategies that include asserting his power and aptitude to accomplish what no other leader before him has done, undercutting the credibility of his critics, and selectively revealing and concealing national data. In this paper, I offer a fantasy-theme rhetorical analysis to demonstrate the strategic digital mediation of one key instance of Bukele’s wielding of the power of public diplomacy to detract attention from El Salvador’s continuing legacy of violence and democratic decline. Delivered in the midst of a government-sanctioned state of emergency following a rash of gang violence in early 2022, Bukele’s third annual Address to the Nation speech accomplishes the twin goals of proclaiming imminent victory over El Salvador’s infamous and pervasive gangs and defending himself against the critical global gaze directed at the country.
Improved Oral Health Status Is Associated with a Lower Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Park Jung-Hyun , Chang Yoonkyung , Kim Jin-Woo , Song Tae-Jin
Published: December 2022

Oral health is reportedly associated with several systemic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, through systemic inflammatory and thrombotic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the association between oral health status, oral hygiene behavior, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a nationwide, population-based cohort database in a longitudinal setting. Data of participants who underwent oral health screening by dentists between January and December 2003 (n = 2,415,963) were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Periodontitis was identified using claims or oral health screening data. Periodontal pockets and the number of missing teeth were examined by dentists during oral health screenings. Data on oral hygiene behaviors (tooth brushing, dental visits, and dental scaling) were collected. VTE was defined as two or more claims of one of the following ICD-10 codes: deep (I80.2–80.3), pulmonary (I26, I26.0, I26.9), intra-abdominal (I81, I82, I82.2, I82.3), and other (I82.8, I82.9) VTE and concurrent medication (anticoagulants and antiplatelets). VTE was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model according to periodontitis, number of missing teeth, tooth brushing frequency, dental visits, and dental scaling. VTE occurred in 39,851 (1.8%) participants within a median of 17.0 (interquartile range 16.3–17.7) years. Periodontitis was associated with VTE (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15–1.28; p < 0.001). An increased number of missing teeth was associated with an increased risk of VTE; the adjusted HR (versus participants without missing teeth) was 1.58 (95% CI, 1.46–1.71; p < 0.001, p for trend < 0.001) for participants with ≥15 missing teeth. Furthermore, tooth brushing ≥3 times a day was negatively correlated with VTE (adjusted HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65–0.69; p < 0.001, p for trend < 0.001). Dental scaling within one year was associated with a significantly lower risk of VTE (adjusted HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.98; p < 0.001). Improved oral hygiene, including tooth brushing and dental scaling, may be associated with a decreased risk of VTE. Periodontitis and an increased number of missing teeth may increase the risk of VTE.
The Effects of Frequent Coffee Drinking on Female-Dominated Healthcare Workers Experiencing Musculoskeletal Pain and a Lack of Sleep
Authors: Chen Yong-Hsin , Chou Ying-Hsiang , Yang Tsung-Yuan , Jong Gwo-Ping
Published: December 2022

Previous research has demonstrated that chronic diseases can occur due to musculoskeletal (MS) pain and poor sleep. It is also worth noting that the caffeine in coffee can reduce overall sleep duration, efficiency, and quality. Thus, the present study examines the effects of frequent coffee drinking (two cups per day) on individuals experiencing MS pain and a lack of sleep during the COVID-19 period. This observational and cross-sectional study recruited 1615 individuals who completed the self-reported (Nordic musculoskeletal) questionnaire. Long-term, frequent coffee drinking and a sleep duration of less than 6 h per day were significantly associated with neck and shoulder pain among healthy individuals. The mediation model demonstrated that the shorter sleep duration and drinking multiple cups of coffee per day had a two-way relationship that worsened such pain over the long term. Specifically, individuals who experienced such pain frequently drank multiple cups of coffee per day, which, in turn, shortened their sleep durations. In summary, long-term coffee drinking creates a vicious cycle between MS pain and sleep duration. Therefore, the amount of coffee should be fewer than two cups per day for individuals who sleep less than 6 h per day or suffer from MS pain, especially neck and shoulder pain.
Designing an Attractive Metaverse: Research on Design Factors Influencing Audience Satisfaction with a Virtual Space Based on QCA
Authors: Fang Lingzhi Brian , Dong Xiongfei , Weng Zhicheng , Chen Taoqin
Published: December 2022

Consistent with the imminence of the metaverse, academics and industry have been paying more attention to the research into the metaverse. The viewpoint that present studies have linked the metaverse to the virtual space provides an opportunity to detect the metaverse. However, current research into virtual spaces remains undeveloped from the perspective of design, especially with a lack of an ergonomic and service viewpoint. Based on this, this study integrates ergonomics, information science and service management to determine how to build an attractive virtual space. Through 102 samples, employing qualitative comparative analysis, three main configurations are proposed, and contribute to filling this research gap. The results of this study indicate that, for designing a virtual space, human interactions with the virtual space should be taken into consideration selectively, from an internal or external perspective. As for the value-delivery process, the position of the audience should be reconsidered with the invalidity of value co-creation.
The Different Phases of the Omnichannel Consumer Buying Journey: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Directions
Authors: Furquim Thales Stevan Guedes , da Veiga Claudimar Pereira , Veiga Cássia Rita Pereira da , Silva Wesley Vieira da
Published: December 2022

In recent decades, retail has been faced with a challenging scenario, resulting from the digital transformation driven by advances on the internet that has transformed retail business models, especially in commercial transactions, giving consumers a new shopping experience. However, it has been a challenge for retailers to maintain the same shopping experience in different marketing channel formats, mainly with regard to understanding the consumption habits of consumers and what can influence their purchase decisions. As far as is known, the buying process is not only about the act of buying. There is an entire buying journey that must be studied to ensure customer satisfaction from the first contact to the after-sales experience. In this context, this article identifies and analyzes the stages of the omnichannel retail purchase journey from the consumer’s perspective. To achieve the proposed objective, this study was conducted through a systematic literature review in accordance with the SPAR-4-SLR protocol. The results present several analyses that demonstrate the complexity involving the consumer’s perspective in the purchase decision process. The insights show how complex it can be to for companies to manage the purchase journey due to the individuality of each consumer. The main finding shows that most marketing studies do not address the omnichannel consumer journey and, when they do, they focus on specific parts to the detriment of a more holistic view of the buying process. The originality of this article lies in the fact that few studies on omnichannel retail have focused on the integration of all touchpoints using an empirical longitudinal evaluation.
Relationship of Postoperative Serum Neuro-Specific Enolase Levels with Postoperative Delirium Occurring after Microvascular Depression Surgery in Older Patients
Authors: Guo Tengxian , Liu Zhenxing , Qi Ji , Wu Zhen
Published: December 2022

There is a high incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) following microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. Neuronal survival, differentiation, and neurite regeneration are regulated by neuro-specific enolase (NSE). Therefore, we investigated and assessed whether circulating NSE levels are related to POD after MVD surgery. We recruited a total of 209 patients and 209 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted, and serum NSE levels were measured in the serum of patients before and after surgery, as well as the serum of controls. Patients were categorized according to the presence of POD. Postoperative patient serum levels of NSE were significantly higher compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, postoperative serum NSE levels were remarkably higher in POD patients than non-POD patients. In addition, there was no significant correlation between NSE levels and the type and severity of postoperative delirium. Age (OR = 1.153, 95% CI = 1.040–1.277, p = 0.006), the levels of serum NSE (OR = 1.326, 95% CI = 1.177–1.494, p < 0.001), and the levels of serum S100β (OR = 1.006, 95% CI = 1.000–1.012, p = 0.048) were the three independent variables for predicting POD. A significant correlation existed between serum S100β levels and serum NSE levels (t = 2.690, p = 0.008). In terms of area under the precision–recall curve, the discriminatory ability of serum NSE levels (AUC = 0.876, 95% CI = 0.829–0.924, p < 0.0001) was close to that of the serum S100β level (AUC = 0.879, 95% CI = 0.825–0.933, p < 0.0001) and significantly higher than that of age (AUC = 0.813, 95% CI = 0.755–0.871, p < 0.0001). Combining all three features produced a dramatic improvement over individual effects. The NSE level in serum was a stronger indicator of the likelihood of POD after MVD surgery in the older population. The clinical determination of this factor might be useful for distinguishing older patients at risk of POD after MVD surgery on the basis of their clinical findings.
Characteristics of Ancient Ship Wood from Taicang of the Yuan Dynasty
Authors: Liu Xinyou , Xu Xin , Tu Xinwei , Ma Wanrong , Huang Houyi , Varodi Anca Maria
Published: December 2022

In this study, wood samples extracted from the Taicang ancient ship, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, were investigated to study the characteristics of waterlogged archaeological wood. The macroscopic characteristics and microscopic structures were used to identify the wood species. To assess the degree of degradation of the waterlogged archaeological wood, X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation (NI), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to compare the new and ancient wood samples from the same species. The microscopic structures of the samples were identified as Pinus massoniana. The XRD and nanoindentation results revealed that the crystallinity index of the cellulose decreased from 41.07% to 33.85%, the elastic modulus was reduced by 20.90%, and hardness was reduced by 55.6% compared with the new wood. The FTIR spectra revealed that biological deterioration occurred in the cellulose and hemicellulose, but there was no noticeable change in the lignin content. These results provide helpful information for the conservation and restoration of ancient ships.
AC/DC Electric-Field-Assisted Growth of ZnO Nanowires for Gas Discharge
Authors: Yang Wenming , Hao Chenjun , Zhang Shengsen , Zheng Tianyang , Zhu Rong , Liu Beiying
Published: December 2022

Using ZnO nanowires as needle anodes in gas discharge is helpful for maintaining continuous discharge with a relatively low voltage. It is necessary that the ZnO nanowires are far enough apart to guarantee no electric field weakening and that the nanowire anodes are easy to assemble together with the discharging devices. An AC/DC electric-field-assisted wet chemical method is proposed in this paper. It was used to grow ZnO nanowires directly on discharging devices. The nanowires covered the whole electrode in the case in which only a DC field was applied. Moreover, the tips of the nanowires were scattered, similar to the results observed under the application of AC fields. The average distance between the tips of the highest nanowires was approximately equal to 4 μm, which almost meets the requirement of gas discharge. The research concerning growing ZnO nanowires directly on PCBs shown that, at the current time, ZnO nanowires on PCBs did not meet the requirements of gas discharge; however, in this study, the parameters regarding ZnO nanowire growth were established.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Aged Mg-Zn-Sn-Mn-Al Alloys
Authors: Hou Caihong , Ye Zhisong , Qi Fugang , Lu Liwei , She Jia , Wang Lifei , Ouyang Xiaoping , Zhao Nie , Chen Jing
Published: December 2022

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-aged Mg-6Zn-4Sn-1Mn-xAl (ZTM641-xAl, x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt.%) alloys are studied in this paper. In terms of microstructure, the results reveal that the addition of Al mainly leads to the formation of the Al8Mn5, Al11Mn4, Al2Mg5Zn2 and Mg32(Al,Zn)49 phases. With increases in the addition of Al, the average grain size first decreases and then increases, while the undissolved phases increase. The average grain size of the ZTM641-0.5Al alloy is the smallest, and the single-aged and double-aged grain size is 14 μm and 12 μm, respectively. As for mechanical properties, with increases in the Al element, the strength decreases, and the elongation first increases and then decreases. The double-aged ZTM641-0.2Al alloy exhibits favorable mechanical properties at room temperature, and the UTS, YS and elongation are 384 MPa, 360 MPa and 9%, respectively. Further, the double-aged ZTM641-0.2Al alloy exhibits the comprehensive mechanical properties at 150 °C, that is, the UTS, YS and elongation are 212 MPa, 196 MPa and 29%, respectively, which is about 45% higher than that of the elongation of ZTM641. The ZTM641-xAl alloys exhibits mixed fracture at room temperature, and, with increases in the addition of Al, the fracture mechanisms of alloys are mixed fracture, ductile fracture and mixed fracture at 200 °C.
Effect of Blade Geometry on γ′ Lattice Parameter and Primary Orientation of SX Cored Turbine Blades (I)
Authors: Krawczyk Jacek , Bogdanowicz Włodzimierz , Sieniawski Jan
Published: December 2022

The γ′ lattice parameter aγ′ and the α angle defining the primary crystal orientation of the single-crystalline cored turbine blades made of CMSX-4 superalloy were measured in the areas located near the selector situated asymmetrically, considering the top view of the blade. The distributions of the aγ′ and the α angle were determined along the lines parallel to the vertical blade axis Z using X-ray diffraction methods. The relations between changes in the aγ′(Z) and α(Z) were analyzed on the Z levels where the shape of the blade’s cross-section changes. For the first time, the local increase in aγ′(Z) was found near the root–airfoil connection level and near certain other root levels, which is related to the change in blade section shapes on such levels. The local extremes in α(Z), representing the dendrite bend, were observed at these levels. The increase in the aγ′(Z) with the local bending of dendrites was discussed concerning the local redistribution of alloying elements and local residual stresses of the γ-dendrites. For the first time, a method of analyzing the local bending of the dendrites was proposed by studying the behavior of the α(Z). The presented results concern the first stage of the research covering areas relatively close to the selector, considering the top view of the blades. The second stage will include the analysis of the areas of the blade localized at a longer distance from the selector.