bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENINGKATAN KEWIRAUSAHAAN PADA ANGGOTA PKK RT 2 RW 9 DUSUN KLANDUNGAN DESA LANDUNGSARI KECAMATAN DAU KABUPATEN MALANG
Authors: Diana Eka  , Achmad Zaini  , Tri Wahyu Widodo  , Asminah Rachmi
Published: April 2021

Pelaksanakan kegiatan sehari-hari, para anggota PKK di RT 2 RW 9 Dusun Klandungan Desa Landungsari Kecamatan Dau Kabupaten Malang masih banyak yang belum melakukan kegiatan yang produktif yang menghasilkan uang. Para anggota PKK belum melakukan kegiatan kewirausahaan secara berkelompok. Kalaupun ada beberapa anggota secara individu memiliki usaha sendiri berupa toko. Untuk membantu memperoleh pendapatan tambahan untuk rumah tangga para anggota PKK perlu melakukan kegiatan kewirausahaan yang produktif dan mudah dilakukan dirumah.

Beberapa masalah yang timbul di PKK RT2 RW 9 Dusun Klandungan Desa Landungsari berkaitan dengan kewirausahaan antara lain: tidak adanya bekal jiwa kewirausahaan, tidak adanya kemampuan/keterampilan kewirausahaan, tidak adanya pembina lapangan yang membimbing berwirausaha, tidak adanya modal untuk berwirausaha.

Pelatihan diperlukan untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang terjadi di PKK RT2 RW 9 Dusun Klandungan Desa Landungsari dalam kewirausahaan. Pelatihan yang perlu dilaksanakan tentang kewirausahaan meliputi : peningkatan motivasi berwirausaha, pemberian keterampilan kewirausahaan, pendampingan dengan kerjasama dengan pembimbing lapangan yang kompeten, bantuan modal/peralatan berwirausaha.

Politeknik Negeri Malang sebagai bagian dari masyarakat, yang merupakan lembaga pendidikan tinggi, dengan salah satu tugasnya adalah meningkatkan kualitas sumber daya manusia melalui jalur Pengabdian Masyarakat berkewajiban untuk memberikan bantuan pembimbingan kepada para anggota PKK di RT 2 RW 9 Dusun Klandungan Desa Landungsari Kecamatan Dau Kabupaten Malang
PELATIHAN MANAJEMEN BAGI PENGELOLA BADAN USAHA MILIK DESA (BUMDES) DAN IBU-IBU PKK DI KECAMATAN TEGALWERU DAU KABUPATEN MALANG
Authors: Mohammad Maskan  , Bambang Soepeno  , Tundung Subali Patma  , Yulis Nurul Aini
Published: April 2021

The goal of the local government is to provide some assistance to the villagers to stimulate the community to actively participate in local potential-based development. Therefore, BUMDes in an effort to strengthen the village economy based on the needs and potential of villages (agriculture), in order to increase the income and welfare of the villagers. The establishment of village-owned enterprises has several legal foundations that are the basis and reference in all its activities. The establishment of village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) is based on Law No. 32 of 2004 on Local Government and Government Regulation No. 72 of 2005 on Village Article 78. BUMDeS managers hold the key to success in its operationalization, therefore management training for BUMDeS managers supported by the PKK is urgently needed to improve the welfare of the villagers. This needs to be mastered by the managers of BUMDeS and PKK in order to manage their organizations through good planning, organizing, direction and supervision so that the organization's objectives can be achieved effectively and efficiently.
En dialog om kolonialitet och socialt arbete som akademiskt ämne
Authors: Sawyer Lena , Wikström Hanna , Groglopo Adrián , Abdullahi Maimuna
Published: April 2021

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Rainwater Harvesting System Integrated With Sensors for Attic Temperature Reduction
Authors: Yew Ming Chian , Wong Song Wei , Yew Ming Kun , Saw Lip Huat
Published: April 2021

This cool roof system focuses on utilization of rainwater harvesting systems by integrating the smart sensor to cool the roof and attic temperatures for the improvement of comfort level of building occupants. An ideal cool roof technology system is basically made up of these three components: (1) moving-air-cavity (MAC) ventilation, (2) solar-powered fan and (3) rainwater harvesting system. These three main components integrate to perform and control the cool roof system. Four small-scale cool roof models were designed and constructed to inspect the performance of the rooftop and attic temperatures. The experimental work was carried out indoors by employing the halogen lamp as the replacement for solar irradiation, while the ambient temperature is monitored to be around 29.8 °C throughout the test. The temperatures of the rooftop surface, MAC aluminum tube, and attic region were measured by K-type thermocouples to evaluate the performance of the cool roof designs. The solar-powered fans were incorporated into the MAC, which accelerated the airflow rate within the cavity and rejected the hot air out before transferring it to the attic region. Meanwhile, an innovative rainwater harvesting system was executed to cool the rooftop temperature rapidly by reducing the rate of heat transfer to the attic region. The result of this inventive cool roof system (Design Z) has successfully reduced the attic temperature by 10.8 °C compared to the normal metal deck roof model (Design W). The findings of the project revealed that the integrated cool roofing technology system comprises the ability to enhance the comfortability of building occupants toward a long-term sustainable development for a better world.
Genetic Defects in DNAH2 Underlie Male Infertility With Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella in Humans and Mice
Authors: Hwang Jae Yeon , Nawaz Shoaib , Choi Jungmin , Wang Huafeng , Hussain Shabir , Nawaz Mehboob , Lopez-Giraldez Francesc , Jeong Kyungjo , Dong Weilai , Oh Jong-Nam , Bilguvar Kaya , Mane Shrikant , Lee Chang-Kyu , Bystroff Christopher , Lifton Richard P. , Ahmad Wasim , Chung Jean-Ju
Published: April 2021

Asthenozoospermia accounts for over 80% of primary male infertility cases. Reduced sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients are often accompanied by teratozoospermia, or defective sperm morphology, with varying severity. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is one of the most severe forms of asthenoteratozoospermia, characterized by heterogeneous flagellar abnormalities. Among various genetic factors known to cause MMAF, multiple variants in theDNAH2gene are reported to underlie MMAF in humans. However, the pathogenicity by DNAH2 mutations remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified a novel recessive variant (NM_020877:c.12720G > T;p.W4240C) inDNAH2by whole-exome sequencing, which fully co-segregated with the infertile male members in a consanguineous Pakistani family diagnosed with asthenozoospermia. 80–90% of the sperm from the patients are morphologically abnormal, andin silicoanalysis models reveal that the non-synonymous variant substitutes a residue in dynein heavy chain domain and destabilizes DNAH2. To better understand the pathogenicity of variousDNAH2variants underlying MMAF in general, we functionally characterizedDnah2-mutant mice generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.Dnah2-null males, but not females, are infertile.Dnah2-null sperm cells display absent, short, bent, coiled, and/or irregular flagella consistent with the MMAF phenotype. We found misexpression of centriolar proteins and delocalization of annulus proteins inDnah2-null spermatids and sperm, suggesting dysregulated flagella development in spermiogenesis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that flagella ultrastructure is severely disorganized inDnah2-null sperm. Absence of DNAH2 compromises the expression of other axonemal components such as DNAH1 and RSPH3. Our results demonstrate that DNAH2 is essential for multiple steps in sperm flagella formation and provide insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of MMAF pathogenesis.
Microbial Electrochemical Oxidation of Anaerobic Digestion Effluent From Treating HTC Process Water
Authors: Dai Shixiang , Korth Benjamin , Vogt Carsten , Harnisch Falk
Published: April 2021

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising technology for chemical and material synthesis. However, HTC produces not only valuable solid coal-materials but also yields process water (PW) with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) that requires extensive treatment. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been used for initial treatment of HTC-PW, but the AD effluent is still high in COD and particles. Here, we show that microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) can be applied for COD removal from AD effluent of HTC-PW. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) treating different shares of AD effluent from HTC-PW exhibited similar trends for current production. Thereby, maximum current densities of 0.24 mA cm−2 and COD removal of 65.4 ± 4.4% were reached (n = 3). Microbial community analysis showed that the genus Geobacter dominated anode biofilm and liquid phase of all reactors indicating its central role for COD oxidation and current generation.
A Chemical Potential Equation for Modeling Triboelectrochemical Reactions on Solid–Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Liu Chenxu , Tian Yu , Meng Yonggang
Published: April 2021

Triboelectrochemical reactions occur on solid–liquid interfaces in wide range of applications when an electric field strong enough and a frictional stress high enough are simultaneously imposed on the interfaces. A characteristic of triboelectrochemical reactions is that not only the thermal energy but also the electrical and mechanical energies can activate, assist, or mitigate the solid–liquid interface chemical reactions, the products of which affect electrical and tribological behavior of the interfaces inversely. In previous studies, we have found that the coupling of frictional and electric effects could physically change the migration, adsorption, and desorption behaviors of the polar molecules, ions, or charged particles included in aqueous or nonaqueous base lubricant toward or away from the interfaces and thus control the boundary lubrication. Recently, we have found that the friction coefficient and surface appearance of some kinds of metals could also be modulated to some extent even in pure water or pure base oils under external electric stimulations. We attribute these changes to the triboelectrochemical reactions occurred when a strong external electric field is imposed on. Based on the effective collision model of chemical reactions, a chemical potential equation, which includes both electrical and mechanical contributions, has been derived. The proposed chemical potential equation can be used to explain the observed triboelectrochemical phenomenon in experiments. Based on the model, a novel method for oxidation coloring of the selected areas in metal surfaces is proposed. Together with the physical adsorption and desorption model of lubricant additives, the triboelectrochemical reaction model can well explain the phenomena of potential-controlled boundary lubrication in different lubrication systems and also provides a theoretical basis for other solid–liquid interface processes under the effects of electromechanical coupling.
The Cell Origin and Role of Osteoclastogenesis and Osteoblastogenesis in Vascular Calcification
Authors: Jiang Wenhong , Zhang Zhanman , Li Yaodong , Chen Chuanzhen , Yang Han , Lin Qiuning , Hu Ming , Qin Xiao
Published: April 2021

Arterial calcification refers to the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in the arterial wall, which results in vessel lumen stenosis and vascular remodeling. Studies increasingly show that arterial calcification is a cell mediated, reversible and active regulated process similar to physiological bone mineralization. The osteoblasts and chondrocytes-like cells are present in large numbers in the calcified lesions, and express osteogenic transcription factor and bone matrix proteins that are known to initiate and promote arterial calcification. In addition, osteoclast-like cells have also been detected in calcified arterial walls wherein they possibly inhibit vascular calcification, similar to the catabolic process of bone mineral resorption. Therefore, tilting the balance between osteoblast-like and osteoclast-like cells to the latter maybe a promising therapeutic strategy against vascular calcification. In this review, we have summarized the current findings on the origin and functions of osteoblast-like and osteoclast-like cells in the development and progression of vascular progression, and explored novel therapeutic possibilities.
ABCA1 69C>T Polymorphism and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoon Ha Young , Lee Min Hye , Song Yubin , Yee Jeong , Song Gonjin , Gwak Hye Sun
Published: April 2021

Background

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is likely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) via β cell function modification, but the evidence on the association remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the ABCA1 69C>T polymorphism and the risk of T2DM through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for qualified studies published until August 2020. Studies that included the association between the ABCA1 69C>T polymorphism and the risk of T2DM were reviewed. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated.

Results

We analyzed data from a total of 10 studies involving 17,742 patients. We found that the CC or CT genotype was associated with increased risk of T2DM than the TT genotype (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.93). In the Asian population, the C allele carriers had a higher risk of T2DM than those with the TT genotype; the ORs of the CC and CT genotypes were 1.80 (95% CI, 1.21-2.68) and 1.61 (95% CI, and 1.29-2.01), respectively.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis confirmed that the ABCA1 69C>T genotype showed a decrease risk of T2DM compared to the CC or CT genotypes.
Elevated Levels of Apolipoprotein CIII Increase the Risk of Postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Guan Yunpeng , Hou Xiaoyu , Tian Peipei , Ren Luping , Tang Yong , Song An , Zhao Jiajun , Gao Ling , Song Guangyao
Published: April 2021

Background

To investigate possible mechanisms of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PPT), we analyzed serum lipid and apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, B, CII and CIII levels before and after a high-fat meal.

Methods

The study has been registered with the China Clinical Trial Registry (registration number:ChiCTR1800019514; URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx). We recruited 143 volunteers with normal fasting triglyceride (TG) levels. All subjects consumed a high-fat test meal. Venous blood samples were obtained during fasting and at 2, 4, and 6 hours after the high-fat meal. PPT was defined as TG ≥2.5 mmol/L any time after the meal. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the high-fat meal test results: postprandial normal triglyceride (PNT) and PPT. We compared the fasting and postprandial lipid and ApoAI, ApoB, ApoCII and ApoCIII levels between the two groups.

Results

Significant differences were found between the groups in fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), TG, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), TG-rich lipoprotein remnants (TRLRs), ApoB, ApoCIII, ApoAI/ApoB and ApoCII/ApoCIII. The insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, TRLRs, ApoB, ApoCIII and ApoCII/ApoCIII values were higher in the PPT group, while the ApoAI/ApoB ratio was higher in the PNT group. The postprandial TG level peaked in the PNT group 2 hours after the meal but was significantly higher in the PPT group and peaked at 4 hours. TRLRs gradually increased within 6 hours after the high-fat meal in both groups. The area under the curve (AUC) of TG and TRLRs and the AUC increment were higher in the PPT group (P < 0.001). ApoCIII peaked in the PNT group 2 hours after the meal and gradually decreased. ApoCIII gradually increased in the PPT group within 6 hours after the meal, exhibiting a greater AUC increment (P < 0.001). Fasting ApoCIII was positively correlated with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, TC, TG, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, TRLRs, and ApoB (P<0.05). ApoCIII was an independent risk factor of PPT after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference, TC, LDL-C, and ApoB (P < 0.001, OR=1.188).

Conclusions

Elevated ApoCIII levels may cause PPT.
Macrophage Biology and Mechanisms of Immune Suppression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mehta Anita K. , Kadel Sapana , Townsend Madeline G. , Oliwa Madisson , Guerriero Jennifer L.
Published: April 2021

Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis and defend against pathogens; however, their infiltration into tumors has been associated with adverse outcomes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a significant component of the inflammatory infiltrate in breast tumors, and extensive infiltration of TAMs has been linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Here, we detail how TAMs impede a productive tumor immunity cycle by limiting antigen presentation and reducing activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) while simultaneously supporting tumor cell survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. There is an urgent need to overcome TAM-mediated immune suppression for durable anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. To date, failure to fully characterize TAM biology and classify multiple subsets has hindered advancement in therapeutic targeting. In this regard, the complexity of TAMs has recently taken center stage owing to their subset diversity and tightly regulated molecular and metabolic phenotypes. In this review, we reveal major gaps in our knowledge of the functional and phenotypic characterization of TAM subsets associated with breast cancer, before and after treatment. Future work to characterize TAM subsets, location, and crosstalk with neighboring cells will be critical to counteract TAM pro-tumor functions and to identify novel TAM-modulating strategies and combinations that are likely to enhance current therapies and overcome chemo- and immuno-therapy resistance.
Platelets in HIV: A Guardian of Host Defence or Transient Reservoir of the Virus?
Authors: Pretorius Etheresia
Published: April 2021

The immune and inflammatory responses of platelets to human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and its envelope proteins are of great significance to both the treatment of the infection, and to the comorbidities related to systemic inflammation. Platelets can interact with the HIV-1 virus itself, or with viral membrane proteins, or with dysregulated inflammatory molecules in circulation, ensuing from HIV-1 infection. Platelets can facilitate the inhibition of HIV-1 infection via endogenously-produced inhibitors of HIV-1 replication, or the virus can temporarily hide from the immune system inside platelets, whereby platelets act as HIV-1 reservoirs. Platelets are therefore both guardians of the host defence system, and transient reservoirs of the virus. Such reservoirs may be of particular significance during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) interruption, as it may drive viral persistence, and result in significant implications for treatment. Both HIV-1 envelope proteins and circulating inflammatory molecules can also initiate platelet complex formation with immune cells and erythrocytes. Complex formation cause platelet hypercoagulation and may lead to an increased thrombotic risk. Ultimately, HIV-1 infection can initiate platelet depletion and thrombocytopenia. Because of their relatively short lifespan, platelets are important signalling entities, and could be targeted more directly during HIV-1 infection and cART.
A Novel Resolution of Diabetes: C-C Chemokine Motif Ligand 4 Is a Common Target in Different Types of Diabetes by Protecting Pancreatic Islet Cell and Modulating Inflammation
Authors: Chang Ting-Ting , Lin Liang-Yu , Chen Jaw-Wen
Published: April 2021

Systemic inflammation is related to hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM). C-C chemokine motif ligand (CCL) 4 is upregulated in type 1 & type 2 DM patients. This study aimed to investigate if CCL4 could be a potential target to improve blood sugar control in different experimental DM models. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, Leprdb/JNarl diabetic mice, and C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat diet were used as the type 1 DM, type 2 DM, and metabolic syndrome model individually. Mice were randomly assigned to receive an anti-CCL4 neutralizing monoclonal antibody. The pancreatic β-cells were treated with streptozotocin for in vitro experiments. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, inhibition of CCL4 controlled blood sugar, increased serum insulin levels, increased islet cell proliferation and decreased pancreatic interleukin (IL)-6 expression. In the type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome models, CCL4 inhibition retarded the progression of hyperglycemia, reduced serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 levels, and improved insulin resistance via reducing the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in skeletal muscle and liver tissues. CCL4 inhibition directly protected pancreatic β-cells from streptozotocin stimulation. Furthermore, CCL4-induced IL-6 and TNF-α expressions could be abolished by siRNA of CCR2/CCR5. In summary, direct inhibition of CCL4 protected pancreatic islet cells, improved insulin resistance and retarded the progression of hyperglycemia in different experimental models, suggesting the critical role of CCL4-related inflammation in the progression of DM. Future experiments may investigate if CCL4 could be a potential target for blood sugar control in clinical DM.
Autoimmune B Cell Repertoire in a Mouse Model of Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Sáez Moya Manuel , Gutiérrez-Cózar Rebeca , Puñet-Ortiz Joan , Rodríguez de la Concepción María Luisa , Blanco Julià , Carrillo Jorge , Engel Pablo
Published: April 2021

In genetically prone individuals, chronic immune activation may lead to expansion of autoreactive lymphocyte clones that can induce organ damage developing autoimmune disorders. Sjögren’s Syndrome (SjS) is a systemic chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects exocrine glands. Despite the accumulated evidences of profound B-cell alterations of humoral immunity, the repertoire and development of B-cell autoreactivity in SjS remains to be determined. We hypothesize that SjS mice will have an increased frequency of self-reactive B cells with a progressive evolution to antigen-driven oligoclonality. Here, we study the B cell repertoire of NOD.H-2h4mice, a mouse model of spontaneous autoimmunity mimicking SjS without developing diabetes. A library of 168 hybridomas from NOD.H-2h4mice and 186 C57BL/6J splenocytes at different ages was created. The presence of mono or polyreactive autoantibodies to several antigens was evaluated by ELISA, and their staining patterns and cellular reactivity were tested by IFA and FACS. We observed a higher frequency of autoreactivity among B-cell clones from NOD.H-2h4mice as compared to wild-type mice. The presence of polyreactive and autoreactive IgG clones increased with mice age. Strikingly, all anti-Ro52 autoantibodies were polyreactive. No loss of polyreactivity was observed upon antibody class switching to IgG. There was a progression to oligoclonality in IgG B cells with mice aging. Our results indicate that in the NOD.H-2h4mouse model of SjS, IgG+ B cells are mainly polyreactive and might expand following an unknown antigen-driven positive selection process.
New Glomeromycotan Taxa, Dominikia glomerocarpica sp. nov. and Epigeocarpum crypticum gen. nov. et sp. nov. From Brazil, and Silvaspora gen. nov. From New Caledonia
Authors: Błaszkowski Janusz , Jobim Khadija , Niezgoda Piotr , Meller Edward , Malinowski Ryszard , Milczarski Paweł , Zubek Szymon , Magurno Franco , Casieri Leonardo , Bierza Wojciech , Błaszkowski Tomasz , Crossay Thomas , Goto Bruno Tomio
Published: April 2021

Examination of fungal specimens collected in the Atlantic rain forest ecosystems of Northeast Brazil revealed many potentially new epigeous and semihypogeous glomerocarp-producing species of the phylum Glomeromycota. Among them were two fungi that formed unorganized epigeous glomerocarps with glomoid spores of almost identical morphology. The sole structure that distinguished the two fungi was the laminate layer 2 of their three-layered spore wall, which in spores of the second fungus crushed in PVLG-based mountants contracted and, consequently, transferred into a crown-like structure. Surprisingly, phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the 18S-ITS-28S nuc rDNA and the rpb1 gene indicated that these glomerocarps represent two strongly divergent undescribed species in the family Glomeraceae. The analyses placed the first in the genus Dominikia, and the second in a sister clade to the monospecific generic clade Kamienskia with Kamienskia bistrata. The first species was described here as Dominikia glomerocarpica sp. nov. Because D. glomerocarpica is the first glomerocarp-forming species in Dominikia, the generic description of this genus was emended. The very large phylogenetic distance and the fundamental morphological differences between the second species and K. bistrata suggested us to introduce a new genus, here named as Epigeocarpum gen. nov., and name the new species Epigeocarpum crypticum sp. nov. In addition, our analyses also focused on an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus originally described as Rhizophagus neocaledonicus, later transferred to the genus Rhizoglomus. The analyses indicated that this species does not belong to any of these two genera but represents a new clade at the rank of genus in the Glomeraceae, here described as Silvaspora gen. nov.
Modulation of Peak Alpha Frequency Oscillations During Working Memory Is Greater in Females Than Males
Authors: Ghazi Tara R. , Blacker Kara J. , Hinault Thomas T. , Courtney Susan M.
Published: April 2021

Peak alpha frequency is known to vary not just between individuals, but also within an individual over time. While variance in this metric between individuals has been tied to working memory performance, less understood are how short timescale modulations of peak alpha frequency during task performance may facilitate behavior. This gap in understanding may be bridged by consideration of a key difference between individuals: sex. Inconsistent findings in the literature regarding the relationship between peak alpha frequency and cognitive performance, as well as known sex-related-differences in peak alpha frequency and its modulation motivated our hypothesis that cognitive and neural processes underlying working memory—modulation of peak alpha frequency in particular—may differ based upon sex. Targeting sex as a predictive factor, we analyzed the EEG data of participants recorded while they performed four versions of a visual spatial working memory task. A significant difference between groups was present: females modulated peak alpha frequency more than males. Task performance did not differ by sex, yet a relationship between accuracy and peak alpha frequency was present in males, but not in females. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a factor in the study of oscillatory activity, particularly to further understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie working memory.
Sleep Quality Detection Based on EEG Signals Using Transfer Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors: Wen Wu
Published: April 2021

Background

In recent years, with the acceleration of life rhythm and increased pressure, the problem of sleep disorders has become more and more serious. It affects people’s quality of life and reduces work efficiency, so the monitoring and evaluation of sleep quality is of great significance. Sleep staging has an important reference value in sleep quality assessment. This article starts with the study of sleep staging to detect and analyze sleep quality. For the purpose of sleep quality detection, this article proposes a sleep quality detection method based on electroencephalography (EEG) signals.

Materials and Methods

This method first preprocesses the EEG signals and then uses the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for feature extraction. Finally, the transfer support vector machine (TSVM) algorithm is used to classify the feature data.

Results

The proposed algorithm was tested using 60 pieces of data from the National Sleep Research Resource Library of the United States, and sleep quality was evaluated using three indicators: sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Experimental results show that the classification performance of the TSVM classifier is significantly higher than those of other comparison algorithms. This further validated the effectiveness of the proposed sleep quality detection method.
Spectrum Degradation of Hippocampal LFP During Euthanasia
Authors: Zhou Yuchen , Sheremet Alex , Kennedy Jack P. , DiCola Nicholas M. , Maciel Carolina B. , Burke Sara N. , Maurer Andrew P.
Published: April 2021

The hippocampal local field potential (LFP) exhibits a strong correlation with behavior. During rest, the theta rhythm is not prominent, but during active behavior, there are strong rhythms in the theta, theta harmonics, and gamma ranges. With increasing running velocity, theta, theta harmonics and gamma increase in power and in cross-frequency coupling, suggesting that neural entrainment is a direct consequence of the total excitatory input. While it is common to study the parametric range between the LFP and its complementing power spectra between deep rest and epochs of high running velocity, it is also possible to explore how the spectra degrades as the energy is completely quenched from the system. Specifically, it is unknown whether the 1/f slope is preserved as synaptic activity becomes diminished, as low frequencies are generated by large pools of neurons while higher frequencies comprise the activity of more local neuronal populations. To test this hypothesis, we examined rat LFPs recorded from the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex during barbiturate overdose euthanasia. Within the hippocampus, the initial stage entailed a quasi-stationary LFP state with a power-law feature in the power spectral density. In the second stage, there was a successive erosion of power from high- to low-frequencies in the second stage that continued until the only dominant remaining power was <20 Hz. This stage was followed by a rapid collapse of power spectrum toward the absolute electrothermal noise background. As the collapse of activity occurred later in hippocampus compared with medial entorhinal cortex, it suggests that the ability of a neural network to maintain the 1/f slope with decreasing energy is a function of general connectivity. Broadly, these data support the energy cascade theory where there is a cascade of energy from large cortical populations into smaller loops, such as those that supports the higher frequency gamma rhythm. As energy is pulled from the system, neural entrainment at gamma frequency (and higher) decline first. The larger loops, comprising a larger population, are fault-tolerant to a point capable of maintaining their activity before a final collapse.
SEMMs: Somatically Engineered Mouse Models. A New Tool for In Vivo Disease Modeling for Basic and Translational Research
Authors: Lima Anthony , Maddalo Danilo
Published: April 2021

Most experimental oncology therapies fail during clinical development despite years of preclinical testing rationalizing their use. This begs the question of whether the current preclinical models used for evaluating oncology therapies adequately capture patient heterogeneity and response to therapy. Most of the preclinical work is based on xenograft models where tumor mis-location and the lack of the immune system represent a major limitation for the translatability of many observations from preclinical models to patients. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) hold great potential to recapitulate more accurately disease models but their cost and complexity have stymied their widespread adoption in discovery, early or late drug screening programs. Recent advancements in genome editing technology made possible by the discovery and development of the CRISPR/Cas9 system has opened the opportunity of generating disease-relevant animal models by direct mutation of somatic cell genomes in an organ or tissue compartment of interest. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 has not only aided in the production of conventional GEMMs but has also enabled the bypassing of the construction of these costly strains. In this review, we describe the Somatically Engineered Mouse Models (SEMMs) as a new category of models where a specific oncogenic signature is introduced in somatic cells of an intended organ in a post-natal animal. In addition, SEMMs represent a novel platform to perform in vivo functional genomics studies, here defined as DIVoS (Direct In Vivo Screening).
Targeting Bruton Tyrosine Kinase With Zanubrutinib for Treatment of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma: Report of 3 Cases
Authors: Wang Liang , Guan Wenxue , Peng Xiaoyan
Published: April 2021

Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) is a rare intraocular malignancy, and standard treatment approaches have not been defined yet. Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors are found to be effective in the treatment of primary central nervous system diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Herein, we retrospectively reported the efficacy and safety profiles of bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors in three consecutive patients with VRL. All three cases of VRL occurred in patients with pre-treated primary central nervous system lymphoma and the central nervous system was not involved at the time of VRL diagnosis. They were treated with zanubrutinib, a bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, at 160 mg twice daily orally. Rapid improvement of visual acuity and tumor control was achieved in all involved eyes of these 3 patients. Complete remission was confirmed by fundus photograph and optical coherence tomography, and the level of interleukin-10, a well-recognized biomarker for vitreoretinal lymphoma, decreased to normal in all patients. Zanubrutinib was well tolerated in all three patients, and only one adverse event of grade 3 hypertension occurred, which resolved after adjusting antihypertensive drugs. As of March 2021, these three patients have been treated with zanubrutinib for 9 months, 7 months, and 6 months, respectively, and all remained in complete remission. In conclusion, targeting bruton tyrosine kinase with zanubrutinib in vitreoretinal lymphoma is feasible and our findings can be a foundation for a paradigm shift in treatment options for this rare disease. A prospective phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib in patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma is ongoing to validate our findings (ChiCTR2000037921).
Yi-Qi-Jian-Pi Formula Suppresses RIPK1/RIPK3-Complex-Dependent Necroptosis of Hepatocytes Through ROS Signaling and Attenuates Liver Injury in Vivo and in Vitro
Authors: Wang Feixia , Tang Li , Liang Baoyu , Jin Chun , Gao Liyuan , Li Yujia , Li Zhanghao , Shao Jiangjuan , Zhang Zili , Tan Shanzhong , Zhang Feng , Zheng Shizhong
Published: April 2021

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is described as a characteristic of acute jaundice and coagulation dysfunction. Effective treatments for ACLF are unavailable and hence are urgently required. We aimed to define the effect of Yi-Qi-Jian-Pi Formula (YQJPF) on liver injury and further examine the molecular mechanisms. In this study, we established CCl4-, LPS-, and d-galactosamine (D-Gal)-induced ACLF rat models in vivo and LPS- and D-Gal-induced hepatocyte injury models in vitro. We found that YQJPF significantly ameliorates liver injury in vivo and in vitro that is associated with the regulation of hepatocyte necroptosis. Specifically, YQJPF decreased expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) to inhibit the migration of RIPK1 and RIPK3 into necrosome. YQJPF also reduces the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α, which were regulated by RIPK3 mediates cell death. RIPK1 depletion was found to enhance the protective effect of YQJPF. Furthermore, we showed that YQJPF significantly downregulates the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial depolarization, with ROS scavenger, 4-hydroxy-TEMPO treatment recovering impaired RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and reducing the expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In summary, our study revealed the molecular mechanism of protective effect of YQJPF on hepatocyte necroptosis, targeting RIPK1/RIPK3-complex-dependent necroptosis via ROS signaling. Overall, our results provided a novel perspective to indicate the positive role of YQJPF in ACLF.
Use of Transcriptomic Analyses to Elucidate the Mechanism Governing Nodal Root Development in Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhao Haoyan , Guo Hailin , Zong Junqin , Li Jianjian , Wang Haoran , Liu Jianxiu , Wang Jingjing
Published: April 2021

Centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.] is a perennial warm-season grass that originated in China, and its speed of nodal rooting is important for lawn establishment. In our study, centipedegrass nodal rooting ability was limited by node aging. Transcriptome sequencing of nodal roots after 0, 2, 4, and 8 days of water culture was performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of root development. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses of DEGs indicated that plant hormone signal transduction and transcription factors might play important roles in centipedegrass nodal root growth. Among them, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases participated in multiple hormone signal transduction pathways and interacted with transcription factors. Furthermore, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase EoSINAT5 overexpressed in rice resulted in longer roots and more numerous root tips, while knockout of LOC_Os07g46560 (the homologous gene of EoSINAT5 in rice) resulted in shorter roots and fewer root tips. These results indicated that EoSINAT5 and its homologous gene are able to promote nodal root development. This research presents the transcriptomic analyses of centipedegrass nodal roots, and may contribute to elucidating the mechanism governing the development of nodal roots and facilitates the use of molecular breeding in improving rooting ability.
The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Plukenetia volubilis Provides Insights Into the Organelle Inheritance
Authors: Villanueva-Corrales Simón , García-Botero Camilo , Garcés-Cardona Froilán , Ramírez-Ríos Viviana , Villanueva-Mejía Diego F. , Álvarez Javier C.
Published: April 2021

Plukenetia volubilis L. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), also known as Sacha inchi, is considered a promising crop due to its high seed content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), all of them highly valuable for food and cosmetic industries, but the genetic basis of oil biosynthesis of this non-model plant is still insufficient. Here, we sequenced the total DNA of Sacha inchi by using Illumina and Nanopore technologies and approached a de novo reconstruction of the whole nucleotide sequence and the organization of its 164,111 bp length of the chloroplast genome, displaying two copies of an inverted repeat sequence [inverted repeat A (IRA) and inverted repeat B (IRB)] of 28,209 bp, each one separating a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,860 bp and a large single copy (LSC) region of 89,833 bp. We detected two large inversions on the chloroplast genome that were not presented in the previously reported sequence and studied a promising cpDNA marker, useful in phylogenetic approaches. This chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) marker was used on a set of five distinct Colombian cultivars of P. volubilis from different geographical locations to reveal their phylogenetic relationships. Thus, we evaluated if it has enough resolution to genotype cultivars, intending to crossbreed parents and following marker’s trace down to the F1 generation. We finally elucidated, by using molecular and cytological methods on cut flower buds, that the inheritance mode of P. volubilis cpDNA is maternally transmitted and proposed that it occurs as long as it is physically excluded during pollen development. This de novo chloroplast genome will provide a valuable resource for studying this promising crop, allowing the determination of the organellar inheritance mechanism of some critical phenotypic traits and enabling the use of genetic engineering in breeding programs to develop new varieties.
Taking Situatedness Seriously. Embedding Affective Intentionality in Forms of Living
Authors: von Maur Imke
Published: April 2021

Situated approaches to affectivity overcome an outdated individualistic perspective on emotions by emphasizing the role embodiment and environment play in affective dynamics. Yet, accounts which provide the conceptual toolbox for analyses in the philosophy of emotions do not go far enough. Their focus falls (a) on the present situation, abstracting from the broader historico-cultural context, and (b) on adopting a largely functionalist approach by conceiving of emotions and the environment as resources to be regulated or scaffolds to be used. In this paper, I argue that we need totake situatedness seriously: We need (a) to acknowledge that emotions are not situated in undetermined “contexts” but in concrete socio-culturally specific practices referring to forms of living; and (b) to agree that not only are context and emotionsusedfor the sake of something else but also that the meaning-disclosive dimension of affective intentionality is structured by situatedness as well. To do so, I offer a multidimensional approach to situatedness that integrates the biographical and cultural dimensions of contextualization within the analysis of situated affective dynamics. This approach suggests that humans affectively disclose meaning (together) which is at once product and producer of specific forms of living – and these are always already subjects of (politically relevant) critique.
Thematic Analysis of My “Coming Out” Experiences Through an Intersectional Lens: An Autoethnographic Study
Authors: Leung Enoch
Published: April 2021

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth, identity development is one of the most critical developmental task. LGBTQ youth are shown to be at risk for a variety of risk factors including depression and suicidal ideation and attempts due to how their identities are appraised in heteronormative societies. However, most LGBTQ educational psychology research have highlighted protective factors that are primarily relevant to support LGBTQ white-youth. One of the major developmental theories, Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, has identified adolescence as the period where identity development occurs. However, through an intersectional lens, identity development appears to encompass more than adolescence but also emerging adulthood, a developmental stage not accounted for by Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. The primary goal of this study is to seek to understand and question Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development through an intersectional lens of an autoethnography of my LGBTQ experiences. An autoethnographic approach [diary entries (N = 9), conversations (N = 12), interview (N = 1), social media websites and blogs (N = 2), and drawing (N = 1)] is used to understand my LGBTQ-person of color (POC) experiences of “coming out” or self-disclosure during my adolescence through emerging adulthood. Data was collected on April 2020 and spanned from 2006 through 2020 to account for the developmental period of adolescence and emerging adulthood (ages 13 through 27). Thematic analysis revealed four themes across the two developmental periods: (1) confusion and conflict between my gay and ethnic identity as a closeted adolescent, (2) my first “coming out” as a gay adolescent and “it got better,” (3) frustration arising from the internal conflict between my gay and POC identity as an emerging adult, and (4) frustration arising from external experiences with the flaws of LGBTQ community inclusivity. Results reflected a continuous theme of identity exploration and struggle through both adolescence and emerging adulthood, highlighting the need for future research to replicate similar experiences from other intersectional individuals during emerging adulthood stage, a developmental stage that is considered in between Erikson’s adolescent and young adulthood developmental stage.
Where Are the Newly Diagnosed HIV Positives in Kenya? Time to Consider Geo-Spatially Guided Targeting at a Finer Scale to Reach the “First 90”
Authors: Waruru Anthony , Wamicwe Joyce , Mwangi Jonathan , Achia Thomas N. O. , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Ng'ang'a Lucy , Miruka Fredrick , Yegon Peter , Kimanga Davies , Tobias James L. , Young Peter W. , De Cock Kevin M. , Tylleskär Thorkild
Published: April 2021

Background: The UNAIDS 90-90-90 Fast-Track targets provide a framework for assessing coverage of HIV testing services (HTS) and awareness of HIV status – the “first 90.” In Kenya, the bulk of HIV testing targets are aligned to the five highest HIV-burden counties. However, we do not know if most of the new HIV diagnoses are in these five highest-burden counties or elsewhere.

Methods: We analyzed facility-level HTS data in Kenya from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016 to assess the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed HIV-positives. We used the Moran's Index (Moran's I) to assess global and local spatial auto-correlation of newly diagnosed HIV-positive tests and Kulldorff spatial scan statistics to detect hotspots of newly diagnosed HIV-positive tests. For aggregated data, we used Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations non-parametric rank test to compare absolute numbers across classes.

Results: Out of 4,021 HTS sites, 3,969 (98.7%) had geocodes available. Most facilities (3,034, 76.4%), were not spatially autocorrelated for the number of newly diagnosed HIV-positives. For the rest, clustering occurred as follows; 438 (11.0%) were HH, 66 (1.7%) HL, 275 (6.9%) LH, and 156 (3.9%) LL. Of the HH sites, 301 (68.7%) were in high HIV-burden counties. Over half of 123 clusters with a significantly high number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons, 73(59.3%) were not in the five highest HIV-burden counties. Clusters with a high number of newly diagnosed persons had twice the number of positives per 1,000,000 tests than clusters with lower numbers (29,856 vs. 14,172).

Conclusions: Although high HIV-burden counties contain clusters of sites with a high number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons, we detected many such clusters in low-burden counties as well. To expand HTS where most needed and reach the “first 90” targets, geospatial analyses and mapping make it easier to identify and describe localized epidemic patterns in a spatially dispersed epidemic like Kenya's, and consequently, reorient and prioritize HTS strategies.