bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN MEMBACA PEMAHAMAN MELALUI METODE SQ3R SISWA KELAS V SDN 2 RAMPA KECAMATAN PULAU LAUT UTARA KABUPATEN KOTABARU
Authors: Munaji Munaji
Published: March 2022

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) Mengetahui penggunaan metode SQ3R dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa kelas V SDN 2 Rampa dalam membaca pemahaman (2) Mengetahui aktifitas siswa terhadap pembelajaran dengan menggunakan metode SQ3R dalam pembelajaran keterampilan membaca pemahaman (3) Mengetahui aktifitas guru terhadap pembelajaran dengan menggunakan metode SQ3R dalam pembelajaran keterampilan membaca pemahaman. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian kualitatif yang bersifat deskriptif yaitu menggambarkan secara obyektif dan aktual tahapan pembelajaran. Sedangkan jenis penelitian ini adalah tindakan kelas yaitu bentuk pembelajaran yang bersifat reflektif untuk memperbaiki kondisi pembelajaran dan meningkatkan keterampilan membaca pemahaman dengan metode SQ3R. Jenis penelitian kualitatif dengan menganalisa data secara kuantitatif melalui langkah-langkah pengumpulan, pengolahan, penganalisaan dan penyajian data  dengan teknik observasi dan tes kemampuan siswa membaca pemahaman pada proses pembelajaran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penerapan metode SQ3R dapat meningkatkan keterampilan siswa dalam membaca pemahaman dan mengubah perilaku siswa ke arah yang positif. Hal ini diketahui dari nilai hasil belajar yang secara bertahap meningkat mencapai indikator ketuntasan belajar dan dibuktikan dari nilai tes hasil belajar siswa dari nilai rata-rata 70,4 dengan ketuntasan klasikal 80% meningkat menjadi 83,2 dengan ketuntasan klasikal 92%.

 

 

Kata Kunci: Membaca, Metode SQ3R.
Dindar ve Muhafazakar Kadının Program Tercihleri ve Bu Tercihlerde Gündüz Kuşağı Programlarına Eleştirel Bakış
Authors: Ankaralı Fatma
Published: March 2022

Değişen ve gelişen yaşam koşulları, ilerleyen teknoloji bir taraftan hayatı kolaylaştırırken, diğer taraftan insanları daha çok bireyselleştirmekte ve yalnızlaştırmaktadır. Bireyselleşmenin getirdiği mutsuzluk ve akabinde patlak veren sosyal olaylar aile kurumunu da tehdit etmektedir. Türk toplumu olarak büyük kıymet verilen ve son kale olarak tanımlanan aile yapısının korunmaya ihtiyacı her zamankinden daha fazladır. Bu çalışma, ailenin şekillenmesinde, çocukların yetişmesinde başrolde olan kadınların televizyon seyretme alışkanlıkları ve bilinçliliklerinin önemini düşünerek yapılmıştır. Özellikle kendini dindar ve muhafazakar olarak tanımlayan kadınların bu tutumlarının televizyon karşısında nasıl şekil aldığını öğrenmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca kadınlar arasında oldukça revaçta olan gündüz kuşağı programlarının tercihinde dindarlık ve muhafazakarlığın oynadığı rolü tespit etmeyi ve bu yönde araştırma yapmayı hedeflemektedir. Çalışmanın sonucuna göre, bu kadınların televizyon izleme alışkanlıklarının, genel araştırma verilerine oranla daha düşük seviyede olduğu görülmektedir. Özellikle aile kurumuna ciddi zararları olan gündüz kuşağı programı izlenme oranlarının araştırılan grupta bilinçli bir şekilde düşük düzeyde olması ve izlenmeme sebebi olarak aile kurumuna verdiği zararların öncelenmesi elde edilen önemli bulgulardandır.
Peran Orangtua Dan Guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen Dalam Pembentukan Karakter Rohani Siswa Di SMP Negeri 2 Taman Sidoarjo Jawa Timur
Authors: Simanjutak Adianto
Published: March 2022

The study aims to describe the role of Christian education parents and teachers in the formation of children's spiritual characters. The focus of this research is how Christian education parent and teacher roles are in the formation of child's spiritual character. Research was conducted at Junior high school Negeri 2 Taman Kabupaten Sidoarjo and as a source of data for children's parents, teacher Christian education and a Christian child. Data collection techniques consist of literature reviews, interviews, and documentation. The instruments in this research are interview guidelines, and are denomented. The data analysis technique used in this study is a qualitative data analysis, following the concepts given Miles and Huberman and Spradley. From the results of the analysis of data obtained the conclusion of the parent role in the formation of children's spiritual character in the school Junior high school Negeri 2 Taman Kabupaten Sidoarjo, not entirely fulfilled. While the role of teachers Christian education Junior high school Negeri 2 Taman Kabupaten Sidoarjo, has been done with the maximum, namely as educators, counselors, advisers, motivators, evangelists, communicators, and socialization agents and roles in accordance with the demands of the curriculum K13.

Abstrak Indonesia 

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan peran orang tua dan guru PAK dalam pembentukan karakter spiritual Siswa. Fokus penelitian ini adalah bagaimana peran orang tua dan guru PAK dalam pembentukan karakter spiritual Siswa. Penelitian dilakukan di SMP Negeri 2 Taman Kabupaten Sidoarjo dan sebagai sumber data bagi orang tua Siswa, Guru PAK, dan Siswa Kristen. Teknik pengumpulan data terdiri dari studi pustaka, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini adalah pedoman wawancara, dan dekumentasi. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis data kualitatif, mengikuti konsep yang diberikan Miles dan Huberman dan Spradley. Dari hasil analisis data diperoleh kesimpulan peran orang tua dalam pembentukan karakter spiritual Siswa di sekolah SMP Negeri 2 Taman Kabupaten Sidoarjo , belum sepenuhnya terpenuhi. Sedangkan peran guru PAK SMP Negeri 2 Taman Sidoarjo , telah dilakukan dengan maksimal yaitu sebagai pendidik, konselor, pembimbing, motivator, penginjil, komunikator, dan agen sosialisasi dan peran sesuai dengan tuntutan kurikulum K13.
Optimum Stand Density of Tropical Maize Varieties: An On-farm Evaluation of Grain Yield Responses in the Nigerian Savanna
Authors: Adnan Adnan Aminu , Diels Jan , Jibrin Jibrin Mohammed , Kamara Alpha Yaya , Craufurd Peter , Shaibu Abdulwahab Salisu , Garba Ismail Ibrahim
Published: March 2022

Selection of appropriate sowing density is an important yield enhancing management decision in maize (Zea mays L.) production particularly in rainfed conditions. This study aimed at evaluating the optimum stand densities (OSDs) of 10 recently released maize varieties under different crop management decisions and environments. Ten maize varieties of varying characteristics were planted in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria across 30 farmer's fields in the rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017 under three stand densities: 2.6, 5.3, and 6.6 plants m−2. Grain yield and yield components were greatest under the high density in both years across all locations. The intermediate maturing varieties produced higher grain yields compared to the early and late maturing varieties in both years and locations. The environmental indices from the Factor Analytic Model showed 20% of the fields were optimal, 28.3% moderate, 31.7% poor, and 20% were very poor environments. Increasing planting density did not significantly affect the grain yield of the varieties in very poor environments. A linear increase in grain yield was observed in moderate and optimum environments with every increase in stand density for all varieties except Sammaz 32, however, optimum planting densities could not be reached for all the varieties. Therefore, tropical maize varieties should be planted under specific densities that account for environmental and management conditions to maximize yield.
Coupling Power Laws Offers a Powerful Modeling Approach to Certain Prediction/Estimation Problems With Quantified Uncertainty
Authors: Ma Zhanshan (Sam)
Published: March 2022

Power laws (PLs) have been found to describe a wide variety of natural (physical, biological, astronomic, meteorological, and geological) and man-made (social, financial, and computational) phenomena over a wide range of magnitudes, although their underlying mechanisms are not always clear. In statistics, PL distribution is often found to fit data exceptionally well when the normal (Gaussian) distribution fails. Nevertheless, predicting PL phenomena is notoriously difficult because of some of its idiosyncratic properties, such as lack of well-defined average value and potentially unbounded variance. Taylor's power law (TPL) is a PL first discovered to characterize the spatial and/or temporal distribution of biological populations. It has also been extended to describe the spatiotemporal heterogeneities (distributions) of human microbiomes and other natural and artificial systems, such as fitness distribution in computational (artificial) intelligence. The PL with exponential cutoff (PLEC) is a variant of power-law function that tapers off the exponential growth of power-law function ultimately and can be particularly useful for certain predictive problems, such as biodiversity estimation and turning-point prediction for Coronavirus Diease-2019 (COVID-19) infection/fatality. Here, we propose coupling (integration) of TPL and PLEC to offer a methodology for quantifying the uncertainty in certain estimation (prediction) problems that can be modeled with PLs. The coupling takes advantage of variance prediction using TPL and asymptote estimation using PLEC and delivers CI for the asymptote. We demonstrate the integrated approach to the estimation of potential (dark) biodiversity of the American gut microbiome (AGM) and the turning point of COVID-19 fatality. We expect this integrative approach should have wide applications given duel (contesting) relationship between PL and normal statistical distributions. Compared with the worldwide COVID-19 fatality number on January 24th, 2022 (when this paper is online), the error rate of the prediction with our coupled power laws, made in the May 2021 (based on the fatality data then alone), is approximately 7% only. It also predicted that the turning (inflection) point of the worldwide COVID-19 fatality would not occur until the July of 2022, which contrasts with a recent prediction made by Murray on January 19th of 2022, who suggested that the “end of the pandemic is near” by March 2022.
Arc-Length Re-Parametrization and Signal Registration to Determine a Characteristic Average and Statistical Response Corridors of Biomechanical Data
Authors: Hartlen Devon C. , Cronin Duane S.
Published: March 2022

A characteristic average and biofidelity response corridors are commonly used to represent the average behaviour and variability of biomechanical signal data for analysis and comparison to surrogates such as anthropometric test devices and computational models. However, existing methods for computing the characteristic average and corresponding response corridors of experimental data are often customized to specific types or shapes of signal and therefore limited in general applicability. In addition, simple methods such as point-wise averaging can distort or misrepresent important features if signals are not well aligned and highly correlated. In this study, an improved method of computing the characteristic average and response corridors of a set of experimental signals is presented based on arc-length re-parameterization and signal registration. The proposed arc-length corridor method was applied to three literature datasets demonstrating a range of characteristics common to biomechanical data, such as monotonic increasing force-displacement responses with variability, oscillatory acceleration-time signals, and hysteretic load-unload data. The proposed method addresses two challenges in assessing experimental data: arc-length re-parameterization enables the assessment of complex-shaped signals, including hysteretic load-unload data, while signal registration aligned signal features such as peaks and valleys to prevent distortion when determining the characteristic average response. The arc-length corridor method was shown to compute the characteristic average and response corridors for a wide range of biomechanical data, while providing a consistent statistical framework to characterize variability in the data. The arc-length corridor method is provided to the community in the freely available and open-source software package, ARCGen.
Avascular Necrosis of the Hip Compromises Gait Balance Control in Female Juveniles With Unilateral Developmental Dysplasia Treated in Toddlerhood
Authors: Lee Wei-Chun , Lee Pei-An , Chen Tsan-Yang , Chen Yu-Ting , Wu Kuan-Wen , Tsai Yu-Lin , Wang Ting-Ming , Lu Tung-Wu
Published: March 2022

Avascular necrosis of the hip (AVN) is one of the most severe complications of surgical reduction when treating developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The current study identified the differences in the balance control during walking in terms of the inclination angle (IA) of the center of pressure (COP) to the center of mass (COM), and the rate of change of IA (RCIA) between female juveniles with and without secondary AVN at the hip who were treated for unilateral DDH during toddlerhood as compared to their healthy peers. When compared to female healthy controls, the non-AVN group showed bilaterally similar compromised balance control with significantly decreased IA (p < 0.05) but increased RCIA (p < 0.04) in the sagittal plane during single-limb support (SLS) of the unaffected side, and in the frontal plane during terminal double-limb support (DLS) of the affected side. In contrast, the AVN increased between-side differences in the sagittal IA (p = 0.01), and sagittal and frontal RCIA during DLS (p < 0.04), leading to bilaterally asymmetrical balance control. Secondary AVN significantly reduced IA and RCIA in the sagittal plane (p < 0.05), and reduced range of RCIA in the frontal plane during initial DLS (p < 0.05). The trend reversed during terminal DLS, indicating a conservative COM-COP control in the sagittal plane and a compromised control in the frontal plane during body weight acceptance, with a compromised COM-COP control in the frontal plane during weight release. The current results suggest that increased between-side differences in the sagittal IA, and sagittal and frontal RCIA during DLS are a sign of AVN secondary to treated unilateral DDH in female juveniles, and should be monitored regularly for early identification of the disease.
Organisational Factors of Artificial Intelligence Adoption in the South African Construction Industry
Authors: Tjebane Motheo Meta , Musonda Innocent , Okoro Chioma
Published: March 2022

The innovation of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), has rapidly changed the world. It is currently at a nascent stage worldwide in the construction industry throughout the lifecycle of projects. However, construction organisations of developing countries such as South Africa are still lagging in recognising the need to adopt emerging digital innovations such as AI to improve the built sector’s performance. This study aims to identify organisational factors imperative to driving the adoption of AI in construction organisations. The study uses a quantitative survey approach to collect data through snowball sampling of industry experts on factors associated with AI adoption. With data from 169 respondents, exploratory factor analysis was adopted to identify critical organisational factors to ease AI adoption in the industry. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis was employed to demonstrate the relationship among the constructs. The study proposes 17 factors to drive organisational AI, categorised into four components; innovative organisational culture, competence-based development, collaborative decision-making, and strategic analysis. However, previous studies have identified organisational factors of AI in the construction and allied industries. This study presented the organisational factors of AI in the construction industry using EFA and CFA, a method not used in articles presented in the SLR identified. The use of CFA improves the measurement of the constructs. It thus enhances understanding of the underlying components of a construct and its relationship with AI in the construction industry.
New Approach for Characterization and Mitigation of the Swelling Phenomenon
Authors: Bouassida Mounir , Manigniavy Sergio Andrew , Azaiez Dalel , Bouassida Yosra
Published: March 2022

This article first introduces a new method of characterization of expansive clays after oedometer test results performed on intact saturated clay specimens. On the presumed expansive clays specimens, oedometer tests are preceded by the free swelling test from which the swelling pressure is measured. From current oedometer test results carried out on expansive and non-expansive clays, the ratio of compression index (Cc) by the swelling index (Cs) was determined. A threshold value of the ratio Cc/Cs was identified to distinguish between expansive clay specimens and non-expansive clay specimens. Second, a novel mitigation method of the swelling phenomena was validated by performing oedometer tests on expansive clay specimens preceding the measurement of swelling pressure. Oedometer tests performed on a 53% thickness clay specimen overlaid by a 47% thickness of sand showed a significant reduction of the swelling pressure compared to that measured on a full expansive clay specimen. The mitigation solution reduced the swelling effect by placing a compacted granular layer as an interface between the expansive clay and the foundation. This solution has been adopted and approved in forthcoming a lightweight building construction at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis City.
Placental Nutrient Transporters and Maternal Fatty Acids in SGA, AGA, and LGA Newborns From Mothers With and Without Obesity
Authors: Garcia-Santillan Juan-Antonio , Lazo-de-la-Vega-Monroy Maria-Luisa , Rodriguez-Saldaña Gloria-Celina , Solis-Barbosa Miguel-Angel , Corona-Figueroa Maria-Angelica , Gonzalez-Dominguez Martha-Isabel , Gomez-Zapata Hector-Manuel , Malacara Juan-Manuel , Barbosa-Sabanero Gloria
Published: March 2022

Adverse environmental factors in early life result in fetal metabolic programming and increased risk of adult diseases. Birth weight is an indirect marker of the intrauterine environment, modulated by nutrient availability and placental transport capacity. However, studies of placental transporters in idiopathic birth weight alterations and in maternal obesity in relation to neonatal metabolic outcomes are scarce. We aimed to analyze the placental nutrient transporter protein expression in small (SGA, n = 14), adequate (AGA, n = 18), and large (LGA n = 10) gestational age term for newborns from healthy or obese mothers (LGA-OB, n = 9) and their association with maternal fatty acids, metabolic status, placental triglycerides, and neonatal outcomes. The transporter expression was determined by Western blot. The fatty acid profile was evaluated by gas chromatography, and placental triglycerides were quantified by an enzymatic colorimetric method. GLUT1 was higher in LGA and lower in SGA and positively correlated with maternal HbA1c and placental weight (PW). SNAT2 was lower in SGA, while SNAT4 was lower in LGA-OB. FATP1 was lower in SGA and higher in LGA. SNAT4 correlated negatively and FATP1 correlated positively with the PW and birth anthropometry (BA). Placental triglycerides were higher in LGA and LGA-OB and correlated with pregestational BMI, maternal insulin, and BA. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was higher in SGA, specifically in male placentas, correlating negatively with maternal triglycerides, PW, cord glucose, and abdominal perimeter. Palmitic acid (PA) correlated positively with FATP4 and cord insulin, linoleic acid correlated negatively with PA and maternal cholesterol, and arachidonic acid correlated inversely with maternal TG and directly with FATP4. Our study highlights the importance of placental programming in birth weight both in healthy and obese pregnancies.
Emerging Mechanisms and Targeted Therapy of Pyroptosis in Central Nervous System Trauma
Authors: Yang Biao , Zhong Weijie , Gu Ying , Li Yi
Published: March 2022

Cell death can occur in different modes, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Recent studies have shown that pyroptosis can be effectively regulated and that like necroptosis, pyroptosis has been regarded as a type of programmed cell death. The mechanism of its occurrence can be divided into canonical inflammasome-induced pyroptosis and noncanonical inflammasome-induced pyroptosis. In the past research, pyroptosis has been shown to be closely related to various diseases, such as tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and central nervous system trauma, and studies have pointed out that in central nervous system trauma, pyroptosis is activated. Furthermore, these studies have shown that the inhibition of pyroptosis can play a role in protecting nerve function. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of pyroptosis, introduce treatment strategies for targeted pyroptosis in central nervous system trauma, and proposed some issues of targeted pyroptosis in the treatment of central nervous system injury.
Chemical Pretreatment Activated a Plastic State Amenable to Direct Lineage Reprogramming
Authors: Yang Zhenghao , Xu Xiaochan , Gu Chan , Nielsen Alexander Valentin , Chen Guokai , Guo Fan , Tang Chao , Zhao Yang
Published: March 2022

Somatic cells can be chemically reprogrammed into a pluripotent stem cell (CiPSC) state, mediated by an extraembryonic endoderm- (XEN-) like state. We found that the chemical cocktail applied in CiPSC generation initially activated a plastic state in mouse fibroblasts before transitioning into XEN-like cells. The plastic state was characterized by broadly activated expression of development-associated transcription factors (TFs), such as Sox17, Ascl1, Tbx3, and Nkx6-1, with a more accessible chromatin state indicating an enhanced capability of cell fate conversion. Intriguingly, introducing such a plastic state remarkably improved the efficiency of chemical reprogramming from fibroblasts to functional neuron-like cells with electrophysiological activity or beating skeletal muscles. Furthermore, the generation of chemically induced neuron-like cells or skeletal muscles from mouse fibroblasts was independent of the intermediate XEN-like state or the pluripotency state. In summary, our findings revealed a plastic chemically activated multi-lineage priming (CaMP) state at the onset of chemical reprogramming. This state enhanced the cells’ potential to adapt to other cell fates. It provides a general approach to empowering chemical reprogramming methods to obtain functional cell types bypassing inducing pluripotent stem cells.
Artificially Increasing Cortical Tension Improves Mouse Oocytes Development by Attenuating Meiotic Defects During Vitrification
Authors: Du Xingzhu , Li Jun , Zhuan Qingrui , Zhang Luyao , Meng Lin , Ren Panyu , Huang Xiaohan , Bai Jiachen , Wan Pengcheng , Sun Wenquan , Hou Yunpeng , Zhu Shien , Fu Xiangwei
Published: March 2022

Oocyte cryopreservation demonstrates great benefits in the conservation of animal germplasm resources and assisted reproductive technology. However, vitrification causes damages in oocytes, which would lead to the decrease of oocyte quality, and embryonic development post fertilization. Cytoskeleton plays an important role in regulating cell shape, organelle migration, cell division and mechanical signal transduction. Cortical tension is a reflection of the physiological state and contractile ability of cortical cytoskeleton. Appropriate cortical tension is prerequesite for normal oocyte meiosis. In the present study, oocyte cortical tension was examined by evaluating the levels of cortical tension-related protein pERM (Phospho-Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) and pMRLC (Phospho-Myosin Light Chain 2). We found that the cortical tension of vitrified oocytes was decreased. Increasing cortical tension of vitrified oocytes by adding 10 μg/ml ConA during in vitro culture could significantly improve the polar body extrusion rate and embryo development. Furthermore, increasing the cortical tension could improve spindle positioning, maintain kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachment, strengthen spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) activity, and reduce the aneuploidy rate in vitrified oocytes. In conclusion, vitrification induced a remarkable decrease in cortical tension, and increasing the cortical tension could rescue the meiosis defect and improve oocyte quality.
Triazine-Based Conjugated Microporous Polymers With Different Linkage Units for Visible Light–Driven Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Sheng Qiannan , Zhong Xiujuan , Shang Qianqian , Dong YunYun , Zhao Jinsheng , Du Yuchang , Xie Yu
Published: March 2022

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), as a kind of two-dimensional material, have attracted extensive attention due to their advantages in visible light–driven photocatalytic splitting of water for hydrogen evolution. However, improving the microstructure and electronic structure of the material to enhance their photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution remains a challenge. We designed and reported two analogous CMPs including CMP-1 and CMP-2 that contain triazine and dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide units, which were prepared by Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. The main difference of two CMPs is that the triazine units are connected to benzene unit (CMP-1) or thiophene unit (CMP-2). Both of the CMPs exhibit excellent light capture capability, and compared with CMP-2, CMP-1 has faster separation rates and lower recombination rates for the charge carriers (electron/hole), and then, a higher hydrogen evolution rate was obtained from water decomposition reaction. We find the H2 production rate of CMP-1 can be up to 9,698.53 μmol g−1h −1, which is about twice of that of CMP-2. This work suggests that molecular design is a potent method to optimize the photocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution of the CMPs.
Genetics Behind the Glycosylation Patterns in the Biosynthesis of Dalbaheptides
Authors: Yushchuk Oleksandr , Zhukrovska Kseniia , Berini Francesca , Fedorenko Victor , Marinelli Flavia
Published: March 2022

Glycopeptide antibiotics are valuable natural metabolites endowed with different pharmacological properties, among them are dalbaheptides used to treat different infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens. Dalbaheptides are produced by soil-dwelling high G-C Gram-positive actinobacteria. Their biosynthetic pathways are encoded within large biosynthetic gene clusters. A non-ribosomally synthesized heptapeptide aglycone is the common scaffold for all dalbaheptides. Different enzymatic tailoring steps, including glycosylation, are further involved in decorating it. Glycosylation of dalbaheptides is a crucial step, conferring them specific biological activities. It is achieved by a plethora of glycosyltransferases, encoded within the corresponding biosynthetic gene clusters, able to install different sugar residues. These sugars might originate from the primary metabolism, or, alternatively, their biosynthesis might be encoded within the biosynthetic gene clusters. Already installed monosaccharides might be further enzymatically modified or work as substrates for additional glycosylation. In the current minireview, we cover recent updates concerning the genetics and enzymology behind the glycosylation of dalbaheptides, building a detailed and consecutive picture of this process and of its biological evolution. A thorough understanding of how glycosyltransferases function in dalbaheptide biosynthesis might open new ways to use them in chemo-enzymatic synthesis and/or in combinatorial biosynthesis for building novel glycosylated antibiotics.
Silicon Passivation by Ultrathin Hafnium Oxide Layer for Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Staišiūnas Laurynas , Kalinauskas Putinas , Juzeliūnas Eimutis , Grigucevičienė Asta , Leinartas Konstantinas , Niaura Gediminas , Stanionytė Sandra , Selskis Algirdas
Published: March 2022

Hafnium oxide (HfO2) films on silicon have the potential for application in photovoltaic devices. However, very little is known about the photoelectrochemical and protective properties of HfO2 films on Si. In this study, ultrathin films of HfO2 in the range of 15–70 nm were deposited on p-Si and Au substrates by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD) identified the amorphous structure of the layers. Quartz crystal nanogravimetry (QCN) with Si and Au substrates indicated dynamics of electrolyte intake into the oxide film. No indications of oxide dissolution have been observed in acid (pH 3) and alkaline (pH 12) electrolytes. Mott–Schottky plots showed that the dark Si surface adjacent to the SiHfO2 interface is positively charged in an acid electrolyte and negatively charged in an alkaline electrolyte. The number of photoelectrons was determined to be much greater than the doping level of silicon. The cathodic photoactivity of the p-Si electrode protected by HfO2 films was studied with respect to the reaction of hydrogen reduction in acid and alkaline solutions. In acid solution, the film enhanced the reduction process when compared to that on the coating free electrode. The acceleration effect was explained in terms of prevention of silicon oxide formation, whose passivating capability is higher than that of hafnia films. In an alkaline electrolyte, an inhibition effect of the film was determined. Hafnia films protected Si from corrosion in this medium; however, at the same time, the film reduced electrode activity.
Quantitative Visual Detection of Mercury Ions With Ratiometric Fluorescent Test Paper Sensor
Authors: Fan Mimi , Pan Zhihui , Wang Chunjuan , Guo Yang , Sun Jingran , Liu Mingzhu , Peng Bo , Wu Jin , Fang Yanjun
Published: March 2022

A novel ratiometric fluorescence probe based on nitrogen-doped blue carbon dots (NCDs) and red gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) for mercuric ion (Hg2+) has been prepared and characterized. A user friendly fluorescent test paper based sensor combined with smartphone was fabricated for rapid visual and quantitative detection. Hg2+ can specifically bind to Au+ on the surface of Au NCs, leading to the quench of red fluorescence while the fluorescence intensity of the NCDs with blue fluorescence remained unchanged as a internal standard signal. The implement of paper-based sensor address some common drawback in analytical process such as the detection time, analysis cost. In a further demonstration, a homemade detection device with smartphone was used to qualify the Hg2+. After adding different concentration of Hg2+, red, purple, and blue colors were obtained on the detection zones of the fluorescent test paper. The Android App Color Grab was used to identify the red, green and blue (RGB) values of fluorescent color. The rapid visual and quantitative detection of Hg2+ was accomplished with the detection limit of 2.7 nM for fluorescence, 25 nM for smartphone and 32 nM for paper strip. The developed multi-mode detection platform was successfully applied to the detection of mercury ions in water samples with acceptable recoveries. The NCDs and Au NCs probe facilitate the one-site environmental monitoring for Hg2+ with “naked-eye” and smartphone.
Studying Acetylation of Aconitase Isozymes by Genetic Code Expansion
Authors: Araujo Jessica , Ottinger Sara , Venkat Sumana , Gan Qinglei , Fan Chenguang
Published: March 2022

Aconitase catalyzes the second reaction of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the reversible conversion of citrate and isocitrate. Escherichia coli has two isoforms of aconitase, AcnA and AcnB. Acetylomic studies have identified acetylation at multiple lysine sites of both E. coli aconitase isozymes, but the impacts of acetylation on aconitases are unknown. In this study, we applied the genetic code expansion approach to produce 14 site-specifically acetylated aconitase variants. Enzyme assays and kinetic analyses showed that acetylation of AcnA K684 decreased the enzyme activity, while acetylation of AcnB K567 increased the enzyme activity. Further in vitro acetylation and deacetylation assays were performed, which indicated that both aconitase isozymes could be acetylated by acetyl-phosphate chemically, and be deacetylated by the CobB deacetylase at most lysine sites. Through this study, we have demonstrated practical applications of genetic code expansion in acetylation studies.
Fabrication of Naturally Derived Double-Network Hydrogels With a Sustained Aspirin Release System for Facilitating Bone Regeneration
Authors: Zhu Wenfeng , Chen Rui , Wang Weiheng , Liu Yi , Shi Changgui , Tang Songjun , Tang Guoke
Published: March 2022

Continuous efforts on pursuit of effective drug delivery systems for engineering hydrogel scaffolds is considered a promising strategy for the bone-related diseases. Here, we developed a kind of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, ASA)–based double-network (DN) hydrogel containing the positively charged natural chitosan (CS) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) polymers. Combination of physical chain-entanglement, electrostatic interactions, and a chemically cross-linked methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) network led to the formation of a DN hydrogel, which had a suitable porous structure and favorable mechanical properties. After in situ encapsulation of aspirin agents, the resulting hydrogels were investigated as culturing matrices for adipose tissue–derived stromal cells (ADSCs) to evaluate their excellent biocompatibility and biological capacities on modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. We further found that the long-term sustained ASA in the DN hydrogels could contribute to the anti-inflammation and osteoinductive properties, demonstrating a new strategy for bone tissue regeneration.
Network-Based Differences in the Vaginal and Bladder Microbial Communities Between Women With and Without Urgency Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Nardos Rahel , Leung Eric T. , Dahl Erin M. , Davin Sean , Asquith Mark , Gregory W. Thomas , Karstens Lisa
Published: March 2022

Background

Little is known about the relationship of proximal urogenital microbiomes in the bladder and the vagina and how this contributes to bladder health. In this study, we use a microbial ecology and network framework to understand the dynamics of interactions/co-occurrences of bacteria in the bladder and vagina in women with and without urgency urinary incontinence (UUI).

Methods

We collected vaginal swabs and catheterized urine specimens from 20 women with UUI (cases) and 30 women without UUI (controls). We sequenced the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and evaluated using alpha and beta diversity metrics. We used microbial network analysis to detect interactions in the microbiome and the betweenness centrality measure to identify central bacteria in the microbial network. Bacteria exhibiting maximum betweenness centrality are considered central to the microbe-wide networks and likely maintain the overall microbial network structure.

Results

There were no significant differences in the vaginal or bladder microbiomes between cases and controls using alpha and beta diversity. Silhouette metric analysis identified two distinct microbiome clusters in both the bladder and vagina. One cluster was dominated by Lactobacillus genus while the other was more diverse. Network-based analyses demonstrated that vaginal and bladder microbial networks were different between cases and controls. In the vagina, there were similar numbers of genera and subgroup clusters in each network for cases and controls. However, cases tend to have more unique bacterial co-occurrences. While Bacteroides and Lactobacillus were the central bacteria with the highest betweenness centrality in controls, Aerococcus had the highest centrality in cases and correlated with bacteria commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis. In the bladder, cases have less than half as many network clusters compared to controls. Lactobacillus was the central bacteria in both groups but associated with several known uropathogens in cases. The number of shared bacterial genera between the bladder and the vagina differed between cases and controls, with cases having larger overlap (43%) compared to controls (29%).

Conclusion

Our study shows overlaps in microbial communities of bladder and vagina, with higher overlap in cases. We also identified differences in the bacteria that are central to the overall community structure.
Expansion of Intestinal Secretory Cell Population Induced by Listeria monocytogenes Infection: Accompanied With the Inhibition of NOTCH Pathway
Authors: Zhou Cong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Bassey Anthony , Huang Jie , Zou Yafang , Ye Keping
Published: March 2022

Listeria monocytogenes, as a model organism, is a causative agent of enteric pathogen that causes systemic infection. However, the interaction of L. monocytogenes and small intestinal epithelium has not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, mice and intestinal organoids were chosen as the models to investigate the influence of L. monocytogenes infection on the intestinal secretory cells and its differentiation-related pathways. Results confirmed the phenomenon of intestinal damage that L. monocytogenes infection could lead to villi damage in mice, which was accompanied by the increase of TNF-α production in jejunum as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) secretion in serum. Moreover, it was demonstrated that L. monocytogenes infection increased the number of goblet and Paneth cells in mice and intestinal organoids and upregulated the expression of Muc2 and Lyz. Furthermore, L. monocytogenes decreased the relative expression of Notch pathway-related genes (Jag1, Dll4, Notch1, and Hes1) while upregulating the relative expression of Math1 gene in mice and intestinal organoids. This indicated that L. monocytogenes infection caused the inhibition of Notch pathway, which may be the reason for the increased number of goblet and Paneth cells in the intestine. Collectively, these results are expected to provide more information on the mechanism of L. monocytogenes infection in the intestine.
Oral Trypanosoma cruzi Acute Infection in Mice Targets Primary Lymphoid Organs and Triggers Extramedullary Hematopoiesis
Authors: Marins-Dos-Santos Alessandro , Ayres-Silva Jackline de Paula , Antunes Dina , Moreira Carlos José de Carvalho , Pelajo-Machado Marcelo , Alfaro David , Zapata Agustín G. , Bonomo Adriana Cesar , Savino Wilson , de Meis Juliana , Farias-de-Oliveira Désio Aurélio
Published: March 2022

During the acute phase of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi circulation through the bloodstream leads to high tissue parasitism in the host. In primary lymphoid organs, progenitor cell reduction paralleled transient immunosuppression. Herein we showed that acute oral infection in mice promotes diffuse parasitism in bone marrow cells at 14 and 21 days post-infection (dpi), with perivascular regions, intravascular regions, and regions near the bone being target sites of parasite replication. Phenotypic analysis of hematopoietic differentiation in the bone marrow of infected mice showed that the cell number in the tissue is decreased (lineage-negative and lineage-positive cells). Interestingly, analysis of hematopoietic branching points showed that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) were significantly increased at 14 dpi. In addition, the pool of progenitors with stem plasticity (HSC-MPP3), as well as multipotent progenitors (MPPs) such as MPP4, also showed this pattern of increase. In contrast, subsequent progenitors that arise from MPPs, such as common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), lymphoid-primed MPPs (LMPPs), and myeloid progenitors, were not enhanced; conversely, all presented numeric decline. Annexin V staining revealed that cell death increase in the initial hematopoietic branching point probably is not linked to CLPs and that myeloid progenitors decreased at 14 and 21 dpi. In parallel, our investigation provided clues that myeloid progenitor decrease could be associated with an atypical expression of Sca-1 in this population leading to a remarkable increase on LSK-like cells at 14 dpi within the HSPC compartment. Finally, these results led us to investigate HSPC presence in the spleen as a phenomenon triggered during emergency hematopoiesis due to mobilization or expansion of these cells in extramedullary sites. Splenocyte analysis showed a progressive increase in HSPCs between 14 and 21 dpi. Altogether, our study shows that the bone marrow is a target tissue in T. cruzi orally infected mice, leading to a hematopoietic disturbance with LSK-like cell bias accounting on HSPCs possibly affecting myeloid progenitor numbers. The LMPP and CLP reduction converges with defective thymocyte development. Lastly, it is tempting to speculate that the extramedullary hematopoiesis seen in the spleen is a mechanism involved in the hematological maintenance reported during the acute phase of oral T. cruzi infection.
Association Between Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Co-Reactivation and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Li Shan-shan , Zhang Na , Jia Mei , Su Ming
Published: March 2022

The co-reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been found. Research has shown that the reactivation of CMV or EBV is closely related to poor HSCT outcomes. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics of HSCT patients with co-reactivation of CMV and EBV. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 327 patients who underwent HSCT at the Peking University People’s Hospital Institute of Hematology. Co-reactivation of CMV and EBV was observed in a total of 75 patients (22.9%) who also had a higher incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis (P=0.000). HSCT patients with CMV and co-reactivation of CMV and EBV had a significantly lower 1-year overall survival (OS; P=0.050). Further, COX regression analysis showed that viral infection was a risk factor for 1-year OS (HR, 12.625 for co-reactivation vs. no reactivation, p=0.021, and HR 13.580 for CMV reactivation vs. no reactivation, P=0.013). In conclusion, the patients with CMV reactivation had poorer outcome after HSCT regardless of EBV reactivation.
Prospective Study Reveals Host Microbial Determinants of Clinical Response to Fecal Microbiota Transplant Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Ding Dafa , Yong Huijuan , You Na , Lu Wei , Yang Xu , Ye Xiaolong , Wang Yayun , Cai Tingting , Zheng Xiaoling , Chen Hui , Cui Bota , Zhang Faming , Liu Xingyin , Mao Jian-Hua , Lu Yibing , Chang Hang
Published: March 2022

Background

Increasing evidence shows that alterations in gut microbiome (GM) contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) successfully treats various human diseases. However, the benefits of FMT therapy to T2DM patients remain unknown.

Methods

We enrolled 17 patients with T2DM for nonblinded, one-armed intervention trial of FMT. A total of 20 healthy individuals were recruited as the baseline control. HbA1c% and metabolic parameter change were evaluated in 17 T2DM patients 12 weeks after they received FMT from healthy donors. The GM composition was characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from fecal samples prior to and 12 weeks after FMT treatment.

Results

We found that the GM of T2DM patients was reconstituted by FMT. We observed a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c% (from 7.565 ± 0.148 to 7.190 ± 0.210, p<0.01), blood glucose (from 8.483 ± 0.497 to 7.286 ± 0.454 mmol/L, p<0.01), and uric acid (from 309.4 ± 21.5 to 259.1 ± 15.8 µmol/L, p<0.01) while a significant increase in postprandial C-peptide (from 4.503 ± 0.600 to 5.471 ± 0.728 ng/ml, p<0.01) at 12 weeks after FMT. Closely evaluating the changes in these assays, we found individual variability in response to FMT treatment. Out of 17 T2DM patients, 11 were found to significantly improve T2DM symptoms. The FMT responders have significantly higher levels of the family Rikenellaceae and the genus Anaerotruncus (family Ruminococcaceae) in their pretreated fecal in comparison to nonresponders, which could predict the clinical response with an area under the curve of 0.83.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that certain T2DM patients can potentially benefit from FMT, and the pretreated abundance of Rikenellaceae and Anaerotruncus in the fecal of patients may serve as potential biomarkers for selecting T2DM patients to receive FMT.
Virus-Induced Membrane Fusion in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Osorio Carolina , Sfera Adonis , Anton Jonathan J. , Thomas Karina G. , Andronescu Christina V. , Li Erica , Yahia Rayan W. , Avalos Andrea García , Kozlakidis Zisis
Published: March 2022

A growing body of epidemiological and research data has associated neurotropic viruses with accelerated brain aging and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Many viruses replicate optimally in senescent cells, as they offer a hospitable microenvironment with persistently elevated cytosolic calcium, abundant intracellular iron, and low interferon type I. As cell-cell fusion is a major driver of cellular senescence, many viruses have developed the ability to promote this phenotype by forming syncytia. Cell-cell fusion is associated with immunosuppression mediated by phosphatidylserine externalization that enable viruses to evade host defenses. In hosts, virus-induced immune dysfunction and premature cellular senescence may predispose to neurodegenerative disorders. This concept is supported by novel studies that found postinfectious cognitive dysfunction in several viral illnesses, including human immunodeficiency virus-1, herpes simplex virus-1, and SARS-CoV-2. Virus-induced pathological syncytia may provide a unified framework for conceptualizing neuronal cell cycle reentry, aneuploidy, somatic mosaicism, viral spreading of pathological Tau and elimination of viable synapses and neurons by neurotoxic astrocytes and microglia. In this narrative review, we take a closer look at cell-cell fusion and vesicular merger in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We present a “decentralized” information processing model that conceptualizes neurodegeneration as a systemic illness, triggered by cytoskeletal pathology. We also discuss strategies for reversing cell-cell fusion, including, TMEM16F inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, senolytics, and tubulin stabilizing agents. Finally, going beyond neurodegeneration, we examine the potential benefit of harnessing fusion as a therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine.
The Multi-Faceted Role of Autophagy During Animal Virus Infection
Authors: Jiang Hui , Kan Xianjin , Ding Chan , Sun Yingjie
Published: March 2022

Autophagy is a process of degradation to maintain cellular homeostatic by lysosomes, which ensures cellular survival under various stress conditions, including nutrient deficiency, hypoxia, high temperature, and pathogenic infection. Xenophagy, a form of selective autophagy, serves as a defense mechanism against multiple intracellular pathogen types, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Recent years have seen a growing list of animal viruses with autophagy machinery. Although the relationship between autophagy and human viruses has been widely summarized, little attention has been paid to the role of this cellular function in the veterinary field, especially today, with the growth of serious zoonotic diseases. The mechanisms of the same virus inducing autophagy in different species, or different viruses inducing autophagy in the same species have not been clarified. In this review, we examine the role of autophagy in important animal viral infectious diseases and discuss the regulation mechanisms of different animal viruses to provide a potential theoretical basis for therapeutic strategies, such as targets of new vaccine development or drugs, to improve industrial production in farming.