bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intercellular viral spread and intracellular transposition of Drosophila gypsy
Authors: Keegan Richard M. , Talbot Lillian R. , Chang Yung-Heng , Metzger Michael J. , Dubnau Josh
Published: April 2021

It has become increasingly clear that retrotransposons (RTEs) are more widely expressed in somatic tissues than previously appreciated. RTE expression has been implicated in a myriad of biological processes ranging from normal development and aging, to age related diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Long Terminal Repeat (LTR)-RTEs are evolutionary ancestors to, and share many features with, exogenous retroviruses. In fact, many organisms contain endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) derived from exogenous retroviruses that integrated into the germ line. These ERVs are inherited in Mendelian fashion like RTEs, and some retain the ability to transmit between cells like viruses, while others develop the ability to act as RTEs. The process of evolutionary transition between LTR-RTE and retroviruses is thought to involve multiple steps by which the element loses or gains the ability to transmit copies between cells versus the ability to replicate intracellularly. But, typically, these two modes of transmission are incompatible because they require assembly in different sub-cellular compartments. Like murine IAP/IAP-E elements, the gypsy family of retroelements in arthropods appear to sit along this evolutionary transition. Indeed, there is some evidence that gypsy may exhibit retroviral properties. Given that gypsy elements have been found to actively mobilize in neurons and glial cells during normal aging and in models of neurodegeneration, this raises the question of whether gypsy replication in somatic cells occurs via intracellular retrotransposition, intercellular viral spread, or some combination of the two. These modes of replication in somatic tissues would have quite different biological implications. Here, we demonstrate that Drosophila gypsy is capable of both cell-associated and cell-free viral transmission between cultured S2 cells of somatic origin. Further, we demonstrate that the ability of gypsy to move between cells is dependent upon a functional copy of its viral envelope protein. This argues that the gypsy element has transitioned from an RTE into a functional endogenous retrovirus with the acquisition of its envelope gene. On the other hand, we also find that intracellular retrotransposition of the same genomic copy of gypsy can occur in the absence of the Env protein. Thus, gypsy exhibits both intracellular retrotransposition and intercellular viral transmission as modes of replicating its genome.
The application of spectroscopy techniques for diagnosis of malaria parasites and arboviruses and surveillance of mosquito vectors: A systematic review and critical appraisal of evidence
Authors: Goh Brendon , Ching Koek , Soares Magalhães Ricardo J. , Ciocchetta Silvia , Edstein Michael D. , Maciel-de-Freitas Rafael , Sikulu-Lord Maggy T.
Published: April 2021

Spectroscopy-based techniques are emerging diagnostic and surveillance tools for mosquito-borne diseases. This review has consolidated and summarised recent research in the application of Raman and infrared spectroscopy techniques including near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy for malaria and arboviruses, identified knowledge gaps, and recommended future research directions. Full-length peer-reviewed journal articles related to the application of Raman and infrared (near- and mid-infrared) spectroscopy for malaria and arboviruses were systematically searched in PUBMED, MEDILINE, and Web of Science databases using the PRISMA guidelines. In text review of identified studies included the methodology of spectroscopy technique used, data analysis applied, wavelengths used, and key findings for diagnosis of malaria and arboviruses and surveillance of mosquito vectors. A total of 58 studies met the inclusion criteria for our systematic literature search. Although there was an increased application of Raman and infrared spectroscopy-based techniques in the last 10 years, our review indicates that Raman spectroscopy (RS) technique has been applied exclusively for the diagnosis of malaria and arboviruses. The mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) technique has been assessed for the diagnosis of malaria parasites in human blood and as a surveillance tool for malaria vectors, whereas the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique has almost exclusively been applied as a surveillance tool for malaria and arbovirus vectors.

Conclusions/Significance

The potential of RS as a surveillance tool for malaria and arbovirus vectors and MIRS for the diagnosis and surveillance of arboviruses is yet to be assessed. NIRS capacity as a surveillance tool for malaria and arbovirus vectors should be validated under field conditions, and its potential as a diagnostic tool for malaria and arboviruses needs to be evaluated. It is recommended that all 3 techniques evaluated simultaneously using multiple machine learning techniques in multiple epidemiological settings to determine the most accurate technique for each application. Prior to their field application, a standardised protocol for spectra collection and data analysis should be developed. This will harmonise their application in multiple field settings allowing easy and faster integration into existing disease control platforms. Ultimately, development of rapid and cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic tools for malaria and arboviruses based on spectroscopy techniques may help combat current and future outbreaks of these infectious diseases.
TriatoDex, an electronic identification key to the Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), vectors of Chagas disease: Development, description, and performance
Authors: Gurgel-Gonçalves Rodrigo , Abad-Franch Fernando , de Almeida Maxwell Ramos , Obara Marcos Takashi , de Souza Rita de Cássia Moreira , Batista Jainaine Abrantes de Sena , Rocha Douglas de Almeida
Published: April 2021

Correct identification of triatomine bugs is crucial for Chagas disease surveillance, yet available taxonomic keys are outdated, incomplete, or both. Here we presentTriatoDex, an Android app-based pictorial, annotated, polytomous key to the Triatominae.TriatoDexwas developed using Android Studio and tested by 27 Brazilian users. Each user received a box with pinned, number-labeled, adult triatomines (33 species in total) and was asked to identify each bug to the species level. We used generalized linear mixed models (with user- and species-ID random effects) and information-theoretic model evaluation/averaging to investigateTriatoDexperformance.TriatoDexencompasses 79 questions and 554 images of the 150 triatomine-bug species described worldwide up to 2017.TriatoDex-based identification was correct in 78.9% of 824 tasks.TriatoDexperformed better in the hands of trained taxonomists (93.3%vs. 72.7% correct identifications; model-averaged, adjusted odds ratio 5.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.09–11.48). In contrast, user age, gender, primary job (including academic research/teaching or disease surveillance), workplace (including universities, a reference laboratory for triatomine-bug taxonomy, or disease-surveillance units), and basic training (from high school to biology) all had negligible effects onTriatoDexperformance. Our analyses also suggest that, asTriatoDexresults accrue to cover more taxa, they may help pinpoint triatomine-bug species that are consistently harder (than average) to identify. In a pilot comparison with a standard, printed key (370 tasks by seven users),TriatoDexperformed similarly (84.5% correct assignments, CI 68.9–94.0%), but identification was 32.8% (CI 24.7–40.1%) faster on average–for a mean absolute saving of ~2.3 minutes per bug-identification task.TriatoDexholds much promise as a handy, flexible, and reliable tool for triatomine-bug identification; an updated iOS/Android version is under development. We expect that, with continuous refinement derived from evolving knowledge and user feedback,TriatoDexwill substantially help strengthen both entomological surveillance and research on Chagas disease vectors.
Moving away from the "unit cost". Predicting country-specific average cost curves of VMMC services accounting for variations in service delivery platforms in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Bautista-Arredondo Sergio , Pineda-Antunez Carlos , Cerecero-Garcia Diego , Cameron Drew B. , Alexander Lily , Chiwevu Chris , Forsythe Steven , Tchuenche Michel , Dow William H. , Kahn James , Gomez Gabriela B. , Vassall Anna , Bollinger Lori A. , Levin Carol
Published: April 2021

Background

One critical element to optimize funding decisions involves the cost and efficiency implications of implementing alternative program components and configurations. Program planners, policy makers and funders alike are in need of relevant, strategic data and analyses to help them plan and implement effective and efficient programs. Contrary to widely accepted conceptions in both policy and academic arenas, average costs per service (so-called "unit costs") vary considerably across implementation settings and facilities. The objective of this work is twofold: 1) to estimate the variation of VMMC unit costs across service delivery platforms (SDP) in Sub-Saharan countries, and 2) to develop and validate a strategy to extrapolate unit costs to settings for which no data exists.

Methods

We identified high-quality VMMC cost studies through a literature review. Authors were contacted to request the facility-level datasets (primary data) underlying their results. We standardized the disparate datasets into an aggregated database which included 228 facilities in eight countries. We estimated multivariate models to assess the correlation between VMMC unit costs and scale, while simultaneously accounting for the influence of the SDP (which we defined as all possible combinations of type of facility, ownership, urbanicity, and country), on the unit cost variation. We defined SDP as any combination of such four characteristics. Finally, we extrapolated VMMC unit costs for all SDPs in 13 countries, including those not contained in our dataset.

Results

The average unit cost was 73 USD (IQR: 28.3, 100.7). South Africa showed the highest within-country cost variation, as well as the highest mean unit cost (135 USD). Uganda and Namibia had minimal within-country cost variation, and Uganda had the lowest mean VMMC unit cost (22 USD). Our results showed evidence consistent with economies of scale. Private ownership and Hospitals were significant determinants of higher unit costs. By identifying key cost drivers, including country- and facility-level characteristics, as well as the effects of scale we developed econometric models to estimate unit cost curves for VMMC services in a variety of clinical and geographical settings.

Conclusion

While our study did not produce new empirical data, our results did increase by a tenfold the availability of unit costs estimates for 128 SDPs in 14 priority countries for VMMC. It is to our knowledge, the most comprehensive analysis of VMMC unit costs to date. Furthermore, we provide a proof of concept of the ability to generate predictive cost estimates for settings where empirical data does not exist.
Uncertainties around COVID-19 from the perspectives of oral health care workers during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Brondani Mario , Almeida Fernanda , Cua Denise , Maragha Tala , Mathu-Muju Kavita , Shayanfar Melody , von Bergmann HsingChi , Donnelly Leeann
Published: April 2021

Background

The first wave of COVID-19 infections caused disturbances in all aspects of personal and professional lives. The aim of this study was to explore the ways in which that first wave of novel coronavirus infections resulted in uncertainties, as experienced by members of the oral health care workforce in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

This qualitative inquiry purposefully recruited frontline oral health care workers, including dentists, dental hygienists, certified dental assistants, and administrative staff, via remote semi-structured interviews between April 20 and May 4, 2020. Coding, categories, and themes were inductively assigned.

Results

A total of 45 interviews, lasting between 39 and 74 minutes each, were conducted involving 18 dentists (6 females), 12 dental hygienists (11 females), 6 certified dental assistants (all females), and 9 administrators/front-desk staff (7 females). Fifty-one hours of audio recordings and more than 650 single-spaced pages of transcripts were produced. Five main themes emerged pertaining to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, patient care, personal lives and infectiousness, concern for the future, and variations among different pandemics. Certitudes were less evident, but surfaced mostly when considering a potential new normal resulting from the pandemic.

Conclusion

Participants indicated that the uncertainties they felt were dependent upon what is known, and unknown, about the pandemic and the provision of oral health care during the first wave of infections. Future studies are needed to include the viewpoints of oral health care workers from other provinces, as well the perceptions of patients who received oral health care during the height of the first wave of the pandemic.
Dementia and patient outcomes after hip surgery in older patients: A retrospective observational study using nationwide administrative data in Japan
Authors: Morioka Noriko , Moriwaki Mutsuko , Tomio Jun , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ogata Yasuko
Published: April 2021

Objective

To investigate whether dementia is associated with incidence of adverse events and longer hospital stays in older adults who underwent hip surgery, after adjusting for individual social and nursing care environment.

Design and setting

Retrospective observational study using the linked data between the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database and the reports of the medical functions of hospital beds database in Japan (April 2016—March 2017).

Participants

A total of 48,797 individuals aged 65 and older who underwent hip surgery and were discharged during the study period.

Methods

Outcomes included in-hospital death, in-hospital pneumonia, in-hospital fracture, and longer hospital stay. We performed two-level, multilevel models adjusting for individual and hospital characteristics.

Results

Among all participants, 20,638 individuals (42.3%) had dementia. The incidence of adverse events for those with and without dementia included in-hospital death: 2.11% and 1.11%, in-hospital pneumonia: 0.15% and 0.07%, and in-hospital fracture: 3.76% and 3.05%, respectively. The median (inter quartile range) length of hospital stay for those with and without dementia were 26 (19–39) and 25 (19–37) days, respectively. Overall, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)) of dementia for in-hospital death, in-hospital pneumonia, and in-hospital fracture were 1.12 (0.95–1.33), 0.95 (0.51–1.80), and 1.08 (0.92–1.25), respectively. Dementia was not associated with the length of hospital stay (% change) (-0.7%, 95% CI -1.6–0.3%). Admission from home, discharge to home, and lower nurse staffing were associated with prolonged hospital stays.

Conclusions

Although adverse events are more likely to occur in older adults with dementia than in those without dementia after hip surgery, we found no evidence of an association between dementia and adverse events or the length of hospital stay after adjusting for individual social and nursing care environment.
Preventing COVID-19 spread in closed facilities by regular testing of employees—An efficient intervention in long-term care facilities and prisons?
Authors: Tsoungui Obama Henri Christian Junior , Adil Mahmoud Yousif Nessma , Alawam Nemer Looli , Ngougoue Ngougoue Pierre Marie , Ngwa Gideon Akumah , Teboh-Ewungkem Miranda , Schneider Kristan Alexander
Published: April 2021

Background

Different levels of control measures were introduced to contain the global COVID-19 pandemic, many of which have been controversial, particularly the comprehensive use of diagnostic tests. Regular testing of high-risk individuals (pre-existing conditions, older than 60 years of age) has been suggested by public health authorities. The WHO suggested the use of routine screening of residents, employees, and visitors of long-term care facilities (LTCF) to protect the resident risk group. Similar suggestions have been made by the WHO for other closed facilities including incarceration facilities (e.g., prisons or jails), wherein parts of the U.S., accelerated release of approved inmates is taken as a measure to mitigate COVID-19.

Methods and findings

Here, the simulation model underlying the pandemic preparedness tool CovidSim 1.1 (http://covidsim.eu/) is extended to investigate the effect of regularly testing of employees to protect immobile resident risk groups in closed facilities. The reduction in the number of infections and deaths within the risk group is investigated. Our simulations are adjusted to reflect the situation of LTCFs in Germany, and incarceration facilities in the U.S.

COVID-19 spreads in closed facilities due to contact with infected employees even under strict confinement of visitors in a pandemic scenario without targeted protective measures. Testing is only effective in conjunction with targeted contact reduction between the closed facility and the outside world—and will be most inefficient under strategies aiming for herd immunity. The frequency of testing, the quality of tests, and the waiting time for obtaining test results have noticeable effects. The exact reduction in the number of cases depends on disease prevalence in the population and the levels of contact reductions. Testing every 5 days with a good quality test and a processing time of 24 hours can lead up to a 40% reduction in the number of infections. However, the effects of testing vary substantially among types of closed facilities and can even be counterproductive in U.S. IFs.

Conclusions

The introduction of COVID-19 in closed facilities is unavoidable without a thorough screening of persons that can introduce the disease into the facility. Regular testing of employees in closed facilities can contribute to reducing the number of infections there, but is only meaningful as an accompanying measure, whose economic benefit needs to be assessed carefully.
Molecular epidemiology of Leptospira spp. among wild mammals and a dog in Amami Oshima Island, Japan
Authors: Shinya So , Muraoka Yukinori , Negishi Daigo , Koizumi Nobuo
Published: April 2021

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the pathogenic Leptospira spp. Canine and human leptospirosis sometimes occur on Amami Oshima Island, located in the Nansei Archipelago, southwestern Japan; however, information on the causative Leptospira spp. on this island is quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and serological characteristics of Leptospira spp. isolated from wild animals and a dog in Amami Oshima Island. We obtained seven Leptospira strains by culturing kidney tissues of wild animals, such as black rats (2), wild boars (3), and rabbit (1) as well as blood from a symptomatic dog. Using flaB sequencing and microscopic agglutination test with antisera for 18 serovars, the isolates were identified as Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroups Javanica (black rat), L. interrogans serogroup Australis (black rat and dog), and L. interrogans serogroup Hebdomadis (wild boar and rabbit). The sequence type (ST) of L. borgpetersenii serogroup Javanica was determined to be ST143 via multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using seven housekeeping genes. For L. interrogans, MLST and multiple-locus variable-tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) revealed identical ST and MLVA types in rat and canine isolates, whereas two STs and MLVA types were identified in wild boar isolates. The STs and MLVA types of rabbit and one of the wild boars were identical. Bacterial culture and flaB-nested polymerase chain reaction demonstrated a high rate of Leptospira infection in wild boars (58.3%, 7/12), whereas Leptospira spp. were detected in 4.8% of black rats (2/42). This study revealed diverse Leptospira genotype and serotype maintenance in wild mammals on Amami Oshima Island. MLST and MLVA indicated that black rats were a source of canine infection. Wild boars carry L. interrogans and are considered an important maintenance host because antibodies against serogroup Hebdomadis were detected in human and canine leptospirosis patients on this island.
High-throughput screening of the ReFRAME, Pandemic Box, and COVID Box drug repurposing libraries against SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 endoribonuclease to identify small-molecule inhibitors of viral activity
Authors: Choi Ryan , Zhou Mowei , Shek Roger , Wilson Jesse W. , Tillery Logan , Craig Justin K. , Salukhe Indraneel A. , Hickson Sarah E. , Kumar Neeraj , James Rhema M. , Buchko Garry W. , Wu Ruilian , Huff Sydney , Nguyen Tu-Trinh , Hurst Brett L. , Cherry Sara , Barrett Lynn K. , Hyde Jennifer L. , Van Voorhis Wesley C.
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic, and has taken over 1.7 million lives as of mid-December, 2020. Although great progress has been made in the development of effective countermeasures, with several pharmaceutical companies approved or poised to deliver vaccines to market, there is still an unmet need of essential antiviral drugs with therapeutic impact for the treatment of moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Towards this goal, a high-throughput assay was used to screen SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 uracil-dependent endonuclease (endoU) function against 13 thousand compounds from drug and lead repurposing compound libraries. While over 80% of initial hit compounds were pan-assay inhibitory compounds, three hits were confirmed as nsp15 endoU inhibitors in the 1–20 μM range in vitro. Furthermore, Exebryl-1, a ß-amyloid anti-aggregation molecule for Alzheimer’s therapy, was shown to have antiviral activity between 10 to 66 μM, in Vero 76, Caco-2, and Calu-3 cells. Although the inhibitory concentrations determined for Exebryl-1 exceed those recommended for therapeutic intervention, our findings show great promise for further optimization of Exebryl-1 as an nsp15 endoU inhibitor and as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral.
Movement smoothness in chronic post-stroke individuals walking in an outdoor environment—A cross-sectional study using IMU sensors
Authors: Garcia Flora do Vale , da Cunha Maira Jaqueline , Schuch Clarissa Pedrini , Schifino Giulia Palermo , Balbinot Gustavo , Pagnussat Aline Souza
Published: April 2021

Background

Walking speed is often used in the clinic to assess the level of gait impairment following stroke. Nonetheless, post-stroke individuals may employ the same walking speed but at a distinct movement quality. The main objective of this study was to explore a novel movement quality metric, the estimation of gait smoothness by the spectral arc length (SPARC), in individuals with a chronic stroke displaying mild/moderate or severe motor impairment while walking in an outdoor environment. Also, to quantify the correlation between SPARC, gait speed, motor impairment, and lower limb spasticity focused on understanding the relationship between the movement smoothness metric and common clinical assessments.

Methods

Thirty-two individuals with a chronic stroke and 32 control subjects participated in this study. The 10 meters walking test (10 MWT) was performed at the self-selected speed in an outdoor environment. The 10 MWT was instrumented with an inertial measurement unit system (IMU), which afforded the extraction of trunk angular velocities (yaw, roll, and pitch) and subsequent SPARC calculation.

Results

Movement smoothness was not influenced by gait speed in the control group, indicating that SPARC may constitute an additional and independent metric in the gait assessment. Individuals with a chronic stroke displayed reduced smoothness in the yaw and roll angular velocities (lower SPARC) compared with the control group. Also, severely impaired participants presented greater variability in smoothness along the 10 MWT. In the stroke group, a smoother gait in the pitch angular velocity was correlated with lower limb spasticity, likely indicating adaptive use of spasticity to maintain the pendular walking mechanics. Conversely, reduced smoothness in the roll angular velocity was related to pronounced spasticity.

Conclusions

Individuals with a chronic stroke displayed reduced smoothness in the yaw and roll angular velocities while walking in an outdoor environment. The quantification of gait smoothness using the SPARC metric may represent an additional outcome in clinical assessments of gait in individuals with a chronic stroke.
Larazotide acetate induces recovery of ischemia-injured porcine jejunum via repair of tight junctions
Authors: Slifer Zachary M. , Hernandez Liliana , Pridgen Tiffany A. , Carlson Alexandra R. , Messenger Kristen M. , Madan Jay , Krishnan B. Radha , Laumas Sandeep , Blikslager Anthony T.
Published: April 2021

Intestinal ischemia results in mucosal injury, including paracellular barrier loss due to disruption of tight junctions. Larazotide acetate (LA), a small peptide studied in Phase III clinical trials for treatment of celiac disease, regulates tight junctions (TJs). We hypothesized that LA would dose-dependently hasten recovery of intestinal ischemic injury via modulation of TJs. Ischemia-injured tissue from 6-8-week-old pigs was recovered in Ussing chambers for 240-minutes in the presence of LA. LA (1 μM but not 0.1 μM or 10 μM) significantly enhanced transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) above ischemic injured controls and significantly reduced serosal-to-mucosal flux LPS (P<0.05). LA (1 μM) enhanced localization of the sealing tight junction protein claudin-4 in repairing epithelium. To assess for the possibility of fragmentation of LA, anin vitroenzyme degradation assay using the brush border enzyme aminopeptidase M, revealed generation of peptide fragments. Western blot analysis of total protein isolated from uninjured and ischemia-injured porcine intestine showed aminopeptidase M enzyme presence in both tissue types, and mass spectrometry analysis of samples collected duringex vivoanalysis confirmed formation of LA fragments. Treatment of tissues with LA fragments had no effect alone, but treatment with a fragment missing both amino-terminus glycines inhibited barrier recovery stimulated by 1 μM LA. To reduce potential LA inhibition by fragments, a D-amino acid analog of larazotide Analog #6, resulted in a significant recovery response at a 10-fold lower dose (0.1 μM) similar in magnitude to that of 1 μM LA. We conclude that LA stimulates repair of ischemic-injured epithelium at the level of the tight junctions, at an optimal dose of 1 μM LA. Higher doses were less effective because of inhibition by LA fragments, which could be subverted by chirally-modifying the molecule, or microdosing LA.
Characteristics of spirochetemic patients with a solitary erythema migrans skin lesion in Europe
Authors: Maraspin Vera , Ogrinc Katarina , Rojko Tereza , Bogovič Petra , Ružić-Sabljić Eva , Kastrin Andrej , Wormser Gary P. , Strle Franc
Published: April 2021

Neither pre-treatment characteristics, nor the outcome after antibiotic therapy, have been reported for spirochetemic European patients with Lyme borreliosis. In the present study, patients with a solitary erythema migrans (EM) who had a positive blood culture for eitherBorrelia afzelii(n = 116) orBorrelia garinii(n = 37) were compared with age- and sex-matched patients who had a negative blood culture, but were culture positive for the correspondingBorreliaspecies from skin. Collectively, spirochetemic patients significantly more often recalled a tick bite at the site of the EM skin lesion, had a shorter time interval from the bite to the onset of EM, had a shorter duration of the skin lesion prior to diagnosis, and had a smaller EM skin lesion that was more often homogeneous in appearance. Similar results were found for the subset of spirochetemic patients infected withB.afzeliibut not for those infected withB.garinii. However, patients withB.gariniibacteremia had faster-spreading and larger EM skin lesions, and more often reported itching at the site of the lesion than patients withB.afzeliibacteremia. Treatment failures were rare (7/306 patients, 2.3%) and were not associated with having spirochetemia or with whichBorreliaspecies was causing the infection.
Biochemical characterization of the cyclooxygenase enzyme in penaeid shrimp
Authors: Tobwor Punsa , Deenarn Pacharawan , Pruksatrakul Thapanee , Jiemsup Surasak , Yongkiettrakul Suganya , Vichai Vanicha , Phromson Metavee , Chaiyapechara Sage , Jangsutthivorawat Waraporn , Yotbuntueng Pisut , Hargreaves Oliver George , Wimuttisuk Wananit
Published: April 2021

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a two-step enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2, a labile intermediate used in the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). In vertebrates and corals, COX must be N-glycosylated on at least two asparagine residues in the N-(X)-S/T motif to be catalytically active. Although COX glycosylation requirement is well-characterized in many species, whether crustacean COXs require N-glycosylation for their enzymatic function have not been investigated. In this study, a 1,842-base pair cox gene was obtained from ovarian cDNA of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. Sequence analysis revealed that essential catalytic residues and putative catalytic domains of P. monodon COX (PmCOX) were well-conserved in relation to other vertebrate and crustacean COXs. Expression of PmCOX in 293T cells increased levels of secreted PGE2 and PGF2α up to 60- and 77-fold, respectively, compared to control cells. Incubation of purified PmCOX with endoglycosidase H, which cleaves oligosaccharides from N-linked glycoproteins, reduced the molecular mass of PmCOX. Similarly, addition of tunicamycin, which inhibits N-linked glycosylation, in PmCOX-expressing cells resulted in PmCOX protein with lower molecular mass than those obtained from untreated cells, suggesting that PmCOX was N-glycosylated. Three potential glycosylation sites of PmCOX were identified at N79, N170 and N424. Mutational analysis revealed that although all three residues were glycosylated, only mutations at N170 and N424 completely abolished catalytic function. Inhibition of COX activity by ibuprofen treatment also decreased the levels of PGE2 in shrimp haemolymph. This study not only establishes the presence of the COX enzyme in penaeid shrimp, but also reveals that N-glycosylation sites are highly conserved and required for COX function in crustaceans.
Impact of electric cardioversion on platelet activation
Authors: Haidl Harald , Gaugler Johanna , Cvirn Gerhard , Jasser-Nitsche Hildegard , Schwinger Wolfgang , Pohl Sina , Bisping Egbert , Gallistl Siegfried , Schlagenhauf Axel
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) comes along with high risk of stroke. This risk continues even after re-establishing sinus rhythm with cardioversion. Aim of this study is to evaluate the contribution of electric cardioversion (EC) to platelet activation and procoagulatory tendency.

Methods

Extent of platelet activation before and after electric cardioversion was quantified using flow cytometry, impedance aggregation measurements with Multiplate®, and quantification of serum levels of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and ß-thromboglobulin (ß-TG) in patients with AF (N = 10).

Results

No significant differences were observed in any of the measured parameters comparing the values from before and after cardioversion. Geometric means of P-selectin expression and integrin αIIbβ3 activation were 0.27 (+/- 0.07) and 2.30 (+/- 2.61) before EC and 0.28 (+/- 0.17) and 1.67 (+/- 1.82) after EC. Levels of ß-TG were 110.11 ng/ml (+/- 3.78) before and 110.51 ng/ml (+/- 2.56) after EC, levels of PF4 were 35.64 ng/ml (+/- 12.94) before and 32.40 ng/ml (+/- 4.95) after EC. Platelet aggregation triggered with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid, collagen, Ristocetin, or thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) revealed results within the normally expected ranges without significant changes before and after EC.

Discussion

Electric cardioversion has no influence on platelet activation markers which is in agreement with other studies reporting electrical cardioversion to be safe.
Falls in young adults: The effect of sex, physical activity, and prescription medications
Authors: Cho HyeYoung , Heijnen Michel J. H. , Craig Bruce A. , Rietdyk Shirley
Published: April 2021

Falls are a major public health issue not only for older adults but also young adults, with fall-related injuries occurring more frequently in adult females than males. However, the sex differences in the frequency and circumstances of falls in young adults are understudied. This research quantified the frequency and circumstances of falls as a function of sex, physical activity, and prescription medications in young adults. For 16 weeks, young adult participants (N = 325; 89 males; 19.9±1.1 years) responded to a daily email asking if they had slipped, tripped, or fallen in the past 24 hours. Falls and fall-related injuries were not uncommon in young adults: 48% fell at least once, 25% fell more than once, and 10% reported an injury. The most common activities at the time of the fall for females were walking (44%) and sports (33%), and for males, sports (49%) and walking (37%). A zero-inflated Poisson model revealed that higher number of falls were associated with the following: higher levels of physical activity (p = 0.025), higher numbers of medications (p<0.0001), and being male (p = 0.008). Regarding circumstances of falling, females were more likely to be talking to a friend at the time of the fall (OR (95% CI): 0.35 (0.14–0.73); p = 0.01). For slips and trips without a fall, males and females reported the same number of slips (OR (95% CI): 0.885 (0.638–1.227) p = 0.46), but females reported more trips (OR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.30–0.67); p<0.01). Only females reported serious injuries such as concussion and fracture. In conclusion, the rate of falls in young adults was affected by physical activity levels, number of medications, and sex. Quantifying and understanding these differences leads to increased knowledge of falls across the lifespan and is instrumental in developing interventions to prevent falls.
Position preference of essential genes in prokaryotic operons
Authors: Liu Tao , Luo Hao , Gao Feng
Published: April 2021

Essential genes, which form the basis of life activities, are crucial for the survival of organisms. Essential genes tend to be located in operons, but how they are distributed in operons is still unclear for most prokaryotes. In order to clarify the general rule of position preference of essential genes in operons, an index of the average position of genes in an operon was proposed, and the distributions of essential and non-essential genes in operons in 51 bacterial genomes and two archaeal genomes were analyzed based on this new index. Consequently, essential genes were found to preferentially occupy the front positions of the operons, which tend to be expressed at higher levels.
How environmental regulation affects China’s rare earth export?
Authors: Pan An , Feng Shuangshuang , Hu Xinyuan , Li Yaya
Published: April 2021

China’s rare earth export trade has developed so rapidly since 1990s that China has gradually occupied a leading position in the international market. However, this fast development was proceeding at the cost of the rare earth energy consumption and environmental devastation. Now China begins to attach great importance to environmental protection, which attracts many researchers. This study aims to analyze the influence of environmental regulation on China’s rare earth export trade. And the original study is amongst the few to examine the relationship between environmental regulation and China’s rare earth export with the product-level data. Different from previous studies, this paper selects China’s rare earth export data from 1995 to 2015 and introduces product heterogeneity based on the rare earth production process. Moreover, this study uses the entropy weight method to measure the intensity of environmental regulation. The core conclusions are as follows: (1) Environmental regulation significantly promotes rather than restrains China’s rare earth export. (2) According to the rare earth production process, this paper divides rare earth products into 3 kinds, that is, rare earth raw materials, rare earth useful components and rare earth end-use applications. Then, it is found that rare earth useful component export in processing and smelting is positively affected by environmental regulation. Rare earth raw materials and end-use applications in China’s export are hardly affected. (3) Technological innovation has a mediating effect on the impact mechanism of environmental regulation on China’s rare earth export, which means that environmental regulation significantly promotes technological innovation of enterprises, and thereby the rare earth export is increased. The findings are helpful for policymakers to resolve the issue of environmental devastation.
Rice bran oil emulgel as a pork back fat alternate for semi-dried fish sausage
Authors: Chaijan Manat , Cheong Ling-Zhi , Panpipat Worawan
Published: April 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rice bran oil emulsion filled gels (EG) substitution for pork back fat on the characteristics of Chinese style semi-dried tilapia sausage (CFS). EG prepared using different gelling agents and processing conditions were used as pork back fat alternate in the CFS. From the results, physical, chemical and microstructural qualities of CFS were governed by the type of EG incorporated. Regarding the overall quality, CFS formulated with carrageenan-EG was classified as an optimal formula. CFS added with carrageenan-EG showed a superior oxidative stability, color preservation, and water holding capacity compared to the control during vacuum packaged storage at room temperature for 20 days. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and microbial quality of both formulae remained in the acceptable level (TBARS < 1 mg/kg and total plate count < 4 log CFU/g) throughout the storage. Therefore, the carrageenan based EG substitution for pork back fat is a promising avenue for the production of the CFS where a high saturated animal fat was substituted by vegetable oil.
Some conditions apply: Systems for studying Plasmodium falciparum protein function
Authors: Kudyba Heather M. , Cobb David W. , Vega-Rodríguez Joel , Muralidharan Vasant
Published: April 2021

Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant global health concern. For decades, genetic intractability and limited tools hindered our ability to study essential proteins and pathways in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite associated with the most severe malaria cases. However, recent years have seen major leaps forward in the ability to genetically manipulate P. falciparum parasites and conditionally control protein expression/function. The conditional knockdown systems used in P. falciparum target all 3 components of the central dogma, allowing researchers to conditionally control gene expression, translation, and protein function. Here, we review some of the common knockdown systems that have been adapted or developed for use in P. falciparum. Much of the work done using conditional knockdown approaches has been performed in asexual, blood-stage parasites, but we also highlight their uses in other parts of the life cycle and discuss new ways of applying these systems outside of the intraerythrocytic stages. With the use of these tools, the field’s understanding of parasite biology is ever increasing, and promising new pathways for antimalarial drug development are being discovered.
A banki, biztosítási szektor vállalatirányítási jellemzői Egy kérdőíves felmérés tapasztalatai
Authors: Angyal Ádám , Csanda Júlia
Published: April 2021

A szerzők dolgozatukban a hazai pénzügyi szektor vállalatirányítási gyakorlatára vonatkozó kérdőíves felmérés eredményeit mutatják be. A kérdőív hat téma köré csoportosította a kérdéseket: általános adatok, a vállalat tulajdonosi összetétele, felső vezetés, felügyelőbizottság, igazgatóság, valamint az ún. „érintettek”, azaz a vállalat működése által érintett vagy abban érdekelt egyéb csoportok. A következő oldalakon a kérdőív fejezeteinek sorrendjében haladva elemezik és értékelik a válaszokat.
Végtelen történet: A narratív elemzés alkalmazhatósága a marketingkutatásban
Authors: Mitev Ariel Zoltán
Published: April 2021

A cikk arra keresi a választ, hogy a narratív közelítés hogyan alkalmazható az akadémiai marketingkutatásokban, ezzel színesítve a kicsit szegényesnek mondható módszertani palettát. A narratív gondolkodásmódból kiindulva a filozófiát visszatükröző kutatási irányzatokat mutat be a fogyasztói magatartás, valamint a reklámkutatás területén. Bár a cikk elsősorban marketingproblémákat vizsgál, a közelítés kiválóan alkalmazható a többi menedzsmentdiszciplínában is.
Mozgófilm, nem szobor! A hatékony vállalati honlapról
Authors: Szántai Tamás
Published: April 2021

Az internetes honlapok készítése napjainkra mindennapos tevékenységgé vált. A mennyiség azonban sosem csap át minôségbe, bár vannak, akik ezt gondolják. Ahhoz, hogy vállalati honlapunk hatékonyan szolgálja céljainkat, alapos háttér-elemzésre van szükségünk. Mi egyáltalán a vállalati honlap célja: az ismertség növelése vagy közvetlen eladás? Milyen költség-bevétel arányra számíthatunk? Házon belül oldjuk meg az IT-háttér működtetését, vagy bízzunk meg erre szakosodott cégeket? „Kistigris” honlapunk, ha felnő hirtelen, megeszi az offline részlegeinket is? Ezek a kérdések mindennaposak, de kevés átgondolt válasz érkezik rájuk. Ez a jelenség vetette fel a szerzőben azt az ötletet, hogy sokéves üzleti, illetve egyetemi oktatói tapasztalatára alapozva összegezze azokat a szempontokat, amelyek figyelembevételével hatékony vállalati honlapot tudunk kialakítani és működtetni.
PROTÓTIPO DE IRRIGAÇÃO INTELIGENTE BASEADO NO MÉTODO DA TENSÃO DE ÁGUA NO SOLO
Authors: Rodrigues Eduardo Martins , da Silva Leandro Aureliano , Queiroz Rafael Beirigo , Sousa Lidiana Mendes , Lemos Júnior Antonio Carlos
Published: April 2021

Objetivou-se com este protótipo, facilitar o cultivo de hortaliças para consumo próprio utilizando a Internet das Coisas (IoT). O protótipo é uma estufa inteligente que utiliza a placa Arduino como plataforma de prototipagem eletrônica e se conecta à internet através do protocolo IEEE 802.11, conhecido como Wi-Fi, um sensor higrômetro capacitivo e um termistor NTC 10k para fornecer dados à plataforma através das portas analógicas, realizando as ações necessárias baseadas em pesquisas científicas. O usuário tem acesso remoto em seu smartphone a todos os dados, além de enviar ações, como irrigar ou interromper uma irrigação, este também recebe alertas de umidade e temperaturas anormais. Realizou-se a calibração do sensor de umidade capacitivo através da determinação da umidade pelo método de pesagem das amostras molhadas e secas, a irrigação é por micro aspersão e o método da tensão de água no solo é utilizado para determinar a necessidade de irrigação.
GERAÇÃO DE ENERGIA ELÉTRICA COM BIOGÁS À PARTIR DE RESÍDUOS ANIMAIS
Authors: Andrade Filho Alfredo de Paulo
Published: April 2021

O presente artigo tem o intuito de realizar uma explanação do processo de geração de energia elétrica através do biogás, desde a caracterização do substrato, seu processamento através dos processos de biodigestão anaeróbia, pré-tratamento, análise da disponibilidade da matéria prima, e dos índices de qualidade do biogás requeridos para o emprego no processo de geração de energia elétrica, de acordo com as normatizações e legislações vigentes no país.
ANALISADOR DE CORRENTES E TENSÕES RMS DE MOTORES DE INDUÇÃO COM MONITORAMENTO ATRAVÉS DE SISTEMAS EMBARCADOS
Authors: Melo Gabriel Gomes Oliveira , de Oliveira Gabriel Antônio Francisco , Silva Heuler Andrade , Pereira Dênis Alves Teixeira , Silva Lucas Calazans , Cardoso Beatriz Ribeiro , Cardoso João Victor Costa , dos Santos Mariana Guimarães
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar o desenvolvimento de sistema de controle e supervisão para monitoramento dos níveis de correntes e tensões de um motor elétrico de indução, a fim de identificar possíveis distúrbios indesejáveis na rede em regime permanente. Para aquisição dos valores de corrente, é utilizado um sensor TC que coleta os dados e envia para um microcontrolador que em associação com software de supervisório realiza o acompanhamento dos dados recebidos. Este artigo apresenta os detalhes de projeto do dispositivo bem como alguns resultados de funcionamento da interface de monitoramento. Ademais, são discutidos aspectos vantajosos do protótipo bem como suas limitações.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM PROTÓTIPO PARA CONTROLE DE VAGAS DE ESTACIONAMENTO EM CAMPO ABERTO
Authors: Tironi Pedro Ivo de Oliveira , Mesquita Gustavo Viriato , de Araújo Júnior Daniel Rodrigues , Campos Gustavo Lobato
Published: April 2021

Este trabalho acadêmico tem com proposta apresentar o desenvolvimento de um sistema para controle de estacionamento em campo aberto. Com objetivo específico de atender demanda identificada a partir de um estudo de caso no IFMG – Campus Formiga. Onde as vagas de estacionamento são limitadas e tem-se como objetivo trazer uma solução para o dispendioso tempo gasto ao estacionar. Neste enfoque, foram aplicadas metodologias de desenvolvimento para um protótipo de um sistema embarcado em escala capaz de simular e atender a situação descrita. De acordo com os resultados obtidos com o sistema de controle é possível analisar a disponibilidade de vagas e, mediante presença da mesma, liberar acesso de veículo ao estacionamento do IFMG – Campus Formiga. Destaca-se também o emprego do sistema como forma a proibir entrada de pessoas não autorizadas à área do estacionamento do Campus. A solução apresentada não restringe apenas a situação simulada, visto que abrange a todos os estacionamentos em campo aberto e pode ser implementada com baixo custo.
RECONSTRUÇÃO VIRTUAL DE OBJETOS POR CAPTURA DE NUVEM DE PONTOS UTILIZANDO DISPOSITIVO DE BAIXO CUSTO
Authors: Silva Alexandre Carvalho , Ferreira Angel Rodrigues
Published: April 2021

Neste trabalho é estudada a possível viabilidade do uso de um dispositivo de baixo custo no processo de reconstrução de objetos por meio de captura de nuvem de pontos. Os recursos oferecidos pelas APIs de desenvolvimento do ReconstructMe SDK foram utilizados propriamente na implementação da aplicação de captura e reconstrução; e o dispositivo utilizado para os procedimentos de captura foi o dispositivo Kinect. A solução estudada foi aplicada no processo de reconstrução de 3 objetos específicos. Os processos de reconstrução foram realizados com a condução do dispositivo manualmente, tentando cumprir movimentação de captura circundante ao objeto, em condições de limitações de recurso de espaço do ambiente utilizado. Considerando uma primeira experiência de implementação de uma aplicação com o ReconstructMe SDK, e ainda a utilização de um dispositivo de baixo custo, os resultados são consideravelmente satisfatórios. A solução tem capacidade de realizar os procedimentos de captura em tempo real e fazer a geração do modelo de volume de reconstrução em considerações de tempo relativamente rápidas e, mesmo que tendo alguns problemas de encaixe ou deformação de superfície, conseguindo resultados com qualidade de malha aceitável.