bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Edukasi Kesehatan Jiwa Bagi Orang dengan HIV AIDS dalam Menghadapi Covid-19
Authors: Mangundap Selvi Alfrida , Tampake Rina , Manggasa Dafrosia Darmi
Published: December 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused mental health problems in the community, including at risk groups, namely people with HIV AIDS due to fear of infection due to decreased immunity. Mental health and psychosocial problems must be addressed immediately so as not to cause physical health problems and other problems such as economic, social and cultural. The purpose of the activity is to increase the knowledge, attitudes and abilities of participants in overcoming mental health and psychosocial problems. The activity was carried out in Palu City with educational methods in the form of socialization and training. Participants are people with HIV AIDS, totaling 76 people. The results of the activity are participants with good knowledge as much as 44.7% increased to 84.2% and positive attitude as much as 52.6% increased to 88.2%. Suggestions for health workers to routinely make efforts to improve mental and psychosocial health for people with HIV AIDS by making efforts to overcome anxiety by doing progressive muscle relaxation and efforts to create relaxed physical, positive emotions, positive thoughts, positive behavior, positive relationship and spiritual positive.
ABSTRAK
Pandemi Covid-19 menimbulkan masalah kesehatan jiwa pada masyarakat termasuk pada kelompok beresiko yaitu orang dengan HIV AIDS akibat takut tertular karena imunitas yang menurun. Masalah kesehatan jiwa dan psikososial harus segera ditangani agar tidak menimbulkan permasalahn kesehatan fisik serta masalah lain seperti ekonomi, sosial dan budaya. Tujuan kegiatan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan, sikap dan kemampuan peserta dalam mengatasi masalah kesehatan jiwa dan psikososial. Kegiatan dilaksanakan di Kota Palu dengan metode edukasi berupa sosialisasi  dan latihan. Peserta adalah orang dengan HIV AIDS yang berjumlah 76 orang  Hasil kegiatan yaitu peserta dengan pengetahuan baik sebanyak 44,7% meningkat menjadi 84,2% dan sikap positif sebanyak 52,6% meningkat menjadi 88,2%. Saran bagi petugas kesehatan agar rutin untuk melakukan upaya peningkatan kesehatan jiwa dan psikososial bagi orang dengan HIV AIDS dengan melakukan upaya untuk mengatasi kecemasan dengan melakukan relaksasi otot progresif serta upaya untuk menciptakan fisik rileks, emosi positif, pikiran positif, perilaku positif, relasi positif dan spiritual positif.
Pelatihan Pemanfaatan Terapi Komplementer sebagai upaya Penanganan Dismenorhoe pada Remaja Putri
Authors: Sumiaty Sumiaty , Sakti Putri Mulia , Hasnawati Hasnawati
Published: December 2022

Most women who have menstruated often experience menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). As many as 12.5% ​​of teenage girls in Denpasar have been absent from school activities due to their dysmenorrhea. Other studies have shown that untreated dysmenorrhea will cause problems such as absenteeism from school, decreased academic achievement, adolescents tend to withdraw from relationships, and restrictions on daily activities. The purpose of this service activity is to increase the knowledge, understanding, and skills of young women regarding the use of complementary therapies as an effort to treat dysmenorrhea. Methods of conducting counseling about dysmenorrhea and its handling as well as training in the use of complementary therapies (warm water compresses, ginger water decoction, and exercise). The results of this activity were, of 30 teenagers around 96% experienced an increase in knowledge, understanding, and skills in overcoming dysmenorrhea non-pharmacologically (complementary therapy). The complementary therapy that was chosen the most by adolescents was warm water compresses (42%) then ginger water decoction (32%) and the rest chose exercise (22%). Suggestions for the Puskesmas It is better to provide counseling and training related to adolescent problems because one of the characteristics of adolescents is high curiosity so to avoid wrong information it must be facilitated with the right source of information.
ABSTRAK 
Sebagian besar wanita yang telah menstruasi sering mengalami nyeri haid (dismenorhoe), Sebanyak 12,5% remaja putri di Denpasar pernah absen dari kegiatan sekolahnya akibat dismenore yang dialami. Penelitian lain menunjukkan bahwa dismenorhoe yang tidak di obati akan menimbulkan masalah seperti ketidakhadiran remaja di sekolah, penurunan prestasi akademik, remaja cenderung menarik diri dari pergaulan dan adanya pembatasan aktivitas sehari – hari. Adapun tujuan dari kegiatan pengabdian ini adalah Meningkatkan pengetahuan, pemahaman, serta keterampilan para remaja putri terkait pemanfaatan terapi komplementer sebagai upaya penanganan dismenore. Metode pelaksaan penyuluhan tentang dismenorhoe dan penanganannya serta pelatihan pemanfaatan terapi komplementer (kompres air hangat, rebusan air jahe dan senam). Hasil dari kegiatan ini, dari 30 remaja sekitar 96% mengalami peningkatan pengetahuan, pemahaman dan keterampilan dalam mengatasi dismenorhoe secara non farmakologi (terapi komplementer). Adapun terapi komplementer yang paling banyak dipilih oleh remaja adalah kompres air hangat (42%) kemudian rebusan air jahe (32%) dan selebihnya memilih senam (22%). Saran bagi pihak Puskesmas Sebaiknya memberikan penyuluhan dan pelatihan yang terkait dengan permasalah remaja karena salah satu karakteristik remaja adalah rasa ingin tahu yang tinggi sehingga untuk menghindari informasi yang keliru harus difasilitasi dengan sumber informasi yang benar.
Implementasi Asuhan Komplementer pada Keluhan Ibu Postpartum Berbasis Homecare
Authors: Mayasari Senditya Indah , Yuliyanik Yuliyanik , Jayanti Nicky Danur
Published: December 2022

During the postpartum period, postpartum mothers are often faced with complaints or problems that result in difficulties for the mother in undergoing the postpartum period. Physical and psychological changes are often problems that arise during the puerperium. Complementary care is given to postpartum mothers to prevent problems or complications during the puerperium. The purpose of community service activities is to provide complementary care to postpartum mothers by making home visits. The results of the activity: complementary care was carried out for 12 postpartum mothers in the Tasikmadu area of ​​Malang City. Some of the complaints felt by postpartum mothers such as breast milk is not smooth, mothers can not sleep can be reduced without giving medical and pharmacological measures. By providing complementary care to postpartum mothers based on homecare, it can reduce and manage complaints or problems experienced by mothers, prevent postpartum blues, mothers are more confident and independent, babies get their needs optimally, and increase family participation in the mother's success through the postpartum period. . Complementary care can be provided during repeat visits by health workers such as midwives, nurses to postpartum mothers to reduce the occurrence of problems during the puerperium.
ABSTRAK
Pada masa nifas seringkali ibu postpartum dihadapkan dengan keluhan atau masalah yang mengakibatkan ibu kesulitan dalam menjalani masa nifas. Perubahan secara fisik dan psikologi kerapkali menjadi masalah yang muncul pada masa nifas. Asuhan komplementer diberikan pada ibu postpartum untuk mencegah terjadinya masalah atau komplikasi masa nifas. Tujuan dari kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat memberikan asuhan komplementer pada ibu nifas dengan melakukan kunjungan rumah. Hasil kegiatan: dilakukan asuhan komplementer kepada 12 ibu postpartum di wilayah Tasikmadu Kota Malang. Beberapa keluhan yang dirasakan ibu postpartum seperti ASI tidak lancar, ibu tidak bisa tidur dapat dikurangi tanpa pemberian tindakan medis dan farmakologi. Dengan pemberian asuhan komplementer pada ibu postpartum berbasis homecare, dapat mengurangi dan tatalaksana keluhan atau masalah yang dialami ibu, mencegah terjadinya postpartum blues, ibu lebih percaya diri dan mandiri, bayi mendapatkan kebutuhannya secara optimal, serta meningkatkan peran serta keluarga dalam keberhasilan ibu melewati masa nifas. Asuhan komplementer dapat diberikan pada saat ibu melakukan kunjungan ulang oleh tenaga kesehatan seperti bidan, perawat pada ibu postpartum untuk mengurangi terjadinya masalah sepanjang masa nifas.
Optimalisasi Perawatan Bayi Melalui Kelas Online: Pengabdian Masyarakat pada Ibu Hamil di Kecamatan Baturraden
Authors: Yuliani Diki Retno , Amalia Riza
Published: December 2022

Restrictions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic also impacted pregnant women's access to health services, one of which was the opportunity to get information about daily baby care through classes for pregnant women. The purpose of this activity is toexecuteonline classdaily baby care preparation. The target of Community Service is 50 primigravida pregnant women in the Baturraden sub-district, 4 people dropped out during the activity process. Online class activities consist of preparation, implementation and evaluation. The online class for daily baby care preparation will be held from September to October 2021. The evaluation uses a daily baby care knowledge questionnaire and the Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form (BSES-SF). The results obtained in this activity were that most of the target's knowledge about daily baby care increased (82%) and most of the mothers' self-confidence to breastfeed increased (61%). Daily online baby care class activities can be continued, especially for primigravida mothers by utilizing modules that have been compiled and published.
ABSTRAK
Pembatasan yang terjadi selama Pandemi COVID-19 ikut berdampak pada akses ibu hamil terhadap pelayanan kesehatan, salah satunya kesempatan mendapatkan informasi tentang perawatan bayi sehari-hari melalui kelas ibu hamil.  Tujuan kegiatan ini adalah melaksanakan online class persiapan perawatan bayi sehari-hari. Sasaran pengabdian masyarakat adalah ibu hamil primigravida di wilayah kecamatan Baturraden sejumlah 50 orang, 4 orang drop out selama proses kegiatan. Kegiatan online class terdiri dari persiapan, pelaksanaan dan evaluasi. Online class persiapan perawatan bayi sehari-hari dilaksanakan pada bulan September sampai Oktober 2021. Evaluasi menggunakan kuesioner pengetahuan perawatan bayi sehari-hari dan Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form (BSES-SF). Hasil yang diperoleh dalam kegiatan ini adalah sebagian besar pengetahuan sasaran tentang perawatan bayi sehari-hari meningkat (82%) dan sebagian besar keyakinan diri ibu untuk menyusui meningkat (61%). Kegiatan online class perawatan bayi sehar-hari dapat dilanjutkan terutama pada ibu primigravida dengan memanfaatkan modul yang telah disusun dan dipublikasikan.
Penyuluhan di SDN 2 Krikilan sebagai Upaya Mewujudkan Kesehatan Gigi Anak di Masa Pandemi
Authors: Sari Nendika Dyah Ayu Murika , Bernice Selma Fatiha , Anwaristi Aprilia Yuanita , Cahyani Cahyani , Sari Morita Sari , Hafizi Ikmal , Nugrahani Nur Ariska
Published: December 2022

The results of the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) show that 57.6% of the Indonesian population has dental and oral health problems, with the largest proportion being dental caries. This condition also occurs in children, where as many as 93% of early childhood in Indonesia experience dental caries. Dental care is difficult to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, making dental and oral health services prioritized in promotive and preventive efforts. Promotional actions can be taken to increase knowledge and get used to maintaining dental and oral health. Objective: to provide understanding and increase knowledge of dental and oral health for school-age children in Krikilan, Masaran, Sragen. Methods: The activity was carried out at SDN 2 Krikilan, Masaran, Sragen with interactive lecture methods and demonstrations using visual aids in the form of posters and dental models. Gifts in the form of toothbrushes and toothpaste were given after the presentation of the material and evaluation of the results of the counseling. Results: The children understand and can demonstrate how to brush their teeth properly and correctly and are able to explain when to brush their teeth properly. Conclusion: Direct counseling to children with active lecture methods and demonstrations of teaching aids is effective to increase children's knowledge about oral health.
ABSTRAK
Hasil Riset Kesehatan Dasar (Riskesdas) 2018 menunjukkan bahwa 57,6% penduduk Indonesia mempunyai masalah kesehatan gigi dan mulut dengan proporsi terbesar adalah karies gigi. Kondisi ini juga terjadi pada anak-anak dimana sebanyak 93% anak usia dini di Indonesia mengalami karies gigi. Perawatan gigi sulit dilakukan pada masa pandemi COVID-19 menjadikan layanan kesehatan gigi dan mulut lebih diutamakan pada upaya promotif dan preventif. Tindakan promotif dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan membiasakan memelihara kesehatan gigi dan mulut. Tujuan: untuk memberikan pemahaman dan meningkatkan pengetahuan kesehatan gigi dan mulut anak usia sekolah di Desa Krikilan, Sragen. Metode: Kegiatan dilakukan di SDN 2 Krikilan, Masaran, Sragen dengan metode ceramah interaktif dan demonstrasi menggunakan alat peraga berupa poster dan model gigi. Pemberian hadiah berupa sikat gigi dan pasta gigi dilakukan setelah acara penyampaian materi dan evaluasi dari hasil penyuluhan. Hasil: Anak -  anak memahami dan dapat memperagakan cara menyikat gigi dengan baik dan benar serta mampu menjelaskan waktu sikat gigi yang tepat. Kesimpulan: Penyuluhan secara langsung pada anak dengan metode ceramah aktif dan demonstrasi alat peraga efektif untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan anak tentang kesehatan gigi dan mulut.
Promosi Kesehatan dengan Video Interaktif tentang Mencuci Tangan pada Anak Usia Sekolah di SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi
Authors: Razi Pahrur , Irfan Ary , Surayah Surayah
Published: December 2022

Poor environmental conditions and the lack of good clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) are suspected to be the cause of the high prevalence of infectious diseases. Various efforts to promote PHBS have been launched by the government to improve people's clean and healthy living behavior. Indonesia is currently facing the problem of the still high transmission rate of COVID-19, so intensive health education efforts should be carried out with various innovations in using IT to improve PHBS, especially washing hands with soap, such as through interactive videos. This activity aims to increase the knowledge and skills of washing hands with soap for school-age children at SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi. The method used is health promotion with interactive videos about hand washing. Based on the results obtained increased knowledge and skills of washing hands with soap in children at SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi Jambi from 25% (pre test) to 100% (post test). It is recommended that you regularly wash your hands with soap after activities outside and before eating.
ABSTRAK
Buruknya kondisi lingkungan serta belum baiknya perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat (PHBS) masyarakat diduga menjadi penyebab masih tingginya penyakit infeksi. Berbagai upaya promosi PHBS telah dicanangkan pemerintah untuk meningkatkan perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat masyarakat. Indonesia saat ini menghadapi permasalahan masih tingginya angka penularan COVID-19 maka sudah seharusnya dilakukan upaya edukasi kesehatan yang intensif dengan berbagai inovasi penggunaan teknologi informasi untuk meningkatkan PHBS terutama mencuci tangan pakai sabun seperti melalui video interaktif. Kegiatan ini bertujuan meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan mencuci tangan pakai sabun pada anak usia sekolah di SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi. Metode yang digunakan adalah promosi kesehatan dengan video interaktif tentang mencuci tangan. Berdasarkan hasil diperoleh peningkatan pengetahuan tentang mencuci tangan pakai sabun dari 25% (pre test) menjadi 100% (post test) dan keterampilan mencuci tangan pakai sabun pada anak SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi Jambi dari 25% (pre test) menjadi 100% (post test). Disarankan anak SDN 30/IX Kab. Muaro Jambi selalu mencuci tangan pakai sabun setelah beraktifitas di luar maupun sebelum makan.
The impact of COVID-19 on GCC equity and debt markets: Evidence from TVP-VAR estimation
Authors: Syed Ali Murad
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic and has strongly impacted financial markets of the world, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Since the outbreak is unprecedented, there is a need to analyze the effects of the disease on volatility spillovers between equity and bond markets. We empirically investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial equity and debt markets in the GCC region. We used the TVP-VAR dynamic connectedness approach to measure risk transmission in the GCC market. This study investigated the time-varying behavior of GCC equity and conventional and Islamic debt markets using data from 1 January 2019 to 30 August 2021. The results were also validated by performing a DCC-GARCH analysis to check the shock and spillovers among the GCC markets. We found the persistent shock transmitter roles of equity markets to bond and Sukuk markets in the GCC region, and the total dynamic connectedness increased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the significant level of interconnectedness exists within the GCC markets.
Quantifying uncertainty of machine learning methods for loss given default
Authors: Nagl Matthias , Nagl Maximilian , Rösch Daniel
Published: December 2022

Machine learning has increasingly found its way into the credit risk literature. When applied to forecasting credit risk parameters, the approaches have been found to outperform standard statistical models. The quantification of prediction uncertainty is typically not analyzed in the machine learning credit risk setting. However, this is vital to the interests of risk managers and regulators alike as its quantification increases the transparency and stability in risk management and reporting tasks. We fill this gap by applying the novel approach of deep evidential regression to loss given defaults (LGDs). We evaluate aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty for LGD estimation techniques and apply explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods to analyze the main drivers. We find that aleatoric uncertainty is considerably larger than epistemic uncertainty. Hence, the majority of uncertainty in LGD estimates appears to be irreducible as it stems from the data itself.
Effect of dietary essential oil of oregano on performance parameters, gastrointestinal traits, blood lipid profile, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens during the pullet phase
Authors: Johnson Alexa M. , Anderson Gracie , Arguelles-Ramos Mireille , Ali Ahmed A. B.
Published: December 2022

Many benefits have been found in supplementing essential oils such as oregano oil (EOO) to poultry, including increased body weight gain, antioxidant activity, and better gastrointestinal morphology. However, few studies tested the influence of EOO supplementation on laying hens and reported conflicting results regarding its efficacy in improving their health and performance. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effects of dietary EOO on performance, gastrointestinal (GIT) traits, blood lipid, and antioxidant capacity in laying hens during the rearing phase. A total of 300-day-old Hy-line-Brown chicks were used, and treatment diets consisted of corn-soybean based either without (CON) or with EOO (Ecodiar®, 0.275 g/kg diet). Birds were randomized across treatments with five pens/treatment and 30-birds/pen. Pen weights and feed rejected were recorded every two weeks (1-17 weeks of age), to calculate daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight (BW), and daily weight gain (ADWG). At 11 and 14 weeks of age, blood samples were collected from 3 birds/pen and analyzed for blood lipids and antioxidant levels, and 5-birds/treatment were euthanized, and GIT traits were tested. Differences in measured parameters across weeks and between treatments were assessed using GLMM with Tukey’s Post hoc test applied to significant results in R 3.3.1 (α set at 0.05). Body weights at weeks 3, 11, 13, and 17 were significantly higher in the EOO group compared to the CON group (all P ≤ 0.05), ADWG was significantly higher in EOO birds compared to CON birds at 9 and 13 weeks old (all P ≤ 0.05), while no significant differences in ADFI were observed between treatments across weeks of the trials. At both 11 and 17 weeks old, triglyceride levels were significantly lower, while high-density-lipoprotein levels were higher in EOO (all P ≤ 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in the EOO group versus CON (p=0.01), while EOO birds had higher glutathione levels (p=0.01) than CON. Finally, at 12 weeks old, the weight of the entire GIT and empty gizzard were higher in the EOO group versus CON (all P ≤ 0.05), while liver and spleen weights were not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, dietary oregano supplementation exerted promoting effects on the performance of Hy-Line Brown pullets.
On the choice of negative examples for prediction of host-pathogen protein interactions
Authors: Neumann Don , Roy Soumyadip , Minhas Fayyaz Ul Amir Afsar , Ben-Hur Asa
Published: December 2022

As practitioners of machine learning in the area of bioinformatics we know that the quality of the results crucially depends on the quality of our labeled data. While there is a tendency to focus on the quality of positive examples, the negative examples are equally as important. In this opinion paper we revisit the problem of choosing negative examples for the task of predicting protein-protein interactions, either among proteins of a given species or for host-pathogen interactions and describe important issues that are prevalent in the current literature. The challenge in creating datasets for this task is the noisy nature of the experimentally derived interactions and the lack of information on non-interacting proteins. A standard approach is to choose random pairs of non-interacting proteins as negative examples. Since the interactomes of all species are only partially known, this leads to a very small percentage of false negatives. This is especially true for host-pathogen interactions. To address this perceived issue, some researchers have chosen to select negative examples as pairs of proteins whose sequence similarity to the positive examples is sufficiently low. This clearly reduces the chance for false negatives, but also makes the problem much easier than it really is, leading to over-optimistic accuracy estimates. We demonstrate the effect of this form of bias using a selection of recent protein interaction prediction methods of varying complexity, and urge researchers to pay attention to the details of generating their datasets for potential biases like this.
Current progress of functional nanobiosensors for potential tuberculosis diagnosis: The novel way for TB control?
Authors: Yang Xuran , Fan Shuhao , Ma Yuhe , Chen Hui , Xu Jun-Fa , Pi Jiang , Wang Wandang , Chen Guanghui
Published: December 2022

Tuberculosis (TB), induced by the foxy Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is still one of the top killers worldwide among infectious diseases. Although several antibiotics have been developed to significantly relieve the tuberculosis epidemics worldwide, there are still several important scientific challenges for tuberculosis. As one of the most critical issues for tuberculosis control, the accurate and timely diagnosis of tuberculosis is critical for the following therapy of tuberculosis and thus responsible for the effective control of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Current tuberculosis diagnostic methods in clinic are still facing the difficulties that they can’t provide the rapid diagnostic results with high sensitivity and accuracy, which therefore requires the development of more effective novel diagnostic strategies. In recent decades, nanomaterials have been proved to show promising potentials for novel nanobiosensor construction based on their outstanding physical, chemical and biological properties. Taking these promising advantages, nanomaterial-based biosensors show the potential to allow the rapid, sensitive and accurate tuberculosis diagnosis. Here, aiming to increase the development of more effective tuberculosis diagnostic strategy, we summarized the current progress of nanobiosensors for potential tuberculosis diagnosis application. We discussed the different kind diagnostic targets for tuberculosis diagnosis based on nanobiosensors, ranging from the detection of bacterial components from M. tuberculosis, such as DNA and proteins, to the host immunological responses, such as specific cytokine production, and to the direct whole cell detection of M. tuberculosis. We believe that this review would enhance our understandings of nanobiosensors for potential tuberculosis diagnosis, and further promote the future research on nanobiosensor-based tuberculosis diagnosis to benefit the more effective control of tuberculosis epidemic.
Nucleus accumbens shell modulates seizure propagation in a mouse temporal lobe epilepsy model
Authors: Zou Wenjie , Guo Zhipeng , Suo Longge , Zhu Jianping , He Haiyang , Li Xiufeng , Wang Kewan , Chen Rongqing
Published: December 2022

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of epilepsy with focal seizures which in some conditions can develop into secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures by the propagation of epileptic activities in the temporal lobe to other brain areas. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been suggested as a treatment target for TLE as accumulating evidence indicates that the NAc, especially its shell, participates in the process of epileptic seizures of patients and animal models with TLE. The majority of neurons in the NAc are GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing dopamine receptor D1 (D1R) or dopamine receptor D2 (D2R). However, the direct evidence of the NAc shell participating in the propagation of TLE seizures is missing, and its cell type-specific modulatory roles in TLE seizures are unknown. In this study, we microinjected kainic acid into basolateral amygdala (BLA) to make a mouse model of TLE with initial focal seizures and secondarily generalized seizures (SGSs). We found that TLE seizures caused robust c-fos expression in the NAc shell and increased neuronal excitability of D1R-expressing MSN (D1R-MSN) and D2R-expressing MSN (D2R-MSN). Pharmacological inhibition of the NAc shell alleviated TLE seizures by reducing the number of SGSs and seizure stages. Cell-type-specific chemogenetic inhibition of either D1R-MSN or D2R-MSN showed similar effects with pharmacological inhibition of the NAc shell. Both pharmacological and cell-type-specific chemogenetic inhibition of the NAc shell did not alter the onset time of focal seizures. Collectively, these findings indicate that the NAc shell and its D1R-MSN or D2R-MSN mainly participate in the propagation and generalization of the TLE seizures.
An acoustic study of vocal expression in two genres of Yoruba oral poetry
Authors: Akinbo Samuel K. , Samuel Olanrewaju , Alaga Iyabode B. , Akingbade Olawale
Published: December 2022

This pilot study proposes an acoustic study of the vocal expressions in Ìjálá and Ẹ̀sà, two genres of Yorùbá oral poetry. For this study, we conducted an experiment, involving the vocalization of an original poem in speech mode, Ìjálá and Ẹ̀sà. The vocalizations were recorded and analyzed acoustically. The results of the study show that cepstral peak prominence (CPP), Hammarberg index and Energy of voiced sound below 500 Hz distinguish comparisons of Ẹ̀sà, Ìjálá and speech but are not as reliable as F0 height and vibrato. By comparing the pitch trajectories of the speech tones and poetic tunes, we show that poetry determines tone-to-tune mapping but can accommodate language when it is feasible. The results of our investigation are not only in line with the previous impressionistic observations about vocal expression in Yorùbá oral poetry but contribute with new findings. Notably, our investigation supports vocal tremor as the historical origin of vibrato in Ìjálá. As a result of this, we strongly recommend the instruments of phonetic science for the study of vocal expression in African oral poetry.
Predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance mechanical parameters for myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Hou Xian , Xiong Xing , Li Xia , Bi Jianhua , Xu Gaofeng , Wang Yining , Jiang Shu
Published: December 2022

Objective

Myocardial fibrosis leads to systolic dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cardiac magnetic resonance mechanical parameters for evaluating the left ventricular function in HCM with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%) and the association between myocardial fibrosis defined by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of CMR images of 93 patients with HCM with preserved ejection fraction (HCMpEF) and 96 controls diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at our hospital from July 2019 to January 2022. The myocardial contraction fraction (MCF) was calculated, and myocardial mechanical parameters, including global myocardial longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GLS), and myocardial strain (GLS), were obtained by tissue tracking and LGE quantitative modules of dedicated software, respectively. The correlation between myocardial strain and LGE was analyzed, and a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to discuss the risk predictors of LGE.

Results

Compared to the control group, the left ventricular mechanical parameters GLS (−13.90 ± 3.80% versus −18.20 ± 2.10%, p < 0.001), GCS (−16.62 ± 3.50% versus −18.4 ± 2.69%, p < 0.001), GRS (28.99 ± 10.38% versus 33.02 ± 6.25%, p < 0.01), and MCF (64 ± 16% versus 99 ± 18%, p < 0.001) were found significantly lower in HCM group. Moreover, even in LGE-negative HCM patients, GLS (−16.3 ± 3.9%) and MCF (78 ± 19%) were significantly lower compared to the control group. Left ventricular GLS [OR = 1.61, (1.29, 2.02), p = 0.001] and MCF [OR = 0.90, (0.86, 0.94), p = 0.001] independently predicted myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Conclusion

In participants of HCM with preserved ejection fraction, the early onset of reduced left ventricular GLS and MCF in patients with HCMpEF may provide new evidence for evaluating impaired myocardial systolic function. The reduction of myocardial mechanical indexes may reflect the presence and extent of myocardial fibrosis, and the more significant the reduction, the more severe the myocardial fibrosis; GLS and MCF may be ideal predictors for LGE.
Dynamic threats of nighttime light-represented human activities to giant pandas and their habitat
Authors: Kong Lingqiao , Xu Weihua , Wen Chunhui , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: December 2022

Human activities are one of the main factors threatening the long-term survival of wild giant pandas. Long-term and large-scale human activities can be quickly assessed by night light remote sensing data, which has been more and more widely used. In this paper, we analyzed the spatial patterns of nighttime light intensity and their dynamic changes from 2000 to 2020 in the entire giant panda distribution area using long-term nighttime light remote sensing data, and evaluated the dynamic threats of nighttime light-represented human activities to giant panda populations by proximity of light source and its intensity. We also assessed the relationships between the nighttime light dynamics and the trends of habitat fragmentation. Results showed that the intensity and range of the nighttime light around panda habitat had increased significantly from 2000 to 2020. The nighttime light intensity inside the natural reserves is significantly lower than outside, and it becomes more obvious over time. The intensity and range of nighttime light inside the natural reserves first increased and then decreased during the two decades, indicating that the protection inside the natural reserves effectively reversed the rapid increase in human activities in the previous decade. From 2000 to 2020, nighttime light sources became closer to local panda populations. In particular, they approached the pandas in the first decade, and stayed away in the second decade. This is mainly reflected in the weakened threats of nighttime light-represented human activities on the core large populations of the Qinling, Minshan and Qionglai Mountains from 2010 to 2020, but the threats on the peripheral populations continued to strengthen, where nighttime light became not only closer but also more intensified. The increase in nighttime light intensity and range were also significantly positively correlated with the increase in habitat fragmentation, especially during 2000–2010. Our study reveals the dynamic changes of nighttime light-represented human activities’ threats to wild giant panda and its habitat, gives advices for effectively protecting giant pandas and their habitats from human activities, and has implications for the assessment of human activities’ threats to other species in the world.
Computational analysis to define efficacy & molecular mechanisms of 7, 4’- Dihydroxyflavone on eosinophilic esophagitis: Ex-vivo validation in human esophagus biopsies
Authors: Maskey Anish R. , Wang Zhen-Zhen , Chen Xin , Dunkin David , Yang Nan , Soffer Gary , Yuan Qian , Li Xiu-Min
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic condition characterized by eosinophilic inflammation of the esophagus which leads to esophageal dysfunction with common symptoms including vomiting, feeding difficulty, dysphagia, abdominal pain. Current main treatment options of EoE include dietary elimination and swallowed steroids. Diet elimination approach could lead to identifying the trigger food(s), but it often requires repeated upper endoscopy with general anesthesia and potentially could negatively affect nutrition intake and growth of the child and individuals’ quality of life. Although the swallowed steroid treatment of effective, the EoE will universally recur after discontinuation of the treatment. Digestive Tea formula (DTF) has been used by the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice to improve GI symptoms in EoE patients, including abdominal pain, GE reflux, and abnormal bowel movement. Previously, a flavonoid small molecule compound 7, 4 dihydroxy flavone (DHF) from Glycyrrhiza uralensis in DTF inhibited eotaxin, Th2 cytokine and IgE production in vitro and in vivo.

Method

This study comprehensively evaluates the potential therapeutic and immunological mechanisms underlying DHF improvement of symptoms related to EoE using computational modeling, including target mining, gene ontology enrichment, pathway analyses, protein-protein interaction analyses, in silico molecular docking and dynamic simulation followed by ex-vivo target validation by qRT-PCR using cultured human esophagus biopsy specimen with or without DHF from patients with EoE.

Results

Computational analyses defined 29 common targets of DHF on EoE, among which TNF-α, IL-6, IL1β, MAPK1, MAPK3 and AKT1 were most important. Docking analysis and dynamic simulation revealed that DHF directly binds TNF-α with a free binding energy of -7.7 kcal/mol with greater stability and flexibility. Subsequently, in the human esophagus biopsy culture system, significant reduction in levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL1-β was found in the supernatant of biopsy sample cultured with DHF. Furthermore, the gene expression profile showed significant reduction in levels of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6, CCND and MAPK1 in the esophagus biopsy sample cultured with DHF.

Discussion

Taken together, the current study provides us an insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying multi-targeted benefits of DHF in the treatment of EoE and paves the way for facilitating more effective EoE therapies.
Exploring in vitro expression and immune potency in mice using mRNA encoding the Plasmodium falciparum malaria antigen, CelTOS
Authors: Waghela Ishita N. , Mallory Katherine L. , Taylor Justin A. , Schneider Cosette G. , Savransky Tatyana , Janse Chris J. , Lin Paulo J. C. , Tam Ying K. , Weissman Drew , Angov Evelina
Published: December 2022

The secreted malarial protein, Cell-Traversal protein for Ookinetes and Sporozoites (CelTOS), is highly conserved among Plasmodium species, and plays a role in the invasion of mosquito midgut cells and hepatocytes in the vertebrate host. CelTOS was identified as a potential protective antigen based on a proteomic analysis, which showed that CelTOS stimulated significant effector T cells producing IFN-γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from radiation attenuated sporozoite-immunized, malaria-naïve human subjects. In a rodent malaria model, recombinant full-length CelTOS protein/adjuvant combinations induced sterile protection, and in several studies, functional antibodies were produced that had hepatocyte invasion inhibition and transmission-blocking activities. Despite some encouraging results, vaccine approaches using CelTOS will require improvement before it can be considered as an effective vaccine candidate. Here, we report on the use of mRNA vaccine technology to induce humoral and cell-mediated immune responses using this antigen. Several pfceltos encoding mRNA transcripts were assessed for the impact on protein translation levels in vitro. Protein coding sequences included those to evaluate the effects of signal sequence, N-glycosylation on translation, and of nucleoside substitutions. Using in vitro transfection experiments as a pre-screen, we assessed the quality of the expressed CelTOS target relative to the homogeneity, cellular localization, and durability of expression levels. Optimized mRNA transcripts, which demonstrated highest protein expression levels in vitro were selected for encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and used to immunize mice to assess for both humoral and cellular cytokine responses. Our findings indicate that mRNA transcripts encoding pfceltos while potent for inducing antigen-specific cellular cytokine responses in mice, were less able to mount PfCelTOS-specific antibody responses using a two-dose regimen. An additional booster dose was needed to overcome low seroconversion rates in mice. With respect to antibody fine specificities, N-glycosylation site mutated immunogens yielded lower immune responses, particularly to the N-terminus of the molecule. While it remains unclear the impact on CelTOS antigen as immunogen, this study highlights the need to optimize antigen design for vaccine development.
In or out of control: Modulating regulatory T cell homeostasis and function with immune checkpoint pathways
Authors: Abdeladhim Maha , Karnell Jodi L. , Rieder Sadiye Amcaoglu
Published: December 2022

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the master regulators of immunity and they have been implicated in different disease states such as infection, autoimmunity and cancer. Since their discovery, many studies have focused on understanding Treg development, differentiation, and function. While there are many players in the generation and function of truly suppressive Tregs, the role of checkpoint pathways in these processes have been studied extensively. In this paper, we systematically review the role of different checkpoint pathways in Treg homeostasis and function. We describe how co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways modulate Treg homeostasis and function and highlight data from mouse and human studies. Multiple checkpoint pathways are being targeted in cancer and autoimmunity; therefore, we share insights from the clinic and discuss the effect of experimental and approved therapeutics on Treg biology.
Shark incidents in California 1950-2021; frequency and trends
Authors: Ugoretz John , Hellmers Elizabeth A. , Coates Julia H.
Published: December 2022

Many reports have categorized the frequency, circumstances, and causes for interactions between sharks and humans, often using the behaviorally inaccurate term “attack.” The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) instead uses the term “incident,” defined as interactions where a shark touches a person, their board, or kayak, without provocation and with or without causing injury. We created a comprehensive database of California shark incidents by reviewing, verifying, and updating past records, and examined the frequency of confirmed incidents, updated reports with new information, and examined similarities and differences in incident circumstances. Two hundred and one incidents were verified in California waters between 1950 and 2021, with 107 causing injury and 15 resulting in fatalities. The vast majority (178) involved White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). Contrary to past reports of White Shark incidents being concentrated in a portion of northern California, incidents have occurred statewide, with some of the highest numbers in Southern California. While total reported incidents are increasing, the annual number of incidents resulting in injuries or fatalities remains low. Frequency of incidents was not found to be greater around the full moon, dawn, or dusk but was greater during summer and fall months, as expected.
Pile driving noise induces transient gait disruptions in the longfin squid (Doryteuthis pealeii)
Authors: Cones Seth F. , Jézéquel Youenn , Ferguson Sophie , Aoki Nadège , Mooney T. Aran
Published: December 2022

Anthropogenic noise is now a prominent pollutant increasing in both terrestrial and marine environments. In the ocean, proliferating offshore windfarms, a key renewable energy source, are a prominent noise concern, as their pile driving construction is among the most intense anthropogenic sound sources. Yet, across taxa, there is little information of pile driving noise impacts on organismal fine-scale movement despite its key link to individual fitness. Here, we experimentally quantified the swimming behavior of an abundant squid species (Doryteuthis pealeii) of vital commercial and ecological importance in response toin situpile driving activity on multiple temporal and spatial scales (thus exposed to differing received levels, or noise-doses). Pile driving induced energetically costly alarm-jetting behaviors in most (69%) individuals at received sound levels (in zero to peak) of 112-123 dB re 1 µm s-2, levels similar to those measured at the kilometer scale from some wind farm construction areas. No responses were found at a comparison site with lower received sound levels. Persistence of swimming pattern changes during noise-induced alarm responses, a key metric addressing energetic effects, lasted up to 14 s and were significantly shorter in duration than similar movement changes caused by natural conspecific interactions. Despite observing dramatic behavioral changes in response to initial pile driving noise, there was no evidence of gait changes over an experiment day. These results demonstrate that pile driving disrupts squid fine-scale movements, but impacts are short-lived suggesting that offshore windfarm construction may minimally impact the energetics of this ecologically key taxon. However, further work is needed to assess potential behavioral and physiological impacts at higher noise levels.
Preparation of graphene oxide/ waterborne polyurethane via boric acid cross-linked dopamine enhanced barrier and mechanical properties
Authors: Tian Xinxin , Sun Yinglu , Xie Haopu , Shi Biru , Zhong Jiahui , Sheng Dekun , Yang Yuming
Published: December 2022

Herein, a simple and efficient strategy was proposed to improve the gas barrier properties of waterborne polyurethane (WPU). Graphene oxide was first modified with dopamine and then cross-linked by boric acid (BA) to bring the graphene sheets closer together, thereby increasing the complexity of the gas pathway. FTIR, XPS, and SEM analyses proved that boric acid was uniformly dispersed into WPU, meanwhile, SEM images demonstrated the defects between the composites that were filled by the boric acid network. In addition, the mechanical properties of the composite were also enhanced. The tensile strength of the material increased from 25.2 to 34.2 MPa, and Young’s modulus increased from 63.3 to 93.7 MPa. The helium gas permeability of the composites was reduced by 85%, compared with the unmodified WPU film. The arrangement structure of GO modified with dopamine (DGO) in polyurethane is the main reason for the excellent gas barrier performance of the material This work provides great potential with GO/polyurethane for industrial application.
Finite element simulation and structure optimization of HTS solenoid
Authors: Cong Menglong , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Xueyan , Zhou Kunpeng
Published: December 2022

When the current passing through a high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil that exceeds a critical value, the properties of the materials which make up the coil will fail, generating large amounts of heat and even causing serious accidents. Aiming at the above safety problem, this paper took three solenoid magnets with different structures as the object, and conducted a simulation study on their electromagnetic performance through finite element method (FEM). The magnetic field intensity H was taken as the dependent variable of the control equations of the physical field. With the aid of the partial differential equation (PDE) interface of the simulation software used, the control equations were easily constructed. The pancake coil wound by many turns of ribbon conductors was abstracted as a bulk-like conductor with the same cross-sectional area. The main idea of this equivalent replacement is to simplify the internal structure of the device without affecting its electromagnetic behavior, which can accelerate the convergence speed of the simulation process and reduce the CPU burden. Models of solenoid magnets with rectangular, trapezoidal and inverted trapezoidal cross sections were established by stacking many pancake coils. The simulation results corresponding to these models show that the solenoid magnet with trapezoidal cross-section has the largest critical current and most uniform density distribution. Such advantages not only reduce the risk of superconducting material failure due to overheating at both ends, but also fully exploit the current carrying capacity of the coil in the middle area of the solenoid.
Effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the menstrual cycle
Authors: Chao Melissa Jung , Menon Carlo , Elgendi Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Numerous anecdotal accounts and qualitative research studies have reported on post-vaccination menstrual irregularities in women of reproductive age. However, none have quantified the impact. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify and characterize the menstrual irregularities associated with vaccination for women of reproductive age. A search on July 20, 2022, retrieved articles published between December 1, 2019, and July 1, 2022, from MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. The included articles were studies with full texts written in English that reported on menstrual irregularities for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated women of reproductive age. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Study Quality Assessment Tool for Observation Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Four observational studies were included. Review Manager was used to generating a forest plot with odds ratios (ORs) at the 95% confidence interval (CI), finding statistically significant associations between vaccination and menstrual irregularities for 25,054 women of reproductive age (OR = 1.91, CI: 1.76–2.07) with a significant overall effect of the mean (Z = 16.01, p < 0.0001). The studies were heterogeneous with significant dispersion of values (χ2 = 195.10 at df = 3, p < 0.00001, I2 = 98%). The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis are limited by the availability of quantitative data. The results have implications for treating women of reproductive age with menstrual irregularities and informing them about the potential side effects of vaccinations.