bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARTISTAS-MÚLTIPLAS – DIÁLOGOS ENTRE VARVARA STEPANOVA, MÔNICA NADOR E OUTROS RUÍDOS.
Authors: Rebelatto Tatiane , Rúbia Sant'Anna Mara
Published: July 2022

Esse texto discute a atuação da artista Varvara Stepanova e Mônica Nador a fim de abordar possíveis aspectos que convergem entre elas diante da prática artística. O que leva a discussão da dimensão da arte, do estatuto de artista e do ensino de artes. Para isso, no caso de Stepanova foi selecionado uma parte da sua produção, do período em que atuou como artista, professora e operária (1919-1926). Em relação à artista Nador destacou-se o período em que desenvolveu sua dissertação de mestrado e os trabalhos desenvolvidos no espaço Jamac (1990 – 2004). Percebeu-se que ambas atuaram de forma múltipla, não centrando seu fazer artístico apenas na produção de obras visuais. Elas atuaram, nas respectivas fases analisadas, em frentes diferentes, como a pesquisa, a docência e o engajamento político, o que proporcionou a geração de produções tanto tangíveis, como objetos, mostras etc., quanto intangíveis, como redes de sociabilidades diversas e diferentes conhecimentos. A atuação das duas artistas mulheres dessa forma leva a ampliar a definição de artista, apontando para uma faceta mais contundente e dinâmica, pois implicada num efetivo multiplicar, organizar e produzir, atravessando ações e experiências em direção à autonomia, à emancipação, à educação da sensibilidade, ao compartilhamento e ações coletivas.
"CORPO, IMAGEM, AUTOBIOGRAFIA: A TRAMA PESSOAL-POLÍTICA DE FRIDA KAHLO CRIANDO FRONTEIRAS HÍBRIDAS EM PERFORMANCE "
Authors: Danny da Silva Castro Crystian
Published: July 2022

Este estudo se desenvolve a partir das possibilidades de criação em performance, considerando três formas de perceber o processo artístico: a performance como uma “arte do eu”; como um “modo de existência”; e como uma “arte de fronteira”. Entrecruzando as imagens da pintora mexicana Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) – desde uma perspectiva cultural de tais artefatos – com as narrativas autobiográficas do autor, estabelece-se uma série de relações que envolvem o atravessamento arte e vida e a valorização do corpo na criação em performance e na arte contemporânea. Deste modo, são analisadas diversas formas de compreender como tais imagens interatuam no processo de criação, tramando as experiências de vida dos corpos à uma perspectiva pessoal-política das subjetividades para fazer da performance uma práxis híbrida e fronteiriça.
Gold nanoclusters: Photophysical properties and photocatalytic applications
Authors: Cheng Dajiao , Liu Rong , Hu Ke
Published: July 2022

Atomically precise gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) have high specific surface area and abundant unsaturated active sites. Traditionally, Au NCs are employed as thermocatalysts for multielectron transfer redox catalysis. Meanwhile, Au NCs also exhibit discrete energy levels, tunable photophysical and electrochemical properties, including visible to near infrared absorption, microsecond long-lived excited-state lifetime, and redox chemistry. In recent years, Au NCs are increasingly employed as visible to near infrared photocatalysts for their high photocatalytic activity and unique selectivity. This review focuses on the photophysical properties of a variety of Au NCs and their employment as photocatalysts in photocatalytic reactions and related applications including solar energy conversion and photodynamic therapies.
High Maternal Total Cholesterol Is Associated With No-Catch-up Growth in Full-Term SGA Infants: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Kaneko Kayo , Ito Yuki , Ebara Takeshi , Kato Sayaka , Matsuki Taro , Tamada Hazuki , Sato Hirotaka , Saitoh Shinji , Sugiura-Ogasawara Mayumi , Yatsuya Hiroshi , Kamijima Michihiro ,   The Japan Environment Children’s Study Group
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) with no catch-up growth (No-CU) are at high risk of intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, factors leading to No-CU among SGA infants are unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal total cholesterol (TC) in mid-pregnancy and No-CU at 3 years among full-term SGA infants.

Study Design

The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) is a nationwide prospective birth cohort study. We extracted a total of 2,222 mothers and full-term SGA infants (length and/or weight <‐2 standard deviation [SD]) without congenital abnormalities from the original JECS cohort comprising a total of 104,062 fetal records. According to the distribution of maternal TC in the entire cohort, participants were classified into nine groups per each fifth percentile with the 20th–79th percentiles (204–260 mg/dl) as the reference group. No-CU was defined by a Z-score of height at 3 years <‐2 SD according to the growth standard charts for Japanese children. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were carried out using multiple imputations. Additionally, a multiple-adjusted restricted cubic spline model was performed in the complete dataset.

Results

A total of 362 (16.3%) children were No-CU at 3 years. After adjusting for the Z-score of birth weight, age of mother, smoking status, weight gain during pregnancy, breastfeeding and meal frequency at 2 years, and parents’ heights, the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of No-CU was 2.95 (1.28–6.80) for children whose maternal TC levels were in the highest category (≥294 mg/dl), compared to the reference group. A multiple-adjusted restricted cubic spline model showed a non-linear trend of the significant association between high maternal TC and No-CU (p for linear trend = 0.05, p for quadratic trend <0.05).

Conclusion

High maternal TC at mid-pregnancy was associated with No-CU among SGA infants. Such infants should be carefully followed up to introduce appropriate growth hormonal treatment. The findings may support previous animal experimental studies which indicated that maternal high-fat diet exposure induces impairment of growth and skeletal muscle development in the offspring. Future studies are required to elucidate the detailed mechanism.
Identification and Validation of an m6A Modification of JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway–Related Prognostic Prediction Model in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Jiang Fei , Chen Xiaowei , Shen Yan , Shen Xiaobing
Published: July 2022

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the malignant tumors worldwide. Janus (JAK)–signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is involved in cellular biological process and immune function. However, the association between them is still not systematically described. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify key genes involved in JAK-STAT signaling pathway and GC, as well as the potential mechanism.

Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was the source of RNA-sequencing data of GC patients. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used as the validation set. The predictive value of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway-related prognostic prediction model was examined using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO); survival, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analyses; and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses to examine the predictive value of the model. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and chi-square test were used to verify the expression of genes in the model and assess the association between the genes and clinicopathological parameters of GC patients, respectively. Then, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), gene set enrichment analysis, version 3.0 (GSEA), sequence-based RNA adenosine methylation site predictor (SRAMP) online websites, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments were used to predict the model-related potential pathways, m6A modifications, and the association between model genes and m6A.

Results: A four-gene prognostic model (GHR, PIM1, IFNA8, and IFNB1) was constructed, namely, riskScore. The Kaplan–Meier curves suggested that patients with high riskScore expression had a poorer prognosis than those with low riskScore expression (p = 0.006). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the model could be an independent predictor (p < 0.001; HR = 3.342, 95%, CI = 1.834–6.088). The 5-year area under time-dependent ROC curve (AUC) reached 0.655. The training test set verified these results. Further analyses unveiled an enrichment of cancer-related pathways, m6A modifications, and the direct interaction between m6A and the four genes.

Conclusion: This four-gene prognostic model could be applied to predict the prognosis of GC patients and might be a promising therapeutic target in GC.
Identifying potential prognosis markers in hepatocellular carcinoma via integrated bioinformatics analysis and biological experiments
Authors: Hu Xueting , Zhou Jian , Zhang Yan , Zeng Yindi , Jie Guitao , Wang Sheng , Yang Aixiang , Zhang Menghui
Published: July 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one kind of clinical common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, and its pathogenesis remains to be clarified urgently. This study was performed to elucidate key genes involving HCC by bioinformatics analysis and experimental evaluation.

Methods: We identified common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based on gene expression profile data of GSE60502 and GSE84402 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, REACTOME pathway enrichment analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to analyze functions of these genes. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape software based on the STRING database, and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) was used to pick out two significant modules. Hub genes, screened by the CytoHubba plug-in, were validated by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Then, the correlation between hub genes expression and immune cell infiltration was evaluated by Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, and the prognostic values were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plotter. Finally, biological experiments were performed to illustrate the functions of RRM2.

Results: Through integrated bioinformatics analysis, we found that the upregulated DEGs were related to cell cycle and cell division, while the downregulated DEGs were associated with various metabolic processes and complement cascade. RRM2, MAD2L1, MELK, NCAPG, and ASPM, selected as hub genes, were all correlated with poor overall prognosis in HCC. The novel RRM2 inhibitor osalmid had anti-tumor activity, including inhibiting proliferation and migration, promoting cell apoptosis, blocking cell cycle, and inducing DNA damage of HCC cells.

Conclusion: The critical pathways and hub genes in HCC progression were screened out, and targeting RRM2 contributed to developing new therapeutic strategies for HCC.
Depletion of Oxygen in the Bothnian Sea Since the Mid-1950s
Authors: Polyakov Igor V. , Tikka Kimmo , Haapala Jari , Alkire Matthew B. , Alenius Pekka , Kuosa Harri
Published: July 2022

Glider observations conducted between 2016 and 2021 were combined with shipborne surveys from the 1950s through the 2010s to provide critically important information about changes in the Bothnian Sea. Particularly, we evaluated the rate of warming and freshening in several layers of the basin and showed that warming of 0.3°C/decade in the upper 25m was sufficient to explain ~40% of the oxygen depletion since the mid-1950s. This depletion was driven by limited saturation of the surface mixed layer (SML), caused by warming and a (related) weakening of the surface oxygen flux during spring blooms. Below the SML, the role of warming in oxygen depletion decreased to less than 30%, whereas the role of freshening became increasingly important via establishing stronger stratification that reduced local ventilation across the basin’s halocline. The observed values in this study are not critical for the ecological system of the Bothnian Sea. However, the presented trends towards oxygen depletion should be considered as an early warning sign as future projections of the oxygen levels in the Bothnian Sea suggest further severe losses of the dissolved oxygen in the next decades. Thus, enhancement of both observational networks and the current physical and biogeochemical models is a high priority if we are to mitigate the potential impact of oxygen loss and develop a reliable monitoring system of the Bothnian Sea.
Screening and Characterization of Potential Antioxidant Probiotics Isolated from the Gut of Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)
Authors: Zhang Qian , Cai Yan , Chen Zihan , Shi Huizhong , Zhou Yongcan , Yang Yang , Tu Rui , Chen Guisen , Wang Shifeng
Published: July 2022

Some symbiotic probiotics have antioxidant activities and could improve the antioxidant capacity of the host. There is still no report on the screening of host-derived antioxidant probiotics for grouper farming. In this study, 369 out of 583 isolates were screened from the gut of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) based on their non-hemolytic characteristics. Subsequent preliminary screening with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging rate assay resulted in 36 potential antioxidant isolates. After comprehensive evaluation with nine different antioxidant assays (DPPH scavenging rate, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbezothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging rate, iron ion reducing ability, reducing activity, O2-· scavenging rate,·OH scavenging rate, ferrous ion chelating rate, hydrogen peroxide tolerance, oxygen-free radical scavenging ability, et al.), 10 isolates with strong antioxidant abilities were screened from 36 potential antioxidant isolates. Then some other probiotic properties, such as simulated gastrointestinal fluid tolerance, adhesion, digestive enzyme activity, and antibacterial activity of the 10 selected isolates were evaluated. All 10 isolates were also identified using the molecular method. Finally, Vibrio rhodolitus GO 91 and Shewanella corallii GO 310, as representatives of the two genera resulting from the identification of the 10 isolates, and with the best overall probiotic properties, were selected from the 10 isolates. Isolates GO 91 and GO 310 were further tested for their safety performances. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that GO91 and GO310 were sensitive to many commonly used aquaculture antibiotics. The in vivo challenge test of GO 91 and GO 310 didn’t cause any disease symptoms or death in hybrid grouper. Therefore, isolates GO 91 and GO 310 showed great potential to be used as probiotics in hybrid grouper farming.
The Antimicrobial Activity and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Peganum harmala L. Based on HPLC and HS-SPME-GC-MS
Authors: Wang Ningning , An Junxia , Zhang Zhijun , Liu Yingqian , Fang Jianguo , Yang Zhigang
Published: July 2022

Peganum harmala L. is a perennial herb of the Tribulus family and its aerial parts and seeds can be used as medicine in the traditional medicine of China. However, the differences in chemical components and antibacterial activity between different parts have not been reported. In this study, the chemical composition of the different parts of P. harmala was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The antimicrobial activities of the different parts and some isolated components were also carried out on 12 bacterial strains and phytopathogenic fungi. The HPLC results revealed that the contents of harmine and harmaline in the seeds were higher than that in the aerial parts. A total of 94 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were tentatively identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS for the first time. The major components were methyl hexadecanoate, p-xylene, octane, (Z)-9-octadecanoate, ethylbenzene, methyl octadecanoate, ethyl hexadecanoate, and methyl tetradecanoate. At the concentration of 800 μg·mL−1, the methanol extracts of seeds showed stronger antimicrobial activities with a wide antimicrobial spectrum, inhibiting Escherichia coli (ATCC 24433), Xanthomonas oryzae (ACCC 11602), and Xanthomonas axonopodis with inhibitory rates of more than 90%. Furthermore, harmine and harmaline showed better antibacterial activities against all the bacteria. These findings indicated that alkaloids from P. harmala could account for antimicrobial activity, which could be used as lead molecules in the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
A B7-CD28 Family-Based Signature Demonstrates Significantly Different Prognosis and Immunological Characteristics in Diffuse Gliomas
Authors: Deng Xiangyang , Chen Kezhu , Ren Junwei , Zeng Jun , Zhang Quan , Li Tianwen , Tang Qisheng , Zhu Jianhong
Published: July 2022

The B7-CD28 gene family plays a crucial role in modulating immune functions and has served as potential targets for immunotherapeutic strategies. Therefore, we systematically analyzed B7-CD28 family gene expression profiles and constructed a B7-CD28 family-based prognostic signature to predict survival and immune host status in diffuse gliomas. The TCGA dataset was used as a training cohort, and three CGGA datasets (mRNAseq_325, mRNAseq_693 and mRNA-array) were employed as validation cohorts to intensify the findings that we have revealed in TCGA dataset. Ultimately, we developed a B7-CD28 family-based signature that consisted of CD276, CD274, PDCD1LG2 and CD80 using LASSO Cox analysis. This gene signature was validated to have significant prognostic value, and could be used as a biomarker to distinguish pathological grade and IDH mutation status in diffuse glioma. Additionally, we found that the gene signature was significantly related to intensity of immune response and immune cell population, as well as several other important immune checkpoint genes, holding a great potential to be a predictive immune marker for immunotherapy and tumor microenvironment. Finally, a B7-CD28 family-based nomogram was established to predict patient life expectancy contributing to facilitate personalizing therapy for tumor sufferers. In summary, this is the first mathematical model based on this gene family with the aim of providing novel insights into immunotherapy for diffuse glioma.
Neural Networks in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease: Insights From Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies
Authors: Qiu Qiongqiong
Published: July 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, with no cure to stop its progression. Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention have become the hot spots in AD research. The long asymptomatic and slightly symptomatic phases of autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) allow studies to explore early biomarkers and the underlying pathophysiological changes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a method to detect abnormal patterns of brain activity and functional connectivity in vivo, which correlates with cognitive decline earlier than structural changes and more strongly than amyloid deposition. Here, we will provide a brief overview of the network-level findings in ADAD in fMRI studies. In general, abnormalities in brain activity were mainly found in the hippocampus, the medial temporal lobe (MTL), the posterior cortex, the cingulate cortices, and the frontal regions in ADAD. Moreover, ADAD and sporadic AD (SAD) have similar fMRI changes, but not with aging.
Exercise Intervention Modulates Synaptic Plasticity by Inhibiting Excessive Microglial Activation via Exosomes
Authors: Li Chen , Hu Jiayi , Liu Wenhong , Ke Changkai , Huang Chuan , Bai Yifan , Pan Bingchen , Wang Junyi , Wan Chunxiao
Published: July 2022

Background

Exosomes can activate microglia to modulate neural activity and synaptic plasticity by phagocytosis of neural spines or synapses. Our previous research found that an early 4-week exercise intervention in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats can promote the release of exosomes and protect the brain. This study intended to further explore the intrinsic mechanism of neuroprotection by exosome release after exercise.

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into four groups: the sham operation (SHAM), middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with sedentary intervention (SED-MCAO), MCAO with exercise intervention (EX-MCAO), and MCAO with exercise intervention and exosome injection (EX-MCAO-EXO). Modified neurological severity score (mNSS), cerebral infarction volume ratio, microglial activation, dendritic complexity, and expression of synaptophysin (Syn) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) were detected after 28 days of intervention.

Results

(1) The exercise improved body weight and mNSS score, and the survival state of the rats after exosome infusion was better. (2) Compared with the SED-MCAO group, the EX-MCAO (P = 0.039) and EX-MCAO-EXO groups (P = 0.002) had significantly lower cerebral infarct volume ratios (P < 0.05), among which the EX-MCAO-EXO group had the lowest (P = 0.031). (3) Compared with the SED-MCAO group, the EX-MCAO and EX-MCAO-EXO groups had a significantly decreased number of microglia (P < 0.001) and significantly increased process length/cell (P < 0.01) and end point/cell (P < 0.01) values, with the EX-MCAO-EXO group having the lowest number of microglia (P = 0.036) and most significantly increased end point/cell value (P = 0.027). (4) Compared with the SED-MCAO group, the total number of intersections and branches of the apical and basal dendrites in the EX-MCAO and EX-MCAO-EXO groups was increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the increase was more significant in the EX-MCAO-EXO group (P < 0.05). (5) The expression levels of Syn and PSD-95 in the EX-MCAO (PSyn = 0.043, PPSD−95 = 0.047) and EX-MCAO-EXO groups were significantly higher than those in the SED-MCAO group (P < 0.05), and the expression levels in the EX-MCAO-EXO group were significantly higher than those in the EX-MCAO group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Early exercise intervention after stroke can inhibit the excessive activation of microglia and regulate synaptic plasticity by exosome release.
Evidence of Two Novel LAMA2 Variants in a Patient With Muscular Dystrophy: Facing the Challenges of a Certain Diagnosis
Authors: Meyer Stefanie , Kaulfuß Silke , Zechel Sabrina , Kummer Karsten , Seif Amir Hosseini Ali , Ernst Marielle Sophie , Schmidt Jens , Pauli Silke , Zschüntzsch Jana
Published: July 2022

Background

Benefits and challenges resulting from advances in genetic diagnostics are two sides of the same coin. Facilitation of a correct and timely diagnosis is paralleled by challenges in interpretation of variants of unknown significance (VUS). Focusing on an individual VUS-re-classification pipeline, this study offers a diagnostic approach for clinically suspected hereditary muscular dystrophy by combining the expertise of an interdisciplinary team.

Methods

In a multi-step approach, a thorough phenotype assessment including clinical examination, laboratory work, muscle MRI and histopathological evaluation of muscle was performed in combination with advanced Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Different in-silico tools and prediction programs like Alamut, SIFT, Polyphen, MutationTaster and M-Cap as well as 3D- modeling of protein structure and RNA-sequencing were employed to determine clinical significance of the LAMA2 variants.

Results

Two previously unknown sequence alterations in LAMA2 were detected, a missense variant was classified initially according to ACMG guidelines as a VUS (class 3) whereas a second splice site variant was deemed as likely pathogenic (class 4). Pathogenicity of the splice site variant was confirmed by mRNA sequencing and nonsense mediated decay (NMD) was detected. Combination of the detected variants could be associated to the LGMDR23-phenotype based on the MRI matching and literature research.

Discussion

Two novel variants in LAMA2 associated with LGMDR23-phenotype are described. This study illustrates challenges of the genetic findings due to their VUS classification and elucidates how individualized diagnostic procedure has contributed to the accurate diagnosis in the spectrum of LGMD.
Association Between Pre-operative BUN and Post-operative 30-Day Mortality in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Tumors: Data From the ACS NSQIP Database
Authors: Liu Yufei , Hu Haofei , Li Zongyang , Han Yong , Chen Fanfan , Zhang Mali , Li Weiping , Huang Guodong , Zhang Liwei
Published: July 2022

Objective

There is limited evidence to clarify the specific relationship between pre-operative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and post-operative 30-day mortality in patients undergoing craniotomy for tumors. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this relationship in detail.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 18,642 patients undergoing craniotomy for tumors in the ACS NSQIP from 2012 to 2015 were subjected to secondary retrospective analysis. The principal exposure was pre-operative BUN. Outcome measures were post-operative 30-day mortality. We used binary logistic regression modeling to evaluate the association between them and conducted a generalized additive model and smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) to explore the potential relationship and its explicit curve shape. We also conducted sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of the results and performed subgroup analyses.

Results

A total of 16,876 patients were included in this analysis. Of these, 47.48% of patients were men. The post-operative 30-day mortality of the included cases was 2.49% (420/16,876), and the mean BUN was 16.874 ± 6.648 mg/dl. After adjusting covariates, the results showed that pre-operative BUN was positively associated with post-operative 30-day mortality (OR = 1.020, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.036). There was also a non-linear relationship between BUN and post-operative 30-day mortality, and the inflection point of the BUN was 9.804. For patients with BUN < 9.804 mg/dl, a 1 unit decrease in BUN was related to a 16.8% increase in the risk of post-operative 30-day mortality (OR = 0.832, 95% CI: 0.737, 0.941); for patients with BUN > 9.804 mg/dl, a 1 unit increase in BUN was related to a 2.8% increase in the risk of post-operative 30-day mortality (OR = 1.028, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.045). The sensitivity analysis proved that the results were robust. The subgroup analysis revealed that all listed subgroups did not affect the relationship between pre-operative BUN and post-operative 30-day mortality (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that pre-operative BUN (mg/dl) has specific linear and non-linear relationships with post-operative 30-day mortality in patients over 18 years of age who underwent craniotomy for tumors. Proper pre-operative management of BUN and maintenance of BUN near the inflection point (9.804 mg/dl) could reduce the risk of post-operative 30-day mortality in these cases.
The cerebrospinal fluid proteome of preterm infants predicts neurodevelopmental outcome
Authors: Leifsdottir Kristin , Jost Kerstin , Siljehav Veronica , Thelin Eric P. , Lassarén Philipp , Nilsson Peter , Haraldsson Ásgeir , Eksborg Staffan , Herlenius Eric
Published: July 2022

Background

Survival rate increases for preterm infants, but long-term neurodevelopmental outcome predictors are lacking. Our primary aim was to determine whether a specific proteomic profile in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of preterm infants differs from that of term infants and to identify novel biomarkers of neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants.

Methods

Twenty-seven preterm infants with median gestational age 27 w + 4 d and ten full-term infants were enrolled prospectively. Protein profiling of CSF were performed utilizing an antibody suspension bead array. The relative levels of 178 unique brain derived proteins and inflammatory mediators, selected from the Human Protein Atlas, were measured.

Results

The CSF protein profile of preterm infants differed from that of term infants. Increased levels of brain specific proteins that are associated with neurodevelopment and neuroinflammatory pathways made up a distinct protein profile in the preterm infants. The most significant differences were seen in proteins involved in neurodevelopmental regulation and synaptic plasticity, as well as components of the innate immune system. Several proteins correlated with favorable outcome in preterm infants at 18–24 months corrected age. Among the proteins that provided strong predictors of outcome were vascular endothelial growth factor C, Neurocan core protein and seizure protein 6, all highly important in normal brain development.

Conclusion

Our data suggest a vulnerability of the preterm brain to postnatal events and that alterations in protein levels may contribute to unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcome.
Xiongshao Zhitong Recipe Attenuates Nitroglycerin-Induced Migraine-Like Behaviors via the Inhibition of Inflammation Mediated by Nitric Oxide Synthase
Authors: Yang Song , Chen Cong , Liu Xiaoyao , Kang Qianjun , Ma Quantao , Li Pin , Hu Yujie , Li Jialin , Gao Jian , Wang Ting , Wang Weiling
Published: July 2022

Migraine is a major cause of disability worldwide, particularly in young adults and middle-aged women. Xiongshao Zhitong Recipe (XZR) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription used for treating migraine, but its bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to confirm the therapeutic effect of XZR on migraine and to determine the possible mechanism and bioactive components of XZR. Here, a sensitive UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS assay was carried out to analyze the ingredients of XZR, and a total of 62 components were identified, including coumarins, phenolic acids, phthalides, flavonoids, and terpenoids; among them, 15 components were identified in the serum samples after XZR treatment. We established a rat model of migraine via nitroglycerin (NTG) injection. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that XZR attenuated allodynia and photophobia in rats with NTG-induced migraine, and XZR also demonstrated analgesic effects. XZR reversed the abnormal levels of nitric oxide, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP) to normal levels. XZR also downregulated inflammatory reactions, including mast cell degranulation and serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. In terms of mechanism, we revealed that XZR treated NTG-induced migraine through the inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in both the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), as well as the total NOS enzyme activity, which regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, imperatorin and xanthotoxin, two major ingredients of XZR, showed a high binding affinity to nNOS (Gly468-Leu616). In vitro, XZR, imperatorin, and xanthotoxin inhibited the nNOS expression and the NF-κB signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PC12 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated the therapeutic effects of XZR and provided evidence that XZR played a critical anti-inflammatory role by suppressing NOS and NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Imperatorin and xanthotoxin were potential bioactive components of XZR. The findings from this study supported that XZR was a candidate herbal drug for migraine therapy.
The Predictive Role of Chinese English as a Foreign Language Teachers’ Psychological Capital in Their Job Commitment and Academic Optimism
Authors: Xu Lihua , Zhu Xiaowen
Published: July 2022

Positive psychology (PP) has received increasing attention in the field of education. Therefore, it would be of utmost importance to analyze the relationship between the constructs falling under the category of positive psychology and other constructs to pave the way for both educational authorities and teachers themselves. Reviewing the previous studies, it turned out that there have been no studies to discuss the interplay between teachers’ psychological capital and their job commitment and academic optimism particularly in the context of China. To fill this gap, the current study set out to inspect the function of Chinese English as a Foreign language (EFL) teachers’ psychological capital in promoting their job commitment and academic optimism. To accomplish this, 316 Chinese teachers (i.e., 97 males, 219 females) were asked to complete “Psychological Capital Scale,” “Job Commitment Scale,” and “Academic Optimism Scale.” The results of regression analyses revealed that Chinese EFL teachers’ psychological capital can strongly predict their job commitment and academic optimism. The conclusion and implications of the results are finally discussed and it is mentioned that both educational authorities and teachers can benefit from this study and make the experience of teaching much more productive.
A Study on the Psychological Structure and Mechanism of Shared Chinese Cultural Identity of University Students
Authors: Zhu Dan , Lin Xunyi
Published: July 2022

In previous studies, as an important object of inheritance and promotion of Chinese culture in Chinese colleges and universities, the psychological change mechanism of college students in the process of receiving cultural identity education has not attracted widespread attention. This study focuses on ideological and political education in colleges and universities, and innovatively believes that in order to improve college students’ identification with Chinese culture, and make them consciously “internalize in mind and externalize in practice,” it is necessary to explore their psychological structure and mechanism of action in the process of accepting identity education and take measures to actively intervene. The study employs the method of questionnaire investigation, acquiring 1,119 effective samples from 30 universities in Fujian province. By establishing the theoretical framework of “cognitive identity—emotional identity—ideological identity—behavioral identity,” analyzing and examining the data, it is found out that: (1) cognitive identity affecting behavioral identity positively in a noticeable way; (2) by raising individual emotional identity, cognitive identity strengthening university students’ behavioral identity; (3) cognitive identity inspiring behavioral identity with benefits of ideological identity; (4) it being verified that there exists an intermediary chain reaction between emotional identity, ideological identity, cognitive identity, and behavioral identity. As a result, the followings are proposed: (1) further integrating the worthy Chinese traditional culture into university curriculum and developing students’ cognitive education of traditional culture; (2) exploring the aesthetic dimension of worthy Chinese traditional culture and deepening the students’ emotional identity of traditional culture; (3) demonstrating the essence of the worthy Chinese traditional culture and advancing the students’ ideological identity of traditional culture; and (4) intensifying the practice of the worthy Chinese traditional culture and motivating the students’ behavioral identity of traditional culture.
Revealing the Effects of Corporate Governance on Green Investment and Innovation: Do Law and Policy Matter?
Authors: Lai Yuan , Sohail Muhammad Tayyab
Published: July 2022

Green investment (GI) and innovation performance are key factors of sustainable green development. GI and innovation have become a trendy solution to minimize environmental issues in the previous few decades. We investigate the effects of corporate governance, environmental law, and environmental policy stringency on GI and environmental innovation (EI) using Chinese time-series data from 1998 to 2020. Short and long-run findings indicate that corporate governance has a positive and significant impact on GI and innovation in China. However, environmental law has positive and significant effects on GI and innovation in the short run and long run. Furthermore, environmental policy stringency has an insignificant impact on GI but stimulates green innovation both in the short and long run. The study also reveals that education has a significant positive impact on green innovation both in the short and long-run. The short and long-run results propose essential policy implications.
No Retrenchment From Employee Empowerment: Employer Wellness Imperatives and Opportunities Emerging From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gellert George A. , Montgomery Scott , Bridge Oliver , Gellert Tess E.
Published: July 2022

The impact of two years of the COVID-19 pandemic on the relationship between employers and employees are explored, including changing employee sensibilities with respect to future employment, work-life balance, remote and flexible work, and the great resignation. Lasting work changes induced by the pandemic expand employee empowerment and demand for greater work flexibility. Flexibility no longer provides employers a unique selling point and hiring/retention competitiveness – it has become an expected standard. Evolving workplace expectations are tied to realizations of the value of work within the broader context of employees' lives, changing business culture across many industries. Demand for increased work/employment individualization and personalization overlaps unprecedented personalization of and power of mobile technologies. Human-centered employee management in the post-COVID-19 era will become imperative, with many opportunities for employers to enable greater impact in employee wellness and health promotion driven by deploying compelling virtual-remote engagement and behavioral change technologies.
COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Debre Tabor public health institutions: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chekol Abebe Endeshaw , Ayalew Tiruneh Gebrehiwot , Asmare Adela Getachew , Mengie Ayele Teklie , Tilahun Muche Zelalem , Behaile T/Mariam Awgichew , Tilahun Mulu Anemut , Abebe Zewde Edgeit , Dagnaw Baye Nega , Asmamaw Dejenie Tadesse
Published: July 2022

Background

Vaccination is the best means of reducing the increased risk of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy. Data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women in Ethiopia is scarce. Thus, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among pregnant women.

Method

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 634 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Debre Tabor public health institutions from March 14 to 30, 2022. Participants were recruited using a multistage sampling technique and data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Stata version 16.0 software was used for data analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, with a p-value< 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Result

Only 14.4% (95% CI: 11.7%-17.3%) of participants had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines. The main reasons for declining vaccination were fear that the COVID-19 vaccine may have harmful side effects on the fetus or the mother. Being 45 or older (AOR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.01–2.95), being married (AOR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.12, 2.96), having good knowledge (AOR:3.52, 95%CI:1.83–3.87), and a positive attitude (AOR:4.81, 95% CI: 1.42–7.33) were positive predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. But attaining a college or university education (AOR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.12–0.69) was found to be a barrier to vaccine uptake by pregnant women.

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women was substantially low. Old age, being married, low education, good knowledge, and a positive attitude were significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. To enhance the COVID-19 vaccine uptake, the government should improve the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women toward the COVID-19 vaccine.
Investigation of LED Light Qualities for Peppermint (Mentha x Piperita L.) Cultivation Focusing on Plant Quality and Consumer Safety Aspects
Authors: Tabbert Jenny Manuela , Schulz Hartwig , Krähmer Andrea
Published: July 2022

To understand how peppermint responds to different LED light qualities during the early vegetative phase, peppermints were illuminated with three different LED light conditions (RB = Red/Blue, RGB = Red/Green/Blue, SUN = artificial sunlight closely resembling the terrestrial sunlight spectrum between 380 and 780 nm) in an automated vertical cultivation system. RB resulted in compact growth, whereas both green-containing lighting conditions induced excessive stem and side branch elongations and significant leaf expansions. Although peppermint plants achieved marketable appearances regardless of lighting condition, essential oil (EO) compositions with highly elevated amounts of pulegone and menthofuran did not meet consumer safety requirements. Both artificial SUN and RB spectra showed lower concentrations of pulegone in the EO at 41 and 43%, respectively, than detected under RGB at more than 49%. Reasons for this undesirable EO composition are discussed as a result of the lighting conditions applied and the early harvest time, leading to an incomplete reduction of pulegone to menthone during biosynthesis. Based on these findings, aromatic peppermint cultivation under LEDs can be improved to meet regulatory requirements and highlights the need for analytical quality controls regarding consumer safety to evaluate the applicability of LED lighting for fresh herb productions.
A Pilot Study Considering Ecoroofs as Therapeutic Landscapes
Authors: Starry Olyssa , Viray Arjun , Park-Egan Brenna , Terway Amber Collett , Oxendahl Timothy , Burdsall Tina
Published: July 2022

The potential for urban open spaces to convey therapeutic benefits is increasingly substantiated. More work is needed to specifically consider how low impact designs to manage stormwater such as ecoroofs perform in this context. Here, we report on a pilot study addressing: (1) factors determining whether a hospital has an ecoroof, and (2) how ecoroofs might convey therapeutic benefits. We utilized a mixed methods approach which encompassed phone interviews of hospital ecoroof managers as well as analysis of national hospital databases. We also conducted a local case study which compared cortisol samples and stress indicators from patients, staff, and caregivers visiting an ecoroof to those waiting indoors at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland OR. Behavioral observations took place at this same location. In 2017, we identified 105 hospitals with ecoroofs in the contiguous United States. Our analysis of a national hospital database found two factors that significantly increased the likelihood of a hospital having an ecoroof: Medicaid discharges per year; and non-profit status. Interviews with practitioners nationally revealed a wide range of motivations but that therapy was a consideration for a majority, but notably not all, of the hospitals surveyed. They similarly noted variation in roof design, maintenance, and programming around horticultural therapy; we highlight some best practices here. Our physiological case study was limited in sample size. Preliminary findings showed that salivary cortisol levels varied by ecoroof visitor type, ranging on average from 0.09 μg/ml for caregivers to 0.30 μg/ml for patients. We did not observe any significant changes in visitor cortisol. This could be explained by low replication or the short treatment duration. Alternatively, these pilot data may indicate a gap in horticultural therapy theory vs. practice. Behavioral observations demonstrated a wide array of different uses of the ecoroof space such as cell phone use and passing by. Though preliminary, our findings suggest that therapeutic effects may vary by user type and activity and depend on roof design and goals. This study offers both information on the therapeutic potential of hospital ecoroofs as well as lessons learned regarding different approaches to researching this somewhat new topic.
Ten years of collecting hematological athlete biological passport samples—perspectives from a National Anti-doping Organization
Authors: Bækken Lasse V. , Holden Geir , Gjelstad Astrid , Lauritzen Fredrik
Published: July 2022

The hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) aims to reveal blood doping indirectly by looking at selected biomarkers of doping over time. For Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs), the ABP is a vital tool in the fight against doping in sports through improved target testing and analysis, investigations, deterrence, and as indirect evidence for use of prohibited methods or substances. The physiological characteristics of sport disciplines is an important risk factor in the overall risk assessment and when implementing the hematological module. Sharing of experiences with implementing the hematological ABP between ADOs is key to further strengthen and extend its use. In this study, we present 10 years of experience with the hematological ABP program from the perspectives of a National ADO with special attention to sport disciplines' physiological characteristics as a potential risk factor for blood doping. Not surprisingly, most samples were collected in sport disciplines where the aerobic capacity is vital for performance. The study highlights strengths in Anti-Doping Norway's testing program but also areas that could be improved. For example, it was shown that samples were collected both in and out of season in a subset of the data material that included three popular sports in Norway (Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, and Biathlon), however, from the total data material it was clear that athletes were more likely to be tested out of competition and on certain days of the week and times of the day. The use of doping control officers with a flexible time schedule and testing outside an athlete's 60 min time-slot could help with a more even distribution during the week and day, and thus reduce the predictability of testing. In addition to promoting a discussion on testing strategies, the study can be used as a starting point for other ADOs on how to examine their own testing program.
Management of retroperitoneal fibrosis with endovascular aneurysm repair in patients refractory to medical management
Authors: Sultan Sherif , Acharya Yogesh , Hezima Mohieldin , Ramjohn Joshua , Miresse David , Chua Vi Long Keegan , Soliman Osama , Hynes Niamh
Published: July 2022

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment of under-recognized retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) are essential before reaching the poorly responsive fibrotic stage. Although most patients respond to medical therapy, relapses and unresponsiveness are common. However, open surgery in medically resistant patients is associated with major adverse clinical events.

Methods

This is a single-centre longitudinal study of optimal medical therapy (OMT) vs. endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients presenting with RPF to our tertiary referral vascular centre. Out of 22,349 aortic referrals, we performed 1,555 aortic interventions over twenty years. Amongst them, 1,006 were EVAR, TEVAR and BEVAR. Seventeen patients (1.09%) had documented peri-aortic RPF.

Results

Out of the 17 RPF patients, 11 received OMT only, while 6 underwent EVAR after the failure of OMT. 82% (n = 14) were male, and the median follow-up was 62.7 months (IQR: 28.2–106). Nine (52%) had immunoglobulin G4-related disease (4 OMT vs. 5 EVAR). EVAR patients had 100% technical success without perioperative mortality. Furthermore, all the EVAR patients were symptom-free following the intervention. Pre-operative aortic RPF index (maximum peri-aortic soft tissue diameter/maximum aortic diameter) was higher in the EVAR than in OMT. However, there was a significant decrement in the aortic RPF index following EVAR (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

We believe that when optimal medical therapy fails in RPF, EVAR provides a promising outcome. Further studies are recommended to establish the role of endovascular repair.