bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ambient temperature and other environmental factors on stroke emergency department visits in Beijing: A distributed lag non-linear model
Authors: Zhao Jinhua , Zhang Yongming , Ni Ying , He Junyu , Wang Jianping , Li Xuan , Guo Yuming , Li Changping , Zhang Wenyi , Cui Zhuang
Published: November 2022

Background

Most studies have focused on the relationship between ambient temperature and stroke mortality, but studies on the relationship between ambient temperature and stroke occurrence are still limited and inconsistent.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the effect of ambient temperature and other environmental factors on emergency stroke visits in Beijing.

Methods

Our study utilized stroke visit data from the Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center during 2017–2018, and applied a generalized additive model (GAM) as well as a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM), respectively, regarding the direct, lagged, and cumulative effects of ambient temperature alone and with correction for other environmental factors on stroke occurrence.

Results

With a total of 26,984 emergency stroke patients in 2017–2018, both cold and hot effects were observed and weakened after correction for other environmental factors. Compared to the reference temperature, in the multi-factor model, extreme cold (−10°C) reached a maximum relative risk (RR) of 1.20 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.09, 1.32] at lag 14 days, and extreme hot (30°C) had a maximum RR of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.11) at lag 6 days. The cumulative effect of extreme cold reached a maximum of 2.02 (95% CI: 1.11, 3.67) at lag 0–14 days, whereas the cumulative effect of extreme hot temperature is greatest at lag 0–10 days, but no statistically significant effect was found. In addition, ischemic stroke patients, the elderly, and males were more susceptible to the effects of cold temperature.

Conclusions

There is a non-linear relationship between ambient temperature and stroke occurrence, with cold temperature having a greater and longer-lasting impact than hot temperature.
Evaluation of strategies for the occupational health risk assessment of chemical toxicants in the workplace based on a quantitative analysis model
Authors: Xu Qiuliang , Zhang Meibian , Xu Lingtong , Yuan Weiming , Ren Hong , Wang Peng , Shao Xincun , Zhou Zhen , Zou Hua , Cao Yiyao
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The commonly used methods for the occupational health risk assessment (OHRA) of chemical toxicants cannot fully meet the needs of practical work. This study evaluated OHRA strategies for chemical toxicants in the workplace by establishing a quantitative analysis model.

Methods

Five typical industries in China that implement OHRA using the six common models (the Environmental Protection Agency, Australian, Romanian, Singaporean, International Council on Mining and Metals, and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health models) were selected as the research objects. We established a quantitative analysis model to compare the six models and applied it to compare the results obtained using each model and preliminarily analyze the advantages, limitations, and application scope of each method.

Results

The risk ratio (RR) values of the six methods decreased in the following order: RREPA > RRCOSHH > RRICMM > RRAustralia > RRSingaporean > RRRomanian (P < 0.05). Among the six models, the Singaporean model had the strongest RR correlation with the other models (P < 0.01). The sequence of RRs obtained from the Singaporean, ICMM, Australian, and Romanian models in the five industries was consistent with the sequence of the three inherent risk levels in those industries. Only the Romanian model could distinguish between the RRs of all five industries. The EPA and Singaporean models could effectively distinguish the differences in inherent risk for four hazard factors (manganese and inorganic compounds, benzene, xylene, and ethyl acetate), with the assessment accuracy being relatively higher for the EPA model.

Conclusions

Among the six models, the EPA model had the relatively highest accuracy in assessing chemical toxicants, followed by the Singaporean model. The EPA and Romanian models were strongest in differentiating the differences in toxicity risk. More studies on OHRA methodology are needed.
Does environmental regulation dividends inequality impact inclusive growth? Evidence from China
Authors: Ge Tao , Ding Ziqi , Lin Shuowan , Yang Yumeng , Ji Jianhua
Published: November 2022

Based on the panel data of 281 city level in China for the period of 2004–2016, this study uses the Cobb–Douglas production function to investigate the distribution of environmental regulation dividends and further adopts the threshold model to explore the impact of environmental regulation dividends inequality (ERDI) on inclusive growth (IG). Results indicate that the distribution structure of the environmental regulation dividends has improved, but the inequality between urban–rural residents is still apparent. Environmental regulation dividends inequality has a non-linear threshold effect on inclusive growth, which turns from a significant inhibition to a slight promotion after exceeding the threshold value. Grouping tests show that environmental regulation dividends inequality has a heterogeneous effect on cities with different resource endowments and leading industries and still inhibits inclusive growth of non-resource-based cities even if the inequality is higher than the threshold value. Mechanism analysis reveals that primary distribution and redistribution are the main channels through which environmental regulation dividends inequality inhibits and promotes inclusive growth when the inequality is below and above the threshold value, respectively. These conclusions have important implications for enhancing and distributing environmental regulation dividends to promote inclusive growth.
Knowledge and participation in exercise and physical activity among pregnant women in Ho, Ghana
Authors: Asante Drusilla Obenewaa , Osei Francis , Abdul-Samed Fridaus , Nanevie Victoria Dzifa
Published: November 2022

Background

Physical activity (PA) and exercise have been identified to improve the general fitness and health. Although, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) has been validated for use in assessing PA in pregnant women. However, understanding the knowledge and participation levels of PA in pregnant women in the underdeveloped regions of Ghana is of clinical relevance to foster education and promotion of PA. In Ghana, pregnant women believe the “myth” (mostly in rural areas and underdeveloped regions) that exercising in the first trimester might lead to miscarriage. Thus, the main objective of this study was to investigate the extent of knowledge and participation levels in PA among pregnant women in Ho, Ghana using a self-developed questionnaire which consisted of some questions adapted from the PPAQ.

Methods

Seventy-seven (n = 77) pregnant women between the ages of 18–50 years were recruited from three hospitals across the Ho municipality of Ghana. A self-developed questionnaire which consisted of some questions taken from the PPAQ was administered to participants under the researchers' supervision. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to find the association between the level of participation in PA, knowledge of PA and gestational age among pregnant women.

Results

From the total participants (n = 77) recruited, 57 (74%) of the participants scored high in PA knowledge. Most of the participants 48 (62.3%) answered that PA promotes healthy pregnancy. Participants who reported barriers to PA during pregnancy were no exercise habits 51 (66.2%), having no time 17 (22.1%) and fear of miscarriage 9 (11.7%). There was a significant (p < 0.05) association between the level of participation and gestational age. No significant (p > 0.05) association between the level of participation and knowledge of PA was observed.

Conclusion

There is a high level of knowledge of PA among pregnant women in Ho, Ghana. However, most pregnant women rather engage in PA as their gestational age increases. Thus, to foster sustainable exercise participation during pregnancy, all healthcare providers saddled with the responsibility of providing maternal healthcare must strengthen the education and promotion of exercise and PA among pregnant women in Ho, Ghana.
Complicating the already complex? Readability scores in bladder exstrophy and its treatment
Authors: Haffar Ahmad , Morrill Christian , Garcia Adelaide , Werner Zachary , Crigger Chad , Gearhart John P.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Classic bladder exstrophy (CBE), is a complex congenital malformation affecting formation of the lower abdominal wall and bladder. This study evaluates the readability of common online resources regarding CBE and its treatment. We hypothesize that high levels of reading comprehension are reflected in these resources, which may not be suitable to the general population for understanding this condition.

Methods

The search terms “bladder exstrophy” and “bladder exstrophy treatment” were reviewed on the Google search engine. The first 100 search results for each search query were collected. The readability of each webpage was assessed using a combination of four independent validated formulae: the Gunning-Fog index (GFI), SMOG grade (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook), Dale-Chall index (DCI), and the Flesch-Kincaid grade (FKG).

Results

A total of 200 search results were examined using the two search queries, yielding 72 unique webpages that fit the inclusionary criteria. The mean readability scores across all websites were a GFI of 14.3, SMOG score of 10, DCI of 9.06, and a FKG of 11.6. These scores correlate to adjusted grade levels of college sophomore, 11th grade, college, and 11th grade respectively. There was no significant difference of readability between website categories across GFI (p = 0.32), SMOG (p = 0.38), DCI (p = 0.33), and FKG (p = 0.36).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that online health information regarding CBE and its treatment is written at least the 11th grade reading level or above. This highlights the necessity to simplify online resources pertaining to CBE.
“The whole sky has broken down on me. I might die alone”: A qualitative study on the lived experiences of COVID-19 positive frontline workers in Bangladesh
Authors: Arefin Shamsul , Rashid Tamanna , Bhattacharjee Mowsume , Habib Md. Didarul , Islam Md. Ashraful , Rahaman Mohammad Anisur
Published: November 2022

Many countries, including Bangladesh, have conducted research on the mental health of frontline workers and their challenges in adjusting to their new workplaces. However, the authors are unaware of any studies on their real-life experiences as COVID-19-positive patients in Bangladesh. This study intends to investigate the lived experiences of Bangladeshi frontline workers who were isolated as a result of the COVID-19 infection and tested positive for the virus. We used a qualitative methodology and a semi-structured interview guide to conduct ten interviews between July 26 and August 12, 2020. The participants were recruited via a social media campaign and purposive sampling. All interviews were conducted via telephone and online and were transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. The study does, however, identify four primary themes and 13 supporting themes, including (1) experience in a new working environment (subthemes: workload and adaptation, maintaining health protocol and social distance, and the fear of infection), (2) diagnosis (subthemes: the origin of infection, physiological problems, experiences at the diagnosis center), (3) recovery days (subthemes: earlier reactions, experiences in isolation, coping mechanisms), and (4) post-COVID-19 (subthemes: excitement, fear, and confusion; physiological problems; increased religiosity; and changes in philosophy). This study is important for healthcare policymakers because it helps them design healthcare management systems that take Bangladeshi society's social context into account. This study also recommends that long-term behavioral change programs be implemented by national policymakers to lessen societal stigma. At the same time, it suggests that the government should help lessen the barriers to health care services that persons with lower socioeconomic status confront.
Effects of creatine monohydrate timing on resistance training adaptations and body composition after 8 weeks in male and female collegiate athletes
Authors: Dinan Nicholas E. , Hagele Anthony M. , Jagim Andrew R. , Miller Michael G. , Kerksick Chad M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Limited research is available on the potential impact of creatine monohydrate administration before or after workouts among athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pre- vs. post-exercise creatine monohydrate supplementation on resistance training adaptations and body composition.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, 34 healthy resistance-trained male and female athletes were randomly assigned and matched according to fat free mass to consume a placebo, or 5-g dose of creatine monohydrate within 1 h before training, or within 1 h after training for 8 weeks, while completing a weekly resistance training program. Participants co-ingested 25-gram doses of both whey protein isolate and maltodextrin along with each assigned supplement dose. Body composition, muscular strength, and endurance, along with isometric mid-thigh pull were assessed before and after the 8-week supplementation period. A 3 × 2 mixed factorial (group x time) ANOVA with repeated measures on time were used to evaluate differences.

Results

All groups experienced similar and statistically significant increases in fat free mass (+1.34 ± 3.48 kg, p = 0.04), upper (+2.21 ± 5.69 kg, p = 0.04) and lower body strength (+7.32 ± 10.01 kg, p < 0.001), and decreases in body mass (−1.09 ± 2.71 kg, p = 0.03), fat mass (−2.64 ± 4.16 kg, p = 0.001), and percent body fat (−2.85 ± 4.39 kg, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The timing of creatine monohydrate did not exert any additional influence over the measured outcomes.
Experiencing good results promotes positive feelings to high-intensity exercise among young adults: A qualitative study
Authors: Høydal Kjetil L. , Åsebø Eli-Karin Sjåstad , Dahl Silje Louise
Published: November 2022

Introduction

From a public health perspective, it is important to gain more insight into how people can be motivated to maintain effective exercise routines. It is a common belief that moderate-intensity exercise is more pleasant and enjoyable than high-intensity training. This study aims to provide insight into (1) participants' expectations and preferences for training intensity prior to training, (2) how longer-term participation affect participants' experience of endurance training with continuous moderate-intensity training and high-intensity interval training.

Materials and methods

A total of 22 participants (14 women and eight men) between the ages of 21–30 volunteered for participation. Participants were randomized and divided into two equal groups. A total of 17 participants, nine women and eight men, completed the study. One group did moderate-intensity longer-lasting training and the other did high-intensity interval training. All participants completed three training sessions per week for 8 weeks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant before and after completing the training intervention. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. This study is a part of a larger study evaluating and comparing the effects on endurance capacity of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity training. Physiological data are previously published.

Results

The results describe participants expectations prior to training, and how they experienced the actual training. The overall experience of training comprises several factors that work together. Both expectations and actual experiences (e.g., of physical pleasantness or unpleasantness, of positive or negative emotions, and of actual results from the training) contribute to the participants' overall experience of exercise.

Conclusion

The major finding is that improved physical fitness was a stronger motivator than feelings of pleasantness. Experiencing good results seemed to downplay feelings of unpleasantness and reinforce positive feelings toward exercise. Lack of results reinforce negative feelings toward exercise. Participants reported high-intensity exercise as more unpleasant and exhaustive, but the interval training group were more satisfied and experienced the training as more motivating.
Longitudinal alterations of pulmonary V.O2 on-kinetics during moderate-intensity exercise in competitive youth cyclists are related to alterations in the balance between microvascular O2 distribution and muscular O2 utilization
Authors: Hovorka Matthias , Prinz Bernhard , Simon Dieter , Zöger Manfred , Rumpl Clemens , Nimmerichter Alfred
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the dynamic adjustment of pulmonary oxygen uptake (V.O2) in response to moderate-intensity cycling on three occasions within 15 months in competitive youth cyclists. Furthermore, the muscle Δdeoxy[heme] on-kinetics and the Δdeoxy[heme]-to-V.O2 ratio were modeled to examine possible mechanistic basis regulating pulmonary V.O2 on-kinetics.

Methods

Eleven cyclists (initial age, 14.3 ± 1.6 y; peak V.O2, 62.2 ± 4.5 mL.min−1.kg−1) with a training history of 2–5 years and a training volume of ~10 h per week participated in this investigation. V.O2 and Δdeoxy[heme] responses during workrate-transitions to moderate-intensity cycling were measured with breath-by-breath spirometry and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively, and subsequently modeled with mono-exponential models to derive parameter estimates. Additionally, a normalized Δdeoxy[heme]-to-V.O2 ratio was calculated for each participant. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess effects of time on the dependent variables of the responses.

Results

The V.O2 time constant remained unchanged between the first (~24 s) and second visit (~22 s, P > 0.05), whereas it was significantly improved through the third visit (~13 s, P = 0.006–0.013). No significant effects of time were revealed for the parameter estimates of the Δdeoxy[heme] response (P > 0.05). A significant Δdeoxy[heme]-to-V.O2 ratio “overshoot” was evident on the first (1.09 ± 0.10, P = 0.006) and second (1.05 ± 0.09, P = 0.047), though not the third (0.97 ± 0.10, P > 0.05), occasion. These “overshoots” showed strong positive relationships with the V.O2 time constant during the first (r = 0.66, P = 0.028) and second visit (r = 0.76, P = 0.007). Further, strong positive relationships have been observed between the individual changes of the fundamental phase τp and the Δdeoxy[heme]-to-V.O2 ratio “overshoot” from occasion one to two (r = 0.70, P = 0.017), and two to three (r = 0.74, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

This suggests that improvements in muscle oxygen provision and utilization capacity both occurred, and each may have contributed to enhancing the dynamic adjustment of the oxidative “machinery” in competitive youth cyclists. Furthermore, it indicates a strong link between an oxygen maldistribution within the tissue of interrogation and the V.O2 time constant.
The role of renewable energy in achieving water, energy, and food security under climate change constraints in South Asia
Authors: Neupane Nilhari , Chaudhary Pashupati , Rijal Yashoda , Ghimire Bishal , Bhandari Roshan
Published: November 2022

The energy demand in South Asia is increasing at a rapid rate and it is becoming harder to meet the demand due to the high cost of conventional energy sources, the unsustainability of energy use, and the high emissions caused by the energies. South Asia is blessed with a high potential for renewable energy, especially hydropower, but that has not been adequately tapped. This has highly compromised the food, water, and energy security of the people in South Asian countries. This article identifies the roles of renewable energy sources in achieving energy, water, and food security for South Asian nations and provides suggestions for enhancing the utilization of renewable resources. The article identifies the potential for the promotion of hydropower and other renewable energy sources as well as opportunities and potential challenges for multilateral energy trade for increasing the availability of energy. It also recommends possible solutions and approaches for the promotion of hydropower and other renewables in South Asia. The article infers that a nexus approach for integrated planning, policy coherence, and institutional harmonization increases the benefit by reducing transaction costs, generating additional synergies, and reducing the trade-off at different scales. These approaches enhance energy, food, and water security, and eventually improve the quality of life in the region. Improved access to renewable energy can contribute directly and indirectly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this region.
The predictive value of prognostic nutritional index on early complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy
Authors: Wang Yiduo , Lu Xun , Gao Yue , Liu Ning , Jiang Hua , Chen Shuqiu , Chen Ming
Published: November 2022

Objective

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on early complications (within 30-day) after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and urinary diversion.

Patients and methods

Patients underwent RARC and urinary diversion between November 2018 and December 2021 in our centre were screened in this retrospective study. Baseline characteristics and perioperative data were recorded. Early complications after surgery were classified according to Clavien-Dindo system. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to decide the potential factors associated with post-RARC complications. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to determine the predictive value of PNI on early overall and major complications after RARC.

Results

Overall 139 men and 13 women with a median age of 69 years and mean BMI of 24.4 kg/m2 were included in this study. As for urinary diversion, most patients (n = 111, 73%) received cutaneous ureterostomy, 36 patients (23.7%) underwent orthotopic neobladder and 5 patients (3.3%) received ileal conduit. The incidence of postoperative complication rate was 44.7%, which included 82.2% minor complications and 17.8% major complications. Further univariate and multivariate logistic analyses demonstrated that hypertension (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.24–7.07, P = 0.015), PNI (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62–0.86, P < 0.001), and CCI (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01–2.06, P = 0.047) were independent risk factors of early complications after RARC. Moreover, PNI (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60–0.86, P < 0.001) was also the predictor of major complications after RARC. The ROC curve demonstrated that PNI (AUC = 0.829; AUC = 0.840) has a great predictive value in early overall and major complications after RARC.

Conclusion

PNI can be an early alert for RARC patients thus aiding in closer monitoring and postoperative management.
Genomic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant bovis strains isolated from bovine in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Anjos Taís Ramalho dos , Castro Vinícius Silva , Machado Filho Edson Silva , Suffys Philip Noel , Gomes Harrison Magdinier , Duarte Rafael Silva , Figueiredo Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza , Carvalho Ricardo César Tavares
Published: November 2022

The species Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant bovis (M. tuberculosis var. bovis) is associated with tuberculosis, mainly in cattle and buffaloes. This pathogen has the potential to infect other mammals, including humans. Tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis var. bovis is a zoonosis clinically identical to tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the recommended treatment in humans results in the use of antibiotics. In this study, we used the whole genome sequencing (WGS) methodology Illumina NovaSeq 6000 System platform to characterize the genome of M. tuberculosis var. bovis in cattle circulating in Mato Grosso, identify mutations related to drug resistance genes, compare with other strains of M. tuberculosis var. bovis brazilian and assess potential drug resistance. Four isolates of M. tuberculosis var. bovis of cattle origin representing the main livestock circuits, which had been more prevalent in previous studies in the state of Mato Grosso, were selected for the genomic study. The genome sizes of the sequenced strains ranged from 4,306,423 to 4,332,964 bp, and the GC content was 65.6%. The four strains from Mato Grosso presented resistance genes to pncA (pyrazinamide), characterized as drug-resistant strains. In addition to verifying several point mutations in the pncA, rpsA, rpsL, gid, rpoB, katG, gyrB, gyrA, tlyA, embA, embB, embC, fgd, fbiB, and fbiC genes, these genes were similar to antibiotic resistance in more than 92% of the Brazilian strains. Therefore, our results indicated a high genetic diversity between our isolates and other M. tuberculosis var. bovis isolated in Brazil. Thus, multiple transmission routes of this pathogen may be present in the production chain. So, to achieve a bovine tuberculosis-free health status, the use of the WGS as a control and monitoring tool will be crucial to determine these transmission routes.
Heat tolerance, thermal equilibrium and environmental management strategies for dairy cows living in intertropical regions
Authors: Santos Severino Guilherme Caetano Gonçalves dos , Saraiva Edilson Paes , Gonzaga Neto Severino , Maia Maria Isabelly Leite , Lees Angela M. , Sejian Verassamy , Maia Alex Sandro Campos , Medeiros Geovergue Rodrigues de , Fonsêca Vinícius de França Carvalho
Published: November 2022

This review makes an attempt to characterize the physical attributes of heat tolerance, thermal equilibrium and thermal stress thresholds for dairy cows living in tropical environments, with a particular emphasis on pasture-based systems. Under such circumstances, the radiant heat load is the principal climatic factor that determines rates of heat and mass exchanges between cows and the environment. This fact may explain why simple mechanistic models based on air temperature and humidity are not adequately predicting thermal stress thresholds for cattle in tropical regions. To overcome this limitation, the Index of Thermal Stress for Cows (ITSC) and Index for the time spent in shade (ITS), which account for various sources of thermal radiation, were proposed to predict autonomous and behavioral thermoregulation of cows. Overall, the evolutionary adaptation of cattle in tropics favored animals that have cutaneous surface with a skin well protected against penetration of ultraviolet solar radiation (UV), covered by a coat surface with high thermal conductivity. For Holstein breed, although predominantly black animals absorb greater levels of short-wave solar radiation, they may present better protection of skin than white ones. However, dark-colored cows in tropical pastures have potential to absorb as much as 640 W m−2 of thermal radiation. This amount of heat load would require close to 1,300 g h−1 of cutaneous evaporative water loss through sweating to prevent increases to body temperature, where cows do not have access to shade. Cows are motivated to reduce time spent grazing and to seek shade when solar irradiance exceeds 550 W m−2, levels that in equatorial latitudes are likely to occur between 08:00 and 16:00h. This information may help producers improve the welfare of cows, as they can determine more comfortable hours for them to graze, for example, by employing nocturnal grazing. Over the daytime, cows should have access to areas with shade and this could include shade provided via solar panels, which has the potential to improve thermal comfort and sustainability of dairy production in tropical areas.
Brain Organoids to Evaluate Cellular Therapies
Authors: García-Delgado Ana Belén , Campos-Cuerva Rafael , Rosell-Valle Cristina , Martin-López María , Casado Carlos , Ferrari Daniela , Márquez-Rivas Javier , Sánchez-Pernaute Rosario , Fernández-Muñoz Beatriz
Published: November 2022

Animal models currently used to test the efficacy and safety of cell therapies, mainly murine models, have limitations as molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms are often inherently different between species, especially in the brain. Therefore, for clinical translation of cell-based medicinal products, the development of alternative models based on human neural cells may be crucial. We have developed an in vitro model of transplantation into human brain organoids to study the potential of neural stem cells as cell therapeutics and compared these data with standard xenograft studies in the brain of immunodeficient NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice. Neural stem cells showed similar differentiation and proliferation potentials in both human brain organoids and mouse brains. Our results suggest that brain organoids can be informative in the evaluation of cell therapies, helping to reduce the number of animals used for regulatory studies.
The Role of Phorbol Diesters in Mediating Human Placental Aromatase Cytochrome P450 Activity
Authors: Odoemelam Chiemela S. , Hunter Elena , Eberl Daniela , Busi Baptiste , Ahmad Zeeshan , White Samuel , Wilson Philippe B.
Published: November 2022

Due to the aromatase enzyme’s involvement in estrogen biosynthesis, aromatase inhibitors have emerged as the preferred treatment for postmenopausal women with ER+ breast cancer. Using computational chemistry tools, we investigate how the human placental aromatase cytochrome P450 interacts with various phorbols with distinct chains at C-12, C-13, and C-20, as well as the well-known aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. To identify phorbol-aromatase interactions, we performed a protein–ligand docking using the structures of our ligands and proteins using the Flare software (version 2.0, Cresset Software, Litlington, UK). These preliminary findings show that the phorbols considered (P-12,13-diAcPh, P-12,13-diiBu, P-12AcPh-13iBu, P-12Ang-13iBu, P-20Ac-12AcPh-13iBu and P-20Ac-12Ang-13iBu) had the highest binding energies in comparison with the commercially available aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane) used in this study. A subset of the previously described binding residues of testosterone (TST), the endogenous ligand, were also found to be responsible for the phorbol diesters’ binding to the aromatase enzyme, as demonstrated by the findings. This further suggests that the phorbol diesters can bind efficiently to CYP19A1 and may be able to alter its activity because they had higher binding energies than the commercially available drugs.
The Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Specific Detection of the NISKHI Sheep Pox Vaccine Virus Strain DNA
Authors: Sprygin Alexander , Mazloum Ali , Van Schalkwyk Antoinette , Krotova Alena , Shalina Kseniya , Dmitric Marko , Byadovskaya Olga , Prokhvatilova Larisa , Chvala Ilya
Published: November 2022

Sheep pox (SPP) constitutes a global animal health scourge, despite the numerous efforts targeting the eradication of the disease implemented in affected countries. An efficient control and eradication strategy incorporates the use of live attenuated vaccines, which in turn requires a method for differentiation between vaccinated and infected sheep. The NISKHI live attenuated SPP vaccine (LAV) is abundantly used in Russia, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. This study describes the development and evaluation of a real-time PCR with a high-resolution melting assay, capable of differentiating the NISKHI vaccine virus from circulating virulent field strains. The RNA polymerase subunit RPO132 gene contains a unique single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) capable of altering the melting curves of amplicons from LAV and virulent field isolates circulating in the region. The melting temperature (Tm) of field isolates ranged from 75.47 °C ± 0.04 to 75.86 °C ± 0.08, while the vaccine strain averaged 76.46 °C ± 0.12. Subsequent evaluation of this assay demonstrated that the recent SPP outbreaks in central Russia may be attributed to virulent field isolates. This robust assay was proven to consistently and differentially detect the NISKHI LAV strain when analyzing clinical samples from affected sheep.
Phosphorus Recycling, Biocontrol, and Growth Promotion Capabilities of Soil Bacterial Isolates from Mexican Oak Forests: An Alternative to Reduce the Use of Agrochemicals in Maize Cultivation
Authors: Hernández-León Rocío , González-Rodríguez Antonio , Tapia-Torres Yunuen
Published: November 2022

Six bacteria (Bacillus velezensis 13, Bacillus subtillis 42, Pseudomonas fluorescens E221, Pseudomonas Poae EE12, Rahnella sp. EM1, and Serratia sp. EM2) isolated from the soil and litter of Mexican oak forests were characterized by identifying their ability to acquire phosphorus from different sources, analyzed for their biocontrol capabilities against two different phytopathogenic fungi, and finally tested for their ability to stimulate the germination of maize seeds and promotion of maize seedling growth. The greatest capacity to biocontrol the mycelial growth of phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum was found in B. velezensis 13 and B. subtillis 42. P. poae EE12 and P. fluorescens E221 significantly promoted germination and the length of the primary root in Zea mays. Rahnella sp. EM1 and Serratia sp. EM2 could produce indole compounds related to auxin synthesis and increased the fresh weight of the maize seedlings. Together, these isolates represent an alternative to reduce the use of agrochemicals in maize cultivation. In general, soil microorganisms from Mexican oak forests represent a source of genetic resources for the sustainable management and conservation of soils for agricultural use.
Sulfidation of ZIF-Derived Core-Shell NiCo LDH/Ni MOF Heterostructure toward Supercapacitor Electrodes with Enhanced Performance
Authors: Zheng Xin , Sun Yihui , Jin Sijia , Xu Minxuan , Ding Yanyan , Chen Fei , Yang Tao , Zhang Qi , Zheng Xinyue , Chen Hao
Published: November 2022

Developing electrodes in a reasonable structure is essential to boost the performance of supercapacitors. Self-supporting heterostructures enriched active sites are promising as binder-free electrodes for supercapacitors. Here, core-shell layered double hydroxide (LDH)/Metal organic frame (MOF) heterostructure was directly grown on carbon cloth (CC) substrate derived from L-Co ZIF NWAs. Subsequently, the composite was treated with a sulfidation process to optimize its electrical conductivity. Thanks to its unique network structure, it facilitates active site exposure and efficient charge transfer, together with the synergetic effect between NiCo double hydroxide and Ni MOF nanosheets. This hybrid electrode possesses an excellent specific capacity (1200 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and stable cycle performance with 86% capacity maintained after 4000 cycles, indicating its potential superiority for use in high-efficiency electrochemical capacitors.
Photonic Sensors in Chemical and Biological Applications
Authors: Balevičius Zigmas
Published: November 2022

Biosensors are described as analytical devices in which biological substances are detected by using various physicochemical detection systems [...]
Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD among College Students in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wang Xing , Zhang Nan , Pu Changqin , Li Yunyue , Chen Hongguang , Li Mengqian
Published: November 2022

In the post-COVID-19 era, significant changes have taken place regarding the epidemic, the economy, family and social life. However, it remains unclear how these changes encompass the psychological symptoms of college students. We carried out a cross-sectional study to investigate anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among college students from 10 November 2020, to 16 November 2020. The questionnaire included a self-designed canvas, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). Factors associated with psychological symptoms were estimated by ordered and non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Of 4754 participants, 25.0%, 29.7%, 3.4%, 15.3%, 17.1%, and 2.9% reported anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, one, any two, and all three, respectively. In cases with anxiety or depression symptoms, there was a 9.11% comorbidity with PTSD. Factors associated with fears of being infected, social, family, and economic changes increased the risk of psychological symptoms in college students caused by COVID-19. Female college students, identified with anxiety or depression symptoms, were at a lower risk of developing PTSD symptoms (OR, 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43–0.86). Non-medical majors at university, rural residence, higher educational background, fear of taking public transport, and deterioration of family relationships increased the risk for PTSD symptoms among male respondents with anxiety or depression symptoms due to COVID-19. Factors correlated with psychological symptoms had expanded from the fear of being infected to extensive social, family, and economic changes caused by COVID-19. Therefore, screening and interventions for psychological symptoms should be consistently strengthened and more targeted to college students in the post-COVID-19 era.
Altered Functional Connectivity of Basal Ganglia in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Xiong Yu , Ye Chenghui , Chen Ying , Zhong Xiaochun , Chen Hongda , Sun Ruxin , Zhang Jiaqi , Zhong Zhanhua , Huang Min
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an age-progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects cognitive function, causes changes in the functional connectivity of the default-mode network (DMN). However, the question of whether AD-related changes occur in the functional connectivity of the basal ganglia has rarely been specifically analyzed. This study aimed to measure the changes in basal ganglia functional connectivity among patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in their resting state using the functional connectivity density (FCD) value, the functional connectivity (FC) intensity, and the graph theory index, and to confirm their influence on clinical manifestations. (2) Methods: Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological data from 48 participants in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were used for analyses. The 48 ADNI participants comprised 16 patients with AD, 16 patients with MCI, and 16 normal controls (NCs). The functional connectivity of basal ganglia was evaluated by FCDs, FC strength, and graph theory index. We compared voxel-based FCD values between groups to show specific regions with significant variation and significant connectivity from ROI conduction to ROI analysis. Pearson’s correlation analyses between functional connectivity and several simultaneous clinical variables were also conducted. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses associated with classification were conducted for both FCD values and graph theory indices. (3) Results: The level of FCD in patients with cognitive impairment showed obvious abnormalities (including short-range and long-range FCD). In addition to DMN-related regions, aberrant functional connectivity was also found to be present in the basal ganglia, especially in the caudate and amygdala. The FCD values of the basal ganglia (involving the caudate and amygdala) were closely related to scores from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ); meanwhile, the graph theory indices (involving global efficiency and degree) of the basal ganglia (involving the caudate, amygdala, and putamen) were also found to be closely correlated with MMSE scores. In ROC analyses of both FCD and graph theory, the amygdala was of the utmost importance in the early-stage detection of MCI; additionally, the caudate nucleus was found to be crucial in the progression of cognitive decline and AD diagnosis. (4) Conclusions: It was systematically confirmed that there is a phenomenon of change in the functional connections in the basal ganglia during cognitive decline. The findings of this study could improve our understanding of AD and MCI pathology in the basal ganglia and make it possible to propose new targets for AD treatment in further studies.
Environment-Induced Performance of End Concrete Diaphragm in Skewed Semi-Integral Bridges
Authors: Hussein Husam H. , Khoury Issam , Lucas Joshua S.
Published: November 2022

Past research has shown that as skewed bridges change temperature, additional lateral movement or forces will occur along with the elongation of the bridge. Even though past research has documented this behavior, lateral movements of semi-integral bridge superstructure associated with temperature effects on bridge skewness have not been well predicted. In this study, the seasonal movements of a 24-year-old semi-integral bridge caused by temperature effects with skewed abutment have been investigated by conducting a series of field measurements on bridges subjected to various environmental climates. The measured data showed that as the bridge heated up, the superstructure tended to move toward the acute corner of the bridge, and the bridge would contract towards its obtuse corner with a negative temperature change. During warm weather, the cracks on the end diaphragm tended to open with a positive temperature change and close with a negative temperature change, which was much more predictable than the cold weather behavior. This behavior confirms that even though the bridge moves linearly with temperature, the end diaphragm response to the temperature depends on the season. Movement of the bridge superstructure from temperature change has caused cracks in the end diaphragm, which are now propagating to the deck. These cracks could damage the bridge enough that it would require repair work in the future. The evidence in this study will help provide a complete picture of seasonal jointless bridge behavior so future semi-integral bridges can be made safer and more efficient.
Trabectedin Is Active against Two Novel, Patient-Derived Solitary Fibrous Pleural Tumor Cell Lines and Synergizes with Ponatinib
Authors: Ghanim Bahil , Baier Dina , Pirker Christine , Müllauer Leonhard , Sinn Katharina , Lang Gyoergy , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Berger Walter
Published: November 2022

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFT) is a rare disease. Besides surgery combined with radiotherapy in nondisseminated stages, curative options are currently absent. Out of fourteen primo-cell cultures, established from surgical SFT specimens, two showed stable in vitro growth. Both cell models harbored the characteristic NAB2-STAT6 fusion and were further investigated by different preclinical methods assessing cell viability, clone formation, and protein regulation upon single-drug treatment or in response to selected treatment combinations. Both fusion-positive cell models showed—in line with the clinical experience and the literature—a low to moderate response to most of the tested cytotoxic and targeted agents. However, the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors ponatinib and dasatinib, as well as the anti-sarcoma compound trabectedin, revealed promising activity against SFT growth. Furthermore, both cell models spontaneously presented strong FGFR downstream signaling targetable by ponatinib. Most interestingly, the combination of either ponatinib or dasatinib with trabectedin showed synergistic effects. In conclusion, this study identified novel trabectedin-based treatment combinations with clinically approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors, using two newly established NAB2-STAT6 fusion-positive cell models. These findings can be the basis for anti-SFT drug repurposing approaches in this rare and therapy-refractory disease.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Predictors of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma Patients: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Ahmed Yaman B. , Al-Bzour Ayah N. , Ababneh Obada E. , Abushukair Hassan M. , Saeed Anwaar
Published: November 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became one of the most revolutionary cancer treatments, especially in melanoma. While they have been proven to prolong survival with lesser side effects compared to chemotherapy, the accurate prediction of response remains to be an unmet gap. Thus, we aim to identify accurate clinical and transcriptomic biomarkers for ICI response in melanoma. We also provide mechanistic insight into how high-performing markers impose their effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Clinical and transcriptomic data were retrieved from melanoma studies administering ICIs from cBioportal and GEO databases. Four machine learning models were developed using random-forest classification (RFC) entailing clinical and genomic features (RFC7), differentially expressed genes (DEGs, RFC-Seq), survival-related DEGs (RFC-Surv) and a combination model. The xCELL algorithm was used to investigate the TME. A total of 212 ICI-treated melanoma patients were identified. All models achieved a high area under the curve (AUC) and bootstrap estimate (RFC7: 0.71, 0.74; RFC-Seq: 0.87, 0.75; RFC-Surv: 0.76, 0.76, respectively). Tumor mutation burden, GSTA3, and VNN2 were the highest contributing features. Tumor infiltration analyses revealed a direct correlation between upregulated genes and CD8+, CD4+ T cells, and B cells and inversely correlated with myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Our findings confirmed the accuracy of several genomic, clinical, and transcriptomic-based RFC models, that could further support the use of TMB in predicting response to ICIs. Novel genes (GSTA3 and VNN2) were identified through RFC-seq and RFC-surv models that could serve as genomic biomarkers after robust validation.
Next Generation Sequencing of Reactive Stroma and Residual Breast Cancer Cells in Tumor Bed after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Varga Zsuzsanna , Christiansen Ailsa , Lukamowicz-Rajska Magdalena , Batavia Aashil A. , von Teichman Adriana , Schraml Peter , Moch Holger
Published: November 2022

Primary systemic or neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer has become a standard therapy option in locally advanced or predefined intrinsic subtypes such as triple negative or Her2 positive breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can result in complete pathological response without residual tumor cells (tumor bed) or partial response and non-response with different amounts of reactive stroma and residual tumor cells. The interaction between therapy regimens and tumoral driver mutations have been extensively studied, although the reactive stroma of the tumor bed received less attention. In this study, we characterized the mutational status of residual breast cancer cells and reactive tumor stroma devoid of residual tumor cells in partial or non-responders using next generation sequencing. Twenty-one post-therapeutic breast surgical specimens after neoadjuvant chemotherapy underwent pathogenic driver-mutation screening using microdissected residual breast cancer cells and in reactive stroma adjacent to tumor bed areas. In reactive stroma, no mutations could be validated. In residual breast cancer cells, mutations were detected in sixteen of twenty-one cases (76%). In nine of these twenty-one cases (43%), pathogenic driver mutations (PIK3CA, PTEN, TP53, FN1, PLAG1) were identified. Pathogenic driver-mutations are exclusively restricted to residual carcinoma cells and are absent in reactive stroma independently from intrinsic breast cancer subtypes or tumor stage. These data suggest that the absence of pathogenic mutations in a tumor bed without residual tumor cells may have prognostic implications after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.