bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Telemonitoring (TM) on Improving Adherence with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): A Service Improvement Project (SIP)
Authors: Gassama Abubacarr , Mukherjee Deyashini , Ahmed Urwah , Coelho Shirley , Daniels Mindi , Mukherjee Rahul
Published: March 2022

The benefits of CPAP demonstrated in clinical trials are difficult to deliver in real life due to the lack of adherence. We analysed the effect of a Telemonitoring (TM)-related intervention on adherence as part of a Service Improvement Project (SIP) analysed as a retrospective cohort study. The ‘historical control’ (HC) cohort (followed up in conventional clinics) included all patients who commenced on CPAP between 1 February and 30 April 2019 (n = 142). The ‘telemonitoring’ (TM) cohort included all patients who commenced on CPAP between 1 May and 31 July 2019 (n = 166). Adherence was checked at 30 days (baseline) and 73 days for both cohorts. Wilcoxon—Rank test was used for statistical analysis (results reported as mean ± SEM). Both cohorts had similar adherence at the 30-day baseline, compared to a significantly lower adherence in the HC-cohort at 73 days (55.7 ± 3.0 vs. 51.8 ± 3.2% of days ≥ 4 h: p = 0.0072, average usage 255 ± 12.8 vs. 236 ± 13.7 min: p = 0.0003). There was a significantly higher adherence in the TM-cohort at 73 days (50.8 ± 2.5 vs. 56.1 ± 2.9% of days ≥ 4 h: p = 0.0075; average usage 234 ± 10.4 vs. 252 ± 12.1 min: p = 0.0456). Telemonitoring-feedback is effective at improving adherence with CPAP, suggesting its potential beneficial role in the community setting, particularly in the post-COVID reality of increased remote consultations.
Mechanochemical Synthesis and Hydrogen Sorption Properties of a V-Ni Alloy
Authors: Palumbo Oriele , Carboni Nicholas , Trequattrini Francesco , Brutti Sergio , Paolone Annalisa
Published: March 2022

Vanadium can store large quantities of hydrogen (about 4 mass%). However, only half of it can be reversibly absorbed. To avoid this issue, various partial substitutions were previously proposed, such as Ni. In this work, we explore the synthesis of a V85Ni15 alloy by means of ball milling, a simpler and more scalable method compared to arc or induction melting usually applied for metal alloys. After ball milling the powders of the pure metals for 15 h in argon, SEM–EDX measurements confirmed the stoichiometry of the synthesized material, which has a typical particle dimension of the order of a few microns and is composed from the coalescence of nanometric primary particles. XRD indicated a BCC crystalline structure with a typical grain size of ≈3 nm. Hydrogen can be absorbed without activation procedures at high temperatures. Up to H/M ≈ 0.08, one can observe the occurrence of a solid solution of hydrogen in the alloy, while at a higher hydrogen content, the formation of a hydride is likely to occur. The maximum hydrogen content is H/M ≈ 0.4 at the maximum investigated pressure in this study of p ≈ 45 bar. Both the hydrogenation enthalpy and entropy decrease as the hydrogen content increases, and the shape of the sorption isotherms is different from that of V85Ni15 produced by induction melting, possibly because of the nanometric dimensions of the particles produced by ball milling.
Povidone-Iodine as a Pre-Procedural Mouthwash to Reduce the Salivary Viral Load of SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Garcia-Sanchez Alvaro , Peña-Cardelles Juan-Francisco , Ordonez-Fernandez Esther , Montero-Alonso María , Kewalramani Naresh , Salgado-Peralvo Angel-Orión , Végh Dániel , Gargano Angélica , Parra Gabriela , Guerra-Guajardo Lourdes-Isabela , Kozuma Wataru
Published: March 2022

The use of pre-procedural rinses has been investigated to reduce the number of viral particles and bacteria in aerosols, potentially decreasing the risk of cross-infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during medical and dental procedures. This review aims to confirm whether there is evidence in the literature describing a reduction in salivary load of SARS-CoV-2 when povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is used as a pre-intervention mouthwash. An search of the MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane library databases was conducted. The criteria used followed the PRISMA® Statement guidelines. Randomized controlled trials investigating the reduction of salivary load of SARS-CoV-2 using PVP-I were included. Ultimately, four articles were included that met the established criteria. According to the current evidence, PVP-I is effective against SARS-CoV-2 in saliva and could be implemented as a rinse before interventions to decrease the risk of cross-infection in healthcare settings.
PM-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Ambient Air of Vladivostok: Seasonal Variation, Sources, Health Risk Assessment and Long-Term Variability
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Hao , Zhang Xuan , Bai Pengchu , Neroda Andrey , Mishukov Vassily F. , Zhang Lulu , Hayakawa Kazuichi , Nagao Seiya , Tang Ning
Published: March 2022

Total suspended particles (TSP) were collected in Vladivostok, Russia, which is a typical port city. This study investigated the concentration, potential sources, and long-term variation in particle PAHs and NPAHs in the atmosphere of Vladivostok. The PAH and NPAH concentrations were higher in winter than in summer (PAHs: winter: 18.6 ± 9.80 ng/m3 summer: 0.54 ± 0.21 ng/m3; NPAHs: winter: 143 ± 81.5 pg/m3 summer: 143 ± 81.5 pg/m3). The diagnostic ratios showed that PAHs and NPAHs mainly came from vehicle emissions in both seasons, while heating systems were the main source of air pollution in winter. The TEQ assessment values were 2.90 ng/m3 and 0.06 ng/m3 in winter and summer, respectively, suggesting a significant excess cancer risk in the general population in winter. The ILCR values conveyed a potential carcinogenic risk because the value was between 1 × 10−5 and 1 × 10−7 and ingestion was a main contributor in Vladivostok. However, it is worth noting that the concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs showed an overall downward trend from 1999 to 2020. An important reason for this is the cogenerations project implemented by the Far Eastern Center for Strategic Research on Fuel and Energy Complex Development in 2010. This research clarified the latest variations in PAHs and NPAHs to provide continuous observation data for future chemical reaction or model prediction research.
Non-Medical Factors Associated with the Outcome of Treatment of Chronic Non-Malignant Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kovačević Irena , Majerić Kogler Višnja , Krikšić Valentina , Ilić Boris , Friganović Adriano , Ozimec Vulinec Štefanija , Pavić Jadranka , Milošević Milan , Kovačević Petra , Petek Davorina
Published: March 2022

Background: Chronic pain is a global public health issue with increasing prevalence. Chronic pain causes sleep disorder, reactive anxiety, and depression, impairs the quality of life; it burdens the individual and society as a whole. The aim of this study was to examine non-medical factors related to the outcome of the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study with two groups of patients was conducted using a questionnaire with biological, psychological, and social characteristics of patients. Since this study was cross-sectional, it was not possible to determine whether some factors were the cause or the consequence of unsuccessful treatment outcome, which is at the same time one of the disadvantages of cross-sectional studies. Results: The poor outcome of the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain in a multivariate binary logistic regression model was statistically significantly associated with the lower quality of life (OR = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91–0.99; p = 0.009), and higher depression level OR = 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02–1.14; p = 0.009). The outcome of the treatment was not directly related to social support measured by the multivariate binary logistic regression model (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95–1.15, p = 0.395), but solitary life (without partner) was (OR = 2.16 (95% CI: 1.03–4.53; p = 0.043). Conclusion: The typical patient with a poor pain management outcome is retired, presents depressive behavior; their pain disturbs general activity and sleeping. Moreover, they have a physically disturbed quality of life and require self-treatment due to the inaccessibility of doctors and therapies. The principle of treatment of patients with chronic, non-malignant pain should take into account a biopsychosocial approach with individually adjusted procedures.
Perceived Risk of Job Instability and Unethical Organizational Behaviour Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Family Financial Pressure and Distributive Injustice in the Tourism Industry
Authors: Elshaer Ibrahim A. , Azazz Alaa M. S. , Mahmoud Samy Wageh , Ghanem Marwa
Published: March 2022

The economic disaster precipitated by the pandemic of COVID-19 changed people’s perceptions of ordinary job stability and elevated it to an ultimate high level. To avoid being laid off, employees who are concerned about job stability may engage in unethical activities in the name of their employer. In this study, the influence of job instability on unethical organizational behaviour (UOB) was investigated through the mediating role of family financial pressure and distributive injustice. Perceptions of 830 employees working in hotels (5-star and 4-star) and travel agencies (Category A) were explored and further analyzed using structural equation modelling. The results asserted that family financial pressure and distributive injustice partially mediated the effects of job insecurity on UOB. Important insights on theoretical and practical implications were further deliberated towards the end of this study.
The Association between the Occurrence of Asthma and Antecedents of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Previous Year in Children: An Incidence-Density Study
Authors: Bentouhami Hayat , Casas Lidia , Weyler Joost
Published: March 2022

In previous studies, the strength of the association between childhood asthma and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) differed depending on the way ETS was assessed and the type of study conducted. We investigated the relationship between asthma occurrence in children and recent exposure to ETS based on an incidence-density study driven by the explicit formulation of a theoretical design. Additionally, we assessed whether the relationship is modified by perinatal ETS exposure and parental inhalation atopy. The event was conceptualized as ‘first doctor’s diagnosis of asthma’. Population time was probed by sampling population moments. Exposure to ETS was conceptualized as recent exposure (1 year prior to diagnosis or at sampling) and perinatal exposure (in utero and/or during the first year of life). Thirty-nine events and 117 population moments were included. There was no indication for effect modification by perinatal exposure to ETS or parental inhalation atopy. After adjustment for confounding, an association was observed between occurrence of a first asthma diagnosis and recent ETS exposure: incidence-density ratio 4.94 (95% confidence interval 1.21, 20.13). Asthma occurrence in children is associated with recent exposure to ETS, and this association seems not to be modified by perinatal ETS exposure or parental inhalation atopy.
Differences in Emotional Conflict Processing between High and Low Mindfulness Adolescents: An ERP Study
Authors: Chen Xiaomin , Deng Xinmei
Published: March 2022

Mindfulness is a state of concentration that allows individuals to focus on their feelings and thoughts without judgment. However, little is known regarding the underlying neural processes of mindfulness. This study used ERPs to investigate the differences between high and low trait mindfulness adolescents during emotional conflict processing. Nineteen low mindfulness adolescents (LMSs) and sixteen high mindfulness adolescent (HMSs) individuals were asked to complete a face Stroop task. The task superimposed emotional words on emotional faces to generate congruent (CC) and incongruent (IC) conditions. Continuous electroencephalogram data were recorded during the face Stroop task. Results revealed that for N450, the interaction of congruency and group was significant. The incongruent trials evoked a larger N450 than the congruent trials in the HMSs, whereas there were no significant differences between the two conditions in the LMSs. There were significant main effects of congruency for SP (slow potential). The incongruent trials evoked a larger SP than the congruent trials. The results suggest that mindfulness may only affect early conflict monitoring rather than later conflict resolution. The findings expand the neural basis of the effect of mindfulness on inhibitory control.
A Scoping Review of Climate Change, Climate-Related Disasters, and Mental Disorders among Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Sharpe Isobel , Davison Colleen M.
Published: March 2022

Children, particularly those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are highly vulnerable to climate change and its impacts. Our main objective was to conduct a scoping literature review to determine how exposure to climate change and climate-related disasters influences the presence of mental disorders among children in LMICs. We also aimed to identify gaps in this area of scholarship. We included studies of children in LMICs that had a climate change or climate-related disaster exposure and mental disorder outcome. Twenty-three studies were included in the final synthesis. Fourteen studies were conducted in China, three in India, two each in Pakistan and the Philippines, and one each in Namibia and Dominica. All studies assessed the association between a climate-related disaster exposure and a mental disorder outcome, while none explored broader climate change-related exposures. Post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 21 studies) and depression (n = 8 studies) were the most common mental disorder outcomes. There was considerable between-study heterogeneity in terms of sample size, follow-up length, and outcome measurement. Overall, the literature in this area was sparse. Additional high-quality research is required to better understand the impacts of climate-related disasters and climate change on mental disorders within this population to ultimately inform future policies and interventions.
Evaluating Completeness of Foodborne Outbreak Reporting in the United States, 1998–2019
Authors: Zhang Yutong , Simpson Ryan , Sallade Lauren , Sanchez Emily , Monahan Kyle , Naumova Elena
Published: March 2022

Public health agencies routinely collect time-referenced records to describe and compare foodborne outbreak characteristics. Few studies provide comprehensive metadata to inform researchers of data limitations prior to conducting statistical modeling. We described the completeness of 103 variables for 22,792 outbreaks publicly reported by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (US CDC’s) electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (eFORS) and National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). We compared monthly trends of completeness during eFORS (1998–2008) and NORS (2009–2019) reporting periods using segmented time series analyses adjusted for seasonality. We quantified the overall, annual, and monthly completeness as the percentage of outbreaks with blank records per our study period, calendar year, and study month, respectively. We found that outbreaks of unknown genus (n = 7401), Norovirus (n = 6414), Salmonella (n = 2872), Clostridium (n = 944), and multiple genera (n = 779) accounted for 80.77% of all outbreaks. However, crude completeness ranged from 46.06% to 60.19% across the 103 variables assessed. Variables with the lowest crude completeness (ranging 3.32–6.98%) included pathogen, specimen etiological testing, and secondary transmission traceback information. Variables with low (<35%) average monthly completeness during eFORS increased by 0.33–0.40%/month after transitioning to NORS, most likely due to the expansion of surveillance capacity and coverage within the new reporting system. Examining completeness metrics in outbreak surveillance systems provides essential information on the availability of data for public reuse. These metadata offer important insights for public health statisticians and modelers to precisely monitor and track the geographic spread, event duration, and illness intensity of foodborne outbreaks.
The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Approach Motivational System and Sports Success among Elite Speed Skating Athletes and Physical Education Students
Authors: Rogowska Aleksandra M. , Tataruch Rafał , Niedźwiecki Konrad , Wojciechowska-Maszkowska Bożena
Published: March 2022

Background: While the association between self-efficacy and sports success has been well established in previous studies, little is known regarding whether the basic approach motivation system contributes to this relationship in athletes. The study examines associations between self-reported temperamental approach disposition, self-efficacy, and predispositions to sports success in athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between August 3 and 30 November 2020. The participants were 156 athletes, aged 16–34 years (M = 21.57, SD = 3.58, 41.67% women), in two groups: 54 elite athletes in speed skating (EASS) and 102 physical education students (PES). The online survey consisted of the Reinforced Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Sports Success Scale (SSS). Results: There were no differences in self-efficacy and sports success in terms of gender, sports discipline, and level of competitions. The Behavioral Activation System (BAS) results were lower in the EASS sample compared with in the PES group. Self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationships between BAS and sports success among athletes, with sport discipline as a moderator between BAS and self-efficacy. Sports success in speed skating relies strongly on BAS, while a weak link has been found in other sports disciplines. Conclusions: BAS is directly correlated to sports success and indirectly related through self-efficacy. Mental training should be focused on maintaining self-efficacy and reward motivation in athletes to increase their sports success.
Examination of VOC Concentration of Aroma Essential Oils and Their Major VOCs Diffused in Room Air
Authors: Itoh Toshio , Masuda Yoshitake , Matsubara Ichiro , Arai Junichirou , Shin Woosuck
Published: March 2022

This study analyzed temporal variation of the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at different diffusion time of gaseous phase of aroma compounds of four essential oils, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and melissa. GC/MS methodology with the trace gas sampling by a thermal desorption tube is used to quantitatively determine the concentration of the corresponding 14 kinds of major and original VOCs in four essential oils. This study revealed for the first time that the concentration level of gaseous phase composition is varied, with a diffusion time from that of the liquid phase at equilibrium with it and the VOCs in the essential oils are classified into two groups, depending on whether their concentration with the time. It is verified that the total concentration of VOCs of these essential oils in the room air diffused by the ultrasonic diffuser is as low as 0.6 ppb and decreased soon below 0.1 ppb.
An Impact Asymmetry Analysis of Small Urban Green Space Attributes to Enhance Visitor Satisfaction
Authors: Wang Pengwei , Han Lirong , Mei Rong
Published: March 2022

Urban green spaces have beneficial effects on the health and well-being of citizens. Understanding the factors influencing visitor satisfaction with urban green spaces contributes to making more informed policies. Prior studies on green spaces satisfaction primarily focused on the linear correlation between small urban green space attributes and satisfaction. In this manuscript, we presented a study aimed to (1) identify the attributes of SUGS as frustrators, dissatisfiers, hybrids, satisfiers, and delighters; (2) prioritize attributes for effective satisfaction management; (3) assist managers in drafting guidelines for operational management decisions. We gathered a range of information about the users to nine SUGS in Shanghai, in 2020, via a questionnaire, and we found that safety, noise, and social interaction are improvement priorities. Squares and visitors’ behavior should not be ignored in SUGS management. Moreover, managers should carefully monitor SUGS attributes of the social environment to meet users’ expectations. The findings of this study have implications for SUGS management and future research.
Involvement of CCN1 Protein and TLR2/4 Signaling Pathways in Intestinal Epithelial Cells Response to Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Zhou Cong , Zou Yafang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Teng Shuang , Ye Keping
Published: March 2022

CCN1 is well studied in terms of its functions in injury repair, cell adhesion survival and apoptosis, bacterial clearance and mediation of inflammation-related pathways, such as the TLR2/4 pathways. However, the role of CCN1 protein and its interaction with TLR2/4 pathways in intestinal epithelial cells was not elucidated after Listeria monocytogenes infection. The results of this study confirm that L. monocytogenes infection induced intestinal inflammation and increased the protein expression of CCN1, TLR2, TLR4 and p38, which followed a similar tendency in the expression of genes related to the TLR2/4 pathways. In addition, organoids infected by L. monocytogenes showed a significant increase in the expression of CCN1 and the activation of TLR2/4 pathways. Furthermore, pre-treatment with CCN1 protein to organoids infected by L. monocytogenes could increase the related genes of TLR2/4 pathways and up-regulate the expression of TNF, and increase the count of pathogens in organoids, which indicates that the interaction between the CCN1 protein and TLR2/4 signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells occurred after L. monocytogenes infection. This study will provide a novel insight of the role of CCN1 protein after L. monocytogenes infection in the intestine.
Antimicrobial Peptide Mechanisms Studied by Whole-Cell Deuterium NMR
Authors: Kumari Sarika , Booth Valerie
Published: March 2022

Much of the work probing antimicrobial peptide (AMP) mechanisms has focussed on how these molecules permeabilize lipid bilayers. However, AMPs must also traverse a variety of non-lipid cell envelope components before they reach the lipid bilayer. Additionally, there is a growing list of AMPs with non-lipid targets inside the cell. It is thus useful to extend the biophysical methods that have been traditionally applied to study AMP mechanisms in liposomes to the full bacteria, where the lipids are present along with the full complexity of the rest of the bacterium. This review focusses on what can be learned about AMP mechanisms from solid-state NMR of AMP-treated intact bacteria. It also touches on flow cytometry as a complementary method for measuring permeabilization of bacterial lipid membranes in whole bacteria.
Exploring the Effectiveness and Durability of Trans-Kingdom Silencing of Fungal Genes in the Vascular Pathogen Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhao Jian-Hua , Fang Yuan-Yuan , Guo Hui-Shan , Jin Yun
Published: March 2022

Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) based on trans-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi) has been successfully exploited to engineer host resistance to pests and pathogens, including fungi and oomycetes. However, revealing the mechanisms underlying trans-kingdom RNAi between hosts and pathogens lags behind applications. The effectiveness and durability of trans-kingdom silencing of pathogenic genes are uncharacterized. In this study, using our transgenic 35S-VdH1i cotton plants in which dsVdH1-derived small RNAs (siVdH1) accumulated, small RNA sequencing analysis revealed that siVdH1s exclusively occur within the double-stranded (ds)VdH1 region, and no transitive siRNAs were produced beyond this region in recovered hyphae of Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae). Accordingly, we found that VdH1 silencing was reduced over time in recovered hyphae cultured in vitro, inferring that once the fungus got rid of the 35S-VdH1i cotton plants would gradually regain their pathogenicity. To explore whether continually exporting dsRNAs/siRNAs from transgenic plants into recipient fungal cells guaranteed the effectiveness and stability of HIGS, we created GFP/RFP double-labeled V. dahliae and transgenic Arabidopsis expressing dsGFP (35S-GFPi plants). Confocal images visually demonstrate the efficient silencing of GFP in V. dahliae that colonized host vascular tissues. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HIGS effectively triggers long-lasting trans-kingdom RNAi during plant vasculature V. dahliae interactions, despite no amplification or transitivity of RNAi being noted in this soil-borne fungal pathogen.
MSCs as Tumor-Specific Vectors for the Delivery of Anticancer Agents—A Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer Diseases: Perspectives for Quinazoline Derivatives
Authors: Szewc Monika , Radzikowska-Bűchner Elżbieta , Wdowiak Paulina , Kozak Joanna , Kuszta Piotr , Niezabitowska Ewa , Matysiak Joanna , Kubiński Konrad , Masłyk Maciej
Published: March 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be a powerful tool in the treatment of various diseases. Scientists are particularly interested in the possibility of using MSCs in cancer therapy. The research carried out so far has shown that MSCs possess both potential pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic properties. It has been confirmed that MSCs can regulate tumor cell growth through a paracrine mechanism, and molecules secreted by MSCs can promote or block a variety of signaling pathways. These findings may be crucial in the development of new MSC-based cell therapeutic strategies. The abilities of MSCs such as tumor tropism, deep migration and immune evasion have evoked considerable interest in their use as tumor-specific vectors for small-molecule anticancer agents. Studies have shown that MSCs can be successfully loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs such as gemcitabine and paclitaxel, and can release them at the site of primary and metastatic neoplasms. The inhibitory effect of MSCs loaded with anti-cancer agents on the proliferation of cancer cells has also been observed. However, not all known chemotherapeutic agents can be used in this approach, mainly due to their cytotoxicity towards MSCs and insufficient loading and release capacity. Quinazoline derivatives appear to be an attractive choice for this therapeutic solution due to their biological and pharmacological properties. There are several quinazolines that have been approved for clinical use as anticancer drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It gives hope that the synthesis of new quinazoline derivatives and the development of methods of their application may contribute to the establishment of highly effective therapies for oncological patients. However, a deeper understanding of interactions between MSCs and tumor cells, and the exploration of the possibilities of using quinazoline derivatives in MSC-based therapy is necessary to achieve this goal. The aim of this review is to discuss the prospects for using MSC-based cell therapy in cancer treatment and the potential use of quinazolines in this procedure.
Regulation by Different Types of Chaperones of Amyloid Transformation of Proteins Involved in the Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Muronetz Vladimir I. , Kudryavtseva Sofia S. , Leisi Evgeniia V. , Kurochkina Lidia P. , Barinova Kseniya V. , Schmalhausen Elena V.
Published: March 2022

The review highlights various aspects of the influence of chaperones on amyloid proteins associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases and includes studies conducted in our laboratory. Different sections of the article are devoted to the role of chaperones in the pathological transformation of alpha-synuclein and the prion protein. Information about the interaction of the chaperonins GroE and TRiC as well as polymer-based artificial chaperones with amyloidogenic proteins is summarized. Particular attention is paid to the effect of blocking chaperones by misfolded and amyloidogenic proteins. It was noted that the accumulation of functionally inactive chaperones blocked by misfolded proteins might cause the formation of amyloid aggregates and prevent the disassembly of fibrillar structures. Moreover, the blocking of chaperones by various forms of amyloid proteins might lead to pathological changes in the vital activity of cells due to the impaired folding of newly synthesized proteins and their subsequent processing. The final section of the article discusses both the little data on the role of gut microbiota in the propagation of synucleinopathies and prion diseases and the possible involvement of the bacterial chaperone GroE in these processes.
Functional Characterization of Allatostatin C (PISCF/AST) and Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase in Dendroctonus armandi
Authors: Sun Yaya , Fu Danyang , Liu Bin , Wang Linjun , Chen Hui
Published: March 2022

Allatostatin C (PISCF/AST) is a neuropeptide gene that affects juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis in the corpora allata. Juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase (JHAMT) is a key gene in the JH biosynthetic pathway. In this study, two genes encoding DaAST and DaJHAMT were cloned. Both DaAST and DaJHAMT were expressed in the larvae, pupae and adults of Chinese white pine beetle (Dendroctonus armandi), and highly expressed in the head and the gut. The expression of the two genes was induced by JH analog (JHA) methoprene and the functions of the two genes were then investigated by RNAi. Considering the role of hormones in metamorphosis, JHA significantly induced DaAST and DaJHAMT in the larval stage. DaAST knockdown in larvae, pupae and adults significantly increased the DaJHAMT mRNA levels. Moreover, knockdown of DaAST instead of DaJHAMT increased pupae mortality and the abnormal rate of emergence morphology and reduced emergence rates. However, knockdown of DaJHAMT instead of DaAST significantly reduced frontalin biosynthesis in adult males. The results showed that DaAST acts as an allatostatin and inhibits JH biosynthesis, and that JHAMT is a key regulatory enzyme for JH synthesis in the D. armandi.
SPATA18 Expression Predicts Favorable Clinical Outcome in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sugimura-Nagata Akane , Koshino Akira , Nagao Kazuhiro , Nagano Aya , Komura Masayuki , Ueki Akane , Ebi Masahide , Ogasawara Naotaka , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kasai Kenji , Takahashi Satoru , Kasugai Kunio , Inaguma Shingo
Published: March 2022

Dysregulation of mitochondrial quality control has been reported to be associated with cancer and degenerative diseases. SPATA18 (spermatogenesis-associated 18, also known as Mieap) encodes a p53-inducible protein that can induce lysosome-like organelles within mitochondria that eliminate oxidized mitochondrial proteins and has tumor suppressor functions in mitochondrial quality control. In the present study, 268 primary colorectal cancers (CRCs) were evaluated immunohistochemically for SPATA18 expression to assess its predictive utility and its association with cellular proliferation activity. Furthermore, the association with p53 immunoreactivity, a surrogate marker for TP53 mutation, was analyzed. Non-neoplastic colonic mucosa showed cytoplasmic SPATA18 expression. Seventy-two percent of the lesions (193/268) displayed high SPATA18 expression in the cytoplasm of CRC cells. Univariate analyses revealed significant associations between SPATA18 expression and tumor size (p < 0.0001), histological differentiation (p = 0.0017), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.00039). The log-rank test revealed that patients with SPATA18-high CRCs had significantly better survival than SPATA18-low patients (p < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox hazards regression analysis identified tubular-forming histology (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.25), age < 70 years (HR = 0.50), and SPATA18-high (HR = 0.55) as potential favorable factors. Lymph node metastasis (HR = 1.98) and peritoneal metastasis (HR = 5.45) were cited as potential independent risk factors. Cellular proliferation activity was significantly higher in SPATA18-high tumors. However, no significant correlation was detected between SPATA18 expression and p53 immunoreactivity or KRAS/BRAF mutation status. On the basis of our observations, SPATA18 immunohistochemistry can be used in the prognostication of CRC patients.
The Association between Hypoxia-Induced Low Activity and Apoptosis Strongly Resembles That between TTX-Induced Silencing and Apoptosis
Authors: Taxis di Bordonia e Valnigra Domitilla , Hassink Gerco C. , Levers Marloes R. , Frega Monica , Hofmeijer Jeannette , van Putten Michel J. A. M. , le Feber Joost
Published: March 2022

In the penumbra of a brain infarct, neurons initially remain structurally intact, but perfusion is insufficient to maintain neuronal activity at physiological levels. Improving neuronal recovery in the penumbra has large potential to advance recovery of stroke patients, but penumbral pathology is incompletely understood, and treatments are scarce. We hypothesize that low activity in the penumbra is associated with apoptosis and thus contributes to irreversible neuronal damage. We explored the putative relationship between low neuronal activity and apoptosis in cultured neurons exposed to variable durations of hypoxia or TTX. We combined electrophysiology and live apoptosis staining in 42 cultures, and compared effects of hypoxia and TTX silencing in terms of network activity and apoptosis. Hypoxia rapidly reduced network activity, but cultures showed limited apoptosis during the first 12 h. After 24 h, widespread apoptosis had occurred. This was associated with full activity recovery observed upon reoxygenation within 12 h, but not after 24 h. Similarly, TTX exposure strongly reduced activity, with full recovery upon washout within 12 h, but not after 24 h. Mean temporal evolution of apoptosis in TTX-treated cultures was the same as in hypoxic cultures. These results suggest that prolonged low activity may be a common factor in the pathways towards apoptosis.
Genetic Biomarkers and Their Clinical Implications in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
Authors: Lejman Monika , Chałupnik Aleksandra , Chilimoniuk Zuzanna , Dobosz Maciej
Published: March 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies characterized by abnormal proliferation of immature lymphoid cells. It is the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer with an almost 80% cure rate. Despite favorable survival rates in the pediatric population, a significant number of patients develop resistance to therapy, resulting in poor prognosis. ALL is a heterogeneous disease at the genetic level, but the intensive development of sequencing in the last decade has made it possible to broaden the study of genomic changes. New technologies allow us to detect molecular changes such as point mutations or to characterize epigenetic or proteomic profiles. This process made it possible to identify new subtypes of this disease characterized by constellations of genetic alterations, including chromosome changes, sequence mutations, and DNA copy number alterations. These genetic abnormalities are used as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers that play an important role in earlier disease detection, more accurate risk stratification, and treatment. Identification of new ALL biomarkers, and thus a greater understanding of their molecular basis, will lead to better monitoring of the course of the disease. In this article, we provide an overview of the latest information on genomic alterations found in childhood ALL and discuss their impact on patients’ clinical outcomes.
The EPH/Ephrin System in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Papadakos Stavros P. , Petrogiannopoulos Leonidas , Pergaris Alexandros , Theocharis Stamatios
Published: March 2022

The EPH/ephrin system constitutes a bidirectional signaling pathway comprised of a family of tyrosine kinase receptors in tandem with their plasma membrane-bound ligand (ephrins). Its significance in a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic processes has been recognized during the past decades. In carcinogenesis, EPH/ephrins coordinate a wide spectrum of pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, vessel infiltration, and metastasis. Despite the recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and treatment, it remains a leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9.2% of all cancer deaths. A growing body of literature has been published lately revitalizing our scientific interest towards the role of EPH/ephrins in pathogenesis and the treatment of CRC. The aim of the present review is to present the recent CRC data which might lead to clinical practice changes in the future.
Gender-Related Aspects in Osteoarthritis Development and Progression: A Review
Authors: Peshkova Maria , Lychagin Alexey , Lipina Marina , Di Matteo Berardo , Anzillotti Giuseppe , Ronzoni Flavio , Kosheleva Nastasia , Shpichka Anastasia , Royuk Valeriy , Fomin Victor , Kalinsky Eugene , Timashev Peter , Kon Elizaveta
Published: March 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease treated mostly symptomatically before approaching its definitive treatment, joint arthroplasty. The rapidly growing prevalence of OA highlights the urgent need for a more efficient treatment strategy and boosts research into the mechanisms of OA incidence and progression. As a multifactorial disease, many aspects have been investigated as contributors to OA onset and progression. Differences in gender appear to play a role in the natural history of the disease, since female sex is known to increase the susceptibility to its development. The aim of the present review is to investigate the cues associated with gender by analyzing various hormonal, anatomical, molecular, and biomechanical parameters, as well as their differences between sexes. Our findings reveal the possible implications of gender in OA onset and progression and provide evidence for gaps in the current state of art, thus suggesting future research directions.
Effects of Anatomical or Non-Anatomical Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Survival Outcome
Authors: Kwon Jae Hyun , Lee Jung-Woo , Lee Jong Woo , Lee Young Joo
Published: March 2022

Background: The relative benefit of anatomical resection (AR) versus non-anatomical resection (NAR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This study compared the survival outcomes and recurrence rates of HCCs analysed according to tumour size and the extent of resection. Methods: Consecutive patients with HCC who underwent curative resection at Asan Medical Center between January 1999 and December 2009 were included in this study. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) according to tumour size to compare the survival outcomes between AR and NAR. A total of 986 patients were analysed; 812 and 174 patients underwent AR and NAR, respectively. Results: Before PSM, regardless of tumour size, the AR group demonstrated significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the NAR group (p < 0.001). After PSM, the AR group demonstrated better OS and RFS rates than the NAR group when tumour size was less than 5 cm, but there was no significant difference in the OS and RFS rates between the two groups when tumour size was equal to or greater than 5 cm. In tumours less than 5 cm in size, AR was the most significant factor associated with OS and RFS. However, this prognostic effect of AR was not demonstrated in tumours with sizes equal to or greater than 5 cm. Conclusion: In patients with HCCs smaller than 5 cm, AR reduced the risk of tumour recurrence and improved OS. In HCCs larger than 5 cm, AR and NAR showed comparable survival outcomes.
Blue Light Blocking Treatment for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: Directions for Research and Practice
Authors: Mylona Ioanna , Floros Georgios D.
Published: March 2022

Recent results from a small number of clinical studies have resulted in the suggestion that the process of blocking the transmission of shorter-wavelength light (‘blue light’ with a wave length of 450 nm to 470 nm) may have a beneficial role in the treatment of bipolar disorder. This critical review will appraise the quality of evidence so far as to these claims, assess the neurobiology that could be implicated in the underlying processes while introducing a common set of research criteria for the field.
Sliding Mode Motion Control for AUV with Dual-Observer Considering Thruster Uncertainty
Authors: Sun Yushan , Chai Puxin , Zhang Guocheng , Zhou Tian , Zheng Haotian
Published: March 2022

In the motion control of AUVs, especially those driven by multiple thrusters, the thruster misalignment and thrust loss cause the actual force and moment applied to the AUV to deviate from that desired, making accurate and fast motion control difficult. This paper proposes a sliding mode control method with dual-observer estimation for the AUV 3D motion control problem in the presence of thruster misalignment uncertainty and thrust loss uncertainty. Firstly, this paper considers the force and moment deviation as disturbances that vary with the controller output, and proposes the TD disturbance observer to address the problem of deviation caused by uncertainty in thruster misalignment. Secondly, this paper introduces the dynamics equation of thrust loss and designs the gain disturbance observer to estimate the thrust loss uncertainty during AUV navigation. The designed controller, verified by simulation and field tests, ensures that the AUV maintains better motion control despite thruster misalignment and thrust loss.
Spatial Distribution of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter in the Western Arctic Ocean
Authors: Cai Xiaoxia , Zhuang Yanpei , Li Hongliang , Xu Jing , Jin Haiyan , Chen Jianfang
Published: March 2022

Optical properties of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were investigated along a latitudinal transect (67°–77° N) in upper water (<80 m depth) of the western Arctic Ocean. The absorption coefficient at 280 nm was 0.48–1.25 m−1, with the average for the oligotrophic basin area (1.04 ± 0.08 m−1) being slightly higher than that of the productive shelf area (0.95 ± 0.16 m−1), implying a decoupling effect between CDOM concentration and biological productivity in the western Arctic Ocean. The spectral slope coefficient S270–350 was negatively correlated with salinity, indicating that DOM molecular weight increases with salinity, and may be affected by melt-water input. Four fluorescent components were identified by excitation emission matrices elaborated by parallel factor analysis, including three humic-like (C1, C3, and C4) components and one protein-like (C2) component. Significant increases in concentrations of terrestrially derived humic-like C3 and C4 components with salinity were observed in the basin, mainly controlled by the physical mixing of surface fresh water and subsurface inflowing Pacific Ocean water. Terrestrial material carried by Pacific inflow is thus an important factor affecting the distribution of CDOM fluorescence components. The C3 and C4 fluorescence components may be useful as tracers of Pacific water in the western Arctic Ocean.
Recent Developments in Sea-Level Rise and Its Related Geological Disasters Mitigation: A Review
Authors: Dong Liuqun , Cao Jiming , Liu Xian
Published: March 2022

With the rapid development of urbanization around the world, the sea-level-rise problem is gaining more and more attention in the 21st century. Sea-level rise is the result of a combination of climate-related factors, structural factors and human activities. Recent studies related to the contributions of these factors to sea-level rise are reviewed and analyzed in this paper. The results suggest that the melting of glaciers and ice sheets have contributed the most to sea-level rise and will continue to be the dominant factor in sea-level rise for the following decades. As sea-level rise becomes an increasingly serious problem, geological disasters related to sea-level rise are also gaining more attention. To better understand the effect of sea-level rise on geological disasters, relevant issues including storm surges, seawater intrusion, the loss of coastal wetland, seismicity, seismic liquefaction and submarine mass failure are further reviewed and highlighted. In response to the risks of those disasters caused by sea-level rise, some disaster mitigation measures are proposed, and in the end, the quantitative disaster assessment concept based on resilience is introduced to the coastal urban system, to assess its ability to resist and recover from geological disasters due to the sea-level rise.
Are GARCH and DCC Values of 10 Cryptocurrencies Affected by COVID-19?
Authors: Yan Kejia , Yan Huqin , Gupta Rakesh
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the dynamic conditional correlations among 10 cryptocurrencies and the possibility of hedging investment strategies among multiple cryptocurrencies over the period affected by COVID-19 from 2017 to 2022. After studying the relationship between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the other eight cryptocurrencies, four main results were obtained in this paper: first, from the pre-COVID-19 period to the COVID-19 period, almost all of the cryptocurrencies’ return growth rates increased, and COVID-19 had a positive effect on the returns of cryptocurrencies. Second, all of the cryptocurrencies’ return indices had features of volatility clustering and memory persistence in the long run; from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19, these cryptocurrencies’ GARCH values decreased, but the correlations among the varying GARCH values increased. Third, the varying correlations between the return indices of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the other cryptocurrencies were very strong; from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19, the average dynamic correlations between Bitcoin and the others increased. Fourth, Tether can be used as a hedge cryptocurrency against the other cryptocurrencies as COVID-19 enhanced its hedging feature.
O6-[(2″,3″-O-Isopropylidene-5″-O-tbutyldimethylsilyl)pentyl]-5′-O-tbutyldiphenylsilyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneinosine
Authors: Marzano Maria , Terracciano Monica , Piccialli Vincenzo , Mahal Ahmed , Nilo Roberto , D’Errico Stefano
Published: March 2022

Cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) is a cyclic nucleotide involved in the Ca2+ homeostasis. In its structure, the northern ribose, bonded to adenosine through an N1 glycosidic bond, is connected to the southern ribose through a pyrophosphate bridge. Due to the chemical instability at the N1 glycosidic bond, new bioactive cADPR derivatives have been synthesized. One of the most interesting analogues is the cyclic inosine diphosphate ribose (cIDPR), in which the hypoxanthine replaced adenosine. The efforts for synthesizing new linear and cyclic northern ribose modified cIDPR analogues led us to study in detail the inosine N1 alkylation reaction. In the last few years, we have produced new flexible cIDPR analogues, where the northern ribose has been replaced by alkyl chains. With the aim to obtain the closest flexible cIDPR analogue, we have attached to the inosine N1 position a 2″,3″-dihydroxypentyl chain, possessing the two OH groups in a ribose-like fashion. The inosine alkylation reaction afforded also the O6-alkylated regioisomer, which could be a useful intermediate for the construction of new kinds of cADPR mimics.