bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chicken telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes the tumorigenicity of avian leukosis virus subgroup J by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Xiang Yong , Liang Canxin , Li Qingbo , Chen Qinxi , Zhou Yang , Zheng Xiaoxue , Zhou Di , Wang Zepeng , Wang Guyao , Cao Weisheng
Published: December 2022

This research aimed to analyze the regulatory effect of chicken telomerase reverse transcriptase (chTERT) on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its effect on the tumorigenicity of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) through in vivo experiments. The chTERT eukaryotic expression plasmid and its recombinant lentivirus particles were constructed for in vivo transfection of chTERT to analyze the effect of chTERT continuously overexpressed in chickens on the tumorigenicity of ALV-J. During 156 days of the artificial ALV-J tumor-inducing process, 7 solid tumors developed in 3 chickens in the chTERT-overexpression group (n = 26*2) and no tumors developed in the control group (n = 26*2). Another 18 tumors induced by ALV-J were confirmed and collected from breeding poultry farms. And we confirmed that chTERT was significantly highly expressed in ALV-J tumors. The ELISA data suggested that the protein levels of β-catenin and c-Myc in the chicken plasma of the chTERT-overexpressing group with ALV-J infected were consistently and significantly higher than those of the control group. Compared with that of the tumor-adjacent tissues, the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and expression of the c-Myc was significantly increased in ALV-J tumors. And the percentage of apoptosis in ALV-J tumors significantly lower than that in tumor-adjacent tissues. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-qPCR suggested that the replication level of ALV-J in tumors was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent tissues. This study suggests that chTERT plays a critical role in the tumorigenicity of ALV-J by enhancing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which will contribute to further elucidating the tumor-inducing mechanism of ALV-J.
Compensation of overall physical activity in (pre)adolescent girls – the CReActivity project
Authors: Beck Franziska , Dettweiler Ulrich , Sturm David Joseph , Demetriou Yolanda , Reimers Anne Kerstin
Published: December 2022

Background

According to the ActivityStat hypothesis more physical activity (PA) in one timespan is compensated by increased sedentary time (ST) in the following timespan and vice versa to maintain an overall stable PA level. Until now, existing literature revealed inconsistent results regarding compensatory behaviour across children and adolescents. Thus, the aim of the present study is (1) to investigate whether ST in the morning is compensated by active behaviour in the afternoon and (2) whether ST during the week is compensated by active behaviour during the weekend in (pre)adolescent girls. Additionally, we aimed to differentiate between positive and negative compensatory behaviour and examine whether it is moderated by socioeconomic status (SES), age or weight status.

Methods

The participants were 370 sixth grade school girls (mean age 11.6 years) from Munich that participated in the CReActivity study, a school based intervention study aiming to identify the mechanisms of behavioural changes in PA among girls. ST and PA were measured over seven consecutive days using accelerometery. Descriptive determination of compensatory behaviour, as well as Bayesian multivariate multilevel analysis were conducted with data clustered on the individual (ID), class and school level.

Results

Descriptive analysis revealed rather constant compensatory behaviour of about 60% for after-school days and weekends over all observation points. However, regarding all girls, compensation was predominantly negative. Differentiated analysis indicated that all girls with low ST levels in the morning or on weekdays, compensated for this behaviour with lower PA levels in the afternoon or on weekends. Multilevel covariate analysis indicated great variability between the participants. Furthermore, differences in compensatory behaviour can also be seen on class and school levels. Interestingly, PA compensatory behaviour is not associated with age, weight status or SES.

Conclusion

Our findings could neither confirm nor reject the ActivityStat Hypothesis. Overall, due to the great variability across the girls, it seems that compensation depends on individual factors. In the future, to prevent negative compensation, school-based interventions that have the potential to provide opportunities to be physically active, should not neglect (pre)adolescents’ leisure time behaviour.

Trial Registration

DRKS00015723 (date of registration: 2018/10/22 retrospectively registered).
The impact of rainfall variability and crop production on vertisols in the central highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Bedane Hailu Regassa , Beketie Kassahun Ture , Fantahun Eyasu Elias , Feyisa Gudina Legese , Anose Fikre Abiko
Published: December 2022

Background

Understanding the yearly, seasonal, monthly, and weekly rainfall variability is crucial for improved agricultural practice in Ethiopia, where agriculture depends on rainfall. In particular, knowledge of rainfall onset, withdrawal, amount, distribution, and the length of the crop growing period would protect farmers from crop damage due to climatic anomalies. This study collected and described 39 years of rainfall data using the Markov chain model. Based on the rainfall probability levels at different threshold values, the length of the dry and wet spells and the length of the growing period were determined.

Results

The study shows dependable rainfall at a 75% probability level commences in June. The chance of receiving greater than 10 mm at a 50% probability level starts in week 10 (5 March–11 March), with much discontinuity up to week 21st (21 May–27 May). The dependable weekly rainfall begins the week of 22 May (28th May–3rd June) with a probability of greater than 20 mm. The study revealed that the short rainy season rainfall (February to May) is unreliable for growing crops at Ghinchi as opposed to other highland areas of Ethiopia. The major crop growing season is therefore confined to periods of the long rainy season (weeks 22nd to 39th, or 28th May–30th September). The water balance for the study area indicates that the moisture availability index is greater than 0.5, and potential evapotranspiration is lower than precipitation during these months.

Conclusions

Climate change and rainfall variability is creating a problem with crop production constraints in the rain-fed agricultural production system in the highlands of Ethiopia. Physical properties of the soil coupled with the unfavorable soil-rainfall relationship limit increased crop production on vertisols. Improving the drainage system and capturing rainfall variability in agronomic-relevant terms is essential. Improving the physical limitations of the soil, adapting to rainfall variability, and practicing improved agronomic practices may help farmers overcome the production problem. This study provides critical information on rainfall variability concerning vertisol management and crop production. However, to overcome the problem, technological support is needed from researchers and policymakers.
Dynamic circadian fluctuations of glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Vásquez-Muñoz Manuel , Arce-Álvarez Alexis , Álvarez Cristian , Ramírez-Campillo Rodrigo , Crespo Fernando A. , Arias Dayana , Salazar-Ardiles Camila , Izquierdo Mikel , Andrade David C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has glucose variability that is of such relevance that the appearance of vascular complications in patients with DM has been attributed to hyperglycemic and dysglycemic events. It is known that T1D patients mainly have glycemic variability with a specific oscillatory pattern with specific circadian characteristics for each patient. However, it has not yet been determined whether an oscillation pattern represents the variability of glycemic in T2D. This is why our objective is to determine the characteristics of glycemic oscillations in T2D and generate a robust predictive model.

Results

Showed that glycosylated hemoglobin, glycemia, and body mass index were all higher in patients with T2D than in controls (all p < 0.05). In addition, time in hyperglycemia and euglycemia was markedly higher and lower in the T2D group (p < 0.05), without significant differences for time in hypoglycemia. Standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and total power of glycemia were significantly higher in the T2D group than Control group (all p < 0.05). The oscillatory patterns were significantly different between groups (p = 0.032): the control group was mainly distributed at 2–3 and 6 days, whereas the T2D group showed a more homogeneous distribution across 2–3-to-6 days.

Conclusions

The predictive model of glycemia showed that it is possible to accurately predict hyper- and hypoglycemia events. Thus, T2D patients exhibit specific oscillatory patterns of glycemic control, which are possible to predict. These findings may help to improve the treatment of DM by considering the individual oscillatory patterns of patients.
Efficacy of direct oral anticoagulant for renal infarction due to pulmonary vein stump thrombosis after left pneumonectomy
Authors: Iijima Yoshihito , Iwai Shun , Motono Nozomu , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: December 2022

Background

Thrombosis of the pulmonary vein stump is a common complication after a left upper lobectomy and can be a source of embolism in various organs, such as the kidneys. A renal infarction, on the other hand, is a rare and often lethal condition that is usually diagnosed postmortem. Here, we present a case of renal infarction associated with pulmonary vein stump thrombosis after a left pneumonectomy, which was treated successfully with edoxaban.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer (cT1miN0M0 stage IA1). Due to pneumoconiosis, extensive lymph node infiltration into the pulmonary artery was noted and necessitated an open thoracotomy. Ultimately, a left pneumonectomy was performed. Atrial fibrillation occurred on postoperative day 3, and the patient complained of left-sided abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a left upper pulmonary vein thrombosis and a left renal infarction. Anticoagulant therapy was immediately initiated with heparin and warfarin. On postoperative day 13, warfarin was replaced with the direct oral anticoagulant edoxaban since the patient’s compliance and drug response to warfarin were poor. On postoperative day 19, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a reduction in pulmonary vein stump thrombosis and improvement in renal infarction. Subsequently, the patient was discharged. Three months post-surgery, no infarct lesions or reduced renal function was observed on imaging.

Conclusions

The direct oral anticoagulant edoxaban could be effective in preventing recurrence or exacerbation of pulmonary vein thrombosis associated with renal infarction without bleeding complications.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and the risk of major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in patients with high-risk or advanced melanoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Charlie , Zoungas Sophia , Yan Mabel , Wolfe Rory , Haydon Andrew , Shackleton Mark , Voskoboynik Mark , Moore Maggie , Andrews Miles C. , Nicholls Stephen J. , Mar Victoria
Published: December 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are associated with immune-mediated adverse effects, potentially involving any organ. ICI has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in cancer populations.

Objective

To characterize the incidence and risk of major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events associated with ICI use in a high-risk and advanced melanoma population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with high-risk or advanced melanoma (AJCC stage II, III or IV) presenting to an academic tertiary hospital between 2015–2020. The main outcome was major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (MACE) including acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute limb ischemia and coronary revascularization.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 646 patients, including 289 who had been treated with ICI. The incidence of MACE was higher in the ICI treated group (3.6 vs. 0.9 events per 100-person years). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking history and prior BRAF and/or MEK inhibitor use, ICI treatment was associated with an increased risk of MACE (HRadj 2.8, 95% CI 1.1–6.9, p = 0.03). Elevated risk was especially pronounced in patients with a past history of MACE (HR 14.4, 95% CI 1.9–112.3, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Patients with high-risk or advanced melanoma are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events following ICI treatment, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Policy stakeholder perspectives on barriers and facilitators to launching a community-wide mass drug administration program for soil-transmitted helminths
Authors: Roll Amy , Saxena Malvika , Orlan Elizabeth , Titus Angelin , Juvekar Sanjay Kamlakar , Gwayi-Chore Marie-Claire , Avokpaho Euripide , Chabi Félicien , Togbevi Comlanvi Innocent , Belou Elijan Abiguel , Nindi Providence , Walson Judd L. , Ajjampur Sitara S. R. , Ibikounlé Moudachirou , Kalua Khumbo , Aruldas Kumudha , Means Arianna Rubin
Published: December 2022

Background

Recent evidence suggests that soil-transmitted helminth (STH) transmission interruption may be feasible through community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA) that deworms community members of all ages. A change from school-based deworming to cMDA will require reconfiguring of STH programs in endemic countries. We conducted formative qualitative research in Benin, India, and Malawi to identify barriers and facilitators to successfully launching a cMDA program from the policy-stakeholder perspective.

Methods

We conducted 40 key informant interviews with policy stakeholders identified as critical change agents at national, state/district, and sub-district levels. Participants included World Health Organization country office staff, implementing partners, and national and sub-national government officials. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide data collection, coding, and analysis. Heat maps were used to organize coded data and differentiate perceived facilitators and barriers to launching cMDA by stakeholder.

Results

Key facilitators to launching a cMDA program included availability of high-quality, tailored sensitization materials, and human and material resources that could be leveraged from previous MDA campaigns. Key barriers included the potential to overburden existing health workers, uncertainty of external funding to sustain a cMDA program, and concerns about weak intragovernmental coordination to implement cMDA. Cross-cutting themes included the need for rigorous trial evidence on STH transmission interruption to gain confidence in cMDA, and implementation evidence to effectively operationalize cMDA. Importantly, if policy stakeholders anticipate a cMDA program cannot be sustained due to cost and human resource barriers in the long term they may be less likely to support the launch of a program in the short term.

Conclusions

Overall, policy stakeholders were optimistic about implementing cMDA primarily because they believe that the tools necessary to successfully implement cMDA are already available. Policy stakeholders in this study were cautiously optimistic about launching cMDA to achieve STH transmission interruption and believe that it is feasible to implement. However, launching cMDA as an alternative policy to school-based deworming will require addressing key resource and evidence barriers.

Trial registration This study was registered in the U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials registry (NCT03014167).
Deep 3D mesh watermarking with self-adaptive robustness
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhou Hang , Fang Han , Zhang Weiming , Yu Nenghai
Published: December 2022

Robust 3D mesh watermarking is a traditional research topic in computer graphics, which provides an efficient solution to the copyright protection for 3D meshes. Traditionally, researchers need manually design watermarking algorithms to achieve sufficient robustness for the actual application scenarios. In this paper, we propose the first deep learning-based 3D mesh watermarking network, which can provide a more general framework for this problem. In detail, we propose an end-to-end network, consisting of a watermark embedding sub-network, a watermark extracting sub-network and attack layers. We employ the topology-agnostic graph convolutional network (GCN) as the basic convolution operation, therefore our network is not limited by registered meshes (which share a fixed topology). For the specific application scenario, we can integrate the corresponding attack layers to guarantee adaptive robustness against possible attacks. To ensure the visual quality of watermarked 3D meshes, we design the curvature consistency loss function to constrain the local geometry smoothness of watermarked meshes. Experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve more universal robustness while guaranteeing comparable visual quality.
Nutritional composition of tauco as Indonesian fermented soybean paste
Authors: Herlina Vika Tresnadiana , Lioe Hanifah Nuryani , Kusumaningrum Harsi Dewantari , Adawiyah Dede Robiatul
Published: December 2022

Tauco is a fermented soybean paste like miso but typical from Indonesia, commonly used as umami seasoning. This study objective was to evaluate the nutritional composition of diverse tauco products found in Indonesia and to determine a potential tauco product characterized by certain amino acids related to umami peptides (Asp, Glu, Gly, Ser, Thr, Val). Proximate composition, NaCl salt, total sugars, total acids, and total amino acid profiles of 24 tauco products, collected from 24 producers in 7 provinces in Indonesia, were analyzed. The proximate composition mapped tauco into solid (containing 29.2–35.3% moisture on wet weight basis or ww), semisolid (42.2–54.5% ww moisture), and liquid (56.2–68.1% ww moisture). Solid tauco composed of 54.7–65.2% carbohydrates, 10.0–22.8% ashes, 7.13–16.9% NaCl salt, 9.72–11.9% crude proteins, 11.9–27.0% total sugars, 6.98–23.4% crude fats, 1.24–2.18% total acids, and 11.4–17.5% total amino acids on dry weight basis (dw). In contrast, liquid tauco consisted of 8.47–56.5% dw carbohydrates, 17.1–73.8% dw ashes, 10.7–68.4% dw NaCl, 20.4–30.9% dw crude proteins, 4.45–29.9.5% dw total sugars, 1.30–18.9% dw crude fats, 1.65–5.36% dw total acids, and 14.1–24.6% dw total amino acids. All tauco had a slight acidic pH, ranged from 4.38 to 5.91. Glu and Asp were the dominant amino acids of tauco, comprising 25–40% of total amino acids. Mapping of total amino acid profile mentioned a tauco product, characterized by the highest concentration of amino acids related to umami peptides. This finding leads to the exploration of umami peptides to reveal the science behind its traditional use as umami seasoning.
Wrapping collagen-based nanoparticle with macrophage membrane for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infection
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Xiong Jianming , Hu Yi , Miao Wenjun , Huang He
Published: December 2022

Nowadays, multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infectious diseases has become a thorny issue in the healthcare field. Owning to its intrinsic merits, photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows tremendous strengths in fighting against MDR bacterial infections. However, most photodynamic nanoplatforms exhibit unsatisfactory targeting efficiency towards bacteria and infection site, which may compromise the bactericidal effect of PDT. Herein, we firstly reported a bacteria-targeted collagen-based nanoparticle, named Ce6/Col/MM, for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wound. Ce6/Col/MM was fabricated by wrapping chlorin e6 (Ce6)-loaded collagen-based nanoparticles with macrophage membrane (MM), showing excellent photodynamic activity and good biocompatibility. In vitro studies demonstrated that Ce6/Col/MM could target to bacteria and then exhibit prominent antibacterial capacity against planktonic MRSA under light irradiation. Furthermore, the treatment of MRSA-infected wound in mice with Ce6/Col/MM plus light illumination resulted in potent bacterial inactivation and accelerated wound healing, accompanied by favorable histological compatibility. Collectively, Ce6/Col/MM with superior targeting ability towards bacteria, effective photodynamic antibacterial potency and minimal safety concerns, might be a powerful bactericidal nanoagent for treating infections caused by MDR bacteria.

Graphical Abstract
Integrated framework for existing building alternatives by the building information modeling
Authors: Mahmoud Heba Mustafa , Fayad Aly Abdel , Nassar Ayman H.
Published: December 2022

Urban expansion is undergoing rapid growth, prompting several nations to create financial and administrative capitals outside congested urban areas, leaving the existing buildings unoccupied. To investigate the possibilities of changing the real estate’s usage, the owners of these existing buildings turned to feasibility study experts for assistance in making the optimum alternatives. An integrated framework between value engineering and building information modeling, especially appropriate for existing buildings, is required to aid decision-makers in selecting the best options for current building utilization. Previous studies only investigated the value engineering alternatives during the design phase, when they decided to reduce project costs using construction materials alternatives. Still, they overlooked existing building alternatives in terms of changing the kind of usage of such buildings. So, they need an integrated model between value engineering and building information modeling, especially applicable to an existing structure, to determine the optimum usage type for the existing building. Value engineering and building information modeling must be connected to profit from both outputs simultaneously. And used the multi-criteria decision-analysis method. Today’s analytic hierarchy process is the most widely used. This paper provides an integrated framework between value engineering and building information modeling that can be applied to existing buildings to assist in determining the best alternative in terms of the type of usage for such existing structures by conducting BIM methodologies such as a feasibility study which includes present value, cash flow and the bank interest rate, and BIM software such as Revit and Primavera. The multi-criteria decision analysis method was used to focus on what is important, logical, consistent, and easy to use. MCDA which considered a process for evaluating options with conflicting criteria and choosing the best solution, similar to a cost–benefit analysis, but evaluates numerous criteria rather than just cost. The findings revealed that this integrated framework, which includes feasibility studies and comparison tables, may be implemented in the future while taking into account time and location constraints.
Mental health services in Ukraine during the early phases of the 2022 Russian invasion
Authors: Goto Ryunosuke , Pinchuk Irina , Kolodezhny Oleksiy , Pimenova Nataliia , Skokauskas Norbert
Published: December 2022

Background

In February 2022, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. War increases the demand for mental healthcare among affected populations, but with devastating losses across the nation, it is unclear if Ukrainian mental health services are able to meet the needs of the people.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the state of Ukrainian in-patient mental health services, which remains the backbone of the nation's psychiatric services, early in the 2022 Russian invasion.

Method

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study on Ukrainian in-patient mental health facilities during the 2022 Russian invasion. Using an online questionnaire, we obtained responses from the heads of 32 in-patient mental health facilities across Ukraine, representing 52.5% of all in-patient mental health facilities in the nation. We gathered information on hospital admissions, staff, humanitarian aid received and the additional needs of each facility.

Results

Hospital admissions were reduced by 23.5% during the war (April 2022) compared with before the war (January 2022). Across facilities, 9.6% of hospital admissions in April 2022 were related to war trauma, with facilities reporting percentages as high as 30.0%. Facilities reported reductions in staff, with 9.1% of total medical workers displaced and 0.5% injured across facilities. One facility reported that 45.6% of their total medical workers were injured. Although facilities across Ukraine have received humanitarian aid (such as medical supplies, food, volunteers), they reported additionally needing equipment as well as more staff.

Conclusions

The mental health service structure in Ukraine has been severely damaged during the 2022 invasion, with staff shortages despite a significant number of hospital admissions related to war trauma.
Axatilimab for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Failure of at Least Two Prior Systemic Therapies: Results of a Phase I/II Study
Authors: Kitko Carrie L. , Arora Mukta , DeFilipp Zachariah , Zaid Mohammad Abu , Di Stasi Antonio , Radojcic Vedran , Betts Courtney B. , Coussens Lisa M. , Meyers Michael L. , Qamoos Hope , Ordentlich Peter , Kumar Vinit , Quaranto Christine , Schmitt Aaron , Gu Yu , Blazar Bruce R. , Wang Trent P. , Salhotra Amandeep , Pusic Iskra , Jagasia Madan , Lee Stephanie J.
Published: December 2022

PURPOSE

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains the major cause of late morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R)–dependent macrophages promote cGVHD fibrosis, and their elimination in preclinical studies ameliorated cGVHD. Axatilimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits CSF-1R signaling and restrains macrophage development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase I (phI)/phase II (phII) open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03604692 ) evaluated safety, tolerability, and efficacy of axatilimab in patients age ≥ 6 years with active cGVHD after ≥ 2 prior systemic therapy lines. Primary objectives in phI were to identify the optimal biologic and recommended phII dose and in phII to evaluate the overall (complete and partial) response rate (ORR) at the start of treatment cycle 7.

RESULTS

Forty enrolled patients (17 phI; 23 phII) received at least one axatilimab dose. In phI, a dose of 3 mg/kg given once every 4 weeks met the optimal biologic dose definition. Two dose-limiting toxicities occurred at the 3 mg/kg dose given once every 2 weeks. At least one treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) was observed in 30 patients with grade ≥ 3 TRAEs in eight patients, the majority known on-target effects of CSF-1R inhibition. No cytomegalovirus reactivations occurred. With the 50% ORR at cycle 7 day 1, the phII cohort met the primary efficacy end point. Furthermore, the ORR in the first six cycles, an end point supporting regulatory approvals, was 82%. Responses were seen in all affected organs regardless of prior therapy. Fifty-eight percent of patients reported significant improvement in cGVHD-related symptoms using the Lee Symptom Scale. On-target activity of axatilimab was suggested by the decrease in skin CSF-1R–expressing macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Targeting profibrotic macrophages with axatilimab is a therapeutically promising novel strategy with a favorable safety profile for refractory cGVHD.
A kidney resident macrophage subset is a candidate biomarker for renal cystic disease in preclinical models
Authors: Li Zhang , Zimmerman Kurt A. , Cherakara Sreelakshmi , Chumley Phillip H. , Collawn James F. , Wang Jun , Haycraft Courtney J. , Song Cheng J. , Chacana Teresa , Andersen Reagan S. , Croyle Mandy J. , Aloria Ernald J. , Hombal Raksha P. , Thomas Isis N. , Chweih Hanan , Simanyi Kristin L. , George James F. , Parant John M. , Mrug Michal , Yoder Bradley K.
Published: December 2022

Although renal macrophages have been shown to contribute to cyst development in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) animal models, it remains unclear whether there is a specific macrophage subpopulation involved. Here, we analyzed changes in macrophage populations during renal maturation in association with cystogenesis rates in conditional Pkd2 mutant mice. We observed that CD206+ resident macrophages were minimal in a normal adult kidney but accumulated in cystic areas in adult-induced Pkd2 mutants. Using Cx3cr1 null mice, we reduced macrophage number, including CD206+ macrophages, and showed that this significantly reduced cyst severity in adult-induced Pkd2 mutant kidneys. We also found that the number of CD206+ resident macrophage-like cells increased in kidneys and in the urine from autosomal-dominant PKD (ADPKD) patients relative to the rate of renal functional decline. These data indicate a direct correlation between CD206+ resident macrophages and cyst formation, and reveal that the CD206+ resident macrophages in urine could serve as a biomarker for renal cystic disease activity in preclinical models and ADPKD patients.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Ο ποινικός στιγματισμός του ανηλίκου και οι συνέπειές του στη δευτερογενή παρέκκλιση
Authors: Κοντοπούλου Ελένη
Published: December 2022

Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι η διερεύνηση των συνεπειών της πρώιμης εμπλοκής στο ποινικό σύστημα και κατ’ επέκταση της επίδρασης του ποινικού στιγματισμού των ανηλίκων στην υποτροπή. Επιπλέον, από κοινού με τους παράγοντες εγκληματοποίησης λαμβάνουμε υπόψη και διάφορους παράγοντες εγκληματογένεσης. Ειδικότερα, εξετάζουμε την επίδραση της ποινικής εμπλοκής και του ποινικού στιγματισμού στην υποτροπή συγκρίνοντας μια ομάδα παραβατών, οι οποίοι ενεπλάκησαν κατά την ανηλικότητα στο ποινικό σύστημα (πειραματική ομάδα) με μια ομάδα ατόμων, τα οποία ενεπλάκησαν σε εγκληματική δράση κατά την ανηλικότητα χωρίς ωστόσο ποτέ να συλληφθούν (ομάδα ελέγχου). Η έρευνά μας στηρίζεται σε δεδομένα, τα οποία συλλέχθηκαν από διαφορετικές πηγές: μέσω συνεντεύξεων με 40 ενήλικες κρατουμένους, οι οποίοι είχαν εμπλακεί στο ποινικό σύστημα κατά την ανηλικότητα και με 16 παραβάτες, οι οποίοι υποβάλλονταν στο αναμορφωτικό μέτρο της επιμέλειας από την υπηρεσία επιμελητών ανηλίκων σε συνδυασμό με τη μελέτη δικογραφιών, ποινικών μητρώων και ατομικών φακέλων (τριγωνοποίηση) καθώς και μέσω αυτοσυμπληρούμενων ερωτηματολογίων από 53 φοιτητές, οι οποίοι είχαν εμπλακεί σε αξιόποινες πράξεις κατά την ανηλικότητα αλλά ουδέποτε συνελήφθησαν (τελικό δείγμα 12 φοιτητές). Λόγω του σκόπιμου και διαθέσιμου χαρακτήρα του δείγματος περιοριστήκαμε στη χρήση περιγραφικής στατιστικής ανάλυσης και στην ανάδειξη απλών συσχετίσεων μεταξύ των υπό διερεύνηση μεταβλητών. Στο πρώτο μέρος της μελέτης παρουσιάζεται το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο της προσέγγισης της ετικέτας, οι βασικοί εκπρόσωποί της, η κριτική που της ασκήθηκε καθώς και οι πιο σημαντικές θεωρίες περί νεανικής παραβατικότητας. Παράλληλα, γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά στη θεωρία της ετικέτας έτσι όπως έχει μελετηθεί σε εμπειρικό επίπεδο βάσει της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας καθώς και στο ζήτημα της εγκληματικής σταδιοδρομίας υπό το πρίσμα μιας συνθετικής εγκληματολογικής θεώρησης, η οποία περιλαμβάνει και την οπτική της θεωρίας της αλληλεπίδρασης. Στο δεύτερο μέρος, παρουσιάζονται ο σκοπός και το αντικείμενο της παρούσας έρευνας, η μεθοδολογία, το πλαίσιο εφαρμογής των ερευνητικών μας εργαλείων ενώ στη συνέχεια ακολουθεί η καταγραφή και ανάλυση των ερευνητικών δεδομένων, τα συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν από την ερμηνεία των ερευνητικών αποτελεσμάτων καθώς και προτάσεις αντεγκληματικής πολιτικής.
Theoretical and phenomenological aspects of the standard model effective field theory
Authors: Τριφύλλης Λάμπρος
Published: December 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή πραγματεύεται την επέκταση του Καθιερωμένου Προτύπου (Standard Model ή SM) των στοιχειωδών σωματιδίων στα πλαίσια της περιγραφής του ως μία Ενεργή Θεωρία Πεδίου (Effective Field Theory ή EFT). Η σύγχρονη αυτή προσέγγιση στοχεύει στην γενίκευση της καλά εδραιωμένης θεωρίας του SM με έναν τρόπο ο οποίος είναι, υπό ήπιες προϋποθέσεις, όσο το δυνατόν γενικότερος. Η θεωρία αυτή, που εν συντομία καλείται SMEFT, μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί για την συστηματική βελτίωση των θεωρητικών προβλέψεων του SM χωρίς να προσδιορίζεται η νέα φυσική που εμφανίζεται στις υψηλότερες ενέργειες (η EFT αυτού του τύπου καλείται bottom-up), ή ώστε να απλοποιηθεί η περιγραφή μίας πληρέστερης θεωρίας αντιπαραβάλλοντάς την με το SM (η EFT αυτού του τύπου καλείται top-down). Σε αυτή τη διατριβή θα ασχοληθούμε κυρίως με την bottom-up SMEFT. Συγκεκριμένα, θα εστιάσουμε στις θεωρητικές και φαινομενολογικές πτυχές των διορθώσεων της πρώτης μη-τετριμμένης τάξης στο ανάπτυγμα της EFT, αναλύοντας σε βάθος δύο πολύπλοκες φυσικές διεργασίες: την διάσπαση του μποζονίου Higgs σε δύο φωτόνια και την διάσπασή του σε ένα φωτόνιο και ένα μποζόνιο Z σε επίπεδο ενός βρόχου. Οι υπολογισμοί αυτοί θα αποτελέσουν σημεία αναφοράς για την επίλυση τεχνικών ζητημάτων που αφορούν υπολογισμούς επιπέδου βρόχου στα πλαίσια μίας EFT, όπως είναι η συνέπεια των αποτελεσμάτων με τη συμμετρία βαθμίδας και η επανακανονικοποίηση των στοιχείων μήτρας, και θα χρησιμοποιηθούν επίσης για την επιβολή αριθμητικών περιορισμών στις ελεύθερες παραμέτρους του μοντέλου μας σε φαινομενολογικές αναλύσεις. Περαιτέρω χρήσιμες τεχνικές λεπτομέρειες των υπολογισμών έχουν συλλεχθεί στα παραρτήματα για μελλοντική αναφορά. Επιπλέον, λόγω πρόσφατων εξελίξεων στη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία, θα ασχοληθούμε με την ανάπτυξη του φορμαλισμού της SMEFT σε υψηλότερες τάξεις του αναπτύγματος της EFT, παρέχοντας τις σχετικές εκφράσεις σε αναλυτική μορφή για κάθε πιθανή τάξη του αναπτύγματος. Τέλος, εξαιτίας της μεγάλης πολυπλοκότητας των υπολογισμών στην SMEFT, θα εστιάσουμε την προσοχή μας στην ανάπτυξη ισχυρών πακέτων λογισμικού, τα οποία ευελπιστούμε πως θα αποτελέσουν μία πλατφόρμα ικανή να συνεισφέρει στην προσπάθεια της ερευνητικής κοινότητας για (ημι-)αυτοματοποίηση των υπολογισμών στην SMEFT έως και στην δεύτερη τάξη του αναπτύγματος στην EFT.
Σύνθεση τροποποιημένων μεταλλοοργανικών πλεγμάτων και μελέτη τους ως φωταυγών αισθητήρων για ιόντα βαρέων μετάλλων
Authors: Διαμαντής Σταύρος
Published: December 2022

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, μέρος του ενδιαφέροντος της επιστημονική κοινότητας έχει επικεντρωθεί στη σύνθεση μεταλλοργανικών πλεγμάτων (Metal-Organic Frameworks- MOF). Τα MOF αποτελούν μια ιδιαίτερη τάξη πορωδών υβριδικών κρυσταλλικών υλικών που δομούνται από ιόντα μετάλλων ή clusters και οργανικά ligand. Ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζουν τα φωταυγή MOF που λειτουργούν ως αισθητήρες μικρών μορίων και ιόντων. Στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η σύνθεση φωταυγών μεταλλοργανικών πλεγμάτων και η μελέτη τους ως φωταυγών αισθητήρων για ιόντα μετάλλων. Η σύνθεση των MOF βασίζεται στη χρήση έξι ligand, άμινο-παραγώγων του terephthalic acid, 2,6-napthalenedicarboxylic acid και 1,1’-diphenyl-4,4′-dicaroboxylic acid. Πιο συγκεκριμένα πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύνθεση έντεκα μεταλλοργανικών πλεγμάτων. Η χρήση των ligand 2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)terephthalic acid (L1), 2-((carboxymethyl)amino) terephthalic acid (L2), 4-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (L3) και 4-((carboxy methyl)amino)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (L4) οδήγησε στο σχηματισμό τεσσάρων MOF του Zr4+ του δομικού τύπου UiO-66. Το ligand L3 χρησιμοποιήθηκε επιπλέον και για την σύνθεση του Al-1 ενός MOF του Al3+ της οικογένειας των DUT-4. Παράλληλα τα ligand 4,8-diaminonaphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (L5) και 2,2'-diamino-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'dicarboxylic acid (L6) χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την σύνθεση έξι MOF με μεταλλικά κέντρα ιόντα των αλκαλικών γαιών. Τα οργανικά ligand και τα MOF ταυτοποιήθηκαν με τις απαραίτητες τεχνικές (φασματοσκοπία NMR και IR, φασματομετρία μάζας, ανάλυση PXRD, θερμοβαρυτική ανάλυση, ενεργής επιφάνειας με τη μοντέλο ΒΕΤ). Τα χαρακτηριστικά φωταύγειας των ligand και των MOF με φασματοσκοπία απορρόφησης και φθορισμού. Πειράματα τιτλοδότησης φθορισμού έδειξαν ότι τα MOF του Zr4+ με τα ligand L1 και L2 καθώς και το Al-1 που φέρει το ligand L3 αποκρίνονται σε χαμηλές συγκεντρώσεις ιόντων Cu2+, Pb2+ και Hg2+, οδηγώντας στην απόσβεση της φωταύγειας τους. Επιπροσθέτως, στα MOF του Zr4+ εξετάστηκε η ικανότητα ρόφησης των ρυπαντών αυτών από υδατικά διαλύματα. Παράλληλα, για το προσδιορισμό του μηχανισμού ανίχνευσης των ιόντων, πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύνθεση συμπλόκων καθώς και φασματοσκοπικές μελέτες με ligand, μόρια ανάλογα με τους υποδοχείς των MOF. Όσον αφορά τα MOF των αλκαλικών, αυτά εμφανίζουν σπάνια δομικά χαρακτηριστικά και μοναδικές τοπολογίες. Τέλος, μελέτες φθορισμού έδειξαν ότι τα MOF των αλκαλικών γαιών με το ligand 2,2'-diamino-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (L6), μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για την ανίχνευση πτητικών αλδεϋδών σε αέρια φάση.
Διδακτικές πρακτικές στο μάθημα της γλώσσας και κατηγοριοποίηση των μαθητών
Authors: Ζάχου Ελένη
Published: December 2022

Το 2003 ανακοινώθηκε το Διαθεματικό Ενιαίο Πλαίσιο Προγραμμάτων Σπουδών για το Νηπιαγωγείο το οποίο αποτελεί μέχρι σήμερα το πρόγραμμα αναφοράς. Ανάμεσα στις αλλαγές που εισάγει, εστιάζει εμφατικά στη διδασκαλία της γραφής με τρόπο τέτοιο ώστε να διαχέεται σε όλα τα διδακτικά αντικείμενα. Μέσα από την ακαδημαϊκή υποστήριξη και χωρίς να συναντήσει ιδιαίτερη κριτική κατάφερε να γίνει ηγεμονικός παιδαγωγικός λόγος απέναντι στον οποίο νηπιαγωγοί και μαθητές βρέθηκαν υπόλογοι δηλαδή ανεπαρκείς. Η διατριβή αυτή προσπαθεί να αναλύσει τόσο το ίδιο το αναλυτικό πρόγραμμα ως κρατικό κείμενο όσο και τον λόγο των νηπιαγωγών που το εφαρμόζουν και οι οποίες έκτοτε βρίσκονται σε δυσχερή θέση αφού κατά την εφαρμογή του παρατηρούν ότι οι μαθητές δεν μπορούν στην πλειοψηφία τους να φτάσουν τους μαθησιακούς στόχους. Για τους παραπάνω λόγους εφαρμόστηκε ανάλυση περιεχομένου και πραγματοποιήθηκαν 50 ημιδομημένες συνεντεύξεις με νηπιαγωγούς της Λέσβου. Για την ανάλυση και την επαλήθευση των ερευνητικών ερωτημάτων επιλέχθηκαν τα θεωρητικά εργαλεία των Bourdieu, του Bernstein και της Κριτικής Παιδαγωγικής. Συγκεκριμένα η νηπιακή τάξη αναλύθηκε ως κοινωνικό Πεδίο, οι κοινωνικές σχέσεις μέσα στην τάξη αναλύθηκαν με βάση την Ταξινόμηση, την Περιχάραξη και την Συμβολική Βία ενώ το κείμενο του αναλυτικού προγράμματος εκλήφθηκε ως πολιτικό κείμενο και διερευνήθηκε κυρίως μέσα από τις έννοιες της Ηγεμονίας (Gramsci) καθώς και της θεωρίας της Αντίστασης (Giroux). Τα συμπεράσματα έδειξαν ότι το Νηπιαγωγείο δεν λειτουργεί σε κοινωνικό κενό, ειδυλλιακά, αλλά αποτελεί χώρο ισχυρής κατηγοριοποίησης και αξιολόγησης για τους μαθητές.
The last hope: the struggle for survival of fan mussels in the Gulf of Erdek, Sea of Marmara, Turkey
Authors: KARADURMUŞ UĞUR , SARI MUSTAFA
Published: December 2022

This study presents the results of the first broad-scale assessment of the spatial distribution of the fan mussel (Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758) population in the Gulf of Erdek (Sea of Marmara, Turkey), based on underwater surveys. The population density and structure of mussels were estimated by diving along strip transects between the shoreline and a depth of 15.8 m, in a study area of 9080 km2. A total of 2164 mussels were counted, of which 78.8% were alive, and 21.2% were dead in 29 sites. The mean density was calculated as 18.3 ± 3.3 ind·100 m-2, and recorded densities reached 71.2 ind·100 m-2 among the studied sites. Although mussel density was very high (>15 ind·100 m-2) in nine sites, dead mussels were also recorded in the gulf. Benthic habitats, depth range, and exposure levels seem to play a crucial role in the spatial distribution and survival of fan mussels. The average height (± SE) was calculated as 19.5 ± 0.35 cm and 24.9 ± 0.37 cm for alive and dead mussels, respectively. The percentage of juveniles (≤20 cm) was 57% in the population, and they dominated in seagrass meadow beds and shallow waters. Despite many deaths due to uncertain causes, the results indicate a partially promising scenario for the fan mussel population in the Gulf of Erdek and highlight the existence of many alive juveniles that could play a primary role in the sustainability of the population. This situation is not static, as anthropogenic changes and human activities could affect population welfare in the future. These high-density sites need to be protected, and protection measures in these locations should include all effects that may cause incidental mortality.
Spatial and temporal distribution of mesozooplankton in the coastal waters of Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean)
Authors: Vasilopoulou Grigoria , Kehayias George , Kletou Demetris , Kleitou Periklis , Antoniadis Konstantinos , Rousou Maria , Papadopoulos Vassilis , Polykarpou Polina , Tsiamis George
Published: December 2022

This study provides elements on the spatial and temporal mesozooplankton variability during a three-year study, encompassing vertical hauls from 50 m deep to the surface from four coastal locations of Cyprus. The total mesozooplankton abundance fluctuated between 190.4 and 882.5 individuals m-3. A total of 90 holoplanktonic and meroplanktonic taxa were recorded. Copepods dominated in the community and accounted for 71.7% of the total mesozooplankton, followed by appendicularians, molluscs, cladocerans, and siphonophores, which contributed 8.04%, 5.48%, 4.60%, and 3.31%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the four sampling sites for any of the mesozooplanktonic taxa, though seasonal and interannual differences were recorded for several of them. The community composition reinforced the evidence for a higher resemblance of the Cyprus mesozooplankton to the offshore communities of the northern and central Levantine Sea and those around Rhodes Island, instead of the northeastern Mediterranean coastal areas. Comparisons of the seasonal abundance variation of the mesozooplankton taxa with other coastal areas of the Levantine Sea are provided. Considering the seasonality of the mesozooplankton, there was a separation of the taxa into distinct groups representing the summer, the winter-spring, and the autumn periods. The temperature was the most important variable that shaped the formation of the distinct seasonal groups of taxa, while chlorophyll-α, dissolved oxygen, and salinity contributed to a lesser extent. Chlorophyll-α concentrations verified the oligotrophic character of the area and seem to be unaffected by inland inputs. The mesozooplankton community showed a spatial consistency, probably as the result of the open sea influence, and seems to be regulated mainly by the properties of the central Levantine pelagic waters and less by terrestrial inputs of inland waters.
THE INFLUENCE OF INTERNET ADDICTION ON ANXIETY INDICATORS IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors: Derevyannich Evgeny V. , Balashova Natalia A. , Yaskevich Roman A. , Moskalenko Olga L.
Published: December 2022

The purpose of the study. To study the influence of Internet addiction on anxiety indicators in medical university students.

Materials and methods. The study included 145 students of both sexes studying at a medical university. To assess the level of Internet addiction, the S. Chen scale – CIAS (Chen Internet addiction Scale) used in the adaptation of Malygin V. L. and Feklisov K. A. To identify and assess the severity of anxiety disorders, the hospital scale of anxiety and depression – HADS used.

Results. It found that 8.2% of the surveyed medical students revealed a pronounced and stable pattern of Internet-dependent behavior on the CIAS scale. Symptoms of anxiety of varying severity were twice as common among female students. When studying the influence of Internet-dependent behavior on anxiety indicators, it was found that among students with Internet addiction, people with symptoms of anxiety of varying severity were more common, compared with students who are prone to Internet addiction and do not have addiction.

Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated the presence of a high level of anxiety disorders in medical university students with Internet addiction.
REALIZATION OF INNOVATIVE METHODS AS A CONDITION FOR THE FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL ORIENTATION OF STUDENTS OF THE SPECIALTY “PHARMACY”
Authors: Timokhina Alyona V.
Published: December 2022

The article is devoted to the actual topic of the formation of the professional orientation of students of the specialty “Pharmacy” through a system of practice-oriented classroom and extracurricular classes using modern teaching methods. Such a set of measures in higher education, taking into account the conditions of the educational paradigm and the labor market, is aimed at increasing the level of professional training and creating a psychologically adapted education program.

The purpose of the study is a diagnostic study of the formation of the professional orientation of students of the specialty “Pharmacy” in the educational space of the university using modern teaching methods.

Methodology. The following methods were used to disclose the topic of research: analysis of scientific literature; implementation of diagnostic tools; content analysis; pedagogical experiment.

The work is based on system-activity (L.S. Vygotsky, A.N. Leontiev, S.L. Rubinstein, B.G. Ananiev, V.D. Shadrikov), competence-based approaches (V.I. Baidenko, A.A. Verbitsky, I.A. Zimnyaya, N.V. Kuzmina, V.V. Kraevsky, A.K. Markova, L.I. Mitina, J. Raven, Yu.G. Tatur, A.V. Khutorskoy), as well as on the theory of professional self-determination of a person (J. Holland, Eli Ginsberg, D. Super, E.A. Klimov, E.F. Zeer, I.L. Fedotenko).

Results. Analysis of the data obtained during the experiment showed that the scientific novelty of the research is as follows:

1. the categorical-conceptual apparatus was concretized and clarified: “professional orientation”, “stages of formation of professional orientation”, “orientation structure”, “modern teaching methods”;

2. substantiated theories and concepts necessary for the successful formation of the professional orientation of future pharmacists in the educational space of the university;

3. the psychological and pedagogical conditions for the successful formation of the professional orientation of pharmacists are highlighted;

4. implemented diagnostic tools to determine the level of professional orientation of students of the specialty “Pharmacy”.

Practical implications. The obtained practical results, diagnostic and research materials (adapted methods, tests, cases, projects, practice-oriented and competency-based tasks, quests, quizzes) can, with a certain adaptation, be broadcast in various educational organizations to form a professional orientation for students of other specialties.
THE ISSUE OF CREATIVE ACTIVITY EVALUATION AT THE ART LESSON
Authors: Dmitrienko Bogdan Ch. , Kovaleva Olga A. , Rubets Elena A.
Published: December 2022

The relevance of the study. The paper is devoted to the study of the creative activity evaluating problem. The subject of the study is the evaluation criteria. At present, it seems obvious that there is a need to systematize and structure knowledge in the field of theory and methods of teaching fine arts.

In particular, special attention should be paid to the problem of evaluating students’ works in the fine arts lesson. Despite the fact that the Federal State Standard of General Education sets requirements for the development of the basic educational program, the question of the correct assessment of the creative activity of students remains open for modern teachers.

In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to study the specifics of evaluating creative activity and its results in a fine art lesson at school.

Results and discussion. The classical five–point assessment system is not fully sufficient in fine art lessons, therefore, an internal one–hundred-point assessment system should be included, which would clearly indicate strengths and weaknesses of each student.

Conclusion. The assessment of students’ creative achievements is a multifaceted process that requires taking into account a number of students` characteristics and the clear and consistent understanding of the criteria apparatus.