bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sovereignty and Interdependence in EU Military Procurement Regulation
Authors:   , Meershoek Nathan Anshel
Published: May 2023

In his dissertation, Nathan Meershoek evaluates the effectiveness and appropriateness of Directive 2009/81/EC, which aims to strengthen the military 'strategic autonomy' of the European Union by liberalizing European defence industries. This liberalization is based on public procurement obligations for the Member States within the legal framework of the internal market.

The first part of the dissertation builds on international relations theories to evaluate the extent to which geopolitical power structures constrain EU integration and regulation of military procurement. This is relevant because exception to the Directive can be justified by national security interests. Due to the significant differences in the military interests of the Member States, it is concluded that the economic interdependence approach - inherent in the chosen legal basis within the EU's internal market competence - is unsuitable as a basis for regulating military procurement. In military procurement the military-strategic interests of the Member States are decisive, so decisions are mainly aimed at strengthening independence (or, in other words, sovereignty) and/or military interdependence. Successful European integration in this area within the economically oriented system of the single market is therefore unlikely.

In light of this conclusion, the second part of the dissertation answers the question whether the Directive was adopted on the correct legal basis in the EU Treaties. After considering the role of sovereignty in the division of competences between the EU and its Member States in the field of military security, the legal characteristics of the security exceptions in the EU Treaties and the substance of the Directive, it is finally concluded that the Directive was adopted on the wrong legal basis in the EU Treaties.

Based on the previous conclusions, the final part of the thesis provides guidance for a better regulation; first of all, by placing the regulation primarily within the intergovernmental EU Defence Policy. Based on five general principles - aimed at better facilitating sovereignty and interdependence - recommendations are given on how the regulation could be improved.
Estrategias de diseño para el cumplimiento de una resistencia al fuego R15 en estructuras industriales mediante el empleo del acero galvanizado
Authors: Espinós Ana , Romero Manuel Luis , Tundidor Javier
Published: May 2023

La resistencia al fuego de la estructura portante es una de las exigencias básicas que ha de ser verificada en toda obra de construcción. Estudios recientes han demostrado una ligera ventaja del acero galvanizado frente al acero al carbono en cuanto a lo que a resistencia al fuego se refiere. Este comportamiento más favorable del acero galvanizado se debe a su menor emisividad a temperaturas por debajo de los 500 ºC, lo que permite dotar a la estructura de una mejora inherente en términos de resistencia al fuego en el rango entre 15 y 30 minutos. En España, este rango de tiempos requeridos puede encontrarse fácilmente dentro del ámbito de la edificación industrial. En estos casos, es posible cumplir las exigencias de resistencia al fuego utilizando el acero galvanizado, evitando de esta forma tener que proteger la estructura mediante materiales de protección pasiva.

En este artículo se pretende acercar al proyectista al cálculo de la resistencia al fuego de elementos estructurales de acero galvanizado, a través de la presentación de un ejemplo de cálculo guiado donde se compararán los beneficios que aporta el acero galvanizado frente al acero al carbono en este tipo de situaciones.
Bölgesel Düzen Anlayışında Değişim: Hegemonik Bölgeselcilikten Yeni Bölgeselciliğe Geçiş
Authors: KOLASİ Klevis , AKDEVELİOĞLU Atay , ÖZEN Çınar
Published: May 2023

Bölgeselcilik ve küreselleşme, ne ölçüde rakip siyasi proje ve görüşlere işaret eder? Makalenin temel sorunsalı, bu sorudur. Liberal uluslararası düzenin çözülmesiyle ilgili tartışmalardan beslenen mevcut literatür, yeni bölgeselcilik dalgasını küreselleşme karşıtlığı biçiminde değerlendirme eğilimindedir. Bu makale, literatüre hakim olan bu karşıtlığı sorgulayarak onu aşmanın akademik yararları üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Makale, Yeni Bölgeselcilik yaklaşımına dayanarak, yeni bölgeselcilik sürecinin, hem neoliberal küreselleşmenin bir bileşeni, hem de onun doğurduğu sorunlara bir tepki olarak geliştiği varsayımından hareket etmektedir. Küreselleşme, yaygın biçimde, bütünleşme ile özdeşleştirilmektedir. Yeni bölgeselcilik ise tam tersine, küresel bütünleşme karşıtlığı olarak anlamlandırılmaktadır. Bu yaygın siyah ve beyaz ayrımı kadar net yargıları kabul etmek, aslında çok daha gri olan gerçekliği görmemizi engellemektedir. Dolayısıyla makalede şu sonuca varılmıştır: Yeni bölgeselcilik dalgası ne basitçe küreselleşme karşıtlığı biçiminde, ne de geleneksel bütünleşme olgusunun bir türü olarak anlaşılabilir. Aksine, neoliberal küreselleşmenin yıkıcı toplumsal
sonuçları bağlamında ortaya çıkan yeni bölgeselcilik, küreselleşme sürecinin belirli yönlerini yeniden müzakere etmeyi amaçlayan bölgesel siyasi çabalara işaret eder.
Penerapan 3M dalam Mencegah Penularan COVID-19 Di Bagian Pendaftaran Rawat Jalan BRSUD Tabanan
Authors: Putri Putu Chrisdayanti Suada , Adiningsih Luh Yulia , Mahardika I B Putra
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 become a global pandemic in 2020. The spread of COVID-19 can occur when there is interaction with someone who has been infected with the virus. Places with a high risk of spreading COVID-19 are referral hospitals for positive COVID-19 patients. Based on this, the researchers identified how the application of 3M to hospital’s staffs, patients and patients' families prevented the transmission of COVID-19 at the outpatient registration section of BRSUD Tabanan and identified factors that influenced these preventive measures.Methods: This study uses a qualitative method. The research location is at BRSUD Tabanan in August-October 2021. The purposive sampling technique is 11 informants. Methods of data collection with interviews and observations to outpatient registration officers, patients, patients’ families who visit. Data validation is done by triangulation method. This research has received ethical approval with the number: 800/0822/Kepeg/BRSUD.Results: hospital’s staffs, patients and patients’ families who come to BRSUD Tabanan have implemented 3M in preventing the transmission of COVID -19 by using masks, washing hands and keeping distance, not crowding, using face shields, hand sanitizer, taking vitamins, maintaining body immunity, implementing a healthy lifestyle and  carry out vaccinations. Patients and their families also use hand sanitizers and undergo a screening stage before entering the registration room. Factors that influence 3M actions are maintaining personal safety, the safety of the surrounding environment, and breaking the chain of transmission of COVID-19.Conclusion: The implementation of 3M carried out by officers, patients and their families to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the outpatient registration room has been carried out well, namely by using masks, washing hands and maintaining distance.Keywords: Prevention, COVID-19, 3M
Violent Exposures, Exposing Violence: Gender, Anti-Blackness and the Strip-Searching of Black Women and Girls in Canada
Authors: Latty Stephanie
Published: May 2023

In recent years, more media attention has been given to the routinisation of police strip-searches in Canada. As with many violent policing practices, the routine use of strip-searching disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and racialised women. This article investigates the legal archives of two cases of the strip-searching of Black women and girls in Canada – the case of S.B. who was violently strip-searched by four Ottawa police officers in 2008 and the case of three 12-year-old girls who were strip-searched in a Halifax public school in 1995. This article demonstrates that the exposure of Black women’s and girls’ bodies that occurs in the strip-search encounter is part of the matrix of gendered anti-Blackness. In tracing the moves that the state makes to erase the sexualised violence of the strip-search, this paper suggests that the strip search be understood as a form of gendered anti-Black terror – a technology of violence that functions to evict Black women and girls from personhood. The disciplinary technology of the strip-search is one way in which the state exercises its sovereign power and marks Black women’s and girls’ bodies as violable bodies. I argue that the weaponisation of bodily exposure has a long legacy, and as a highly visual and spectacular encounter, the strip-search cases point to a particular kind of persistent corporeal violence.
Perbaikan Ulkus Diabetik Dengan Penerapan Latihan Range Of Motion Ekstremitas Bawah Pada Diabetes Tipe 2
Authors: Chloranyta Shanty , Junaidi Eko , Kartono Jupri
Published: May 2023

Diabetic ulcers are one of the chronic complications of type 2 diabetes due to chronic hyperglycemia resulting in impaired perfusion and neuropathy. Range of motion exercises in lower extremities improve peripheral perfusion with the aim of facilitating the diffusion of oxygen and adequate supply of nutrients to the ulcer area. The research objectives were identified and analyzed for diabetic improvement in the application of lower extremity range of motion exercises. Case study research design, 2 research subjects, at the Wound Clinic Diabetes Center Bandar Lampung for 2 weeks. The results of the study before the lower extremity range of motion of the degree of diabetes of the two respondents scored 2, after the range of motion of the lower extremity of the degree of diabetes both respondents scored 1. The conclusion of this study showed that lower extremity range of motion exercises can improve the repair of diabetic ulcers in type II diabetes patients. Lower extremity range of motion exercise can be one of the independent interventions carried out for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in type 2 diabetes.
Penurunan Tekanan Darah Dengan Penerapan Terapi Rendam Kaki Menggunakan Air Hangat Pada Pasien Hipertensi
Authors: Siti Oktavianti Dewi , Dwi Insani Putri
Published: May 2023

Hipertensi adalah penyakit kelainan jantung dan pembuluh darah yang ditandai dengan peningkatan tekanan darah. Upaya untuk mengatasi hipertensi dapat dilakukan dengan terapi farmakologi dan non farmakologi. Salah satu terapi non farmakologi yang dapat menurunkan tekanan darah yaitu dengan terapi rendam kaki air hangat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi rendam kaki air hangat terhadap penurunan tekanan darah pada penderita hipertensi. Desain penelitian ini  menggunakan Quasy Experiment, yaitu pre-test and post-test without control. Populasi dalam penelitian ini warga yang menderita hipertensi. Teknik pengambilan sempel menggunakan teknik total sampling dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 20 orang. Instrumen penelitian ini menggunakan lembar observasi pengukuran tekanan darah dan lembar checklist pemberian terapi rendam kaki air hangat. Analisis data menggunakan uji paired T Test. Hasil penelitian didapatkan nilai p value 0.005 artinya ada pengaruh yang signifikan terapi rendam kaki air hangat terhadap penurunaan tekanan darah pada penderita hipertensi. Terapi rendam kaki air hangat dapat digunakan sebagai terapi non farmakologi untuk menurunkan tekanan darah pada penderita hipertensi.
Penerapan Birth Ball Exercise Terhadap Kontrol Nyeri pada Asuhan Keperawatan Ibu Intranatal Care Kala I di Puskesmas Kayamanya
Authors: Ningsih Nurul Aulia Putri , Rantesigi Nirva , Suharto Dewi Nurviana
Published: May 2023

Introduction : Labor and birth are normal physiological events. First stage of labor (opening stage) begins when there are regular contractions and increases until complete dilatation. One of the problems that arise in childbirth is pain. So, because of these conditions, it is necessary to intervene to control pain by giving birth ball exercise therapy. For the application of intranatal care for mothers with the first stage at the Kayamanya Public Health Center. The measuring instrument used to measure pain is the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Method : Research Method That is using descriptive method with case study approach. Result : The results showed that birth ball exercise can control labor in first stage intranatal care mothers. The application of birth ball exercise can control labor pain in 1st stage of intranatal nursing care. Conculsion : It is expected that patients can perform birth exercises independently according to what has been taught by researchers..
Application of modern biotechnology and bioinformatics approaches in agricultural sciences; A systematic review
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Taqqi , Batool Zahra , Ahmad Chaudhry Ali , Khan Hafiz Azhar Ali , Akhter Adnan
Published: May 2023

In recent times, there has been a substantial surge in biological data owing to remarkable progress in molecular biology and genomic technology. With the growing demand for data storage and management tools, coupled with the surge in genetic data, there has been a corresponding rise in the availability of tools for analyzing, visualizing, modeling, and predicting large datasets. The proliferation of diverse datasets derived from a multitude of plant species has significantly broadened our comprehension, particularly within the realm of plant biotechnology. In the realm of "omics" methodology, proficient bioinformatics methodologies and tools are presently under development to facilitate expedited genome sequencing and the comprehensive analysis of plant genomes. The present investigation centers on the diverse applications of plant biotechnology bioinformatics and their potential to augment agricultural productivity. This study aims to analyze and assess the obstacles or constraints encountered in the field of plant biotechnology, which have impeded the advancement of plant genomes at a slower pace compared to animal genomes. To successfully examine the intricate details of the plant genome, bioinformatics methods must be strong egough which provides longer coverage. The area in plant biotechnology including the agricultural industry are expected to advance from the development of bioinformatics, as would mankind as a whole. The inclusion of computer based programs and data analysis tools in plant biotechnology has facilitated the indepth study of crop plants important for commerce and trade. Improved algorithm development is necessary to facilitate tasks such as data mining, analysis, comparison, and etc. Hence, the integration of novel techniques and information into bioinformatics for the advancement of plant biotechnology, the agricultural industry, and the future of humanity will heavily rely on the expertise of bioinformaticians.
A educação profissional técnica de ní­vel médio na área da saúde no estado de São Paulo: algumas reflexões sobre as modalidades de oferta
Authors: Corrêa Adriana Katia , Fidelis Feitosa André Elias , Bernardo de Mello e Souza Maria Conceição , Clapis Maria José
Published: May 2023

A educação profissional técnica de ní­vel médio (EPTNM) é marcante na área da saúde, dado o contingente de trabalhadores técnicos. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar e analisar a EPTNM na área da saúde, considerando as modalidades de oferta no estado de São Paulo, de 2010 a 2015. Trata-se de estudo longitudinal, retrospectivo, fundamentado na perspectiva histórico-dialética, incluindo 24 cursos do Catálogo Nacional dos Cursos Técnicos, com base em dados do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Aní­sio Teixeira (INEP) - MEC, de 2010 a 2015. Foi constatada a predominância da oferta e de matrí­culas na modalidade subsequente, tanto na esfera pública como na privada, com predomí­nio nessa última. A oferta de cursos na modalidade integrada ampliou na esfera pública. Apesar de a modalidade subsequente ser predominante tanto no estado de São Paulo como no Brasil, a proporção da sua oferta foi sempre maior no referido estado. Esse panorama precisa ser compreendido na sua relação com a formação integrada em perspectiva emancipadora e a formação focada no mercado, na especificidade da área da saúde, e no cenário das polí­ticas educacionais pautadas nos ditames neoliberais.
Análise de um plano educacional individualizado no contexto da educação profissional e tecnológica
Authors: Barbosa Vânia Benvenuti , Carvalho Marcos Pavani
Published: May 2023

O objetivo do artigo é apresentar a análise de um Plano Educacional Individualizado (PEI) de estudante com deficiência matriculado no Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, campus Timóteo. Tal debate emerge a partir de um recorte de estudo de mestrado em andamento que analisa o processo de elaboração e de implementação do PEI na referida instituição. O PEI é um documento que já vem sendo estudado por renomados pesquisadores, sendo já possí­vel encontrar relevantes produções acadêmicas na área. Porém, há escassez de estudos sobre o PEI no contexto da educação profissional e tecnológica. Em sua maioria, tais produções abordam o tema no contexto do ensino fundamental. Para os posteriores ní­veis de ensino, ainda é pequeno o número de produções acadêmicas sobre a temática. Nesta pesquisa, a metodologia utilizada se constituiu em revisão de literatura e pesquisa de campo com aplicação de questionário e análise documental. Os resultados do estudo mostram um desconhecimento acerca do documento por parte da instituição de ensino em que o PEI foi desenvolvido. Perceberam-se equí­vocos em seu conteúdo e ausência de informações imprescindí­veis para a efetividade do mesmo. As conclusões apontam para a necessidade de ampliar o debate sobre o tema no contexto estudado, promovendo a disseminação de conhecimentos sobre a temática. Embora, a iniciativa desses profissionais tenha sido de grande importância, uma vez que são os pioneiros na elaboração do PEI na instituição pesquisada, em decorrência do desconhecimento sobre o tema, a efetividade do plano e a sua contribuição no processo de inclusão do estudante foram comprometidas.
O panorama das pesquisas em ensino de Ciências com foco na Base Nacional Comum Curricular: considerações sobre as inferências para o currí­culo prescrito
Authors: Santos Lucas Manoel Lima , Silva Karolina Martins Almeida e
Published: May 2023

O presente estudo apresenta uma análise sistemática da produção cientí­fica brasileira de artigos de periódicos, da área de ensino, e de trabalhos de eventos publicados nos últimos seis anos (2015-2020), os quais versam sobre o tema "Ensino de Ciências com foco na Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC)" . Considerou-se importante averiguar quais apontamentos foram realizados pelos pesquisadores da área de ensino de Ciências em relação às orientações formativas indicadas pelo documento, visto que fundamentam discussões sobre aspectos referentes à implementação desse currí­culo e problematizam a prática pedagógica e a formação docente. Portanto, objetivou-se caracterizar o panorama das investigações de modo a elucidar considerações advindas das inferências sobre a relação entre o prescrito pelo currí­culo da Base e a prática pedagógica docente. Como orientações teórico-metodológicas, utilizaram-se os fundamentos da análise categorial de Bardin (2011) para a elaboração de categorias de análise. As pesquisas sinalizam as dimensões curricular e formativa em um viés complementar, cujas configurações são necessárias ao currí­culo da Base para o ensino de Ciências. Indicam, ainda, que a formação inicial e continuada de professores são espaços profí­cuos para discussões crí­ticas sobre o modelo curricular presente na BNCC, que, no que lhe concerne, deve ser questionado por sua caracterí­stica predominantemente tecnicista.
Ensino e COVID -19: experiência e formação de professores sob suas próprias óticas
Authors: Da Silva Renan Antônio , Minayo Maria Cecília de Souza , Demo Pedro
Published: May 2023

O presente texto objetiva apresentar a experiência da formação de professores a partir do estágio docente em tempos de pandemia, sob a metodologia do Ensino Remoto Emergencial (ERE). Ao longo do artigo, refletimos sobre a aproximação da realidade com a atividade teórica ao abordar as múltiplas dimensões da formação de mestres e de doutores para a docência no ensino superior e as mediações com a sala de aula no contexto do Ensino Remoto Emergencial em decorrência da pandemia da Covid-19. Os resultados mostram os limites do ensino remoto, mas também sinalizam para a importância do estágio docente na capacitação e na qualificação pedagógica de recursos humanos para o ensino superior.
Intravascular imaging of angioplasty balloon under-expansion during pre-dilation predicts hyperelastic behavior of coronary artery lesions
Authors: Ghorbannia Arash , LaDisa John F.
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Stent-induced mechanical stimuli cause pathophysiological responses in the coronary artery post-treatment. These stimuli can be minimized through choice of stent, size, and deployment strategy. However, the lack of target lesion material characterization is a barrier to further personalizing treatment. A novel ex-vivo angioplasty-based intravascular imaging technique using optical coherence tomography (OCT) was developed to characterize local stiffness of the target lesion.

Methods: After proper institutional oversight, atherosclerotic coronary arteries (n = 9) were dissected from human donor hearts for ex vivo material characterization <48 h post-mortem. Morphology was imaged at the diastolic blood pressure using common intravascular OCT protocols and at subsequent pressures using a specially fabricated perfusion balloon that accommodates the OCT imaging wire. Balloon under-expansion was quantified relative to the nominal balloon size at 8 ATM. Correlation to a constitutive hyperelastic model was empirically investigated (n = 13 plaques) using biaxial extension results fit to a mixed Neo-Hookean and Exponential constitutive model.

Results and discussion: The average circumferential Cauchy stress was 66.5, 130.2, and 300.4 kPa for regions with <15, 15–30, and >30% balloon under-expansion at a 1.15 stretch ratio. Similarly, the average longitudinal Cauchy stress was 68.1, 172.6, and 412.7 kPa, respectively. Consequently, strong correlation coefficients >0.89 were observed between balloon under-expansion and stress-like constitutive parameters. These parameters allowed for visualization of stiffness and material heterogeneity for a range of atherosclerotic plaques. Balloon under-expansion is a strong predictor of target lesion stiffness. These findings are promising as stent deployment could now be further personalized via target lesion material characterization obtained pre-operatively.
Analysis of the microbiota composition in the genital tract of infertile patients with chronic endometritis or endometrial polyps
Authors: Liang Junhua , Li Meng , Zhang Lei , Yang Yang , Jin Xia , Zhang Qiongqiong , Lv Tao , Huang Zhenyu , Liao Qinping , Tong Xiaowen
Published: May 2023

Background

The previous researches show that infertile patients have a higher incidence of endometritis and endometrial polyps, and the occurrence of these two diseases is related to changes in the microbiota of the genital tract. We aim to determine the composition and changing characteristics of the microbiota in the genital tract (especially the endometrium) of infertile patients with chronic endometritis or endometrial polyps, and find the correlation between it and the occurrence of diseases.

Methods

This is a prospective study. We collected genital tract biopsy samples from 134 asymptomatic infertile patients receiving assisted reproductive therapy before embryo transfer. Through pathological examination and 16S ribosomal RNA(16S rRNA) sequencing, we determined the distribution of chronic endometritis and endometrial polyps in these patients, as well as their distribution of reproductive tract microorganisms.

Results

Compared with the normal control group, the microbial group of reproductive tract in patients with chronic endometritis and endometrial polyps is changed, and there are significant species differences and relative abundance differences in the vagina, cervix and uterine cavity. Lactobacillus, the dominant flora of female genital tract, showed a change in abundance in patients with endometrial diseases. Endometrial microbiota composed of Staphylococcus, Gardnerella, Atopobium, Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Chlamydia, Fusobacterium, Acinetobacter, etc. are related to chronic endometritis and endometrial polyps.

Conclusion

The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, the endometrial microbiota of infertile patients with chronic endometritis or endometrial polyps did have significant changes in the relative abundance distribution of species, suggesting that changes in local microecology may be an important factor in the occurrence of disease, or even adverse pregnancy outcomes. The further study of endometrial microecology may provide a new opportunity to further improve the diagnosis and treatment strategy of chronic endometritis.
Molecular characterization and pathogenicity study of a highly pathogenic strain of chicken anemia virus that emerged in China
Authors: Fang Lichun , Jia Huiyue , Hu Yuhang , Wang Yixin , Cui Zhizhong , Qi Lihong , Zhao Peng
Published: May 2023

Chicken infectious anemia (CIA) is caused by chicken anemia virus (CAV). Recently, severe anemia has emerged in layer chickens (8 to 10-week-old) on poultry farms in China. However, the etiological characteristics and pathogenic potential of CAV in chickens at 6 weeks or older are not well understood. In this study, we isolated a CAV strain, termed SD15, from two-month-old chicken with severe anemia and analyzed the genetic evolution relationship. We found that strain SD15 had the highest homology (98.9%) with CAV18 strain. Comparison with 33 reference strains revealed 16 amino acid mutations in strain SD15, two of which were previously unknown (F210S in VP1 and L25S in Vp3). Compared with low pathogenic strains (Cux-1 and C14), highly pathogenic strains (SDLY08 and SD15) had three base mutations in their noncoding region. To further understand its pathogenicity, 10-week-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were challenged with the novel strain and SDLY08. No obvious clinical symptoms were observed in the SDLY08 group. However, SD15-infected chickens showed significant growth retardation and immunosuppression. The main manifestations of immunosuppression were the significantly reduced thymus and bursa indices and AIV-H9 vaccine-induced antibody levels (P < 0.05). The lowest number of red blood cells in the SD15 group was just 60% of that in the control group. Taken together, the novel strain SD15 not only showed higher pathogenicity but also exhibited the potential ability to break the age resistance of older chickens to CAV. Our study enhanced the understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of chickens infected with severe anemia and can facilitate the development of improved control strategies of CIA in China.
Persistence of obligate intracellular pathogens: alternative strategies to overcome host-specific stresses
Authors: Riffaud Camille M. , Rucks Elizabeth A. , Ouellette Scot P.
Published: May 2023

In adapting to the intracellular niche, obligate intracellular bacteria usually undergo a reduction of genome size by eliminating genes not needed for intracellular survival. These losses can include, for example, genes involved in nutrient anabolic pathways or in stress response. Living inside a host cell offers a stable environment where intracellular bacteria can limit their exposure to extracellular effectors of the immune system and modulate or outright inhibit intracellular defense mechanisms. However, highlighting an area of vulnerability, these pathogens are dependent on the host cell for nutrients and are very sensitive to conditions that limit nutrient availability. Persistence is a common response shared by evolutionarily divergent bacteria to survive adverse conditions like nutrient deprivation. Development of persistence usually compromises successful antibiotic therapy of bacterial infections and is associated with chronic infections and long-term sequelae for the patients. During persistence, obligate intracellular pathogens are viable but not growing inside their host cell. They can survive for a long period of time such that, when the inducing stress is removed, reactivation of their growth cycles resumes. Given their reduced coding capacity, intracellular bacteria have adapted different response mechanisms. This review gives an overview of the strategies used by the obligate intracellular bacteria, where known, which, unlike model organisms such as E. coli, often lack toxin-antitoxin systems and the stringent response that have been linked to a persister phenotype and amino acid starvation states, respectively.
Imaging biofilms using fluorescence in situ hybridization: seeing is believing
Authors: Barbosa Ana , Miranda Sónia , Azevedo Nuno F. , Cerqueira Laura , Azevedo Andreia S.
Published: May 2023

Biofilms are complex structures with an intricate relationship between the resident microorganisms, the extracellular matrix, and the surrounding environment. Interest in biofilms is growing exponentially given its ubiquity in so diverse fields such as healthcare, environmental and industry. Molecular techniques (e.g., next-generation sequencing, RNA-seq) have been used to study biofilm properties. However, these techniques disrupt the spatial structure of biofilms; therefore, they do not allow to observe the location/position of biofilm components (e.g., cells, genes, metabolites), which is particularly relevant to explore and study the interactions and functions of microorganisms. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been arguably the most widely used method for an in situ analysis of spatial distribution of biofilms. In this review, an overview on different FISH variants already applied on biofilm studies (e.g., CLASI-FISH, BONCAT-FISH, HiPR-FISH, seq-FISH) will be explored. In combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy, these variants emerged as a powerful approach to visualize, quantify and locate microorganisms, genes, and metabolites inside biofilms. Finally, we discuss new possible research directions for the development of robust and accurate FISH-based approaches that will allow to dig deeper into the biofilm structure and function.
“Instant enemies” and “Instant allies” in the U.S. and Taiwan: a LIWC analysis
Authors: Cheng Wen , Ickes William , Park Anna , Wu Hui-Ju , Riani Yuyun Agus
Published: May 2023

An online survey was used to collect participants' retrospective accounts of an encounter with an “instant enemy” and an encounter with an “instant ally” in samples of 262 American and 250 Taiwanese respondents. Using software that measured the relative use of various word categories, we examined ingroup/outgroup differences and cultural differences in the experience and perception of an “instant enemy” and an “instant ally.” With regard to ingroup/outgroup differences, we found that inclusive and positive emotion words were used more frequently to describe the instant ally encounters, whereas exclusive and negative emotion words were used more frequently in reports of the instant enemy encounters. We also found that our respondents' descriptions of instant ally encounters were more likely to be put into a context defined by words related to leisure, work, and space, whereas their descriptions of instant enemy encounters were more likely to ignore the context and focus instead on what type of person the instant enemy was, as defined by more personal pronouns and words denoting specific categories of humans. With regard to cultural differences, we replicated previous findings indicating that Asian respondents tend to have thoughts and perceptions that are more holistic and integrated than those of Western respondents, as indicated by more words related to cognitive and affective processes, insight, and awareness of causation. Viewed collectively, the findings make a strong case that word-category usage can reveal both well-established and novel findings in comparisons of individuals from different cultures.
Improvement of exercise and functional capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure by iron therapy
Authors: Deichl Andrea , Edelmann Frank
Published: May 2023

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of death in industrialized countries and increases steadily with age. Patients with HF present many comorbidities that affect their clinical management, quality of life, and prognosis. Iron deficiency is a relevant comorbidity of all patients with heart failure. It remains the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide, affecting an estimated 2 billion people and has a negative prognostic impact on hospitalization and mortality rate. To date, none of the previous studies, have provided evidence of reduced mortality or decrease in hospitalization with intravenous iron supplementation. This review describes the prevalence, clinical implications, and current trials on the treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure and discusses the Improvement of exercise and functional capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure by iron therapy. Despite compelling evidence of the significant prevalence of ID in HF patients and current guidelines, ID is often not properly managed in clinical practice. Therefore, ID should be given greater consideration in HF health care practice to improve patient quality of life and outcome.
Genome-wide profiling of miRNA-gene regulatory networks in mouse postnatal heart development—implications for cardiac regeneration
Authors: Chaudhari Umesh , Pohjolainen Lotta , Ruskoaho Heikki , Talman Virpi
Published: May 2023

Background

After birth, mammalian cardiomyocytes substantially lose proliferative capacity with a concomitant switch from glycolytic to oxidative mitochondrial energy metabolism. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and thus control various cellular processes. Their roles in the postnatal loss of cardiac regeneration are however still largely unclear. Here, we aimed to identify miRNA-gene regulatory networks in the neonatal heart to uncover role of miRNAs in regulation of cell cycle and metabolism.

Methods and results

We performed global miRNA expression profiling using total RNA extracted from mouse ventricular tissue samples collected on postnatal day 1 (P01), P04, P09, and P23. We used the miRWalk database to predict the potential target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs and our previously published mRNA transcriptomics data to identify verified target genes that showed a concomitant differential expression in the neonatal heart. We then analyzed the biological functions of the identified miRNA-gene regulatory networks using enriched Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses. Altogether 46 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the distinct stages of neonatal heart development. For twenty miRNAs, up- or downregulation took place within the first 9 postnatal days thus correlating temporally with the loss of cardiac regeneration. Importantly, for several miRNAs, including miR-150-5p, miR-484, and miR-210-3p there are no previous reports about their role in cardiac development or disease. The miRNA-gene regulatory networks of upregulated miRNAs negatively regulated biological processes and KEGG pathways related to cell proliferation, while downregulated miRNAs positively regulated biological processes and KEGG pathways associated with activation of mitochondrial metabolism and developmental hypertrophic growth.

Conclusion

This study reports miRNAs and miRNA-gene regulatory networks with no previously described role in cardiac development or disease. These findings may help in elucidating regulatory mechanism of cardiac regeneration and in the development of regenerative therapies.
Relevance of PUFA-derived metabolites in seminal plasma to male infertility
Authors: Chen Xiangfeng , Wu Bin , Shen XiaoRong , Wang Xin , Ping Ping , Miao Maohua , Liang Ningning , Yin Huiyong , Shi Huijuan , Qian Jun , Zhang Tiancheng
Published: May 2023

Aim

This study aims to investigate the biological effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived metabolites in seminal plasma on male fertility and to evaluate the potential of PUFA as a biomarker for normozoospermic male infertility.

Methods

From September 2011 to April 2012, We collected semen samples from 564 men aged 18 to 50 years old (mean=32.28 years old)ch., residing in the Sandu County, Guizhou Province, China. The donors included 376 men with normozoospermia (fertile: n=267; infertile: n=109) and 188 men with oligoasthenozoospermia (fertile: n=121; infertile: n=67). The samples thus obtained were then analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect the levels of PUFA-derived metabolites in April 2013. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2020, to May 15, 2022.

Results

Our analysis of propensity score-matched cohorts revealed that the concentrations of 9/26 and 7/26 metabolites differed significantly between fertile and infertile men with normozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia, respectively (FDR < 0.05). In men with normozoospermia, higher levels of 7(R)-MaR1 (HR: 0.4 (95% CI [0.24, 0.64]) and 11,12-DHET (0.36 (95% CI [0.21, 0.58]) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of infertility, while higher levels of 17(S)-HDHA (HR: 2.32 (95% CI [1.44, 3.79]), LXA5 (HR: 8.38 (95% CI [4.81, 15.24]), 15d-PGJ2 (HR: 1.71 (95% CI [1.06, 2.76]), and PGJ2 (HR: 2.28 (95% CI [1.42, 3.7]) correlated with an increased risk of infertility. Our ROC model using the differentially expressed metabolites showed the value of the area under the curve to be 0.744.

Conclusion

The PUFA-derived metabolites 7(R)-MaR1, 11,12-DHET, 17(S)-HDHA, LXA5, and PGJ2 might be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers of infertility in normozoospermic men.
Causality between sarcopenia and diabetic nephropathy: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ren Linan , Wang Yao , Ju Feng , Sun Meixin , Gang Xiaokun , Wang Guixia
Published: May 2023

Background and purpose

Observational studies have shown that sarcopenia and diabetic nephropathy (DN), are closely related; however, the causal relationship is unclear. This study aims to address this issue using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methodology

We data from genome-wide association studies including appendicular lean mass (n = 244,730), grip strength (right: n = 461,089, left: n = 461026), walking speed (n = 459,915), and DN (3283 cases and 181,704 controls) to conduct a bidirectional MR study. First, we conducted a Forward MR analysis to evaluate the causality of sarcopenia on the risk of DN from the genetic perspective with appendicular lean mass, grip strength, and walking speed as exposure and DN as the outcome. Then, DN as the exposure, we performed a Reverse MR analysis to determine whether DN impacted the appendicular lean mass, grip strength, and walking speed of the appendices. Finally, a series of sensitivity studies, such as heterogeneity tests, pleiotropy evaluations, and Leave-one-out analyses, were conducted to assess the MR analysis’s accuracy further.

Results

According to a forward MR analysis, a genetically predicted decrease in appendicular lean mass is associated with an increased risk of developing DN risk (inverse variance weighting[IVW]: odd ratio [OR] = 0.863, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.767-0.971; P = 0.014). According to reverse MR results, grip strength decreased as DN progressed (IVW: right β = 0.003, 95% CI: - 0.021 to - 0.009, P = 5.116e-06; left β = 0.003, 95% CI: - 0.024 to - 0.012, P = 7.035e-09). However, the results of the other MR analyses were not statistically different.

Conclusion

Notably, our findings suggest that the causal relationship between sarcopenia and DN cannot be generalized. According to analysis of the individual characteristic factors of sarcopenia, reducing in appendicular lean mass increases the risk of developing DN and DN is linked to reduced grip strength. But overall, there is no causal relationship between sarcopenia and DN, because the diagnosis of sarcopenia cannot be determined by one of these factors alone.
The organizational impact of chronic heat: diffuse brood comb and decreased carbohydrate stores in honey bee colonies
Authors: Weinberg Isaac P. , Wetzel Jaya P. , Kuchar Eleanor P. , Kaplan Abigail T. , Graham Rebecca S. , Zuckerman Jonah E. , Starks Philip T.
Published: May 2023

Insect pollinators are vital to the stability of a broad range of both natural and anthropogenic ecosystems and add billions of dollars to the economy each year. Honey bees are perhaps the best studied insect pollinator due to their economic and cultural importance. Of particular interest to researchers are the wide variety of mechanisms honey bees use for thermoregulation, such as fanning cool air currents around the hive and careful selection of insulated nest sites. These behaviors help honey bees remain active through both winter freezes and summer heatwaves, and may allow honey bees to deal with the ongoing climate crisis more readily than other insect species. Surprisingly, little is known about how honey bee colonies manage chronic heat stress. Here we provide a review of honey bee conservation behavior as it pertains to thermoregulation, and then present a novel behavior displayed in honey bees—the alteration of comb arrangement in response to 6 weeks of increased hive temperature. We found that while overall quantities of brood remained stable between treatments, brood were distributed more diffusely throughout heated hives. We also found that heated hives contained significantly less honey and nectar stores than control hives, likely indicating an increase in energy expenditure. Our results support previous findings that temperature gradients play a role in how honey bees arrange their comb contents, and improves our understanding of how honey bees modify their behavior to survive extreme environmental challenges.
Acute and chronic lung inflammation drives changes in epithelial glycans
Authors: Alvarez Carlos A. , Qian Emily , Glendenning Leandre M. , Reynero Kalob M. , Kukan Emily N. , Cobb Brian A.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disease and it is characterized by leukocyte infiltration and tissue remodeling, with the latter generally referring to collagen deposition and epithelial hyperplasia. Changes in hyaluronin production have also been demonstrated, while mutations in fucosyltransferases reportedly limit asthmatic inflammation.

Methods

Given the importance of glycans in cellular communication and to better characterize tissue glycosylation changes associated with asthma, we performed a comparative glycan analysis of normal and inflamed lungs from a selection of murine asthma models.

Results

We found that among other changes, the most consistent was an increase in fucose-α1,3-N-acetylglucosamine (Fuc-α1,3-GlcNAc) and fucose-α1,2-galactose (Fuc-α1,2-Gal) motifs. Increases in terminal galactose and N-glycan branching were also seen in some cases, whereas no overall change in O-GalNAc glycans was observed. Increased Muc5AC was found in acute but not chronic models, and only the more human-like triple antigen model yielded increased sulfated galactose motifs. We also found that human A549 airway epithelial cells stimulated in culture showed similar increases in Fuc-α1,2-Gal, terminal galactose (Gal), and sulfated Gal, and this matched transcriptional upregulation of the α1,2-fucosyltransferase Fut2 and the α1,3-fucosyltransferases Fut4 and Fut7.

Conclusions

These data suggest that airway epithelial cells directly respond to allergens by increasing glycan fucosylation, a known modification important for the recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils.
Differential effect of lactate on synovial fibroblast and macrophage effector functions
Authors: Pucino Valentina , Nefla Meriam , Gauthier Vincent , Alsaleh Ghada , Clayton Sally A. , Marshall Jennifer , Filer Andrew , Clark Andy R. , Raza Karim , Buckley Christopher D.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The synovial membrane is the main site of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here several subsets of fibroblasts and macrophages, with distinct effector functions, have been recently identified. The RA synovium is hypoxic and acidic, with increased levels of lactate as a result of inflammation. We investigated how lactate regulates fibroblast and macrophage movement, IL-6 secretion and metabolism via specific lactate transporters.

Methods

Synovial tissues were taken from patients undergoing joint replacement surgery and fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR RA criteria. Patients with no evidence of degenerative or inflammatory disease were used as control. Expression of the lactate transporters SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 on fibroblasts and macrophages was assessed by immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. To test the effect of lactate in vitro we used RA synovial fibroblasts and monocyte-derived macrophages. Migration was assessed via scratch test assays or using trans-well inserts. Metabolic pathways were analysed by Seahorse analyser. IL-6 secretion was determined by ELISA. Bioinformatic analysis was performed on publicly available single cell and bulk RNA sequencing datasets.

Results

We show that: i) SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 which regulate lactate intake and export respectively, are both expressed in RA synovial tissue and are upregulated upon inflammation. SLC16A3 is more highly expressed by macrophages, while SLC16A1 was expressed by both cell types. ii) This expression is maintained in distinct synovial compartments at mRNA and protein level. iii) Lactate, at the concentration found in RA joints (10 mM), has opposite effects on the effector functions of these two cell types. In fibroblasts, lactate promotes cell migration, IL-6 production and increases glycolysis. In contrast macrophages respond to increases in lactate by reducing glycolysis, migration, and IL-6 secretion.

Discussion

In this study, we provide the first evidence of distinct functions of fibroblasts and macrophages in presence of high lactate levels, opening new insights in understanding the pathogenesis of RA and offering novel potential therapeutic targets.