bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimalarial efficacy and toxicological assessment of medicinal plant ingredients of Prabchompoothaweep remedy as a candidate for antimalarial drug development
Authors: Chaniad Prapaporn , Techarang Tachpon , Phuwajaroanpong Arisara , Plirat Walaiporn , Viriyavejakul Parnpen , Septama Abdi Wira , Punsawad Chuchard
Published: January 2023

Background

Drug resistance exists in almost all antimalarial drugs currently in use, leading to an urgent need to identify new antimalarial drugs. Medicinal plant use is an alternative approach to antimalarial chemotherapy. This study aimed to explore potent medicinal plants from Prabchompoothaweep remedy for antimalarial drug development.

Methods

Forty-eight crude extracts from Prabchompoothaweep remedy and its 23 plants ingredients were investigated in vitro for antimalarial properties usingPlasmodiumlactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) enzyme againstPlasmodium falciparumK1 strain and toxicity effects were evaluated in Vero cells. The plant with promising antimalarial activity was further investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify phytochemicals. Antimalarial activity in mice was evaluated using a four-day suppressive test againstPlasmodium bergheiANKA at dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight, and acute toxicity was analyzed.

Results

Of the 48 crude extracts, 13 (27.08%) showed high antimalarial activity against the K1 strain ofP. falciparum(IC50 <  10 μg/ml) and 9 extracts (18.75%) were moderately active (IC50 = 11–50 μg/ml). Additionally, the ethanolic extract of Prabchompoothaweep remedy showed moderate antimalarial activity against the K1 strain ofP. falciparum(IC50 = 14.13 μg/ml). Based on in vitro antimalarial and toxicity results, antimalarial activity of the aqueous fruit extract ofTerminalia arjuna(IC50 = 4.05 μg/ml and CC50 = 219.6 μg/ml) was further studied in mice. GC-MS analysis ofT. arjunaextract identified 22 compounds. The most abundant compounds were pyrogallol, gallic acid, shikimic acid, oleamide, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 1,1-diethoxy-ethane, quinic acid, and furfural. Analysis of the four-day suppressive test indicated thatT. arjunaextract at dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed thePlasmodiumparasites by 28.33, 45.77, and 67.95%, respectively. In the acute toxicity study,T. arjunaextract was non-toxic at 2000 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusions

The aqueous fruit extract ofT. arjunaexerts antimalarial activity againstPlasmodiumparasites found in humans (P. falciparumK1) and mice (P. bergheiANKA). Acute toxicity studies showed thatT. arjunaextract did not show any lethality or adverse effects up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg.
Effect of common pregnancy and perinatal complications on offspring metabolic traits across the life course: a multi-cohort study
Authors: Elhakeem Ahmed , Ronkainen Justiina , Mansell Toby , Lange Katherine , Mikkola Tuija M. , Mishra Binisha H. , Wahab Rama J. , Cadman Tim , Yang Tiffany , Burgner David , Eriksson Johan G. , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Gaillard Romy , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Lehtimäki Terho , Raitakari Olli T. , Saffery Richard , Wake Melissa , Wright John , Sebert Sylvain , Lawlor Deborah A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Common pregnancy and perinatal complications are associated with offspring cardiometabolic risk factors. These complications may influence multiple metabolic traits in the offspring and these associations might differ with offspring age.

Methods

We used data from eight population-based cohort studies to examine and compare associations of pre-eclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GH), gestational diabetes (GD), preterm birth (PTB), small (SGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age (vs. appropriate size for gestational age (AGA)) with up to 167 plasma/serum-based nuclear magnetic resonance-derived metabolic traits encompassing lipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids, amino acids, ketones, glycerides/phospholipids, glycolysis, fluid balance, and inflammation. Confounder-adjusted regression models were used to examine associations (adjusted for maternal education, parity age at pregnancy, ethnicity, pre/early pregnancy body mass index and smoking, and offspring sex and age at metabolic trait assessment), and results were combined using meta-analysis by five age categories representing different periods of the offspring life course: neonates (cord blood), infancy (mean ages: 1.1–1.6 years), childhood (4.2–7.5 years); adolescence (12.0–16.0 years), and adulthood (22.0–67.8 years).

Results

Offspring numbers for each age category/analysis varied from 8925 adults (441 PTB) to 1181 infants (135 GD); 48.4% to 60.0% were females. Pregnancy complications (PE, GH, GD) were each associated with up to three metabolic traits in neonates (P≤0.001) with some evidence of persistence to older ages. PTB and SGA were associated with 32 and 12 metabolic traits in neonates respectively, which included an adjusted standardised mean difference of −0.89 standard deviation (SD) units for albumin with PTB (95% CI: −1.10 to −0.69, P=1.3×10−17) and −0.41 SD for total lipids in medium HDL with SGA (95% CI: −0.56 to −0.25, P=2.6×10−7), with some evidence of persistence to older ages. LGA was inversely associated with 19 metabolic traits including lower levels of cholesterol, lipoproteins, fatty acids, and amino acids, with associations emerging in adolescence, (e.g. −0.11 SD total fatty acids, 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.05, P=0.0009), and attenuating with older age across adulthood.

Conclusions

These reassuring findings suggest little evidence of wide-spread and long-term impact of common pregnancy and perinatal complications on offspring metabolic traits, with most associations only observed for newborns rather than older ages, and for perinatal rather than pregnancy complications.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning as a novel fingerprint for cardiovascular events: results from the prospective cohorts in UK and China
Authors: Chen Yanping , Yuan Yixiong , Zhang Shiran , Yang Shaopeng , Zhang Junyao , Guo Xiao , Huang Wenyong , Zhu Zhuoting , He Mingguang , Wang Wei
Published: January 2023

Background

Retinal structural abnormalities have been found to serve as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and the incidence of CVD events remains inconclusive, and relevant longitudinal studies are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to examine this link in two prospective cohort studies.

Methods

A total of 25,563 participants from UK Biobank who were initially free of CVD were included in the current study. Another 635 participants without retinopathy at baseline from the Chinese Guangzhou Diabetes Eye Study (GDES) were adopted as the validation set. Measurements of RNFL thickness in the macular (UK Biobank) and peripapillary (GDES) regions were obtained from optical coherence tomography (OCT). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), odd ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to quantify CVD risk.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 7.67 years, 1281 (5.01%) participants in UK Biobank developed CVD events. Each 5-μm decrease in macular RNFL thickness was associated with an 8% increase in incident CVD risk (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17, p = 0.033). Compared with participants in the highest tertile of RNFL thickness, the risk of incident CVD was significantly increased in participants in the lowest thickness tertile (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.38, p = 0.036). In GDES, 29 (4.57%) patients developed CVD events within 3 years. Lower average peripapillary RNFL thickness was also associated with a higher CVD risk (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.11–1.65, p = 0.003). The additive net reclassification improvement (NRI) was 21.8%, and the absolute NRI was 2.0% by addition of RNFL thickness over the Framingham risk score. Of 29 patients with incident CVD, 7 were correctly reclassified to a higher risk category while 1 was reclassified to a lower category, and 21 high risk patients were not reclassified.

Conclusions

RNFL thinning was independently associated with increased incident cardiovascular risk and improved reclassification capability, indicating RNFL thickness derived from the non-invasive OCT as a potential retinal fingerprint for CVD event across ethnicities and health conditions.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 15853192
Harnessing the MYB-dependent TAL1 5’super-enhancer for targeted therapy in T-ALL
Authors: Smith Charlotte , Touzart Aurore , Simonin Mathieu , Tran-Quang Christine , Hypolite Guillaume , Latiri Mehdi , Andrieu Guillaume P. , Balducci Estelle , Dourthe Marie-Émilie , Goyal Ashish , Huguet Françoise , Petit Arnaud , Ifrah Norbert , Baruchel André , Dombret Hervé , Macintyre Elizabeth , Plass Christoph , Ghysdael Jacques , Boissel Nicolas , Asnafi Vahid
Published: January 2023

The acquisition of genetic abnormalities engendering oncogene dysregulation underpins cancer development. Certain proto-oncogenes possess several dysregulation mechanisms, yet how each mechanism impacts clinical outcome is unclear. Using T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) as an example, we show that patients harboring 5’super-enhancer (5’SE) mutations of the TAL1 oncogene identifies a specific patient subgroup with poor prognosis irrespective of the level of oncogene dysregulation. Remarkably, the MYB dependent oncogenic 5’SE can be targeted using Mebendazole to induce MYB protein degradation and T-ALL cell death. Of note Mebendazole treatment demonstrated efficacy in vivo in T-ALL preclinical models. Our work provides proof of concept that within a specific oncogene driven cancer, the mechanism of oncogene dysregulation rather than the oncogene itself can identify clinically distinct patient subgroups and pave the way for future super-enhancer targeting therapy.
A multilevel analysis of trends and predictors associated with teenage pregnancy in Zambia (2001–2018)
Authors: Phiri Million , Kasonde Mwewa E. , Moyo Nkuye , Sikaluzwe Milika , Simona Simona
Published: January 2023

Background

Teenage pregnancy remains a major social and public health challenge in developing countries especially sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where prevalence rates are still increasing. Even if considerable effort has been made over the years to study determining factors of teenage pregnancy in SSA, few studies have looked at the trends and associated factors over a longer period. Furthermore, no known study has focussed on both individual and contextual factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Zambia. This study, thus sought to fill this gap in knowledge by simultaneously investigating trends of teenage pregnancy as well as its individual and contextual determining factors.

Methods

A total pooled weighted sample of 10,010 teenagers (in the age group 15–19) from four waves of the Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys were extracted. Using bivariate analysis, we investigated the trends of teenage pregnancy between 2001 and 2018. Separate multilevel logistic regression models were fitted on pooled teenage pregnancy data in relation to several individual and contextual level factors. Both fixed and random effects were produced. Bayesian parameter estimates were produced using lme4 package in R statistical programming environment.

Results

Results of the trends of teenage pregnancy in Zambia have shown an overall decrease of 2% between 2001 and 2018. Almost all the socioeconomic and demographic variables were consistently associated with teenage pregnancy (p < 0.001) in a bivariate analysis across the four survey. In multilevel analysis, the odds of being pregnant were higher for teenagers who were employed (aOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02–1.42), married (aOR = 7.71, 95% CI: 6.31–9.52) and those with knowledge of ovulation period (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.34–1.90). On the other hand, belonging to households in high wealth quintiles, being literate, exposure to mass-media family planning messages and delayed sexual debut were associated with decreased odds of teenage pregnancy.

Conclusion

The study shows that teenage pregnancy remains a social and public health challenge in Zambia as the country has seen little decrease in the prevalence over the years under consideration. Factors associated with teenage pregnancy include marital status, and employment, knowledge of ovulation period, wealth quintile, sexual debut and exposure to mass-media family planning messaging. Concerted effort must be made to improve literacy levels, reduce poverty and enhance sexual health promotion through the mass media in view of cultural norms, which may prevent parents and children from discussion sexual education topics thus exacerbate the vice.
Perceptions and practices surrounding the perioperative management of frail emergency surgery patients: a WSES-endorsed cross-sectional qualitative survey
Authors: Viswanath Mallaika , Clinch Darja , Ceresoli Marco , Dhesi Jugdeep , D’Oria Mario , De Simone Belinda , Podda Mauro , Di Saverio Salomone , Coccolini Federico , Sartelli Massimo , Catena Fausto , Moore Ernest , Rangar Deepa , Biffl Walter L. , Damaskos Dimitrios
Published: January 2023

Background

Frailty is associated with poor post-operative outcomes in emergency surgical patients. Shared multidisciplinary models have been developed to provide a holistic, reactive model of care to improve outcomes for older people living with frailty. We aimed to describe current perioperative practices, and surgeons’ awareness and perception of perioperative frailty management, and barriers to its implementation.

Methods

A qualitative cross-sectional survey was sent via the World Society of Emergency Surgery e-letter to their members. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and reported by themes: risk scoring systems, frailty awareness and assessment and barriers to implementation.

Result

Of 168/1000 respondents, 38% were aware of the terms “Perioperative medicine for older people undergoing surgery” (POPS) and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). 66.6% of respondents assessed perioperative risk, with 45.2% using the American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA-PS). 77.8% of respondents mostly agreed or agreed with the statement that they routinely conducted medical comorbidity management, and pain and falls risk assessment during emergency surgical admissions. Although 98.2% of respondents agreed that frailty was important, only 2.4% performed CGA and 1.2% used a specific frailty screening tool. Clinical frailty score was the most commonly used tool by those who did. Screening was usually conducted by surgical trainees. Key barriers included a lack of knowledge about frailty assessment, a lack of clarity on who should be responsible for frailty screening, and a lack of trained staff.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the ubiquitous lack of awareness regarding frailty assessment and the POPS model of care. More training and clear guidelines on frailty scoring, alongside support by multidisciplinary teams, may reduce the burden on surgical trainees, potentially improving rates of appropriate frailty assessment and management of the frailty syndrome in emergency surgical patients.
Surgical and perioperative management of flail chest with titanium plates: a French cohort series from a thoracic referral center
Authors: Féray Sarah , Blayau Clarisse , Masmoudi Hicham , Haddad Samuel , Quesnel Christophe , Assouad Jalal , Fartoukh Muriel
Published: January 2023

Background

The development of titanium claw plates has made rib osteosynthesis easy to achieve and led to a renewed interest for this surgery. We report the management of patients referred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a referral center for surgical rib fracture fixation (SRFF) after chest trauma.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational cohort study describing the patients’ characteristics and analyzing the determinants of postoperative complications.

Results

From November 2013 to December 2016, 42 patients were referred to our center for SRFF: 12 patients (29%) had acute respiratory failure, 6 of whom received invasive mechanical ventilation. The Thoracic Trauma Severity Score (TTSS) was 11.0 [9–12], with 7 [5–9] broken ribs and a flail chest in 92% of cases. A postoperative complication occurred in 18 patients (43%). Five patients developed ARDS (12%). Postoperative pneumonia occurred in 11 patients (26%). Two patients died in the ICU. In multivariable analysis, the Thoracic Trauma Severity Score (TTSS) (OR = 1.89; CI 95% 1.12–3.17; p = 0.016) and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II without age (OR = 1.17; CI 95% 1.02–1.34; p = 0.024) were independently associated with the occurrence of a postoperative complication.

Conclusion

The TTSS score appears to be accurate for determining thoracic trauma severity. Short and long-term benefit of Surgical Rib Fracture Fixation should be assessed, particularly in non-mechanically ventilated patients.
A rare coexistence: Poland’s syndrome and cardiac angiosarcoma
Authors: Kizilyel Fatih , Gunay Rafet , Rum Mehmet , Yilmaz Mehmet , Ketenci Bulend
Published: January 2023

Poland’s syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that accompanies malignancies, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiac and genitourinary syndromes. There is no study that represents the association between cardiac angiosarcoma and Poland’s syndrome. A 24-year-old female patient previously diagnosed with Poland’s syndrome was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea. Diagnostic imaging showed an irregular mass in the right atrial cavity. After successful surgery, she was discharged uneventfully and the 3rd month oncologic follow-up reveals none of residual mass. The coexistence has not been diagnosed and treated in a cardiac surgery department before. With this presentation, we aimed to contribute to the literature with this presentation, for the right and early diagnosis and management of possible new cases in the future can be diagnosed and treated correctly and early.
Double blind control trial of vitamin D fortified milk on the expression of lncRNAs and adiponectin for patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Rashidmayvan Mohammad , Sahebi Reza , Avan Amir , Sharifan Payam , Esmaily Habibollah , Afshari Asma , Nattagh-Eshtivani Elyas , Najar Sedghdoust Fatemeh , Aghasizadeh Malihe , Ferns Gordon A. , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: January 2023

Background

Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is a common metabolic disorder in which hypoadiponectinemia is one of the consequences for the body caused by inflammation, and vitamin D may help improve inflammatory symptoms. LncRNAs (long non-coding RNA) play several different regulatory roles in the body. The goal of this study was to see how adding vitamin D to milk affected the levels of adiponectin and inflammatory lncRNAs in the serum of people with Mets.

Methods

This clinical trial was conducted on staff and students between the ages of 30 and 50 at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and met the International Diabetes Federation’s criteria for Mets. Eighty-two Mets were assigned randomly to one of two groups for ten weeks: fortified milk (FM) with 1500 IU vitamin D or non-fortified milk (NFM). Total RNA was extracted from both frozen clinical samples using Trizol reagent. APQ AS and MALAT1 lncRNA gene expression were measured by Real-Time PCR.

Results

Serum adiponectin levels in the FM group increased significantly compared to the NFM group (p = 0.01). Also, the expression of APQ AS and MALAT1 genes decreased after ten weeks, which showed a significant decrease in APQ AS (p = 0.036).

Conclusion

As in FM, vitamin D may have anti-inflammatory effects and increase adiponectin levels in people with Mets via decreasing APQ AS gene expression.
On new Milne-type inequalities for fractional integrals
Authors: Budak Hüseyin , Kösem Pınar , Kara Hasan
Published: January 2023

In this study, fractional versions of Milne-type inequalities are investigated for differentiable convex functions. We present Milne-type inequalities for bounded functions, Lipschitz functions, functions of bounded variation, etc., found in the literature. New results are established in the area of inequalities. This article is the first to study Milne-type inequalities for fractional integrals.
Significance of Fib4 index as an indicator of alcoholic hepatotoxicity in health examinations among Japanese male workers: a cross-sectional and retrospectively longitudinal study
Authors: Shinoda Hideki , Watanabe Yuya , Fukai Kota , Kasuya Kayoko , Furuya Yuko , Nakazawa Shoko , Honda Toru , Hayashi Takeshi , Nakagawa Toru , Tatemichi Masayuki , Korenaga Masaaki
Published: January 2023

Background

Fib4 index (Fib4) is clinically used as a noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to preliminarily investigate whether Fib4 can be used to detect individuals who need assessment for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in the general population by clarifying the detailed association of Fib4 with alcohol consumption and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) among male workers.

Methods

We analyzed data sets on the comprehensive medical examinations of male workers as cross-sectional and retrospectively longitudinal studies. We enrolled 10 782 males (mean age: 52.2 ± 10.2 years) in FY2019 and 7845 males (mean follow-up: 12.6 ± 6.7 years) who could be consecutively followed up for 20 years from FY2000 to FY2019. Data were evaluated using logistic regression and COX proportional analysis.

Results

In the cross-sectional setting, the rate of Fib4 ≥ 2.67 in heavy drinkers (≥ 40 g of ethanol/day) was increased dose dependently in those over 65 years old, and that of body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 was increased in those over 60 years old, but not in those with fatty liver. The odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for heavy drinking was 4.30 (95% CI = 1.90–9.72), and GGT ≥ 200 IU/L was considerably high (OR = 29.05 [95% CI = 17.03–49.56]). In the longitudinal setting, heavy drinkers and those with GGT ≥ 200 IU/L at 10 years after the baseline showed an increased risk for Fib4 ≥ 2.67 (hazard ratio = 2.17 [95% CI = 1.58–2.98] and 7.65 [95% CI 5.26–11.12], respectively).

Conclusions

The development of Fib4 ≥ 2.67 after 10 years was associated with heavy alcohol drinking and GGT level ≥ 200 IU/L. Therefore, Fib4 combined with GGT could indicate high risk of ALD. However, clinical examinations and course observations are essentially needed.
Evaluation of bacteriological profile of meat contact surfaces, handling practices of raw meat and its associated factors in butcher shops of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia-A facility based cross sectional study
Authors: Kanko Tesfaye , Seid Mohammed , Alemu Mathewos
Published: January 2023

Background

Meat is subjected to contamination from a range of sources throughout animal slaughter and its sale. The demand for meat products in Ethiopia has been increased dramatically; especially the consumption of fresh chilled meat becomes a status of symbol.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the bacteriological profile of meat contact surfaces, raw meat handling practices, and its associated factors in butcher shops located in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia.

Methods and Materials

A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out among meat handlers in butcher shops in Arba Minch town from November to December 2020. A pre-tested and semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data on workers meat handling practices and the sterile swab was used to collect samples from selected meat contact surfaces for bacteriological analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for data analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the presence and degree of association between raw meat handling practice and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval at P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result and Conclusion

This study revealed the knowledge and handling practice gap among meat handlers of butcher shops. Knowledge of food handling hygiene has shown significant association with handling practice [AOR = 4.5 (1.182,17.202)]. The median total viable count of bacterial loads from the swab samples of butchers’ hands, knives, and the tables was 5.60 ± 0.80, 5.60 ± 1.00, 5.70 ± 1.00 log10 Colony-forming unit (CFU)/cm2, respectively. Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate 34(68%) followed by Staphylococcus species 28(56%) and Salmonella species 19(38%). The median total bacterial load obtained from the samples exceeds the acceptable value of less than 5.0 log10 CFU/cm2 on fresh meat. This indicates the need for improvement in the meat handling and processing chain to safeguard the public health against the risks of foodborne bacterial infections.
Which return regime induces overconfidence behavior? Artificial intelligence and a nonlinear approach
Authors: Alp Coşkun Esra , Kahyaoglu Hakan , Lau Chi Keung Marco
Published: January 2023

Overconfidence behavior, one form of positive illusion, has drawn considerable attention throughout history because it is viewed as the main reason for many crises. Investors’ overconfidence, which can be observed as overtrading following positive returns, may lead to inefficiencies in stock markets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the presence of investor overconfidence by employing an artificial intelligence technique and a nonlinear approach to impulse responses to analyze the impact of different return regimes on the overconfidence attitude. We examine whether investors in an emerging stock market (Borsa Istanbul) exhibit overconfidence behavior using a feed-forward, neural network, nonlinear Granger causality test and nonlinear impulse-response functions based on local projections. These are the first applications in the relevant literature due to the novelty of these models in forecasting high-dimensional, multivariate time series. The results obtained from distinguishing between the different market regimes to analyze the responses of trading volume to return shocks contradict those in the literature, which is the key contribution of the study. The empirical findings imply that overconfidence behavior exhibits asymmetries in different return regimes and is persistent during the 20-day forecasting horizon. Overconfidence is more persistent in the low- than in the high-return regime. In the negative interest-rate period, a high-return regime induces overconfidence behavior, whereas in the positive interest-rate period, a low-return regime induces overconfidence behavior. Based on the empirical findings, investors should be aware that portfolio gains may result in losses depending on aggressive and excessive trading strategies, particularly in low-return regimes.
Mapping the output of the global literature on the links between gut microbiota and COVID-19
Authors: Zyoud Sa’ed H. , Shakhshir Muna , Abushanab Amani S. , Koni Amer , Shahwan Moyad , Jairoun Ammar A. , Al-Jabi Samah W.
Published: January 2023

Background

The term “human microbiota” refers to populations of microorganisms that live harmoniously in co-existence with humans. They contribute significantly to the host's immunological response when confronted with a respiratory viral infection. However, little is known about the relationship between the human microbiome and COVID-19. Therefore, our objective is to perform a bibliometric analysis to explore the overall structure and hotspots of research activity on the links between microbiota and COVID-19 at the global level.

Methods

The research literature on the microbiota and COVID-19 published between 2020 and 2022 was obtained from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analysis and network visualization were performed with VOSviewer.

Results

Of the 701 publications selected, the USA contributed the most (n = 157, 22.40%), followed by China (n = 118, 16.83%) and Italy (n = 82, 11.70%). Hotspots in this field were “COVID-19 is associated with an altered upper respiratory tract microbiome,” “the effect of antibiotics on the gut microbiome,” as well as “patient nutrition and probiotic therapy in COVID-19.”

Conclusions

The links between microbiota and COVID-19 remain an urgent concern at present, and the use of probiotics or/and antibiotics during the pandemic needs to be further improved. This landscape analysis of the links between the microbiota and COVID-19 will provide a basis for future research.
Is the post-COVID-19 syndrome a severe impairment of acetylcholine-orchestrated neuromodulation that responds to nicotine administration?
Authors: Leitzke Marco
Published: January 2023

Following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, many individuals suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome. It makes them unable to proceed with common everyday activities due to weakness, memory lapses, pain, dyspnea and other unspecific physical complaints. Several investigators could demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 related spike glycoprotein (SGP) attaches not only to ACE-2 receptors but also shows DNA sections highly affine to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The nAChR is the principal structure of cholinergic neuromodulation and is responsible for coordinated neuronal network interaction. Non-intrinsic viral nAChR attachment compromises integrative interneuronal communication substantially. This explains the cognitive, neuromuscular and mood impairment, as well as the vegetative symptoms, characterizing post-COVID-19 syndrome. The agonist ligand nicotine shows an up to 30-fold higher affinity to nACHRs than acetylcholine (ACh). We therefore hypothesize that this molecule could displace the virus from nAChR attachment and pave the way for unimpaired cholinergic signal transmission. Treating several individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome with a nicotine patch application, we witnessed improvements ranging from immediate and substantial to complete remission in a matter of days.
Magnetic resonance imaging with perfusion and diffusion in assessment of intra-spinal lesions
Authors: Foaad Maryam Hamdy , El Rakhawy Mohamed , Mohsen Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Background

MRI is the imaging modality of choice in detecting and evaluating spinal lesions. However, advanced techniques as diffusion and perfusion studies can help more in differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Our study aimed to detect the role of diffusion and T2* perfusion weighted imaging in characterization of different spinal lesions by measuring the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and apparent diffusion coefficient value (ADC) of all lesions, comparing perfusion of lesion in relation to normal cord and detection of diffusion pattern of each lesion by observing its signal intensity at diffusion images and ADC map.

Results

Fifty patients were included in this study. Twenty-five patients were with non-neoplastic lesions and twenty-five patients were with neoplastic lesions. The cutoff value of rCBV was 1.2 in differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions with 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The cutoff value of ADC was 1 in differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions with 56% sensitivity and 80% specificity.

Conclusions

Diffusion and perfusion weighted images help in differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic spinal lesions.
Critiquing the Global Clothing Chain in Mauritius
Authors: Brevik-Zender Heidi
Published: January 2023

In The Lives of Loréna (Les vies de Loréna, 2020), the Mauritian novelist Christine Duvergé chronicles the unraveling of her titular protagonist’s seemingly ideal existence while weaving together a double critique of the global fashion industry and Trump-era conservatism in the American heartland. This article focuses on the novel’s sociopolitical critiques, which find expression in expensive fashions and the abusive labor practices of the American overseas apparel industry. Described by Duvergé as a “subversive fairytale,” the novel illuminates a transnational network of capitalist greed, which powers the global clothing chain in which Mauritius has served historically as a vital, if exploited, link. Duvergé humanizes the poverty and physical suffering of garment workers in Mauritius, foregrounding imbalances and interdependencies characterizing today’s global apparel industry. As a North-South border-crossing narrative that integrates the protagonist’s memories of her homeland into how she experiences life in the United States, The Lives of Loréna is a timely addition to contemporary Indian Ocean French-language literature, which is, as Françoise Lionnet and Emmanuel Bruno Jean-François have stated, “producing locally grounded writing with global ambitions.”
Η σχέση της πολυδυναμικότητας και της αυτοαποτελεσματικότητας στα χαρισματικά παιδιά ηλικίας 15-18 στην Ελλάδα
Authors: Σαμψωνίδης Δημήτριος
Published: January 2023

Η έρευνα αποσκοπεί στην ταυτοποίηση των χαρακτηριστικών της πολυδυναμικότητας στην  Ελλάδα, στην επίδραση των δημογραφικών στοιχείων στην μεταβλητή και στην εκτίμηση της σχέση της πολυδυναμικότητας και της αυτοαποτελεσματικότητας στα χαρισματικά παιδιά ηλικίας 15-18. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 103 χαρισματικά παιδιά από τους συλλόγους Mensa και τον Σύλλογο γονέων και κηδεμόνων χαρισματικών και ταλαντούχων παιδιών. Από τα αποτελέσματα, προέκυψαν υψηλά επίπεδα γενικευμένης αυτοαποτελεσματικότητας. Ο Κοινωνικός τύπος επαγγελματικών ενδιαφερόντων βρέθηκε ως επικρατέστερος ακολουθούμενος από τον Πρακτικό και τον Καλλιτεχνικό τύπο. Από τους παράγοντες στατιστικά σημαντική σχέση με την πολυδυναμικότητα βρέθηκε να έχει ο τύπος σχολείου και η ηλικία.
Spatial and temporal partitioning of the Western Mediterranean Sea by resident dolphin species
Authors: TORREBLANCA ESTEFANÍA , REAL RAIMUNDO , CAMIÑAS JUAN ANTONIO , MACÍAS DAVID , GARCÍA-BARCELONA SALVADOR , CARLOS BÁEZ JOSÉ
Published: January 2023

A classic issue in ecology is to understand how similar species coexist in a given area (i.e., sympatry). The situation of dolphins in the Western Mediterranean Sea may represent a special case of sympatry in that three similar species (the short-beaked common dolphin [Delphinus delphis], the striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and the bottlenose dolphin [Tursiops truncatus) are under strong human impacts in the same area. From the viewpoint of ecology and conservation biology, it is challenging to determine how these three dolphin species live together and avoid competitive exclusion in the setting of such impacts. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography has a dataset of dolphin species opportunistic sightings. Using these data, we constructed three binary variables, comprising the sighting of one species versus the sighting of either of the other two species. We obtained three significant probability models after performing logistic regression of these binary variables on a set of spatio-temporal explanatory variables. We analysed these models from the perspective of fuzzy set theory by applying the favourability function to the probability models, fuzzy operations overlap, and entropy. The results show that common dolphins are differentially favoured in the eastern part of the study area and far away from main shipping routes. The striped dolphin was differentially favoured in the western part of the study area, above deep waters, near main shipping routes, and in summer and spring. Finally, bottlenose dolphins were differentially favoured in the mid-western part of the study area, in winter, and over shallow waters.
Δημιουργία και έλεγχος μιας κλίμακας για την αξιολόγηση των προστατευτικών παραγόντων της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας των εκπαιδευτικών
Authors: Δανιηλίδου Αθηνά , Πλατσίδου Μαρία
Published: January 2023

Η ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα των εκπαιδευτικών είναι εξαιρετικά σημαντική για την λειτουργικότητά τους. Ωστόσο, υπάρχουν ελάχιστες κλίμακες για τη μέτρησή της που να απευθύνονται ειδικά στους εκπαιδευτικούς, οι οποίες μάλιστα δεν περιλαμβάνουν πολλούς από τους σημαντικούς προστατευτικούς παράγοντες. Για τον λόγο αυτό, με βάση σχετικά ποιοτικά δεδομένα που συλλέχθηκαν σε προηγούμενη μελέτη, η παρούσα έρευνα σχεδιάστηκε με σκοπό την κατασκευή και την αξιολόγηση μιας πιο ολοκληρωμένης κλίμακας για τη μέτρηση των ατομικών και περιβαλλοντικών προστατευτικών παραγόντων της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας των εκπαιδευτικών. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 407 εκπαιδευτικοί της πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης. Για τον έλεγχο της συγκλίνουσας εγκυρότητας της νέας κλίμακας χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τα εργαλεία Multidimensional Teachers’ Resilience Scale (Mansfield & Wosnitza, 2015) και Τeachers’ Resilience Scale (Daniilidou & Platsidou, 2018). Ο έλεγχος της διακρίνουσας εγκυρότητας έγινε με το Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1986) και το Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001). Μέσα από μια σειρά παραγοντικών αναλύσεων και αναλύσεων με τη θεωρία απόκρισης στοιχείου με τη χρήση ενός μοντέλου βαθμιαίας απάντησης, καταλήξαμε στην τελική εκδοχή της Κλίμακας Προστατευτικών Παραγόντων της Ψυχικής Ανθεκτικότητας των Εκπαιδευτικών (ΚΠΠ-ΨΑΕ), η οποία περιλαμβάνει 29 δηλώσεις και αξιολογεί έξι προστατευτικούς παράγοντες: τις Αξίες και πεποιθήσεις, τη Συναισθηματική και συμπεριφορική επάρκεια, τη Σωματική ευεξία, τις Σχέσεις εντός σχολικού πλαισίου, τις Σχέσεις εκτός σχολικού πλαισίου και το Νομοθετικό πλαίσιο. Ο έλεγχος των ψυχομετρικών ιδιοτήτων καθώς και της διακρίνουσας και συγκλίνουσας εγκυρότητας της νέας κλίμακας έδειξαν ότι μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί με ασφάλεια σε μελλοντικές έρευνες της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας των εκπαιδευτικών.
FORMATION OF A SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR TAKING INTO ACCOUNT URBAN PLANNING DEVELOPMENT OF SETTLEMENTS
Authors:   Volgograd State Technical University, Sidorenko Volodymyr F. , Ignatyev Alexander V. ,   Volgograd State Technical University, Abroskin Alexey A. ,   Volgograd State Technical University
Published: January 2023

The monograph considers the scientific justification and methods for the formation of a representative system of environmental monitoring of atmospheric air in a large city in the conditions of urban development of populated areas, taking into account the complex impact of all major sources of pollution. Particular attention is paid to assessing the changing conditions of the urban environment, taking into account planning features, the level of improvement, new construction and demolition facilities, and the wind regime when planning an atmospheric air observation network. A mechanism for categorizing territories according to the degree of environmental well-being based on the results of monitoring and an algorithm of action for the safe placement of construction objects are given.
Structured Decision Making to Prioritize Regional Bird Monitoring Needs
Authors: Fournier Auriel M. V. , Wilson R. Randy , Gleason Jeffrey S. , Adams Evan M. , Brush Janell M. , Cooper Robert J. , DeMaso Stephen J. , Driscoll Melanie J. L. , Frederick Peter C. , Jodice Patrick G. R. , Ottinger Mary Ann , Reeves David B. , Seymour Michael A. , Sharuga Stephanie M. , Tirpak John M. , Vermillion William G. , Zenzal Theodore J. , Lyons James E. , Woodrey Mark S.
Published: January 2023

Conservation planning for large ecosystems has multiple benefits but is often challenging to implement because of the multiple jurisdictions, species, and habitats involved. In addition, decision making at large spatial scales can be hampered because many approaches do not explicitly incorporate potentially competing values and concerns of stakeholders. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, establishing baselines was challenging because of (1) variation in study designs, (2) inconsistent use of explicit objectives and hypotheses, (3) inconsistent use of standardized monitoring protocols, and (4) variation in spatial and temporal scope associated with avian monitoring projects before the spill. Herein, we show how the Gulf of Mexico Avian Monitoring Network members used structured decision making to identify bird monitoring priorities. We used multiple tools and techniques to clearly define the problem and stakeholder objectives and to identify bird monitoring priorities at the scale of the entire northern Gulf of Mexico region. Although our example is specific to the northern Gulf of Mexico, this approach provides an example of how stakeholder values can be incorporated into the coordination process of broad-scale monitoring programs to address management, restoration, and scientific questions in other ecosystems and for other taxa.

History: This paper was refereed. This paper was accepted for the Special Issue of INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics—Decision Analysis.

Funding: Thanks to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation [Grant 324423], which supported A. Fournier as a postdoctoral research associate at Mississippi State University. M. Woodrey was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch Project funds, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration [Grant NA16NOS4200088 to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources’ Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve], and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources [Grant 8200025414]. This publication is a contribution of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. T. Zenzal was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RESTORE Act Science Program [Grant NA17NOS4510092].
Captains of Industry
Authors: Beck Chris
Published: January 2023

The Ventilator Challenge UK consortium, formed in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, has been the shining example of how industry has stepped up to meet the challenges of the past few months. To find out more, Manufacturing Management spoke to the group’s leader – and chief executive of the HVM Catapult – Dick Elsy
Recommendations and requirements for the wavelengths in Rayleigh equation anomaloscopes
Authors: Dain Stephen J. , Hovis Jeffery K.
Published: January 2023

DIN 6160:2019 is a technical standard that sets requirements for Rayleigh equation anomaloscopes. Table 1 of the standard contains the limits for centroid wavelengths and spectral half power bandwidths (SHBW). The centroid limits are more restrictive than dominant wavelength recommendations. The SHBW limits have no known evidence base and are inconsistent between colors. The spectral characteristics of three commercial anomaloscopes brands were measured using a telespectroradiometer. Only the oculus instruments complied with DIN 6160 Table 1, but all the anomaloscopes complied with published recommendations. All complied with the DIN 6160 bandwidth requirements. This highlights the need to provide an evidence base for such requirements.
Parallelism error analysis and its effect on modulation depth based on a rotating parallel mirror Fourier spectrometer
Authors: Tang Yinhui , Lv Qunbo , Zhang Yu , Zhu Baoyu , Chen Xinwen , Xiangli Bin
Published: January 2023

The stability of the moving mirror of a Michelson Fourier transform spectrometer (M-FTS) has a non-negligible influence on its spectral quality, which limits its application. We proposed a spectrometer scheme with a pair of rotating parallel mirrors (RPM-FTS), which has advantages of fast response and high stability. The influence of the parallelism error of parallel mirrors on interference was analyzed by establishing a rotation vector model between the parallelism error, rotation angle, and optical path. The modulation depth of the RPM-FTS is more insensitive with the same installation error of the M-FTS; thus, more spectral details can be displayed easily.
Combined modelling of mRNA decay dynamics and single-molecule imaging in the Drosophila embryo uncovers a role for P-bodies in 5′ to 3′ degradation
Authors: Forbes Beadle Lauren , Love Jennifer C. , Shapovalova Yuliya , Artemev Artem , Rattray Magnus , Ashe Hilary L.
Published: January 2023

Regulation of mRNA degradation is critical for a diverse array of cellular processes and developmental cell fate decisions. Many methods for determining mRNA half-lives rely on transcriptional inhibition or metabolic labelling. Here, we use a non-invasive method for estimating half-lives for hundreds of mRNAs in the earlyDrosophilaembryo. This approach uses the intronic and exonic reads from a total RNA-seq time series and Gaussian process regression to model the dynamics of premature and mature mRNAs. We show how regulation of mRNA stability is used to establish a range of mature mRNA dynamics during embryogenesis, despite shared transcription profiles. Using single-molecule imaging, we provide evidence that, for the mRNAs tested, there is a correlation between short half-life and mRNA association with P-bodies. Moreover, we detect an enrichment of mRNA 3′ ends in P-bodies in the early embryo, consistent with 5′ to 3′ degradation occurring in P-bodies for at least a subset of mRNAs. We discuss our findings in relation to recently published data suggesting that the primary function of P-bodies in other biological contexts is mRNA storage.
Collective polarization dynamics in bacterial colonies signify the occurrence of distinct subpopulations
Authors: Hennes Marc , Bender Niklas , Cronenberg Tom , Welker Anton , Maier Berenike
Published: January 2023

Membrane potential in bacterial systems has been shown to be dynamic and tightly related to survivability at the single-cell level. However, little is known about spatiotemporal patterns of membrane potential in bacterial colonies and biofilms. Here, we discovered a transition from uncorrelated to collective dynamics within colonies formed by the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In freshly assembled colonies, polarization is heterogeneous with instances of transient and uncorrelated hyper- or depolarization of individual cells. As colonies reach a critical size, the polarization behavior transitions to collective dynamics: A hyperpolarized shell forms at the center, travels radially outward, and halts several micrometers from the colony periphery. Once the shell has passed, we detect an influx of potassium correlated with depolarization. Transient hyperpolarization also demarks the transition from volume to surface growth. By combining simulations and the use of an alternative electron acceptor for the respiratory chain, we provide strong evidence that local oxygen gradients shape the collective polarization dynamics. Finally, we show that within the hyperpolarized shell, tolerance against aminoglycoside antibiotics increases. These findings highlight that the polarization pattern can signify the differentiation into distinct subpopulations with different growth rates and antibiotic tolerance.
Saccades are locked to the phase of alpha oscillations during natural reading
Authors: Pan Yali , Popov Tzvetan , Frisson Steven , Jensen Ole
Published: January 2023

We saccade 3 to 5 times per second when reading. However, little is known about the neuronal mechanisms coordinating the oculomotor and visual systems during such rapid processing. Here, we ask if brain oscillations play a role in the temporal coordination of the visuomotor integration. We simultaneously acquired MEG and eye-tracking data while participants read sentences silently. Every sentence was embedded with a target word of either high or low lexical frequency. Our key finding demonstrated that saccade onsets were locked to the phase of alpha oscillations (8 to 13 Hz), and in particular, for saccades towards low frequency words. Source modelling demonstrated that the alpha oscillations to which the saccades were locked, were generated in the right-visual motor cortex (BA 7). Our findings suggest that the alpha oscillations serve to time the processing between the oculomotor and visual systems during natural reading, and that this coordination becomes more pronounced for demanding words.