bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dwarfism Tanılı Hastada Atipik Nöroleptik Malign Sendrom: Bir Olgu Sunumu
Authors: KÖSE Sefanur , PUŞUROĞLU Meltem , HOCAOGLU Cicek
Published: September 2022

Nöroleptik malign sendrom (NMS) antipsikotik ilaç kullanımı sonrasında ortaya çıkabilen ciddi bir klinik tablodur. Antipsikotik kullanan tüm hastalarda dozdan bağımsız olarak gelişme riski bulunsa da etiyolojisi tam olarak aydınlatılamamıştır. Ateş, rijidite, bilinç bulanıklığı, serum kreatin fosfokinaz (CPK) yüksekliği ve otonomik disregülasyon bulguları ile seyretmektedir. Son yıllarda NMS tanı ölçütlerini tam olarak karşılamayan ve atipik özellikler sergileyen olgular da bildirilmektedir. Ayırıcı tanıda güçlüklere yol açan bu durumun erken tanı ve tedavisi önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışmada parenteral birinci kuşak antipsikotik ilaç uygulanması sonrasında yüksek ateş, bilinç durumunda değişiklik, rijidite ve aşırı terleme bulguları gelişen ancak serum CPK yüksekliği beklenilen seviyelerde olmayan 47 yaşındaki dwarfismli kadın hastadaki atipik özellikleri olan NMS klinik görünümü literatür bulguları eşliğinde sunulmuştur. Özel gruplarda antipsikotik ilaç tedavisi düzenlenirken pek çok karıştırıcı faktörün bulunduğu unutulmamalı ve atipik özellikli NMS konusunda dikkatli olunmalıdır.
Analisis Tingkat Pengetahuan, Sikap, Kebijakan dan Ketersediaan Sarana terhadap Perilaku Kepatuhan Menggunakan Alat Pelidng Diri (APD) pada Pengendara Go-Ride Dimasa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Rachmawati Nadila Putri , Yuantari Catur
Published: September 2022

Go-Jek adalah perusahaan penyedia layanan berbasis online. Sayangnya driver Go-Ride menjadi salah satu klaster penyebaran Covid-19 di Indonesia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara pengetahuan, sikap, pendidikan, usia, masa kerja, ketersediaan sarana, dan peraturan hukum dengan perilaku kepatuhan menggunakan alat pelindung diri (APD) selama pandemi Covid-19 pada pengemudi ojek online di kawasan Tembalang, Kota Semarang. Metode penelitian ini bersifat kuantitatif dengan desain cross-sectional. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui kuesioner. Sampel penelitian adalah 100 pengemudi yang dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik accidental sampling. Data numerik dianalisis dengan menggunakan uji statistik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada hubungan antara sikap dan ketersediaan sarana dengan perilaku kepatuhan penggunaan APD pada masa pandemi Covid-19 pada pengemudi ojek online di kawasan Tembalang Kota Semarang (p value = 0,000 dan 0,002). Pengemudi ojek online diharapkan lebih meningkatkan perilaku patuh menggunakan APD guna mencegah terjadinya kecelakaan, meminimalkan risiko keparahan jika terjadi kecelakaan, dan mencegah penularan atau penyebaran virus Covid-19 di masa pandemi saat ini.
Pengaruh Brisk Walking Exercise terhadap Penurunan Tekanan Darah: Systematic Review
Authors: Rachmatullah Rizky , Widyatuti Widyatuti , Sukihananto Sukihananto
Published: September 2022

Brisk walking exercise adalah salah satu intervensi yang dapat menurunkan tekanan darah pada pasien hipertensi. Brisk walking exercise efektif untuk merangsang kontraksi otot, meningkatkan efektivitas denyut jantung serta oksigen dalam jaringan dan dapat memecah glikogen. Latihan ini mampu mengurangi proses pembentukan plak melalui peningkatan penggunaan glukosa serta peningkatan penggunaan lemak. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui efektivitas brisk walking exercise dalam menurunkan tekanan darah pada pasien hipertensi. Penelitian ini merupakan systematic review. Artikel didapat dari online data base Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Online, Oxford Journal, Research Gate dan Google Scholar mulai dari tahun 2010 sampai 2020. Penelusuran tersebut mendapatkan 10 artikel yang menunjukkan bahwa brisk walking exercise memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap penurunan tekanan darah pada pasien hipertensi. Brisk walking exercise perlu dikembangkan sebagai salah satu intervensi klinis dalam menurunkan tekanan darah di pelayanan kesehatan seperti rumah sakit dan puskesmas.
A Cool Method of Trisecting 45 Degree Angle
Authors: Mahmud Salman
Published: September 2022

In this short paper we have presented an interesting method of trisecting 45 degree angle by only using unmarked straightedge and a compass. This process can also be used as a unique way of drawing 15 degree angle.
Urinary proteome analysis of acute kidney injury in post-cardiac surgery patients using enrichment materials with high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Bai Yunpeng , Li Ying , Tang Zhizhong , Hu Linhui , Jiang Xinyi , Chen Jingchun , Huang Sumei , Wu Kunyong , Xu Wang , Chen Chunbo
Published: September 2022

Background: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) may increase the mortality and incidence rates of chronic kidney disease in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the underlying correlations between urinary proteomic changes and CSA-AKI.

Methods: Nontargeted proteomics was performed using nano liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap Exploris mass spectrometry (MS) on urinary samples preoperatively and postoperatively collected from patients with CSA-AKI. Gemini C18 silica microspheres were used to separate and enrich trypsin-hydrolysed peptides under basic mobile phase conditions. Differential analysis was conducted to screen out urinary differential expressed proteins (DEPs) among patients with CSA-AKI for bioinformatics. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database analysis was adopted to identify the altered signal pathways associated with CSA-AKI.

Results: Approximately 2000 urinary proteins were identified and quantified through data-independent acquisition MS, and 324 DEPs associated with AKI were screened by univariate statistics. According to KEGG enrichment analysis, the signal pathway of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum was enriched as the most up-regulated DEPs, and cell adhesion molecules were enriched as the most down-regulated DEPs. In protein–protein interaction analysis, the three hub targets in the up-regulated DEPs were α-1-antitrypsin, β-2-microglobulin and angiotensinogen, and the three key down-regulated DEPs were growth arrest-specific protein 6, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

Conclusion: Urinary protein disorder was observed in CSA-AKI due to ischaemia and reperfusion. The application of Gemini C18 silica microspheres can improve the protein identification rate to obtain highly valuable resources for the urinary DEPs of AKI. This work provides valuable knowledge about urinary proteome biomarkers and essential resources for further research on AKI.
A sustained release of alendronate from an injectable tetra-PEG hydrogel for efficient bone repair
Authors: Chang Shuai , Li Chao , Xu Nanfang , Wang Jiedong , Jing Zehao , Cai Hong , Tian Yun , Wang Shaobo , Liu Zhongjun , Wang Xing
Published: September 2022

Significant efforts on construction of smart drug delivery for developing minimally invasive gelling system to prolong local delivery of bisphosphonates are considered as promising perspectives for the bone-related diseases, which provide the hydrogels with unique bioactivities for bone repair in clinic. Herein, we have constructed an alendronate (ALN)-conjoined injectable tetra-PEG hydrogel with excellent biocompatibility, uniform network, and favorable mechanical properties in one-pot strategy. In views of the quick ammonolysis reaction between N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-ester of tetra-PEG-SG and amine groups of tetra-PEG-NH2 polymer and ALN molecules, the uniform networks were formed within seconds along with the easy injection, favorable biocompatibility and mechanical properties for hydrogel scaffolds. On account of the simultaneous physical encapsulation and chemical linkage of the ALN within the hydrogels, the ALN-conjoined tetra-PEG hydrogel exhibited a sustained drug release delivery that could persistently and effectively facilitate viability, growth, proliferation, and osteogenesis differentiation of stem cells, thereby allowing the consequent adaptation of hydrogels into the bone defects with irregular shapes, which endowed the ALN-conjoined tetra-PEG hydrogel with depot formulation capacity for governing the on-demand release of ALN drugs. Consequently, the findings imply that these drug-based tetra-PEG hydrogels mediate optimal release of therapeutic cargoes and effective promotion of in situ bone regeneration, which will be broadly utilized as therapeutic scaffolds in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Advances in surface modification of tantalum and porous tantalum for rapid osseointegration: A thematic review
Authors: Wang Xi , Liu Wentao , Yu Xinding , Wang Biyao , Xu Yan , Yan Xu , Zhang Xinwen
Published: September 2022

After bone defects reach a certain size, the body can no longer repair them. Tantalum, including its porous form, has attracted increasing attention due to good bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biomechanical properties. After a metal material is implanted into the body as a medical intervention, a series of interactions occurs between the material’s surface and the microenvironment. The interaction between cells and the surface of the implant mainly depends on the surface morphology and chemical composition of the implant’s surface. In this context, appropriate modification of the surface of tantalum can guide the biological behavior of cells, promote the potential of materials, and facilitate bone integration. Substantial progress has been made in tantalum surface modification technologies, especially nano-modification technology. This paper systematically reviews the progress in research on tantalum surface modification for the first time, including physicochemical properties, biological performance, and surface modification technologies of tantalum and porous tantalum.
Advanced materials for enamel remineralization
Authors: Xu Jiarong , Shi Hui , Luo Jun , Yao Haiyan , Wang Pei , Li Zhihua , Wei Junchao
Published: September 2022

Dental caries, a chronic and irreversible disease caused by caries-causing bacteria, has been listed as one of the three major human diseases to be prevented and treated. Therefore, it is critical to effectively stop the development of enamel caries. Remineralization treatment can control the progression of caries by inhibiting and reversing enamel demineralization at an early stage. In this process, functional materials guide the deposition of minerals on the damaged enamel, and the structure and hardness of the enamel are then restored. These remineralization materials have great potential for clinical application. In this review, advanced materials for enamel remineralization were briefly summarized, furthermore, an outlook on the perspective of remineralization materials were addressed.
Sevoflurane promotes premature differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in hiPSC-derived midbrain organoids
Authors: Shang Jia , Li Bin , Fan Han , Liu Peidi , Zhao Wen , Chen Tao , Chen Pu , Yang Longqiu
Published: September 2022

Background: Conventional animal models used in corresponding basic studies are distinct from humans in terms of the brain’s development trajectory, tissue cytoarchitecture and cell types, making it difficult to accurately evaluate the potential adverse effects of anesthetic treatments on human fetal brain development. This study investigated the effects of sevoflurane on the midbrain’s development and cytopathology using human physiologically-relevant midbrain organoids.

Methods: Monolayer human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived human floor plate cells and three-dimensional hiPSC-derived midbrain organoids (hMBOs) were exposed to 2% (v/v) sevoflurane for 2 or 6 h, followed by expansion or differentiation culture. Then, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR, EdU assay, Tunnel assay, and transcriptome sequencing were performed to examine the effects of sevoflurane on the midbrain’s development.

Results: We found that 2% sevoflurane exposure inhibited hFPCs’ proliferation (differentiation culture: 7.2% ± 0.3% VS. 13.3% ± 0.7%, p = 0.0043; expansion culture: 48% ± 2.2% VS. 35.2% ± 1.4%, p = 0.0002) and increased their apoptosis, but did not affect their differentiation into human dopaminergic neurons After 6 h, 2% sevoflurane exposure inhibited cell proliferation (62.8% ± 5.6% VS. 100% ± 5.5%, p = 0.0065) and enhanced the premature differentiation of hMBOs (246% ± 5.2% VS. 100% ± 28%, p = 0.0065). The RNA-seq results showed long-term exposure to sevoflurane up regulates some transcription factors in the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons, while short-term exposure to sevoflurane has a weak up-regulation effect on these transcription factors.

Conclusion: This study revealed that long-term exposure to sevoflurane could promote the premature differentiation of hMBOs, while short-term exposure had negligible effects, suggesting that long-term exposure to sevoflurane in pregnant women may lead to fetals’ midbrain development disorder.
Distinct overlapping functions for Prickle1 and Prickle2 in the polarization of the airway epithelium
Authors: Kunimoto Koshi , Weiner Alexis T. , Axelrod Jeffrey D. , Vladar Eszter K.
Published: September 2022

Planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling polarizes cells within the plane of an epithelium. In the airways, planar cell polarity signaling orients the directional beating of motile cilia required for effective mucociliary clearance. The planar cell polarity signaling mechanism is best understood from work in Drosophila, where it has been shown to both coordinate the axis of polarity between cells and to direct the morphological manifestations of polarization within cells. The ‘core’ planar cell polarity signaling mechanism comprises two protein complexes that segregate to opposite sides of each cell and interact with the opposite complex in neighboring cells. Proper subcellular localization of core planar cell polarity proteins correlates with, and is almost certainly responsible for, their ability to direct polarization. This mechanism is highly conserved from Drosophila to vertebrates, though for most of the core genes, mammals have multiple paralogs whereas Drosophila has only one. In the mouse airway epithelium, the core protein Prickle2 segregates asymmetrically, as is characteristic for core proteins, but is only present in multiciliated cells and is absent from other cell types. Furthermore, Prickle2 mutant mice show only modest ciliary polarity defects. These observations suggest that other Prickle paralogs might contribute to polarization. Here, we show that Prickle1 segregates asymmetrically in multiciliated and nonciliated airway epithelial cell types, that compared to Prickle2, Prickle1 has different spatial and temporal expression dynamics and a stronger ciliary polarity phenotype, and that Prickle1 and Prickle2 mutants genetically interact. We propose distinct and partially overlapping functions for the Prickle paralogs in polarization of the airway epithelium.
Methodologies to unlock the molecular expression and cellular structure of ocular lens epithelial cells
Authors: Parreno Justin , Emin Grace , Vu Michael P. , Clark Jackson T. , Aryal Sandeep , Patel Shaili D. , Cheng Catherine
Published: September 2022

The transparent ocular lens in the anterior chamber of the eye is responsible for fine focusing of light onto the retina. The lens is entirely cellular with bulk of the tissue composed of fiber cells, and the anterior hemisphere of the lens is covered by a monolayer of epithelial cells. Lens epithelial cells are important for maintaining fiber cell homeostasis and for continual growth of the lens tissue throughout life. Cataracts, defined as any opacity in the lens, remain the leading cause of blindness in the world. Following cataract surgery, lens epithelial cells can undergo a process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to secondary cataracts due to posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Since the epithelial cells make up only a small fraction of the lens, specialized techniques are required to study lens epithelial cell biology and pathology. Studies using native lens epithelial cells often require pooling of samples to obtain enough cells to make sufficient samples for traditional molecular biology techniques. Here, we provide detailed protocols that enable the study of native mouse lens epithelial cells, including immunostaining of the native lens epithelium in flat mounts, extraction of RNA and proteins from pairs of lens epithelial monolayers, and isolation of lens epithelial cells for primary culture. These protocols will enable researchers to gain better insight on representative molecular expression and cellular structure of lens epithelial cells. We also provide comparative data between native, primary culture, and immortalized lens epithelial cells and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique presented.
The epigenetic aging, obesity, and lifestyle
Authors: Franzago Marica , Pilenzi Lucrezia , Di Rado Sara , Vitacolonna Ester , Stuppia Liborio
Published: September 2022

The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased worldwide over the past decades. Aging-related chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are more prevalent in individuals with obesity, thus reducing their lifespan. Epigenetic clocks, the new metrics of biological age based on DNA methylation patterns, could be considered a reflection of the state of one’s health. Several environmental exposures and lifestyle factors can induce epigenetic aging accelerations, including obesity, thus leading to an increased risk of age-related diseases. The insight into the complex link between obesity and aging might have significant implications for the promotion of health and the mitigation of future disease risk. The present narrative review takes into account the interaction between epigenetic aging and obesity, suggesting that epigenome may be an intriguing target for age-related physiological changes and that its modification could influence aging and prolong a healthy lifespan. Therefore, we have focused on DNA methylation age as a clinical biomarker, as well as on the potential reversal of epigenetic age using a personalized diet- and lifestyle-based intervention.
Crystal structure of the α-ketoglutarate-dependent non-heme iron oxygenase CmnC in capreomycin biosynthesis and its engineering to catalyze hydroxylation of the substrate enantiomer
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Hsuan , Huang Szu-Jo , Lin En-Chi , Hsiao Po-Yun , Toh Shu-Ing , Chen I-Hsuan , Xu Zhengren , Lin Yu-Pei , Liu Hsueh-Ju , Chang Chin-Yuan
Published: September 2022

CmnC is an α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent non-heme iron oxygenase involved in the formation of the l-capreomycidine (l-Cap) moiety in capreomycin (CMN) biosynthesis. CmnC and its homologues, VioC in viomycin (VIO) biosynthesis and OrfP in streptothricin (STT) biosynthesis, catalyze hydroxylation of l-Arg to form β-hydroxy l-Arg (CmnC and VioC) or β,γ-dihydroxy l-Arg (OrfP). In this study, a combination of biochemical characterization and structural determination was performed to understand the substrate binding environment and substrate specificity of CmnC. Interestingly, despite having a high conservation of the substrate binding environment among CmnC, VioC, and OrfP, only OrfP can hydroxylate the substrate enantiomer d-Arg. Superposition of the structures of CmnC, VioC, and OrfP revealed a similar folds and overall structures. The active site residues of CmnC, VioC, and OrfP are almost conserved; however Leu136, Ser138, and Asp249 around the substrate binding pocket in CmnC are replaced by Gln, Gly, and Tyr in OrfP, respectively. These residues may play important roles for the substrate binding. The mutagenesis analysis revealed that the triple mutant CmnCL136Q,S138G,D249Y switches the substrate stereoselectivity from l-Arg to d-Arg with ∼6% relative activity. The crystal structure of CmnCL136Q,S138G,D249Y in complex with d-Arg revealed that the substrate loses partial interactions and adopts a different orientation in the binding site. This study provides insights into the enzyme engineering to α-KG non-heme iron oxygenases for adjustment to the substrate stereoselectivity and development of biocatalysts.
Catalytic hydrogenolysis of lignin to phenolic monomers over Ru supported N,S-co-doped biochar: The importance of doping atmosphere
Authors: Gao Wenran , Wang Ke , Wu Yishuang , Zhu Xun , Wu Yinlong , Zhang Shoujun , Li Bin , Huang Yong , Zhang Shu , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2022

Doping of heteroatoms into carbon materials is a popular method to modify their physicochemical structures and has been widely used in the fields of energy conversion and storage. This study aims to investigate the effect of doping atmosphere on the catalytic performance of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped biochar supported Ru in the production of phenolic monomers from lignin hydrogenolysis. The results showed that the catalyst prepared under CO2 atmosphere (Ru@CNS-CO2) was able to produce phenolic monomers from corncob lignin with a yield up to 36.41 wt%, which was significantly higher than that from the run over N2-prepared catalyst (Ru@CNS-N2). The characterization of the catalysts demonstrated that the CNS-CO2 support had a larger specific surface area, richer C=S and C-S groups, and higher oxygen content than CNS-N2, resulting in finer Ru particles and more Ru0 content on the CNS-CO2 support. The Ru@CNS-CO2 catalyst exhibited high activity in hydrogenation and fragmentation of β-O-4 linkages.
Semen dysbiosis—just a male problem?
Authors: Morawiec Emilia , Czerwiński Michał , Czerwińska Anna Bednarska- , Wiczkowski Andrzej
Published: September 2022

Seminal microflora is crucial to male fertility. Dysbiosis—disturbance of quantitative ratios of individual bacteria or appearance of pathogenic species—rarely results in symptomatic disease. Inflammation results in decreased sperm production, lower motility, or morphological changes and, in the long term, can cause ejaculatory duct obstruction, leading to infertility. Moreover, it may cause infection of the partner’s female genital tract. Dysbiosis in both partners results in fertility problems, disorders in embryo implantation, or miscarriages. In addition, chronic inflammation of the male genitourinary system may accelerate the appearance of antisperm antibodies. A comprehensive examination of seminal microflora can clarify the causes of infertility or prevent pathological conditions that affect seminal parameters. Seminal microflora as a direct impact on fertility problems as well as a decrease in the effectiveness of assisted reproduction methods, insemination, or in vitro procedures.
Effects of ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity on all-cause mortality in a community-based elderly population
Authors: Zhang Anhang , Liu Yupeng , Ma Shouyuan , Bao Qiligeer , Sun Jin , Su Yongkang , Cai Shuang , Cheng Bokai , Li Man , Zhang Yan , Tao Tianqi , Qiu Jiaojiao , Dong Jing , Song Ge , Zhu Ping , Wang Shuxia
Published: September 2022

Background

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are both important indicators of arterial stiffness and vascular injury. At present, most studies on the relationship between ABI and baPWV and all-cause mortality in community-based elderly are analyzing ABI or baPWV alone, and will focus on a single special population such as diabetes and stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ABI and baPWV in a Chinese community-based elderly population, and to analyze their impact on all-cause mortality in a community-based population through a follow-up of nearly 10 years.

Methods

Participants were residents of the Wanshou Road community in Beijing, China. A total of 2,162 people in the community were included, with an average age of 71.48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 9.87 years, 1,826 subjects completed follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and different Cox regression models were used to verify the association of ABI and baPWV with all-cause mortality. The selected subjects were divided into two groups according to ABI and baPWV, and ABI was divided into two groups with 0.90 as the cut-off point (group 1: 0.9 < ABI ≤ 1.3; group 2: ABI ≤ 0.9); according to the level of baPWV, they were divided into three groups (Tertile 1: baPWV <1761.5 cm/s; Tertile 2: 1761.5 ≤ baPWV <2121.5 cm/s; Tertile 3: baPWV ≥2121.5 cm/s).

Results

1,826 people were included in the statistical analysis, and the total mortality rate was 181.3/1000. The 10-year all-cause mortality rate of the abnormal ABI group (group 2) was 44.7%, and that of the normal ABI group (group 1) was 17.0%; The 10-year all-cause mortality rates from low to high in the baPWV tertile were 10.0%, 18.7%, and 26.4%. In the Cox proportional hazards model, after adjusting for possible confounders, the effect of baPWV on all-cause mortality was significant, with the 3rd tertile having a 1.647-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality than the 1st tertile (P = 0.014 ).

Conclusions

ABI and baPWV are risk factors affecting all-cause mortality in the elderly community population, and baPWV is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in the elderly community population.
Case report: Artery of Percheron infarction as a rare complication during atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Xie Xin , Wang Xuecheng , Yu Jinbo , Zhou Xiaoqian , Shi Liya , Zhou Jian , Wu Yizhang , Chen Zijun , Zhang Baowei , Li Xiaorong , Yang Bing
Published: September 2022

The incidence of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation procedures is around 1% and may be unnoted under anesthesia. The artery of Percheron (AOP) infarction is a rare kind of stroke with heterogeneity in manifestation, which further makes the perioperative early detection and diagnosis a challenge. Herein, we present one patient who underwent AF ablation and presented mental status alteration after withdrawing anesthetics. An emergency head CT was obtained, which revealed no apparent pathological changes. A late MRI test confirmed the diagnosis of AOP infarction. With oral anticoagulants and rehabilitation therapies, the patient’s awareness improved and fully recovered on the sixth-month follow-up. Variability in manifestation, no positive radiological finding on initial CT, and a low incidence has made few clinicians to gain much experience with this type of infarct, which delays the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.
Pregestational diabetes alters cardiac structure and function of neonatal rats through developmental plasticity
Authors: Alam Md Jahangir , Uppulapu Shravan Kumar , Tiwari Vikas , Varghese Bincy , Mohammed Soheb Anwar , Adela Ramu , Arava Sudheer Kumar , Banerjee Sanjay K.
Published: September 2022

Pregestational diabetes (PGDM) leads to developmental impairment, especially cardiac dysfunction, in their offspring. The hyperglycemic microenvironment inside the uterus alters the cardiac plasticity characterized by electrical and structural remodeling of the heart. The altered expression of several transcription factors due to hyperglycemia during fetal development might be responsible for molecular defects and phenotypic changes in the heart. The molecular mechanism of the developmental defects in the heart due to PGDM remains unclear. To understand the molecular defects in the 2-days old neonatal rats, streptozotocin-induced diabetic female rats were bred with healthy male rats. We collected 2-day-old hearts from the neonates and identified the molecular basis for phenotypic changes. Neonates from diabetic mothers showed altered electrocardiography and echocardiography parameters. Transcriptomic profiling of the RNA-seq data revealed that several altered genes were associated with heart development, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac conduction, and cell proliferation. Histopathology data showed the presence of focal cardiac fibrosis and increased cell proliferation in neonates from diabetic mothers. Thus, our results provide a comprehensive map of the cellular events and molecular pathways perturbed in the neonatal heart during PGDM. All of the molecular and structural changes lead to developmental plasticity in neonatal rat hearts and develop cardiac anomalies in their early life.
Differential expression pattern, bioinformatics analysis, and validation of circRNA and mRNA in patients with arteriosclerosis
Authors: Liu Yunyun , Wang Kangjie , Li Guanhua , Chen Zhibo
Published: September 2022

Background

Lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in lower limb arteries, leading to vascular stenosis and occlusion, and is a major factor leading to lower limb amputation. The ASO seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients. As living standards improve, the disease tends to occur in younger patients, and the incidence keeps increasing year by year. The circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be tissue-specific, and they play an important role in a variety of diseases, but there are few studies on the pathogenic role and expression of circRNAs in ASOs.

Method

Three diseased arteries from patients with ASO and three healthy arteries from healthy donors were collected for second-generation sequencing, and the pathogenic pathways and possible pathogenic circRNAs related to ASO were screened through bioinformatics analysis. PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to validate the sequencing results. The expression of circRNA-0008706 in human arterial smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) was knocked down using siRNA technology to explore its function.

Result

We identified 480 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and 2,997 DEmRNAs. Functional analysis revealed that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), lipid transport, regulation of extracellular matrix disassembly, regulation of cardiac muscle cell proliferation, branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic process, and positive regulation of cell growth and migration were enriched. Based on our previous microRNA array results, we constructed an ASO disease-specific competing endogenous (ceRNA) network. After validation, circRNA-0008706 was selected for functional analysis. Knockdown of circRNA-0008706 significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration phenotype of HASMCs and decreased the BCAT1 expression, which may be due to the specific binding of circRNA-0008706 to microRNA-125b-5p.

Conclusion

This study is the first to compare the circRNA and mRNA expression profiles of ASOs and healthy arterial specimens and to construct a disease-specific ceRNA network for ASOs. This study may provide a new therapeutic target for ASO.
Quantitative acetylated proteomics on left atrial appendage tissues revealed atrial energy metabolism and contraction status in patients with valvular heart disease with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Tu Tao , Qin Fen , Bai Fan , Xiao Yichao , Ma Yingxu , Li Biao , Liu Na , Zhang Baojian , Sun Chao , Liao Xiaobo , Zhou Shenghua , Liu Qiming
Published: September 2022

Background

Numerous basic studies have demonstrated critical roles of metabolic and contractile remodeling in pathophysiological changes of atrial fibrillation (AF), but acetylation changes underlying atrial remodeling have not been fully elucidated. Quantitative acetylated proteomics enables researchers to identify a comprehensive map of protein alterations responsible for pathological development and progression of AF in the heart of patients.

Materials and methods

In this study, 18 samples (9 with chronic AF and 9 with sinus rhythm) of left atrial appendage (LAA) tissues were obtained during mitral valve replacement surgery. Changes in the quantitative acetylated proteome between the AF and sinus rhythm (SR) groups were studied by dimethyl labeling, acetylation affinity enrichment, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

Results

We identified a total of 5,007 acetylated sites on 1,330 acetylated proteins, among which 352 acetylated sites on 193 acetylated proteins were differentially expressed between the AF and SR groups by setting a quantification ratio of 1.3 for threshold value and P < 0.05 for significant statistical difference. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the differentially expressed acetylated proteins were mainly involved in energy metabolism and cellular contraction and structure function-related biological processes and pathways. Among 87 differentially expressed energy metabolism acetylated proteins related to the processes of fatty acid, carbohydrate, ketone body metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, nearly 87.1% Kac sites were upregulated (148 Kac sites among 170) in the AF group. Besides, generally declining acetylation of cardiac muscle contraction-related proteins (88.9% Kac sites of myosin) was found in the LAA of patients with AF. Immune coprecipitation combined with Western blotting was conducted to validate the differential expression of acetylated proteins.

Conclusion

Many differentially expressed energy metabolism and cellular contraction acetylated proteins were found in the LAA tissues of patients with chronic AF, and may reflect the impaired ATP production capacity and decreased atrial muscle contractility in the atrium during AF. Thus, acetylation may play an important regulatory role in metabolic and contractile remodeling of the atrium during AF. Moreover, the identified new acetylated sites and proteins may become promising targets for prevention and treatment of AF.
Quantitative and qualitative features of carotid and coronary atherosclerotic plaque among men and women
Authors: Onnis Carlotta , Cadeddu Dessalvi Christian , Cademartiri Filippo , Muscogiuri Giuseppe , Angius Simone , Contini Francesca , Suri Jasjit S. , Sironi Sandro , Salgado Rodrigo , Esposito Antonio , Saba Luca
Published: September 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, present epidemiologically in a different way among sexes. The reasons of these sex-based differences should be delved into sex-specific cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and different mechanisms of atherosclerotic progression. Imaging techniques of both carotid and coronary atherosclerotic plaques represent a tool to demonstrate sex-related features which might be used to further and better assess CV risk of male and female population. The aim of this review is to evaluate current knowledge on sex-specific qualitative and quantitative plaque features of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. We also discuss the clinical implication of a sex-based plaque phenotype, evaluated with non-invasive imaging techniques, such as CT-angiography and MRI-angiography, to stratify CV risk.
Case Report: One alternative surgical treatment for retrograde peri-implantitis
Authors: Hoffman Matthew J , Hale Demetria D , Hale Kenneth L
Published: September 2022

Background

Retrograde peri-implantitis is an infection at the apex of an implant, leading to progressive bone loss. We present a surgical technique that is an alternative to implant removal or “implantoplasty.”

Case

A 47-year-old patient developed retrograde peri-implantitis 18 months after implant placement. As the infection was localized to the apex of the implant, an apicoectomy was performed on the implant. Post-operative serial periapical radiographs showed reparative tissue within 4 months, and a follow-up radiograph showed complete bone restoration 2 years later.

Practical Implications

The findings of this case suggest a viable alternative to condemnation and removal of an implant with a periapical infection. It may be viable to resect the contaminated portion of the implant, graft the defect, and gain long-term retention and service of the implant.
The Geochemical Evolution of Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Archipelago
Authors: Wilson E. L. , Harpp K. S. , Schwartz D. M. , Van Kirk R.
Published: September 2022

Understanding how ocean island volcanoes evolve provides important insight into the behavior of mantle plumes, how plumes interact with mid-ocean ridges, and potential risks posed to inhabitants as the islands age. In this field-based study of the Galápagos Islands, we use radiogenic isotope ratio, major element, and trace element analysis of >70 new lava samples to document the geochemical evolution of Santa Cruz Island over the past ∼2 million years, as it has been carried away from the plume. Currently, Santa Cruz is a dormant shield volcano in the central archipelago. Previous work indicates that exposed lavas preserve >1 million years of activity in two eruptive units:1) The older Platform Series, exposed primarily in the northeast; and2) the Shield Series, which blankets the rest of Santa Cruz and erupted from a WNW trending fissure system. Our new geochemical analyses indicate that the Platform Series lavas are more evolved and isotopically enriched than Shield lavas, but neither as compositionally monotonous nor as isotopically enriched as the younger western Galápagos volcanoes. Santa Cruz formed when the Galápagos Spreading Center (GSC) was closer to the plume than it is today, resulting in enhanced plume-ridge interaction and transport of plume material to the ridge. Consequently, the Platform Series was formed under relatively magma-starved conditions compared to today’s western volcanoes. Magma supply was sufficient for partial fractionation and homogenization of melts in shallow reservoirs, but inadequate to support thermochemically buffered networks like those in the present-day western archipelago. The slight depletion of Platform Series lavas relative to Fernandina reflects entrainment of depleted upper mantle and/or diversion of deep, enriched plume melts to the nearby GSC. The younger Shield Series lavas are even more depleted because plate motion has carried the volcano across the compositional boundary of the bilaterally asymmetric plume into its more depleted zone. Shield Series lavas’ variable, primitive compositions reflect minimal crustal processing in small, ephemeral, poorly supplied magma reservoirs. Unlike the young western shields, the constructional history of Santa Cruz has been controlled to a significant extent by its proximity to the GSC.
Out of the blue: Volcanic SO2 emissions during the 2021–2022 eruptions of Hunga Tonga—Hunga Ha’apai (Tonga)
Authors: Carn S. A. , Krotkov N. A. , Fisher B. L. , Li C.
Published: September 2022

Most volcanism on Earth is submarine, but volcanic gas emissions by submarine eruptions are rarely observed and hence largely unquantified. On 15 January 2022 a submarine eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano (Tonga) generated an explosion of historic magnitude, and was preceded by ∼1 month of Surtseyan eruptive activity and two precursory explosive eruptions. We present an analysis of ultraviolet (UV) satellite measurements of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) between December 2021 and the climactic 15 January 2022 eruption, comprising an unprecedented record of Surtseyan eruptive emissions. UV measurements from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite, the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on Suomi-NPP, the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on ESA’s Sentinel-5P, and the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) are combined to yield a consistent multi-sensor record of eruptive degassing. We estimate SO2 emissions during the eruption’s key phases: the initial 19 December 2021 eruption (∼0.01 Tg SO2); continuous SO2 emissions from 20 December 2021—early January 2022 (∼0.12 Tg SO2); the 13 January 2022 stratospheric eruption (0.06 Tg SO2); and the paroxysmal 15 January 2022 eruption (∼0.4–0.5 Tg SO2); yielding a total SO2 emission of ∼0.6–0.7 Tg SO2 for the eruptive episode. We interpret the vigorous SO2 emissions observed prior to the January 2022 eruptions, which were significantly higher than measured in the 2009 and 2014 HTHH eruptions, as strong evidence for a rejuvenated magmatic system. High cadence DSCOVR/EPIC SO2 imagery permits the first UV-based analysis of umbrella cloud spreading and volume flux in the 13 January 2022 eruption, and also tracks early dispersion of the stratospheric SO2 cloud injected on January 15. The ∼0.4–0.5 Tg SO2 discharged by the paroxysmal 15 January 2022 HTHH eruption is low relative to other eruptions of similar magnitude, and a review of other submarine eruptions in the satellite era indicates that modest SO2 yields may be characteristic of submarine volcanism, with the emissions and atmospheric impacts likely dominated by water vapor. The origin of the low SO2 loading awaits further investigation but scrubbing of SO2 in the water-rich eruption plumes and rapid conversion to sulfate aerosol are plausible, given the exceptional water emission by the 15 January 2022 HTHH eruption.
Microstructure and heterogeneity of coal-bearing organic shale in the southeast Ordos Basin, China: Implications for shale gas storage
Authors: Yu Rui , Wang Zetang , Liu Cheng , Zhang Wenli , Zhu Yuxuan , Tang Mengmeng , Che Qianjin
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the eastern margin of Ordos Basin has attracted much attention as a key base for unconventional natural gas exploration. The pore-fracture structure is an important physical property of shale and provides places and channels for methane storage and migration. In this study, an integrated method of X-ray diffraction, total organic carbon (TOC), vitrinite reflectance (Ro), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and low-temperature N2 adsorption was performed to reveal the microstructure and heterogeneity of coal-bearing organic shale in the southeast Ordos Basin. The result indicated that the studied shale belongs to the category of organic-rich shale with an average TOC content of 8.1% and reaches the dry gas stage with a mean Ro value of 2.41%. Hysteresis loop suggests the shapes of pore structure in shale samples are dominated by inkbottle, cylindrical pores or parallel-plate. A positive correlation between kaolinite and pore surface area indicates that kaolinite contributes greatly to micropores with a large specific surface area. Intense hydrocarbon generation promotes gas to escape from organic components’ surfaces, thereby increasing the pore volume. Coal-bearing shales with high brittleness may contain more natural microfractures, increasing specific surface area and pore volume. The bocking effect of minerals in microfractures may reduce pore connectivity and connectivity and enhance shale heterogeneity. The pore volume and specific surface area of coal-bearing shale are closely related to the fractal dimensions. The high complexity of the shale microstructure may lead to the formation of more micropores, resulting in a decrease in the average pore size. Besides, organic and clay-hosted pores in coal-bearing shale with high maturity may well be the main storage space for methane, but the methane is mainly stored in organic pores in marine shale.
Qualitative–quantitative multiscale pore characteristics of black shale from the Upper Ordovician and Lower Silurian black shale in the Southern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Han Chao , Zhang Yuetong , Wang Guorui , Li Hua , Zhang Zhihui , Li Qiang
Published: September 2022

Accurate investigation of shale pores is critical to the assessment of shale-gas reservoir properties. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been commonly conducted in shale pore studies. In this study, we take the black shale from the Upper Ordovician and Lower Silurian black shale in the Southern Sichuan Basin as an example. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to study the pores at multiple scales, and we discuss the effectiveness of shale pore detection by multiple methods. The following results were obtained: 1) The black shale is composed of quartz, feldsaper, calcite, dolomite and clay minerals in the study area, and its average TOC and porosity are 2.19 and 2.12%, respectively. 2) The CT results show that the pore size of macropores (pore size >0.5 μm) mainly ranges from 2 to 16 μm. Nitrogen adsorption analysis shows that organic-rich shale has abundant organic matter pores with narrow necks and wide bodies. The pores of organic-poor shale are mainly composed of mineral-associated pores with narrow slit shapes. The NMR results show that with increasing TOC, the left peak T2 relaxation times move leftwards, meaning that organic matter pores have a larger pore size than matrix pores at the mesopore scale. 3) CT data identify lamellation fractures and bed-cutting fractures, and their development is controlled by mineral type and content, TOC and laminae density. 4) The determination of segmentation thresholds in CT and transverse surface relaxivity in NMR seriously affects the accuracy of the results.
Nationwide changes in physical activity, nutrient intake, and obesity in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic era
Authors: Yang Hong Jun , Park Saengryeol , Yoon Tai-Young , Ryoo Jae-Hong , Park Sung Keun , Jung Ju Young , Lee Ju-Hyung , Oh Chang-Mo
Published: September 2022

Background

This study aimed to examine changes in obesity rates and obesity-related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a previous period.

Methods

An ecological time-series study was designed using the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) database from 2014 to 2020. The expected values of obesity rate, physical activity rate, and nutrient intake for 2020 were estimated. The differences between the predicted and actual values for 2020 were also examined. In addition, a multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the changes in obesity and physical activity rates in 2020 compared to 2019.

Results

The actual obesity rates in 2020 were higher, and the walking and aerobic physical activity rates were lower than the predicted values for the same year. However, the actual resistance training rates in 2020 were higher and the total energy intake was lower than the predicted values for 2020. In the multiple logistic regression model, the odds ratios for obesity, aerobic physical activity, and walking among men in 2020 were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.55), 0.86 (0.74 to 1.01), and 0.84 (0.73 to 0.97), respectively, compared to those in 2019. However, there were no significant differences between the values for women in 2020 and 2019.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the male obesity rate in Korea has significantly increased during the COVID-19 epidemic, mainly due to a decrease in physical activity.
Development and verification of a new nuclear data processing code AXSP
Authors: Hu Kui , Ma Xubo , Ma Xuan , Huang Yuqin , Zhang Chen , Chen Yixue
Published: September 2022

The advanced reactor design needs an accurate cross-section generation code. In this study, a new nuclear data processing code AXSP is developed, and the method and performance of which are described. Compared with the NJOY program, the precision of the unresolved resonance processing module UnresXS has been significantly improved due to the adoption of a more accurate solution method and the consideration of in-sequence overlap integrals. The time consumption of PUnresXS has been decreased significantly due to an optimized sorting algorithm. At the same time, other modules of AXSP are relatively comprehensive. The function of resolved resonance cross-section reconstruction and linearization is the ReconXS module. The Doppler broadening module is BroadXS by using Gauss–Hermite quadrature and Gauss–Legendre quadrature from 0 K temperature pointwise cross section to any temperature which is defined by the user. The shielding factor in the unresolved resonance energy region is calculated by the UnresXS or the PUnresXS module, which are developed based on the Bondarenko method and the probability table method, respectively. The ACE formatted cross sections for the Monte Carlo code is processed by the ACEXS module, and the multigroup cross sections are generated by the GroupXS module. The cross sections processed by different modules were verified by the NJOY2016 code, and the multigroup cross sections were also verified by using the critical benchmarks. The multiplication factor difference between AXSP and NJOY2016 is less than 20 pcm. In addition to this, the ZPR6/7 fast reactor is used for ACE format library verification. The results show that the criticality calculated by AXSP has a good agreement with that of NJOY2016.