bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity among Finnish private service sector workers: validity, prevalence and determinants
Authors: Walsh Hanna M , Nevalainen Jaakko , Saari Tiina , Uusitalo Liisa , Näppilä Turkka , Rahkonen Ossi , Erkkola Maijaliisa
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To examine the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among private sector service workers in Finland and assess validity of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) tool.

Design:

In this cross-sectional study, food insecurity and background characteristics were collected from Finnish private service workers via electronic questionnaires (2019) and national register data (2018–2019). We conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the variables explaining food insecurity. Validity of HFIAS was assessed with rotated principal component analysis and Cronbach’s α.

Setting:

Members of the trade union for private sector service workers, Service Union United (PAM), from all municipalities in Finland participated in the study in 2019.

Participants:

The subjects were 6435 private sector workers that were members of the Service Union United (PAM) in Finland. Mean age of participants was 44 years (sd 12·7 years).

Results:

Two-thirds of the participants (65 %) were food insecure with over a third (36 %) reporting severe food insecurity. Reporting great difficulties in covering household expenses and young age markedly increased the risk of severe food insecurity (OR 15·05; 95 % CI 10·60, 21·38 and OR 5·07; 95 % CI 3·94, 6·52, respectively). Not being married, low education, working in the hospitality industry, being male and living in rented housing also increased the probability of severe food insecurity. The HFIAS tool demonstrated acceptable construct and criterion validity.

Conclusions:

Severe food insecurity was widespread and associated with low socio-economic status, young age and being male among Finnish private sector service workers, emphasising the need for regular monitoring of food insecurity in Finland.
‘Seeing’ Music in Early Twentieth Century Colonial Algeria
Authors: WILFORD STEPHEN
Published: January 2022

Postcards played an important role throughout the first half of the twentieth century in French-ruled Algeria, offering a fast and affordable means of communication between North Africa and Europe for French citizens working and travelling in the Maghreb. Alongside depictions of beautiful scenery and highly exoticized subjects, a large body of postcards portrayed musicians, musical instruments, and musical performances. This article considers how these postcards shaped French understanding of Algerian music, and Algerian culture more broadly. Algerian musicians were unlikely to appear on public radio broadcasts in France during this period, and these small, inexpensive, mass-produced images thus provided the way in which much of the French public would encounter Algerian music. The article also examines the ways in which postcards of the time depicted the role of music and sound within Algerian public spaces, and how they shaped the place of public and private sonic realms within colonial Algerian society.
Soil steaming to disinfect barnyardgrass-infested soil masses
Authors: Bitarafan Zahra , Kaczmarek-Derda Wiktoria , Berge Therese W. , Tørresen Kirsten S. , Fløistad Inger Sundheim
Published: January 2022

Reusing soil can reduce environmental impacts associated with obtaining natural fresh soil during road construction and analogous activities. However, the movement and reuse of soils can spread numerous plant diseases and pests, including propagules of weeds and invasive alien plant species. To avoid the spread of barnyardgrass in reused soil, its seeds must be killed before that soil is spread to new areas. We investigated the possibility of thermal control of barnyardgrass seeds using a prototype of a stationary soil steaming device. One Polish and four Norwegian seed populations were examined for thermal sensitivity. To mimic a natural range in seed moisture content, dried seeds were moistened for 0, 12, 24, or 48 h before steaming. To find effective soil temperatures and whether exposure duration is important, we tested target soil temperatures in the range 60 to 99 C at an exposure duration of 90 s (Experiment 1) and exposure durations of 30, 90, or 180 s with a target temperature of 99 C (Experiment 2). In a third experiment, we tested exposure durations of 90, 180, and 540 s at 99 C (Experiment 3). Obtaining target temperatures was challenging. For target temperatures of 60, 70, 80, and 99 C, the actual temperatures obtained were 59 to 69, 74 to 76, 77 to 83, and 94 to 99 C, respectively. After steaming treatments, seed germination was followed for 28 d in a greenhouse. Maximum soil temperature affected seed germination, but exposure duration did not. Seed premoistening was of influence but varied among temperatures and populations. The relationships between maximum soil temperature and seed germination were described by a common dose–response function. Seed germination was reduced by 50% when the maximum soil temperature reached 62 to 68 C and 90% at 76 to 86 C. For total weed control, 94 C was required in four populations, whereas 79 C was sufficient in one Norwegian population.
A Review of Cluster Wideband Data Multi‐Spacecraft Observations of Auroral Kilometric Radiation
Authors: Yearby K. H. , Pickett J. S.
Published: January 2022

We review important advances in the understanding of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) resulting from observations by the Wideband Data instruments on the four Cluster spacecraft. AKR is an intense radio emission originating in the Earth's auroral regions with frequencies typically in the range 50–700 kHz, usually observed from space. It is now widely accepted that AKR is generated by the cyclotron maser instability (CMI) in density cavities in the auroral acceleration region. Multi‐point observations by the Cluster spacecraft with a time delay of arrival technique have allowed the source locations of many individual AKR bursts to be determined. The position uncertainty is around 500 km at the source region or about 200 km when mapped on to the auroral zone. AKR is emitted in a narrow beam close to the tangent to the magnetic field vector in the source region. This has important implications for the possible generation mechanisms, being incompatible with filled or hollow cone beaming models. It also implies that an observer at a given location can only see AKR from a fraction of possibly active source regions. The complex frequency time structure of AKR sometimes shows regular striations or pulsations. Cluster observations of these phenomena have been interpreted as modulation of the CMI by disturbances propagating through the generation region. Exceptionally, AKR can sometimes be observed from low altitude spacecraft or even on the ground. Recent work has involved simultaneous observations of AKR on the Cluster spacecraft and on the ground at the South Pole.
The Impacts of Hydrometeors and Water Vapor in Stratiform Region on the Evolutions of MCSs and Embedded Convective Cells in a Pre‐Summer Rainfall Event Over South China
Authors: Zhou Wenhao , Gao Wenhua , Lu Chunsong , Tang Lanzhi
Published: January 2022

Both the stratiform and convective regions play important roles in the development of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). In this study, the impacts of hydrometeors and water vapor in stratiform region on the evolution of MCSs during a heavy rainfall event over South China are investigated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with Thompson microphysics. A series of sensitivity experiments including the reductions of water vapor to 95%, 80% (water vapor sensitivity experiments), and the reductions of hydrometeor mixing ratios to 10% (hydrometeor sensitivity experiments) in stratiform region are conducted, respectively. Results show that the control run reasonably reproduces the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of convective rainbands. The hydrometeor flux convergence partly indicates the changes of convection organization and movement direction. The intensities of precipitation and MCSs are significantly weakened by decreasing moisture advection to convective region in water vapor sensitivity experiments, but are a little weaker in hydrometeor sensitivity experiments. The enhanced water vapor advection and reduced sedimentation and evaporation of rain water in hydrometeor sensitivity experiments are responsible for the restoration of stratiform cloud. The stratiform region with more hydrometeors is generally more conducive to the development of convection than less one when they are at the same evolution stage. However, it is found that stronger convective cell can also exist in the stratiform region with less hydrometeors that is generated by the old convection cloud and at its dissipating stage, owing to the more transfer of water vapor and hydrometeors from stratiform to convective regions.
Toward implantable devices for angle-sensitive, lens-less, multifluorescent, single-photon lifetime imaging in the brain using Fabry–Perot and absorptive color filters
Authors: Taal Adriaan J. , Lee Changhyuk , Choi Jaebin , Hellenkamp Björn , Shepard Kenneth L.
Published: January 2022

Implantable image sensors have the potential to revolutionize neuroscience. Due to their small form factor requirements; however, conventional filters and optics cannot be implemented. These limitations obstruct high-resolution imaging of large neural densities. Recent advances in angle-sensitive image sensors and single-photon avalanche diodes have provided a path toward ultrathin lens-less fluorescence imaging, enabling plenoptic sensing by extending sensing capabilities to include photon arrival time and incident angle, thereby providing the opportunity for separability of fluorescence point sources within the context of light-field microscopy (LFM). However, the addition of spectral sensitivity to angle-sensitive LFM reduces imager resolution because each wavelength requires a separate pixel subset. Here, we present a 1024-pixel, 50  µm thick implantable shank-based neural imager with color-filter-grating-based angle-sensitive pixels. This angular-spectral sensitive front end combines a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) Fabry–Perot color filter and diffractive optics to produce the measurement of orthogonal light-field information from two distinct colors within a single photodetector. The result is the ability to add independent color sensing to LFM while doubling the effective pixel density. The implantable imager combines angular-spectral and temporal information to demix and localize multispectral fluorescent targets. In this initial prototype, this is demonstrated with 45 μm diameter fluorescently labeled beads in scattering medium. Fluorescent lifetime imaging is exploited to further aid source separation, in addition to detecting pH through lifetime changes in fluorescent dyes. While these initial fluorescent targets are considerably brighter than fluorescently labeled neurons, further improvements will allow the application of these techniques to in-vivo multifluorescent structural and functional neural imaging.
Intact neural and behavioral correlates of emotion processing and regulation in weight-recovered anorexia nervosa: a combined fMRI and EMA study
Authors: Seidel Maria , Pauligk Sophie , Fürtjes Sophia , King Joseph A. , Schlief Sophie-Maleen , Geisler Daniel , Walter Henrik , Goschke Thomas , Ehrlich Stefan
Published: January 2022

Altered emotion processing and regulation mechanisms play a key role in eating disorders. We recently reported increased fMRI responses in brain regions involved in emotion processing (amygdala, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) in acutely underweight anorexia nervosa (AN) patients while passively viewing negatively valenced images. We also showed that patients’ ability to downregulate activity elicited by positively valenced pictures in a brain region involved in reward processing (ventral striatum) was predictive of worse outcomes (increased rumination and negative affect). The current study tries to answer the question of whether these alterations are only state effects associated with undernutrition or whether they constitute a trait characteristic of the disorder that persists after recovery. Forty-one individuals that were weight-recovered from AN (recAN) and 41 age-matched healthy controls (HC) completed an established emotion regulation paradigm using negatively and positively valenced visual stimuli. We assessed behavioral (arousal) and fMRI measures (activity in the amygdala, ventral striatum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) during emotion processing and regulation. Additionally, measures of disorder-relevant rumination and affect were collected several times daily for 2 weeks after scanning via ecological momentary assessment. In contrast to our previous findings in acute AN patients, recAN showed no significant alterations either on a behavioral or neural level. Further, there were no associations between fMRI responses and post-scan momentary measures of rumination and affect. Together, these results suggest that neural responses to emotionally valenced stimuli as well as relationships with everyday rumination and affect likely reflect state-related alterations in AN that improve following successful weight-recovery.
Neural correlates of reward processing distinguish healthy youth at familial risk for bipolar disorder from youth at familial risk for major depressive disorder
Authors: Nimarko Akua F. , Gorelik Aaron J. , Carta Kayla E. , Gorelik Mark G. , Singh Manpreet K.
Published: January 2022

Youth at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD-risk) and major depressive disorder (MDD-risk) have aberrant reward processing, a core feature of these mood disorders. Whether BD risk differentiates from MDD risk in reward processing merits further study. We compared neural activation and connectivity during anticipation and outcome of monetary gain and loss during fMRI using the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) Task among BD-risk (n = 40), MDD-risk (n = 41), and healthy comparison youth (HC) (n = 45), in the absence of any lifetime or current history of psychopathology [mean age 13.09 ± 2.58, 56.3% female]. Participants completed the MID task at baseline and were followed for behavioral and clinical outcomes over 4.37 ± 2.29 years. Region-of-interest (ROI) analyses conducted using anatomically defined thalamus, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and putamen seeds showed that relative to MDD-risk and HC, BD-risk had decreased activation of the thalamus during anticipation of monetary gain [F(2,118) = 4.64,p = 0.01 (FDR-correctedp = 0.04)]. Psychophysiological interaction analyses revealed that BD-risk had less connectivity between the thalamus and left middle frontal gyrus (Z > 3.1,p < 0.001) and left-superior temporal gyrus (Z > 3.1,p < 0.05) compared with MDD-risk. Voxelwise, BD-risk had decreased activation in the cerebellum during anticipation and outcome of monetary gain relative to MDD-risk and HC (Z > 3.1,p < 0.001;Z > 3.1,p < 0.01). In BD-risk, decreased thalamic connectivity was associated with increased impulsivity at baseline and reduced prosocial behavior at follow-up. Reduced thalamic activation and connectivity during reward processing may distinguish familial risk for BD from familial risk for MDD and represent early markers of vulnerability that may herald social dysfunction later in adolescence.
Irradiation causes senescence, ATP release, and P2X7 receptor isoform switch in glioblastoma
Authors: Zanoni Michele , Sarti Alba Clara , Zamagni Alice , Cortesi Michela , Pignatta Sara , Arienti Chiara , Tebaldi Michela , Sarnelli Anna , Romeo Antonino , Bartolini Daniela , Tosatto Luigino , Adinolfi Elena , Tesei Anna , Di Virgilio Francesco
Published: January 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain tumor in adults. Radiation, together with temozolomide is the standard treatment, but nevertheless, relapse occurs in nearly all cases. Understanding the mechanisms underlying radiation resistance may help to find more effective therapies. After radiation treatment, ATP is released into the tumor microenvironment where it binds and activates purinergic P2 receptors, mainly of the P2X7 subtype. Two main P2X7 splice variants, P2X7A and P2X7B, are expressed in most cell types, where they associate with distinct biochemical and functional responses. GBM cells widely differ for the level of P2X7 isoform expression and accordingly for sensitivity to stimulation with extracellular ATP (eATP). Irradiation causes a dramatic shift in P2X7 isoform expression, with the P2X7A isoform being down- and the P2X7B isoform up-modulated, as well as extensive cell death and overexpression of stemness and senescence markers. Treatment with P2X7 blockers during the post-irradiation recovery potentiated irradiation-dependent cytotoxicity, suggesting that P2X7B activation by eATP generated a trophic/growth-promoting stimulus. Altogether, these data show that P2X7A and B receptor isoform levels are inversely modulated during the post-irradiation recovery phase in GBM cells.
Breathing coordinates cortico-hippocampal dynamics in mice during offline states
Authors: Karalis Nikolaos , Sirota Anton
Published: January 2022

Network dynamics have been proposed as a mechanistic substrate for the information transfer across cortical and hippocampal circuits. However, little is known about the mechanisms that synchronize and coordinate these processes across widespread brain regions during offline states. Here we address the hypothesis that breathing acts as an oscillatory pacemaker, persistently coupling distributed brain circuit dynamics. Using large-scale recordings from a number of cortical and subcortical brain regions in behaving mice, we uncover the presence of an intracerebral respiratory corollary discharge, that modulates neural activity across these circuits. During offline states, the respiratory modulation underlies the coupling of hippocampal sharp-wave ripples and cortical DOWN/UP state transitions, which mediates systems memory consolidation. These results highlight breathing, a perennial brain rhythm, as an oscillatory scaffold for the functional coordination of the limbic circuit that supports the segregation and integration of information flow across neuronal networks during offline states.
Accessing the main-group metal formyl scaffold through CO-activation in beryllium hydride complexes
Authors: Hadlington Terrance J. , Szilvási Tibor
Published: January 2022

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indispensable C1 building block. For decades this abundant gas has been employed in hydroformylation and Pausen-Khand catalysis, amongst many related chemistries, where a single, non-coupled CO fragment is delivered to an organic molecule. Despite this, organometallic species which react with CO to yield C1 products remain rare, and are elusive for main group metal complexes. Here, we describe a range of amido-beryllium hydride complexes, and demonstrate their reactivity towards CO, in its mono-insertion into the Be-H bonds of these species. The small radius of the Be2+ ion in conjunction with the non-innocent pendant phosphine moiety of the developed ligands leads to a unique beryllium formyl complex with an ylidic P-COC fragment, whereby the carbon centre, remarkably, datively binds Be. This, alongside reactivity toward carbon dioxide, sheds light on the insertion chemistry of the Be-H bond, complimenting the long-known chemistry of the heavier Alkaline Earth hydrides.
Human reproduction is regulated by retrotransposons derived from ancient Hominidae-specific viral infections
Authors: Xiang Xinyu , Tao Yu , DiRusso Jonathan , Hsu Fei-Man , Zhang Jinchun , Xue Ziwei , Pontis Julien , Trono Didier , Liu Wanlu , Clark Amander T.
Published: January 2022

Germ cells are essential to pass DNA from one generation to the next. In human reproduction, germ cell development begins with the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and a failure to specify PGCs leads to human infertility. Recent studies have revealed that the transcription factor network required for PGC specification has diverged in mammals, and this has a significant impact on our understanding of human reproduction. Here, we reveal that the Hominidae-specific Transposable Elements (TEs) LTR5Hs, may serve as TEENhancers (TE Embedded eNhancers) to facilitate PGC specification. LTR5Hs TEENhancers become transcriptionally active during PGC specification both in vivo and in vitro with epigenetic reprogramming leading to increased chromatin accessibility, localized DNA demethylation, enrichment of H3K27ac, and occupation of key hPGC transcription factors. Inactivation of LTR5Hs TEENhancers with KRAB mediated CRISPRi has a significant impact on germ cell specification. In summary, our data reveals the essential role of Hominidae-specific LTR5Hs TEENhancers in human germ cell development.
Histone demethylase Lsd1 is required for the differentiation of neural cells in Nematostella vectensis
Authors: Gahan James M. , Kouzel Ian U. , Jansen Kamilla Ormevik , Burkhardt Pawel , Rentzsch Fabian
Published: January 2022

Chromatin regulation is a key process in development but its contribution to the evolution of animals is largely unexplored. Chromatin is regulated by a diverse set of proteins, which themselves are tightly regulated in a cell/tissue-specific manner. Using the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis as a basal metazoan model, we explore the function of one such chromatin regulator, Lysine specific demethylase 1 (Lsd1). We generated an endogenously tagged allele and show that NvLsd1 expression is developmentally regulated and higher in differentiated neural cells than their progenitors. We further show, using a CRISPR/Cas9 generated mutant that loss of NvLsd1 leads to developmental abnormalities. This includes the almost complete loss of differentiated cnidocytes, cnidarian-specific neural cells, as a result of a cell-autonomous requirement for NvLsd1. Together this suggests that the integration of chromatin modifying proteins into developmental regulation predates the split of the cnidarian and bilaterian lineages and constitutes an ancient feature of animal development.
Bicyclic azetidines target acute and chronic stages of Toxoplasma gondii by inhibiting parasite phenylalanyl t-RNA synthetase
Authors: Radke Joshua B. , Melillo Bruno , Mittal Payal , Sharma Manmohan , Sharma Amit , Fu Yong , Uddin Taher , Gonse Arthur , Comer Eamon , Schreiber Stuart L. , Gupta Anil K. , Chatterjee Arnab K. , Sibley L. David
Published: January 2022

Toxoplasma gondii commonly infects humans and while most infections are controlled by the immune response, currently approved drugs are not capable of clearing chronic infection in humans. Hence, approximately one third of the world’s human population is at risk of reactivation, potentially leading to severe sequelae. To identify new candidates for treating chronic infection, we investigated a series of compounds derived from diversity-oriented synthesis. Bicyclic azetidines are potent low nanomolar inhibitors of phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS) in T. gondii, with excellent selectivity. Biochemical and genetic studies validate PheRS as the primary target of bicyclic azetidines in T. gondii, providing a structural basis for rational design of improved analogs. Favorable pharmacokinetic properties of a lead compound provide excellent protection from acute infection and partial protection from chronic infection in an immunocompromised mouse model of toxoplasmosis. Collectively, PheRS inhibitors of the bicyclic azetidine series offer promise for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis.
Mutations in viral nucleocapsid protein and endoRNase are discovered to associate with COVID19 hospitalization risk
Authors: Zhao Lue Ping , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Gilbert Peter , Schiffer Joshua , Lybrand Terry P. , Payne Thomas H. , Randhawa April , Thiebaud Sara , Mills Margaret , Greninger Alex , Pyo Chul-Woo , Wang Ruihan , Li Renyu , Thomas Alexander , Norris Brandon , Nelson Wyatt C. , Jerome Keith R. , Geraghty Daniel E.
Published: January 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is spreading worldwide with continuously evolving variants, some of which occur in the Spike protein and appear to increase viral transmissibility. However, variants that cause severe COVID-19 or lead to other breakthroughs have not been well characterized. To discover such viral variants, we assembled a cohort of 683 COVID-19 patients; 388 inpatients (“cases”) and 295 outpatients (“controls”) from April to August 2020 using electronically captured COVID test request forms and sequenced their viral genomes. To improve the analytical power, we accessed 7137 viral sequences in Washington State to filter out viral single nucleotide variants (SNVs) that did not have significant expansions over the collection period. Applying this filter led to the identification of 53 SNVs that were statistically significant, of which 13 SNVs each had 3 or more variant copies in the discovery cohort. Correlating these selected SNVs with case/control status, eight SNVs were found to significantly associate with inpatient status (q-values < 0.01). Using temporal synchrony, we identified a four SNV-haplotype (t19839-g28881-g28882-g28883) that was significantly associated with case/control status (Fisher’s exact p = 2.84 × 10–11). This haplotype appeared in April 2020, peaked in June, and persisted into January 2021. The association was replicated (OR = 5.46, p-value = 4.71 × 10−12) in an independent cohort of 964 COVID-19 patients (June 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021). The haplotype included a synonymous change N73N in endoRNase, and three non-synonymous changes coding residues R203K, R203S and G204R in the nucleocapsid protein. This discovery points to the potential functional role of the nucleocapsid protein in triggering “cytokine storms” and severe COVID-19 that led to hospitalization. The study further emphasizes a need for tracking and analyzing viral sequences in correlations with clinical status.
Effect of milk-derived bioactive peptides on the lipid stability and functional properties of beef nuggets
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Sajid , Hina Gule , Anjum Faqir Muhammad , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul
Published: January 2022

The present study was conducted to ascertain the beneficial effects of bioactive peptides on the oxidative stability and functional properties of beef nuggets. In this study, milk casein protein hydrolysates were extracted and incorporated into beef nuggets which were then subjected to different assessment parameters including oxidative stability, functional capability as well as microbial and physico-chemical quality tests were performed for determining the meat quality at different storage periods. The casein protein hydrolysate powder (CPH) was added at different concentrations in nuggets CPH 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%, with reference to storage period of 0, 5, 10 and 15 days at 4 °C. The results regarding total phenolic contents (TPC) and DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed a significant increased with respect to CPH powder and significantly decreased with respect to storage interval. The TVBN, TBARS and POV of the CPH powder incorporated raw beef nuggets also differed significantly within groups with storage time. Higher POV and TBARS were noticed in the CPH 8% incorporated beef nuggets. However, the raw beef nuggets that were made by the incorporation 8% CPH powder, maintained significantly lower level of TBARS at the end of the storage period in contrast with the levels of the control (CPH 0%). The results of the pH and Hunter color test also showed a significant difference with respect to different groups. The microbiological analysis of beef nuggets showed a significant decrease in the level of both the total aerobic and coliform counts and also indicated a decreasing trend in the level of contamination by these bacteria within the groups. This depicted that the casein protein hydrolysate powder (CPH) or simply, the peptide powder has the strong ability to decrease lipid oxidation and related shelf-life retarding natural processes occurring in the meat. It can also greatly enhance the functional properties of the raw meat (beef) and meat products. Thus, it is seen that the bioactive peptides (BAP’s) are a key factor in improving the oxidative stability and functional properties of beef nuggets.
Chronic wound isolates and their minimum inhibitory concentrations against third generation cephalosporins at a tertiary hospital in Uganda
Authors: Wangoye Khalim , Mwesigye James , Tungotyo Martin , Twinomujuni Samba Silvano
Published: January 2022

Globally, the burden of chronic wound infections is likely to increase due to the rising levels of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In the United States of America alone, more than 6.5 million chronic wounds with evidence of bacterial infection are diagnosed every year. In addition, the polymicrobial environment in chronic wound infections has been observed from several studies as a risk factor for development of resistance to many antibiotics including the third generation cephalosporins currently used in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment of chronic wound infections. Therefore the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic wound isolates and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against third generation cephalosporins. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical survey of bacterial isolates from chronic wound infection among 75 study participants admitted in the surgical ward of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), a tertiary Hospital in Western Uganda. Standard laboratory bacterial culture and identification techniques as well as broth microdilution method were used to isolate, identify pathogens and test for MIC respectively. We found that 69/75 study participants had samples with bacterial growth and the most prevalent pathogens isolated were staphylococcus aureus (40.6%) and Klebsiella spp. (29%). Generally, most isolates were susceptible to cefoperazone + sulbactum 2 g (Sulcef) and ceftriaxone 1 g (Epicephin). The overall prevalence of isolates in chronic wound infection among patients admitted in the surgical ward of MRRH was 92% and the most prevalent isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species and proteus species respectively. The observed MIC values were higher than the CLSI clinical breakpoint, implying a decreasing trend in susceptibility of chronic wound isolates to third generation cephalosporins.
Simple diameter measurement as predictor of liver volume and liver parenchymal disease
Authors: Seppelt D. , Ittermann T. , Kromrey M. L. , Kolb C. , vWahsen C. , Heiss P. , Völzke H. , Hoffmann R. T. , Kühn J. P.
Published: January 2022

To investigate the accuracy of liver diameters for estimation of liver size and to evaluate their application as tool for assessment of parenchymal liver disease. In the course of a population-based study, (SHIP) one thousand nine hundred thirty-nine volunteers underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver including 3D gradient echo MRI sequences. Maximum liver diameters were measured in cranio-caudal (CC), anterior–posterior (AP), medial–lateral (ML) orientation. Diameters were compared with true liver volume assessed by liver segmentation. Additionally, age-dependent reference values for diameters were defined. Finally, accuracy of liver diameters was assessed to discriminate volunteers with healthy livers and participants with parenchymal changes, measured by MRI and laboratory. Reference values of liver diameters within the healthy population (n = 886) were defined as follows (mean ± standard deviation, confidence interval CI in cm): CC 17.2 ± 2, CI 13.6/21.2; AP 15.8 ± 1.9, CI 12.6/19.8; ML 19.7 ± 2.3, CI 15.8/24.6. There was a poor correlation using linear regression between liver diameter and true liver volume; CC 0.393, AP 0.359; ML 0.137. The AP direction shows the best correlation to discriminate between healthy and pathologic liver changes; AUC 0.78; p < 0.001, CC AUC 0.53; p < 0.001 and ML AUC 0.52; p = 0.008. Measurement of liver diameter, especially in the anterior–posterior direction is a simple option to detect chronic liver disease but less suitable for prediction of liver volume.
Oxygen transport during liquid ventilation: an in vitro study
Authors: Bauer Katrin , Janke Thomas , Schwarze Rüdiger
Published: January 2022

An in vitro experiment on the dissolved oxygen transport during liquid ventilation by means of measuring global oxygen concentration fields is presented within this work. We consider the flow in an idealized four generation model of the human airways in a range of peak Reynolds numbers of $$Re = 500$$

R
e
=
500

–3400 and Womersley numbers of $$\alpha = 3$$

α
=
3

–5. Fluorescence quenching measurements were employed in order to visualize and quantify the oxygen distribution with high temporal and spatial resolution during the breathing cycle. Measurements with varying tidal volumes and oscillating frequencies reveal short living times of characteristic concentration patterns for all parameter variations. Similarities to typical velocity patterns in similar lung models persist only in early phases during each cycle. Concentration gradients are quickly homogenized by secondary motions within the lung model. A strong dependency of peak oxygen concentration on tidal volume is observed with considerably higher relative concentrations for higher tidal volumes.
Prognostic implications of N6-methyladenosine RNA regulators in breast cancer
Authors: Tai Jiaojiao , Wang Linbang , Guo Hao , Yan Ziqiang , Liu Jingkun
Published: January 2022

The significance of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications in the progression of breast cancer (BC) has been recognised. However, their potential role and mechanism of action in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and immune response has not been demonstrated. Thus, the role of m6A regulators and their downstream target gene components in BC remain to be explored. In this study, we used a series of bioinformatics methods and experiments to conduct exploratory research on the possible role of m6A regulators in BC. First, two regulatory modes of immune activation and inactivation were determined by tumour classification. The TME, immune cell infiltration, and gene set variation analysis results confirmed the reliability of this pattern. The prognostic model of the m6A regulator was established by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, with the two regulators most closely related to survival verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Next, the prognostic m6A regulator identified in the model was crossed with the differential copy number of variant genes in invasive BC (IBC), and it was determined that YTHDF1 was a hub regulator. Subsequently, single-cell analysis revealed the expression patterns of m6A regulators in different IBC cell populations and found that YTHDF1 had significantly higher expression in immune-related IBC cells. Therefore, we selected the intersection of the BC differential expression gene set and the differential expression gene set of a cell line with knocked-down YTHDF1 in literature to identify downstream target genes of YTHDF1, in which we found IFI6, EIR, and SPTBN1. A polymerase chain reaction was conducted to verify the results. Finally, we confirmed the role of YTHDF1 as a potential prognostic biomarker through pan-cancer analysis. Furthermore, our findings revealed that YTHDF1 can serve as a new molecular marker for BC immunotherapy.
Identification of key regulators in Sarcoidosis through multidimensional systems biological approach
Authors: Tazyeen Safia , Ahmed Mohd Murshad , Farooqui Anam , Alam Aftab , Malik Md. Zubbair , Saeed Mohd , Ahmad Irfan , Abohashrh Mohammed , Singh R. K. Brojen , Ishrat Romana
Published: January 2022

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ disorder where immunology, genetic and environmental factors play a key role in causing Sarcoidosis, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Identification of its genetics profiling that regulates the Sarcoidosis network will be one of the main challenges to understand its aetiology. We have identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by analyzing the gene expression profiling of Sarcoidosis and compared it with healthy control. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the inflammatory response, immune system, and pathways in cancer. Sarcoidosis protein interaction network was constructed by a total of 877 DEGs (up-down) and calculated its network topological properties, which follow hierarchical scale-free fractal nature up to six levels of the organization. We identified a large number of leading hubs that contain six key regulators (KRs) including ICOS, CTLA4, FLT3LG, CD33, GPR29 and ITGA4 are deeply rooted in the network from top to bottom, considering a backbone of the network. We identified the transcriptional factors (TFs) which are closely interacted with KRs. These genes and their TFs regulating the Sarcoidosis network are expected to be the main target for the therapeutic approaches and potential biomarkers. However, experimental validations of KRs needed to confirm their efficacy.
Evidence of plasma biomarkers indicating high risk of dementia in cognitively normal subjects
Authors: Pai Ming-Chyi , Wu Chau-Chung , Hou Yi-Chou , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Tang Sung-Chun , Lin Wei-Che , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Chiu Ming-Jang , Chen Ta-Fu , Yan Sui-Hing , Hu Chaur-Jong , Yang Shieh-Yueh
Published: January 2022

Subjects with comorbidities are at risk for neurodegeneration. There is a lack of a direct relationship between comorbidities and neurodegeneration. In this study, immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assays were utilized to assay plasma Aβ1–42 and total tau protein (T-Tau) levels in poststroke (PS, n = 27), family history of Alzheimer’s disease (ADFH, n = 35), diabetes (n = 21), end-stage renal disease (ESRD, n = 41), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, n = 20), Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 65). Thirty-seven healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The measured concentrations of plasma Aβ1–42 were 14.26 ± 1.42, 15.43 ± 1.76, 15.52 ± 1.60, 16.15 ± 1.05, 16.52 ± 0.59, 15.97 ± 0.54 and 20.06 ± 3.09 pg/mL in HC, PS, ADFH, diabetes, ESRD, OSA and AD groups, respectively. The corresponding concentrations of plasma T-Tau were 15.13 ± 3.62, 19.29 ± 8.01, 17.93 ± 6.26, 19.74 ± 2.92, 21.54 ± 2.72, 20.17 ± 2.77 and 41.24 ± 14.64 pg/mL. The plasma levels of Aβ1–42 and T-Tau in were significantly higher in the PS, ADFH, diabetes, ESRD and OSA groups than controls (Aβ1–42 in PS: 15.43 ± 1.76 pg/mL vs. 14.26 ± 1.42 pg/mL, p < 0.005; T-Tau in PS: 19.29 ± 8.01 vs. 15.13 ± 3.62 pg/mL, p < 0.005, Aβ1–42 in ADFH: 15.52 ± 1.60 pg/mL vs. 14.26 ± 1.42 pg/mL, p < 0.001; T-Tau in ADFH: 17.93 ± 6.26 vs. 15.13 ± 3.62 pg/mL, p < 0.005, Aβ1–42 in diabetes: 16.15 ± 1.05 pg/mL vs. 14.26 ± 1.42 pg/mL, p < 0.001; T-Tau in diabetes: 19.74 ± 2.92 vs. 15.13 ± 3.62 pg/mL, p < 0.001, Aβ1–42 in ESRD: 16.52 ± 0.59 pg/mL vs. 14.26 ± 1.42 pg/mL, p < 0.001; T-Tau in ESRD: 21.54 ± 2.72 vs. 15.13 ± 3.62 pg/mL, p < 0.001, Aβ1–42 in OSA: 15.97 ± 0.54 pg/mL vs. 14.26 ± 1.42 pg/mL, p < 0.001; T-Tau in OSA: 20.17 ± 2.77 vs. 15.13 ± 3.62 pg/mL, p < 0.001). This evidence indicates the high risk for dementia in these groups from the perspective of plasma biomarkers.
MAFLD progression contributes to altered thalamus metabolism and brain structure
Authors: Nucera Saverio , Ruga Stefano , Cardamone Antonio , Coppoletta Anna Rita , Guarnieri Lorenza , Zito Maria Caterina , Bosco Francesca , Macrì Roberta , Scarano Federica , Scicchitano Miriam , Maiuolo Jessica , Carresi Cristina , Mollace Rocco , Cariati Luca , Mazzarella Giuseppe , Palma Ernesto , Gliozzi Micaela , Musolino Vincenzo , Cascini Giuseppe Lucio , Mollace Vincenzo
Published: January 2022

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), commonly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, represents a continuum of events characterized by excessive hepatic fat accumulation which can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and in some severe cases hepatocellular carcinoma. MAFLD might be considered as a multisystem disease that affects not only the liver but involves wider implications, relating to several organs and systems, the brain included. The present study aims to investigate changes associated with MAFLD-induced alteration of thalamic metabolism in vivo. DIAMOND (Diet-induced animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) mice were fed a chow diet and tap water (NC NW) or fat Western Diet (WD SW) for up to 28 weeks. At the baseline and weeks 4, 8, 20, 28 the thalamic neurochemical profile and total cerebral brain volume were evaluated longitudinally in both diet groups using 1H-MRS. To confirm the disease progression, at each time point, a subgroup of animals was sacrificed, the livers excised and placed in formalin. Liver histology was assessed and reviewed by an expert liver pathologist. MAFLD development significantly increases the thalamic levels of total N-acetylaspartate, total creatine, total choline, and taurine. Furthermore, in the WD SW group a reduction in total cerebral brain volume has been observed (p < 0.05 vs NC NW). Our results suggest that thalamic energy metabolism is affected by MAFLD progression. This metabolic imbalance, that is quantifiable by 1H-MRS in vivo, might cause structural damage to brain cells and dysfunctions of neurotransmitter release.
Tear proteomics reveals the molecular basis of the efficacy of human recombinant nerve growth factor treatment for Neurotrophic Keratopathy
Authors: Pieragostino Damiana , Lanzini Manuela , Cicalini Ilaria , Cufaro Maria Concetta , Damiani Verena , Mastropasqua Leonardo , De Laurenzi Vincenzo , Nubile Mario , Lanuti Paola , Bologna Giuseppina , Agnifili Luca , Del Boccio Piero
Published: January 2022

Neurotrophic Keratopathy (NK), classified as an orphan disease (ORPHA137596), is a rare degenerative corneal disease characterized by epithelial instability and decreased corneal sensitivity caused by the damage to the corneal nerves. The administration of human recombinant nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops, as a licensed-in-Europe specific medication for treatment of moderate and severe NK, has added promising perspectives to the management of this disorder by providing a valid alternative to the neurotization surgery. However, few studies have been conducted to the molecular mechanism underlying the response to the treatment. Here, we carried out tears proteomics to highlight the protein expression during pharmacological treatment of NK (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD025408).Our data emphasized a proteome modulation during rhNGF treatment related to an increase in DNA synthesis, an activation of both BDNF signal and IL6 receptor. Furthermore, the amount of neuronal Extracellular Vesicles EVs (CD171+) correlated with the EVs carrying IL6R (CD126+) together associated to the inflammatory EVs (CD45+) in tears. Such scenario determined drug response, confirmed by an in vivo confocal microscopy analysis, showing an increase in length, density and number of nerve fiber branches during treatment. In summary, rhNGF treatment seems to determine an inflammatory micro-environment, mediated by functionalized EVs, defining the drug response by stimulating protein synthesis and fiber regeneration.
A large scale mass spectrometry-based histone screening for assessing epigenetic developmental toxicity
Authors: Verhelst Sigrid , Van Puyvelde Bart , Willems Sander , Daled Simon , Cornelis Senne , Corveleyn Laura , Willems Ewoud , Deforce Dieter , De Clerck Laura , Dhaenens Maarten
Published: January 2022

Toxicoepigenetics is an emerging field that studies the toxicological impact of compounds on protein expression through heritable, non-genetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modifications (hPTMs). Due to substantial progress in the large-scale study of hPTMs, integration into the field of toxicology is promising and offers the opportunity to gain novel insights into toxicological phenomena. Moreover, there is a growing demand for high-throughput human-based in vitro assays for toxicity testing, especially for developmental toxicity. Consequently, we developed a mass spectrometry-based proof-of-concept to assess a histone code screening assay capable of simultaneously detecting multiple hPTM-changes in human embryonic stem cells. We first validated the untargeted workflow with valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. These results demonstrate the capability of mapping the hPTM-dynamics, with a general increase in acetylations as an internal control. To illustrate the scalability, a dose–response study was performed on a proof-of-concept library of ten compounds (1) with a known effect on the hPTMs (BIX-01294, 3-Deazaneplanocin A, Trichostatin A, and VPA), (2) classified as highly embryotoxic by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) (Methotrexate, and All-trans retinoic acid), (3) classified as non-embryotoxic by ECVAM (Penicillin G), and (4) compounds of abuse with a presumed developmental toxicity (ethanol, caffeine, and nicotine).
Randomised controlled trial for evaluation of an ultrasound-guided palpation intervention for palpation skill training
Authors: Kitagawa Takashi , Aoki Yuma , Sugimoto Hotaka , Ozaki Natsumi
Published: January 2022

Although there are increasing reports on the usefulness of sonopalpation with ultrasound imaging, many previous studies have reported interventions without a control group. This single-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial aimed to determine whether educational instruction with sonopalpation for physical therapy students has a more superior effect on skill improvement than traditional instruction without ultrasonography. Twenty-nine physical therapy students participated in the study and were randomised using block randomisation into an ultrasound imaging group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 14). Subsequently, they underwent three training sessions focusing on the shoulder joint. Participants underwent a scoring assessment of their palpation skills at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up 3 months after training. The raters were blinded to the subjects’ group. The Friedman and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. The intervention group showed a significant increase in scores at post-intervention and the 3-month follow-up; the effect sizes were large (0.849 and 0.849, respectively). A comparison of the scores at different time points after the intervention at the 3-month follow-up revealed no significant difference between the groups. Education using ultrasound imaging may be non-inferior to education without it; nevertheless, further studies are needed to demonstrate superiority.