bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of root zone temperature, oxygen concentration, and moisture content on actual vs. potential growth of greenhouse crops
Authors: Lieth J. Heiner , Raviv Michael , Burger David W. 
Published: December 2021

Soilless crop production in protected cultivation requires optimization of many environmental and plant variables. Variables of the root zone (rhizosphere) have always been difficult to characterize but have been studied extensively. In soilless production the opportunity exists to optimize these variables in relation to crop production. The project objectives were to model the relationship between biomass production and the rhizosphere variables: temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and water availability by characterizing potential growth and how this translates to actual growth. As part of this we sought to improve of our understanding of root growth and rhizosphere processes by generating data on the effect of rhizosphere water status, temperature and dissolved oxygen on root growth, modeling potential and actual growth and by developing and calibrating models for various physical and chemical properties in soilless production systems. In particular we sought to use calorimetry to identify potential growth of the plants in relation to these rhizosphere variables. While we did experimental work on various crops, our main model system for the mathematical modeling work was greenhouse cut-flower rose production in soil-less cultivation. In support of this, our objective was the development of a Rose crop model. Specific to this project we sought to create submodels for the rhizosphere processes, integrate these into the rose crop simulation model which we had begun developing prior to the start of this project. We also sought to verify and validate any such models and where feasible create tools that growers could be used for production management. We made significant progress with regard to the use of microcalorimetry. At both locations (Israel and US) we demonstrated that specific growth rate for root and flower stem biomass production were sensitive to dissolved oxygen. Our work also identified that it is possible to identify optimal potential growth scenarios and that for greenhouse-grown rose the optimal root zone temperature for potential growth is around 17 C (substantially lower than is common in commercial greenhouses) while flower production growth potential was indifferent to a range as wide as 17-26C in the root zone. We had several set-backs that highlighted to us the fact that work needs to be done to identify when microcalorimetric research relates to instantaneous plant responses to the environment and when it relates to plant acclimation. One outcome of this research has been our determination that irrigation technology in soilless production systems needs to explicitly include optimization of oxygen in the root zone. Simply structuring the root zone to be “well aerated” is not the most optimal approach, but rather a minimum level. Our future work will focus on implementing direct control over dissolved oxygen in the root zone of soilless production systems.
KOMPETENSI GURU DALAM MENGAJARKAN MULTILITERASI DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Imran Muh Erwinto , Sopandi Wahyu , Musthafa Bachrudin , Riyana Cepi 
Published: December 2021

Competence plays an important role for teachers. It is also emphasized by the government during the performance of their duties. Teachers’ competence is one of the crucial things that they must have in order to teach the students in a class. Based on the results of the questionnaire, it was found that the teachers considered that multiliteracy was something very important as part of the industrial revolution 4.0 era. Multiliteracy is one thing that is competitive in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 as well as one of the difficult competencies in the 21st century. Multiliteracy is also a competency that must be possessed by students first by a teacher. In Indonesia itself, every student and teacher is very valuable to have multiliteracy skills. The most widely encountered and mastered literacy by teachers is reading/writing literacy. In teaching multiliteracy, teachers face many obstacles, the obstacles they encounter are integrating basic competencies and determining the right model.Thus, every teacher has to learn how to improve their ability and competence. As the front line in the field of education, teachers need to be prepared to acquire qualified competence in teaching skill. One of the ways to ensure teachers’ eligible competence is training. Teacher training is an important key in improving teachers’ competence. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of teachers’ training on competence development. This study used a descriptive quantitative design. The object of this research was 261 teachers in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of teacher competence.
The RAGE Trial (Radial Arterial Graft in the Elderly)- A Pilot Study
Authors: Zaman Tanveer , Ali Md Shaukat , Rahman Shahidur , Begum Mahfuza , Bhuiyan Mohammad Ali 
Published: December 2021

Use of radial artery (RA) as a second arterial conduit in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is well established and appreciated for its higher long-term patency rate compared to vein grafts. This study tends to investigate if there are any detrimental consequences when it is used in elderly (aged 60 and above) population of Bangladesh. A total of 71 patients who received RA grafts at elective, isolated CABG operation were consecutively enrolled in this study from May 2018 to September 2019. 31 patients were in the Elderly group and 40 patients were in the Non-elderly group. The groups were compared for baseline characteristics and co-morbidities; preoperative techniques, findings, events and procedures; and postoperative outcomes or end-point variables inclusive of local complications related to RA harvesting wound. Elderly and Non-elderly groups had statistically different age (p=0.000) and Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) Score predicted mortality (p=0.000). Operative techniques, events, findings and procedures were similar. Clinical outcomes were found to be similar with no statistical difference between the groups. Number of deaths also was not statistically different. There were no local complications related to RA harvesting wound in either of the two groups. Harvesting and grafting of radial artery in suitable patients, using meticulous "no-touch" technique and for ideal target coronary artery stenosis is as safe in the elderly patients as in the younger ones.
CBMJ 2020 July: Vol. 09 No. 02 P: 08-13
Small-Molecule Induction Promotes Corneal Endothelial Cell Differentiation From Human iPS Cells
Authors: Chen Jie , Ou Qingjian , Wang Zhe , Liu Yifan , Hu Shuqin , Liu Yumeilan , Tian Haibin , Xu Jingying , Gao Furong , Lu Lixia , Jin Caixia , Xu Guo-Tong , Cui Hong-Ping 
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) serve as a barrier and foothold for the corneal stroma to maintain the function and transparency of the cornea. Loss of CECs during aging or disease states leads to blindness, and cell replacement therapy using either donated or artificially differentiated CECs remains the only curative approach.Methods: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that were cultured in chemically defined medium were induced with dual-SMAD inhibition to differentiate into neural crest cells (NCCs). A small-molecule library was screened to differentiate the NCCs into corneal endothelial-like cells. The characteristics of these cells were identified with real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. Western blotting was applied to detect the signaling pathways and key factors regulated by the small molecules.Results: We developed an effective protocol to differentiate hiPSCs into CECs with defined small molecules. The hiPSC-CECs were characterized by ZO-1, AQP1, Vimentin and Na+/K+-ATPase. Based on our small-molecule screen, we identified a small-molecule combination, A769662 and AT13148, that enabled the most efficient production of CECs. The combination of A769662 and AT13148 upregulated the PKA/AKT signaling pathway, FOXO1 and PITX2 to promote the conversion of NCCs to CECs.Conclusion: We established an efficient small molecule-based method to differentiate hiPSCs into corneal endothelial-like cells, which might facilitate drug discovery and the development of cell-based therapies for corneal diseases.
Prevalence, Pattern and Predictors for Dyslipidemia of Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Luo Xi , Cai Wang-Yu , Wu Xiao-Ke 
Published: December 2021

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, pattern and risk predictors for dyslipidemia among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Study Design and Methods: A total of 1,000 women diagnosed as PCOS by modified Rotterdam criteria were enrolled in 27 hospitals across China in a randomized controlled trial. Anthropometric, metabolic parameters, sex hormone, and lipid levels were measured at the baseline visit. Dyslipidemia was defined according to total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) level. Independent t-test and logistic regression were used to identify predictors for dyslipidemia. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated.Results: A total of 41.3% of the women had dyslipidemia, and the prevalence of abnormal TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were 8.6, 9.1, 26.9, and 17.5%, respectively. Logistic regression found that age, waist circumference, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were independent predictors for dyslipidemia. When combining these predictors, the AUC was 0.744. The cut-off points were age &gt;28.5 years, waist circumference &gt;86.5 cm, insulin &gt;96.0 pmol/L, follicle-stimulating hormone &lt;5.6 mIU/mL, and sex hormone-binding hormone &lt;31.0 nmol/L, respectively.Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was common in Chinese women with PCOS, and low HDL-C level was the predominant lipid abnormality. Age, waist circumference, follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin and sex hormone-binding globulin were predictive for dyslipidemia among Chinese women with PCOS.
The Epidemiology of Neurological Complications in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Maduakor Chinedu , Alakbarzade Vafa , Sammaraiee Yezen , Vakrinou Angeliki , Corobana Alina , Sikorska Julia , Rhodes Elizabeth , Pereira Anthony C. 
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Risk factors for neurological complications in sickle cell disease differ in the adult and pediatric populations. Here, we focused on neurological complications in adults with sickle cell disease.Methods: Patients were selected using the audit data from the St George's Hospital Red Cell Database. The genotyping, demographics, clinical data, and investigation findings were collected.Results: A total of 303 patients were enrolled in the study: hemoglobin S homozygosity (HbSS) genotype 56%, hemoglobin S and C coinheritance (HbSC) genotype 35%, and hemoglobin S and β-thalassemia coinheritance (HbSβ) thalassemia genotype 9%; the mean age was 38.8 years (±13.5 SD) with 46% males. The most common neurological complication was cerebrovascular disease (n = 37, 12%) including those with ischemic stroke (10%), cerebral vasculopathy (3%), and intracranial hemorrhage (1%). Ischemic stroke was common among the HbSS genotype compared with other genotypes (8 vs. 1.6%, p = 0.001). Comparing the patients with sickle cell disease who had suffered a stroke to those who had not, there was a higher proportion of intracranial vasculopathy (p = 0.001, in particular, Moyamoya) and cognitive dysfunction (p &lt; 0.0001).Conclusion: Our cohort supports previous reports that the most common neurological complication in adult sickle cell patients is cerebrovascular disease. Strategies to prevent cerebral vasculopathy and cognitive impairment should be explored.
Altered Functional Connectivity and Sensory Processing in Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm: Coexistence and Difference
Authors: Fang Ting-Chun , Chen Chun-Ming , Chang Ming-Hong , Wu Chen-Hao , Guo Yi-Jen 
Published: December 2021

Background: Blepharospasm (BSP) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) are both facial hyperkinesia however BSP is thought to be caused by maladaptation in multiple brain regions in contrast to the peripherally induced cause in HFS. Plausible coexisting pathophysiologies between these two distinct diseases have been proposed.Objectives: In this study, we compared brain resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) and quantitative thermal test (QTT) results between patients with BSP, HFS and heathy controls (HCs).Methods: This study enrolled 12 patients with BSP, 11 patients with HFS, and 15 HCs. All subjects received serial neuropsychiatric evaluations, questionnaires determining disease severity and functional impairment, QTT, and resting state functional MRI. Image data were acquired using seed-based analyses using the CONN toolbox.Results: A higher cold detection threshold was found in the BSP and HFS patients compared to the HCs. The BSP and HFS patients had higher rsFC between the anterior cerebellum network and left occipital regions compared to the HCs. In all subjects, impaired cold detection threshold in the QTT of lower extremities had a correlation with higher rsFC between the anterior cerebellar network and left lingual gyrus. Compared to the HCs, increased rsFC in right postcentral gyrus in the BSP patients and decreased rsFC in the right amygdala and frontal orbital cortex in the HFS subjects were revealed when the anterior cerebellar network was used as seed.Conclusions: Dysfunction of sensory processing detected by the QTT is found in the BSP and HSP patients. Altered functional connectivity between the anterior cerebellar network and left occipital region, especially the Brodmann area 19, may indicate the possibility of shared pathophysiology among BSP, HFS, and impaired cold detection threshold. Further large-scale longitudinal study is needed for testing this theory in the future.
Association Cystatin C and Risk of Stroke in Elderly Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Su Xiaofeng , Gao Yinghui , Xu Weihao , Li JianHua , Chen Kaibing , Gao Yan , Guo JingJing , Zhao LiBo , Wang Huanhuan , Qian Xiaoshun , Lin Junling , Han Jiming , Liu Lin 
Published: December 2021

Background: Few prospective cohort studies have assessed the relationship between Cystatin C (Cys-C) and risk of stroke in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study sought to examine the association between baseline serum Cys-C and long-term risk of stroke among elderly OSA patients.Methods: A total of 932 patients with OSA, no history of stroke, ≥60 years of age, and complete serum Cys-C records were included in this study. All patients had completed polysomnography (PSG). OSA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥5 events per hour. Participants were categorized into four groups according to baseline serum Cys-C concentration, split into quartiles. Multivariate Cox regression were used to evaluate the association between Cys-C and the incidence of new-onset stroke.Results: Stroke occurred in 61 patients during the median 42-month follow-up period. The cumulative incidence rate of stroke was 6.5%, which included 54 patients with ischemic stroke and 7 patients with hemorrhagic stroke. The cumulative incidence of stroke was higher among patients with baseline serum Cys-C concentration of ≥1.15 mg/L when compared with other groups (PLog–rank &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors in the Cox regression model, patients with a serum Cys-C concentration of ≥1.15 mg/L had a 2.16-fold higher risk of developing stroke compared with patients with serum Cys-C ≤ 0.81 mg/L (HR, 2.16, 95%CI, 1.09–6.60; P = 0.017). Additionally, there was a higher risk in those of age ≥70 years (HR, 3.23, 95%CI, 1.05–9.24; P = 0.010). The receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that the capability of Cys-C to identify elderly patients with OSA who had a long-time risk of stroke was moderate (AUC = 0.731, 95% CI: 0.683–0.779, P = 0.001).Conclusion: Increased Cys-C concentration was identified as a risk factor in the incidence of stroke in elderly patients with OSA, independent of gender, BMI, hypertension and other risk factors. Additionally, it conferred a higher risk in patients of age ≥70 years.
Case Report: Severe Edema and Marked Weight Gain Induced by Marginal Thiamine Deficiency in a Patient With Alcohol Dependency and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tanaka Hitomi , Anno Takatoshi , Takenouchi Haruka , Iwamoto Hideyuki , Kaneto Hideaki , Okimoto Niro , Tomoda Koichi 
Published: December 2021

Background: Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may develop peripheral edema due to alcohol-related liver, renal, or heart disease. Thiamine deficiency is reported to occur in AUD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thiamine deficiency may also cause peripheral edema. Thiamine is essential for optimal glucose metabolism through its role as an essential co-factor for key enzymes in intermediary metabolism. Since glucose metabolism worsens under diabetic conditions, it seems that a relative shortage of thiamine may occur more easily in patients with diabetes mellitus.Case Presentation: A 59-year-old Japanese man was admitted to the hospital with severe peripheral edema. His background history included alcohol liver disease (ALD), chronic renal failure (CRF), and T2DM. His body mass index (BMI) at admission was 37.7 kg/m2 and this represented a 30 kg increase in body weight over 2 months. Laboratory investigations showed anemia, liver and renal injury, hyperglycemia, and marginal hypothyroidism. The plasma thiamine diphosphate concentration was 20 ng/mL (reference range: 24–66 ng/mL). Diet therapy of 1,600 kcal/day and intravenous fursultiamine hydrochloride therapy (50 mg/once a day, seven days) was commenced in combination with intravenous diuretics. After one week, the plasma thiamine concentration was 853 ng/mL, and the patient's body weight had reduced by 18 kg.Conclusions: Patients with T2DM and AUD may develop severe peripheral edema in the context of marginal thiamine deficiency. Fursultiamine hydrochloride (50 mg/once a day, seven days) restored normal plasma thiamine concentrations and may have contributed to the rapid resolution of severe peripheral edema in this case. Empirical treatment with thiamine should be considered in patients with severe peripheral edema in the context of AUD and T2DM.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Plant Extract Prevents Alcohol-Induced Osteopenia
Authors: Qian Dongyang , Zhou Hui , Fan Pan , Yu Tao , Patel Anish , O’Brien Morgan , Wang Zhe , Lu Shiguang , Tong Guoqiang , Shan Yimin , Wang Lei , Gao Yuan , Xiong Yuan , Zhang Lily , Wang Xin , Liu Yuancai , Zhou Shuanhu 
Published: December 2021

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced in the treatment of bone diseases and alcoholism. Chronic excessive alcohol use results in alcohol-induced bone diseases, including osteopenia and osteoporosis, which increases fracture risk, deficient bone repair, and osteonecrosis. This preclinical study investigated the therapeutic effects of TCM herbal extracts in animal models of chronic excessive alcohol consumption-induced osteopenia. TCM herbal extracts (Jing extracts) were prepared from nine Chinese herbal medicines, a combinative herbal formula for antifatigue and immune regulation, including Astragalus, Cistanche deserticola, Dioscorea polystachya, Lycium barbarum, Epimedium, Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum, Angelica sinensis, and Curculigo orchioides. In this study, Balb/c male mice were orally administrated alcohol (3.2 g/kg/day) with/without TCM herbal extracts (0.125 g/kg, 0.25 g/kg, or 0.5 g/kg) by gavage. Our results showed that after 50 days of oral administration, TCM herbal extracts prevented alcohol-induced osteopenia demonstrated by μ-CT bone morphological analysis in young adults and middle-aged/old Balb/c male mice. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that chronic alcohol consumption inhibits bone formation and has a neutral impact on bone resorption, suggesting that TCM herbal extracts (Jing extracts) mitigate the alcohol-induced abnormal bone metabolism in middle-aged/old male mice. Protocatechuic acid, a natural phenolic acid in Jing extracts, mitigates in vivo alcohol-induced decline of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) gene expression in the bone marrow of Balb/c male mice and in vitro ALP activity in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Our study suggests that TCM herbal extracts prevent chronic excessive alcohol consumption-induced osteopenia in male mice, implying that traditional medicinal plants have the therapeutic potential of preventing alcohol-induced bone diseases.
Yi-Zhi-Fang-Dai Formula Exerts Neuroprotective Effects Against Pyroptosis and Blood–Brain Barrier–Glymphatic Dysfunctions to Prevent Amyloid-Beta Acute Accumulation After Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats
Authors: Lyu Zhongkuan , Li Qiyue , Yu Zhonghai , Chan Yuanjin , Fu Lei , Li Yaming , Zhang Chunyan 
Published: December 2021

Background: The dysfunctional blood–brain barrier (BBB)–glymphatic system is responsible for triggering intracerebral amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) accumulation and acts as the key link between ischemic stroke and dementia dominated by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, pyroptosis in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is demonstrated as a considerable mechanism causing BBB–glymphatic dysfunctions and Aβ acute accumulation in the brain. Targeting glial pyroptosis to protect BBB–glymphatic functions after cerebral I/R could offer a new viewpoint to prevent Aβ accumulation and poststroke dementia. Yi-Zhi-Fang-Dai formula (YZFDF) is an herbal prescription used to cure dementia with multiple effects of regulating inflammatory responses and protecting the BBB against toxic Aβ-induced damage. Hence, YZFDF potentially possesses neuroprotective effects against cerebral I/R injury and the early pathology of poststroke dementia, which evokes our current study.Objectives: The present study was designed to confirm the potential efficacy of YZFDF against cerebral I/R injury and explore the possible mechanism associated with alleviating Aβ acute accumulation.Methods: The models of cerebral I/R injury in rats were built by the method of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). First, neurological function assessment and cerebral infarct measurement were used for confirming the efficacy of YZFDF on cerebral I/R injury, and the optimal dosage (YZFDF-H) was selected to conduct the experiments, which included Western blotting detections of pyroptosis, Aβ1-42 oligomers, and NeuN, immunofluorescence observations of glial pyroptosis, aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), and Aβ locations, brain water content measurement, SMI 71 (a specific marker for BBB)/AQP-4 immunohistochemistry, and Nissl staining to further evaluate BBB–glymphatic functions and neuronal damage.Results: YZFDF obviously alleviated neurological deficits and cerebral infarct after cerebral I/R in rats. Furthermore, YZFDF could inactivate pyroptosis signaling via inhibiting caspase-1/11 activation and gasdermin D cleavage, ameliorate glial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation, protect against BBB collapse and AQP-4 depolarization, prevent Aβ acute accumulation and Aβ1-42 oligomers formation, and reduce neuronal damage and increase neurons survival after reperfusion.Conclusion: Our study indicated that YZFDF could exert neuroprotective effects on cerebral I/R injury and prevent Aβ acute accumulation in the brain after cerebral I/R associated with inhibiting neuroinflammation-related pyroptosis and BBB–glymphatic dysfunctions.