bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ophthalmic findings of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis with a novel neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 gene mutation: A case report
Authors: Zhu Rong , Zhu Yuxiang , Xu Mingpeng , Gu Zhensheng
Published: September 2022

We report a case of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) with a novel neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 (NTRK1) gene mutation. The patient suffered from recurrent corneal ulcer. A slit-lamp examination revealed ciliary hyperemia, bulbar conjunctival edema, epithelial defect, and ulcer lesion in the inferior part of the cornea, local corneal stromal edema accompanied by new vascular growth in his affected eye. In addition, the corneal sensitivity and nerve fiber density decreased significantly in both eyes. Tear film break-up time and Schirmer’s I test were below lower limit. Moreover, the patient exhibited typical systemic features, including no normal response to pain stimuli, anhidrosis and self-injurious behavior. Gene sequencing revealed a compound-heterozygous mutations in NTRK1 gene: a missense mutation inherited from his mother (c.1750G > A, P.E584K) and a new splicing mutation inherited from his father (c.2187 + 5G > C). After 8 weeks of medication, the corneal ulcer basically healed. This study expands the spectrum of NTRK1 gene mutation associated with CIPA and provides a feasible approach for clinicians to treat patients with CIPA-related keratopathy.
Global trends in intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis research during the past 10 years: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zhang Lu , Xiong Shuai , Jin Fengchen , Zhou Fan , Zhou Hongjun , Guo Jinhong , Wen Chuanbiao , Huang Biao
Published: September 2022

Background and aim

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and intestinal flora plays an important role in ulcerative colitis. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications in the field of intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis research in the past 10 years to summarize the current status of the field and analyze the trends in the field.

Methods

On July 15, 2022, we chose the Web of Science Core Collection database as the study’s data source. CiteSpace.5.8.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.17 were used to examine publications of research on intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis that were published between 2012 and 2021. We looked through the papers for journals, organizations, nations and regions, authors, and key terms.

Results

This analysis covered a total of 2,763 papers on studies into intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis. There were 13,913 authors, 93 nations, 3,069 organizations, and 759 journals in all of the articles. In the USA, 767 publications were the most. The university with the most publications was Harvard Medical School. The author with the most articles was Antonio Gasbarrini.

Conclusion

This study summarizes the global research trends in intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis. Publications in this field have increased year by year in the last decade and the field of research on intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis has good prospects for growth.
Transmission of the gut microbiome in cohousing goats and pigs
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Li Mao , Shi Tao , Yan Yueyang , Niyazbekova Zhannur , Wang Xihong , Li Zongjun , Jiang Yu
Published: September 2022

Social interaction facilitates the horizontal transmission of the microbiota between different individuals. However, little is known about the level of microbiota transmission in different livestock animals and different digestive tracts. The Hainan black goat and Wuzhishan pig are typical tropical local breeds on Hainan Island in China. Thus, we sampled and analyzed the gut microbiome in Hainan black goats (cecum and rumen) and Wuzhishan pigs (cecum) to study horizontal transmission by rearing them in the same pen (six goats and six pigs) or separate pens (nine goats and nine pigs). De novo assembly and binning recovered 3,262 strain-level and 2,488 species-level metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) using ∼1.3 Tb sequencing data. Of these MAGs, 1,856 MAGs were identified as novel strain. Compared with goats living in separate pens, social interaction in the same pen promotes community homogeneity in the rumen microbiome (P < 0.05) and the cecum microbiome (P < 0.05), respectively. Notably, approximately 7.08% (231/3262) of the gut microbial population could transmit during cohousing, 12 strains only in inter-species transmission, versus 190 strains only in intra-species transmission, and 10 strains only in foregut and hindgut transmission. In addition, the social contact group has high transmitted strain abundance, which is correlated with community composition. This study provided a new insight into the influence of social interaction on the animal gut microbiota.
Long-term fertilization altered microbial community structure in an aeolian sandy soil in northeast China
Authors: Zhang Shiyu , Li Xue , Chen Kun , Shi Junmei , Wang Yan , Luo Peiyu , Yang Jinfeng , Wang Yue , Han Xiaori
Published: September 2022

Soil microorganisms play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and determining soil quality and fertility; thus, they are important for agricultural production. However, the impacts of long-term fertilization on soil microbial community remain ambiguous due to inconsistent results from different studies. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in bacterial and fungal diversity and community structures after 12 years of different fertilization in aeolian sandy soil by analyzing 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequences and the soil properties to discover the driving factors. Eight different fertilizer treatments have been set up since 2009: no fertilizer (CK), chemical N fertilizer (N), chemical N and P fertilizer (NP), chemical N, P and K fertilizer (NPK), pig manure only (M), pig manure plus chemical N fertilizer (MN), pig manure plus chemical N and P fertilizer (MNP), pig manure plus chemical N, P, and K fertilizer (MNPK). The results indicated that the long-term application of chemical fertilizer reduced soil pH, whereas the addition of pig manure alleviated a decrease in soil pH value. Chemical fertilizer plus pig manure significantly improved soil available nutrients and soil organic carbon. Long-term MNPK fertilization resulted in changes in bacterial diversity due to effects on specific bacterial species; by contrast, all fertilization treatments resulted in changes in fungal diversity due to changes in soil properties. Principal component analysis indicated that fertilization had a significant effect on soil microbial community structure, and the effect of chemical fertilizer combined with pig manure was greater than that of chemical fertilizer alone. Soil available phosphorus, total phosphorus, and pH were the most important factors that influenced bacterial taxa, whereas soil pH, total phosphorus, organic carbon, ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen were the most important factors influencing fungal taxa after 12 years of fertilization in aeolian sandy soil.
Higher body mass index is associated with worse hippocampal vasoreactivity to carbon dioxide
Authors: Glodzik Lidia , Rusinek Henry , Butler Tracy , Li Yi , Storey Pippa , Sweeney Elizabeth , Osorio Ricardo S. , Biskaduros Adrienne , Tanzi Emily , Harvey Patrick , Woldstad Christopher , Maloney Thomas , de Leon Mony J.
Published: September 2022

Background and objectives

Obesity is a risk factor for cognitive decline. Probable mechanisms involve inflammation and cerebrovascular dysfunction, leading to diminished cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). The hippocampus, crucially involved in memory processing and thus relevant to many types of dementia, poses a challenge in studies of perfusion and CVR, due to its location, small size, and complex shape. We examined the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and hippocampal resting CBF and CVR to carbon dioxide (CVRCO2) in a group of cognitively normal middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

Our study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Subjects were enrolled for studies assessing the role of hippocampal hemodynamics as a biomarker for AD among cognitively healthy elderly individuals (age > 50). Participants without cognitive impairment, stroke, and active substance abuse were recruited between January 2008 and November 2017 at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, former Center for Brain Health. All subjects underwent medical, psychiatric, and neurological assessments, blood tests, and MRI examinations. To estimate CVR, we increased their carbon dioxide levels using a rebreathing protocol. Relationships between BMI and brain measures were tested using linear regression.

Results

Our group (n = 331) consisted of 60.4% women (age 68.8 ± 7.5 years; education 16.8 ± 2.2 years) and 39.6% men (age 70.4 ± 6.4 years; education 16.9 ± 2.4 years). Approximately 22% of them (n = 73) were obese. BMI was inversely associated with CVRCO2 (β = −0.12, unstandardized B = −0.06, 95% CI −0.11, −0.004). A similar relationship was observed after excluding subjects with diabetes and insulin resistance (β = −0.15, unstandardized B = −0.08, 95% CI −0.16, −0.000). In the entire group, BMI was more strongly related to hippocampal CVRCO2 in women (β = −0.20, unstandardized B = −0.08, 95% CI −0.13, −0.02).

Discussion

These findings lend support to the notion that obesity is a risk factor for hippocampal hemodynamic impairment and suggest targeting obesity as an important prevention strategy. Prospective studies assessing the effects of weight loss on brain hemodynamic measures and inflammation are warranted.
In vivo molecular imaging of the neuroinflammatory response to peripheral acute bacterial infection in older patients with cognitive dysfunction: A cross-sectional controlled study
Authors: Silva Ana Rita , Regueira Patricia , Peres André , Cardoso Ana Luísa , Baldeiras Inês , Santana Isabel , Cerejeira Joaquim
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Chronic neuroinflammatory events have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative conditions but no studies have directly examined the neuroinflammatory response to acute systemic infection in older people with dementia. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of the neuroinflammatory response triggered by acute systemic infection in older subjects with dementia and/or delirium compared to cognitively healthy controls.

Methods

We recruited 19 participants (4 with delirium, 4 with dementia, 4 with delirium superimposed on dementia, 7 cognitively healthy) hospitalized with acute systemic bacterial infection not involving the Central Nervous System. Participants underwent [11C]-PK11195 PET and a neuropsychological assessment during hospital stay. The distribution volume ratio was estimated in the regions-of-interest using the Hammers’ brain atlas.

Results

In the subcortical analysis, we found that the cognitively healthy group presented regions with significantly higher DVR intensity than the other groups in the choroid plexus. Mean choroid plexus DVR positively correlated with MoCA (r = 0.66, p = 0.036).

Conclusion

This study suggests that dementia and/or delirium is associated with a reduced neuroinflammatory response to acute systemic bacterial infection which can be the result of an immunosuppressive brain environment.
Case Report: Cryptococcal eosinophilic meningitis in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Zhang Fang , Li Yuchen , Shen Huijun , Tao Jie , Wang Jie
Published: September 2022

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common fungal meningitis in clinical practice. It primarily occurs in immunocompromised people and is typically associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In rare cases, it is associated with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Eosinophilic meningitis (EM) is characterized by increased eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is often caused by a parasitic infection of the central nervous system (CNS). EM caused by cryptococcal infection is rare; only four cases have been reported in the past 30 years. Here, we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with HL who presented with an atypical eosinophil-predominant CSF cytology response. The patient's eosinophil proportion reached 91%; a proportion this high has not been reported previously and may be associated with HL. After antifungal therapy and tumor chemotherapy, the proportion of eosinophils decreased significantly. This case shows that cryptococcal meningitis and HL may be simultaneously contributing to CSF eosinophilia. HL should be considered in patients with eosinophilic cryptococcal meningitis and multiple adenopathies.
Associations of fish oil supplementation with incident dementia: Evidence from the UK Biobank cohort study
Authors: Huang Yan , Deng Yajuan , Zhang Peizhen , Lin Jiayang , Guo Dan , Yang Linjie , Liu Deying , Xu Bingyan , Huang Chensihan , Zhang Huijie
Published: September 2022

Background

Although numerous studies have investigated the association of dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids with cognitive function and the risks of dementia, the relationship between fish oil supplementation and incident dementia in a large population-based cohort study has not yet well studied.

Materials and methods

A total of 211,094 community-dwelling older persons over 60 years from the UK Biobank cohorts enrolled between 2006 and 2010 that reported regularly taking fish oil and had no dementia at baseline, was included in the present study. All participants completed an electronic questionnaire regarding habitual use of supplements including fish oil.

Results

Overall, 83,283 (39.5%) participants reported regularly taking fish oil at baseline. Of 211,094 participants with the median age was 64.1 years, 5,274 participants developed dementia events during a median follow-up of 11.7 years, with 3,290 individuals derived from fish oil non-users. In the multivariable adjusted models, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) associated with fish oil supplementation for all-cause dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other dementia were 0.91 [CI = 0.84–0.97], 0.83 [CI = 0.71–0.97], 0.43 [CI = 0.26–0.72], 0.90 [CI = 0.82–0.98], respectively (all P < 0.05). However, no significant association between fish oil supplementation and Alzheimer’s disease was found (HR = 1.00 [CI = 0.89–1.12], P = 0.977). In the subgroup analyses, the associations between use of fish oil and the risk of all-cause dementia (P for interaction = 0.007) and vascular dementia were stronger among men (P for interaction = 0.026).

Conclusion

Among older adults, regular fish oil supplementation was significantly associated with a lower risks of incident all-cause dementia, as well as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and other dementia but not Alzheimer’s disease. These findings support that habitual use of fish oils may be beneficial for the prevention of dementia in clinical practice.
Age-dependent white matter microstructural disintegrity in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Weber Clara F. , Lake Evelyn M. R. , Haider Stefan P. , Mozayan Ali , Mukherjee Pratik , Scheinost Dustin , Bamford Nigel S. , Ment Laura , Constable Todd , Payabvash Seyedmehdi
Published: September 2022

There has been increasing evidence of White Matter (WM) microstructural disintegrity and connectome disruption in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We evaluated the effects of age on WM microstructure by examining Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics and connectome Edge Density (ED) in a large dataset of ASD and control patients from different age cohorts. N = 583 subjects from four studies from the National Database of Autism Research were included, representing four different age groups: (1) A Longitudinal MRI Study of Infants at Risk of Autism [infants, median age: 7 (interquartile range 1) months, n = 155], (2) Biomarkers of Autism at 12 months [toddlers, 32 (11)m, n = 102], (3) Multimodal Developmental Neurogenetics of Females with ASD [adolescents, 13.1 (5.3) years, n = 230], (4) Atypical Late Neurodevelopment in Autism [young adults, 19.1 (10.7)y, n = 96]. For each subject, we created Fractional Anisotropy (FA), Mean- (MD), Radial- (RD), and Axial Diffusivity (AD) maps as well as ED maps. We performed voxel-wise and tract-based analyses to assess the effects of age, ASD diagnosis and sex on DTI metrics and connectome ED. We also optimized, trained, tested, and validated different combinations of machine learning classifiers and dimensionality reduction algorithms for prediction of ASD diagnoses based on tract-based DTI and ED metrics. There is an age-dependent increase in FA and a decline in MD and RD across WM tracts in all four age cohorts, as well as an ED increase in toddlers and adolescents. After correction for age and sex, we found an ASD-related decrease in FA and ED only in adolescents and young adults, but not in infants or toddlers. While DTI abnormalities were mostly limited to the corpus callosum, connectomes showed a more widespread ASD-related decrease in ED. Finally, the best performing machine-leaning classification model achieved an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.70 in an independent validation cohort. Our results suggest that ASD-related WM microstructural disintegrity becomes evident in adolescents and young adults—but not in infants and toddlers. The ASD-related decrease in ED demonstrates a more widespread involvement of the connectome than DTI metrics, with the most striking differences being localized in the corpus callosum.
Mitochondrial protein dysfunction in pathogenesis of neurological diseases
Authors: Wang Liang , Yang Ziyun , He Xiumei , Pu Shiming , Yang Cheng , Wu Qiong , Zhou Zuping , Cen Xiaobo , Zhao Hongxia
Published: September 2022

Mitochondria are essential organelles for neuronal function and cell survival. Besides the well-known bioenergetics, additional mitochondrial roles in calcium signaling, lipid biogenesis, regulation of reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis are pivotal in diverse cellular processes. The mitochondrial proteome encompasses about 1,500 proteins encoded by both the nuclear DNA and the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA. Mutations in the nuclear or mitochondrial genome, or combinations of both, can result in mitochondrial protein deficiencies and mitochondrial malfunction. Therefore, mitochondrial quality control by proteins involved in various surveillance mechanisms is critical for neuronal integrity and viability. Abnormal proteins involved in mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics, mitophagy, import machinery, ion channels, and mitochondrial DNA maintenance have been linked to the pathogenesis of a number of neurological diseases. The goal of this review is to give an overview of these pathways and to summarize the interconnections between mitochondrial protein dysfunction and neurological diseases.
Impact of the interval between neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and surgery on surgical–pathological outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Deng Hongsheng , He Jiaxi , Wang Zhufeng , Li Shuben
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The interval between neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well characterized. This study investigated the association between the time-to-surgery (TTS) interval and surgical–pathological outcomes.

Method

Clinical data of patients who received neoadjuvant immun-ochemotherapy followed by surgery for NSCLC between January 2019 and September 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into three groups based on TTS interval: the early-surgery group (ESG), the standard-surgery group (SSG), and the delayed-surgery group (DSG). The primary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), major pathological response (MPR), and pathological complete response (pCR). The secondary endpoint was surgical outcome.

Results

Of the 171 patients, 16 (9.4%) received surgery in ≤28 days, 49 (28.7%) received surgery within 29–42 days, and 106 (61.9%) received surgery in ≥43 days after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, with a median TTS of 46 days. The postoperative drainage of the ESG group (455.1 ml) was significantly less than that of the SSG group (680.7 ml) and the DSG group (846.5 ml; p = 0.037). However, the TTS interval did not influence the duration of the operation (P = 0.54), the extent of intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.60), or the length of postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.17). The ORR was observed in 69%, 51%, and 56% of patients in the ESG, the SSG, and the DSG, respectively (P = 0.46), and MPR occurred in 50%, 47%, and 58% (P = 0.38) of patients in the ESG, the SSG, and the DSG, respectively. Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found for pCR (ESG: 31%; SSG: 27%; DSG: 42%; P = 0.14).

Conclusion

This retrospective study indicated that TTS exerts no significant effect on the feasibility and safety of surgery in the neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy setting of NSCLC. Analysis of the TTS interval revealed a tendency for delayed surgery to be associated with a pathological response in NSCLC, although this association was not statistically significant.
A novel pyroptosis-related indicator of immune infiltration features and prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zhang Liyong , Ren Lin , Zhang Guozhi , Wan Andi , Xiong Siyi , Tian Hao , Peng Zaihui , Zhao Tingting , Gao Pingping , Sun Na , Zhang Yi , Qi Xiaowei
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and there is evidence for the dual role of cell pyroptosis in tumor development. However, little is known about the relationship between cell pyroptosis and breast cancer and its prognostic value. We aimed to construct a prognostic model using cell-pyroptosis-related genes to provide innovative insights into the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. We screened candidate genes for pyroptosis using public databases and identified 10 cell pyroptosis signature genes with the random forest method. Finally, a nomogram for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities was constructed. The differences in immune cell distributions between survival periods were similar across the breast cancer datasets. The 10 identified key pyroptosis factors showed a significant correlation with Her2, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage, and survival of breast cancer. The risk scores correlated positively with the infiltration features of naive B cells, CD8+ T cells, atpdelnd mast cells, while they correlated negatively with those of M0 macrophages and dendritic cells. In conclusion, our findings confirm that cell pyroptosis is closely associated with breast cancer. Importantly, the prognostic complex values generated from the 10 cell-pyroptosis-related genes based on various clinical features may provide an important basis for future studies on the prognosis of breast cancer.
Noonan syndrome caused by RIT1 gene mutation: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zha Ping , Kong Ying , Wang Lili , Wang Yujuan , Qing Qing , Dai Liying
Published: September 2022

Objective

Noonan syndrome (NS), an autosomal dominant disease known as a RASopathy, is caused by germline mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway genes. A RIT1 gene mutation has been found to cause NS. The present study summarizes RIT1 gene mutation sites and associated clinical phenotypes.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of a case of NS caused by RIT1 mutation in our hospital, and searched the PubMed database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database and Wanfang database with the keywords Noonan syndrome and RIT1. Studies published between May 1, 2014 and July 1, 2021 were retrieved. By reviewing the abstracts and full text of the studies, we screened NS cases associated with RIT1 mutation in children 0–18 years of age. The clinical characteristics of these cases were summarized.

Results

A total of 41 cases were analyzed, including 13 boys and 28 girls. There were 14 premature cases. The age at diagnosis was 4 days to 18 years, and 10 cases were diagnosed at 0–1 years of age. Common amino acid substitution positions included 57 (13/41), 95 (7/41), 82 (8/41), and 90 (4/41). A total of 63.63% cases had abnormal prenatal examination results, manifesting mainly as fetal neck edema, polyhydramnios and cardiac malformation. With respect to abnormal conditions after birth, 70–80% of patients had typical developmental malformations of the face, neck and thorax; 19/35 patients had abnormal lymphatic development; and a portion of patients had short stature and motor development disorders. A total of 87.80% (36/41) patients had cardiac dysplasia, among which hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) accounted for 58.53%. A total of 84.62% of patients carrying the p.A57G mutation had HCM, but no HCM was found in patients with the p.G95A mutation. A total of 34.15% of patients had pulmonary artery or pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS). In patients with the p.M90I mutation, 75% had PVS. Patients with concurrent HCM and PVS accounted for 19.51 and 48.78% of patients had supraventricular tachycardia.

Conclusion

A RIT1 gene mutation causing NS was associated with a high rate of abnormal prenatal examination findings. Most patients had typical NS craniofacial deformities, and some have short stature and motor development disorders. The cardiac deformity rate was high, and HCM was common. Some patients had supraventricular arrhythmias. Heart abnormalities showed high heterogeneity, given the various mutation loci.
The effect of short music videos on needs satisfaction and separation anxiety of children's family members during COVID-19: The example of TikTok
Authors: Huang Ya-Li , Chen Yu-Kun , Lin Shi-Hao , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the effect of short music videos on needs satisfaction and separation anxiety of the family members of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Eighty-seven children's family members were divided into the study group and the control group between February 2020 and March 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants in the control group were visited by telephone, while the participants in the study group used the TikTok short music video application and WeChat as communication tools. After the intervention, the critical care family needs inventory (CCFNI) and separation anxiety scale (SAS) for all participants were recorded and analyzed.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in general characteristics or preintervention data between the two groups. However, the two dimensions of the support scale and information scale of the CCFNI in the study group were significantly different from those in the control group after the intervention (P = 0.008, and P = 0.021, respectively). There were significant differences in the three dimensions of the SAS between the two groups (P = 0.004, P = 0.007, and P = 0.041, respectively).

Conclusion

The visiting system of the ICU changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the use of the TikTok short music video application and WeChat was conducive to optimizing the CICU ward visiting process, reducing the separation anxiety of the family members of children in the CICU, and improving their needs satisfaction.
Paeonol attenuates retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats by regulating the oxidative stress and polyol pathway
Authors: Adki Kaveri M. , Kulkarni Yogesh A.
Published: September 2022

The current research work was planned to study the effects of paeonol in the management of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats using Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p.). After 4 weeks, the diabetic animals were treated with paeonol at a dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight daily for the next 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, retinal physiology was studied by recording an electroretinogram (ERG); biochemical parameters and oxidative stress were estimated. The histopathology of the retina was also carried out at the end of the study. The ERG of paeonol-treated animals showed a significant improvement in a-wave amplitude, b-wave amplitude, a-wave latency, and b-wave latency (p < 0.001) at 15 cd s/m2 when compared with the diabetic control animals. The paeonol treatment (200 mg/kg) in diabetic animals showed a significant decrease in the plasma glucose level (p < 0.001) when compared to the animals in diabetic control group. Paeonol also significantly decreased the lactate dehydrogenase, aldose reductase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase levels when compared with the diabetic control animals. The oxidative stress in the eye was significantly reduced after the paeonol treatment in the diabetic rats. The histopathology showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the retinal thickness after the paeonol treatment. The results of the study indicate that paeonol can be considered an effective management option for diabetic retinopathy.
ED50 value of remifentanil in inhibiting coughing during extubation in children with snoring
Authors: Chen Dong-Mei , Yang Min , Ren Xiao-Ye , Su Shi-Peng , Li Ling , Jia Qi , Zhong Hai-Yan , Yan Jian-Ping
Published: September 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effective dose 50% (ED50) value of remifentanil in inhibiting coughing during extubation in children with snoring.

Methods: The subjects were children who scored a grade I in the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) metric and who were undergoing tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) under general anesthesia. Using Dixon’s up-and-down sequential method, the initial infusion rate of remifentanil was 0.06 μg/kg/min, and the difference between the infusion rates of the two adjacent groups was 0.01 μg/kg/min. If a child had no cough response during extubation, the infusion rate for the next child was reduced by 0.01 μg/kg/min. If that child had cough response, the infusion rate for the next child was increased by 0.01 μg/kg/min, and the test was terminated when seven pairs of children with positive-negative alternating results were obtained. The ED50 value and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by probit regression. The times for extubation, awakening, agitation, and respiratory complications after extubation were compared between the two groups.

Results: 1) The ED50 value of a continuous infusion of remifentanil required to inhibit the cough response of children during extubation was 0.042 μg/kg/min, and the 95% confidence interval was 0.025–0.062 μg/kg/min. 2) The total dosage and infusion rate of remifentanil in the cough suppression group were higher than those in the cough group (p < 0.05), but the differences in the times for extubating and awakening between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). 3) There was no correlation between the infusion rate of remifentanil and the time for extubating and awakening in the cough suppression group; the r values were 0.13 and 0.12, respectively, and p > 0.05. 4) The differences in postoperative respiratory complications between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The ED50 value of a continuous infusion of remifentanil required to inhibit the cough response of children during extubation after tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) was 0.042 μg/kg/min, and a low-dose infusion of remifentanil does not affect the times for awakening and extubating in children.
Review of various NAMPT inhibitors for the treatment of cancer
Authors: Wei Yichen , Xiang Haotian , Zhang Wenqiu
Published: September 2022

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD salvage pathway of mammalian cells and is overexpressed in numerous types of cancers. These include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, and b-cell lymphoma. NAMPT is also known to impact the NAD and NADPH pool. Research has demonstrated that NAMPT can be inhibited. NAMPT inhibitors are diverse anticancer medicines with significant anti-tumor efficacy in ex vivo tumor models. A few notable NAMPT specific inhibitors which have been produced include FK866, CHS828, and OT-82. Despite encouraging preclinical evidence of the potential utility of NAMPT inhibitors in cancer models, early clinical trials have yielded only modest results, necessitating the adaptation of additional tactics to boost efficacy. This paper examines a number of cancer treatment methods which target NAMPT, including the usage of individual inhibitors, pharmacological combinations, dual inhibitors, and ADCs, all of which have demonstrated promising experimental or clinical results. We intend to contribute further ideas regarding the usage and development of NAMPT inhibitors in clinical therapy to advance the field of research on this intriguing target.
Endogenous circadian temperature rhythms relate to adolescents’ daytime physical activity
Authors: Kuula Liisa , Lipsanen Jari , Partonen Timo , Kauramäki Jaakko , Halonen Risto , Pesonen Anu-Katriina
Published: September 2022

Circadian rhythms relate to multiple aspects of health and wellbeing, including physical activity patterns. Susceptible circadian regulation predisposes to circadian misalignment, poor sleep, sleep deprivation, increased sleepiness, and thereby sedentary behavior. Adolescents’ circadian regulation is particularly vulnerable, and may lead to sedentary behavior. To investigate which factors associate strongest between physical activity (PA) and circadian behavior, we conducted multimodal circadian rhythm analyses. We investigate how individual characteristics of habitual circadian patterns associate with objectively measured PA. We studied 312 adolescents [70% females) (56% with delayed sleep phase (DSP)], mean age 16.9 years. Circadian period length, temperature mesor (estimated 24 h midline) and amplitude (difference between mesor and peak) were measured using distally attached thermologgers (ibutton 1922L, 3-day-measurement). We additionally utilized algorithm-formed clusters of circadian rhythmicity. Sleep duration, timing, DSP, and PA were measured using actigraphs (GeneActiv Original, 10-day-measurement). We found that continuous circadian period length was not associated with PA, but lower mesor and higher amplitude were consistently associated with higher levels of PA as indicated by mean Metabolic Equivalent (METmean) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), even when controlling for sleep duration. Separate circadian clusters formed by an algorithm also reflected distinct patterns of PA accordingly. Late sleepers and those with DSP were less likely to engage in MVPA compared to non-DSP and had more sedentary behavior. Adolescents who engage in higher levels or high-intensity PA have better circadian regulation, as measured by different objective methods including distal temperature measurements as well as actigraphy-measured sleep-wake behavior.
The effects of combined amplitude and high-frequency vibration on physically inactive osteopenic postmenopausal women
Authors: Fernandez Peter , Pasqualini Marion , Locrelle Hervé , Normand Myriam , Bonneau Christine , Lafage Proust Marie-Hélène , Marotte Hubert , Thomas Thierry , Vico Laurence
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To evaluate whole-body vibration (WBV) osteogenic potential in physically inactive postmenopausal women using high-frequency and combined amplitude stimuli.

Methods: Two-hundred fifty-five physically inactive postmenopausal women (55–75 years) with 10-year major osteoporotic fracture risk (3%–35%) participated in this 18-month study. For the first 12 months, the vibration group experienced progressive 20-min WBV sessions (up to 3 sessions/week) with rest periods (30–60 s) between exercises. Frequencies (30–50 Hz), with low (0.2–0.4 mm) and high (0.6–0.8 mm) amplitude stimuli were delivered via PowerPlate Pro5 platforms producing accelerations of (0.75–7.04 g). The last 6 months for the treatment group were a follow-up period similar to control. Serum bone remodelling markers [C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type-1 collagen (CTX), procollagen type-1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and sclerostin] were measured at fasting. CTX and P1NP were determined by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) by automated spectrophotometric immunoassay, and sclerostin by an enzyme-immunoassay. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole-body, proximal femur and lumbar vertebrae was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone microarchitecture of the distal non-dominant radius and tibia was measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Results: Femoral neck (p = 0.520) and spine BMD (p = 0.444) failed to improve after 12 months of WBV. Bone macro and microstructural parameters were not impacted by WBV, as well as estimated failure load at the distal radius (p = 0.354) and tibia (p = 0.813). As expected, most DXA and HR-pQCT parameters displayed age-related degradation in this postmenopausal population. BAP and CTX increased over time in both groups, with CTX more marginally elevated in the vibration group when comparing baseline changes to month-12 (480.80 pmol/L; p = 0.039) and month-18 (492.78 pmol/L; p = 0.075). However, no differences were found when comparing group concentrations only at month-12 (506.35 pmol/L; p = 0.415) and month-18 (518.33 pmol/L; p = 0.480), indicating differences below the threshold of clinical significance. Overall, HR-pQCT, DXA bone parameters and bone turnover markers remained unaffected.

Conclusion: Combined amplitude and high-frequency training for one year had no ameliorating effect on DXA and HR-pQCT bone parameters in physically inactive postmenopausal women. Serum analysis did not display any significant improvement in formation and resorption markers and also failed to alter sclerostin concentrations between groups.
Species identity and combinations differ in their overall benefits to Astragalus adsurgens plants inoculated with single or multiple endophytic fungi under drought conditions
Authors: Zuo Yi-Ling , Hu Qian-Nan , Qin Le , Liu Jia-Qiang , He Xue-Li
Published: September 2022

Although desert plants often establish multiple simultaneous symbiotic associations with various endophytic fungi in their roots, most studies focus on single fungus inoculation. Therefore, combined inoculation of multiple fungi should be applied to simulate natural habitats with the presence of a local microbiome. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to test the synergistic effects between three extremely arid habitat-adapted root endophytes (Alternaria chlamydospora, Sarocladium kiliense, and Monosporascus sp.). For that, we compared the effects of single fungus vs. combined fungi inoculation, on plant morphology and rhizospheric soil microhabitat of desert plant Astragalus adsurgens grown under drought and non-sterile soil conditions. The results indicated that fungal inoculation mainly influenced root biomass of A. adsurgens, but did not affect the shoot biomass. Both single fungus and combined inoculation decreased plant height (7–17%), but increased stem branching numbers (13–34%). However, fungal inoculation influenced the root length and surface area depending on their species and combinations, with the greatest benefits occurring on S. kiliense inoculation alone and its co-inoculation with Monosporascus sp. (109% and 61%; 54% and 42%). Although A. chlamydospora and co-inoculations with S. kiliense and Monosporascus sp. also appeared to promote root growth, these inoculations resulted in obvious soil acidification. Despite no observed root growth promotion, Monosporascus sp. associated with its combined inoculations maximally facilitated soil organic carbon accumulation. However, noticeably, combined inoculation of the three species had no significant effects on root length, surface area, and biomass, but promoted rhizospheric fungal diversity and abundance most, with Sordariomycetes being the dominant fungal group. This indicates the response of plant growth to fungal inoculation may be different from that of the rhizospheric fungal community. Structural equation modeling also demonstrated that fungal inoculation significantly influenced the interactions among the growth of A. adsurgens, soil factors, and rhizospheric fungal groups. Our findings suggest that, based on species-specific and combinatorial effects, endophytic fungi enhanced the plant root growth, altered soil nutrients, and facilitated rhizospheric fungal community, possibly contributing to desert plant performance and ecological adaptability. These results will provide the basis for evaluating the potential application of fungal inoculants for developing sustainable management for desert ecosystems.
Combining ability and heritability analysis of sweetpotato weevil resistance, root yield, and dry matter content in sweetpotato
Authors: Mugisa Immaculate , Karungi Jeninah , Musana Paul , Odama Roy , Alajo Agnes , Chelangat Doreen M. , Anyanga Milton O. , Oloka Bonny M. , Gonçalves dos Santos Iara , Talwana Herbert , Ochwo-Ssemakula Mildred , Edema Richard , Gibson Paul , Ssali Reuben , Campos Hugo , Olukolu Bode A. , da Silva Pereira Guilherme , Yencho Craig , Yada Benard
Published: September 2022

Efficient breeding and selection of superior genotypes requires a comprehensive understanding of the genetics of traits. This study was aimed at establishing the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heritability of sweetpotato weevil (Cylasspp.) resistance, storage root yield, and dry matter content in a sweetpotato multi-parental breeding population. A population of 1,896 F1clones obtained from an 8 × 8 North Carolina II design cross was evaluated with its parents in the field at two sweetpotato weevil hotspots in Uganda, using an augmented row-column design. Clone roots were further evaluated in three rounds of a no-choice feeding laboratory bioassay. Significant GCA effects for parents and SCA effects for families were observed for most traits and all variance components were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001). Narrow-sense heritability estimates for weevil severity, storage root yield, and dry matter content were 0.35, 0.36, and 0.45, respectively. Parental genotypes with superior GCA for weevil resistance included “Mugande,” NASPOT 5, “Dimbuka-bukulula,” and “Wagabolige.” On the other hand, families that displayed the highest levels of resistance to weevils included “Wagabolige” × NASPOT 10 O, NASPOT 5 × “Dimbuka-bukulula,” “Mugande” × “Dimbuka-bukulula,” and NASPOT 11 × NASPOT 7. The moderate levels of narrow-sense heritability observed for the traits, coupled with the significant GCA and SCA effects, suggest that there is potential for their improvement through conventional breedingviahybridization and progeny selection and advancement. Although selection for weevil resistance may, to some extent, be challenging for breeders, efforts could be boosted through applying genomics-assisted breeding. Superior parents and families identified through this study could be deployed in further research involving the genetic improvement of these traits.
Sphagnum capillifolium holobiont from a subarctic palsa bog aggravates the potential of nitrous oxide emissions
Authors: Nie Yanxia , Lau Sharon Yu Ling , Tan Xiangping , Lu Xiankai , Liu Suping , Tahvanainen Teemu , Isoda Reika , Ye Qing , Hashidoko Yasuyuki
Published: September 2022

Melting permafrost mounds in subarctic palsa mires are thawing under climate warming and have become a substantial source of N2O emissions. However, mechanistic insights into the permafrost thaw-induced N2O emissions in these unique habitats remain elusive. We demonstrated that N2O emission potential in palsa bogs was driven by the bacterial residents of two dominant Sphagnum mosses especially of Sphagnum capillifolium (SC) in the subarctic palsa bog, which responded to endogenous and exogenous Sphagnum factors such as secondary metabolites, nitrogen and carbon sources, temperature, and pH. SC's high N2O emission activity was linked with two classes of distinctive hyperactive N2O emitters, including Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, whose hyperactive N2O emitting capability was characterized to be dominantly pH-responsive. As the nosZ gene-harboring emitter, Pseudomonas sp. SC-H2 reached a high level of N2O emissions that increased significantly with increasing pH. For emitters lacking the nosZ gene, an Enterobacteriaceae bacterium SC-L1 was more adaptive to natural acidic conditions, and N2O emissions also increased with pH. Our study revealed previously unknown hyperactive N2O emitters in Sphagnum capillifolium found in melting palsa mound environments, and provided novel insights into SC-associated N2O emissions.
Plant protein-coding gene families: Their origin and evolution
Authors: Fang Yuanpeng , Jiang Junmei , Hou Xiaolong , Guo Jiyuan , Li Xiangyang , Zhao Degang , Xie Xin
Published: September 2022

Steady advances in genome sequencing methods have provided valuable insights into the evolutionary processes of several gene families in plants. At the core of plant biodiversity is an extensive genetic diversity with functional divergence and expansion of genes across gene families, representing unique phenomena. The evolution of gene families underpins the evolutionary history and development of plants and is the subject of this review. We discuss the implications of the molecular evolution of gene families in plants, as well as the potential contributions, challenges, and strategies associated with investigating phenotypic alterations to explain the origin of plants and their tolerance to environmental stresses.
Screening of universal DNA barcodes for identifying grass species of Gramineae
Authors: Wang Jianli , Yan Zhenfei , Zhong Peng , Shen Zhongbao , Yang Guofeng , Ma Lichao
Published: September 2022

There is currently international interest in applying DNA barcoding as a tool for plant species discrimination and identification. In this study, we evaluated the utility of four candidate plant DNA barcoding regions [rbcL,matK,trnL-F, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] in seven genera of Gramineae includingAgropyron,Bromus,Elymus,Elytrigia,Festuca,Leymus, andLolium. Fourteen accessions were analyzed, andmatKandITSshowed the highest species, subspecies, and variety discriminatory power, each resolving 11 accessions. Species discrimination usingrbcLandtrnL-Fwas lower, resolving 7 and 8 accessions, respectively. Subspecies and variety discrimination usingrbcLandtrnL-Fcould not identify 4 accessions ofAgropyron. A technical system can be established using the proposed DNA barcode to rapidly and reliably identify the seven genera of Gramineae. This study serves as a “useful reference” for identifying the genetic diversity of grass germplasm resources. DNA barcoding can be utilized to uncover the relatives of different species within the same family or between different families. It can also be used to determine the related groups of important herbage, turfgrass, and crops and provide crucial background information for discovering excellent genes and improving existing crop varieties.