bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Female Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Chen Xiaodi , Lu Yune , Chen Tao , Li Rongguo
Published: April 2021

The vaginal microbiome is an intricate and dynamic microecosystem that constantly undergoes fluctuations during the female menstrual cycle and the woman’s entire life. A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus which produce various antimicrobial compounds. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by the loss or sharp decline in the total number of Lactobacillus and a corresponding marked increase in the concentration of anaerobic microbes. BV is a highly prevalent disorder of the vaginal microbiota among women of reproductive age globally. BV is confirmed to be associated with adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and preterm birth. Gardnerella vaginalis is the most common microorganism identified from BV. It is the predominant microbe in polymicrobial biofilms that could shelter G. vaginalis and other BV-associated microbes from adverse host environments. Many efforts have been made to increase our understanding of the vaginal microbiome in health and BV. Thus, improved novel and accurate diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for BV have been developed. This review covers the features of vaginal microbiome, BV, BV-associated diseases, and various strategies of diagnosis and treatment of BV, with an emphasis on recent research progresses.
A Small-Scale shRNA Screen in Primary Mouse Macrophages Identifies a Role for the Rab GTPase Rab1b in Controlling Salmonella Typhi Growth
Authors: Solano-Collado Virtu , Colamarino Rosa Angela , Calderwood David A. , Baldassarre Massimiliano , Spanò Stefania
Published: April 2021

SalmonellaTyphi is a human-restricted bacterial pathogen that causes typhoid fever, a life-threatening systemic infection. A fundamental aspect ofS. Typhi pathogenesis is its ability to survive in human macrophages but not in macrophages from other animals (i.e. mice). Despite the importance of macrophages in establishing systemicS. Typhi infection, the mechanisms that macrophages use to control the growth ofS. Typhi and the role of these mechanisms in the bacterium’s adaptation to the human host are mostly unknown. To facilitate unbiased identification of genes involved in controlling the growth ofS. Typhi in macrophages, we report optimized experimental conditions required to perform loss-of function pooled shRNA screens in primary mouse bone-marrow derived macrophages. Following infection with a fluorescent-labeledS. Typhi, infected cells are sorted based on the intensity of fluorescence (i.e. number of intracellular fluorescent bacteria). shRNAs enriched in the fluorescent population are identified by next-generation sequencing. A proof-of-concept screen targeting the mouse Rab GTPases confirmed Rab32 as important to restrictS. Typhi in mouse macrophages. Interestingly and rather unexpectedly, this screen also revealed that Rab1b controlsS. Typhi growth in mouse macrophages. This constitutes the first report of a Rab GTPase other than Rab32 involved inS. Typhi host-restriction. The methodology described here should allow genome-wide screening to identify mechanisms controlling the growth ofS. Typhi and other intracellular pathogens in primary immune cells.
Identification and Characterization of Zika Virus NS5 Methyltransferase Inhibitors
Authors: Song Weibao , Zhang Hongjuan , Zhang Yu , Chen Ying , Lin Yuan , Han Yanxing , Jiang Jiandong
Published: April 2021

The recurring outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) worldwide makes an emergent demand for novel, safe and efficacious anti-ZIKV agents. ZIKV non-structural protein 5 (NS5) methyltransferase (MTase), which is essential for viral replication, is regarded as a potential drug target. In our study, a luminescence-based methyltransferase assay was used to establish the ZIKV NS5 MTase inhibitor screening model. Through screening a natural product library, we found theaflavin, a polyphenol derived from tea, could inhibit ZIKV NS5 MTase activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 10.10 μM. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis analyses identified D146 as the key amino acid in the interaction between ZIKV NS5 MTase and theaflavin. The SPR assay indicated that theaflavin had a stronger binding activity with ZIKV NS5 wild-type (WT)-MTase than it with D146A-MTase. Moreover, theaflavin exhibited a dose dependent inhibitory effect on ZIKV replication with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 8.19 μM. All these results indicate that theaflavin is likely to be a promising lead compound against ZIKV.
Understanding the Role of User Needs and Perceptions Related to Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Forecasts on Farmers' Decisions in Kenya: A Systematic Review
Authors: Muita Richard , Dougill Andrew , Mutemi Joseph , Aura Stella , Graham Richard , Awolala David , Nkiaka Elias , Hirons Linda , Opijah Franklin
Published: April 2021

One major challenge facing farmers and other end users of weather and climate information (WCI) in Kenya is the linkage between their perceptions, needs, and engagements with producers of the information. This is highlighted by increased interest in understanding the constraints on appropriate use of weather information by farmers in decision-making. The choice between sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasts can enable better decisions by farmers if the forecast information is reliable and integrated through a coproduction process. This study analyzes user needs and perceptions of crop farmers, pastoralists, and agro-pastoralists in relation to sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasts for five counties in Kenya. A total of 258 peer-reviewed articles and gray literature were systematically analyzed using Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) to understand how the needs and perceptions of users of WCI shaped access and use in decision-making. The study also evaluated factors influencing use and uptake of sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasts as well as the barriers to use. Results show that farmers' perceptions shaped the choice of WCI that is used and also highlight how sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasts were used for diverse applications. Gender, availability of resources, access, and mode of communication were key factors influencing the use of seasonal forecasts. For example, access to seasonal forecasts of farmers in drier counties enabled them to manage floods and reduce risk. One lesson learned was that farmers combined WCI with other coping practices such as agronomic practices and water efficiency management. Despite a number of challenges by forecast users such as insufficient resources and lack of access to information, there is potential to improve forecasts according to user needs through a coproduction process. This study recommends stakeholder engagements with producers in the development and evaluation of forecast products and communication pathways to improve uptake and use of forecasts in decision-making.
Clinical Utility of Fluid Volume Assessment in Heart Failure Patients Using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Accardi Andrew J. , Matsubara Bradley S. , Gaw Richelle L. , Daleiden-Burns Anne , Heywood James Thomas
Published: April 2021

Background:Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a non-invasive method used to measure fluid volumes. In this report, we compare BIS measurements from patients with heart failure (HF) to those from healthy adults, and describe how these point-of-care fluid volume assessments may be applied to HF management.

Methods and results:Fluid volumes were measured in 64 patients with NYHA class II or III HF and 69 healthy control subjects. BIS parameters including extracellular fluid (ECF), intracellular fluid (ICF), total body water (TBW), and ECF as a percentage of TBW (ECF%TBW) were analyzed. ECF%TBW values for the HF and control populations differed significantly (49.2 ± 3.2% vs. 45.2 ± 2.1%, respectively;p< 0.001); both distributions satisfied criteria for normality. Interquartile ranges did not overlap (46.7–51.0% vs. 43.8–46.4%, respectively;p< 0.001). Subgroup analyses of HF patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography showed that impedance measurements correlated with inferior vena cava size (Pearson correlation −0.73,p< 0.0001). A case study is presented for illustrative purposes.

Conclusions:BIS-measured ECF%TBW values were significantly higher in HF patients as compared to adults without HF. We describe three strata of ECF%TBW (normal, elevated, fluid overload) that may aid in clinical risk stratification and fluid volume monitoring of HF patients.

Clinical Trial Registration:COMPARE –www.ClinicalTrials.gov; IMPEL –www.ClinicalTrials.gov; Heart Failure at Home –www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02939053; NCT02857231; NCT04013373.
Assessment Conceptions and Practices: Perspectives of Primary School Teachers and Students
Authors: Monteiro Vera , Mata Lourdes , Santos Natalie Nóbrega
Published: April 2021

Students’ and teachers’ conceptions of assessment are important because they guide how teachers’ assessments are implemented in the classroom and determine how students study. This multiple-case design study examined 1) how teachers and students view assessment, 2) how teachers assess their students’ learning, and 3) the similarities and disparities that occur when students’ and teachers’ conceptions and teachers’ practices of assessment are compared. Data were obtained from five third grade classes, involving a total of five teachers and 82 students. Data were gathered through individual interviews with teachers and focus group discussions with students. Classroom observations and documents produced by the students (worksheets and tests) during maths lessons were also analyzed. The results of the content analysis of the data indicate that teachers mostly conceive assessment as being for improvement, while their assessment practices and students’ conceptions focus on school and student accountability. The results obtained lead us to suggest that students’ conceptions of assessment are constructed from their classroom assessment experiences. The study also suggests that teachers adopt conceptions of assessment inconsistent with their practices, that allow them to work within social and contextual constraints.
Comparison of Surgical Complications Rates Between LigaSure Small Jaw and Clamp-and-Tie Hemostatic Technique in 1,000 Neuro-Monitored Thyroidectomies
Authors: Liu Cheng-Hsin , Wang Chih-Chun , Wu Che-Wei , Lin Yi-Chu , Lu I-Cheng , Chang Pi-Ying , Lien Ching-Feng , Wang Chien-Chung , Hwang Tzer-Zen , Huang Tzu-Yen , Chiang Feng-Yu
Published: April 2021

Over the past decade, the use of neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery has become well established and is increasing accepted across the world. In addition, new developments in energy devices have significantly improved efficacy in achieving hemostasis in thyroid surgery. Few studies focused on the complication rates in energy device-assisted sutureless neuro-monitored thyroidectomy. This study investigates a novel LigaSure Small Jaw (LSJ) technique for sutureless thyroidectomy and compares the surgical complication rates between LSJ and conventional clamp-and-tie technique in one thousand consecutive neuro-monitored thyroidectomy patients. Five hundred patients received sutureless thyroidectomy performed with LSJ (Group L), and 500 patients received surgery performed with conventional clamp-and-tie technique (Group C). Complication rates of postoperative hematoma, hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy were compared between groups. The overall complication rates of hematoma, hypocalcemia (temporary/ permanent), and RLN (temporary/ permanent) palsy were 0.9%, 24.9% (24.6%/0.3%), and 1.7% (1.5%/0.2%), respectively. Group L and Group C significantly differed in postoperative hematoma rate (0.0% vs. 1.8%, respectively; p = 0.0026) and in postoperative hypocalcemia rate (20.1% vs. 30.0%, respectively; p = 0.0032). The incidence of RLN palsy did not significantly differ between Group L and Group C (1.38% vs. 2.08%; p = 0.2652). The overall surgical complication rates are low in neuro-monitored thyroidectomy. The LSJ is feasible for performing completely sutureless thyroidectomy and obtains superior outcomes of postoperative hematoma and hypocalcemia in comparison with clamp-and-tie hemostatic technique. The novel LSJ technique using double or overlapped sealing is useful for sutureless thyroidectomy. However, surgeons must carefully observe the tissue contraction that may reduce the LSJ-RLN distance and increase the risk of thermal injury during the LSJ activation.
Familial Psychosis Associated With a Missense Mutation at MACF1 Gene Combined With the Rare Duplications DUP3p26.3 and DUP16q23.3, Affecting the CNTN6 and CDH13 Genes
Authors: Pol-Fuster Josep , Cañellas Francesca , Ruiz-Guerra Laura , Medina-Dols Aina , Bisbal-Carrió Bàrbara , Asensio Víctor , Ortega-Vila Bernat , Marzese Diego , Vidal Carme , Santos Carmen , Lladó Jerònia , Olmos Gabriel , Heine-Suñer Damià , Strauch Konstantin , Flaquer Antònia , Vives-Bauzà Cristòfol
Published: April 2021

Psychosis is a highly heritable and heterogeneous psychiatric condition. Its genetic architecture is thought to be the result of the joint effect of common and rare variants. Families with high prevalence are an interesting approach to shed light on the rare variant’s contribution without the need of collecting large cohorts. To unravel the genomic architecture of a family enriched for psychosis, with four affected individuals, we applied a system genomic approach based on karyotyping, genotyping by whole-exome sequencing to search for rare single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and SNP array to search for copy-number variants (CNVs). We identified a rare non-synonymous variant, g.39914279 C > G, in the MACF1 gene, segregating with psychosis. Rare variants in the MACF1 gene have been previously detected in SCZ patients. Besides, two rare CNVs, DUP3p26.3 and DUP16q23.3, were also identified in the family affecting relevant genes (CNTN6 and CDH13, respectively). We hypothesize that the co-segregation of these duplications with the rare variant g.39914279 C > G of MACF1 gene precipitated with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
Role of Primary Afferents in Arthritis Induced Spinal Microglial Reactivity
Authors: Kwok Charlie H. T. , Kohro Yuta , Mousseau Michael , O’Brien Melissa S. , Matyas John R. , McDougall Jason J. , Trang Tuan
Published: April 2021

Increased afferent input resulting from painful injury augments the activity of central nociceptive circuits via both neuron-neuron and neuron-glia interactions. Microglia, resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. This study provides a framework for understanding how peripheral joint injury signals the CNS to engage spinal microglial responses. During the first week of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee joint injury in male rats, inflammatory and neuropathic pain were characterized by increased firing of peripheral joint afferents. This increased peripheral afferent activity was accompanied by increased Iba1 immunoreactivity within the spinal dorsal horn indicating microglial activation. Pharmacological silencing of C and A afferents with co-injections of QX-314 and bupivacaine, capsaicin, or flagellin prevented the development of mechanical allodynia and spinal microglial activity after MIA injection. Elevated levels of ATP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and increased expression of the ATP transporter vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn were also observed after MIA injections. Selective silencing of primary joint afferents subsequently inhibited ATP release into the CSF. Furthermore, increased spinal microglial reactivity, and alleviation of MIA-induced arthralgia with co-administration of QX-314 with bupivacaine were recapitulated in female rats. Our results demonstrate that early peripheral joint injury activates joint nociceptors, which triggers a central spinal microglial response. Elevation of ATP in the CSF, and spinal expression of VNUT suggest ATP signaling may modulate communication between sensory neurons and spinal microglia at 2 weeks of joint degeneration.
Programmed Death-1/Programmed Death-Ligand 1-Axis Blockade in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stratified by Human Papillomavirus Status: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Yimin , Zhu Gangcai , Maroun Christopher A. , Wu Irene X. Y. , Huang Donghai , Seiwert Tanguy Y. , Liu Yong , Mandal Rajarsi , Zhang Xin
Published: April 2021

Background

Programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors have provided clinical benefit to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients in recent clinical trials. However, it remains unclear as to whether human papillomavirus (HPV) status is associated with improved clinical outcome of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in HNSCC.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to February 28, 2021. Published clinical trials of HNSCC patients treated with only PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors were selected. The primary or secondary outcome of these studies included objective response rate (ORR) stratified by HPV status. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) were estimated using a fixed-effect model.

Results

A total of seven eligible studies comprising 814 patients were included. The ORR of HPV positive HNSCC patients was significantly higher than that of HPV negative HNSCC patients (OR = 1.77; 95%CI = 1.14-2.74; P = 0.01), and this favorable effect occurred in pooled anti-PD-L1 trials (OR = 2.66; 95%CI = 1.16-6.11; P = 0.02). In comparison, the pooled OR was 1.51 in anti-PD-1 trials (95%CI = 0.90-2.54; P = 0.12). Survival analysis indicated that HPV positive HNSCC patients had a lower risk of overall death as compared to HPV negative HNSCC patients (HR = 0.77; 95%CI = 0.60–0.99; P = 0.04).

Conclusions

HPV positive HNSCC patients display improved outcomes with PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade as compared to HPV negative HNSCC patients. These improved outcomes are likely driven to a greater extent by anti-PD-L1 inhibitors. However, randomized controlled trials with greater numbers of patients are needed for validation of these early findings.
Breastfeeding and COVID-19: From Nutrition to Immunity
Authors: Vassilopoulou Emilia , Feketea Gavriela , Koumbi Lemonica , Mesiari Christina , Berghea Elena Camelia , Konstantinou George N.
Published: April 2021

Breastfeeding not only provides the optimum source of nutrients for the neonate and its first strong shield against infection but also lays the foundation for somatic and psychological bonding between the mother and child. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, although the guidelines of the relevant international and national agencies recommend breastfeeding by SARS-CoV-2–infected mothers, considerable insecurity persists in daily clinical practice regarding the safety of the infants and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of discontinuation of breastfeeding. This is a systematic review of the currently available information regarding the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 through or while breastfeeding and the protection against infection that breast milk might provide. The accumulated body of knowledge regarding the role of breast milk in the development of the neonatal immune system and protection against infection by other respiratory viruses is discussed, with a focus on the anti-inflammatory role of the antibodies, microbes, and viruses provided to the infant in breast milk and its relevance to the case of SARS-CoV-2.
Microfluidic Rapid Prototype Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Based on a Nanocomposite
Authors: Mashayekhi Mazar Fariba , Alijanianzadeh Mahdi , Molaei Rad Ahmad , Heydari Payam
Published: April 2021

Here, a low-cost glucose/O2 Y-shaped microfluidic biofuel cell was developed using a printed circuit board for microelectrode construction. A double-side tape based on the pressure-sensitive adhesive was used for microchannel fabrication. A nanocomposite that consisted of reduced graphene oxide gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and poly neutral red connected to enzymes was applied on the copper electrode surface. The Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase enzyme and Mytheliophthora thermophile laccase were used to prepare the modified anodic and cathodic electrodes. Different procedures such as cyclic voltammetry scanning electron microscope coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and atomic force microscopy were used to scan the modified electrodes. SEM/EDX microanalysis displayed the structural and morphological properties of the proposed nanocomposite. The biofuel cell performance demonstrated a maximum power density of 36 μW cm−2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.5 V, and a flow rate of 50 μl min−1. The proposed rapid technique with RGO/AuNPs/PNR bioelectrodes is a good approach for finding low-cost microfluidic biofuel cells.
In vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Corneal Dendritic Cell Density and Subbasal Nerve Parameters in Dry Eye Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Jing , Chen Peng , Yu Chaoqun , Liu Yaning , Hu Shaohua , Di Guohu
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available research on evaluating changes in corneal dendritic cell density (CDCD) and the main subbasal nerve parameters (SNPs) on the ocular surface and assessing the diagnostic performance of in vivo confocal microscopy in patients with dry eye disease.

Methods: A computerized systematic review of literature published in PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until May 8, 2020 was performed. All statistical analyses were conducted in RevMan V.5.3 software. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between dry eye patients and healthy subjects were presented as results.

Results: A total of 11 studies with 755 participants were recruited, and 931 eyes were included in this meta-analysis. However, not all studies reported both CDCD and SNPs. CDCD in the central cornea was higher (WMD = 51.06, 95% CI = 39.42–62.71), while corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) were lower (WMD = −7.96, 95% CI = −12.12 to −3.81; SMD = −2.30, 95%CI = −3.26 to −1.35) in dry eye patients in comparison with the corresponding values in healthy controls (all p < 0.00001).

Conclusion: Taken together, while CNFD and CNFL were lower in dry eye patients, central CDCD showed a significant increase in these patients in comparison with the corresponding values in healthy controls.
Weak Handgrip at Index Admission for Acute Exacerbation of COPD Predicts All-Cause 30-Day Readmission
Authors: Witt Leah J. , Spacht W. Alexandra , Carey Kyle A. , Arora Vineet M. , White Steven R. , Huisingh-Scheetz Megan , Press Valerie G.
Published: April 2021

Rationale: Identifying patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) who are at high risk for readmission is challenging. Traditional markers of disease severity such as pulmonary function have limited utility in predicting readmission. Handgrip strength, a component of the physical frailty phenotype, may be a simple tool to help predict readmission.

Objective(s): To investigate if handgrip strength, a component of the physical frailty phenotype and surrogate for weakness, is a predictive biomarker of COPD readmission.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of patients admitted to the inpatient general medicine unit at the University of Chicago Medicine, US. This study evaluated age, sex, ethnicity, degree of obstructive lung disease by spirometry (FEV1 percent predicted), and physical frailty phenotype (components include handgrip strength and walk speed). The primary outcome was all-cause hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge.

Results: Of 381 eligible patients with AECOPD, 70 participants agreed to consent to participate in this study. Twelve participants (17%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Weak grip at index hospitalization, defined as grip strength lower than previously established cut-points for sex and body mass index (BMI), was predictive of readmission (OR 11.2, 95% CI 1.3, 93.2, p = 0.03). Degree of airway obstruction (FEV1 percent predicted) did not predict readmission (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.95, 1.1, p = 0.7). No non-frail patients were readmitted.

Conclusions: At a single academic center weak grip strength was associated with increased 30-day readmission. Future studies should investigate whether geriatric measures can help risk-stratify patients for likelihood of readmission after admission for AECOPD.
Dienogest as a Maintenance Treatment for Endometriosis Following Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Yijun , Gong Han , Gou Jinhai , Liu Xinghui , Li Zhengyu
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to comprehensively assess the value of Dienogest (DNG) as a maintenance treatment following conservative surgery for endometriosis in terms of the outcomes of disease and pregnancy. We searched for relevant studies and trials up to November 2020 from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and EMBASE databases as well as the Web of Science. Patients who received DNG maintenance treatment were compared to those who received other treatments (OT), including the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH-a), or non-treatment (NT). The primary outcomes were disease recurrence and pregnancy rates. Eleven studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis indicated that DNG maintenance treatment was associated with a lower rate of disease recurrence. A significant difference was observed in DNG maintenance treatment compared with NT, but not with OT, in the pregnancy rates postoperatively. Moreover, DNG maintenance treatment was related to a significant increase in vaginal bleeding and weight gain. DNG can be recommended as a maintenance treatment for patients with endometriosis to decrease the rates of disease recurrence following conservative surgery. However, DNG maintenance treatment has no advantage in improving pregnancy rates compared to OT.
Changes in Soil Microbial Activity, Bacterial Community Composition and Function in a Long-Term Continuous Soybean Cropping System After Corn Insertion and Fertilization
Authors: Rao Demin , Meng Fangang , Yan Xiaoyan , Zhang Minghao , Yao Xingdong , Kim Kyung Seok , Zhao Jing , Qiu Qiang , Xie Futi , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2021

Corn-soybean rotation and fertilization are common practices improving soil fertility and crop yield. Their effects on bacterial community have been extensively studied, yet, few comprehensive studies about the microbial activity, bacterial community and functional groups in a long-term continuous soybean cropping system after corn insertion and fertilization. The effects of corn insertions (Sm: no corn insertion, CS: 3 cycles of corn-soybean rotations and CCS: 2 cycles of corn-corn-soybean rotations) with two fertilization regimes (No fertilization and NPK) on bacterial community and microbial activity were investigated in a long-term field experiment. The bacterial communities among treatments were evaluated using high-throughput sequencing then bacterial functions were predicted based on the FaProTax database. Soil respiration and extracellular enzyme activities were used to assess soil microbial activity. Soil bacterial community structure was significantly altered by corn insertions (p < 0.01) and fertilization (p < 0.01), whereas bacterial functional structure was only affected by corn insertion (p < 0.01). The activities of four enzymes (invertase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and β-D-1,4-cellobiohydrolase) involved in soil C cycling were enhanced by NPK fertilizer, and were also enhanced by corn insertions except for the invertase and β-xylosidase under NPK fertilization. NPK fertilizer significantly improved soil microbial activity except for soil metabolic quotient (qCO2) and the microbial quotient under corn insertions. Corn insertions also significantly improved soil microbial activity except for the ratio of soil induced respiration (SIR) to basal respiration (BR) under fertilization and the qCO2 was decreased by corn insertions. These activity parameters were highly correlated with the soil functional capability of aromatic compound degradation, which was the main predictors of bacterial functional structure. In general, the combination of soil microbial activity, bacterial community and corresponding functional analysis provided comprehensive insights into compositional and functional adaptations to corn insertions and fertilization.
Additions to the Genus Arthrinium (Apiosporaceae) From Bamboos in China
Authors: Feng Yao , Liu Jian-Kui (Jack) , Lin Chuan-Gen , Chen Ya-Ya , Xiang Mei-Mei , Liu Zuo-Yi
Published: April 2021

Arthriniumhas a widespread distribution occurring in various substrates (e.g., air, soil debris, plants, lichens, marine algae and even human tissues). It is characterized by the basauxic conidiogenesis in the asexual morph, with apiospores in the sexual morph. In this study, seventeen isolates ofArthriniumwere collected in China. Based on their morphology and phylogenetic characterization, four new species (A. biseriale,A. cyclobalanopsidis,A. gelatinosum, andA. septatum) are described and seven known species (A. arundinis,A. garethjonesii,A. guizhouense,A. hydei,A. neosubglobosa,A. phyllostachiumandA. psedoparenchymaticum) are identified, of which the sexual morph of three species (A. guizhouense,A. phyllostachiumandA. psedoparenchymaticum) and asexual morph ofA. garethjonesiiare reported for the first time. The detailed descriptions, illustrations and comparisons with related taxa of these new collections are provided. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF sequence data support their placements in the genusArthriniumand justify the new species establishments and identifications of known species.
Attachment Insecurity in Rats Subjected to Maternal Separation and Early Weaning: Sex Differences
Authors: Zeng Haiyan , Yu Zijia , Huang Qingjun , Xu Haiyun
Published: April 2021

Attachment insecurity in the forms of attachment anxiety and avoidance is associated with mental disorders in humans. In this research field, rodents, especially mice and rats, are commonly used to study social behaviors and underlying biological mechanisms due to their pronounced sociability. However, quantitative assessment of attachment security/insecurity in rodents has been a major challenge. The present study identified attachment insecurity behaviors in rats subjected to maternal separation (MS) during postnatal days (PD) 2–16 and early weaning (EW) during PD 17–21. This MSEW procedure has been used to mimic early life neglect in humans. After MSEW, rats continued to survive until early adulthood when they were subjected to open-field, social interaction, and elevated-plus maze tests. Compared to CNT rats in either gender, MSEW rats moved longer distances at higher velocities in the open-field. The MSEW rats also showed lower ratios of travel distance at central zone over that on whole arena of the open-field compared to CNT rats. In social interaction test, male CNT rats preferred to investigate an empty cage than females; whereas female CNT rats spent more time with a partner-containing cage as compared to males. This gender-specific difference was reversed in MSEW rats. On elevated-plus maze female CNT rats exhibited more risk-taking behaviors as compared to male counterparts. Moreover, female MSEW rats experienced a greater difficulty in making a decision on whether approaching to or averting from which arms of elevated-plus maze. Taken together, male MSEW rats behaved like attachment anxiety while females’ phenotype is alike to attachment avoidance described in humans. These results shall prompt further application of MSEW rat in abnormal psychology and biological psychiatry research.
Cortical Regions Activated by Spectrally Degraded Speech in Adults With Single Sided Deafness or Bilateral Normal Hearing
Authors: Burton Harold , Reeder Ruth M. , Holden Tim , Agato Alvin , Firszt Jill B.
Published: April 2021

Those with profound sensorineural hearing loss from single sided deafness (SSD) generally experience greater cognitive effort and fatigue in adverse sound environments. We studied cases with right ear, SSD compared to normal hearing (NH) individuals. SSD cases were significantly less correct in naming last words in spectrally degraded 8- and 16-band vocoded sentences, despite high semantic predictability. Group differences were not significant for less intelligible 4-band sentences, irrespective of predictability. SSD also had diminished BOLD percent signal changes to these same sentences in left hemisphere (LH) cortical regions of early auditory, association auditory, inferior frontal, premotor, inferior parietal, dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior cingulate, temporal-parietal-occipital junction, and posterior opercular. Cortical regions with lower amplitude responses in SSD than NH were mostly components of a LH language network, previously noted as concerned with speech recognition. Recorded BOLD signal magnitudes were averages from all vertices within predefined parcels from these cortex regions. Parcels from different regions in SSD showed significantly larger signal magnitudes to sentences of greater intelligibility (e.g., 8- or 16- vs. 4-band) in all except early auditory and posterior cingulate cortex. Significantly lower response magnitudes occurred in SSD than NH in regions prior studies found responsible for phonetics and phonology of speech, cognitive extraction of meaning, controlled retrieval of word meaning, and semantics. The findings suggested reduced activation of a LH fronto-temporo-parietal network in SSD contributed to difficulty processing speech for word meaning and sentence semantics. Effortful listening experienced by SSD might reflect diminished activation to degraded speech in the affected LH language network parcels. SSD showed no compensatory activity in matched right hemisphere parcels.
Neuroskeletal Effects of Chronic Bioelectric Nerve Stimulation in Health and Diabetes
Authors: Beeve Alec T. , Shen Ivana , Zhang Xiao , Magee Kristann , Yan Ying , MacEwan Matthew R. , Scheller Erica L.
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims

Bioelectric nerve stimulation (eStim) is an emerging clinical paradigm that can promote nerve regeneration after trauma, including within the context of diabetes. However, its ability to prevent the onset of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has not yet been evaluated. Beyond the nerve itself, DPN has emerged as a potential contributor to sarcopenia and bone disease; thus, we hypothesized that eStim could serve as a strategy to simultaneously promote neural and musculoskeletal health in diabetes.

Methods

To address this question, an eStim paradigm pre-optimized to promote nerve regeneration was applied to the sciatic nerve, which directly innervates the tibia and lower limb, for 8 weeks in control and streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats. Metabolic, gait, nerve and bone assessments were used to evaluate the progression of diabetes and the effect of sciatic nerve eStim on neuropathy and musculoskeletal disease, while also considering the effects of cuff placement and chronic eStim in otherwise healthy animals.

Results

Rats with T1D exhibited increased mechanical allodynia in the hindpaw, reduced muscle mass, decreased cortical and cancellous bone volume fraction (BVF), reduced cortical bone tissue mineral density (TMD), and decreased bone marrow adiposity. Type 1 diabetes also had an independent effect on gait. Placement of the cuff electrode alone resulted in altered gait patterns and unilateral reductions in tibia length, cortical BVF, and bone marrow adiposity. Alterations in gait patterns were restored by eStim and tibial lengthening was favored unilaterally; however, eStim did not prevent T1D-induced changes in muscle, bone, marrow adiposity or mechanical sensitivity. Beyond this, chronic eStim resulted in an independent, bilateral reduction in cortical TMD.

Conclusion

Overall, these results provide new insight into the pathogenesis of diabetic neuroskeletal disease and its regulation by eStim. Though eStim did not prevent neural or musculoskeletal complications in T1D, our results demonstrate that clinical applications of peripheral neuromodulation ought to consider the impact of device placement and eStim on long-term skeletal health in both healthy individuals and those with metabolic disease. This includes monitoring for compounded bone loss to prevent unintended consequences including decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk.
Decline of Orientation and Direction Sensitivity in the Aging Population
Authors: Xia Lin , Chen He , Dong Jiong , Luo Sha , Feng Lixia
Published: April 2021

While the aging population is growing, our knowledge regarding age-related deterioration of visual perception remains limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of aging on orientation and direction sensitivity in a healthy population using a weighted up–down adaptive method to improve the efficiency and reliability of the task. A total of 57 healthy participants aged 22–72 years were included and divided into old and young groups. Raw experimental data were processed using a psychometric method to determine the differences between the two groups. In the orientation task, the threshold of the discrimination angle and bias (i.e., the difference between the perceived midpoint from the logistic function and the reference point) was increased, while the lapsing rate (i.e., 1—the maximum logistic function) did not significantly change in the old group compared with the young group. In the motion direction task, the threshold, bias, and lapsing rate were significantly increased in the old group compared with the young group. These results suggest that the decreased ability of old participants in discrimination of stimulus orientation and motion direction could be related to the impaired function of visual cortex.
Multisensory Integration in Stroke Patients: A Theoretical Approach to Reinterpret Upper-Limb Proprioceptive Deficits and Visual Compensation
Authors: Bernard-Espina Jules , Beraneck Mathieu , Maier Marc A. , Tagliabue Michele
Published: April 2021

For reaching and grasping, as well as for manipulating objects, optimal hand motor control arises from the integration of multiple sources of sensory information, such as proprioception and vision. For this reason, proprioceptive deficits often observed in stroke patients have a significant impact on the integrity of motor functions. The present targeted review attempts to reanalyze previous findings about proprioceptive upper-limb deficits in stroke patients, as well as their ability to compensate for these deficits using vision. Our theoretical approach is based on two concepts: first, the description of multi-sensory integration using statistical optimization models; second, on the insight that sensory information is not only encoded in the reference frame of origin (e.g., retinal and joint space for vision and proprioception, respectively), but also in higher-order sensory spaces. Combining these two concepts within a single framework appears to account for the heterogeneity of experimental findings reported in the literature. The present analysis suggests that functional upper limb post-stroke deficits could not only be due to an impairment of the proprioceptive system per se, but also due to deficiencies of cross-references processing; that is of the ability to encode proprioceptive information in a non-joint space. The distinction between purely proprioceptive or cross-reference-related deficits can account for two experimental observations: first, one and the same patient can perform differently depending on specific proprioceptive assessments; and a given behavioral assessment results in large variability across patients. The distinction between sensory and cross-reference deficits is also supported by a targeted literature review on the relation between cerebral structure and proprioceptive function. This theoretical framework has the potential to lead to a new stratification of patients with proprioceptive deficits, and may offer a novel approach to post-stroke rehabilitation.
Nano-encapsulated Iron and Folic Acid-Fortified Functional Yogurt Enhance Anemia in Albino Rats
Authors: Darwish Amira M. G. , Soliman Tarek N. , Elhendy Hassan A. , El-Kholy Wedad M.
Published: April 2021

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major health concern in developing countries, and these see an increased incidence in pregnant women and children in particular. The contribution of dairy products as natural products in drug delivery approaches is inspiring. This study aimed to analyze the application of iron (Fe) and folic acid (FA) bovine serum albumin-nanoparticles (BSA-NPs) as anti-anemic pharmacological agents that fortify stirred functional yogurt (SFY), comparing these with a plain control and SFY fortified with Fe and FA in free forms. The physicochemical, cytotoxicity, microbiological, viscosity, oxidative interactions, microstructural, sensorial analyses, and bioavailability properties of IDA-induced Albino rats were examined. The Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Zetasizer, and Scan Electron Microscope (SEM) were applied. Nanocapsule-fortified SFY showed an enhanced apparent viscosity, water-holding capacity, microstructure, least lipid oxidation, and overall sensorial acceptability. Feed that included Fe + FA nanocapsule-fortified SFY (G6) succeeded in restoring hemoglobin (16.53 gdL−1), iron (109.25 μgdL−1), ferritin (33.25 μgdL−1), and total protein (8.6 gdL−1) at the end of the 4-week feeding period, with significant competition revealed in calcium and zinc absorbance. Nanocapsule-fortified SFY showed no adverse effects or architectural alterations in the liver, kidney, or spleen, as indicated by biochemical and histological examinations. Bovine serum albumin-nanoparticles (BSA-NPs) of iron (Fe) and folic acid (FA) can be recommended as anti-anemia supplements in different functional food applications.
Characterization and Establishment of a Novel EBV Strain Simultaneously Associated With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Yu Fenggang , Syn Nicholas L. , Lu Yanan , Chong Qing Yun , Lai Junyun , Tan Wei Jian , Goh Boon Cher , MacAry Paul A. , Wang Lingzhi , Loh Kwok Seng
Published: April 2021

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)—the prototypical human tumor virus—is responsible for 1–2% of the global cancer burden, but divergent strains seem to exist in different geographical regions with distinct predilections for causing lymphoid or epithelial malignancies. Here we report the establishment and characterization of Yu103, an Asia Pacific EBV strain with a highly remarkable provenance of being derived from nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsy but subsequently propagated in human B-lymphoma cells and xenograft models. Unlike previously characterized EBV strains which are either predominantly B-lymphotropic or epitheliotropic, Yu103 evinces an uncanny capacity to infect and transform both B-lymphocytes and nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that Yu103 EBV lies midway along the spectrum of EBV strains known to drive lymphomagenesis or carcinogenesis, and harbors molecular features which likely account for its unusual properties. To our knowledge, Yu103 EBV is currently the only EBV isolate shown to drive human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and B-lymphoma, and should therefore provide a powerful novel platform for research on EBV-driven hematological and epithelial malignancies.
Clinical Utility of Droplet Digital PCR to Monitor BCR-ABL1 Transcripts of Patients With Philadelphia Chromosome–Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Post-chimeric Antigen Receptor19/22 T-Cell Cocktail Therapy
Authors: Guan Yuqi , Zhang Meilan , Zhang Wei , Wang Jiachen , Shen Kefeng , Zhang Kai , Yang Li , Huang Liang , Wang Na , Xiao Min , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: April 2021

Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) accounts for 20–30% of adult patients with ALL, characterized by translocation of t(9, 22). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved the outcome even though there are still some problems including relapse due to drug-resistant mutations and suboptimal molecular remission depth. Previously, we reported the safety and efficacy of sequential infusion of CD19/22 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell neoplasms including cases with Ph+ ALL. Given possible deeper reaction, more patients were expected to reach optimal minimal residual disease (MRD) response. An alternative method, duplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with high sensitivity was established, which could provide absolute quantification of MRD without the need for calibration curves. Here, we retrospectively collected 95 bone marrow samples from 10 patients with R/R Ph+, who received 19/22 CAR-T-cell cocktail therapy. Notably, sequential molecular remission for more than 3 months (SMR3), a significant indicator based on ddPCR after CAR-T infusion was established, which was defined as a sequential molecular remission for not <3 months with negative MRD. In this cohort, no recurrence was observed in six patients achieving SMR3, where four of whom accepted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) after CAR-T cell regimen. Unfortunately, the other four patients who did not reach SMR3 relapsed, and did not receive extra specific treatment except CAR-T regimen. To sum up, ddPCR may be an alternative, especially when nucleic acid was insufficient in clinical practice. No achievement of SMR3 may be an early warning of potential relapse after CAR-T and indicating the initiation of other therapies including allo-HSCT.
Attitudes and Perceptions of Telemedicine in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Naïve Healthcare Providers
Authors: Schinasi Dana A. , Foster Carolyn C. , Bohling M. Katie , Barrera Leonardo , Macy Michelle L.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Expansion of telemedicine enabled healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to in-person visit restrictions, our institution trained >1,000 clinicians in telemedicine. Little is known about telemedicine-naïve pediatric healthcare provider's perceptions as they adopted telemedicine practice.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of clinicians after expanding telemedicine practice at an independent children's hospital. The survey assessed experience with, concerns about, and intentions to continue telemedicine. Outpatient providers were included if they were first trained for telemedicine in response to COVID-19 and conducted at least one video visit, 3/21/2020–6/30/2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated; perceptions were compared across telemedicine activity level quartiles (based on proportions of visits delivered by video in June 2020) using Fisher's exact tests.

Results: Of 609 survey responses, 305 (50.1%) met inclusion criteria, representing various roles and disciplines. Over half (54.1%) conducted >20 video visits 3/21/2020–6/30/2020. More than 75% of providers found telemedicine easy to learn. Providers with greater proportions of video visits in a typical week in June reported greater ease of incorporating telemedicine into clinical practice and greater intention to continue telemedicine practice in 6 months. Nearly all providers endorsed concerns. Patient care experiences reinforced technology-related concerns and alleviated liability and privacy concerns. Payer reimbursement was the leading influencer of anticipated future use of telemedicine.

Discussion: Providers who conducted more telemedicine encounters reported greater ease of incorporating telemedicine into practice. Provider concerns were influenced by patient care experiences. Targeted training and quality improvement strategies are needed to sustain a robust post-pandemic telemedicine program.