bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
Authors: Song Rui , Li Xueming , Hou Xinyu
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Urban human settlements' spatial network structures have emerged as crucial determinants impacting their health and sustainability. Understanding the influencing factors is pivotal for enhancing these settlements. This study focuses on 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeastern China from 2005 to 2020. It employs a modified gravitational model to establish spatial relationships among urban human settlements. Social network analysis techniques, including modularity and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression model, are introduced to analyze the network's characteristics and driving factors.

Methods

A modified gravitational model is applied to create the spatial association network of urban human settlements. Social network analysis tools, along with modularity and the QAP regression model, are utilized to investigate the network's attributes and influencing elements. The study evaluates the evolution of spatial correlation, network cohesion, hierarchy, and efficiency.

Results

Throughout the study period, spatial correlation among urban human settlements in Northeastern China progressively intensified. However, the network exhibited relatively low density (0.217675), implying limited interconnectivity among cities. The average network hierarchy was 0.178225, indicating the need for optimization, while the average network efficiency was 0.714025, reflecting fewer redundant relationships. The analysis reveals the emergence of a polycentric network pattern with core and sub-core cities like Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Daqing, and Harbin. The urban network configuration has largely stabilized. The spatial association network showcases the intertwining of "small groups" and community organizations. Geographic proximity and merit-based linkages govern feature flow. Measures such as breaking administrative barriers, reducing flow time and distance, boosting resident income, and increasing government investment are identified to foster balanced network development and structural optimization.

Discussion

The research underscores the increasing spatial correlation and evolving network pattern among urban human settlements in Northeastern China. Despite the observed strengthening correlation, challenges related to network cohesion and hierarchy persist. The formation of a polycentric network signifies positive progress in urban development. The study highlights the importance of proximity and merit-based connections for feature flow. The proposed measures offer pathways to enhance network development and optimize structure, promoting holistic urban settlement growth and sustainability.
De novo sequencing, assembly, and characterization of Asparagus racemosus transcriptome and analysis of expression profile of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway
Authors: Malik Chanchal , Dwivedi Sudhanshu , Rabuma Tilahun , Kumar Ravinder , Singh Nitesh , Kumar Anil , Yogi Rajesh , Chhokar Vinod
Published: September 2023

Asparagus racemosus is known for its diverse content of secondary metabolites, i.e., saponins, alkaloids, and a wide range of flavonoids. Flavonoids, including phenols and polyphenols, have a significant role in plant physiology and are synthesized in several tissues. Despite the diverse role of flavonoids, genetic information is limited for flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in A. racemosus. The current study explores full-scale functional genomics information of A. racemosus by de novo transcriptome sequencing using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology to elucidate the genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. The de novo assembly of high-quality paired-end reads resulted in ∼2.3 million high-quality reads with a pooled transcript of 45,647 comprising ∼76 Mb transcriptome with a mean length (bp) of 1,674 and N50 of 1,868bp. Furthermore, the coding sequence (CDS) prediction analysis from 45,647 pooled transcripts resulted in 45,444 CDS with a total length and mean length of 76,398,686 and 1,674, respectively. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis resulted in a high number of CDSs assigned to 25,342 GO terms, which grouped the predicted CDS into three main domains, i.e., Biological Process (19,550), Molecular Function (19,873), and Cellular Component (14,577). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database was used to categorize 6,353 CDS into 25 distinct biological pathway categories, in which the majority of mapped CDS were shown to be related to translation (645), followed by signal transduction (532), carbohydrate metabolism (524), folding, sorting, and degradation (522). Among these, only ∼64 and 14 CDSs were found to be involved in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR was used to check the expression profile of fourteen potential flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes. The qRT-PCR analysis result matches the transcriptome sequence data validating the Illumina sequence results. Moreover, a large number of genes associated with the flavonoids biosynthesis pathway were found to be upregulated under the induction of methyl jasmonate. The present-day study on transcriptome sequence data of A. racemosus can be utilized for characterizing genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways and for functional genomics analysis in A. racemosus using the reverse genetics approach (CRISPR/Cas9 technology).
Evidence generation for sustained impact in the response to gender-based violence: lessons from the SRHR Africa Trust Zimbabwe
Authors: Mazhambe Raymond , Mushunje Mildred
Published: September 2023

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive problem in Zimbabwe, affecting women and girls. The types of GBV that are prevalent in Zimbabwe include sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and child marriage. The issue of evidence generation remains crucial in developing interventions that are tailor-made for GBV response. In an attempt to build pathways for the strengthening of GBV programming and to influence policy change, the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Africa Trust (SAT) Zimbabwe conducted a secondary data review of GBV cases recorded in 2018 and 2019 in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (Victim Friendly Unit) to understand the incidence of and the driving factors underlying GBV in Zimbabwe, including context-specific information with regard to sexual violence and an overview of perpetrator types. The study proffered recommendations that focus on the importance of improving GBV reporting and programming in Zimbabwe. The study establishes that the driving factors for physical violence include poverty, infidelity, and alcohol and drug abuse, while sexual violence is perpetrated by intimate partners and close relatives, among other driving factors.
Isolation, culture, and delivery considerations for the use of mesenchymal stem cells in potential therapies for acute liver failure
Authors: Yang Hui , Chen Jiaxian , Li Jun
Published: September 2023

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a high-mortality syndrome for which liver transplantation is considered the only effective treatment option. A shortage of donor organs, high costs and surgical complications associated with immune rejection constrain the therapeutic effects of liver transplantation. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy was recognized as an alternative strategy for liver transplantation. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been used in clinical trials of several liver diseases due to their ease of acquisition, strong proliferation ability, multipotent differentiation, homing to the lesion site, low immunogenicity and anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the harvest and culture expansion strategies for BMSCs, the development of animal models of ALF of different aetiologies, the critical mechanisms of BMSC therapy for ALF and the challenge of clinical application.
Natural and anthropogenic carbon input affect microbial activity in salt marsh sediment
Authors: Frates Erin S. , Spietz Rachel L. , Silverstein Michael R. , Girguis Peter , Hatzenpichler Roland , Marlow Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2023

Salt marshes are dynamic, highly productive ecosystems positioned at the interface between terrestrial and marine systems. They are exposed to large quantities of both natural and anthropogenic carbon input, and their diverse sediment-hosted microbial communities play key roles in carbon cycling and remineralization. To better understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic carbon on sediment microbial ecology, several sediment cores were collected from Little Sippewissett Salt Marsh (LSSM) on Cape Cod, MA, USA and incubated with either Spartina alterniflora cordgrass or diesel fuel. Resulting shifts in microbial diversity and activity were assessed via bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) combined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Both Spartina and diesel amendments resulted in initial decreases of microbial diversity as well as clear, community-wide shifts in metabolic activity. Multi-stage degradative frameworks shaped by fermentation were inferred based on anabolically active lineages. In particular, the metabolically versatile Marinifilaceae were prominent under both treatments, as were the sulfate-reducing Desulfovibrionaceae, which may be attributable to their ability to utilize diverse forms of carbon under nutrient limited conditions. By identifying lineages most directly involved in the early stages of carbon processing, we offer potential targets for indicator species to assess ecosystem health and highlight key players for selective promotion of bioremediation or carbon sequestration pathways.
Resistome-based surveillance identifies ESKAPE pathogens as the predominant gram-negative organisms circulating in veterinary hospitals
Authors: Zendri Flavia , Isgren Cajsa M. , Devaney Jane , Schmidt Vanessa , Rankin Rachel , Timofte Dorina
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) associated with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant gram-negative (ESC-R GN) bacteria are an emerging concern in veterinary hospitals, especially in companion animal intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

To understand the molecular epidemiology of ESC-R GN isolates in two veterinary hospitals (equine and small animal), a 6-month pilot study was performed during which fecal and environmental samples were obtained twice from selected patients, upon ICU admission and after 48 h of hospitalization. In total, 295 ESC-R GNs were analyzed using the Acuitas Resistome® Test (OpGen, Maryland, US), a PCR-based assay screening for 50 antimicrobial resistance gene families encoding for production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs), TEM/SHV/OXA or AmpC beta-lactamases and carbapenemases. Combining organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility data to genotyping results, unique “Acuitas profiles” were generated that can be used for fast typing the isolates and tracking transmission events.

Results

ESKAPE GN pathogens were the most prevalent ESC-R GN isolates circulating in both the small animal and equine hospitals, consisting of Enterobacter cloacae complex (21.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.9%), and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (13.6%) followed by Escherichia coli (12.2%), most harboring a combination of genes encoding for beta-lactamases and ESBLs. Some ESKAPE genotypes showed likely intra-hospital transmission, including E. cloacae (two genotypes, one carrying SHV4, SHV5, and TEM7 and the other TEM1, TEM3, and TEM7 enzymes) in the equine and K. pneumoniae (SHV1, SHV5, and DHA1-positive) in the small animal ICUs, respectively. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa (carrying OXA-50), A. baumannii complex (OXA-51), and E. coli (CTX-M-1) genotypes were isolated across both hospitals, suggesting possible transfer mediated via movement of staff and students. Importantly, isolates carrying transmissible resistance to last-resort antimicrobials (i.e. carbapenems) were identified within the hospital environments, consisting of three environmental Acinetobacter spp. harboring blaOXA − 23 and one clinical E. coli with blaOXA − 48.

Conclusion

We describe the widespread occurrence of ESKAPE gram-negative organisms in veterinary ICU patients and hospital environments. Findings from this project provide baseline data on the epidemiology of ESKAPE pathogens in veterinary settings, which can inform infection control policies to aid in patient management and prevent transmission of nosocomial infections associated with these pathogens.
The intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 oligomers does not invariably alter seizure susceptibility in mice
Authors: Vande Vyver Maxime , Daeninck Louise , De Smet Gino , Aourz Najat , Sahu Surajit , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Pauwels Kris , De Bundel Dimitri , Smolders Ilse
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Epileptiform activity and seizures are present in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and genetic animal models of AD. Amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomers are thought to be crucial in AD and can cause neuronal hyperexcitability in vitro. However, it is unclear whether these Aβ1-42 oligomers cause the increased seizure susceptibility in vivo in people with AD and in AD animal models, nor via which mechanisms it would do so. We investigated this question by injecting Aβ1-42 oligomers intracerebrally in mice and assessed its impact on seizure susceptibility.

Materials and methods

We performed a single intracerebral injection of synthetic Aβ1-42 oligomers or scrambled Aβ1-42 in NMRI mice in three different cohorts and subjected them to an i.v. infusion of a chemoconvulsant. We evoked the seizures 1.5 h, 1 week, or 3 weeks after the intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 oligomers, covering also the timepoints and injection locations that were used by others in similar experimental set-ups.

Results

With a thioflavine T assay and transmission electron microscopy we confirmed that Aβ1-42 monomers spontaneously aggregated to oligomers. We did not find an effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on susceptibility to seizures – evoked 1.5 h, 1 week or 3 weeks – after their intracerebral injection.

Significance

The lack of effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizure susceptibility in our experiments contrasts with recent findings in similar experimental set-ups. Contradicting conclusions are frequent in experiments with Aβ1-42 and they are often attributed to subtle differences in the various aggregation forms of the Aβ1-42 used in different experiments. We confirmed the presence of Aβ1-42 oligomers with state-of-the-art methods but cannot ascertain that the protein aggregates we used are identical to those used by others. Whether our findings or those previously published best represent the role of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizures in AD remains unclear.
Teleosts as behaviour test models for social stress
Authors: Lai Nicola Hong Yun , Mohd Zahir Izzati Adriana , Liew Anthony Kin Yip , Ogawa Satoshi , Parhar Ishwar , Soga Tomoko
Published: September 2023

Stress is an important aspect of our everyday life and exposure to it is an unavoidable occurrence. In humans, this can come in the form of social stress or physical stress from an injury. Studies in animal models have helped researchers to understand the body’s adaptive response to stress in human. Notably, the use of behavioural tests in animal models plays a pivotal role in understanding the neural, endocrine and behavioural changes induced by social stress. Under socially stressed conditions, behavioural parameters are often measured physiological and molecular parameters as changes in behaviour are direct responses to stress and are easily assessed by behavioural tests. Throughout the past few decades, the rodent model has been used as a well-established animal model for stress and behavioural changes. Recently, more attention has been drawn towards using fish as an animal model. Common fish models such as zebrafish, medaka, and African cichlids have the advantage of a higher rate of reproduction, easier handling techniques, sociability and most importantly, share evolutionary conserved genetic make-up, neural circuitry, neuropeptide molecular structure and function with mammalian species. In fact, some fish species exhibit a clear diurnal or seasonal rhythmicity in their stress response, similar to humans, as opposed to rodents. Various social stress models have been established in fish including but not limited to chronic social defeat stress, social stress avoidance, and social stress-related decision-making. The huge variety of behavioural patterns in teleost also aids in the study of more behavioural phenotypes than the mammalian species. In this review, we focus on the use of fish models as alternative models to study the effects of stress on different types of behaviours. Finally, fish behavioural tests against the typical mammalian model-based behavioural test are compared and discussed for their viability.
EGb 761 reduces Ca2+ influx and apoptosis after pentylenetetrazole treatment in a neuroblastoma cell line
Authors: Ovey Ishak Suat , Ozsimsek Ahmet , Velioglu Halil Aziz , Altay Ozlem , Mardinoglu Adil , Yulug Burak
Published: September 2023

Background

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been found to have significant implications in neuronal outgrowth, survival, inflammatory neurogenic pain, and various epileptogenic processes. Moreover, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have a significant impact on epilepsy and its drug-resistant subtypes.

Objective

We postulated that EGb 761 would modulate TRPA1 channels, thereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a neuroblastoma cell line. Our rationale was to investigate the impact of EGb 761 in a controlled model of pentylenetetrazole-induced generalized epilepsy.

Methodology

We evaluated the neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of EGb 761 both before and after the pentylenetetrazole application in a neuroblastoma cell line. Specifically, we focused on the effects of EGB 761 on the activity of Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.

Results

EGb 761 applications both before and after the pentylenetetrazole incubation period reduced Ca release and restored apoptosis, ROS changes, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase levels, suggesting a prominent prophylactic and therapeutic effect of EGb 761 in the pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptogenesis process.

Conclusion

Our basic mechanistic framework for elucidating the pathophysiological significance of fundamental ion mechanisms in a pentylenetetrazole treated neuroblastoma cell line provided compelling evidence for the favorable efficacy and safety profile of Egb 761 in human-relevant in vitro model of epilepsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the combined effects of EGb 761 and pentylenetetrazole on TRP channels and measure their activation level in a relevant model of human epileptic diseases.
The use of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy: case based review
Authors: Şorodoc Victoriţa , Constantin Mihai , Asaftei Andreea , Lionte Cătălina , Ceasovschih Alexandr , Sîrbu Oana , Haliga Raluca Ecaterina , Şorodoc Laurenţiu
Published: September 2023

Background

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is a controversial immunological neuropsychiatric disease, with a poorly understood pathogenesis. It is characterized by symptoms of acute or subacute encephalopathy which usually occur in the presence of elevated levels of antithyroid antibodies. Even though it is also known as steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), some cases appear to be steroid-resistant. This review examined whether treatment of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is associated with better clinical outcomes than the standard therapy. Additionally, we presented a case of a 59-year-old man who presented with severe neurological manifestations and was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Methods

The online databases PubMed and EMBASE were searched.

Results

A total of 1,365 articles were identified. After the deletion of 112 duplicates, 1,253 studies were screened by evaluating the title and abstract, focusing on Hashimoto’s encephalopathy cases where IVIG were used. 846 studies were excluded because they were not relevant to the topic or included pediatric population. Therefore, 407 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The final analysis included 14 eligible articles after 393 were excluded (irrelevant texts, not written in English, full-text not available). In the majority of the selected case-reports, IVIG was associated with a good outcome, sometimes even with dramatic improvements in patient’s status.

Conclusion

In last years, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved its utility in Hashimoto’s encephalopathy’s treatment, being a well tolerated therapy associated with remarkable improvement in patient’s status. Further research is still needed in order to define the optimal treatment protocol for Hashimoto’s encephalopathy and to establish if intravenous immunoglobulin can also be used as a first-line therapy, alone or in combination with steroids.
Non-invasive and accurate risk evaluation of cerebrovascular disease using retinal fundus photo based on deep learning
Authors: An Lin , Qin Jia , Jiang Weili , Luo Penghao , Luo Xiaoyan , Lai Yuzheng , Jin Mei
Published: September 2023

Background

Cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) is a prominent contributor to global mortality and profound disability. Extensive research has unveiled a connection between CeVD and retinal microvascular abnormalities. Nonetheless, manual analysis of fundus images remains a laborious and time-consuming task. Consequently, our objective is to develop a risk prediction model that utilizes retinal fundus photo to noninvasively and accurately assess cerebrovascular risks.

Materials and methods

To leverage retinal fundus photo for CeVD risk evaluation, we proposed a novel model called Efficient Attention which combines the convolutional neural network with attention mechanism. This combination aims to reinforce the salient features present in fundus photos, consequently improving the accuracy and effectiveness of cerebrovascular risk assessment.

Result

Our proposed model demonstrates notable advancements compared to the conventional ResNet and Efficient-Net architectures. The accuracy (ACC) of our model is 0.834 ± 0.03, surpassing Efficient-Net by a margin of 3.6%. Additionally, our model exhibits an improved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.904 ± 0.02, surpassing other methods by a margin of 2.2%.

Conclusion

This paper provides compelling evidence that Efficient-Attention methods can serve as effective and accurate tool for cerebrovascular risk. The results of the study strongly support the notion that retinal fundus photo holds great potential as a reliable predictor of CeVD, which offers a noninvasive, convenient and low-cost solution for large scale screening of CeVD.
Cerebellar contributions across behavioural timescales: a review from the perspective of cerebro-cerebellar interactions
Authors: Boven Ellen , Cerminara Nadia L.
Published: September 2023

Performing successful adaptive behaviour relies on our ability to process a wide range of temporal intervals with certain precision. Studies on the role of the cerebellum in temporal information processing have adopted the dogma that the cerebellum is involved in sub-second processing. However, emerging evidence shows that the cerebellum might be involved in suprasecond temporal processing as well. Here we review the reciprocal loops between cerebellum and cerebral cortex and provide a theoretical account of cerebro-cerebellar interactions with a focus on how cerebellar output can modulate cerebral processing during learning of complex sequences. Finally, we propose that while the ability of the cerebellum to support millisecond timescales might be intrinsic to cerebellar circuitry, the ability to support supra-second timescales might result from cerebellar interactions with other brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex.
Vitamin C fortification: need and recent trends in encapsulation technologies
Authors: Maurya Vaibhav Kumar , Shakya Amita , McClements David Julian , Srinivasan Ramachandran , Bashir Khalid , Ramesh Thiyagarajan , Lee Jintae , Sathiyamoorthi Ezhaveni
Published: September 2023

The multifaceted role of vitamin C in human health intrudes several biochemical functions that are but not limited to antioxidant activity, homoeostasis, amino acid synthesis, collagen synthesis, osteogenesis, neurotransmitter production and several yet to be explored functions. In absence of an innate biosynthetic pathway, humans are obligated to attain vitamin C from dietary sources to maintain its optimal serum level (28 μmol/L). However, a significant amount of naturally occurring vitamin C may deteriorate due to food processing, storage and distribution before reaching to the human gastrointestinal tract, thus limiting or mitigating its disease combating activity. Literature acknowledges the growing prevalence of vitamin C deficiency across the globe irrespective of geographic, economic and population variations. Several tools have been tested to address vitamin C deficiency, which are primarily diet diversification, biofortification, supplementation and food fortification. These strategies inherit their own advantages and limitations. Opportunely, nanotechnology promises an array of delivery systems providing encapsulation, protection and delivery of susceptible compounds against environmental factors. Lack of clear understanding of the suitability of the delivery system for vitamin C encapsulation and fortification; growing prevalence of its deficiency, it is a need of the hour to develop and design vitamin C fortified food ensuring homogeneous distribution, improved stability and enhanced bioavailability. This article is intended to review the importance of vitamin C in human health, its recommended daily allowance, its dietary sources, factors donating to its stability and degradation. The emphasis also given to review the strategies adopted to address vitamin c deficiency, delivery systems adopted for vitamin C encapsulation and fortification.
Pain catastrophizing is associated with reduced neural response to monetary reward
Authors: Cooke Megan E. , Edwards Robert R. , Wheeler Grace L. , Schmitt William A. , Nielsen Lindsay V. , Streck Joanna M. , Schuster Randi M. , Potter Kevin , Evins A. Eden , Gilman Jodi M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Pain catastrophizing, a measure of an individual's negative emotional and cognitive appraisals of pain, has been included as a key treatment target in many psychological interventions for pain. However, the neural correlates of pain catastrophizing have been understudied. Prior neuroimaging evidence suggests that adults with pain show altered reward processing throughout the mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry.

Methods

In this study, we tested the association between Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) scores and neural activation to the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) reward neuroimaging task in 94 adults reporting a range of pain, insomnia, and mood symptoms.

Results

Results indicated that PCS score but not pain intensity was significantly associated with blunted activation in the caudate and putamen in response to feedback of successful vs. unsuccessful trials on the MID task. Mediation analyses indicated that PCS score fully mediated the relationship between depression symptoms and reward activation.

Discussion

These findings provide evidence that pain catastrophizing is independently associated with altered striatal function apart from depression symptoms and pain intensity. Thus, in individuals experiencing pain and/or co- morbid conditions, reward dysfunction is directly related to pain catastrophizing.
Case report: Exome sequencing revealed disease-causing variants in a patient with spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis
Authors: Bouchoucha Sami , Chikhaoui Asma , Najjar Dorra , Zayoud Khouloud , Zouari Mohamed , Nessib Mohamed Nabil , Kéfi Rym , Yacoub-Youssef Houda
Published: September 2023

Background

Spondylocostal dysostosis is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in DLL3, MESP2, LFNG, HES7, TBX6, and RIPPLY2. A particular form of this disorder characterized by the association of spondylocostal dysostosis with multiple pterygia has been reported and called spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis. Both disorders affect the spine and ribs, leading to abnormal development of the spine. Spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis is a rare syndrome characterized by the association of multiple vertebral segmentation defects, thoracic cage deformity, and multiple pterygia. This syndrome can be considered a different form of the described spondylocostal dysostosis. However, no genetic testing has been conducted for this rare disorder so far.

Methods

We report here the case of an 18-month-old female patient presenting the clinical and radiological features of spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis. To determine the underlying genetic etiology, whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed.

Results

Using WES, we identified a variant in the TPM2 gene c. 628C>T, already reported in the non-lethal form of multiple pterygium syndrome. In addition, following the analysis of WES data, using bioinformatic tools, for oligogenic diseases, we identified candidate modifier genes, CAP2 and ADCY6, that could impact the clinical manifestations.

Conclusion

We showed a potential association between TPM2 and the uncommon spondylocostal dysostosis phenotype that would require further validation on larger cohort.
Predictors associated with critical care need and in-hospital mortality among children with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection in a high HIV infection burden region
Authors: Byamungu Liliane N. , Nachega Jean B. , Pillay Ashendri , Katoto Patrick D. M. C. , Jeena Prakash , Zurba Lindsay , Masekela Refiloe
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Despite the extra mortality associated with COVID-19 death globally, there is scant data on COVID-19-related paediatric mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed predictors of critical care needs and hospital mortality in South African children with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in region with high HIV infection burden.

Methods

We conducted a secondary multicentre analysis of the AFREhealth cohort (a multinational, multicentre cohort of paediatric COVID-19 clinical outcomes across six African countries) of children admitted to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli, a quaternary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with confirmed RT-PCR between March 2020 and December 2020. We constructed multivariable logistic regression to explore factors associated with the need for critical care (high care/ intensive care hospitalisation or oxygen requirement) and cox-proportional hazards models to further assess factors independently associated with in-hospital death.

Results

Of the 82 children with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (mean ± SD age: 4.2 ± 4.4 years), 35(42.7%) were younger than one year, 52(63%) were female and 59(71%) had a pre-existing medical condition. Thirty-seven (45.2%) children required critical care (median (IQR) duration: 7.5 (0.5–13.5) days) and 14(17%) died. Independent factors associated with need for critical care were being younger than 1 year (aPR: 3.02, 95%CI: 1.05–8.66; p = 0.04), having more than one comorbidity (aPR: 2.47, 95%CI: 1.32–4.61; p = 0.004), seizure (aPR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.56–3.68; p < 0.001) and impaired renal function. Additionally, independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were exposure to HIV infection (aHR: 6.8, 95%CI:1.54–31.71; p = 0.01), requiring invasive ventilation (aHR: 3.59, 95%CI: 1.01–12.16, p = 0.048) and increase blood urea nitrogen (aHR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01–1.11; p = 0.017). However, children were less likely to die from COVID-19 if they were primarily admitted to quaternary unit (aHR: 0.23, 95%CI: 0.1–0.86, p = 0.029).

Conclusion

We found a relatively high hospital death rate among children with confirmed COVID-19. During COVID-19 waves, a timely referral system and rapid identification of children at risk for critical care needs and death, such as those less than one year and those with comorbidities, could minimize excess mortality, particularly in high HIV-infection burden countries.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib as the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: He Ying , Lin Wangchun , Cai Zhongjie , Huang Yufan , You Maojin , Lei Meisheng , Chen Ruijia
Published: September 2023

Purpose: Results from the LAUNCH trial suggest transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with lenvatinib is significantly more effective than lenvatinib as a first-line treatment option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the cost of TACE is substantial. This study compares the cost-effectiveness of TACE in combination with lenvatinib (TACE-LEN) with that of lenvatinib alone as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.

Methods: Markov models of different health states were constructed to simulate first-line treatment, disease progression, and survival in patients with advanced HCC. Clinical efficacy was obtained from the LAUNCH trial. The cost of drugs was sourced from national tender prices, and the treatment cost of weight-decreased was obtained from the Fujian Provincial Bureau of Prices. Other costs and utility values were based on the published literature. Total costs, life years (LYs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) comprised the model output. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to validate model robustness and subgroup analyses were also conducted.

Results: Analysis of the model showed that compared to lenvatinib, TACE-LEN improved effectiveness by 1.60 QALYs at a total cost increase of $48,874.69, with an ICER value of $30,482.13/QALY. A one-way sensitivity analysis found that the progression-free survival utility value per year had the greatest impact on the model. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that TACE-LEN had a 97.9% probability of being cost-effective as the first-line treatment option for advanced HCC compared to lenvatinib when the willingness-to-pay (WTP) value was $38,201/QALY (three times the Chinese GDP per capita in 2022). Subgroup analysis showed that all subgroups of patients preferred TACE-LEN. However, when the WTP threshold was below $30,300/QALY, TACE-LEN is no longer cost-effective.

Conclusion: Our study found TACE-LEN to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with advanced HCC compared to lenvatinib from a Chinese healthcare system perspective, but not so in low-income provinces in China.
UPLC-Q–TOF–MS, network analysis, and molecular docking to investigate the effect and active ingredients of tea-seed oil against bacterial pathogens
Authors: Duan Yan , Zhao Li-Juan , Zhou Yan-Hui , Zhou Qi-Zhi , Fang Ai-Qing , Huang Yu-Ting , Ma Yuan , Wang Zhi , Lu Yu-Ting , Dai Yu-Ping , Li Shun-Xiang , Li Juan
Published: September 2023

Object: This research intended to probe the antibacterial effect and pharmacodynamic substances of Tea-Seed Oil (TSO) through the use of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) analysis, network analysis, and molecular docking.

Methods: The major chemical components in the methanol-extracted fractions of TSO were subjected to UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were integrated to investigate the core components, targets, and potential mechanisms of action through which the TSO exert their antibacterial properties. To evaluate the inhibitory effects, the minimum inhibitory concentration and diameter of the bacteriostatic circle were calculated for the potential active ingredients and their equal ratios of combinatorial components (ERCC) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Moreover, the quantification of the active constituents within TSO was achieved through the utilization of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results: The methanol-extracted fractions contained a total of 47 chemical components, predominantly consisting of unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking analysis revealed that various components, including gallocatechin, gallic acid, epigallocatechin, theophylline, chlorogenic acid, puerarin, and phlorizin, have the ability to interact with critical core targets such as serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a monoclonal antibody to mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), HSP90AA1, and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Furthermore, these components can modulate the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT), estrogen, MAPK and interleukin 17 (IL-17) signaling pathways, hereby exerting antibacterial effects. In vitro validation trials have found that seven components, namely gallocatechin, gallic acid, epigallocatechin, theophylline, chlorogenic acid, puerarin, and phloretin, displayed substantial inhibitory effects on E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans, and are typically present in tea oil, with a total content ranging from 15.87∼24.91 μg·g−1.

Conclusion: The outcomes of this investigation possess the possibility to expand our knowledge base concerning the utilization of TSO, furnish a theoretical framework for the exploration of antibacterial drugs and cosmetics derived from inherently occurring TSO, and establish a robust groundwork for the advancement and implementations of TOS products within clinical settings.
Heterogeneity characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and development of a prognostic regression model
Authors: Gu Xinyu , Li Shuang , Ma Xiao , Huang Di , Li Penghui
Published: September 2023

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug in clinical cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A correct understanding of the mechanisms leading to a low or lack of sensitivity of HCC to 5-FU-based treatment is a key element in the current personalized medical treatment.

Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to analyze the expression profiles of the cancer cell line from GDSC2 to identify 5-FU-related modules and hub genes. According to hub genes, HCC was classified and the machine learning model was developed by ConsensusClusterPlus and five different machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, we performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis on the genes in our model.

Results: A total of 19 modules of the cancer cell line were divided by WGCNA, and the most negative correlation with 5-FU was the midnight blue module, from which 45 hub genes were identified. HCC was divided into three subgroups (C1, C2, and C3) with significant overall survival (OS) differences. OS of C1 was the shortest, which was characterized by a high clinical grade and later T stage and stage. OS of C3 was the longest. OS of C2 was between the two subtypes, and its immune infiltration was the lowest. Five out of 45 hub genes, namely, TOMM40L, SNRPA, ILF3, CPSF6, and NUP205, were filtered to develop a risk regression model as an independent prognostic indicator for HCC. The qRT-PCR results showed that TOMM40L, SNRPA, ILF3, CPSF6, and NUP205 were remarkably highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusion: The HCC classification based on the sensitivity to 5-FU was in line with the prognostic differences observed in HCC and most of the genomic variation, immune infiltration, and heterogeneity of pathological pathways. The regression model related to 5-FU sensitivity may be of significance in individualized prognostic monitoring of HCC.
Influence of motor imagery training on hip abductor muscle strength and bilateral transfer effect
Authors: Alenezi Majid Manawer , Hayes Amy , Lawrence Gavin P. , Kubis Hans-Peter
Published: September 2023

Motor imagery training could be an important treatment of reduced muscle function in patients and injured athletes. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of imagery training on maximal force production in a larger muscle group (hip abductors) and potential bilateral transfer effects. Healthy participants (n = 77) took part in two experimental studies using two imagery protocols (∼30 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks) compared either with no practice (study 1), or with isometric exercise training (study 2). Maximal hip abduction isometric torque, electromyography amplitudes (trained and untrained limbs), handgrip strength, right shoulder abduction (strength and electromyography), and imagery capability were measured before and after the intervention. Post intervention, motor imagery groups of both studies exhibited significant increase in hip abductors strength (∼8%, trained side) and improved imagery capability. Further results showed that imagery training induced bilateral transfer effects on muscle strength and electromyography amplitude of hip abductors. Motor imagery training was effective in creating functional improvements in limb muscles of trained and untrained sides.
A key role for scientists in strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention
Authors: Shang Lijun , Sheff Lincoln , Dando Malcolm
Published: September 2023

It is not easy to be optimistic about international security at the present time, but 9th Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention in December 2022 agreed a renewed effort to strengthen the Convention after decades of stagnation. In March 2023 an agreement was also reached on an agenda and timetable for this effort over the next 2 years. Scientists have a long history of providing valuable input to such meetings, in this paper, we discuss how such input might best be provided with complicated challenges now facing the BWC and concluded that there is much that could be done, but greater coordination amongst scientists is needed.
Sex-related differences in the associations between diurnal cortisol pattern and social and emotional loneliness in older adults
Authors: Díaz-Mardomingo María del Carmen , Utrera Lucía , Baliyan Shishir , García-Herranz Sara , Suárez-Falcón Juan Carlos , Rodríguez-Fernández Raquel , Sampedro-Piquero Patricia , Valencia Azucena , Venero César
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Loneliness is a distressful feeling that can affect mental and physical health, particularly among older adults. Cortisol, the primary hormone of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA-axis), may act as a biological transducer through which loneliness affects health. While most previous studies have evaluated the association between loneliness, as a unidimensional construct, and diurnal cortisol pattern, no research has examined this relationship discriminating between social and emotional loneliness in older adults. As sex differences in the negative mental health outcomes of loneliness have been reported, we also investigated whether diurnal cortisol indices and loneliness associations occur in a sex-specific manner.

Methods

We analyzed the diurnal cortisol- pattern in 142 community-dwelling, non-depressed, Caucasian older adults (55,6% female) aged 60-90. Social and emotional (family and romantic) loneliness scores were assessed using the Spanish version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). Five salivary cortisol samples were used to capture key features of the diurnal cortisol pattern, including: awakening and bedtime cortisol levels, awakening response (CAR), post-awakening cortisol output (post-awakening cortisol [i.e., the area under the curve with reference to the ground: AUCG]), total diurnal cortisol release (AUCG), and diurnal cortisol slope (DCS).

Results

After controlling for sociodemographic variables, the hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses revealed that in male older adults, higher scores on social and family loneliness were associated with elevated awakening cortisol levels, total diurnal cortisol output, and a steeper diurnal cortisol slope (DCS). However, these associations were not observed in female older adults. In addition, feelings of romantic loneliness were positively associated with bedtime cortisol levels and AUCG in older males. Multilevel growth curve modeling showed that experiencing more social and emotional loneliness predicted higher diurnal cortisol output throughout the day in older male adults.

Discussion

The presence of sex differences in the relationship between cortisol indices and loneliness among older adults holds particular significance for diagnostic and screening procedures. Combining loneliness scales as screening tools with diurnal cortisol measures has the potential to be an effective and cost-efficient approach in identifying higher-risk individuals at early stages.
Red biases sex categorization of human bodies
Authors: Chen Na , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: September 2023

Color is associated with gender information (e.g., red-female). However, little has been known on the effect of color on sex recognition of human bodies. This study aimed to investigate whether the color red could influence the categorization of human bodies by sex, and the effect of contextual information. Visual stimuli were created using body silhouettes varying along the waist-to-hip ratio from female to male shapes. These stimuli were presented in conjunction with red, green, and gray colors, which were used either as body color (Experiment 1) or background color (Experiment 2). Participants were instructed to categorize the sex of the body stimuli as either male or female by pressing labeled keys. The results showed that when red was used as a body color, it induced a bias toward feminine body perception, while when used as a background color, it induced a bias toward masculine body perception. Thus, the color red influenced the sex categorization of human bodies, which being modulated by contextual information. These findings provided novel insights into the effect of contextual color cues in sex recognition of human bodies.