bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preanalytical Stability of CSF Total and Oligomeric Alpha-Synuclein
Authors: Abdi Ilham Y. , Majbour Nour K. , Willemse Eline A. J. , van de Berg Wilma D. J. , Mollenhauer Brit , Teunissen Charlotte E. , El-Agnaf Omar M.
Published: March 2021

Background: The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alpha-synuclein as a potential biomarker has been challenged mainly due to variable preanalytical measures between laboratories. To evaluate the impact of the preanalytical factors contributing to such variability, the different subforms of alpha-synuclein need to be studied individually.

Method: We investigated the effect of exposing CSF samples to several preanalytical sources of variability: (1) different polypropylene (PP) storage tubes; (2) use of non-ionic detergents; (3) multiple tube transfers; (4) multiple freeze-thaw cycles; and (5) delayed storage. CSF oligomeric- and total-alpha-synuclein levels were estimated using our in-house sandwich-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results: Siliconized tubes provided the optimal preservation of CSF alpha-synuclein proteins among other tested polypropylene tubes. The use of tween-20 detergent significantly improved the recovery of oligomeric-alpha-synuclein, while multiple freeze-thaw cycles significantly lowered oligomeric-alpha-synuclein in CSF. Interestingly, oligomeric-alpha-synuclein levels remained relatively stable over multiple tube transfers and upon delayed storage.

Conclusion: Our study showed for the first-time distinct impact of preanalytical factors on the different forms of CSF alpha-synuclein. These findings highlight the need for special considerations for the different forms of alpha-synuclein during CSF samples’ collection and processing.
Sleep Facilitates Problem Solving With No Additional Gain Through Targeted Memory Reactivation
Authors: Beijamini Felipe , Valentin Anthony , Jäger Roland , Born Jan , Diekelmann Susanne
Published: March 2021

According to the active systems consolidation theory, memories undergo reactivation during sleep that can give rise to qualitative changes of the representations. These changes may generate new knowledge such as gaining insight into solutions for problem solving. targeted memory reactivation (TMR) uses learning-associated cues, such as sounds or odors, which have been shown to improve memory consolidation when re-applied during sleep. Here we tested whether TMR during slow wave sleep (SWS) and/or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep increases problem solving. Young healthy volunteers participated in one of two experiments. Experiment 1 tested the effect of natural sleep on problem solving. Subjects were trained in a video game-based problem solving task until being presented with a non-solved challenge. Followed by a ~10-h incubation interval filled with nocturnal sleep or daytime wakefulness, subjects were tested on the problem solving challenge again. Experiment 2 tested the effect of TMR on problem solving, with subjects receiving auditory TMR either during SWS (SWSstim), REM sleep (REMstim), or wakefulness (Wakestim). In Experiment 1, sleep improved problem solving, with 62% of subjects from the Sleep group solving the problem compared to 24% of the Wake group. Subjects with higher amounts of SWS in the Sleep group had a higher chance to solve the problem. In Experiment 2, TMR did not change the sleep effect on problem solving: 56 and 58% of subjects from the SWSstim and REMstim groups solved the problem compared to 57% from the Wakestim group. These findings indicate that sleep, and particularly SWS, facilitates problem solving, whereas this effect is not further increased by TMR.
Two Classes of T1 Hypointense Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis With Different Clinical Relevance
Authors: Kocsis Krisztián , Szabó Nikoletta , Tóth Eszter , Király András , Faragó Péter , Kincses Bálint , Veréb Dániel , Bozsik Bence , Boross Katalin , Katona Melinda , Bodnár Péter , László Nyúl Gábor , Vécsei László , Klivényi Péter , Bencsik Krisztina , Kincses Zsigmond Tamás
Published: March 2021

Background: Hypointense lesions on T1-weighted images have important clinical relevance in multiple sclerosis patients. Traditionally, spin-echo (SE) sequences are used to assess these lesions (termed black holes), but Fast Spoiled Gradient-Echo (FSPGR) sequences provide an excellent alternative.

Objective: To determine whether the contrast difference between T1 hypointense lesions and the surrounding normal white matter is similar on the two sequences, whether different lesion types could be identified, and whether the clinical relevance of these lesions types are different.

Methods: Seventy-nine multiple sclerosis patients' lesions were manually segmented, then registered to T1 sequences. Median intensity values of lesions were identified on all sequences, then K-means clustering was applied to assess whether distinct clusters of lesions can be defined based on intensity values on SE, FSPGR, and FLAIR sequences. The standardized intensity of the lesions in each cluster was compared to the intensity of the normal appearing white matter in order to see if lesions stand out from the white matter on a given sequence.

Results: 100% of lesions on FSPGR images and 69% on SE sequence in cluster #1 exceeded a standardized lesion distance of Z = 2.3 (p < 0.05). In cluster #2, 78.7% of lesions on FSPGR and only 17.7% of lesions on SE sequence were above this cutoff value, meaning that these lesions were not easily seen on SE images. Lesion count in the second cluster (lesions less identifiable on SE) significantly correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (R: 0.30, p ≤ 0.006) and with disease duration (R: 0.33, p ≤ 0.002).

Conclusion: We showed that black holes can be separated into two distinct clusters based on their intensity values on various sequences, only one of which is related to clinical parameters. This emphasizes the joint role of FSPGR and SE sequences in the monitoring of MS patients and provides insight into the role of black holes in MS.
Descriptive Analysis of Real-World Data on Fingolimod Long-Term Treatment of Young Adult RRMS Patients
Authors: Ziemssen Tjalf , Albrecht Holger , Haas Judith , Klotz Luisa , Lang Michael , Lassek Christoph , Schmidt Stephan , Ettle Benjamin , Schulze-Topphoff Ulf
Published: March 2021

Background: Fingolimod (Gilenya®) is approved for adult and pediatric patients with highly active relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objectives: The objective was to describe the effectiveness of fingolimod in young adults compared to older patients in clinical practice.

Methods: PANGAEA is the largest prospective, multi-center, non-interventional, long-term study evaluating fingolimod in RRMS. We descriptively analyzed demographics, MS characteristics, and severity in two subgroups of young adults (≤20 and >20 to ≤30 years) and older patients (>30 years).

Results: Young adults had lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores compared to older patients (1.8 and 2.3 vs. 3.2) at baseline. The mean EDSS scores remained stable over 5 years in all subgroups. Young adults had higher annual relapse rates (2.0 and 1.7 vs. 1.4) at study entry, which were reduced by approximately 80% in all subgroups over 5 years. The proportion of patients with no clinical disease activity in year 4 was 52.6 and 73.4 vs. 66.9% in patients ≤20, >20 to ≤30 years and >30 years, respectively. The symbol digit modalities test score increased by 15.25 ± 8.3 and 8.3 ± 11.3 (mean ± SD) from baseline in patients >20 to ≤30 and >30 years.

Conclusions: Real-world evidence suggests a long-term treatment benefit of fingolimod in young RRMS patients.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Sciatic Nerve as a Surrogate Marker for Nerve Functionality of the Upper and Lower Limb in Patients With Diabetes and Prediabetes
Authors: Jende Johann M. E. , Kender Zoltan , Mooshage Christoph , Groener Jan B. , Alvarez-Ramos Lucia , Kollmer Jennifer , Juerchott Alexander , Hahn Artur , Heiland Sabine , Nawroth Peter , Bendszus Martin , Kopf Stefan , Kurz Felix T.
Published: March 2021

Background

Nerve damage in diabetic neuropathy (DN) is assumed to begin in the distal legs with a subsequent progression to hands and arms at later stages. In contrast, recent studies have found that lower limb nerve lesions in DN predominate at the proximal sciatic nerve and that, in the upper limb, nerve functions can be impaired at early stages of DN.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective, single-center cross-sectional study, participants underwent diffusion-weighted 3 Tesla magnetic resonance neurography in order to calculate the sciatic nerve’s fractional anisotropy (FA), a surrogate parameter for structural nerve integrity. Results were correlated with clinical and electrophysiological assessments of the lower limb and an examination of hand function derived from the Purdue Pegboard Test.

Results

Overall, 71 patients with diabetes, 11 patients with prediabetes and 25 age-matched control subjects took part in this study. In patients with diabetes, the sciatic nerve’s FA showed positive correlations with tibial and peroneal nerve conduction velocities (r = 0.62; p < 0.001 and r = 0.56; p < 0.001, respectively), and tibial and peroneal nerve compound motor action potentials (r = 0.62; p < 0.001 and r = 0.63; p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the sciatic nerve’s FA was correlated with the Pegboard Test results in patients with diabetes (r = 0.52; p < 0.001), prediabetes (r = 0.76; p < 0.001) and in controls (r = 0.79; p = 0.007).

Conclusion

This study is the first to show that the sciatic nerve’s FA is a surrogate marker for functional and electrophysiological parameters of both upper and lower limbs in patients with diabetes and prediabetes, suggesting that nerve damage in these patients is not restricted to the level of the symptomatic limbs but rather affects the entire peripheral nervous system.
Voltage-Gated Ca2+-Channel α1-Subunit de novo Missense Mutations: Gain or Loss of Function – Implications for Potential Therapies
Authors: Striessnig Jörg
Published: March 2021

This review summarizes our current knowledge of human disease-relevant genetic variants within the family of voltage gated Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ channelopathies cover a wide spectrum of diseases including epilepsies, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, developmental delay, cerebellar ataxias and degeneration, severe cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, eye disease and endocrine disorders such as congential hyperinsulinism and hyperaldosteronism. A special focus will be on the rapidly increasing number of de novo missense mutations identified in the pore-forming α1-subunits with next generation sequencing studies of well-defined patient cohorts. In contrast to likely gene disrupting mutations these can not only cause a channel loss-of-function but can also induce typical functional changes permitting enhanced channel activity and Ca2+ signaling. Such gain-of-function mutations could represent therapeutic targets for mutation-specific therapy of Ca2+-channelopathies with existing or novel Ca2+-channel inhibitors. Moreover, many pathogenic mutations affect positive charges in the voltage sensors with the potential to form gating-pore currents through voltage sensors. If confirmed in functional studies, specific blockers of gating-pore currents could also be of therapeutic interest.
Anti-Tumoral and Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Low-Diluted Phenacetinum on Melanoma
Authors: Fuselier Camille , Quemener Sandrine , Dufay Eleonore , Bour Camille , Boulagnon-Rombi Camille , Bouland Nicole , Djermoune El-Hadi , Devy Jérôme , Martiny Laurent , Schneider Christophe
Published: March 2021

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. If primary cutaneous melanoma is mostly treated with a curative wide local excision, malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis and needs other therapeutic approaches. Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process essential in growth and development, but it also plays a crucial role in crossing from benign to advanced state in cancer. In melanoma progression, angiogenesis is widely involved during the vertical growth phase. Currently, no anti-angiogenic agents are efficient on their own, and combination of treatments will probably be the key to success. In the past, phenacetin was used as an analgesic to relieve pain, causing side effects at large dose and tumor-inducing in humans and animals. By contrast, Phenacetinum low-dilution is often used in skin febrile exanthema, patches profusely scattered on limbs, headache, or flushed face without side effects. Herein are described the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral potentials of Phenacetinum low-dilution in a B16F1 tumor model and endothelial cells. We demonstrate that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits in vivo tumor growth and tumor vascularization and thus increases the survival time of B16F1 melanoma induced-C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, Phenacetinum modulates the lung metastasis in a B16F10 induced model. Ex vivo and in vitro, we evidence that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits the migration and the recruitment of endothelial cells and leads to an imbalance in the pro-tumoral macrophages and to a structural malformation of the vascular network. All together these results demonstrate highly hopeful anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects of Phenacetinum low-dilution on melanoma. Continued studies are needed to preclinically validate Phenacetinum low-dilution as a complementary or therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.
Case Report: Favorable Response to the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Apatinib in Recurrent Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Feng Yiyi , Song Xin , Jia Renbing
Published: March 2021

Background

As angiogenesis is an essential step in tumor growth and metastasis, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) apatinib has become a revolutionary anticancer therapy across various malignancies. However, its efficiency and safety in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are uncertain.

Case presentation

The current study described the case of a 91-year-old man who presented with a 3.2 × 3.0 × 2.2 cm rapidly growing, solitary tumor of the right lower eyelid. It was diagnosed as MCC pathologically. Twenty-seven days after the surgery, the patient returned to the hospital with recurrent MCC. Apatinib was then administered to this patient. The patient had a complete response (CR) to apatinib after 4.4 months of targeted therapy. Twenty-seven months of progression-free survival (PFS) was achieved with controllable treatment-related adverse events (AEs).

Conclusion

Treatment with apatinib demonstrated clinical benefit in our patient with recurrent MCC, highlighting its potential utility in other MCC patients. Further clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of apatinib in MCC patients.
Tumor Immune Microenvironment Characteristics and Their Prognostic Value in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Su Dan , Wu Gao , Xiong Ran , Sun Xiangxiang , Xu Meiqing , Mei Yide , Wu Xianning
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Cancer progression is determined not only by the malignant behavior of tumors but also by the immune microenvironment. The tumor immune microenvironment also plays a pivotal role in determining the clinical response of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to immunotherapies. To understand the possible mechanisms and explore new targets in lung cancer immunotherapy, we characterized the immune profiles in NSCLC patients.

Methods

Seventy-one NSCLC patients who underwent radical resection were selected. The immune cell composition in paired tumor and adjacent normal lung tissues was tested by flow cytometry. The associations of tumor immune microenvironment characteristics with clinicopathological factors and overall survival were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine differences in survival.

Results

Compared with adjacent normal lung tissues, an increased proportion of CD45+ hematopoietic-derived cells, CD4+ T cell subtypes, Tregs and B cells was observed in tumor samples with a reduced frequency of myeloid cell populations. There was no significant increase in total CD8+ T cells, but both PD1+ and CD38+ CD8+ T cells were significantly enriched in tumor samples and statistically significantly associated with tumor size. In addition, positive CD38 expression was highly correlated with PD1 positivity. A high proportion of CD8+ T cells and a low percentage of PD1+ CD8+ T cells were statistically significantly associated with better survival in stage II and III patients, whereas a low frequency of CD38+ CD8+ T cells was statistically significantly associated with better survival in all patients and identified as an independent prognostic factor (p=0.049).

Conclusion

We profiled the immune cells in the tumor tissues of NSCLC patients using flow cytometry. The results revealed significant enrichment of infiltrating immune cells. A strong correlation was identified between CD38 and PD-1 expression on CD8+ T cells in tumors. CD8+ T cells and their subtypes play a critical role in the prediction of prognosis.
A Lymph Node Count-Based AJCC Staging System Facilitates a More Accurate Prediction of the Prognosis of Patients With Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Huo Xinlong , Wang Shufang
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Both the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for endometrial cancer (EC) defined the N category by the location of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) rather than the metastatic LN count. We aimed to compare the accuracy of the AJCC staging system and the LN count-based staging system.

Patients and Methods

EC patients were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2016. Patients’ characteristics were collected, including age, race, marital status, histological type, grade, therapeutic measures, the number of metastatic LNs, the number of dissected LNs, vital status, and survival in months. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method and the concordance index (C-index) was used to compare the prognostic value of the AJCC staging system and the LN count-based staging system.

Results

We identified 4,276 EC cases from the SEER database, including 2,693 patients with stage IIIC1 and 1,583 patients with stage IIIC2. Multivariate analyses showed that independent prognostic factors for patients with stage IIIC1 included age, race, marital status, grade, histology, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Independent prognostic factors for patients with stage IIIC2 included age, marital status, grade, histology, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The C-index of the AJCC staging system and the LN count-based staging system were 0.483 and 0.617, respectively. At least six LNs should be dissected to ensure the accuracy of the LN count-based staging system.

Conclusion

A modified AJCC staging system based on the count of metastatic LNs might be superior to the current AJCC staging system, which still had room for improvement and further refinements were required. For accurate staging, we recommended that at least six LNs should be examined in the modified AJCC staging system.
Safety of Red Blood Cell Transfusion Using Small Central Lines in Neonates: An in vitro Non-inferiority Study
Authors: Rosa-Mangeret Flavia , Waldvogel-Abramowski Sophie , Pfister Riccardo E. , Baud Olivier , Fau Sébastien
Published: March 2021

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the safety of transfusing red blood cell concentrates (RBCCs) through small [24 gauge (24G)] and extra-small [28 gauge [28G)] peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), according to guidelines of transfusion practice in Switzerland.

Methods: We performed a non-inferiority in vitro study to assess the safety of transfusing RBCC for 4 h at a 4 ml/h speed through 24G silicone and 28G polyurethane PICC lines, compared with a peripheral 24G short catheter. The primary endpoint was hemolysis percentage. Secondary endpoints were catheter occlusion, inline pressure, and potassium and lactate values.

Results: For the primary outcome, hemolysis values were not statistically different among catheter groups (0.06% variation, p = 0.95) or over time (2.75% variation, p = 0.72). The highest hemolysis values in both 24G and 28G PICCs were below the non-inferiority predefined margin. We did not observe catheter occlusion. Inline pressure varied between catheters but followed the same pattern of rapid increase followed by stabilization. Potassium and lactate measurements were not statistically different among tested catheters (0.139% variation, p = 0.98 for potassium and 0.062%, p = 0.96 for lactates).

Conclusions: This study shows that RBCC transfusion performed in vitro through 24G silicone and 28G polyurethane PICC lines is feasible without detectable hemolysis or pressure concerns. Also, it adds that, concerning hemolysis, transfusion of RBCC in small and extra-small PICC lines is non-inferior to peripheral short 24G catheters. Clinical prospective assessment in preterm infants is needed to confirm these data further.
Liangxue Jiedu Formula Improves Psoriasis and Dyslipidemia Comorbidity via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Xie Xinran , Zhang Lei , Li Xue , Liu Weihong , Wang Ping , Lin Yan , Han Xuyang , Li Ping
Published: March 2021

The pathological mechanism of psoriasis and dyslipidemia comorbidity is unclear, and there are few reports on therapy. By establishing an animal model of ApoE−/− mice induced by imiquimod (IMQ), we explored the effects of Liangxue Jiedu formula (LXJDF), a traditional Chinese herb medicine, on psoriasis and dyslipidemia comorbidity through PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. The experiment was divided into a control group, a model group, an LXJDF high-dose group, an LXJDF low-dose group, and a positive drug (atorvastatin) group. Each group of mice was given continuous oral administration once a day. After 3 weeks, the mice dorsal skins were smeared with 62.5 mg of 5% IMQ cream for five consecutive days and continued to be given the corresponding drugs. We observed the effects of LXJDF on skin lesion changes, PASI score, pathological characteristics, blood lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL, HDL, and oxLDL), liver pathology, inflammatory factors in the skin, and the protein expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in both the skin and liver. The results showed that LXJDF could significantly improve the psoriasiform skin lesions of IMQ-induced ApoE−/− mice, including the reduction of PASI, thinning of epidermal thickness, inhibition of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, and inflammatory infiltration in the dermis, and reduce lipid accumulation in the epidermal. LXJDF could regulate blood lipid levels, reduce liver inflammation, and protect the liver. LXJDF could significantly decrease the gene expressions of inflammatory factors IL-17A, IL-23, IL-6, and TNF-α in the skin. LXJDF showed specific inhibition of PI3K, Akt, mTOR protein, and its phosphorylation expressions. In conclusion, LXJDF exerts an intervention effect on psoriasis and dyslipidemia comorbidity via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and its phosphorylation pathway.
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging in the Development and Production of Radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: van Dam R. Michael , Chatziioannou Arion F.
Published: March 2021

Over the past several years there has been an explosion of interest in exploiting Cerenkov radiation to enable in vivo and intraoperative optical imaging of subjects injected with trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals. At the same time, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) also has been serving as a critical tool in radiochemistry, especially for the development of novel microfluidic devices for producing radiopharmaceuticals. By enabling microfluidic processes to be monitored non-destructively in situ, CLI has made it possible to literally watch the activity distribution as the synthesis occurs, and to quantitatively measure activity propagation and losses at each step of synthesis, paving the way for significant strides forward in performance and robustness of those devices. In some cases, CLI has enabled detection and resolution of unexpected problems not observable via standard optical methods. CLI is also being used in analytical radiochemistry to increase the reliability of radio-thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) assays. Rapid and high-resolution Cerenkov imaging of radio-TLC plates enables detection of issues in the spotting or separation process, improves chromatographic resolution (and/or allows reduced separation distance and time), and enables increased throughput by allowing multiple samples to be spotted side-by-side on a single TLC plate for parallel separation and readout. In combination with new multi-reaction microfluidic chips, this is creating a new possibility for high-throughput optimization in radiochemistry. In this mini review, we provide an overview of the role that CLI has played to date in the radiochemistry side of radiopharmaceuticals.
Deep Learning in Automatic Sleep Staging With a Single Channel Electroencephalography
Authors: Fu Mingyu , Wang Yitian , Chen Zixin , Li Jin , Xu Fengguo , Liu Xinyu , Hou Fengzhen
Published: March 2021

This study centers on automatic sleep staging with a single channel electroencephalography (EEG), with some significant findings for sleep staging. In this study, we proposed a deep learning-based network by integrating attention mechanism and bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (AT-BiLSTM) to classify wakefulness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep stages N1, N2 and N3. The AT-BiLSTM network outperformed five other networks and achieved an accuracy of 83.78%, a Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.766 and a macro F1-score of 82.14% on the PhysioNet Sleep-EDF Expanded dataset, and an accuracy of 81.72%, a Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.751 and a macro F1-score of 80.74% on the DREAMS Subjects dataset. The proposed AT-BiLSTM network even achieved a higher accuracy than the existing methods based on traditional feature extraction. Moreover, better performance was obtained by the AT-BiLSTM network with the frontal EEG derivations than with EEG channels located at the central, occipital or parietal lobe. As EEG signal can be easily acquired using dry electrodes on the forehead, our findings might provide a promising solution for automatic sleep scoring without feature extraction and may prove very useful for the screening of sleep disorders.
Structure, Functions, and Physiological Roles of the Lipocalin α1-Microglobulin (A1M)
Authors: Bergwik Jesper , Kristiansson Amanda , Allhorn Maria , Gram Magnus , Åkerström Bo
Published: March 2021

α1-microglobulin (A1M) is found in all vertebrates including humans. A1M was, together with retinol-binding protein and β-lactoglobulin, one of the three original lipocalins when the family first was proposed in 1985. A1M is described as an antioxidant and tissue cleaning protein with reductase, heme- and radical-binding activities. These biochemical properties are driven by a strongly electronegative surface-exposed thiol group, C34, on loop 1 of the open end of the lipocalin barrel. A1M has been shown to have protective effects in vitro and in vivo in cell-, organ-, and animal models of oxidative stress-related medical conditions. The gene coding for A1M is unique among lipocalins since it is flanked downstream by four exons coding for another non-lipocalin protein, bikunin, and is consequently named α1-microglobulin-bikunin precursor gene (AMBP). The precursor is cleaved in the Golgi, and A1M and bikunin are secreted from the cell separately. Recent publications have suggested novel physiological roles of A1M in regulation of endoplasmic reticulum activities and erythrocyte homeostasis. This review summarizes the present knowledge of the structure and functions of the lipocalin A1M and presents a current model of its biological role(s).
Chloroplast: The Emerging Battlefield in Plant–Microbe Interactions
Authors: Yang Feng , Xiao Kunqin , Pan Hongyu , Liu Jinliang
Published: March 2021

Higher plants and some algae convert the absorbed light into chemical energy through one of the most important organelles, chloroplast, for photosynthesis and store it in the form of organic compounds to supply their life activities. However, more and more studies have shown that the role of chloroplasts is more than a factory for photosynthesis. In the process of light conversion to chemical energy, any damage to the components of chloroplast may affect the photosynthesis efficiency and promote the production of by-products, reactive oxygen species, that are mainly produced in the chloroplasts. Substantial evidence show that chloroplasts are also involved in the battle of plants and microbes. Chloroplasts are important in integrating a variety of external environmental stimuli and regulate plant immune responses by transmitting signals to the nucleus and other cell compartments through retrograde signaling pathways. Besides, chloroplasts can also regulate the biosynthesis and signal transduction of phytohormones, including salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, to affect the interaction between the plants and microbes. Since chloroplasts play such an important role in plant immunity, correspondingly, chloroplasts have become the target of pathogens. Different microbial pathogens target the chloroplast and affect its functions to promote their colonization in the host plants.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Interplay in Lupin Root Nodules and Cluster Roots
Authors: Pueyo José J. , Quiñones Miguel A. , Coba de la Peña Teodoro , Fedorova Elena E. , Lucas M. Mercedes
Published: March 2021

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are two major plant nutrients, and their deficiencies often limit plant growth and crop yield. The uptakes of N or P affect each other, and consequently, understanding N–P interactions is fundamental. Their signaling mechanisms have been studied mostly separately, and integrating N–P interactive regulation is becoming the aim of some recent works. Lupins are singular plants, as, under N and P deficiencies, they are capable to develop new organs, the N2-fixing symbiotic nodules, and some species can also transform their root architecture to form cluster roots, hundreds of short rootlets that alter their metabolism to induce a high-affinity P transport system and enhance synthesis and secretion of organic acids, flavonoids, proteases, acid phosphatases, and proton efflux. These modifications lead to mobilization in the soil of, otherwise unavailable, P. White lupin (Lupinus albus) represents a model plant to study cluster roots and for understanding plant acclimation to nutrient deficiency. It tolerates simultaneous P and N deficiencies and also enhances uptake of additional nutrients. Here, we present the structural and functional modifications that occur in conditions of P and N deficiencies and lead to the organogenesis and altered metabolism of nodules and cluster roots. Some known N and P signaling mechanisms include different factors, including phytohormones and miRNAs. The combination of the individual N and P mechanisms uncovers interactive regulation pathways that concur in nodules and cluster roots.L. albusinterlinks N and P recycling processes both in the plant itself and in nature.
A Method Enabling Comprehensive Isolation of Arabidopsis Mutants Exhibiting Unusual Root Mechanical Behavior
Authors: Tojo Hiroshi , Nakamura Aki , Ferjani Ali , Kazama Yusuke , Abe Tomoko , Iida Hidetoshi
Published: March 2021

Root penetration into soils is fundamental for land plants to support their own aboveground parts and forage water and nutrients. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying root mechanical penetration, mutants defective in this behavior need to be comprehensively isolated; however, established methods are currently scarce. We herein report a method to screen for these mutants ofArabidopsis thalianaand present their phenotypes. We isolated five mutants using this method, tentatively namedcreep1tocreep5, the primary roots of which crept over the surface of horizontal hard medium that hampered penetration by the primary root of the wild type, thereby forcing it to spring up on the surface and die. By examining root skewing, which is induced by a touch stimulation that is generated as the primary roots grow along a vertical impenetrable surface, the fivecreepmutants were subdivided into three groups, namely mutants with the primary root skewing leftward, those skewing rightward, and that growing dispersedly. While the majority of wild type primary roots skewed slightly leftward, nearly half of the primary roots ofcreep1andcreep5skewed rightward as viewed from above. The primary roots ofcreep4displayed scattered growth, while those ofcreep2andcreep3showed a similar phenotype to the wild type primary roots. These results demonstrate the potential of the method developed herein to isolate various mutants that will be useful for investigating root mechanical behavior regulation not only in Arabidopsis, but also in major crops with economical value.
Attention Guides the Motor-Timing Strategies in Finger-Tapping Tasks When Moving Fast and Slow
Authors: Guérin Ségolène M. R. , Boitout Juliette , Delevoye-Turrell Yvonne N.
Published: March 2021

Human beings adapt the spontaneous pace of their actions to interact with the environment. Yet, the nature of the mechanism enabling such adaptive behavior remains poorly understood. The aim of the present contribution was to examine the role of attention in motor timing using (a) time series analysis, and (b) a dual task paradigm. In a series of two studies, a finger-tapping task was used in sensorimotor synchronization with various tempi (from 300 to 1,100 ms) and motor complexity (one target vs. six targets). Time series analyzes indicated that two different timing strategies were used depending on the speed constraints. At slow tempi, tapping sequences were characterized by strong negative autocorrelations, suggesting the implication of cognitive predictive timing. When moving at fast and close-to-spontaneous tempi, tapping sequences were characterized by less negative autocorrelations, suggesting that timing properties emerged from body movement dynamics. The analysis of the dual-task reaction times confirmed that both the temporal and spatial constraints impacted the attentional resources allocated to the finger-tapping tasks. Overall, our work suggests that moving fast and slow involve distinct timing strategies that are characterized by contrasting attentional demands.
Factors Influencing Employees’ Subjective Wellbeing and Job Performance During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: The Perspective of Social Cognitive Career Theory
Authors: Lee Tzai-Chiao , Yao-Ping Peng Michael , Wang Lin , Hung Hao-Kai
Published: March 2021

The novel coronavirus disease that emerged at the end of 2019 began threatening the health and lives of millions of people after a few weeks. However, social and economic problems derived from COVID-19 have changed the development of individuals and the whole country. This study examines the work conditions of Taiwanese versus mainland China employees, and evaluates the relationship between support mechanisms and subjective wellbeing from a social cognitive career theory perspective. In this study, a total of 623 Taiwanese questionnaires and 513 mainland China questionnaires were collected to compare the two sample groups in terms of the development of employees’ subjective wellbeing. The results show that the Taiwanese sample had more significant development paths compared to mainland China employees in terms of prior knowledge, perceived organizational support, self-efficacy, employee employability, subjective wellbeing, and job performance. Finally, based on the conclusions, this study proposes some specific suggestions on theoretical mode for future studies.
Adaptations to the One-Child Policy: Chinese Young Adults’ Attitudes Toward Elder Care and Living Arrangement After Marriage
Authors: Chen Xiaochen , Zhuoga Cuo , Deng Ziqian
Published: March 2021

After four decades of China’s family planning policy, the shrinking family size and increasing life expectancy pose special challenges for the one-child generation in terms of providing care for aging parents. The current study explored young adults’ responses to such pressure by examining their concerns about elder care, attitudes toward nursing homes, and living arrangement after marriage in a sample of 473 Chinese working young adults from six cities in China (46.9% males, Mage = 25.1 years, 47.8% only children). Results showed that although most of the young adults reported to have thought about the issue of parents’ elder care, the majority did not worry a lot about it. Only children expressed similar levels of worrying as those with siblings did. However, educational level, rather than sibling status, was systematically related to concerns about parents’ elder care and attitudes toward nursing homes. People with higher education tended to worry less about elder care, and were less likely to consider placing parents in nursing homes as a violation of filial piety. Analyses of the married sub-sample (n = 140) revealed that only children were more likely to co-reside with parents after marriage than those with siblings. And the main reason for co-residence was that the younger generation needed their parents’ help for childcare, rather than to better take care of their parents. Implications for parents’ elder care among Chinese only children were discussed.
Sporting Resilience During COVID-19: What Is the Nature of This Adversity and How Are Competitive Elite Athletes Adapting?
Authors: Gupta Sahen , McCarthy Paul Joseph
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health issue which has severely disrupted and deferred several landmark international sporting competitions. Like the general population, athletes have faced direct psychological consequences from COVID-19 in addition to cancelation of events, loss of support, lack of training, loss of earnings, hypervigilance, and anxiety among others. The aim of the present research was to identify the adversity experiences of athletes caused by COVID-19 (study 1) and explore the process of resilience used by competitive elite athletes for positive adaptation (study 2). Research has indicated psychological resilience to be a protective factor against similar adversities in the sporting context. The study uses an across-cases qualitative design comparing the real-time lived experiences of athletes during COVID-19 using narrative analysis. Data were collected from 10 competitive elite athletes from various countries, as part of a larger doctoral dissertation study during the lockdown period, using in-depth experiential interviews. Study 1 presents detailed narratives on the loss and incongruence, which were the two major adversities experienced. Study 2 outlines the process of resilience as narrated by the participants through the emergent and minimal-impact resilience trajectories. We discuss recommendations for interventions and the role of sports psychologists, coaches, and sporting organizations in ensuring athletes’ mental health and their rehabilitation into post-COVID sports life.
Investigating the Associations of Constructivist Beliefs and Classroom Climate on Teachers' Self-Efficacy Among Australian Secondary Mathematics Teachers
Authors: Guangbao Fang , Timothy Teo
Published: March 2021

This study examines the associations of constructivist beliefs and classroom climate on teachers' self-efficacy in instruction, classroom management, and student engagement among Australian secondary mathematics teachers. To do this, it uses the integrated model of teachers' self-efficacy with the concept of analysis of teaching tasks. The study uses structural equation modeling to analyze data from 495 mathematics teachers in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013. The results reveal the integrated model is a valid theoretical framework to explain Australian secondary mathematics teachers' self-efficacy. Teachers' constructivist beliefs and classroom climate are positively and statistically significantly related to teachers' self-efficacy in instruction, classroom management and student engagement. In contrast, constructivist beliefs have no significant correlation with classroom climate.
The Impact of Evidence-Based Dialogic Training of Special Education Teachers on the Creation of More Inclusive and Interactive Learning Environments
Authors: Rodríguez-Oramas Alfonso , Alvarez Pilar , Ramis-Salas Mimar , Ruiz-Eugenio Laura
Published: March 2021

In the international context of a progress toward more inclusive educational systems and practices, the role of Special Education teachers is being transformed. From an inclusive perspective, these professionals increasingly support students and their teachers in the mainstream classroom, avoiding segregation. However, Special Education teachers often struggle to reach and support all students with special needs and their teachers to provide quality inclusive education. For this reason, more research is still needed on in-service training strategies for the inclusion of students with special needs that effectively translate into evidence-based school practices that improve the education of all students. This article analyses the impact of two evidence-based dialogic training programs of Special Education teachers working in mainstream schools carried out in Mexico during the 2018–2019 school year. Through in-depth interviews with participants, it was identified how, after the training, teachers increasingly grounded their actions on scientific evidence and promoted interactive learning environments that improved the educational inclusion of their students with special needs. This training also became the venue to make evidence-based educational actions available to other students without special needs, improving the quality of education provided to all students.
A Pictorial Dot Probe Task to Assess Food-Related Attentional Bias in Youth With and Without Obesity: Overview of Indices and Evaluation of Their Reliability
Authors: Vervoort Leentje , Braun Maya , De Schryver Maarten , Naets Tiffany , Koster Ernst H. W. , Braet Caroline
Published: March 2021

Several versions of the dot probe detection task are frequently used to assess maladaptive attentional processes associated with a broad range of psychopathology and health behavior, including eating behavior and weight. However, there are serious concerns about the reliability of the indices derived from the paradigm as measurement of attentional bias toward or away from salient stimuli. The present paper gives an overview of different attentional bias indices used in psychopathology research and scrutinizes three types of indices (the traditional attentional bias score, the dynamic trial-level base scores, and the probability index) calculated from a pictorial version of the dot probe task to assess food-related attentional biases in children and youngsters with and without obesity. Correlational analyses reveal that dynamic scores (but not the traditional and probability indices) are dependent on general response speed. Reliability estimates are low for the traditional and probability indices. The higher reliability for the dynamic indices is at least partially explained by general response speed. No significant group differences between youth with and without obesity are found, and correlations with weight are also non-significant. Taken together, results cast doubt on the applicability of this specific task for both experimental and individual differences research on food-related attentional biases in youth. However, researchers are encouraged to make and test adaptations to the procedure or computational algorithm in an effort to increase psychometric quality of the task and to report psychometric characteristics of their version of the task for their specific sample.
Perceived Discrimination and Aggression Among Chinese Migrant Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Xiong Ruoshan , Xia Yiwei , Li Spencer D.
Published: March 2021

Previous research has showed that Chinese rural-to-urban migrant adolescents are at high risk for discrimination, negative emotions, and aggression. However, little is known about how discrimination, negative emotions, and aggression are interrelated and whether social support addressing the emotional needs of the adolescents would moderate the relationship of discrimination to aggression. This study attempts to fill these gaps. Based on prior research, it is proposed that perceived discrimination relates to reactive aggression by increasing negative emotions that foster aggressive responses to stressful events. Considering the central role that negative emotions may play, it is also hypothesized that socioemotional support provided by family, friends, and community mitigates the impact of perceived discrimination on reactive aggression by reducing negative emotions. The results obtained from the analysis of two-wave survey data collected from a probability sample of 470 migrant students aged 11–17 (46.17% female; mean age = 13.49) in China supported these hypotheses. The findings indicate that perceived discrimination fosters negative emotions, which in turn increase reactive aggression. Additionally, socioemotional support reduces the adverse impact of perceived discrimination on reactive aggression by weakening the link between perceived discrimination and negative emotions. Practical and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Rehabilitation and Disability Spectrum From Adverse Childhood Experience: The Impact of the Movement Cognition and Narration of Emotions Treatment (MCNT) Version 2.0
Authors: Baglio Gisella , Zanette Michela , Di Cesare Monica , Di Tella Sonia , Clerici Mario , Baglio Francesca , Blasi Valeria
Published: March 2021

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are associated with an increased risk of cerebral, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes, and vulnerability to develop a Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF). BIF is characterized by an intelligence quotient (IQ) in the range 70–85, poor executive functioning, difficulties in emotion processing, and motor competencies. All these difficulties can lead to mental and/or neurodevelopmental disorders that require long-term care. Accordingly, we developed an intensive and multidomain rehabilitation program for children with ACE and BIF, termed the Movement Cognition and Narration of emotions Treatment (MCNT1.0). The efficacy of MCNT1.0 on cognitive and social functioning was demonstrated with a previously reported randomized controlled trial (RCT). To extend the impact of the treatment also to the motor domain a new version, called MCNT2.0, was implemented. The present study aims to verify the feasibility of MCNT2.0 and its effects on the motor domain. A quasi-experimental approach was used in which a group of 18 children with ACE and BIF were consecutively recruited and participated in the MCNT 2.0 program. Participants were compared with the MCNT1.0 group as an active comparator, using the dataset of the RCT. The two groups received a full evaluation comprising: the Wechsler Intelligent Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV), the Movement-ABC (M-ABC), the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD), the Social Skills from Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scale-II (VABS-II) and the Child Behavior Check List 6–18 (CBCL). An ANCOVA was carried out on changes in the scale scores from baseline with age and baseline score as covariates. Results showed a mean adherence to treatment of 0.85 (sd= 0.07), with no differences between groups in IQ, and Social Skills changes, while greater improvements for motor abilities were shown in the MCNT 2.0 group: M-ABC (p= 0.002), and TGMD (p= 0.002). Finally, greater improvement in the CBCL scale was observed in the MCNT 1.0 group (p= 0.002). Results indicate that due to its positive effects on cognitive, social participation and motor domains, MCNT2.0 may represent a protective factor against maladaptive outcomes of children with ACE and BIF.