bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macrosomia is a risk factor for incident maternal chronic kidney disease
Authors: Vahidi Mohammad , Asgari Samaneh , Tohidi Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: March 2021

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and macrosomia are associated with several adverse outcomes including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, however, the relationship between GDM/macrosomia with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the history of macrosomia with or without GDM and incident maternal CKD.

Methods

The study population includes 2669 women aged 18–50 years without known diabetes mellitus and CKD from participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The study population was categorized into 3 groups; group 1: GDM/macrosomia and without diabetes mellitus (n = 204), group 2: newly diagnosed incident diabetes mellitus (NDM) in the presence or abcence of GDM/Macrosomia (n = 113), and, group 3: the reference group including women without prior history of GDM/macrosomia and free of NDM (n = 2352). CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression adjusted for baseline values of age, body mass index, waist circumference, parity numbers, smoking, educational level, gestational hypertension, eGFR, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), anti-hypertensive medication, and family history of diabetes mellitus was applied for data analyses.

Results

During a median follow-up of 11.9 years, 613 incident CKD cases were identified. The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) on GDM/macrosomia group was [1.32 (1.02–1.72)]; the risk was more prominent among non-hypertensive women [1.41 (1.07–1.85); P for interaction: 0.046]. Moreover, the history of macrosomia alone also showed a significant risk [1.36 (1.04–1.78)]; however, history of GDM alone did not have a significant risk [0.92 (0.34–2.46)]. Age, current smoking, eGFR, and SBP remained as independent risk factors for incident CKD.

Conclusions

A history of GDM/macrosomia or macrosomia alone, independent of subsequent diabetes mellitus was associated with significant risk for incident maternal CKD. Pregnancy may provide a unique situation to identify high-risk women at risk for CKD that could benefit from regular monitoring of kidney function and providing risk modifying strategies.
An analytical study on the awareness and practice relating toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Casablanca, Morocco
Authors: Ait Hamou S. , Laboudi M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Although toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic in most cases among pregnant women, it may cause newborn abortions and birth defects if the infection occurs during pregnancy. Therefore, raising awareness and promoting good practices of pregnant women towards toxoplasmosis disease is essential to avoid infection during pregnancy. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess toxoplasmosis awareness and its risk-related behavior pregnant women who attended public health centers in one of the biggest Moroccan cities: Casablanca.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was used to collect data including socio-demographics data, awareness of etiology, modes of transmission and preventive practices towards toxoplasmosis.

Results

This study survey showed that among 390 pregnant women interviewed, 41.2% reported having heard or read information regarding toxoplasmosis. Only 8.1% of them knew that toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, and 13.7% of those who gave a correct answer were aware that the host of toxoplasmosis is cats. There is a significant statistical association between age, level of education and profession of pregnant women and toxoplasmosis awareness. Despite of the majority of the interviewed pregnant women had had effective preventive practices towards toxoplasmosis, 17.4% of pregnant women were convinced that Toxoplasmosis can transmit to the fetus and 14.3% stated it is asymptomatic in most cases.

Conclusion

This study highlights the low level of knowledge and awareness of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Casablanca/Morocco. Therefore, a special education program targeting all women during their reproductive age is necessary.
Angiotensin II-induced upregulation of SGLT1 and 2 contributes to human microparticle‐stimulated endothelial senescence and dysfunction: protective effect of gliflozins
Authors: Park Sin-Hee , Belcastro Eugenia , Hasan Hira , Matsushita Kensuke , Marchandot Benjamin , Abbas Malak , Toti Florence , Auger Cyril , Jesel Laurence , Ohlmann Patrick , Morel Olivier , Schini-Kerth Valérie B.
Published: March 2021

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduced cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients independently of glycemic control. Although angiotensin II (Ang II) and blood-derived microparticles are major mediators of cardiovascular disease, their impact on SGLT1 and 2 expression and function in endothelial cells (ECs) and isolated arteries remains unclear.

Methods

ECs were isolated from porcine coronary arteries, and arterial segments from rats. The protein expression level was assessed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining, mRNA levels by RT-PCR, oxidative stress using dihydroethidium, nitric oxide using DAF-FM diacetate, senescence by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, and platelet aggregation by aggregometer. Microparticles were collected from blood of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD-MPs).

Results

Ang II up-regulated SGLT1 and 2 protein levels in ECs, and caused a sustained extracellular glucose- and Na+-dependent pro-oxidant response that was inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS-2780, the AT1R antagonist losartan, sotagliflozin (Sota, SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitor), and empagliflozin (Empa, SGLT2 inhibitor). Ang II increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and markers, VCAM-1, MCP-1, tissue factor, ACE, and AT1R, and down-regulated eNOS and NO formation, which were inhibited by Sota and Empa. Increased SGLT1 and SGLT2 protein levels were observed in the rat aortic arch, and Ang II- and eNOS inhibitor-treated thoracic aorta segments, and were associated with enhanced levels of oxidative stress and prevented by VAS-2780, losartan, Sota and Empa. CAD-MPs promoted increased levels of SGLT1, SGLT2 and VCAM-1, and decreased eNOS and NO formation in ECs, which were inhibited by VAS-2780, losartan, Sota and Empa.

Conclusions

Ang II up-regulates SGLT1 and 2 protein expression in ECs and arterial segments to promote sustained oxidative stress, senescence and dysfunction. Such a sequence contributes to CAD-MPs-induced endothelial dysfunction. Since AT1R/NADPH oxidase/SGLT1 and 2 pathways promote endothelial dysfunction, inhibition of SGLT1 and/or 2 appears as an attractive strategy to enhance the protective endothelial function.
A peer coach intervention in childcare centres enhances early childhood physical activity: The Active Early Learning (AEL) cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Telford R. M. , Olive L. S. , Telford R. D.
Published: March 2021

Background

As numbers of children and time spent in childcare centres increase, so does the potential influence of these centres on early childhood physical activity (PA). However, previous reports indicate little success of interventions aimed at improving PA. The Active Early Learning (AEL) program is a multi-component pragmatic intervention designed to imbed PA into the daily curriculum. Delivered by childcare centre staff, it is directed and supported by a peer coach who works across a network of centres. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of the AEL program on children’s PA.

Methods

Fifteen childcare centres (8 intervention, 7 control centres; 314 children, 180 boys, 4.3y ± 0.4) participated in a 22-week stratified cluster randomised controlled trial. To be eligible to participate, centres needed to have ≥15 preschool children aged 3 to 5-years. The primary outcome was PA measured by accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X) during childcare centre hours over a 3-day period, calculated in min/h of Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The effect of the intervention was evaluated using linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, accelerometer wear time and centre clustering.

Results

There was an intervention effect for Total PA (+ 4.06 min/h, 95% CI [2.66 to 5.47], p < .001) and MVPA (+ 2.33 min/h, 95% CI [1.31 to 3.34] p < .001). On average, a child taking part in the intervention attending a childcare centre from 8 am to 3 pm performed 28 min more Total PA and 16 min more MVPA per day than children receiving usual practice care.

Conclusion

In contrast with the findings of previous pragmatic trials in early childcare centres, this study shows that a peer-coach facilitated program, focussed on integrating PA into the daily childcare routine, can elicit increases in preschool children’s PA of practical as well as statistical significance.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry: ACTRN12619000638134. Registered 30/04/2019.
Effects of lower limb and pelvic pin positions on leg length and offset measurement errors in experimental total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Kawamura Haruo , Watanabe Yasuhiko , Nishino Tomofumi , Mishima Hajime
Published: March 2021

Background

Leg length (LL) and offset (OS) are important factors in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Because most LL and OS callipers used in THA depend on fixed points on the pelvis and the femur, limb position could affect measurement error. This study was conducted on a THA simulator to clarify the effects of lower limb position and iliac pin position on LL and OS errors and to determine the permissible range of limb position for accurate LL and OS measurement.

Methods

An LL and OS measurement instrument was used. Two pin positions were tested: the iliac tubercle and the top of the iliac crest intersecting with the extension of the femoral axis. First, the limb was moved in one direction (flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, or internal-external rotation), and LL and OS were measured for each pin position. Next, the limb was moved in combinations of the three directions. Then, the permissible range of combined limb position, which resulted in LL and OS measurement error within ±2 mm, was determined for each pin position.

Results

Only 4° of abduction/adduction caused 5–7 mm error in LL and 2–4 mm error in OS, irrespective of pin position. The effects of flexion–extension and internal–external rotation on LL error were smaller for the top of the iliac crest than for the iliac tubercle, though OS error was similar for both pin positions. For LL, the permissible range of the combined limb position was wider for the top of the iliac crest than for the iliac tubercle.

Conclusion

To minimize LL and OS measurement errors in THA, adduction–abduction must be maintained. The iliac pin position in the top of the iliac crest is preferred because it provides less LL measurement error and a wider permissible range of combined limb position for accurate LL measurement.
What is the impact of preserving the endothelium on saphenous vein graft performance? Comments on the ‘NO’ touch harvesting technique
Authors: Samano Ninos , Loesch Andrzej , Dashwood Michael R.
Published: March 2021

Saphenous veins used for coronary artery bypass surgery are subjected to considerable vascular trauma when harvested by conventional methods. This vascular damage is responsible, at least in part, for the inferior patency of the saphenous vein when compared with the internal thoracic artery. The performance of saphenous vein grafts is improved when this conduit is harvested atraumatically using the no-touch technique. There is growing evidence that the success of the no-touch technique is due to the preservation of a number of vascular structures including the endothelium, vasa vasorum and perivascular fat. There is conflicting evidence regarding the degree of endothelial damage to the endothelium of conventional versus no-touch saphenous vein grafts. In general, it has been shown that this single layer of cells lining the lumen exhibits considerable damage associated with a combination of vascular trauma and high pressure intraluminal distension. Increased platelet aggregation and thrombus formation at the exposed subendothelial membrane is due to a local reduction of endothelium-derived factors including nitric oxide. In addition, damage to the vasa vasorum of conventionally-harvested veins will reduce transmural blood flow, a condition shown to promote neointimal hyperplasia and atheroma formation. By stripping off the perivascular fat during conventional harvesting, mechanical support of the graft is reduced and the source of adipocyte-derived factors potentially beneficial for graft patency removed. While most agree that endothelial damage to the saphenous vein affects graft patency, the contribution of other tissue-derived factors affected by vascular damage at harvesting need to be considered.
Hepatoprotective effect of Qushihuayu formula on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by MCD diet in rat
Authors: Lan Qingping , Ren Zhitao , Chen Yan , Cui Guozhen , Choi I. Cheong , Ung Carolina Oi Lam , Yu Hon Ho , Lee Simon Ming-Yuen
Published: March 2021

Background

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) for which there is yet any standard pharmacotherapy. Traditional Chinese medicine formula such as Qushihuayu (QSHY) composing of multiple bioactive compounds has been used to treat NAFLD and NASH and shows beneficial effects over single compound treatment. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of hepatoprotective effect of QSHY formula using a rat model.

Methods

Six-weeks old male Wistar rats were given methionine/choline supplemented (MCS) diet for 8 weeks and used as the blank control. Another 7 rats, which received methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet in the first 6 weeks and a MCS&MCD (1:1) mixture diet in the last 2 weeks, were used as the model group. The groups of QSHY pre-treatment, low dosage, medium dosage and high dosage were given the same diet as the model group. Except for pre-treatment group (1 week in advanced of other groups), all QSHY treatment groups received QSHY formula by gavage every day since the MCD diet started.

Results

In the MCD diet group, the QSHY formula decreased the serum ALT and AST levels, lipid droplets, inflammation foci, FAS and α-SMA protein expression than MCD diet group. MAPK pathways phospharylation were markedly depressed by the QSHY formula. Moreover, QSHY formula enhanced PPAR-γ and p-p65 translocating into nucleus. The administration of QSHY increased hepatic mRNA levels of Transcription Factor 1 alpha (HNF1A), Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) and Forkhead box protein A3 (FOXA3) which play a pivotal role in Hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) reprogramming.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that QSHY formula exerts a hepatoprotective effect against steatosis and fibrosis presumably via depressed MAPK pathways phosphorylation, reinforcement of PPAR-γ and p-p65 translocating into nucleus and enhanced HSCs reprogramming.
O-GlcNAcylation homeostasis controlled by calcium influx channels regulates multiple myeloma dissemination
Authors: Samart Parinya , Luanpitpong Sudjit , Rojanasakul Yon , Issaragrisil Surapol
Published: March 2021

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) cell motility is a critical step during MM dissemination throughout the body, but how it is regulated remains largely unknown. As hypercalcemia is an important clinical feature of MM, high calcium (Ca2+) and altered Ca2+ signaling could be a key contributing factor to the pathological process.

Methods

Bioinformatics analyses were employed to assess the clinical significance of Ca2+ influx channels in clinical specimens of smoldering and symptomatic MM. Functional and regulatory roles of influx channels and downstream signaling in MM cell migration and invasion were conducted and experimental MM dissemination was examined in a xenograft mouse model using in vivo live imaging and engraftment analysis.

Results

Inhibition of TRPM7, ORAI1, and STIM1 influx channels, which are highly expressed in MM patients, and subsequent blockage of Ca2+ influx by CRISPR/Cas9 and small molecule inhibitors, effectively inhibit MM cell migration and invasion, and attenuate the experimental MM dissemination. Mechanistic studies reveal a nutrient sensor O-GlcNAcylation as a downstream regulator of Ca2+ influx that specifically targets cell adhesion molecules. Hyper-O-GlcNAcylation following the inhibition of Ca2+ influx channels induces integrin α4 and integrin β7 downregulation via ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation and represses the aggressive MM phenotype.

Conclusions

Our findings unveil a novel regulatory mechanism of MM cell motility via Ca2+ influx/O-GlcNAcylation axis that directly targets integrin α4 and integrin β7, providing mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis and progression of MM and demonstrating potential predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for advanced MM.
Early intervention of atopic dermatitis as a preventive strategy for progression of food allergy
Authors: Sweeney Alyssa , Sampath Vanitha , Nadeau Kari C.
Published: March 2021

Background

Atopic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA), have increased in prevalence in industrialized countries during the past few decades and pose a significant health burden. They appear to have a common underlying mechanism and a natural disease progression. AD is generally the first atopic disease to manifest followed by other atopic diseases, such as FA, allergic rhinitis, or allergic asthma suggesting that they are likely different manifestations of the same disease.

Body

Evidence suggests that allergic sensitization occurs through an impaired skin barrier, while consumption of these foods at an early age may actually result in tolerance. This has been termed the Dual-Allergen-Exposure hypothesis. Loss of barrier integrity has been hypothesized to enable penetration of allergens, pollutants, and microbes and initiation of an inflammatory immune cascade of events leading to sensitization. The immune dysfunction is thought to further exacerbate the impaired skin barrier to form a vicious cycle. There is much interest in preventing or protecting the skin barrier from developing a proinflammatory atopic state, which may potentially lead to the development of AD and subsequently, FA.

Conclusion

Research on preventing or treating skin barrier dysfunction is ongoing. A number of studies have evaluated the efficacy of emollients in preventing AD and FA with mixed results. Studies have differed in the study design, population characteristics, emollients type, and frequency, duration, and area of application. Emollient type has varied widely from oils, creams, petrolatum-based lotions, and trilipid creams. Current research is directed towards the use of trilipid emollients that are similar to the skin’s natural lipid composition with a 3:1:1 ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids and a pH that is similar to that of skin to determine their effectiveness for skin barrier repair and prevention of AD and FA.
Secreted factors from dental pulp stem cells improve Sjögren’s syndrome via regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression
Authors: Matsumura-Kawashima Mayu , Ogata Kenichi , Moriyama Masafumi , Murakami Yuka , Kawado Tatsuya , Nakamura Seiji
Published: March 2021

Background

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by inflammation in the salivary and lacrimal glands. Activated T cells contribute to disease pathogenesis by producing proinflammatory cytokines, which leads to a positive feedback loop establishment. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of secreted factors derived from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on hyposalivation in SS and to investigate the mechanism involved.

Methods

Eighty percent confluent stem cells were replenished with serum-free Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium and incubated for 48 h; following which, conditioned media from DPSCs (DPSC-CM) and BMMSCs (BMMSC-CM) were collected. Cytokine array analysis was performed to assess the types of cytokines present in the media. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate the number of activated T cells cultured in DPSC-CM or BMMSC-CM. Subsequently, DPSC-CM or BMMSC-CM was administered to an SS mouse model. The mice were categorized into the following groups (n = 6 each): non-treatment, Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (−), BMMSC-CM, and DPSC-CM. Histological analysis of the salivary glands was performed. The gene and protein expression levels of cytokines associated with T helper subsets in the submandibular glands (SMGs) were evaluated.

Results

DPSC-CM contained more secreted factors with tissue-regenerating mechanisms, such as cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory effects, and immunomodulatory effects. DPSC-CM was more effective in suppressing the activated T cells than other groups in the flow cytometric analysis. The stimulated salivary flow rate increased in SS mice with DPSC-CM compared with that in the other groups. In addition, the number of inflammation sites in SMGs of the mice administered with DPSC-CM was lower than that in the other groups. The expression levels of interleukin (Il)-10 and transforming growth factor-β1 were upregulated in the DPSC-CM group, whereas those of Il-4 and Il-17a were downregulated. The DPSC-CM-administered group presented with a significantly increased percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells and a significantly decreased percentage of type 17 Th (Th17) cells compared with the other groups.

Conclusions

These results indicated that DPSC-CM ameliorated SS by promoting Treg cell differentiation and inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation in the mouse spleen.
Conditionally optimal classification based on CFAR and invariance property for blind receivers
Authors: Naderpour Masoud , Bizaki Hossein Khaleghi
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a new approach for finding the conditionally optimal solution (the classifier with minimum error probability) for the classification problem where the observations are from the multivariate normal distribution. The optimal Bayes classifier does not exist when the covariance matrix is unknown for this problem. However, this paper proposes a classifier based on the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) and invariance property. The proposed classifier is optimal conditionally as it has the minimum error probability in a subset of solutions. This approach has an analogy to hypothesis testing problems where uniformly most powerful invariant (UMPI) and uniformly most powerful unbiased (UMPU) detectors are used instead of the non-existing optimal UMP detector. Furthermore, this paper investigates using the proposed classifier for modulation classification as an application in signal processing.
Are mental disorders related to disbelief in free will? A systematic review
Authors: Moreira-de-Oliveira Maria E. , de Menezes Gabriela B. , dos Santos-Ribeiro Samara , Laurito Luana D. , Ribeiro Ana P. , Carter Adrian , Fontenelle Leonardo F.
Published: March 2021

Background

The nature and existence of free will have been debated for centuries. Since some psychiatric disorders are known to interfere with one’s ability to control their actions and thoughts (e.g., schizophrenia), the investigation of the psychiatric facet of free will beliefs seems to be relevant. In this systematic review, we were interested in clarifying if and how having a mental disorder affects individuals’ beliefs in free will by comparing psychiatric vs. non-psychiatric samples.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases was performed between 04 and 09 November 2020. The search strategy included “free will” and related constructs and terms related to DSM-5 mental disorders characterized by psychotic, compulsive, avoidant, or impulsive symptoms. Eligible designs of studies included case-control and cohort studies. Study selection took place in committee meetings consisting of six researchers. Quality assessment of the selected studies was performed through the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal Checklist for Case Control Studies.

Results

After removing duplicates, a total of 12,218 titles/abstracts were screened. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed, and three articles were eventually selected.

Conclusions

It is not possible to provide unequivocal confirmation that having a mental disorder can or cannot affect someone’s belief in free will. Studies with different mental disorders should be conducted in this field.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018109468.
Associations between habitual diet, metabolic disease, and the gut microbiota using latent Dirichlet allocation
Authors: Breuninger Taylor A. , Wawro Nina , Breuninger Jakob , Reitmeier Sandra , Clavel Thomas , Six-Merker Julia , Pestoni Giulia , Rohrmann Sabine , Rathmann Wolfgang , Peters Annette , Grallert Harald , Meisinger Christa , Haller Dirk , Linseisen Jakob
Published: March 2021

Background

The gut microbiome impacts human health through various mechanisms and is involved in the development of a range of non-communicable diseases. Diet is a well-known factor influencing microbe-host interaction in health and disease. However, very few findings are based on large-scale analysis using population-based studies. Our aim was to investigate the cross-sectional relationship between habitual dietary intake and gut microbiota structure in the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) FF4 study.

Results

Fecal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) was applied to samples from 1992 participants to identify 20 microbial subgroups within the study population. Each participant’s gut microbiota was subsequently described by a unique composition of these 20 subgroups. Associations between habitual dietary intake, assessed via repeated 24-h food lists and a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the 20 subgroups, as well as between prevalence of metabolic diseases/risk factors and the subgroups, were assessed with multivariate-adjusted Dirichlet regression models. After adjustment for multiple testing, eight of 20 microbial subgroups were significantly associated with habitual diet, while nine of 20 microbial subgroups were associated with the prevalence of one or more metabolic diseases/risk factors. Subgroups 5 (Faecalibacterium,Lachnospiracea incertae sedis,Gemmiger,Roseburia) and 14 (Coprococcus,Bacteroides,Faecalibacterium,Ruminococcus) were particularly strongly associated with diet. For example, participants with a high probability for subgroup 5 were characterized by a higher Alternate Healthy Eating Index and Mediterranean Diet Score and a higher intake of food items such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while participants with prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus were characterized by a lower probability for subgroup 5.

Conclusions

The associations between habitual diet, metabolic diseases, and microbial subgroups identified in this analysis not only expand upon current knowledge of diet-microbiota-disease relationships, but also indicate the possibility of certain microbial groups to be modulated by dietary intervention, with the potential of impacting human health. Additionally, LDA appears to be a powerful tool for interpreting latent structures of the human gut microbiota. However, the subgroups and associations observed in this analysis need to be replicated in further studies.
Expression of an alternatively spliced variant of SORL1 in neuronal dendrites is decreased in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Monti Giulia , Kjolby Mads , Jensen Anne Mette G. , Allen Mariet , Reiche Juliane , Møller Peter L. , Comaposada-Baró Raquel , Zolkowski Bartlomiej E. , Vieira Cármen , Jørgensen Margarita Melnikova , Holm Ida E. , Valdmanis Paul N. , Wellner Niels , Vægter Christian B. , Lincoln Sarah J. , Nykjær Anders , Ertekin-Taner Nilüfer , Young Jessica E. , Nyegaard Mette , Andersen Olav M.
Published: March 2021

SORL1 is strongly associated with both sporadic and familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but a lack of information about alternatively spliced transcripts currently limits our understanding of the role of SORL1 in AD. Here, we describe a SORL1 transcript (SORL1-38b) characterized by inclusion of a novel exon (E38b) that encodes a truncated protein. We identified E38b-containing transcripts in several brain regions, with the highest expression in the cerebellum and showed that SORL1-38b is largely located in neuronal dendrites, which is in contrast to the somatic distribution of transcripts encoding the full-length SORLA protein (SORL1-fl). SORL1-38b transcript levels were significantly reduced in AD cerebellum in three independent cohorts of postmortem brains, whereas no changes were observed for SORL1-fl. A trend of lower 38b transcript level in cerebellum was found for individuals carrying the risk variant at rs2282649 (known as SNP24), although not reaching statistical significance. These findings suggest synaptic functions for SORL1-38b in the brain, uncovering novel aspects of SORL1 that can be further explored in AD research.
Application of diffusion kurtosis tensor MR imaging in characterization of renal cell carcinomas with different pathological types and grades
Authors: Zhu Jie , Luo Xiaojie , Gao Jiayin , Li Saying , Li Chunmei , Chen Min
Published: March 2021

Background

To probe the feasibility and reproducibility of diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging (DKTI) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to apply DKTI in distinguishing the subtypes of RCC and the grades of clear cell RCC (CCRCC).

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with pathologically confirmed RCCs [CCRCC for 30 tumors, papillary RCC (PRCC) for 5 tumors and chromophobic RCC (CRCC) for 3 tumors] were involved in the study. Diffusion kurtosis tensor MR imaging were performed with 3 b-values (0, 500, 1000s/mm2) and 30 diffusion directions. The mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (Ka), radial kurtosis (Kr) values and mean diffusity (MD) for RCC and contralateral normal parenchyma were acquired. The inter-observer agreements of all DKTI metrics of contralateral renal cortex and medulla were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Statistical comparisons with DKTI metrics of 3 RCC subtypes and between low-grade (Furman grade I ~ II, 22 cases) and high-grade (Furman grade III ~ IV, 8 cases) CCRCC were performed with ANOVA test and Student t test separately. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of DKTI metrics for predicting nuclear grades of CCRCC. Correlations between DKTI metrics and nuclear grades were also evaluated with Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

Inter-observer measurements for each metric showed great reproducibility with excellent ICCs ranging from 0.81 to 0.87. There were significant differences between the DKTI metrics of RCCs and contralateral renal parenchyma, also among the subtypes of RCC. MK and Ka values of CRCC were significantly higher than those of CCRCC and PRCC. Statistical difference of the MK, Ka, Kr and MD values were also obtained between CCRCC with high- and low-grades. MK values were more effective for distinguishing between low- and high- grade CCRCC (area under the ROC curve: 0.949). A threshold value of 0.851 permitted distinction with high sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (87.5%).

Conclusion

Our preliminary results suggest a possible role of DKTI in differentiating CRCC from CCRCC and PRCC. MK, the principle DKTI metric might be a surrogate biomarker to predict nuclear grades of CCRCC.

Trial registration

ChiCTC, ChiCTR-DOD-17010833, Registered 10 March, 2017, retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=17559.
Using Field Based Data to Model Sprint Track Cycling Performance
Authors: Ferguson Hamish A. , Harnish Chris , Chase J. Geoffrey
Published: March 2021

Cycling performance models are used to study rider and sport characteristics to better understand performance determinants and optimise competition outcomes. Performance requirements cover the demands of competition a cyclist may encounter, whilst rider attributes are physical, technical and psychological characteristics contributing to performance. Several current models of endurance-cycling enhance understanding of performance in road cycling and track endurance, relying on a supply and demand perspective. However, they have yet to be developed for sprint-cycling, with current athlete preparation, instead relying on measures of peak-power, speed and strength to assess performance and guide training. Peak-power models do not adequately explain the demands of actual competition in events over 15-60 s, let alone, in World-Championship sprint cycling events comprising several rounds to medal finals. Whilst there are no descriptive studies of track-sprint cycling events, we present data from physiological interventions using track cycling and repeated sprint exercise research in multiple sports, to elucidate the demands of performance requiring several maximal sprints over a competition. This review will show physiological and power meter data, illustrating the role of all energy pathways in sprint performance. This understanding highlights the need to focus on the capacity required for a given race and over an event, and therefore the recovery needed for each subsequent race, within and between races, and how optimal pacing can be used to enhance performance. We propose a shift in sprint-cyclist preparation away from training just for peak power, to a more comprehensive model of the actual event demands.
On the enzymes’ actions of entomopathogenic fungi against certain indigenous and invasive insect pests
Authors: Moharram A. M. , Abdel-Galil F. A. , Hafez W. M. M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) depends mainly on their ability to produce efficient enzymes, which degrade insect’s integument and other cellular components. Lipases are the first enzymes secreted by these fungi, then proteases, phospholipases, and chitinases.

Results

Twenty-six fungal strains, isolated from the aphids, Aphis sp., Linnaeus (Homoptera, Aphididae), the tomato leaf minor, Liriomyza trifolii, Burgess (Diptera, Agromyzidae) (indigenous insects), the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), and the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, Saunders (Diptera, Tephritidae) (invasive insects) were tested for their enzymatic activities. Results showed that the majority of these strains were able to produce lipolytic enzymes with the most active being Aspergillus niger, Botryotrichum atrogriseum, Cochliobolus spicifer, Fusarium chlamydosporum, and F. proliferatum. Phospholipase was successfully produced by 73.1% of the tested strains among which Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Mucor racemosus, Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata, and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were the highest producers. Proteolytic enzymes were detected in cultures of all the fungal strains except Aspergillus chevalieri and M. racemosus. The best proteolytic strain was S. brevicaulis followed by A. flavus, A. sydowii, and F. semitectum. The chitinolytic ability of the fungal strains was generally weak and the relatively active species belonged to A. flavus, A. niger, B. atrogriseum, F. chlamydosporum, F. solani, S. brevicaulis, and Nigrospora oryzae. Quantitative determination of chitinase revealed that the enzyme concentration ranged from 3.478 to 6.44 IU/ml.

Conclusion

Most of the isolated fungi had enzymatic activities, but A. niger, F. semitectum, F. solani, F. chlamydosporum, P. chlamydosporia var. catenulata, and S. brevicaulis, were the most active ones.
Frequency of peri-ictal apnea and cardiac arrhythmias in epileptic seizures
Authors: Yousif Rady , Abdulghani M. Ossama , Gaber A. , El Khayat Naglaa , Abo Elnaga Y. A. , Wahid El Din Mona Mokhtar
Published: March 2021

Background

Available data from witnessed and monitored sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) cases postulate that ictal central apnea (ICA) and ictal arrhythmias are the main causes of SUDEP. ICA is a frequent semiological feature of focal epilepsy and occasionally the only clinical manifestation of focal seizures. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of ICA and cardiac arrhythmias in epileptic patients and to study the risk factors and predictors of their occurrence.

Methods

Fifty patients diagnosed with epilepsy were recruited in this study. All participants underwent prolonged surface video electroencephalography (VEEG) study using the 10-20 international electrode system with concomitant polysomnography including electrocardiography (ECG), heart rate monitoring, and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) using pulse oximetry. Also inductance plethysmography was used to record chest and abdominal excursions.

Results

Complete datasets were available in 50 patients and 112 seizures were recorded. ICA occurred exclusively in focal epilepsy (P <0.001). Temporal lobe epilepsy was associated with higher occurrence of ICA in comparison to extratemporal epilepsy (P <0.001). In addition, seizures lateralized to the left hemisphere were associated with higher occurrence of ICA (P <0.001). On the other side, tachycardia was found to be more associated with temporal lobe epilepsy and left hemispheric seizure onset (P <0.001).

Conclusion

ICA occurred exclusively in focal seizures and tachycardia magnitude was more with focal seizures, and both had higher percentage in temporal lobe epilepsy in comparison to other types and in seizures with left hemispheric onset.
Effect of defibrillation on the performance of an implantable vagus nerve stimulation system
Authors: Libbus Imad , Stubbs Scott R. , Mazar Scott T. , Mindrebo Scott , KenKnight Bruce H. , DiCarlo Lorenzo A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) delivers Autonomic Regulation Therapy (ART) for heart failure (HF), and has been associated with improvement in cardiac function and heart failure symptoms. VNS is delivered using an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and lead with electrodes placed around the cervical vagus nerve. Because HF patients may receive concomitant cardiac defibrillation therapy, testing was conducted to determine the effect of defibrillation (DF) on the VNS system.

Methods

DF testing was conducted on three ART IPGs (LivaNova USA, Inc.) according to international standard ISO14708-1, which evaluated whether DF had any permanent effects on the system. Each IPG was connected to a defibrillation pulse generator and subjected to a series of high-energy pulses.

Results

The specified series of pulses were successfully delivered to each of the three devices. All three IPGs passed factory electrical tests, and interrogation confirmed that software and data were unchanged from the pre-programmed values. No shifts in parameters or failures were observed.

Conclusions

Implantable VNS systems were tested for immunity to defibrillation, and were found to be unaffected by a series of high-energy defibrillation pulses. These results suggest that this VNS system can be used safely and continue to function after patients have been defibrillated.
The complete genome sequences of two species of seventeen-year cicadas: Magicicada septendecim and Magicicada septendecula
Authors: White Harold B. , Pirro Stacy
Published: March 2021

The genus Magicicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) includes the periodical cicadas of Eastern North America. Spending the majority of their long lives underground, the adult cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years to spend 4-6 weeks as adult to mate. We present the whole genome sequences of two species of 17-year cicadas, Magicicada septendecim and Magicicada septendecula. The reads were assembled by a de novo method followed by alignments to related species. Annotation was performed by GeneMark-ES. The raw and assembled data is available via NCBI Short Read Archive and Assembly databases.
Biskupi i władcy świeccy Rusi w orbicie politycznych wpływów Moskwy doby metropolity Cypriana
Authors: Grala Marcin
Published: March 2021

BISHOPS AND SECULAR RULERS OF RUTHENIA UNDER THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF MOSCOW DURING THE TIME OF METROPOLITAN CYPRIAN The subject of this dissertation is the broadly understood church policy in North- -Eastern Ruthenia at the turn of the 15th century. At that time, the political situation in this region was dominated by the rivalry between Moscow and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as well as other local political entities involved that wanted to retain their independence. Political disagreements that emerged in Ruthenia at the end of the 14th century were not limited to military conflicts. Since Metropolitan Alexius associated himself with Moscow, it became apparent that ecclesiastical influence began to play a very important role as well. Alexius used his power and ecclesiastical authority to tame the political ambitions of the rulers of Tver and Suzdal. Soon, he was using the same weapon in the conflict between Moscow and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
The Effect of Multichannel and Omnichannel Retailing on Physical Stores
Authors: Gao Fei , Agrawal Vishal V. , Cui Shiliang
Published: March 2021

Most retailers today sell products through an online channel in addition to traditional physical stores. We investigate how such a multichannel or omnichannel retailer should decide the number and size of physical stores. We show that a higher return rate for online purchases can incentivize the retailer to have fewer physical stores that are larger in size. As online shopping becomes more convenient, a retailer may prefer to have more physical stores that are smaller in size. We also study the effect of three popular omnichannel strategies that involve changes of the physical stores’ functions: (i) showrooms only display products for customers to inspect before they purchase online, removing fulfillment from physical stores; (ii) return flexibility expands the functionality of physical stores by allowing customers to return online orders at them; and (iii) fulfillment flexibility expands functionality by allowing customers to pick up products purchased online at physical stores. We show that when the physical stores are given fewer (more) functions, as with the showroom (return or fulfillment flexibility) strategy, the omnichannel retailer may find it optimal to increase (reduce) the number and/or size of the physical stores.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Understanding the sources of errors in ex vivo Hsp90 molecular imaging for rapid-on-site breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Wang Roujia , Alvarez Daniel A. , Crouch Brian T. , Pilani Aditi , Lam Christopher , Zhu Caigang , Hughes Philip , Katz David , Haystead Timothy , Ramanujam Nirmala
Published: March 2021

Overexpression of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) on the surface of breast cancer cells makes it an attractive molecular biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis. Before a ubiquitous diagnostic method can be established, an understanding of the systematic errors in Hsp90-based imaging is essential. In this study, we investigated three factors that may influence the sensitivity of ex vivo Hsp90 molecular imaging: time-dependent tissue viability, nonspecific diffusion of an Hsp90 specific probe (HS-27), and contact-based imaging. These three factors will be important considerations when designing any diagnostic imaging strategy based on fluorescence imaging of a molecular target on tissue samples.
Photonic solution to phase sensing and control for light-based interstellar propulsion
Authors: Bandutunga Chathura P. , Sibley Paul G. , Ireland Michael J. , Ward Robert L.
Published: March 2021

Reaching another star system within a human timescale requires traveling at a sizeable fraction of the speed of light. To achieve this, the Breakthrough Starshot program proposes a ground-based laser array to accelerate a gram-scale spacecraft through photon radiation pressure, requiring of order 100 GW of continuous wave optical power. The coherent combination of many lasers is one avenue to achieve a high optical power output. Here we present a photonic solution for optical phase sensing and control to enable the coherent combination of order

10
8

individual lasers, including the ability to sense and compensate for atmospheric distortions, assuming the laser system is ground based.
Propagation characteristics of a ring Airy vortex beam in slant atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Yong Kangle , Tang Shanfa , Yang Xiaomin , Zhang Rongzhu
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the propagation characteristics of a ring Airy vortex beam (RAVB) in
slant atmospheric turbulence are studied. The effects of some key
parameters, such as the truncation factor, the zenith angle, and the
propagation distance, on the propagation characteristics of RAVB are
analyzed. The results show that the beam quality becomes worse with an
increase in the propagation distance, zenith angle, and truncation
factor. When the propagation distance exceeds 3 km in turbulence, the
value of the aperture-averaged scintillation index will reach the peak
value. On the other hand, the mean signal-to-noise ratio of this beam
will be affected by the propagation distance. The beam quality can be
improved by increasing the topological charges. When the truncation
factor is 0.1, RAVB performs best when the distance is long.
Dispersed pulses created by aperiodic binary spectral phase jump and applications for pulse shaping
Authors: Liu Xin , Wang Hushan , Cao Huabao , Yuan Hao , Huang Pei , Wang Yishan , Zhao Wei , Fu Yuxi
Published: March 2021

Inspired by pulse-pair generation with periodic phase jump, the generation of dispersed pulses with aperiodic binary spectral phase jump (ABSPJ) is proposed and theoretically investigated. It is presented by the numerical simulations that two dispersed pulses can be generated by ABSPJ of π. The dispersion of one pulse is opposite to the other and can be tuned freely with engineering of the phase jump. The generated dispersed pulse-pair is potentially of great interest for various applications, such as two-dimensional spectroscopy, double pulses laser-wakefield acceleration (LWFA) and chirp management in dual-chirped optical parametric amplification (DC-OPA) system to generate TW single-cycle mid-infrared (MIR) pulses. Furthermore, a pulse shaper configured as a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) located at the Fourier plane of a 4-f dispersion-free compressor is suggested and the implementation in a high repetition optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) system with picosecond pump has been numerically studied. The simulations showed that MEMS of 900 pixels is enough to pre-compensate TOD of 200000 fs3 for a pulse of 20 fs. Because pixel with only two piston-levels is necessary for such MEMS, the pulse shaper is expected to be compact and reliable.
Color computational ghost imaging based on a generative adversarial network
Authors: Ni Yang , Zhou Dingfu , Yuan Sheng , Bai Xing , Xu Zhao , Chen Jie , Li Cong , Zhou Xin
Published: March 2021

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, color computational ghost imaging scheme is presented for the reconstruction of a color object image, which greatly simplifies the experimental setup and shortens the acquisition time. Compared to conventional schemes, it only adopts one digital light projector to project color speckles and one single-pixel detector to receive the light intensity, instead of utilizing three monochromatic paths separately and synthesizing the three branch results. Severe noise and color distortion, which are common in ghost imaging, can be removed by the utilization of a generative adversarial network, because it has advantages in restoring the image’s texture details and generating the image’s match to a human’s subjective feelings over other generative models in deep learning. The final results can perform consistently better visual quality with more realistic and natural textures, even at the low sampling rate of 0.05.