bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Alternation of Gray Matter Morphological Topology in Drug-Naïve Tourette’s Syndrome in Children
Authors: Liao Yi , Li Xiuli , Jia Fenglin , Jiang Yuexin , Ning Gang , Li Xuesheng , Fu Chuan , Zhou Hui , He Xuejia , Cai Xiaotang , Qu Haibo
Published: May 2022

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics. We investigated the topological alterations in pediatric TS using morphological topological analysis of brain structures. We obtained three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences from 59 drug-naïve pediatric patients with TS and 87 healthy controls. We identified morphological topographical alterations in the brains of patients with TS compared to those of the healthy controlsviaGRETNA software. At the global level, patients with TS exhibited increased global efficiency (Eglob) (p= 0.012) and decreased normalized characteristic path length (λ) (p= 0.027), and characteristic path length (Lp) (p= 0.025) compared to healthy controls. At the nodal level, we detected significant changes in the nodal betweenness, nodal degree, and nodal efficiency in the cerebral cortex-striatum-thalamus-cortex circuit. These changes mainly involved the bilateral caudate nucleus, left thalamus, and gyri related to tics. Nodal betweenness, nodal degree, and nodal efficiency in the right superior parietal gyrus were negatively correlated with the motor tic scores of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) (r= −0.328,p= 0.011;r= −0.310,p= 0.017; andr= −0.291, andp= 0.025, respectively). In contrast, nodal betweenness, nodal degree, and nodal efficiency in the right posterior cingulate gyrus were positively correlated with the YGTSS phonic tic scores (r= 0.353,p= 0.006;r= 0.300,p= 0.021;r= 0.290, andp= 0.026, respectively). Nodal betweenness in the right supplementary motor area was positively correlated with the YGTSS phonic tic scores (r= 0.348,p= 0.007). The nodal degree in the right supplementary motor area was positively correlated with the YGTSS phonic tic scores (r= 0.259,p= 0.048). Diagnosis by age interactions did not display a significant effect on brain network properties at either the global or nodal level. Overall, our findings showed alterations in the gray matter morphological networks in drug-naïve children with TS. These findings enhance our understanding of the structural topology of the brain in patients with TS and provide useful clues for exploring imaging biomarkers of TS.
Comparing Poor and Favorable Outcome Prediction With Machine Learning After Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Mutke Matthias A. , Madai Vince I. , Hilbert Adam , Zihni Esra , Potreck Arne , Weyland Charlotte S. , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Heiland Sabine , Ringleb Peter A. , Nagel Simon , Bendszus Martin , Frey Dietmar
Published: May 2022

Background and Purpose

Outcome prediction after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and large vessel occlusion (LVO) is commonly performed by focusing on favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS 0–2) after 3 months but poor outcome representing severe disability and mortality (mRS 5 and 6) might be of equal importance for clinical decision-making.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with AIS and LVO undergoing MT from 2009 to 2018. Prognostic variables were grouped in baseline clinical (A), MRI-derived variables including mismatch [apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and time-to-maximum (Tmax) lesion volume] (B), and variables reflecting speed and extent of reperfusion (C) [modified treatment in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) score and time from onset to mTICI]. Three different scenarios were analyzed: (1) baseline clinical parameters only, (2) baseline clinical and MRI-derived parameters, and (3) all baseline clinical, imaging-derived, and reperfusion-associated parameters. For each scenario, we assessed prediction for favorable and poor outcome with seven different machine learning algorithms.

Results

In 210 patients, prediction of favorable outcome was improved after including speed and extent of recanalization [highest area under the curve (AUC) 0.73] compared to using baseline clinical variables only (highest AUC 0.67). Prediction of poor outcome remained stable by using baseline clinical variables only (highest AUC 0.71) and did not improve further by additional variables. Prediction of favorable and poor outcomes was not improved by adding MR-mismatch variables. Most important baseline clinical variables for both outcomes were age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and premorbid mRS.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a prediction of poor outcome after AIS and MT could be made based on clinical baseline variables only. Speed and extent of MT did improve prediction for a favorable outcome but is not relevant for poor outcome. An MR mismatch with small ischemic core and larger penumbral tissue showed no predictive importance.
Design of an Isometric End-Point Force Control Task for Electromyography Normalization and Muscle Synergy Extraction From the Upper Limb Without Maximum Voluntary Contraction
Authors: Cho Woorim , Barradas Victor R. , Schweighofer Nicolas , Koike Yasuharu
Published: May 2022

Muscle synergy analysis via surface electromyography (EMG) is useful to study muscle coordination in motor learning, clinical diagnosis, and neurorehabilitation. However, current methods to extract muscle synergies in the upper limb suffer from two major issues. First, the necessary normalization of EMG signals is performed via maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), which requires maximal isometric force production in each muscle. However, some individuals with motor impairments have difficulties producing maximal effort in the MVC task. In addition, the MVC is known to be highly unreliable, with widely different forces produced in repeated measures. Second, synergy extraction in the upper limb is typically performed with a multidirection reaching task. However, some participants with motor impairments cannot perform this task because it requires precise motor control. In this study, we proposed a new isometric rotating task that does not require precise motor control or large forces. In this task, participants maintain a cursor controlled by the arm end-point force on a target that rotates at a constant angular velocity at a designated force level. To relax constraints on motor control precision, the target is widened and blurred. To obtain a reference EMG value for normalization without requiring maximal effort, we estimated a linear relationship between joint torques and muscle activations. We assessed the reliability of joint torque normalization and synergy extraction in the rotating task in young neurotypical individuals. Compared with normalization with MVC, joint torque normalization allowed reliable EMG normalization at low force levels. In addition, the extraction of synergies was as reliable and more stable than with the multidirection reaching task. The proposed rotating task can, therefore, be used in future motor learning, clinical diagnosis, and neurorehabilitation studies.
The Neural Basis of Moral Judgement for Self and for Others: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Jiang Qin , Zhuo Linglin , Wang Qi , Lin Wenxia
Published: May 2022

Developmental and neuroscience works have demonstrated that the moral judgment is influenced by theory of mind (ToM), which refers to the ability to represent the mental states of different agents. However, the neural and cognitive time course of interactions between moral judgment and ToM remains unclear. The present event-related potential (ERP) study investigated the underlying neural substrate of the interaction between moral judgment and ToM by contrasting the ERPs elicited by moral judgments for self and for others in moral dilemmas. In classic moral dilemmas, the agents must choose between the utilitarian choice (taking the action to kill or harm an innocent person but saving more people) and the non-utilitarian choice (taking no action to kill or harm the innocent person but letting some people die). The ERPs were recorded from participants who made moral judgments for self and for others when the agent made utilitarian or non-utilitarian choices during the dilemma. The results revealed that the moral judgment for others elicited a larger frontal late positive component (LPC, 500–900 ms) than that for self when the agents made utilitarian choices, while no difference was observed on early components of N1, P2, and N2. Moreover, individual differences in mentalizing ability were negatively correlated with the LPC amplitudes. These findings suggested that ToM modulated the late controlled process but not the early automatic process during moral judgments.
Multiple Roles of Ret Signalling During Enteric Neurogenesis
Authors: Natarajan Dipa , McCann Conor , Dattani Justine , Pachnis Vassilis , Thapar Nikhil
Published: May 2022

The majority of the enteric nervous system is formed by vagal neural crest cells which enter the foregut and migrate rostrocaudally to colonise the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. Absence of enteric ganglia from the distal colon are the hallmark of Hirschsprung disease, a congenital disorder characterised by severe intestinal dysmotility. Mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase RET have been identified in approximately 50% of familial cases of Hirschsprung disease but the cellular processes misregulated in this condition remain unclear. By lineage tracing neural crest cells in mice homozygous for a knock-in allele of Ret (Ret51/51), we demonstrate that normal activity of this receptor is required in vivo for the migration of enteric nervous system progenitors throughout the gut. In mutant mice, progenitors of enteric neurons fail to colonise the distal colon, indicating that failure of colonisation of the distal intestine is a major contributing factor for the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease. Enteric nervous system progenitors in the ganglionic proximal guts of mutant mice are also characterised by reduced proliferation and differentiation. These findings suggest that the functional abnormalities in Hirschsprung disease result from a combination of colonic aganglionosis and deficits in neuronal circuitry of more proximal gut segments. The reduced neurogenesis in the gut of Ret51/51 mutants was reproduced in the multilineage enteric nervous system progenitors isolated from these animals. Correction of the molecular defects of such progenitors fully restored their neurogenic potential in culture. These observations enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease and highlight potential approaches for its treatment.
Poor Pre-operative Nutritional Status Is a Risk Factor of Post-operative Infections in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer—A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Siwen , Gao Xuejin , Gao Tingting , Huang Lingli , Lian Bo , Gu Yingchao , Chen Jianjiao , Guo Dong , Jia Zhenyi , Wang Yong , Gong Fangyou , Zhou Junde , Xue Zhigang , Chen Zhida , Xu Jielian , Wang Leilei , Qian Jun , Deng Guifang , Hu Hao , Nie Yao , Li Gang , Li Mengbin , Yang Hua , Zhao Wei , Zhou Yanbing , Qin Huanlong , Wu Xiaoting , Wang Kunhua , Chi Qiang , Yu Jianchun , Tang Yun , Zhang Pianhong , Jin Gang , Ouyang Bin , Li Guoli , Hang Dong , Wang Xinying
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the Nutritional Risk Score 2002 (NRS2002) and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) for post-operative infections in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent curative surgery.

Methods

This prospective study included 1,493 GC patients and 879 CRC patients who underwent curative surgery at 18 hospitals in China between April 2017 and March 2020. The NRS2002 and PG-SGA were performed on the day of admission. The relationship between the nutritional status of patients before surgery and post-surgical incidence of infection was analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

According to NRS2002, the prevalence of nutritional risk was 51.1% in GC patients and 63.9% in CRC patients. According to the PG-SGA, 38.9% of GC patients and 54.2% of CRC patients had malnutrition. Approximately 4.4% of the GC patients and 9.9% of the CRC patients developed infectious complications after surgery. The univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of infections was significantly higher in GC patients with a high nutritional risk score (NRS2002 ≥5) than in those with a low score (NRS2002 <3), and the PG-SGA score was identified as a predictor of post-operative infection complications of CRC.

Conclusion

The pre-operative nutritional status of patients with GC or CRC has an impact on post-operative infection occurrence. NRS2002 ≥5 was a risk factor for post-operative infection in patients with GC, and the PG-SGA B/C was a predictor of infections in patients with CRC.
Lung Cancer Treatment: From Tradition to Innovation
Authors: Mangiameli Giuseppe , Cioffi Ugo , Testori Alberto
Published: May 2022

Lung cancer (LC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the primary cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020. LC treatment is associated with huge costs for patients and society; consequently, there is an increasing interest in the prevention, early detection with screening, and development of new treatments. Its surgical management accounts for at least 90% of the activity of thoracic surgery departments. Surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage non-small cell LC. In this article, we discuss the state of the art of thoracic surgery for surgical management of LC. We start by describing the milestones of LC treatment, which are lobectomy and an adequate lymphadenectomy, and then we focus on the traditional and innovative minimally invasive surgical approaches available: video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). A brief overview of the innovation and future perspective in thoracic surgery will close this mini-review.
Prevalence and Clinicopathologic Features of Canine Metastatic Melanoma Involving the Central Nervous System: A Retrospective Analysis and Comparative Review
Authors: Razmara Aryana M. , Wittenburg Luke A. , Al-Nadaf Sami , Toedebusch Ryan G. , Meyers Frederick J. , Toedebusch Christine M.
Published: May 2022

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is the leading cause of death in malignant melanoma. Rodent models, while vital to mechanistic investigation, have had limited success identifying effective therapies for melanoma brain metastases. The companion dog withde novomelanoma is a promising complementary model for developmental therapeutic investigation, as these tumors occur in an immunologically outbred host that has shared environmental exposures with humans. However, relatively little is known regarding the prevalence and clinicopathological features of canine melanoma metastasis to the CNS. To further validate the dog as an appropriate model for human metastatic melanoma, the aims of this study were to determine the rate of CNS metastasis and associated clinicopathologic features in canine malignant melanoma.

Methods

Medical records of dogs diagnosed with malignant melanoma from 1985-2019 at the University of California Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were assessed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic features were compared between dogs with CNS metastasis (CNS+) and dogs without CNS metastasis (CNS-). Site of CNS involvement and associated neurological signs were analyzedviaWilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank sum and Fisher’s exact tests. Survival data were analyzedviaKaplan-Meier estimates.

Results

CNS metastasis was identified in 38% of dogs in this study (20/53). The oral cavity was the most common site of primary melanoma in both groups [CNS+: n=12 (60%) vs. CNS-: n=22 (67%); p>0.99]. The total burden of metastatic disease was higher in the CNS+ group (CNS+: 4, 95% CI 3-5 vs. CNS-: 3, 95% CI 1-3; p<0.001). The cerebrum was the most common site of CNS metastasis (n=15, 75%) and seizures were the most observed neurological sign (n=9, 64%). There was no difference in overall survival between CNS+ and CNS- groups. However, the median survival time following onset of neurological signs was 9.5 days (95% CI 1-43), with 5 dogs euthanized within 24 hours of the onset of neurological signs.

Conclusions

Canine and human MM patients share similar rates of CNS metastasis and clinical presentation. This study will guide clinical management of canines with malignant melanoma and inform future studies using dogs with spontaneously occurring melanoma as a preclinical model for human melanoma brain metastases.
Multimodal MRI-Based Radiomics-Clinical Model for Preoperatively Differentiating Concurrent Endometrial Carcinoma From Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia
Authors: Zhang Jieying , Zhang Qi , Wang Tingting , Song Yan , Yu Xiaoduo , Xie Lizhi , Chen Yan , Ouyang Han
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To develop and validate a radiomics model based on multimodal MRI combining clinical information for preoperative distinguishing concurrent endometrial carcinoma (CEC) from atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH).

Materials and Methods

A total of 122 patients (78 AEH and 44 CEC) who underwent preoperative MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. Radiomics features were extracted based on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. After feature reduction by minimum redundancy maximum relevance and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm, single-modal and multimodal radiomics signatures, clinical model, and radiomics-clinical model were constructed using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the models.

Results

The combined radiomics signature of T2WI, DWI, and ADC maps showed better discrimination ability than either alone. The radiomics-clinical model consisting of multimodal radiomics features, endometrial thickness >11mm, and nulliparity status achieved the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.932 (95% confidential interval [CI]: 0.880-0.984), bootstrap corrected AUC of 0.922 in the training set, and AUC of 0.942 (95% CI: 0.852-1.000) in the validation set. Subgroup analysis further revealed that this model performed well for patients with preoperative endometrial biopsy consistent and inconsistent with postoperative pathologic data (consistent group, F1-score = 0.865; inconsistent group, F1-score = 0.900).

Conclusions

The radiomics model, which incorporates multimodal MRI and clinical information, might be used to preoperatively differentiate CEC from AEH, especially for patients with under- or over-estimated preoperative endometrial biopsy.
Skeletal Muscle Change During Neoadjuvant Therapy and Its Impact on Prognosis in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Xin-Yi , Jiang Xiao-Man , Xu Qin , Xu Hao , Luo Jin-Hua , Yao Cui , Ding Ling-Yu , Zhu Shu-Qin
Published: May 2022

Background

Gastrointestinal cancers are the most common malignant tumors worldwide. As the improvement of survival by surgical resection alone for cancers is close to the bottleneck, recent neoadjuvant therapy has been emphasized and applied in the treatment. Despite the advantage on improving the prognosis, some studies have reported neoadjuvant therapy could reduce skeletal muscle and therefore affect postoperative outcomes. However, the conclusions are still controversial.

Methods

PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to September 2, 2021. The inclusion criteria were observational studies, published in English, of individuals aged ≥18 years who underwent neoadjuvant therapy with gastrointestinal cancers and were assessed skeletal muscle mass before and after neoadjuvant therapy, with sufficient data on skeletal muscle change or the association with clinical outcomes. Meta-analysis was conducted by using the STATA 12.0 package when more than two studies reported the same outcome.

Results

A total of 268 articles were identified, and 19 studies (1,954 patients) were included in the review. The fixed effects model showed that the risk of sarcopenia increased 22% after receiving neoadjuvant therapy (HR=1.22, 95% CI 1.14, 1.31, Z=4.286, P<0.001). In the random effects model, neoadjuvant therapy was associated with skeletal muscle loss, with a standardized mean difference of -0.20 (95% CI -0.31, -0.09, Z=3.49, P<0.001) and a significant heterogeneity (I2 =62.2%, P<0.001). Multiple meta regression indicated that population, neoadjuvant therapy type, and measuring tool were the potential sources of heterogeneity. The funnel plot revealed that there was no high publication bias in these studies (Begg’s test, P=0.544) and the sensitivity analysis showed stable results when separately excluding studies. For the postoperative outcomes, the results revealed that muscle loss during neoadjuvant therapy was significantly related to overall survival (HR=2,08, 95% CI =1.47, 2.95, Z=4.12, P<0.001, I2 = 0.0%), but not related to disease-free survival and other short-term outcomes.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that skeletal muscle decreased significantly during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancers and skeletal muscle loss was strongly associated with worse overall survival. More high-quality studies are needed to update and valid these conclusions in a more specific or stratified way.

Systematic Review Registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier PROSPERO (CRD42021292118)
Identification of Genetic Loci for Sugarcane Leaf Angle at Different Developmental Stages by Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Chen Xinglong , Huang Zhenghui , Fu Danwen , Fang Junteng , Zhang Xiangbo , Feng Xiaomin , Xie Jinfang , Wu Bin , Luo Yiji , Zhu Mingfeng , Qi Yongwen
Published: May 2022

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an efficient crop mainly used for sugar and bioethanol production. High yield and high sucrose of sugarcane are always the fundamental demands in sugarcane growth worldwide. Leaf angle and size of sugarcane can be attributed to planting density, which was associated with yield. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with a panel of 216 sugarcane core parents and their derived lines (natural population) to determine the genetic basis of leaf angle and key candidate genes with +2, +3, and +4 leaf at the seedling, elongation, and mature stages. A total of 288 significantly associated loci of sugarcane leaf angle at different developmental stages (eight phenotypes) were identified by GWAS with 4,027,298 high-quality SNP markers. Among them, one key locus and 11 loci were identified in all three stages and two stages, respectively. An InDel marker (SNP Ss6A_102766953) linked to narrow leaf angle was obtained. Overall, 4,089 genes were located in the confidence interval of significant loci, among which 3,892 genes were functionally annotated. Finally, 13 core parents and their derivatives tagged with SNPs were selected for marker-assisted selection (MAS). These candidate genes are mainly related to MYB transcription factors, auxin response factors, serine/threonine protein kinases, etc. They are directly or indirectly associated with leaf angle in sugarcane. This research provided a large number of novel genetic resources for the improvement of leaf angles and simultaneously to high yield and high bioethanol production.
Fine Mapping and Cloning of a Major QTL qph12, Which Simultaneously Affects the Plant Height, Panicle Length, Spikelet Number and Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: He Niqing , Zhan Guanping , Huang Fenghuang , Abou-Elwafa Salah Fatouh , Yang Dewei
Published: May 2022

Plant height is one of the most important agronomical traits in rice (Oryza sativaL.). Introducing thesemidwarfrice in the 1960s significantly enhanced the rice yield potential in Asia. Implementing near-isogenic lines (NILs) is the most powerful tool for the identification and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study, 176 NILs were produced from the crossing and back-crossing of two rice cultivars. Specifically, theindicarice cultivar Jiafuzhan served as a recipient, and the restorerjaponicacultivar Hui1586 served as a donor. Using the 176 NILs, we identified a novel major QTL for reduced plant height in the NIL36 line. Theqph12QTL was mapped to a 31 kb genomic region between the indel markersIndel12-29andIndel12-31. The rice genome annotation indicated the presence of three candidate genes in this genomic region. Through gene prediction and cDNA sequencing, we confirmed thatLOC_Os12g40890(qPH12) is the target gene in the NIL36 line. Further analysis showed that theqph12QTL is caused by a 1 bp deletion in the first exon that resulted in premature termination of theqPH12. Knockout experiments showed that theqph12QTL is responsible for the reduced plant height phenotype of the NIL36 line. Although theqph12gene from the NIL36 line showed a shorter panicle length, fewer spikelets per panicle and a lower plant grain yield, the plant also exhibited a lower plant height. Taken together, our results revealed that theqph12have good specific application prospects in future rice breeding.
A Meta-Analysis of Emotional Evidence for the Biophilia Hypothesis and Implications for Biophilic Design
Authors: Gaekwad Jason S. , Sal Moslehian Anahita , Roös Phillip B. , Walker Arlene
Published: May 2022

The biophilia hypothesis posits an innate biological and genetic connection between human and nature, including an emotional dimension to this connection. Biophilic design builds on this hypothesis in an attempt to design human-nature connections into the built environment. This article builds on this theoretical framework through a meta-analysis of experimental studies on the emotional impacts of human exposure to natural and urban environments. A total of 49 studies were identified, with a combined sample size of 3,201 participants. The primary findings indicated that exposure to natural environments had a medium to large effect on both increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect. This finding supported the anticipated emotional dimension of the biophilia hypothesis and lends credibility to biophilic design theory. Evidence was revealed in support of the affective/arousal response model. Immersion in environments indicated a larger effect size than laboratory simulation of environments. Methodological recommendations for future experimental research were few, however the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) outcome measure was recommended as a measure of both positive and negative affect for further studies. A combination measurement of stress related outcome variables was proposed to further explore the affective/arousal response model and its potential relationship to the biophilia hypothesis. The meta-analysis provides evidence for fundamental theories regarding human-nature connection, while revealing gaps in current knowledge.
Internet Use, Cultural Engagement, and Multi-Dimensional Health of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Chen Wei-chao , Yang Liu , Wang Xiao-yan
Published: May 2022

With the rapid expansion of the Internet, it continuously penetrates the life of older adults around the world. This study aims to explore the effect of Internet use on the multi-dimensional health of the elderly with the mediating role of cultural engagement. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) in 2015 and 2017, this study adopts logistic regression and a single-step multiple mediation model to investigate how Internet use affects the multi-dimensional health of older adults in China. The results show that Internet use has positive effects on the self-rated health, physical health, and mental health of the elderly. Endogenous tests, robustness analysis, and sensitivity analysis show that the above conclusions remain robust. Additionally, the mediating effect analysis shows that cultural engagement plays a mediating role in the relationship between Internet use and the three health-related responses. Therefore, to improve the elderly's health level, the government should not only cultivate the ability to use the Internet but also encourage greater cultural engagement amongst the aged.
Exploring the Relationship Between ESG Performance and Green Bond Issuance
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Wang Derek
Published: May 2022

As an important part of green financial instruments, green bonds have become increasingly popular in recent years. This study employs green bond issuance as a proxy to measure investors' recognition of a firm's sustainable activities by linking literature on ESG and financial performance and those on green bond issuance. This study innovatively creates the datasets by combining the ESG performance of Chinese listed companies with their green bond issuance from 2016 to 2020 based on the Wind and CSMAR databases and examines the relationship between the performance of ESG dimensions and green bond issuance from the perspective of listed firms in the emerging market. The results indicate that decent ESG practices not only increase the propensity in green bond issuance by listed firms but also help them issue more green bonds. More specifically, we found evidence to support this finding from every dimension of these sustainable practices. However, this study identified the negative effect of financial performance in issuing green bonds when combining the effect of ESG performance.
Workplace Loneliness: The Benefits and Detriments of Working From Home
Authors: Wax Amy , Deutsch Caleb , Lindner Chloe , Lindner Steven J. , Hopmeyer Andrea
Published: May 2022

Self-determination theory posits that relatedness and autonomy are two drivers of work-relevant outcomes. Through the lens of this theory, the current study explored the potential interactive effects of relatedness and autonomy on affective, relational, and behavioral outcomes at work, operationalizing relatedness as workplace loneliness and autonomy as the ability to work from home. To test this relation, survey-based data from a sample of 391 working adults were collected and a path analysis was carried out. Results suggested that workplace loneliness negatively predicts affective organizational commitment, perceptions of coworker and supervisor support, organizational citizenship behaviors, and perceived performance. Furthermore, results suggested that workplace loneliness and working from home have an interactive effect on affective organizational commitment, perceptions of coworker support, and organizational citizenship behaviors. Specifically, working from home had a beneficial impact on the relation between workplace loneliness and affective organizational commitment/perceptions of coworker support, but a detrimental impact on the relation between workplace loneliness and organizational citizenship behaviors. These results add to the extant body of scholarly work of Self-Determination Theory by testing the theory in the post-pandemic context of working from home. In addition, these results have practical implications for managers, who should strive to create opportunities for employees who work from home to enact organizational citizenship behaviors.
Crowdsourcing Team Formation With Worker-Centered Modeling
Authors: Vinella Federica Lucia , Hu Jiayuan , Lykourentzou Ioanna , Masthoff Judith
Published: May 2022

Modern crowdsourcing offers the potential to produce solutions for increasingly complex tasks requiring teamwork and collective labor. However, the vast scale of the crowd makes forming project teams an intractable problem to coordinate manually. To date, most crowdsourcing collaborative platforms rely on algorithms to automate team formation based on worker profiling data and task objectives. As a top-down strategy, algorithmic crowd team formation tends to alienate workers causing poor collaboration, interpersonal clashes, and dissatisfaction. In this paper, we investigate different ways that crowd teams can be formed through three team formation models namely bottom-up, top-down, and hybrid. By simulating an open collaboration scenario such as a hackathon, we observe that the bottom-up model forms the most competitive teams with the highest teamwork quality. Furthermore, we note that bottom-up approaches are particularly suitable for populations with high-risk appetites (most workers being lenient toward exploring new team configurations) and high degrees of homophily (most workers preferring to work with similar teammates). Our study highlights the importance of integrating worker agency in algorithm-mediated team formation systems, especially in collaborative/competitive settings, and bears practical implications for large-scale crowdsourcing platforms.
Protective Effect of Bifidobacterium lactis JYBR-190 on Intestinal Mucosal Damage in Chicks Infected With Salmonella pullorum
Authors: Yang Liangyu , Chen Yuanhong , Bai Qian , Chen Xi , Shao Yunteng , Wang Ronghai , He Fengping , Deng Ganzhen
Published: May 2022

Pullorum is one of the most serious diseases that endanger the chicken industry. With the advent of the era of anti-antibiotics in feed, the replacement of antibiotics by probiotics has become the focus and hotspot of related research. In this study, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to observe the structural changes of intestinal mucosa in chicks infected with Salmonella pullorum, and to analyze TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. The results showed that the intestinal villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C), and muscle layer thickness of duodenum, jejunum and cecum in the JYBR-190 group were significantly higher than those of the infection group and antibiotic group. Furthermore, the levels of PCNA, sIgA and IL-10 in JYBR-190 group were significantly increased, whereas the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ was significantly decreased. Taken together, Bifidobacterium lactis JYBR-190 has a protective effect on intestinal mucosal damage in chicks infected with Salmonella pullorum.
Expression Profile and Molecular Basis of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Regulatory Subunit 2 in Endometrial Carcinoma Detected by Diversified Methods
Authors: Gao Li , Chen Gang , Liang Zi-Qian , Li Jian-Di , Li Dong-Ming , Tang Yu-Lu , Tang Deng , Huang Zhi-Guang , Chen Jun-Hong , Luo Jia-Yuan , Zeng Jiang-Hui , Dang Yi-Wu , Feng Zhen-Bo
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Our purpose was to systematically appraise the clinicopathological significance and explore the molecular bases of CKS2 in endometrial carcinoma.

Patients and Methods: We measured the clinicopathological significance of CKS2 using diverse methods of public RNA-seq, microarrays, and in-house tissue microarrays to investigate the molecular basis of CKS2 in endometrial carcinoma through upstream transcriptional analysis, immune infiltration correlation analysis, and co-expression analysis.

Results: Both the analysis for public RNA-seq plus the microarray data and in-house tissue microarray confirmed the significant overexpression of CKS2 in a total of 1,021 endometrial carcinoma samples compared with 279 non-cancer endometrium samples (SMD = 2.10, 95% CI = 0.72–3.48). The upregulated CKS2 was significantly related to the lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical grade of endometrial carcinoma patients (p < 0.001). Mutation types such as amplification and mRNA occurred with high frequency in the CKS2 gene in endometrial carcinoma patients. A series of miRNAs and transcription factors, such as hsa-miR-26a, hsa-miR-130a, hsa-miR-30, E2F4, MAX, and GABPA, were predicted to regulate the transcription and expression of CKS2. Significant links were found between CKS2 expression and the infiltration level of B cells, CD4+ T cells, and neutrophils in endometrial carcinoma. CKS2-coexpressed genes were actively involved in pathways such as the mitotic cell cycle process, PID aurora B pathway, and prolactin signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The overexpressed CKS2 showed positive correlations with the clinical progression of endometrial carcinoma and was associated with various cancer-related biological processes and pathways, showing potential as a promising clinical biomarker for endometrial carcinoma.
Simultaneous Pressure and Displacement Measurement on Helicopter Rotor Blades Using a Binocular Stereophotogrammetry PSP System
Authors: Wei Chunhua , Zuo Chenglin , Liao Xianhui , Li Guoshuai , Jiao Lingrui , Peng Di , Liang Lei
Published: May 2022

A simultaneous surface pressure and displacement measurement method that integrates pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and binocular stereophotogrammetry is proposed. The assays were completed on the Φ4 m rotor test stand at China Aerodynamic Research and Development Center (CARDC). A single-shot lifetime approach was utilized to acquire the instantaneous pressure field on a rotor blade coated with PSP. At the same time, the PSP feature points were used to obtain the 3D coordinates of stereo cameras, which yielded the blade displacement field. The experimental results showed that the displacement measuring accuracy was better than 0.2 mm, and the pressure measurement accuracy was not affected, with Standard Deviation (STD) values below 700 Pa. The advantages of the proposed system are its simple structure, low cost, high accuracy and high test efficiency, which will offer a practical solution for the exploration of fluid–structure interplay. Hence, such a system is a prospective for the wind tunnel tests of helicopter rotor blades.
Retrograde Approach to Maxillary Nerve Block: An Alternative in Orofacial Surgeries in Horses
Authors: Vuerich Matteo , Nannarone Sara
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to retrospectively report outcomes resulting from the approach to the maxillary nerve block (MNB) through the infraorbital canal, in terms of needles selection, drawbacks or side effects during or after block execution, and analgesic efficacy leading to clinical and cardiovascular stability during surgery. Anesthetic records of 15 horses undergoing orofacial surgery in standing analgo-sedation (STA, n = 6) and in general anesthesia (GEN, n = 9) were retrieved and analyzed. Horses in group STA required surgery for dental extraction, nasal polyp resection and maxillary/frontal sinusitis. Horses in group GEN underwent surgery for fronto-maxillary, nasal and dental diseases. Size 19 and 20 G Tuohy needles were used in adult horses weighing 350–600 kg, while size 21 and 22 G were used in younger horses or ponies. None of the horses in both groups showed complications related to the block and physiological parameters were stable and within normal ranges during surgery; overall, an adequate anesthetic/sedation depth was achieved. Our results confirm the in vivo applicability of the MNB approached within the infraorbital canal, which had been described only on cadaveric specimens. The retrograde technique resulted in a valid and easy approach to the maxillary nerve that avoids damage to periorbital structures and side effects reported with traditional techniques.
The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals
Authors: Logan Alyssa A. , Nielsen Brian D. , Hiney Kristina M. , Robison Cara I. , Manfredi Jane M. , Buskirk Daniel D. , Popovich John M.
Published: May 2022

Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18-m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercised control. Exercise was initiated at 1.1–1.5 m/s for 5 min/d and increased 5 min weekly until reaching 30 min/d. On day 49, synovial fluid was collected from multiple joints, cartilage was collected from the proximal surface of fused third and fourth metacarpi (MC III and IV), and forelimbs underwent computed tomography scans. A statistical analysis (PROC mixed) was performed in SAS 9.4. The inside leg of the small circle treatment had a larger MC III and IV dorsopalmar external diameter than the outside (p = 0.05). The medial proximal phalanx had a greater mediolateral diameter than the lateral proximal phalanx of the small circle treatment (p = 0.01). Fetlock nitric oxide was greater in the large circle and treadmill treatments (p < 0.0001). Cartilage glycosaminoglycan concentration was greater in the outside leg of the small circle exercise treatment than the inside leg (p = 0.03). Even at slow speeds, circular exercise diameter can impact joint and bone health, but faster speeds may have greater alterations.
Efficacy of Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole in Combination with an Echinocandin as a First-Line Treatment Option for Pneumocystis Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kato Hideo , Hagihara Mao , Asai Nobuhiro , Umemura Takumi , Shibata Yuichi , Hirai Jun , Yamagishi Yuka , Iwamoto Takuya , Mikamo Hiroshige
Published: May 2022

Although combination therapy using trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP–SMX) plus echinocandins has been reported to reduce the mortality of patients with pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), it remains unclear whether it is more effective than TMP–SMX monotherapy, the current first-line treatment for this disease. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacies of these treatment options for PCP. The Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Ichushi databases were searched for studies (up to January 2022) reporting the mortality and positive response rates (fewer clinical symptoms, improved partial pressure of arterial oxygen, and resolution of pneumonitis on chest imaging) of PCP patients receiving monotherapy or combination therapy. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. All four presented mortality data and one had positive response rates. Compared with the monotherapy, the combination therapy resulted in significantly lower mortality and higher positive response rates (mortality: odds ratio (OR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46–3.31; positive response rate: OR 2.13, 95%CI 1.41–3.23), suggesting it to be an effective and promising first-line therapy for PCP. However, further safety evaluations are needed to establish this as a fact.
Sarecycline Demonstrates Clinical Effectiveness against Staphylococcal Infections and Inflammatory Dermatoses: Evidence for Improving Antibiotic Stewardship in Dermatology
Authors: Grada Ayman , Ghannoum Mahmoud , Bunick Christopher
Published: May 2022

Tetracycline class antibiotics are widely used for multiple skin diseases, including acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, cutaneous infections, inflammatory dermatoses, and autoimmune blistering disorders. Concerns about antibiotic resistance and protecting the human/host microbiome beg the question whether broad-spectrum tetracyclines such as doxycycline and minocycline should be prescribed at such a high rate by dermatologists when a narrow-spectrum tetracycline derivative, sarecycline, exists. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of oral sarecycline against cutaneous staphylococcal infections, eyelid stye, and mucous membrane pemphigoid to determine whether sarecycline is a viable option for clinicians to practice improved antibiotic stewardship. We observed significant improvement in staphylococcal infections and inflammatory dermatoses with courses of oral sarecycline as short as 9 days, with no reported adverse events. These clinical findings are consistent with in vitro microbiological data and anti-inflammatory properties of sarecycline. Our data provides a strong rationale for clinicians to use narrow-spectrum sarecycline rather than broad-spectrum tetracyclines as a first-line agent in treating staphylococcal skin infections and inflammatory skin diseases for which tetracyclines are currently commonly employed. Such advancement in the practice paradigm in dermatology will enhance antibiotic stewardship, reduce risk of antibiotic resistance, protect the human microbiome, and provide patients with precision medicine care.
Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effect of a Grape Pomace Extract on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Rats: Biochemical, Behavioral and Histopathological Evaluation
Authors: Bekiari Chryssa , Tekos Fotios , Skaperda Zoi , Argyropoulou Aikaterini , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Kouretas Demetrios , Tsingotjidou Anastasia
Published: May 2022

Oxaliplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Despite its many beneficial aspects in fighting many malignancies, it shares an aversive effect of neuropathy. Many substances have been used to limit this oxaliplatin-driven neuropathy in patients. This study evaluates the neuroprotective role of a grape pomace extract (GPE) into an oxaliplatin induced neuropathy in rats. For this reason, following the delivery of the substance into the animals prior to or simultaneously with oxaliplatin, their performance was evaluated by behavioral tests. Blood tests were also performed for the antioxidant activity of the extract, along with a histological and pathological evaluation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells as the major components of the neuropathy. All behavioral tests were corrected following the use of the grape pomace. Oxidative stressors were also limited with the use of the extract. Additionally, the morphometrical analysis of the DRG cells and their immunohistochemical phenotype revealed the fidelity of the animal model and the changes into the parvalbumin and GFAP concentration indicative of the neuroprotective role of the pomace. In conclusion, the grape pomace extract with its antioxidant properties alleviates the harmful effects of the oxaliplatin induced chronic neuropathy in rats.
RAMAN and Fluorimetric Scattering Lidar Facilitated to Detect Damaged Potatoes by Determination of Spectra
Authors: Lobachevsky Yakov , Dorokhov Alexey , Aksenov Alexander , Sibirev Alexey , Moskovskiy Maxim , Mosyakov Maxim , Sazonov Nikolay , Godyaeva Maria
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to substantiate the concept of express assessment of potato tubers for mechanized harvesting using fluorimetric and RAMAN lidar, as well as to conduct a quantitative and structural assessment of damage to potato varieties and hybrids, using a device that simulates the process of operation of the combine separator, depending on the type of machine and harvesting conditions. In addition, calibration of the lidar was undertaken to assess the magnitude of the physical impact of the drum to assess the damage. A structural–functional diagram of a device for assessing the suitability of varieties and hybrids for mechanized harvesting has been developed. The methodology and results of this study are presented to determine the assessment of damage to potato tubers by a RAMAN lidar when fixing their force impact of the separating surface of the developed device on a potato tuber. The device developed in accordance with the proposed conceptual scheme, additionally calibrated taking into account modern potato harvesters and tested on a RAMAN lidar, will allow targeted selection of varieties suitable for mechanized harvesting, as well as assessing the degree of resistance of potato varieties to mechanized harvesting at early stages of selection and seed works.