bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Wilms Tumor Gene wt1a Contributes to Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Function in Zebrafish
Authors: Hopfenmüller Vera L. , Perner Birgit , Reuter Hanna , Bates Thomas J. D. , Große Andreas , Englert Christoph
Published: January 2022

The Wilms tumor suppressor gene Wt1 encodes a zinc finger transcription factor, which is highly conserved among vertebrates. It is a key regulator of urogenital development and homeostasis but also plays a role in other organs including the spleen and the heart. More recently additional functions for Wt1 in the mammalian central nervous system have been described. In contrast to mammals, bony fish possess two paralogous Wt1 genes, namely wt1a and wt1b. By performing detailed in situ hybridization analyses during zebrafish development, we discovered new expression domains for wt1a in the dorsal hindbrain, the caudal medulla and the spinal cord. Marker analysis identified wt1a expressing cells of the dorsal hindbrain as ependymal cells of the choroid plexus in the myelencephalic ventricle. The choroid plexus acts as a blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and thus is crucial for brain homeostasis. By employing wt1a mutant larvae and a dye accumulation assay with fluorescent tracers we demonstrate that Wt1a is required for proper choroid plexus formation and function. Thus, Wt1a contributes to the barrier properties of the choroid plexus in zebrafish, revealing an unexpected role for Wt1 in the zebrafish brain.
Graphene Oxide Catalyzed Synthesis of Fused Chromeno Spiro Pyrrolidine Oxindoles via Tandem Decarboxylation and 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition
Authors: Singh Vipin , Lakshmi Shanta Raj , Chowhan L. Raju
Published: January 2022

A short and efficient multicomponent sequence for synthesizing fused novel polyheterocyclic chromeno spiro-pyrrolidine oxindoles via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction mediated by reactive azomethine ylides catalyzed by the Graphene Oxide (GO) is reported herein. This approach was utilized for synthesizing fused polyheterocyclic spiro-pyrrolothiazole and spiro-pyrrole oxindoles with yields ranging from good to excellent. A heterogeneous GO catalyst with an ultra-low catalytic loading of 0.05 wt% could proficiently catalyze the reaction without the formation of any side products and can also be visualized by the formation of solid mass in the reaction flask. The methodology is green in nature and the products were isolated by simple filtration without the use of any chromatographic techniques.
On the Mechanism of the Steady-State Gamma Radiolysis-Induced Scissions of the Phenyl-Vinyl Polyester-Based Resins
Authors: González-López Lorelis , Kearney Logan , Janke Christopher J. , Wishart James , Kanbargi Nihal , Al-Sheikhly Mohamad
Published: January 2022

The major societal problem of polymeric waste necessitates new approaches to break down especially challenging discarded waste streams. Gamma radiation was utilized in conjunction with varying solvent environments in an attempt to discern the efficacy of radiolysis as a tool for the deliberate degradation of model network polyesters. Our EPR results demonstrated that gamma radiolysis of neat resin and in the presence of four widely used solvents induces glycosidic scissions on the backbone of the polyester chains. EPR results clearly show the formation of alkoxy radicals and C-centered radicals as primary intermediate radiolytic products. Despite the protective role of the phenyl groups on the backbone of the radiation-induced polyester chains, the radiolytic-glycosidic scissions predominate. Among the following three solvents used in this study (water, isopropyl alcohol, and dichloromethane), the highest radiolytic yield of glycosidic scission was achieved using water. The •OH radicals produced in the radiolysis of phenyl unsaturated polyester aqueous suspensions very rapidly abstract H atoms from the methylene group, which is followed by a very rapid glycosidic scission. The lowest glycosidic yield was found in the dichloromethane solutions of these polyester resins due to scavenging by the fast electron capture reactions.
Perspective on Micro-Supercapacitors
Authors: Sun Xiangfei , Chen Kunfeng , Liang Feng , Zhi Chunyi , Xue Dongfeng
Published: January 2022

The rapid development of portable, wearable, and implantable electronic devices greatly stimulated the urgent demand for modern society for multifunctional and miniaturized electrochemical energy storage devices and their integrated microsystems. This article reviews material design and manufacturing technology in different micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) along with devices integrate to achieve the targets of their various applications in recent years. Finally, We also critically prospect the future development directions and challenges of MSCs.
Photophysical Details and O2-Sensing Analysis of a Eu(III) Complex in Polymer Composite Nanofibers Prepared by Electrospinning
Authors: Cui Chunguo , Song Lina , Li Chao , Lin Tiantian , Shi Kaiyao
Published: January 2022

An as-synthesized Eu(III) complex, denoted as Eu(N-DPNQ)(TTD)3, was prepared and characterized, and the antenna mechanism between these ligands and central metal emitter was studied. Here DPNQ means 10-ethyl-10H-indolo [2′,3':5,6]pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline and TTD is 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(thiophen-2-yl)butane-1,3-dione. We find that Eu(N-DPNQ)(TTD)3 emission intensity dependents on oxygen concentration, and O2-sensing skill of Eu(N-DPNQ)(TTD)3 in polymer composite nanofibers of poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) prepared by electrospinning is investigated. Results reveal that the emission quenching of Eu(N-DPNQ)(TTD)3 is caused by the ground state (triplet) oxygen quenching on antenna ligands triplet state. The Eu(N-DPNQ)(TTD)3 doped composite nanofiber with a loading level of 6 wt% exhibits the best result with sensitivity of 2.43 and response time of 10 s, along with linear response.
Prediction of Prognosis in Adult Patients With Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection
Authors: Chen Jihui , Yang Yu , Yao Huimin , Bu Shuhong , Li Lixia , Wang Fang , Chen Feng , Yao Huijuan
Published: January 2022

Objective

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections are associated with poor patient outcomes. We aimed to analyze the clinical information of adult patients with CRKP infection in order to establish a nomogram for mortality risk as well as to determine the treatment effectiveness of different antimicrobial regimens.

Methods

Adult patients diagnosed with CRKP infection in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai between September 2019 and March 2021 were included. The clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of these patients were analyzed.

Results

A total of 199 cases of CRKP infection were examined. Five factors, namely age ≥65 years, respiratory failure, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, serum procalcitonin ≥5 ng/mL, and appropriate treatments in 3 days, were found to be associated with 30-day mortality. Upon incorporating these factors, the nomogram achieved good concordance indexes of 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–0.90) and well-fitted calibration curves. Receiver-operating characteristic curves for 7-, 15-, and 30-day survival had areas under the curve of 0.90, 0.87, and 0.88, respectively. Three-drug combination therapy was observed to be associated with lower mortality in the high-risk group (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06–0.99) but not in the low-risk group. Ceftazidime–avibactam, fosfomycin, and amikacin were effective against infections caused by CRKP. Tigecycline improved the treatment efficiency in 7 days, but a trend toward increased mortality was seen (HR, 1.69; 95% CI: 0.98–2.94; P = 0.061).

Conclusion

The antimicrobial regimen efficacy data and the predictive nomogram established in this study can help clinicians in identifying high-risk adult patients with CRKP infection, improving the therapeutic effect, and reducing mortality.
Eye Movement and Pupil Measures: A Review
Authors: Mahanama Bhanuka , Jayawardana Yasith , Rengarajan Sundararaman , Jayawardena Gavindya , Chukoskie Leanne , Snider Joseph , Jayarathna Sampath
Published: January 2022

Our subjective visual experiences involve complex interaction between our eyes, our brain, and the surrounding world. It gives us the sense of sight, color, stereopsis, distance, pattern recognition, motor coordination, and more. The increasing ubiquity of gaze-aware technology brings with it the ability to track gaze and pupil measures with varying degrees of fidelity. With this in mind, a review that considers the various gaze measures becomes increasingly relevant, especially considering our ability to make sense of these signals given different spatio-temporal sampling capacities. In this paper, we selectively review prior work on eye movements and pupil measures. We first describe the main oculomotor events studied in the literature, and their characteristics exploited by different measures. Next, we review various eye movement and pupil measures from prior literature. Finally, we discuss our observations based on applications of these measures, the benefits and practical challenges involving these measures, and our recommendations on future eye-tracking research directions.
Lacustrine Sediments Bacterial Community Structure Vertical Succession of the Linxia Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau: Significance for Paleoenvironment Reconstruction
Authors: Xu Song , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Xiaoxia , Yang Rong , Zhao Wei , Huang Zhiyong , Wang Yongli
Published: January 2022

The study on sediments in the marginal basins of the Tibetan Plateau is of great significance for global climate change. The geological information of the Linxia Basin has been intensely investigated; however, the profiles of the microbial communities in this basin remain largely unknown. Here, based on the 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing method, the bacterial community structure vertical succession is studied with different thicknesses of sedimentary samples. The bacterial community with a total of 1,729,658 paired reads distributed within 1,042 phylogenetic amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from twenty sediments, and three surrounding soil samples were sequenced. First, high-throughput sequencing results highlight the surrounding soil sample bacterial community structures were significantly different from those recovered from the sediment samples. In addition, as observed in the PCoA and PERMANOVA, there is a dramatic change shift event of the community structure at M311. Our data suggest that shifts in relative abundances of the abundant taxa (˃1%) and the significant variations in the diversity of bacterial community implied community structure responses to changes in different sedimentary layers. Predicted community function changes demonstrate that the sediment bacterial community aerobic chemoheterotrophy has been significantly increased, and we believe that the possible influence of the lithofacies changes from the anaerobic system to the aerobic environment, possibly accompanied by the significant uplift of the plateau that has previously been associated with enhanced aridity in Central Asia at ∼8 Ma. Taken together, these results illustrate the potential for the microbial community as a biological indicator in sediment ecosystems to reconstruct paleoenvironments.
Students’ Perception of the Role of Online Teachers:Comparing Routine and Emergency Times
Authors: Sason Hava , Wasserman Egoza , Safrai Mordechai Zvi , Romi Shlomo
Published: January 2022

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic forced the education system to instantly transition to online learning and teaching. Studies show that the challenges of emergency remote teaching (ERT) differ from those of online learning during routine times. Do student’s perceptions of teachers’ roles during online learning differ between ERT and routine online classes as well? Addressing this question can illuminate different aspects of the role of a teacher at different times, thus facilitating the improvement of online learning. This study compares students’ perceptions of their teachers’ roles in the online courses they attended during the pandemic, with perceptions of students who attended online courses in routine times when distance learning was a regular part of the academic program. The participants who attended online courses during routine times were 520 undergraduates in a teacher-education college. A second group of 475 undergraduates from the same college responded at the end of a semester of emergency online learning during the pandemic. Both groups answered questionnaires regarding their perception of four aspects of the role of online teachers: pedagogical, technical, affective, and differentiating. The findings showed that during emergency times, students had significantly higher expectations for teachers’ technical and affective roles than in routine times. However, students had lower expectations regarding teachers’ differentiating role during emergencies, and similar expectations for teachers’ pedagogical role in both situations. These findings highlight the need to plan curricula to suit different situations and different needs, and emphasize the different characteristics of the teachers’ role in different situations, in order to optimally address students’ needs in times of routine and emergency alike.
A Highly Efficient Graphene Gold Based Green Supercapacitor Coin Cell Device for Energy Storage
Authors: Vivas Leonardo , Singh Dinesh Pratap
Published: January 2022

Inclination to exploit renewable energy and their potential storage by facile, cost-effective, and above all in a green way are exactly what the current alternative energy research is looking for. The high-performance supercapacitor devices made up with the electrode materials synthesized in a simple and ecofriendly way are in utmost demand and the ultimate goal for widespread commercialization. Keeping these points in view, one pot green synthesis of active electrode material rGO-Au composite is achieved which not only performs as a very good supercapacitor in three-electrode configuration but also demonstrates extremely well as a coin cell device, ready to use. Ascorbic acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits, plays an important role to reduce graphene oxide into rGO and simultaneously gold salt into gold nanoparticles, resulting in rGO-Au composite. The maximum recorded specific capacitance by CV measurement is 303.02 Fg−1at a scan rate of 5 mVs−1. Hindrance in the commercialization is caused by the differences in the supercapacitor performances between three electrode configurations and finally the proposed device. Here the proposed coin cell device exhibits maximum areal and mass specific capacitance of 62.43 mFcm−2and 56.09 Fg−1, respectively, that is very high among all reported graphene based composite devices benefitted over with commercially viable high capacity retention up to 80% even after 10,000 cycles. The proposed device demonstrates high energy density (∼ ED= 7.79 Wh/Kg) comparable to batteries and an optimum power density (∼ PD= 2512.9 W/Kg) close to supercapacitor insinuating it is an effective green supercapacitor for commercialization.
Benefits and Costs of Mixed-Species Aggregations in Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones)
Authors: Escalante Ignacio , Domínguez Marisol , Gómez-Ruiz Daisy A. , Machado Glauco
Published: January 2022

Many animals form aggregations with individuals of the same species (single-species aggregations, SSA). Less frequently, individuals may also aggregate with individuals of other species (mixed-species aggregations, MSA). Although the benefits and costs of SSA have been intensively studied, the same is not true for MSA. Here, we first review the cases of MSA in harvestmen, an arachnid order in which the records of MSA are more frequent than other arthropod orders. We then propose several benefits and costs of MSA in harvestmen, and contrast them with those of SSA. Second, using field-gathered data we describe gregariousness in seven species ofPrionostemmaharvestmen from Costa Rica. These species form MSA, but individuals are also found solitarily or in SSA. We tested one possible benefit and one possible cost of gregariousness inPrionostemmaharvestmen. Regarding the benefit, we hypothesized that individuals missing legs would be more exposed to predation than eight-legged individuals and thus they should be found preferentially in aggregations, where they would be more protected from predators. Our data, however, do not support this hypothesis. Regarding the cost, we hypothesized that gregariousness increases the chances of parasitism. We found no support for this hypothesis either because both mite prevalence and infestation intensity did not differ between solitary or aggregated individuals. Additionally, the type of aggregation (SSA or MSA) was not associated with the benefit or the cost we explored. This lack of effect may be explained by the fluid membership of the aggregations, as we found high turnover over time in the number of individuals and species composition of the aggregations. In conclusion, we hope our review and empirical data stimulate further studies on MSA, which remains one of the most elusive forms of group living in animals.
Current Advances in N6-Methyladenosine Methylation Modification During Bladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Qiang
Published: January 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a dynamic, reversible post-transcriptional modification, and the most common internal modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA). Considerable evidence now shows that m6A alters gene expression, thereby regulating cell self-renewal, differentiation, invasion, and apoptotic processes. M6A methylation disorders are directly related to abnormal RNA metabolism, which may lead to tumor formation. M6A methyltransferase is the dominant catalyst during m6A modification; it removes m6A demethylase, promotes recognition by m6A binding proteins, and regulates mRNA metabolic processes. Bladder cancer (BC) is a urinary system malignant tumor, with complex etiology and high incidence rates. A well-differentiated or moderately differentiated pathological type at initial diagnosis accounts for most patients with BC. For differentiated superficial bladder urothelial carcinoma, the prognosis is normally good after surgery. However, due to poor epithelial cell differentiation, BC urothelial cell proliferation and infiltration may lead to invasive or metastatic BC, which lowers the 5-years survival rate and significantly affects clinical treatments in elderly patients. Here, we review the latest progress in m6A RNA methylation research and investigate its regulation on BC occurrence and development.
Opportunities Surrounding the Use of Sargassum Biomass as Precursor of Biogas, Bioethanol, and Biodiesel Production
Authors: Orozco-González Jorge Gabriel , Amador-Castro Fernando , Gordillo-Sierra Angela R. , García-Cayuela Tomás , Alper Hal S. , Carrillo-Nieves Danay
Published: January 2022

Climate change (along with other factors) has caused an increase in the proliferation of brown algal mats floating freely along the Atlantic Ocean since 2011. These brown algae mats are composed of sea plants from the Sargassum genus. The gargantuan agglomeration of biomass flows alongside currents and lands in beaches belonging to the Eastern coasts of the Mexican Caribbean and several other countries in the region. These events, dubbed golden tides, harm the local economy and environment. Current elimination approaches involve the mechanical harvesting of the Sargassum and ultimate landfill disposal. However, explorations into the commercial application of other brown algae have elucidated the potential of Sargassum as a feedstock for valorization. This review informs the trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by the coastal invasion of this biomass. Primarily, the potential use of this material is as a precursor in biorefineries where multiple value-added products are generated concurrent with the ultimate production of biofuels.
Animal Model of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Infection
Authors: Sun Jiawen , Min Yuan-Qin , Li Yunjie , Sun Xiulian , Deng Fei , Wang Hualin , Ning Yun-Jia
Published: January 2022

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), an emerging life-threatening infectious disease caused by SFTS bunyavirus (SFTSV; genus Bandavirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales), has been a significant medical problem. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutic agents available and the viral pathogenesis remains largely unclear. Developing appropriate animal models capable of recapitulating SFTSV infection in humans is crucial for both the study of the viral pathogenic processes and the development of treatment and prevention strategies. Here, we review the current progress in animal models for SFTSV infection by summarizing susceptibility of various potential animal models to SFTSV challenge and the clinical manifestations and histopathological changes in these models. Together with exemplification of studies on SFTSV molecular mechanisms, vaccine candidates, and antiviral drugs, in which animal infection models are utilized, the strengths and limitations of the existing SFTSV animal models and some important directions for future research are also discussed. Further exploration and optimization of SFTSV animal models and the corresponding experimental methods will be undoubtedly valuable for elucidating the viral infection and pathogenesis and evaluating vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Fault Injection Attacks in Spiking Neural Networks and Countermeasures
Authors: Nagarajan Karthikeyan , Li Junde , Ensan Sina Sayyah , Kannan Sachhidh , Ghosh Swaroop
Published: January 2022

Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) are fast emerging as an alternative option to Deep Neural Networks (DNN). They are computationally more powerful and provide higher energy-efficiency than DNNs. While exciting at first glance, SNNs contain security-sensitive assets (e.g., neuron threshold voltage) and vulnerabilities (e.g., sensitivity of classification accuracy to neuron threshold voltage change) that can be exploited by the adversaries. We explore global fault injection attacks using external power supply and laser-induced local power glitches on SNN designed using common analog neurons to corrupt critical training parameters such as spike amplitude and neuron’s membrane threshold potential. We also analyze the impact of power-based attacks on the SNN for digit classification task and observe a worst-case classification accuracy degradation of −85.65%. We explore the impact of various design parameters of SNN (e.g., learning rate, spike trace decay constant, and number of neurons) and identify design choices for robust implementation of SNN. We recover classification accuracy degradation by 30–47% for a subset of power-based attacks by modifying SNN training parameters such as learning rate, trace decay constant, and neurons per layer. We also propose hardware-level defenses, e.g., a robust current driver design that is immune to power-oriented attacks, improved circuit sizing of neuron components to reduce/recover the adversarial accuracy degradation at the cost of negligible area, and 25% power overhead. We also propose a dummy neuron-based detection of voltage fault injection at ∼1% power and area overhead each.
Transitional and Long-Term Care System in Japan and Current Challenges for Stroke Patient Rehabilitation
Authors: Kinoshita Shoji , Abo Masahiro , Okamoto Takatsugu , Miyamura Kohei
Published: January 2022

In Japan, the national medical insurance system and long-term care insurance (LTCI) system cover rehabilitation therapy for patients with acute, convalescent, and chronic stroke. Medical insurance covers early and multidisciplinary rehabilitation therapy during acute phase hospitalizations. Patients requiring assistance in their activities of daily living (ADL) after hospitalization are transferred to kaifukuki (convalescent) rehabilitation wards (KRW), which the medical insurance system has also covered. In these wards, patients can receive intensive and multidisciplinary rehabilitation therapy to improve their ADL and transition to a smooth home discharge. After discharge from these hospitals, elderly patients with stroke can receive outpatient (day-care) rehabilitation and home-based rehabilitation using the LTCI system. The Japanese government has proposed building a community-based integrated care system by 2025 to provide comprehensive medical services, long-term care, preventive care, housing, and livelihood support for patients. This policy aims to promote smooth coordination between medical insurance services and LTCI providers. Accordingly, the medical insurance system allows hospitals to receive additional fees by providing patient information to rehabilitation service providers in the LTCI system. A comprehensive database on acute, convalescent, and chronic phase stroke patients and seamless cooperation between the medical care system and LTCI system is expected to be established in the future. There are only 2,613 board-certified physiatrists in Japan, and many medical schools lack a department for rehabilitation medicine; establishing such a department at each school is encouraged to teach students efficient medical care procedures, to conduct research, and to facilitate the training of personnel in comprehensive stroke rehabilitation.
Proposal for a Unitary Anatomo-Clinical and Radiological Classification of Third Mobile Window Abnormalities
Authors: Reynard Pierre , Idriss Samar , Ltaief-Boudrigua Aicha , Bertholon Pierre , Pirvan Andreea , Truy Eric , Thai-Van Hung , Ionescu Eugen C.
Published: January 2022

Introduction: An increased number of otic capsule dehiscence (OCD) variants relying on the third window pathomechanism have been reported lately. Therefore, a characterization of the anatomical structures involved and an accurate radiological description of the third window (TW) interface location have become essential for improving the diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic modalities. The purpose of this article is to propose a classification based on clinical, anatomical, and radiological data of third mobile window abnormalities (TMWA) and to discuss the alleged pathomechanism in lesser-known clinical variants.

Materials and Methods: The imaging records of 259 patients who underwent, over the last 6 years, a high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the petrosal bone for conductive hearing loss were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with degenerative, traumatic, or chronic infectious petrosal bone pathology were excluded. As cases with a clinical presentation similar to those of a TW syndrome have recently been described in the literature but without these being confirmed radiologically, we thought it necessary to be integrated in a separated branch of this classification as “CT - TMWA.” The same goes for certain intralabyrinthine pathologies also recently reported in the literature, which mimic to some extent the symptoms of a TW pathology. Therefore, we suggest to call them intralabyrinthine TW-like abnormalities.

Results: Temporal bone HRCT and, in some cases, 3T MRI of 97 patients presenting symptomatic or pauci-symptomatic, single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral OCD were used to develop this classification. According to the topography and anatomical structures involved at the site of the interface of the TW, a third-type classification of OCD is proposed.

Conclusions: A classification reuniting all types of TMWA as the one proposed in this article would allow for a better systematization and understanding of this complex pathology and possibly paves the way for innovative therapeutic approaches. To encompass all clinical and radiological variants of TMWA reported in the literature so far, TMWAs have been conventionally divided into two major subgroups: Extralabyrinthine (or “true” OCD with three subtypes) and Intralabyrinthine (in which an additional mobile window-like mechanism is highly suspected) or TMWA-like subtype. Along these subgroups, clinical forms of OCD with multiple localization (multiple OCD) and those that, despite the fact that they have obvious characteristics of OCD have a negative CT scan (or CT – TMWA), were also included.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Is Associated With Non-motor Symptoms of Multiple System Atrophy: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Wang Hui , Tang Xiangdong , Zhou Junying , Xu Yanming
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in multiple system atrophy (MSA) has received scant attention in the literature, thus the present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EDS and its potential risk factors among Chinese patients with MSA.

Methods: A total of 66 patients with MSA (60.6% males) were consecutively recruited. Eighteen patients (27.3%, 13 men) with Epworth Sleepiness Scale score >10 were defined as having EDS. Demographic, motor [Unified Multiple-System Atrophy (UMSARS)] and non-motor symptoms [Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS)], and sleep parameters [polysomnography (PSG)] were compared between patients with MSA with and without EDS. A logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk factors of EDS in patients with MSA.

Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, MSA onset age, disease duration, MSA sub-type, and motor symptom severity between MSA patients with and without EDS. However, compared with the MSA patients without EDS, their counterparts with EDS had higher scores of NMSS (65.3 ± 23.1 vs. 43.4 ± 25.3, P = .0002), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) [15.3 (10.3–20.0) vs. 9.5 (3.0–15.0), P = 0.006], Hamilton Depression (HAMD) [13.7 (12.5–17.8) vs. 9.0 (4.0–13.0), P = 0.015], and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) [29.8 (17.3–47.8) vs. 18.7 (10.3–21.8), P = 0.040]. Conversely, the patients with EDS had lower score of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) [23.3 (20.3–27.0) vs. 25.7 (22.0–29.0), P = 0.023]. Similarly, there was a significantly lower percentage of N3 sleep (%) [0.3 (0–0) vs. 2.0 (0–0), P = 0.007] and a higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI/h) [30.5 (14.5–47.8) vs. 19.3 (5.0–28.7), P = 0.034] in patients with EDS. After adjusting for age, sex, disease duration, MSA sub-type, and UMSARS score, the odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of EDS was higher while increasing scores in FSS [1.06 (1.02–1.11)], HAMA [1.16 (1.04–1.28)], HAMD [1.13 (1.02–1.25)], NMSS [1.04 (1.01–1.07)], and AHI [1.03 (1.00–1.10)]. The OR of EDS was lower while the MMSE score was increasing [0.85 (0.72–1.00)].

Conclusions: The presence and severity of EDS may be significantly associated with the non-motor dysfunction, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep-related breathing disorder, but not with the motor dysfunction in MSA.
The Impact of Pitch and Timbre Cues on Auditory Grouping and Stream Segregation
Authors: Oh Yonghee , Zuwala Jillian C. , Salvagno Caitlin M. , Tilbrook Grace A.
Published: January 2022

In multi-talker listening environments, the culmination of different voice streams may lead to the distortion of each source’s individual message, causing deficits in comprehension. Voice characteristics, such as pitch and timbre, are major dimensions of auditory perception and play a vital role in grouping and segregating incoming sounds based on their acoustic properties. The current study investigated how pitch and timbre cues (determined by fundamental frequency, notated as F0, and spectral slope, respectively) can affect perceptual integration and segregation of complex-tone sequences within an auditory streaming paradigm. Twenty normal-hearing listeners participated in a traditional auditory streaming experiment using two alternating sequences of harmonic tone complexes A and B with manipulating F0 and spectral slope. Grouping ranges, the F0/spectral slope ranges over which auditory grouping occurs, were measured with various F0/spectral slope differences between tones A and B. Results demonstrated that the grouping ranges were maximized in the absence of the F0/spectral slope differences between tones A and B and decreased by 2 times as their differences increased to ±1-semitone F0 and ±1-dB/octave spectral slope. In other words, increased differences in either F0 or spectral slope allowed listeners to more easily distinguish between harmonic stimuli, and thus group them together less. These findings suggest that pitch/timbre difference cues play an important role in how we perceive harmonic sounds in an auditory stream, representing our ability to group or segregate human voices in a multi-talker listening environment.
Predictive Neuronal Adaptation as a Basis for Consciousness
Authors: Luczak Artur , Kubo Yoshimasa
Published: January 2022

Being able to correctly predict the future and to adjust own actions accordingly can offer a great survival advantage. In fact, this could be the main reason why brains evolved. Consciousness, the most mysterious feature of brain activity, also seems to be related to predicting the future and detecting surprise: a mismatch between actual and predicted situation. Similarly at a single neuron level, predicting future activity and adapting synaptic inputs accordingly was shown to be the best strategy to maximize the metabolic energy for a neuron. Following on these ideas, here we examined if surprise minimization by single neurons could be a basis for consciousness. First, we showed in simulations that as a neural network learns a new task, then the surprise within neurons (defined as the difference between actual and expected activity) changes similarly to the consciousness of skills in humans. Moreover, implementing adaptation of neuronal activity to minimize surprise at fast time scales (tens of milliseconds) resulted in improved network performance. This improvement is likely because adapting activity based on the internal predictive model allows each neuron to make a more “educated” response to stimuli. Based on those results, we propose that the neuronal predictive adaptation to minimize surprise could be a basic building block of conscious processing. Such adaptation allows neurons to exchange information about own predictions and thus to build more complex predictive models. To be precise, we provide an equation to quantify consciousness as the amount of surprise minus the size of the adaptation error. Since neuronal adaptation can be studied experimentally, this can allow testing directly our hypothesis. Specifically, we postulate that any substance affecting neuronal adaptation will also affect consciousness. Interestingly, our predictive adaptation hypothesis is consistent with multiple ideas presented previously in diverse theories of consciousness, such as global workspace theory, integrated information, attention schema theory, and predictive processing framework. In summary, we present a theoretical, computational, and experimental support for the hypothesis that neuronal adaptation is a possible biological mechanism of conscious processing, and we discuss how this could provide a step toward a unified theory of consciousness.
Infant Food Responsiveness in the Context of Temperament and Mothers' Use of Food to Soothe
Authors: Harris Holly A. , Moore Amy M. , Ruggiero Cara F. , Bailey-Davis Lisa , Savage Jennifer S.
Published: January 2022

Parents' use of food to soothe an infants' non-hunger related distress may impair an infants' development of appetite self-regulation. Parents tend to use food to soothe if their infant has more ‘difficult' temperamental tendencies. However, the role of infant appetite in this association is unclear. This study investigates the moderating effect of infant food responsiveness on cross-sectional and prospective associations between infant temperament and mothers' use of food to soothe. Mothers (n = 200) from low-income households reported their infants' temperament (i.e., surgency, negative affect and regulation) and food responsiveness at age 4 months, and their use of food to soothe at age 4 and 6 months. Temperament × food responsiveness interactions on mothers' use of food to soothe were examined using general linear models, adjusting for covariates. Cross-sectional associations showed that mothers used more food to soothe at 4 months for infants who were lower in negative affect and higher in food responsiveness (negative affect × food responsiveness interaction: p = 0.03). Prospective associations showed that mothers used more food to soothe at 6 months for infants who were lower in regulation and higher in food responsiveness (infant regulation × food responsiveness interaction: p = 0.009). Other interactions were not significant. Infant food responsiveness was consistently associated with mothers' use of food to soothe, independent of some temperamental dimensions. The findings highlight the salience of infant food responsiveness, both independent of and in association with temperament, on mothers' use of food to soothe.
A Transfer Learning Radiomics Nomogram for Preoperative Prediction of Borrmann Type IV Gastric Cancer From Primary Gastric Lymphoma
Authors: Feng Bao , Huang Liebin , Liu Yu , Chen Yehang , Zhou Haoyang , Yu Tianyou , Xue Huimin , Chen Qinxian , Zhou Tao , Kuang Qionglian , Yang Zhiqi , Chen Xiangguang , Chen Xiaofeng , Peng Zhenpeng , Long Wansheng
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aims to differentiate preoperative Borrmann type IV gastric cancer (GC) from primary gastric lymphoma (PGL) by transfer learning radiomics nomogram (TLRN) with whole slide images of GC as source domain data.

Materials and Methods

This study retrospectively enrolled 438 patients with histopathologic diagnoses of Borrmann type IV GC and PGL. They received CT examinations from three hospitals. Quantitative transfer learning features were extracted by the proposed transfer learning radiopathomic network and used to construct transfer learning radiomics signatures (TLRS). A TLRN, which integrates TLRS, clinical factors, and CT subjective findings, was developed by multivariate logistic regression. The diagnostic TLRN performance was assessed by clinical usefulness in the independent validation set.

Results

The TLRN was built by TLRS and a high enhanced serosa sign, which showed good agreement by the calibration curve. The TLRN performance was superior to the clinical model and TLRS. Its areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.958 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.883–0.991), 0.867 (95% CI, 0.794–0.922), and 0.921 (95% CI, 0.860–0.960) in the internal and two external validation cohorts, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that the TLRN was better than any other model. TLRN has potential generalization ability, as shown in the stratification analysis.

Conclusions

The proposed TLRN based on gastric WSIs may help preoperatively differentiate PGL from Borrmann type IV GC.

Borrmann type IV gastric cancer, primary gastric lymphoma, transfer learning, whole slide image, deep learning.
Case Report: Sudden Fatal Hemorrhage in Ulcerative Fungal Laryngotracheitis—A Pediatric Case Report
Authors: Porzionato Andrea , Stocco Elena , Emmi Aron , Macchi Veronica , De Caro Raffaele
Published: January 2022

In this report, we describe an autopsy case of a child affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia and opportunistic pulmonary aspergillosis. The patient died because of a full-thickness tracheal wall ulceration with right inferior thyroid artery lesion and sudden hemorrhage, likely ascribable to undiagnosed invasive Aspergillus laryngotracheitis. Aspergillus infection, particularly in immunocompromised patients, should be considered an urgent risk factor to manage as it may lead to sudden fatal events in absence of evident critical symptoms.
Non-invasive High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation as Initial Respiratory Support for Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Lai Shu-Hua , Xie Ying-Ling , Chen Zhi-Qing , Chen Rong , Cai Wen-Hong , Wu Luo-Cheng , Lin Yun-Feng , Zheng Yi-Rong
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of nHFOV as initial respiratory support in preterm infants with RDS.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 244 premature infants with RDS who were treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 and divided into the nHFOV group (n = 115) and the BiPAP group (n = 129) based on the initial respiratory support method.

Results: Respiratory outcomes showed that the rate of NIV failure during the first 72 hours of life in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group. The time of NIV in the nHFOV group was significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. The time of supplemental oxygen in the nHFOV group was significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. The incidence of air leakage syndrome in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group, and the length of hospital stay of the nHFOV group was also significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. Although the rate of infants diagnosed with BPD was similar between the two groups, the rate of severe BPD in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group.

Conclusion: This study showed that nHFOV as initial respiratory support for preterm infants with RDS was feasible and safe compared to BiPAP. Furthermore, nHFOV can reduce the need for IMV and reduce the incidence of severe BPD and air leak syndrome.
Effects of Antihypertensive Drugs Use on Risk and Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 37 Observational Studies
Authors: Deng Yujiao , Xie Yuxiu , Wang Meng , Xu Peng , Wei Bajin , Li Na , Wu Ying , Yang Si , Zhou Linghui , Hao Qian , Lyu Lijuan , Zhang Dai , Dai Zhijun
Published: January 2022

Background: Antihypertensive drugs might play a key role in the risk and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. However, current epidemiologic evidence remains inconsistent. The aim of this study is to quantify the association between antihypertensive drugs and colorectal cancer.

Methods: To identify available studies, we systematically searched electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library. The risk estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were collected and analyzed by using random-effects models. Heterogeneity test and sensitivity analysis were also performed.

Results: Overall, 37 observational studies were included in this analysis (26 studies with cohort design, three studies with nested case-control design, and 8 studies with case-control design). Antihypertensive drugs did not present a significant effect on the risk or overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer [Risk ratio (RR) = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95–1.04; Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.84–1.02]. In the subgroup analysis, diuretics use was significantly associated with a worse overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer (HR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.14–1.40). However, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers was associated with improved progression-free survival of patients who suffered from colorectal cancer (HR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72–0.95).

Conclusion: Antihypertensive drug usage did not influence the risk and overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer in general. Further investigation reminded us that diuretics use might reduce the overall survival time in colorectal cancer patients, whereas those who took Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers had a longer progression-free survival.
Endothelial Cells Promote Osteogenesis by Establishing a Functional and Metabolic Coupling With Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Petrillo Sara , Genova Tullio , Chinigò Giorgia , Roato Ilaria , Scarpellino Giorgia , Kopecka Joanna , Altruda Fiorella , Tolosano Emanuela , Riganti Chiara , Mussano Federico , Munaron Luca
Published: January 2022

Bone formation involves a complex crosstalk between endothelial cells (EC) and osteodifferentiating stem cells. This functional interplay is greatly mediated by the paracrine and autocrine action of soluble factors released at the vasculature-bone interface. This study elucidates the molecular and functional responses triggered by this intimate interaction. In this study, we showed that human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) induced the expression of pro-angiogenic factors in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and sustain their osteo-differentiation at the same time. In contrast, osteodifferentiating SHED increased EC recruitment and promoted the formation of complex vascular networks. Moreover, HMEC enhanced anaerobic glycolysis in proliferating SHED without compromising their ability to undergo the oxidative metabolic shift required for adequate osteo-differentiation. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the synergistic cooperation between EC and stem cells during bone tissue renewal.
Pollen Number and Ribosome Gene Expression Altered in a Genome-Editing Mutant of REDUCED POLLEN NUMBER1 Gene
Authors: Kakui Hiroyuki , Tsuchimatsu Takashi , Yamazaki Misako , Hatakeyama Masaomi , Shimizu Kentaro K.
Published: January 2022

The number of pollen grains varies within and between species. However, little is known about the molecular basis of this quantitative trait, in contrast with the many studies available on cell differentiation in the stamen. Recently, the first gene responsible for pollen number variation, REDUCED POLLEN NUMBER1 (RDP1), was isolated by genome-wide association studies of Arabidopsis thaliana and exhibited the signature of natural selection. This gene encodes a homolog of yeast Mrt4 (mRNA turnover4), which is an assembly factor of the large ribosomal subunit. However, no further data were available to link ribosome function to pollen development. Here, we characterized the RDP1 gene using the standard A. thaliana accession Col-0. The frameshift mutant, rdp1-3 generated by CRISPR/Cas9 revealed the pleiotropic effect of RDP1 in flowering, thus demonstrating that this gene is required for a broad range of processes other than pollen development. We found that the natural Col-0 allele conferred a reduced pollen number against the Bor-4 allele, as assessed using the quantitative complementation test, which is more sensitive than transgenic experiments. Together with a historical recombination event in Col-0, which was identified by sequence alignment, these results suggest that the coding sequence of RDP1 is the candidate region responsible for the natural phenotypic variation. To elucidate the biological processes in which RDP1 is involved, we conducted a transcriptome analysis. We found that genes responsible for ribosomal large subunit assembly/biogenesis were enriched among the differentially regulated genes, which supported the hypothesis that ribosome biogenesis is disturbed in the rdp1-3 mutant. Among the pollen-development genes, three key genes encoding basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS), bHLH010, and bHLH089), as well as direct downstream genes of AMS, were downregulated in the rdp1-3 mutant. In summary, our results suggest a specialized function of ribosomes in pollen development through RDP1, which harbors natural variants under selection.
Fresh Produce Safety and Quality: Chlorine Dioxide’s Role
Authors: Malka Siva Kumar , Park Me-Hea
Published: January 2022

Maintaining microbial safety and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables are a global concern. Harmful microbes can contaminate fresh produce at any stage from farm to fork. Microbial contamination can affect the quality and shelf-life of fresh produce, and the consumption of contaminated food can cause foodborne illnesses. Additionally, there has been an increased emphasis on the freshness and appearance of fresh produce by modern consumers. Hence, disinfection methods that not only reduce microbial load but also preserve the quality of fresh produce are required. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has emerged as a better alternative to chlorine-based disinfectants. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of gaseous and aqueous ClO2 in inhibiting microbial growth immediately after treatment (short-term effect) versus regulating microbial growth during storage of fresh produce (long-term effect). We further elaborate upon the effects of ClO2 application on retaining or enhancing the quality of fresh produce and discuss the current understanding of the mode of action of ClO2 against microbes affecting fresh produce.