bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The comparison effects of intra-articular injection of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (PRGF), Hyaluronic Acid (HA), and ozone in knee osteoarthritis; a one year randomized clinical trial
Authors: Raeissadat Seyed Ahmad , Ghazi Hosseini Parsa , Bahrami Mohammad Hasan , Salman Roghani Reza , Fathi Mohammad , Gharooee Ahangar Azadeh , Darvish Mahtab
Published: February 2021

Background

Our study compare the short and long-term efficacy of the intra articular injections (IAIs) of hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), and ozone in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 238 patients with mild to moderate knee OA were randomized into 4 groups of IAIs: HA (3 doses weekly), PRP (2 doses with 3 weeks interval), PRGF (2 doses with 3 weeks interval), and Ozone (3 doses weekly). Our outcome measures were the mean changes from baseline (immediately from the first injections) until 2,6, and 12 months post intervention in scores of visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne index.

Results

A total of 200 patients enrolled in the final analysis. The mean age of patients was 56.9 ± 6.3 years, and 69.5% were women. In 2 months follow up, significant improvement of pain, stiffness, and function were seen in all groups compared to the baseline, but the ozone group had the best results (P < 0.05). In 6 month follow up HA, PRP, and PRGF groups demonstrated better therapeutic effects in all scores in comparison with ozone (P < 0.05). At the end of the 12th month, only PRGF and PRP groups had better results versus HA and ozone groups in all scores (P < 0.05). Despite the fact that ozone showed better early results, its effects begin to wear off earlier than other products and ultimately disappear in 12 months.

Conclusions

Ozone injection had rapid effects and better short-term results after 2 months, but its therapeutic effects did not persist after 6 months and at the 6-month follow up, PRP,PRGF and HA were superior to ozone. Only patients in PRP and PRGF groups improved symptoms persisted for 12 months. Therefore, these products could be the preferable choices for long-term management.

Trial registration

Registered in the Iranian Center of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) in 11/11/2017 with the following code: IRCT2017082013442N17.
Discovery and validation of methylation signatures in blood-based circulating tumor cell-free DNA in early detection of colorectal carcinoma: a case–control study
Authors: Sui Jinke , Wu Xianrui , Wang Chenyang , Wang Guoqiang , Li Chengcheng , Zhao Jing , Zhang Yuzi , Xiang Jianxing , Xu Yu , Nian Weiqi , Cao Fuao , Yu Guanyu , Lou Zheng , Hao Liqiang , Liu Lianjie , Li Bingsi , Zhang Zhihong , Cai Shangli , Liu Hao , Lan Ping , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2021

Background

Early detection of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) would help to identify tumors when curative treatments are available and beneficial. However, current screening methods for CRC, e.g., colonoscopy, may affect patients’ compliance due to the uncomfortable, invasive and time-consuming process. In recent decades, methylation profiles of blood-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have shown promising results in the early detection of multiple tumors. Here we conducted a study to investigate the performance of ctDNA methylation markers in early detection of CRC.

Results

In total, 742 participants were enrolled in the study including CRC (n = 332), healthy control (n = 333), benign colorectal disease (n = 65) and advanced adenoma (n = 12). After age-matched and randomization, 298 participants (149 cancer and 149 healthy control) were included in training set and 141 (67 cancer and 74 healthy control) were in test set. In the training set, the specificity was 89.3% (83.2–93.7%) and the sensitivity was 88.6% (82.4–93.2%). In terms of different stages, the sensitivities were 79.4% (62.1–91.2%) in patients with stage I, 88.9% (77.3–95.8%) in patients with stage II, 91.4% (76.9–98.2%) in patients with stage III and 96.2% (80.3–99.9%) in patients with stage IV. Similar results were validated in the test set with the specificity of 91.9% (83.1–97.0%) and sensitivity of 83.6% (72.5–91.6%). Sensitivities for stage I-III were 87.0% (79.7–92.4%) in the training set and 82.5% (70.2–91.3%) in the test set, respectively. In the unmatched total population, the positive ratios were 7.8% (5.2–11.2%) in healthy control, 30.8% (19.9–43.5%) in benign colorectal disease and 58.3% (27.5–84.7%) in advanced adenoma, while the sensitivities of stage I–IV were similar with training and test sets. Compared with methylated SEPT9 model, the present model had higher sensitivity (87.0% [81.8–91.2%] versus 41.2% [34.6–48.1%], P < 0.001) under comparable specificity (90.1% [85.4–93.7%] versus 90.6% [86.0–94.1%]).

Conclusions

Together our findings showed that ctDNA methylation markers were promising in the early detection of CRC. Further validation of this model is warranted in prospective studies.
microRNA-186 in extracellular vesicles from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviates idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via interaction with SOX4 and DKK1
Authors: Zhou Jing , Lin Yang , Kang Xiuhua , Liu Zhicheng , Zhang Wei , Xu Fei
Published: February 2021

Background

Previous reports have identified that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) with their cargo microRNAs (miRNAs) are a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Therefore, we explored whether delivery of microRNA-186 (miR-186), a downregulated miRNA in IPF, by BMSC EVs could interfere with the progression of IPF in a murine model.

Methods

In a co-culture system, we assessed whether BMSC-EVs modulated the activation of fibroblasts. We established a mouse model of PF to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effects of BMSC-EVs and determined miR-186 expression in BMSC-EVs by polymerase chain reaction. Using a loss-of-function approach, we examined how miR-186 delivered by BMSC-EVs affected fibroblasts. The putative relationship between miR-186 and SRY-related HMG box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) was tested using luciferase assay. Next, we investigated whether EV-miR-186 affected fibroblast activation and PF by targeting SOX4 and its downstream gene, Dickkopf-1 (DKK1).

Results

BMSC-EVs suppressed lung fibroblast activation and delayed IPF progression in mice. miR-186 was downregulated in IPF but enriched in the BMSC-EVs. miR-186 delivered by BMSC-EVs could suppress fibroblast activation. Furthermore, miR-186 reduced the expression of SOX4, a target gene of miR-186, and hence suppressed the expression of DKK1. Finally, EV-delivered miR-186 impaired fibroblast activation and alleviated PF via downregulation of SOX4 and DKK1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, miR-186 delivered by BMSC-EVs suppressed SOX4 and DKK1 expression, thereby blocking fibroblast activation and ameliorating IPF, thus presenting a novel therapeutic target for IPF.
Dynamic proteomic profiling of human periodontal ligament stem cells during osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Li Jianjia , Wang Zhifa , Huang Xiangyu , Wang Zhaodan , Chen Zehao , Wang Runting , Chen Zhao , Liu Wei , Wu Buling , Fang Fuchun , Qiu Wei
Published: February 2021

Background

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) are ideal seed cells for periodontal regeneration. A greater understanding of the dynamic protein profiles during osteogenic differentiation contributed to the improvement of periodontal regeneration tissue engineering.

Methods

Tandem Mass Tag quantitative proteomics was utilized to reveal the temporal protein expression pattern during osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs on days 0, 3, 7 and 14. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were clustered and functional annotated by Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, followed by the predicted activation using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Interaction networks of redox-sensitive signalling pathways and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were conducted and the hub protein SOD2 was validated with western blotting.

Results

A total of 1024 DEPs were identified and clustered in 5 distinctive clusters representing dynamic tendencies. The GO enrichment results indicated that proteins with different tendencies show different functions. Pathway enrichment analysis found that OXPHOS was significantly involved, which further predicted continuous activation. Redox-sensitive signalling pathways with dynamic activation status showed associations with OXPHOS to various degrees, especially the sirtuin signalling pathway. SOD2, an important component of the sirtuin pathway, displays a persistent increase during osteogenesis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD020908.

Conclusion

This is the first in-depth dynamic proteomic analysis of osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. It demonstrated a dynamic regulatory mechanism of hPDLSC osteogenesis and might provide a new perspective for research on periodontal regeneration.

Graphical abstract
The effect of endothelial progenitor cell transplantation on neointimal hyperplasia and reendothelialisation after balloon catheter injury in rat carotid arteries
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Yingqian , Hui Hui , Tong Wei , Wei Zechen , Li Zhongxuan , Zhang Suhui , Yang Xin , Tian Jie , Chen Yundai
Published: February 2021

Background

Reendothelialisation is the natural pathway that inhibits neointimal hyperplasia and in-stent restenosis. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow (BM) might contribute to endothelial repair. However, the temporal and spatial distributions of reendothelialisation and neointimal hyperplasia after EPC transplantation in injured arteries are currently unclear.

Methods

A carotid balloon injury (BI) model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats, and PKH26-labelled BM-derived EPCs were transplanted after BI. The carotid arteries were harvested on the first, fourth, seventh, and 14th day post-injury and analysed via light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and pathological staining (n = 3). EPC and human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture supernatants were collected, and blood samples were collected before and after transplantation. The paracrine effects of VEGF, IGF-1, and TGF-β1 in cell culture supernatants and serum were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (n = 4).

Results

Transplanted EPCs labelled with PKH26 were attached to the injured luminal surface the first day after BI. In the sham operation group, the transplanted EPCs did not adhere to the luminal surface. From the fourth day after BI, the mean fluorescence intensity of PKH26 decreased significantly. However, reendothelialisation and inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia were significantly promoted by transplanted EPCs. The degree of reendothelialisation of the EPC7d and EPC14d groups was higher than that of the BI7d and BI14d groups, and the difference in neointimal hyperplasia was observed between the EPC14d and BI14d groups. The number of endothelial cells on the luminal surface of the EPC14d group was higher than that of the BI14d group. The number of infiltrated macrophages in the injured artery decreased in the EPC transplanted groups.

Conclusions

Transplanted EPCs had chemotactic enrichment and attached to the injured arterial luminal surface. Although decreasing significantly after the fourth day at the site of injury after transplantation, transplanted EPCs could still promote reendothelialisation and inhibit neointimal hyperplasia. The underlying mechanism is through paracrine cytokines and not differentiation into mature endothelial cells.
Neuregulin 1/ErbB4 signaling contributes to the anti-epileptic effects of the ketogenic diet
Authors: Wang Jin , Huang Jie , Li Yuan-Quan , Yao Shan , Wu Cui-Hong , Wang Ying , Gao Feng , Xu Min-Dong , Huang Guo-Bin , Zhao Chang-Qin , Wu Jia-Hui , Zhang Yun-Long , Jiao Renjie , Deng Zi-Hao , Jie Wei , Li Hui-Bin , Xuan Aiguo , Sun Xiang-Dong
Published: February 2021

Background

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been recognized as a potentially effective therapy to treat neuropsychiatric diseases, including epilepsy. Previous studies have indicated that KD treatment elevates γ-Amino butyric acid (GABA) levels in both human and murine brains, which presumably contributes to the KD’s anti-seizure effects. However, this has not been systematically investigated at the synaptic level, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Methods

Kainic acid (KA)-induced acute and chronic seizure models were utilized to examine the effects of KD treatment on seizure threshold and epileptogenesis. Synaptic activities in the hippocampus were recorded with the technique of electrophysiology. The effects of the KD on Neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) expression were assessed via RNA sequencing, real-time PCR and Western blotting. The obligatory role of Nrg1 in KD’s effects on seizures was evaluated through disruption of Nrg1 signaling in mice by genetically deleting its receptor-ErbB4.

Results

We found that KD treatment suppressed seizures in both acute and chronic seizure models and enhanced presynaptic GABA release probability in the hippocampus. By screening molecular targets linked to GABAergic activity with transcriptome analysis, we identified that KD treatment dramatically increased the Nrg1 gene expression in the hippocampus. Disruption of Nrg1 signaling by genetically deleting its receptor-ErbB4 abolished KD’s effects on GABAergic activity and seizures.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a critical role of Nrg1/ErbB4 signaling in mediating KD’s effects on GABAergic activity and seizures, shedding light on developing new therapeutic interventions to seizure control.
Impact of electron beam irradiation on the chlorophyll degradation and antioxidant capacity of mango fruit
Authors: Nguyen Truc Trung , Uthairatanakij Apiradee , Srilaong Varit , Laohakunjit Natta , Kato Masaya , Jitareerat Pongphen
Published: February 2021

At the present, the mechanism of chlorophyll degradation in response to ionizing irradiation in harvested fruits have not been examined. To understand the effect of electron beam (E-beam) irradiation on the chlorophyll degrading pathway in relation to chlorophyll degrading enzymes activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacities of harvested mangoes stored at 13 °C for 16 days were studied. E-beam-treated fruit significantly suppressed the activities of chlorophyll degrading enzymes especially pheophytinase (PPH) and chlorophyll degrading peroxidase (Chl-POX) in the late stage of storage. This resulted in the chlorophyll content being maintained. However, E-beam irradiation did not affect the activities of chlorophyllase (Chlase) and magnesium de-chelatase (MD). The respiration rate, ethylene production, ROS accumulation (hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] and superoxide radical [O−.2]) immediately increased after E-beam treatment, following which they significantly decreased in comparison to the control. E-beam treatment enhanced the fruit’s antioxidant capacity by activating the activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione (GSH) content, and inactivated the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further, it did not affect the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG), vitamin C content, or total phenolic content. These results imply that E-beam treatment has the potential to delay chlorophyll degradation by suppressing the Chl-POX and PPH activities as well as reduce ROS production via CAT, APX, and SOD activities and GSH content.
Genetic variants are identified to increase risk of COVID-19 related mortality from UK Biobank data
Authors: Hu Jianchang , Li Cai , Wang Shiying , Li Ting , Zhang Heping
Published: February 2021

Background

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly heterogeneous. Studies have reported that males and some ethnic groups are at increased risk of death from COVID-19, which implies that individual risk of death might be influenced by host genetic factors.

Methods

In this project, we consider the mortality as the trait of interest and perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of data for 1778 infected cases (445 deaths, 25.03%) distributed by the UK Biobank. Traditional GWAS fails to identify any genome-wide significant genetic variants from this dataset. To enhance the power of GWAS and account for possible multi-loci interactions, we adopt the concept of super variant for the detection of genetic factors. A discovery-validation procedure is used for verifying the potential associations.

Results

We find 8 super variants that are consistently identified across multiple replications as susceptibility loci for COVID-19 mortality. The identified risk factors on chromosomes 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 16, and 17 contain genetic variants and genes related to cilia dysfunctions (DNAH7 and CLUAP1), cardiovascular diseases (DES and SPEG), thromboembolic disease (STXBP5), mitochondrial dysfunctions (TOMM7), and innate immune system (WSB1). It is noteworthy that DNAH7 has been reported recently as the most downregulated gene after infecting human bronchial epithelial cells with SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

Eight genetic variants are identified to significantly increase the risk of COVID-19 mortality among the patients with white British ancestry. These findings may provide timely clues and potential directions for better understanding the molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the genetic basis of heterogeneous susceptibility, with potential impact on new therapeutic options.
Childhood maltreatment is associated with distrust and negatively biased emotion processing
Authors: Hepp Johanna , Schmitz Sara E. , Urbild Jana , Zauner Kathrin , Niedtfeld Inga
Published: February 2021

Background

Cognitive models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) propose that trauma entails cognitive alterations of increased distrust and perceived threat from others. We tested whether these predictions also hold in individuals with varying levels of childhood maltreatment (CM), which is much more prevalent than traumatic events as required for a PTSD diagnosis. We hypothesized that higher levels of CM would entail greater distrust and perceived threat, and that distrust would be more change-resistant in participants with more CM.

Methods

The study was pre-registered; the pre-registration protocol, data, and code are available at https://osf.io/pufy2/. We recruited 549 participants (M age = 29.2, 74.5% women) for an online study via websites related to CM, Borderline Personality Disorder, and via snowball method on social media. Participants self-reported their level of CM on the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). Next, they played two rounds of a hypothetical distrust game, indicating the perceived trustworthiness of avatars by way of estimating expected monetary deductions from them (i.e. higher amounts indicating greater distrust). After the first round, we provided participants with the feedback that very little money was taken from them. We expected those with more CM to be less responsive to the positive feedback and to adapt their estimates less in the subsequent round. Following the distrust game, participants completed an emotion rating task in which they rated the emotional expressions of 60 faces on a scale from ‘very negative’ to ‘very positive’. We included angry, fearful, and happy facial expressions, and expected individuals with higher CM levels to provide more negative ratings. We conducted linear mixed effects models with random intercepts for raters and stimuli (crossed), and modelled random slopes for all within-person predictors.

Results

As hypothesized, higher levels of CM were associated with higher levels of distrust and a weaker decrease in distrust following positive feedback. Further supporting our hypotheses, individuals with higher levels of CM showed more negatively shifted emotion ratings.

Conclusions

Increased distrust and perceived interpersonal threat following trauma, as proposed in cognitive models of PTSD, likely also apply to individuals with CM, following a dose-response relationship. We discuss clinical implications of considering any level of CM as a potentially relevant treatment-factor, even when a trauma-related disorder is not the main diagnosis, and propose future research avenues.
Why are tapes better than wires in knotless rotator cuff repairs? An evaluation of force, pressure and contact area in a tendon bone unit mechanical model
Authors: Maia Dias Carlos , Gonçalves Sérgio B. , Completo António , Tognini Martina , da Silva Manuel Ribeiro , Mineiro Jorge , Curate Francisco , Ferreira Frederico , Folgado João
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Knotless repairs have demonstrated encouraging performance regarding retear rate reduction, but literature aiming at identifying the specific variables responsible for these results is scarce and conflictive.

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the material (tape or wire suture) and medial tendon passage (single or double passage) on the contact force, pressure and area at the tendon bone interface in order to identify the key factors responsible for this repairs´ success.

Methods

A specific knotless transosseous equivalent cuff repair was simulated using 2 tape or suture wire loaded medial anchors and 2 lateral anchors, with controlled lateral suture limb tension. The repair was performed in a previously validated sawbones® mechanical model. Testing analyzed force, pressure and area in a predetermined and constant size “repair box” using a Tekscan® sensor, as well as peak force and pressure, force applied by specific sutures and force variation along the repair box.

Results

Tapes generate lower contact force and pressure and double medial passage at the medial tendon is associated with higher contact area. Suture wires generate higher peak force and pressure on the repair and higher mean force in their tendon path and at the medial bearing row. Force values decrease from medial to lateral and from posterior to anterior independently of the material or medial passage.

Conclusion

Contrary to most biomechanical literature, suture tape use lowers the pressure and force applied at the tendon bone junction, while higher number of suture passage points medially increases the area of contact. These findings may explain the superior clinical results obtained with the use uf suture tapes because its smaller compressive effect over the tendon may create a better perfusion environment healing while maintaining adequate biomechanical stability.
Dietary analysis of the House Swift (Apus nipalensis) in Hong Kong using prey DNA in faecal samples
Authors: Chung Chun Ting , Wong Hok Sze , Kwok Man Long , Meng Qi , Chan King Ming
Published: February 2021

Background

To understand the dietary composition of the highly aerial swift (Apodidae), ecologists conventionally depend on the morphological identification of prey items from food boluses or stomach contents, but these techniques are often invasive, require expertise in identification, and often cannot produce accurate identifications at the species level.

Methods

DNA barcoding was used to analyse the dietary composition of House Swifts (Apus nipalensis) in Hong Kong, China. Faecal samples from five different colonial nest sites were collected between 2019 and 2020. We used universal primers to amplify a region of the cytochrome C oxidase gene from prey DNA in the faecal samples for identification purposes.

Results

Ten different orders and 44 families from three different classes of Arthropoda were identified in the collected faecal samples. Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera were the most prevalent groups of prey found in the samples. Differences in the dietary composition of House Swifts during the breeding (April to September) and non-breeding (October to March) season were also found. Hymenoptera, particularly ants (Formicidae), were predominant in the diet during the breeding season, whereas Diptera and Hemiptera were predominant during the non-breeding season.

Conclusion

The prey groups identified in this study were similar to those identified in a previous study of the diet of House Swift, which also suggests a possible role of House Swifts in reducing the numbers of local insect pests. This study demonstrates the usefulness of applying molecular tools for the dietary analysis of aerial feeders. Conserving local forested areas may be crucial for the maintenance of House Swift population.
Pharmacokinetics of duloxetine self-administered in overdose with quetiapine and other antipsychotic drugs in a Japanese patient admitted to hospital
Authors: Adachi Koichiro , Beppu Satoru , Nishiyama Kei , Shimizu Makiko , Yamazaki Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

Background

Combinations of antidepressant duloxetine (at doses of 40–60 mg/day) and other antipsychotics are frequently used in clinical treatment; however, several fatal and nonfatal cases of duloxetine overdose have been documented. We experienced a patient who had taken an overdose of duloxetine (780 mg) in combination with other drugs in a suicide attempt.

Case presentation

The patient was a 37-year-old man (body weight, 64 kg) with a history of gender identity disorder and depression. He intentionally took an overdose of duloxetine in combination with three other antipsychotic drugs (18 mg flunitrazepam, 850 mg quetiapine, and 1100 mg trazodone) and was emergently admitted to Kyoto Medical Center. The patient’s plasma concentration of duloxetine during ambulance transport was 57 ng/ml, and the level was still as high as 126 ng/mL at 32 h after administration. Duloxetine disappeared most slowly from plasma, in contrast to quetiapine, which was the fastest to clear among the four medicines determined in this patient. The observed concentrations of duloxetine in this overdose patient were generally within the 95% confidence intervals of the plasma concentration curves predicted using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model.

Conclusion

Even if more than 1 h (the generally recommended period) has passed after administration of duloxetine in such overdose cases, gastric lavage and/or administration of activated charcoal may be effective in clinical practice up to 6 h because of the typically slow elimination behavior illustrated by the PBPK model. Pharmacokinetic profiles visualized using PBPK modeling can inform treatment decisions in cases of drug overdose for medicines such as duloxetine in emergency clinical practice.
A novel gene signature based on five immune checkpoint genes predicts the survival of glioma
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhai You , Li Guanzhang , Jiang Tao
Published: February 2021

Background

Glioma is the most common and fatal type of nerve neoplasm in the central nervous system. Several biomarkers have been considered for prognosis prediction, which is not accurate enough. We aimed to carry out a gene signature related to the expression of immune checkpoints which was enough for its performance in prediction.

Methods

Gene expression of immune checkpoints in TGGA database was filtrated. The 5 selected genes underwent verification by COX and Lasso-COX regression. Next, the selected genes were included to build a novel signature for further analysis.

Results

Patients were sub-grouped into high and low risk according to the novel signature. Immune response, clinicopathologic characters, and survival showed significant differences between those 2 groups. Terms including “naive,” “effector,” and “IL-4” were screened out by GSEA. The results showed strong relevance between the signature and immune response.

Conclusions

We constructed a gene signature with 5 immune checkpoints. The signature predicted survival effectively. The novel signature performed more functional than previous biomarkers.
Country size bias in global health: cross-country comparison of malaria policy and foreign aid
Authors: Jezek Tomas
Published: February 2021

Background

Foreign aid has been shown to be favourably biased towards small countries. This study investigated whether country size bias also occurs in national malaria policy and development assistance from international agencies.

Methods

Data from publicly available sources were collected with countries as observational units. The exploratory data analysis was based on the conceptual framework with socio-economic, environmental and institutional parameters. The strength of relationships was estimated by the Pearson and polychoric correlation coefficients. The correlation matrix was explored by factor analysis.

Results

Malaria burden is strongly correlated with GDP per capita, total health expenditure per capita, HDI; moderately with latitude, weakly with elevation, urban population share, per capita funding from the Global Fund, PMI USAID, UK government and UNICEF. Small country status is strongly correlated with population size, land area, island status; moderately with development assistance received per capita, weakly with funding per capita from Global Fund, government NMP and PMI USAID. Policy score 1, a variable derived from our factor analysis and related to malaria endemicity, is significantly strongly correlated with the malaria burden, moderately with HDI, GDP per capita, total health expenditure per capita, PMI USAID funding; weakly with island status, urban population share, latitude, coastal population share, total government expenditure and trade openness, Global Fund funding, World Bank funding, UK government funding, and UNICEF funding per capita. Policy score 2, which captures variation not related to malaria endemicity, is significantly weakly related to the ICRG index, PMI USAID funding per capita and small country status.

Conclusions

The results suggest that malaria burden and economic development are bidirectionally related. Economic development can contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden. Country size does not negatively impact malaria burden, but it does account for greater development assistance per capita from selected international agencies. National malaria policy is associated with parameters related to public governance and is modified in small countries. Small country bias is present in the distribution of socio-economic resources and the allocation of foreign aid. Small countries are characterized by distinct environmental and socio-political properties.
The Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS)—a validation study in English, Arabic, and Farsi/Dari among refugees and asylum seekers in Germany
Authors: Fuchs Lukas M. , Jacobsen Jannes , Walther Lena , Hahn Eric , Ta Thi Minh Tam , Bajbouj Malek , von Scheve Christian
Published: February 2021

This study introduces and investigates the validity of a brief scale measuring a challenged sense of belonging. The sense of belonging as well as challenges to this sense are important, albeit neglected aspects of social integration and of significance to migration and refugee studies as well as to virtually all other social science contexts. Assessing a challenged or eroded sense of belonging provides important insights into how individuals relate to their environment and whether they feel socially connected or disconnected from it. The construct goes beyond national or cultural identity, instead emphasizing the dynamic processes of emotional attachment. Reviewing the substantial theoretical literature on belonging, we identify four of its key elements: connection, participation, identification, and congruence. Drawing on existing measurement instruments, we propose a brief Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS) that addresses each of the four elements and investigate its validity in a unique, multi-lingual random sample of 3783 adult refugees in Germany from various national and cultural backgrounds. We provide evidence for the scale’s validity separately for three main survey languages (English, Arabic, Farsi/Dari) using confirmatory factor analysis, a test of measurement invariance, item test and rest correlations, and correlation analysis to explore convergent validity. Our findings suggest that the scale is a suitable instrument for the assessment of a challenged sense of belonging in a heterogeneous population of refugees.
Potentially large subsurface gas hydrate bodies in the Mexican Ridges, Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Nandi Papia , Fulton Patrick , Dale James
Published: February 2021

Because rising ocean temperatures can destabilize gas hydrate, identifying and characterizing large shallow hydrate bodies is increasingly important to understanding their hazard potential. In the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, reanalysis of 3D seismic reflection data reveals evidence for the presence of six potentially large gas hydrate bodies located at shallow depths below the seafloor. We originally interpreted these bodies as salt because they share common visual characteristics on seismic data with shallow allochthonous salt bodies, including high-impedance boundaries and homogeneous interiors with very little acoustic reflectivity. However, when seismic images are constructed using acoustic velocities associated with salt, the resulting images were of poor quality containing excessive moveout in common-reflection point offset image gathers. Further investigation reveals that using lower valued acoustic velocities results in higher quality images with little or no moveout. We believe that these lower acoustic values are representative of gas hydrate and not of salt. Directly underneath these bodies lies a zone of poor reflectivity, which is typical and expected under hydrate. Observations of gas in a nearby well, other indicators of hydrate in the vicinity, and the regional geologic context support the interpretation that these large bodies are composed of hydrate. The total equivalent volume of gas within these bodies is estimated to potentially be as large as 1.5 gigatons or 10.5 trillion cubic feet, considering uncertainty for estimates of porosity and saturation, comparable with the entire proven natural gas reserves of Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.
Unsupervised machine learning using 3D seismic data applied to reservoir evaluation and rock type identification
Authors: Hussein Marwa , Stewart Robert R. , Sacrey Deborah , Wu Jonny , Athale Rajas
Published: February 2021

Net reservoir discrimination and rock type identification play vital roles in determining reservoir quality, distribution, and identification of stratigraphic baffles for optimizing drilling plans and economic petroleum recovery. Although it is challenging to discriminate small changes in reservoir properties or identify thin stratigraphic barriers below seismic resolution from conventional seismic amplitude data, we have found that seismic attributes aid in defining the reservoir architecture, properties, and stratigraphic baffles. However, analyzing numerous individual attributes is a time-consuming process and may have limitations for revealing small petrophysical changes within a reservoir. Using the Maui 3D seismic data acquired in offshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, we generate typical instantaneous and spectral decomposition seismic attributes that are sensitive to lithologic variations and changes in reservoir properties. Using the most common petrophysical and rock typing classification methods, the rock quality and heterogeneity of the C1 Sand reservoir are studied for four wells located within the 3D seismic volume. We find that integrating the geologic content of a combination of eight spectral instantaneous attribute volumes using an unsupervised machine-learning algorithm (self-organizing maps [SOMs]) results in a classification volume that can highlight reservoir distribution and identify stratigraphic baffles by correlating the SOM clusters with discrete net reservoir and flow-unit logs. We find that SOM classification of natural clusters of multiattribute samples in the attribute space is sensitive to subtle changes within the reservoir’s petrophysical properties. We find that SOM clusters appear to be more sensitive to porosity variations compared with lithologic changes within the reservoir. Thus, this method helps us to understand reservoir quality and heterogeneity in addition to illuminating thin reservoirs and stratigraphic baffles.
The challenge of treating Roma outpatients in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region of Greece
Authors: Vorvolakos Theofanis , Arvaniti Aikaterini , Serdari Aspasia , Samakouri Maria
Published: February 2021

The Roma people are one of the most unknown and interesting nations in Europe. Although they are severely marginalised within European societies, they have greatly influenced European culture. Despite this fact, there is a deep prejudice against them. In the region of East Macedonia and Thrace, a significant proportion of the population are Roma. Their marginalisation leads to many problems and also affects their mental health. Their psychopathological manifestations differ from the majority population. They express more somatic complaints and higher overall stress in a histrionic background. The main obstacles regarding their mental health issues and treatment appear to be the following: gender inequality, illiteracy and lack of cultural sensitivity in healthcare system. Although all of these obstacles must be removed, some are easier to remove than others. Cultural sensitivity could be applied by using more culturally sensitive diagnostic tools, improving overall training for mental health professionals and treating Roma wherever they seek help, because they often have a nomadic style of living. Telemedicine can be quite useful in serving this goal. Improving their educational status and addressing gender inequalities issues, on the other hand, are more difficult and long-term goals.
Effectiveness of exercise-based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in people without clinical depression: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Bellón Juan Ángel , Conejo-Cerón Sonia , Sánchez-Calderón Almudena , Rodríguez-Martín Beatriz , Bellón Darío , Rodríguez-Sánchez Emiliano , Mendive Juan Manuel , Ara Ignacio , Moreno-Peral Patricia
Published: February 2021

Background

In most trials and systematic reviews that evaluate exercise-based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms, it is difficult to separate treatment from prevention.

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in people without clinical depression.

Method

We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, WOS, SPORTDiscus, CENTRAL, OpenGrey and other sources up to 25 May 2020. We selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared exclusively exercise-based interventions with control groups, enrolling participants without clinical depression, as measured using validated instruments, and whose outcome was reduction of depressive symptoms and/or incidence of new cases of people with depression. Pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effect models (registration at PROSPERO: CRD42017055726).

Results

A total of 14 RCTs (18 comparisons) evaluated 1737 adults without clinical depression from eight countries and four continents. The pooled SMD was −0.34 (95% CI −0.51 to −0.17;P< 0.001) and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of this result. We found no statistical evidence of publication bias and heterogeneity was moderate (I2= 54%; 95% CI 22–73%). Only two RCTs had an overall low risk of bias and three had long-term follow-up. Multivariate meta-regression found that a larger sample size, country (Asia) and selective prevention (i.e. people exposed to risk factors for depression) were associated with lower effectiveness, although only sample size remained significant when adjustment for multiple tests was considered. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool, the quality of evidence was low.

Conclusions

Exercise-based interventions have a small effect on the reduction of depressive symptoms in people without clinical depression. It could be an alternative to or complement psychological programmes, although further higher-quality trials with larger samples and long-term follow-up are needed.
Hormone Therapy, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Transgender People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Baker Kellan E , Wilson Lisa M , Sharma Ritu , Dukhanin Vadim , McArthur Kristen , Robinson Karen A
Published: February 2021

We sought to systematically review the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy on psychological outcomes among transgender people. We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO through June 10, 2020 for studies evaluating quality of life (QOL), depression, anxiety, and death by suicide in the context of gender-affirming hormone therapy among transgender people of any age. We excluded case studies and studies reporting on less than 3 months of follow-up. We included 20 studies reported in 22 publications. Fifteen were trials or prospective cohorts, one was a retrospective cohort, and 4 were cross-sectional. Seven assessed QOL, 12 assessed depression, 8 assessed anxiety, and 1 assessed death by suicide. Three studies included trans-feminine people only; 7 included trans-masculine people only, and 10 included both. Three studies focused on adolescents. Hormone therapy was associated with increased QOL, decreased depression, and decreased anxiety. Associations were similar across gender identity and age. Certainty in this conclusion is limited by high risk of bias in study designs, small sample sizes, and confounding with other interventions. We could not draw any conclusions about death by suicide. Future studies should investigate the psychological benefits of hormone therapy among larger and more diverse groups of transgender people using study designs that more effectively isolate the effects of hormone treatment.
Dumping Humpty-Dumpty
Authors: Baumann Hannes
Published: February 2021

Lebanon’s protests were sparked by economic misery, especially the decline of the long-standing currency peg. What is surprising about the currency collapse is not that it happened at all, but that the country’s unsustainable economic model avoided it for so long. A unique coalition had kept the system going: central bank and finance ministry created rents, banks appropriated rents, politicians were sharing rents, diaspora remittances kept rent-creation going, and foreign governments were tolerating or even underwriting the mechanism. This rentier coalition has now fallen apart. Protestors and critical economists, meanwhile, remain locked out of decision-making by an unaccountable political class. Options for the future include chaos and predation under militia rule, an International Monetary Fund agreement bringing privatization and austerity, a growth-oriented interventionist state put together by technocrats of the left, and grassroots initiatives of mutual aid pioneered by protestors.
Introduction
Authors: Eng David L. , Puar Jasbir K.
Published: February 2021

“Left of Queer” examines historical and theoretical developments in the evolving field of queer studies since the 2005 Social Text special issue “What’s Queer about Queer Studies Now?” In particular, it focuses on three themes: first, it explores the possibilities of an expanded subjectless critique by interrogating not only the formative exclusions of queer studies but also the contingent material conditions through which “proper” queer subjects and identities emerge today; second, it reexamines long-standing debates on materialism and the incommensurability of queer studies and Marxism; and, third, it provincializes strands of queer critique by investigating the institutionalization of queer studies as a subset of American studies/US area studies. Throughout, it explores how emergent theoretical debates on debility, indigeneity, and trans revise and rework subjectless critique, histories of materialism, and queer studies as American exceptionalism by examining how the sublation of these key terms produces, manages, and animates new queer subjects for recognition in the political sphere.
Queer Theory and the Specter of Materialism
Authors: Liu Petrus
Published: February 2021

This article argues that the development of queer theory as a field has been critically shaped by a desire to dissociate the studies of gender and sexuality from material concerns. Though what is meant by “the material” varies wildly from context to context, queer critiques of materialism have produced an entrenched impression of the incommensurability between queer theory and Marxism. Tracing the varied ways in which the notion of the material has been deployed by queer critics to pose questions about the economic reductionism of Marxism, empiricism, and corporeality, this article demonstrates that the material has functioned as a kind of spectral presence in queer theorizing, an enabling form of haunting that keeps critics worrying productively about the best way to stay true to the radically anticipatory orientation of early queer theory. The specter of the material provides the epistemological foundation for canonical texts in queer theory that do not appear to be concerned with Marxism, such as those of Butler and Sedgwick; it also serves as the conceptual fulcrum for a number of “queer Marxist” projects that attempt to synthesize these two traditions. This article concludes by suggesting that, instead of viewing queer theory and Marxism as intellectually incompatible or historically successive projects, we might productively reconceptualize them as subjectless critiques commonly concerned with the problem of social structuration.
Estimating Judicial Ideology
Authors: Bonica Adam , Sen Maya
Published: February 2021

We review the substantial literature on estimating judicial ideology, from the US Supreme Court to the lowest state court. As a way to showcase the strengths and drawbacks of various measures, we further analyze trends in judicial polarization within the US federal courts. Our analysis shows substantial gaps in the ideology of judges appointed by Republican Presidents versus those appointed by Democrats. Similar to trends in Congressional polarization, the increasing gap is mostly driven by a rightward movement by judges appointed by Republicans. We conclude by noting important avenues for future research in the study of the ideology of judges.
The effects of the skull on CT imaging of the brain: a skull and brain phantom study
Authors: Cauley Keith A , Yorks Patrick J , Flora Sarah , Fielden Samuel W
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To investigate the effects of beam hardening by the skull on the measured radiodensity of the brain. To test a hypothesis that these effects of beam hardening are decreased using a monochromatic energy source.

Methods:

Selected clinical cases were reviewed in illustration. An anthropomorphic skull and brain phantom was created and scanned in a clinical CT scanner with skull, without skull, and with hemicraniectomy. The effects of beam hardening were illustrated by scanning the phantom with mono- and poly-chromatic X-ray sources.

Results:

In clinical cases, the HU values of the brain were consistently lower when the X-ray beam traversed the skull than when it did not. An anthropomorphic skull-and-brain phantom further demonstrated these effects, which were evident with a polychromatic energy source and absent with a virtual monochromatic energy source.

Conclusions:

Beam hardening by the skull lowers the measured HU values of the brain. The effects, which can impact quantitative imaging, may be mitigated by a virtual monochromatic energy source.

Advances in knowledge:

Beam hardening by the skull lowers the measured radiodensity of the brain. The effects may be mitigated by a virtual monochromatic energy source.