bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response to apatinib and camrelizumab combined treatment in a radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer patient resistant to prior anti-angiogenic therapy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Li Jiayi , Zhang Xin , Mu Zhuanzhuan , Sun Di , Sun Yuqing , Lin Yansong
Published: August 2022

Background

Patients with radioactive iodine refractory progressive (RAIR) differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) often developed resistance after first-line therapy. Apatinib plus camrelizumab is a therapy with promising efficacy in patients with other malignant cancers. Herein, we presented a case of progressive RAIR DTC treated with apatinib plus camrelizumab.

Case presentation

We reported a 43-year-old man diagnosed as DTC with metastases in the lungs, the 7th cervical vertebra, and malignant lymph nodes mainly in the mediastinum. While initially showing disease stabilization after giving the first-line multitargeted kinase inhibitor (MKI) therapy, the patient developed progressive disease and was enrolled into a combined therapy with both apatinib and camrelizumab on November 10, 2020. Upon the first 6 months, the combination therapy showed disease control in terms of both stable structural lesions and biochemical thyroglobulin (Tg) level. Six months later, a decrease over the targeted lesions was observed and a partial response (PR) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria was finally achieved upon 12 months’ assessment, followed by the decline in serum Tg level. The main adverse event was occasional diarrhea without treatment interruption.

Conclusion

We reported a case with RAIR DTC that benefited from combination immunotherapy, apatinib plus camrelizumab, after resistance from donafenib. We observed a gradually getting better efficacy and a mild and long duration of this combination therapy and hoped to provide a therapeutic choice for these patients.
Case report: Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute liver injury in a high-altitude mountain climber
Authors: Yeh Yun-Chih , Chen Chien-Chou , Lin Shih-Hua
Published: August 2022

Concurrent severe rhabdomyolysis and acute liver damage are rarely reported in the setting of acute high-altitude illness (AHAI). We described a 53-year-old healthy mountain climber who experienced headache and dyspnea at the summit of Snow Mountain (Xueshan; 3,886 m above sea level) and presented to the emergency room with generalized malaise, diffuse muscle pain, and tea-colored urine. His consciousness was alert, and he had a blood pressure of 114/74 mmHg, heart rate of 66/min, and body temperature of 36.8°C. Myalgia of the bilateral lower limbs, diminished skin turgor, dry oral mucosa, and tea-colored urine were notable. Urinalysis showed positive occult blood without red blood cells. The most striking blood laboratory data included creatine kinase (CK) 33,765 IU/L, inappropriately high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 2,882 IU/L and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 2,259 IU/L (CK/AST ratio 11.7, CK/ALT ratio 14.9), creatinine 1.5 mg/dl, serum urea nitrogen (BUN) 26 mg/dl, total bilirubin 1.7 mg/dl, ammonia 147 μg/ml, lactate 2.5 mmol/L, and prothrombin time 17.8 s. The meticulous search for the underlying causes of acute liver injury was non-revealing. With volume repletion, mannitol use, and urine alkalization coupled with avoidance of nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic agents, his clinical features and laboratory abnormality completely resolved in 3 weeks. Despite rarity, severe rhabdomyolysis and/oracute liver injury as a potential life-threatening condition requiring urgent management may occur in high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia.
High cholesterol and low triglycerides are associated with total lumbar bone mineral density among adults aged 50 years and over: The NHANES 2017–2020
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Cong , Song Chunhao , Jia Jun , Wang Yuanhao , Mu Weidong
Published: August 2022

Background

The association between cholesterol and triglycerides with the lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) was widely investigated, but the results remained conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between total cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lumbar BMD in adults.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 1,985 individuals aged 50 years and over. The data on total cholesterol, triglycerides, total lumbar BMD, and other covariates were obtained from the National Health and Nutritional (NHANES) between 2017 and March 2020 pre-pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to investigate the association between cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lumbar BMD. Smooth curve fittings and generalized additive models were also used to analyze the potential non-linearity.

Results

A total of 901 men and 1,084 women with a mean age of 63.02 ± 8.72 years (age 50–80 years) were included in this study. In multivariate regression analysis, the association between cholesterol and total lumbar BMD was negative (β = −0.026, 95% CI: −0.033, −0.020). This relationship still existed after adjusted for gender and race (β = −0.018, 95% CI: −0.025, −0.012) and fully adjusted for all covariates (β = −0.022, 95% CI: −0.029, −0.015). The association between triglycerides and total lumbar BMD was positive (β = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.017, 0.031). This relationship still existed after adjusted for gender and race (β = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and fully adjusted for all covariates (β = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.014, 0.028). In threshold effect analysis, the relationship between triglycerides and total lumbar BMD was an inverted U-shaped curve with the inflection point at 2.597 mmol/L.

Conclusion

High levels of total cholesterol and relatively low levels of triglycerides are significantly associated with the total lumbar BMD in adults aged 50 years and over.
Analysis of influencing factors of shear wave elastography of the superficial tissue: A phantom study
Authors: Chen Qiyang , Shi Baixue , Zheng Yang , Hu Xiangdong
Published: August 2022

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is widely used in clinical work. But there is no standard protocol and operation specification for SWE acquisition methods, which impacts the diagnosis and clinical staging. This study aimed to investigate the influence factors of diameter, depth, and stiffness on SWE using different probes at superficial depths and discuss SWE differences with two machines at superficial depths. We performed SWE on two elastic phantoms that each phantom contained six subjects with two stiffness (41.06 ± 4.62 kpa and 57.30 ± 4.31 kpa), three diameters (10, 15, and 18 mm), and two depths (15 and 25 mm). A total of 240 measurements were obtained by using two ultrasound machines (SuperSonic Imagine Aixplorer and Mindray Resona 7) and 4 probes (SL15-4 and SL10-2, L11-3, and L14-5). The measurements were compared among 4 probes, 3 diameters, and 2 depths. There was no significant difference in SWE measurements among the probes from the same machine. The SWE measurements were affected by diameter, and the degree of influence was related to the stiffness. The SWE measurements were unaffected at a 15–25 mm depth range.
Elevated homocysteine level as an indicator for chronic kidney disease in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly populations in Taiwan: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Shih Yu-Lin , Shih Chin-Chuan , Chen Jau-Yuan
Published: August 2022

Background

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an important factor for endothelial cell damage and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a leading burden in Taiwan’s healthcare system. This study aimed to investigate the association between homocysteine levels and CKD in middle-aged and elderly adults from a community in northern Taiwan.

Methods

A total of 396 middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese adults were enrolled and completed the health survey. We divided participants according to tertiles of homocysteine levels as first group (homocysteine level ≤ 11.1 μmol/L), second group (homocysteine level 11.2∼14.3 μmol/L), and third group (homocysteine level > 14.3 μmol/L). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 (mL/min/1.73 m2) or urine albumin to creatinine ratio > 30 (mg/g). Pearson correlation was calculated between eGFR and other related risk factors after adjustment for age. The risk of CKD in the second and third groups compared to that in the first group was assessed by multivariate logistic regression after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), dyslipidemia, and uric acid. The Youden index and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated for the optimized cutoff value.

Results

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels were more likely to lower the eGFR and increase the prevalence of CKD. Pearson correlation showed a positive correlation between eGFR and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while a negative correlation was observed between homocysteine levels, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, uric acid levels and BMI (all p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of CKD increased, as well as the homocysteine level. The odds ratio of CKD under 95% confidence interval was 2.655 (1.284–5.490) for the third group compared with the first group after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, DM, HTN, dyslipidemia, uric acid, and BMI (p = 0.008). The area under the ROC curve was 0.662, and a cutoff value of 15.15 μmol/L for the homocysteine level was obtained for detecting subjects with CKD.

Conclusion

Our study findings revealed that elevated homocysteine levels were significantly associated with CKD and could be used as an indicator of CKD among the middle-aged and elderly populations in Taiwan.
A comprehensive comparison of fecal microbiota in three ecological bird groups of raptors, waders, and waterfowl
Authors: Zhao Caiquan , Liu Li , Gao Li , Bai Lige
Published: August 2022

Gut microbiota plays a vital role in maintaining the health and immunity of wild birds. However, less is known about the comparison of fecal microbiota between different ecological groups of wild birds, particularly in the Yellow River National Wetland in Baotou, China, an important transit point for birds migrating all over the East Asia-Australian and Central Asian flyways. In this study, we characterized the fecal microbiota and potential microbial function in nine bird species of raptors, waders, and waterfowl using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to reveal the microbiota differences and interaction patterns. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in α-diversity, but a significant difference in β-diversity between the three groups of birds. The fecal bacterial microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes in all groups of birds. Furthermore, we identified five bacterial genera that were significantly higher in raptors, five genera that were significantly higher in waders, and two genera that were more abundant in waterfowl. The bacterial co-occurrence network results revealed 15 and 26 key genera in raptors and waterfowls, respectively. The microbial network in waterfowl exhibited a stronger correlation pattern than that in raptors. PICRUSt2 predictions indicated that fecal bacterial function was significantly enriched in the antibiotic biosynthesis pathway in all three groups. Metabolic pathways related to cell motility (bacterial chemotaxis and flagellar assembly) were significantly more abundant in raptors than in waders, whereas waders were enriched in lipid metabolism (synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies and fatty acid biosynthesis). The fecal microbiota in waterfowl harbored more abundant vitamin B6 metabolism, RNA polymerase, and tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis. This comparative study revealed the microbial community structure, microbial co-occurrence patterns, and potential functions, providing a better understanding of the ecology and conservation of wild birds. Future studies may focus on unraveling metagenomic functions and dynamics along with the migration routine or different seasons by metagenomics or metatranscriptomics.
Neurogliaform cells mediate feedback inhibition in the medial entorhinal cortex
Authors: Szocs Szilard , Henn-Mike Nora , Agocs-Laboda Agnes , Szabo-Meleg Edina , Varga Csaba
Published: August 2022

Layer I of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) contains converging axons from several brain areas and dendritic tufts originating from principal cells located in multiple layers. Moreover, specific GABAergic interneurons are also located in the area, but their inputs, outputs, and effect on local network events remain elusive. Neurogliaform cells are the most frequent and critically positioned inhibitory neurons in layer I. They are considered to conduct feed-forward inhibition via GABAA and GABAB receptors on pyramidal cells located in several cortical areas. Using optogenetic experiments, we showed that layer I neurogliaform cells receive excitatory inputs from layer II pyramidal cells, thereby playing a critical role in local feedback inhibition in the MEC. We also found that neurogliaform cells are evenly distributed in layer I and do not correlate with the previously described compartmentalization (“cell islands”) of layer II. We concluded that the activity of neurogliaform cells in layer I is largely set by layer II pyramidal cells through excitatory synapses, potentially inhibiting the apical dendrites of all types of principal cells in the MEC.
Seed-induced Aβ deposits in the corpus callosum disrupt white matter integrity in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Aires Vanessa , Ziegler-Waldkirch Stephanie , Friesen Marina , Reichardt Wilfried , Erny Daniel , Loreth Desiree , Harborne Andrew , Kretz Oliver , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Meyer-Luehmann Melanie
Published: August 2022

Neuropathologically, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and subsequent formation of the so-called Aβ plaques. Along with neuronal loss, previous studies report white matter anomalies and corpus callosum (CC) atrophy in AD patients. Notably, perturbations in the white matter can be observed years before expected disease onset, suggesting that early stages of disease progression play a role in AD-associated loss of myelin integrity. Through seed-induced deposition of Aβ, we are able to examine alterations of central nervous system (CNS) integrity during the initial stages of plaque formation. In this study, we investigate the impact of Aβ seeding in the CC utilizing various imaging techniques as well as quantitative gene expression analysis and demonstrate that Aβ deposits result in an imbalance of glial cells in the CC. We found increased amounts of phagocytic microglia and reactive astrocytes, while oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) numbers were reduced. Moreover, white matter aberrations adjacent to the Aβ seeding were observed together with an overall decline in callosal myelination. This data indicate that the initial stages of plaque formation induce oligodendrocyte dysfunction, which might ultimately lead to myelin loss.
Identification of protein biomarkers in host cerebrospinal fluid for differential diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis and other meningitis
Authors: Huang Mailing , Ding Zeyu , Li Wensheng , Chen Weibi , Du Yadong , Jia Hongyan , Sun Qi , Du Boping , Wei Rongrong , Xing Aiying , Li Qi , Chu Naihui , Pan Liping
Published: August 2022

Background and purpose

The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is difficult due to the lack of sensitive methods. Identification of TBM-specific biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may help diagnose and improve our understanding of TBM pathogenesis.

Patients and methods

Of the 112 suspected patients with TBM prospectively enrolled in the study, 32 patients with inconclusive diagnosis, non-infectious meningitis, and long-term treatment with hormones and immunosuppressants were excluded. The expression of 8 proteins in the CSF was analyzed using ELISA in 22 patients with definite TBM, 18 patients with probable TBM, and 40 patients with non-TBM.

Results

Significant differences in the expression of 7 proteins were detected between the TBM and non-TBM groups (P < 0.01). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering (UHC) analysis revealed a disease-specific profile consisting of 7 differentially expressed proteins for TBM diagnosis, with an accuracy of 82.5% (66/80). Logistic regression with forward stepwise analysis indicated that a combination of 3 biomarkers (APOE_APOAI_S100A8) showed a better ability to discriminate TBM from patients with non-TBM [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.916 (95%CI: 0.857–0.976)], with a sensitivity of 95.0% (95%CI: 83.1–99.4%) and a specificity of 77.5% (95%CI: 61.5–89.2%).

Conclusion

Our results confirmed the potential ability of CSF proteins to distinguish TBM from patients with non-TBM and provided a useful panel for the diagnosis of TBM.
Fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal cord neural tube defects: A prospective study
Authors: Gao Gan , Tao Benzhang , Chen Yanyan , Yang Jiaqi , Sun Mengchun , Wang Hui , Hao Fangbin , Liu Simeng , Wang Minjie , Shang Aijia
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the value of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prenatal diagnosis of spinal neural tube defects.

Methods

From August 2018 to January 2021, 56 fetuses with suspected spinal cord neural tube defects were treated by prenatal ultrasound in the Neurosurgery Department of the First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital. Fetal MRI was performed within 72 h after ultrasound diagnosis. Forty singleton fetuses were selected. Magnetic resonance examination was performed within 1 month after birth, and the diagnostic coincidence rates of prenatal ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance examination in the prenatal diagnosis of spinal cord neural tube defects were compared and analyzed using postnatal magnetic resonance examination as the standard.

Results

The coincidence rates of prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI for the prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida were 71.4% (20/28) and 39.2% (11/28), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. The coincidence rates of prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI in the diagnosis of intraspinal lipoma were 52.6% (10/19) and 73.7% (14/19), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Fetal MRI has an advantage over prenatal ultrasound in detecting intraspinal lipoma. Prenatal ultrasound has an advantage over fetal MRI in detecting spina bifida.
Nutritional aspects in chronic non-cancer pain: A systematic review
Authors: Xu Lou Inmaculada , Gil-García Eugenia , Cáceres-Matos Rocío , Ali Kamran , Molina Esther
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Chronic pain (CP) is an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience that can be accompanied by tissue damage that persists for more than 3 months. Recent studies show that certain nutritional strategies can help to improve pain, so this study is aimed to systematically review scientific evidence to understand and map the effect of the use of nutritional strategies on the presence or intensity of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and the association of these nutritional aspects with the presence or intensity of CNCP.

Study design

A systematic review.

Methods

Two independent researchers searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that explored the relationship between nutrition and CNCP in adults from 2010 to 2020 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 24 studies were included, of which 20 were RCTs and 4 were observational studies. They are classified into the administration of nutritional supplements, dietary modification, and incorporation of food.

Results

Of these studies, those that have a significant effect on pain are dietary modification and the use of nutritional supplements. On the other hand, the main results from the few observational studies included in this review point to the existence of an association relationship between less pain and a ketogenic or hypocaloric diet or adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Conclusion

Dietary modification seems to be one plausible therapeutic option to improve and relieve CNCP. However, more research is needed in this regard to obtain better conclusions.

Systematic Review Registration

[www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42021226431].
Small extracellular vesicle DNA-mediated horizontal gene transfer as a driving force for tumor evolution: Facts and riddles
Authors: Valcz Gábor , Újvári Beáta , Buzás Edit I. , Krenács Tibor , Spisák Sándor , Kittel Ágnes , Tulassay Zsolt , Igaz Péter , Takács István , Molnár Béla
Published: August 2022

The basis of the conventional gene-centric view on tumor evolution is that vertically inherited mutations largely define the properties of tumor cells. In recent years, however, accumulating evidence shows that both the tumor cells and their microenvironment may acquire external, non-vertically inherited genetic properties via horizontal gene transfer (HGT), particularly through small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Many phases of sEV-mediated HGT have been described, such as DNA packaging into small vesicles, their release, uptake by recipient cells, and incorporation of sEV-DNA into the recipient genome to modify the phenotype and properties of cells. Recent techniques in sEV separation, genome sequencing and editing, as well as the identification of new secretion mechanisms, shed light on a number of additional details of this phenomenon. Here, we discuss the key features of this form of gene transfer and make an attempt to draw relevant conclusions on the contribution of HGT to tumor evolution.
Proton therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dionisi Francesco , Scartoni Daniele , Fracchiolla Francesco , Giacomelli Irene , Siniscalchi Benedetta , Goanta Lucia , Cianchetti Marco , Sanguineti Giuseppe , Brolese Alberto
Published: August 2022

Liver cancer represents one of the most common causes of death from cancer worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of all primary liver cancers. Among local therapies, evidence regarding the use of radiation therapy is growing. Proton therapy currently represents the most advanced radiation therapy technique with unique physical properties which fit well with liver irradiation. Here, in this review, we aim to 1) illustrate the rationale for the use of proton therapy (PT) in the treatment of HCC, 2) discuss the technical challenges of advanced PT in this disease, 3) review the major clinical studies regarding the use of PT for HCC, and 4) analyze the potential developments and future directions of PT in this setting.
Evaluation of biventricular longitudinal myocardial function in normal fetuses at different gestational ages using ultrasonic velocity vector imaging
Authors: Hou Min , Liu Liu , Xie Jun-Min , Duan Xiao-Jing , Lv Xiao-Lan , Li Xiao-Qing , Zhang Qin
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate biventricular myocardial function and biventricular longitudinal global myocardial function of fetuses at different gestational weeks using ultrasonic velocity vector imaging.

Methods

A total of 127 pregnant women were enrolled and divided into five groups according to the gestational age of their fetuses. The velocity, strain, and strain rate of the left and right ventricles were measured, and these biventricular parameters were compared between the groups. The global parameters of the biventricular myocardium were also compared.

Results

A pairwise comparison revealed that the differences in biventricular velocity and strain rate between groups in adjacent gestational weeks were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), but velocity increased with gestational age. A comparison of fetal longitudinal global myocardial parameters revealed that the global velocity, strain, and strain rate of the right ventricle were higher than those of the left ventricle, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in all groups.

Conclusion

The peak velocities of the fetal left and right ventricles increased with gestational age, but the global strain and strain rate did not, suggesting that fetal myocardial function is mature and constant in the middle and late stages of pregnancy and can more reliably reflect myocardial deformation. The peak systolic velocity, global strain, and peak strain rate of the right ventricle were higher than those of the left ventricle, suggesting that the right ventricle dominates longitudinal systolic movement from the second trimester of pregnancy.
miRNAs as Biomarkers and Possible Therapeutic Strategies in Synovial Sarcoma
Authors: Jiang Shaowei , Hu Ying , Zhou Yi , Tang Guozheng , Cui Wenxu , Wang Xinyi , Chen Bangjie , Hu Zuhong , Xu Bing
Published: August 2022

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an epithelial-differentiated malignant stromal tumor that has the highest incidence in young people and can occur almost anywhere in the body. Many noncoding RNAs are involved in the occurrence, development, or pathogenesis of SS. In particular, the role of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in SS is receiving increasing attention. MiRNA is a noncoding RNA abundant in cells and extracellular serums. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNA has played a significant role in the incidence and development of tumors in recent years, including sarcomas. Previous studies show that various sarcomas have their unique miRNA expression patterns and that various miRNA expression profiles can illustrate the classes of miRNAs that may elicit cancer-relevant activities in specific sarcoma subtypes. Furthermore, SS has been reported to have the most number of differentially expressed miRNAs, which indicated that miRNA is linked to SS. In fact, according to many publications, miRNAs have been shown to have a role in the development and appearance of SS in recent years, according to many publications. Since many studies showing that various miRNAs have a role in the development and appearance of SS in recent years have not been systematically summarized, we summarize the recent studies on the relationship between miRNA and SS in this review. For example, miR-494 promotes the development of SS via modulating cytokine gene expression. The role of miR-494-3p as a tumor suppressor is most likely linked to the CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor 4) regulator, although the exact mechanism is unknown. Our review aims to reveal in detail the potential biological value and clinical significance of miRNAs for SS and the potential clinical value brought by the association between SS and miRNAs.
An arc multi-electrode pixel structure for improving the response speed of electrowetting displays
Authors: Lai Shufa , Tian Lixia , Shen Shitao , Yuan Dong , Tang Biao
Published: August 2022

Electrowetting display (EWD) is a new generation of reflective display technology with low power consumption and high contrast. To improve the response speed of pixels, an arc multi-electrode pixel was proposed, and its performance was verified by using the established three-dimensional model in this paper. According to the model, the influence of the arc multi-electrode pixel structure on response speed was simulated, and the influence of a driving sequence on oil movement inside pixels were analyzed. In addition, comparative experiments of oil movement inside pixels with single-electrode and arc multi-electrode were conducted. Experimental results showed that the response time of the arc multi-electrode structure was 0.9 ms faster than the single-electrode structure in a pixel opening stage. In the pixel closing stage, the oil recovery time can be accelerated by applying a boosting voltage to the electrode corresponding to the oil accumulation area, which was 2.3 ms faster than that of the single-electrode structure.
Analysis of 16 studies in nine rodent models does not support the hypothesis that diabetic polyuria is a main reason of urinary bladder enlargement
Authors: Yesilyurt Zeynep E. , Matthes Jan , Hintermann Edith , Castañeda Tamara R. , Elvert Ralf , Beltran-Ornelas Jesus H. , Silva-Velasco Diana L. , Xia Ning , Kannt Aimo , Christen Urs , Centurión David , Li Huige , Pautz Andrea , Arioglu-Inan Ebru , Michel Martin C.
Published: August 2022

The urinary bladder is markedly enlarged in the type 1 diabetes mellitus model of streptozotocin-injected rats, which may contribute to the frequent diabetic uropathy. Much less data exists for models of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic polyuria has been proposed as the pathophysiological mechanism behind bladder enlargement. Therefore, we explored such a relationship across nine distinct rodent models of diabetes including seven models of type 2 diabetes/obesity by collecting data on bladder weight and blood glucose from 16 studies with 2–8 arms each; some studies included arms with various diets and/or pharmacological treatments. Data were analysed for bladder enlargement and for correlations between bladder weight on the one and glucose levels on the other hand. Our data confirm major bladder enlargement in streptozotocin rats and minor if any enlargement in fructose-fed rats, db/db mice and mice on a high-fat diet; enlargement was present in some of five not reported previously models. Bladder weight was correlated with blood glucose as a proxy for diabetic polyuria within some but not other models, but correlations were moderate to weak except for RIP-LCMV mice (r2 of pooled data from all studies 0.0621). Insulin levels also failed to correlate to a meaningful extent. Various diets and medications (elafibranor, empagliflozin, linagliptin, semaglutide) had heterogeneous effects on bladder weight that often did not match their effects on glucose levels. We conclude that the presence and extent of bladder enlargement vary markedly across diabetes models, particularly type 2 diabetes models; our data do not support the idea that bladder enlargement is primarily driven by glucose levels/glucosuria.
Identification of sex-biased and neurodevelopment genes via brain transcriptome in Ostrinia furnacalis
Authors: Chang Yajun , Yang Bin , Zhang Yu , Dong Chenxi , Liu Lei , Zhao Xincheng , Wang Guirong
Published: August 2022

Insect brains play important roles in the regulation of sex-biased behaviors such as mating and oviposition. The neural structure and function of brain differences between males and females have been identified, in which the antenna lobes (AL) showed the most discrepancy, however, the whole repertoire of the genes expressed in the brains and the molecular mechanism of neural signaling and structural development are still unclear. In this study, high-throughput transcriptome analysis of male and female brains was carried on in the Asia corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and a total of 39.23 Gb data and 34,092 unigenes were obtained. Among them, 276 genes displayed sex-biased expression by DEG analysis, of which 125 genes were highly expressed in the males and 151 genes were highly expressed in the females. Besides, by homology analysis against genes that have been confirmed to be related to brain neurodevelopment, a total of 24 candidate genes were identified in O. furnacalis. In addition, to further screen the core genes that may be important for sex-biased nerve signaling and neurodevelopment, protein-protein interaction networks were constructed for the sex-biased genes and neurodevelopment genes. We identified 10 (Mhc, Mlc1, Mlc2, Prm, Mf, wupA, TpnC25D, fln, l(2)efl, and Act5C), 11 (PPO2, GNBP3, Spn77Ba, Ppn, yellow-d2, PGRP-LB, PGRP-SD, PGRP-SC2, Hml, Cg25C, and vkg) and 8 (dac, wg, hh, ci, run, Lim1, Rbp9, and Bx) core hub genes that may be related to brain neural development from male-biased, female-biased, and neurodevelopment gene groups. Our results provide a reference for further analysis of the dimorphism of male and female brain structures in agricultural pests.
Genome sequencing of adapted diploid potato clones
Authors: Achakkagari Sai Reddy , Kyriakidou Maria , Gardner Kyle M. , De Koeyer David , De Jong Hielke , Strömvik Martina V. , Tai Helen H.
Published: August 2022

Cultivated potato is a vegetatively propagated crop, and most varieties are autotetraploid with high levels of heterozygosity. Reducing the ploidy and breeding potato at the diploid level can increase efficiency for genetic improvement including greater ease of introgression of diploid wild relatives and more efficient use of genomics and markers in selection. More recently, selfing of diploids for generation of inbred lines for F1 hybrid breeding has had a lot of attention in potato. The current study provides genomics resources for nine legacy non-inbred adapted diploid potato clones developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. De novo genome sequence assembly using 10× Genomics and Illumina sequencing technologies show the genome sizes ranged from 712 to 948 Mbp. Structural variation was identified by comparison to two references, the potato DMv6.1 genome and the phased RHv3 genome, and a k-mer based analysis of sequence reads showed the genome heterozygosity range of 1 to 9.04% between clones. A genome-wide approach was taken to scan 5 Mb bins to visualize patterns of heterozygous deleterious alleles. These were found dispersed throughout the genome including regions overlapping segregation distortions. Novel variants of the StCDF1 gene conferring earliness of tuberization were found among these clones, which all produce tubers under long days. The genomes will be useful tools for genome design for potato breeding.
Combination of spectral index and transfer learning strategy for glyphosate-resistant cultivar identification
Authors: Tao Mingzhu , He Yong , Bai Xiulin , Chen Xiaoyun , Wei Yuzhen , Peng Cheng , Feng Xuping
Published: August 2022

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used non-selective herbicides, and the creation of glyphosate-resistant cultivars solves the problem of limited spraying area. Therefore, it is of great significance to quickly identify resistant cultivars without destruction during the development of superior cultivars. This work took maize seedlings as the experimental object, and the spectral indices of leaves were calculated to construct a model with good robustness that could be used in different experiments. Compared with no transfer strategies, transferability of support vector machine learning model was improved by randomly selecting 14% of source domain from target domain to train and applying transfer component analysis algorithm, the accuracy on target domain reached 83% (increased by 71%), recall increased from 10 to 100%, and F1-score increased from 0.17 to 0.86. The overall results showed that both transfer component analysis algorithm and updating source domain could improve the transferability of model among experiments, and these two transfer strategies could complement each other’s advantages to achieve the best classification performance. Therefore, this work is beneficial to timely understanding of the physiological status of plants, identifying glyphosate resistant cultivars, and ultimately provides theoretical basis and technical support for new cultivar creation and high-throughput selection.
Teachers’ emotional exhaustion before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Neither emotional exertion nor vacation feeling
Authors: Bleck Victoria , Lipowsky Frank
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In this paper, we use latent change models to examine the changes in in-service teachers’ emotional exhaustion before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, teachers are confronted with challenging tasks, which can lead to stress and burnout. Resultingly, teachers’ stress experiences have been examined in different studies. However, often the change in those experiences remains unclear. Against this background, we investigate longitudinally how the emotional exhaustion of a cohort of German teachers changes. In addition, we examine whether gender, age, teaching degree studied, or the amount of time spent in distance learning affected the change during the pandemic.

Methods

We surveyed German veteran teachers (N = 382) about their emotional exhaustion at three measurement points. The first two surveys were before the COVID-19 pandemic (t1: winter 2016/2017; t2: spring: 2019), and the third measurement point was after the first lockdown Germany in summer 2020 (t3). To answer the research questions, we used neighbor-change models.

Results

Emotional exhaustion increased between the first two measurement points (t1, t2) but decreased in the following period (t2, t3). The changes in the two periods did not differ significantly from each other. Neither gender, age, nor the teaching profession studied influenced the change in emotional exhaustion. The hours spent in distance learning were also not a significant predictor.

Conclusion

In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic does not appear to be associated with higher emotional exhaustion across the veteran teachers. However, there are some teachers whose emotional exhaustion rises to high levels. Those teachers deserve special attention.
The relationship between perceptions of school climate and internet gaming disorder of teenage students: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Zhang Mengrou , Zhang Wenhua , Li Yunhe , He Xiangcai , Chen Feng , Guo Ying
Published: August 2022

Background

In recent years, teenage students’ internet gaming disorder has raised widespread concern in the society. The current study aims to explore how perceptions of school climate, maladaptive cognition, and belief in a just world impact teenage students’ internet gaming disorder and seek the suitable intervention to prevent teenage students’ internet gaming disorder tendency.

Methods

A total of 1,164 teenage students (age: 19.62 ± 3.14 years) were evaluated using the Perceived School Climate Scale (PSCS), Maladaptive Cognition Scale (MCS), Belief in a Just World Scale (BJWS), and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS).

Results

(1) Perceptions of school climate could predict teenage students’ internet gaming disorder [β = –0.15, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (–0.20, –0.11)]. (2) Teenage students’ maladaptive cognition exerts a partial mediating effect between their perceptions of school climate and internet gaming disorder [ab = –0.13, boot SE = 0.01, 95% CI = (–0.16, –0.11)]. (3) The direct effect of perceptions of school climate on internet gaming disorder [β = –0.07, p < 0.01, 95% CI = (–0.11, –0.02)], the first half of the mediation model “perceptions of school climate → maladaptive cognition” [β = –0.08, p < 0.01, 95% CI = (–0.12, –0.03)], and the second half of the mediation model “maladaptive cognition → internet gaming disorder” [β = 0.10, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.06, 0.14)] are all moderated reciprocally by teenage students’ belief in a just world.

Conclusion

Schools should create a good climate and shape belief in a just world to reduce the maladaptive cognition of teenagers, to effectively prevent teenage students’ internet gaming disorder tendency.
Examining the efficacy of dance movement and music mixed treatment on social communication impairment in children with autism — Based on family parent-child situation
Authors: Ren Huiting , Ren Guanghao , Zhan Yuqi , Jia Zhichun
Published: August 2022

Despite impairments in social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), existing studies only examine the effects of either MT or DMT interventions. In the family setting, few studies have investigated interventions for social communication impairments in children with ASD. This study designed and tested a mixed intervention program of both MT and DMT through a 3-month intervention and training for children with ASD in the family setting including parent and child. A pre-test and post-test were conducted in the experimental and control groups, and the childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) scales were used to assess the severity of ASD symptoms and the effects of intervention. A t-test and analysis of variance were performed based on the experimental results. The results indicated that the experimental and control groups did not differ significantly on the CARS pre-test (t = 1.218, p > 0.05) and that there was no significant difference in the ATEC pre-test (t = 0.546, p > 0.05; F = 0.074, p > 0.05, partial η2 = 0.003). There was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores for the CARS in the control group (t = 0.635, p > 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores for the ATEC in the control group (t = 0.027, p > 0.05; F = 5.251, p > 0.05, partial η2 = 0.313). There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores on the CARS in the experimental group (t = 4.327, p > 0.05) and the pre- and post-test scores on the ATEC in the experimental group (t = 5.763, p > 0.01; F = 32.615, p > 0.01, partial η2 = 0.759), with the post-test scores being lower than the pre-test scores. This demonstrates that the mixed intervention of MT and DMT in the family parent-child setting can reduce autism and improve social communication impairment in children with ASD.
Burnout in hospital healthcare workers after the second COVID-19 wave: Job tenure as a potential protective factor
Authors: Antao Helena Sofia , Sacadura-Leite Ema , Correia Ana Isabel , Figueira Maria Luisa
Published: August 2022

Burnout is an impactful occupational health phenomenon to which doctors and nurses have been more exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to measure the dimensions of burnout—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment—in a hospital healthcare population after the second COVID-19 wave and to study their association with sociodemographic variables and previous COVID-19 infection. We invited 112 healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) who attended the occupational health department of a tertiary hospital in March–July 2021. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Linear-regression analyses were conducted to explore relationships between burnout dimensions and sociodemographic variables. Differences between groups according to previous COVID-19 infection were verified using the t-test and when appropriate the Mann–Whitney test (for continuous variables), the chi-square test and when appropriate the Fisher exact test (for categorical variables). We surveyed 106 subjects (95% response rate). High emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were reported by 33.0 and 18.4% of participants, respectively; 21.4% reported low personal accomplishment. Job tenure was associated with depersonalization and personal accomplishment. For each 1-year increase in job tenure, depersonalization decreases 0.14 (95% CI [−0.23, −0.04]) and personal accomplishment increases 0.16 (95% CI [0.06, 0.25]). Gender was associated with emotional exhaustion (being male increases emotional exhaustion 5.62-fold [95% CI: 1.33; 9.92]). The prevalence of high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization and low personal accomplishment after the second COVID-19 wave was relevant and should not be overlooked. Our findings suggest that job tenure may play a protective role in healthcare workers’ burnout.
Supporting healthcare workers in times of COVID-19 with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing online: A pilot study
Authors: Faretta Elisa , Garau M. Ignazia , Gallina Eugenio , Pagani Marco , Fernandez Isabel
Published: August 2022

We report the results of a pilot study regarding the adaptation of the group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol for the treatment online, for the management of trauma associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy. The target group were healthcare workers in a nursing home (Residenza sanitaria assistita, RSA) who decided to live and stay on site during the most acute phase of the Pandemic in order to protect the residents of the home. Scores for perceived post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and quality of emotional experience improved significantly following participation in the therapy programme. These preliminary results confirm the innovative potential of the EMDR protocol when used online on early intervention, to prevent the development of later psychological disturbances.
The need for social network analysis for the investigation of affective variables in second language acquisition
Authors: Wang Mengzhong
Published: August 2022

Considering the inherent developmental nature of language learners’ affective variables (e.g., their motivation, grit, foreign language enjoyment, and boredom), nuances of the development of these constructs need to be approached from a complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) perspective. Among the qualitative research methodologies compatible with the CDST is the social network analysis (SNA) with the interconnectedness and interdependence of systems within a social network at its core. In this article, an overall introduction to SNA is presented first and then followed by a review of the limited existing literature on second language acquisition (SLA) studies. Then, I argue why this innovative research method is suitable to investigate the dynamic nature of L2 learners’ affective variables in the social network of classroom learning. I also suggest several relevant research questions that can potentially be formulated and answered using the SNA. The article ends with conclusive remarks on the need for a more extensive use of innovative CDST-compatible research methods such as SNA in the prospective SLA line of research.
Children and Adolescents Psychological Distress Scale During COVID-19 Pandemic: Validation of a Psychometric Instrument (CONFEADO Study)
Authors: De Stefano Carla , Laurent Isaura , Kaindje-Fondjo Véronique-Carelle , Estevez Mégane , Habran Enguerrand , Falissard Bruno , Haag Pascale , Khireddine Imane , D'Hont Fabien , Baubet Thierry , Oppenchaim Nicolas , Vandentorren Stéphanie , Rezzoug Dalila
Published: August 2022

Aim and Object Purpose of the Study

In March 2020, the WHO declared a pandemic (COVID-19) due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In France, school closures and lockdowns were implemented. In this unprecedented context for French adolescents and children, the CONFEADO study surveyed children aged 9 to 18 years to assess their mental health, psychological distress, and resilience during and after the lockdown in relation to their living and housing conditions. To assess psychological distress, a psychometric tool (Children and Adolescent Psychological Distress Scale-CAPDS-10) was specifically designed for the research. This article presents the psychometric validity of the CAPDS-10.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected data from June 9 to September 14, 2020, from children and adolescents (9 to 18 years of age) via an online questionnaire after sending it to a large network of partners. Psychological distress, resilience, and trait anxiety were assessed using the CAPDS-10, the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). The CAPDS-10 measured perceived psychological distress in the most recent 2 weeks (primary endpoint). The predictive power of the CAPDS-10 was determined by statistical analysis. We proceeded to a confirmatory factor analysis to validate the scale at a clinical level. We carried out a psychometric validation with a step to verify the uni-dimensionality of the scale (PCA analysis) and the calculation of convergent and divergent validity, correlation coefficient between items and subscales, Cronbach's alpha for reliability, determination of a cut-off score for the AUROC index.

Results

Three thousand and forty eight children and adolescents completed the CAPDS-10. Analysis confirmed a three-factor model (anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior) (RMSEA = 0.072 [0.067; 0.077], CFI = 0.954), with a correlation coefficient between items >0.4. PCA analysis concluded that the scale is unidimensional. Reliability was satisfactory with Cronbach's alpha coefficients >0.7 (0.86). In addition, prediction was good with an AUROC index equal to 0.73 and a threshold score for severe distress greater than or equal to 19.

Conclusion

The CAPDS-10 measures psychological distress over the most recent 2-week period with good psychometric qualities. It could be used in crisis or prevention contexts in the general population or in clinical settings.