bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Operation of Soft Open Points-Based Energy Storage in Active Distribution Networks by Considering the Battery Lifetime
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhou Niancheng , Tao Anqi , Wang Qianggang
Published: February 2021

Soft open point-based energy storage (SOP-based ES) can transfer power in time and space and also regulate reactive power. These characteristics help promote the integration of distributed generations (DGs) and reduce the operating cost of active distribution networks (ADNs). Therefore, this work proposed an optimal operation model for SOP-based ES in ADNs by considering the battery lifetime. First, the active and reactive power equations of SOP-based ES and battery degradation cost were modeled. Then, the optimal operation model that includes the operation cost of ADNs, loss cost, and battery degradation cost was established. The mixed integer nonlinear programming model was transformed to a mixed integer linear programming model derived through linearization treatment. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optimization model are verified by the IEEE33 node system.
CID-GCN: An Effective Graph Convolutional Networks for Chemical-Induced Disease Relation Extraction
Authors: Zeng Daojian , Zhao Chao , Quan Zhe
Published: February 2021

Automatic extraction of chemical-induced disease (CID) relation from unstructured text is of essential importance for disease treatment and drug development. In this task, some relational facts can only be inferred from the document rather than single sentence. Recently, researchers investigate graph-based approaches to extract relations across sentences. It iteratively combines the information from neighbor nodes to model the interactions in entity mentions that exist in different sentences. Despite their success, one severe limitation of the graph-based approaches is the over-smoothing problem, which decreases the model distinguishing ability. In this paper, we propose CID-GCN, an effective Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) with gating mechanism, for CID relation extraction. Specifically, we construct a heterogeneous graph which contains mention, sentence and entity nodes. Then, the graph convolution operation is employed to aggregate interactive information on the constructed graph. Particularly, we combine gating mechanism with the graph convolution operation to address the over-smoothing problem. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach significantly outperforms the baselines.
Adipokines, Cardiovascular Risk, and Therapeutic Management in Obesity and Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Porta Sabrina , Otero-Losada Matilde , Kölliker Frers Rodolfo A. , Cosentino Vanesa , Kerzberg Eduardo , Capani Francisco
Published: February 2021

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with skin and joint pathology as the dominant characteristics. Scientific evidence supports its systemic nature and relevant relationship with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and associated conditions. Metabolic syndrome and obesity share common signaling pathways with joint inflammation, reinforcing the idea that adipose tissue is a major contributor to disease development and severity. The adipose tissue is not a mere energy store but also an endocrine organ participating in the immune response. In the search for the best therapeutic strategy for a patient, we should appraise the adipose tissue as an endocrine and immune organ responsible for mild chronic inflammation. Today, our challenge is not only to achieve disease remission but to control the associated comorbidities as well. In light of the high prevalence of obesity in psoriatic arthritis patients and the importance of the adipose tissue in the development of chronic inflammation, we aimed to identify the most relevant articles in this regard published in English until June 2020 using the PubMed database. Search terms included psoriatic arthritis, in combination with metabolic syndrome, obesity, adipokines, cardiovascular disease, and treatment. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the role of adipose tissue as an adipokine-secreting endocrine organ, discussing its influence on disease development and severity, and ultimately in meeting successful disease management.
Intestinal Bacteria Encapsulated by Biomaterials Enhance Immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Yilun , Li Zhongmin , Wu Yuanyu , Jing Xiabin , Li Lin , Fang Xuedong
Published: February 2021

The human intestine contains thousands of bacterial species essential for optimal health. Aside from their pathogenic effects, these bacteria have been associated with the efficacy of various treatments of diseases. Due to their impact on many human diseases, intestinal bacteria are receiving increasing research attention, and recent studies on intestinal bacteria and their effects on treatments has yielded valuable results. Particularly, intestinal bacteria can affect responses to numerous forms of immunotherapy, especially cancer therapy. With the development of precision medicine, understanding the factors that influence intestinal bacteria and how they can be regulated to enhance immunotherapy effects will improve the application prospects of intestinal bacteria therapy. Further, biomaterials employed for the convenient and efficient delivery of intestinal bacteria to the body have also become a research hotspot. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on the regulatory role of intestinal bacteria in immunotherapy, focusing on immune cells they regulate. We also summarize biomaterials used for their delivery.
C-Reactive Protein Triggers Cell Death in Ischemic Cells
Authors: Sheriff Ahmed , Kayser Stefan , Brunner Patrizia , Vogt Birgit
Published: February 2021

C-reactive protein (CRP) is the best-known acute phase protein. In humans, almost every type of inflammation is accompanied by an increase of CRP concentration. Until recently, the only known physiological function of CRP was the marking of cells to initiate their phagocytosis. This triggers the classical complement pathway up to C4, which helps to eliminate pathogens and dead cells. However, vital cells with reduced energy supply are also marked, which is useful in the case of a classical external wound because an important substrate for pathogens is disposed of, but is counterproductive at internal wounds (e.g., heart attack or stroke). This mechanism negatively affects clinical outcomes since it is established that CRP levels correlate with the prognosis of these indications. Here, we summarize what we can learn from a clinical study in which CRP was adsorbed from the bloodstream by CRP-apheresis. Recently, it was shown that CRP can have a direct effect on blood pressure in rabbits. This is interesting in regard to patients with high inflammation, as they often become tachycardic and need catecholamines. These two physiological effects of CRP apparently also occur in COVID-19. Parts of the lung become ischemic due to intra-alveolar edema and hemorrhage and in parallel CRP increases dramatically, hence it is assumed that CRP is also involved in this ischemic condition. It is meanwhile considered that most of the damage in COVID-19 is caused by the immune system. The high amounts of CRP could have an additional influence on blood pressure in severe COVID-19.
Associations Between Anemia, Cognitive Impairment, and All-Cause Mortality in Oldest-Old Adults: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Wangping Jia , Ke Han , Shengshu Wang , Yang Song , Shanshan Yang , Wenzhe Cao , Yao He , Miao Liu
Published: February 2021

Objective: To evaluate the combined effects of anemia and cognitive function on the risk of all-cause mortality in oldest-old individuals.

Design: Prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting and Participants: We included 1,212 oldest-old individuals (men, 416; mean age, 93.3 years).

Methods: Blood tests, physical examinations, and health questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2012 were used for baseline data. Mortality was assessed in the subsequent 2014 and 2018 survey waves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate anemia, cognitive impairment, and mortality risk. We used restricted cubic splines to analyze and visualize the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and mortality risk.

Results: A total of 801 (66.1%) deaths were identified during the 6-year follow-up. We noted a significant association between anemia and mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.54) after adjusting for confounding variables. We also observed a dose-response relationship between the severity of anemia and mortality (P < 0.001). In the restricted cubic spline models, Hb levels had a reverse J-shaped association with mortality risk (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.93 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 130 g/L). The reverse J-shaped association persisted in individuals without cognitive impairment (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79–0.98 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 110 g/L). For people with cognitive impairment, Hb levels were inversely associated with mortality risk (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78–0.89 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 150 g/L). People with anemia and cognitive impairment had the highest risk of mortality (HR 2.60, 95% CI 2.06–3.27).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that anemia is associated with an increased risk of mortality in oldest-old people. Cognitive impairment modifies the association between Hb levels and mortality.
Codon Usage and Adenovirus Fitness: Implications for Vaccine Development
Authors: Giménez-Roig Judit , Núñez-Manchón Estela , Alemany Ramon , Villanueva Eneko , Fillat Cristina
Published: February 2021

Vaccination is the most effective method to date to prevent viral diseases. It intends to mimic a naturally occurring infection while avoiding the disease, exposing our bodies to viral antigens to trigger an immune response that will protect us from future infections. Among different strategies for vaccine development, recombinant vaccines are one of the most efficient ones. Recombinant vaccines use safe viral vectors as vehicles and incorporate a transgenic antigen of the pathogen against which we intend to generate an immune response. These vaccines can be based on replication-deficient viruses or replication-competent viruses. While the most effective strategy involves replication-competent viruses, they must be attenuated to prevent any health hazard while guaranteeing a strong humoral and cellular immune response. Several attenuation strategies for adenoviral-based vaccine development have been contemplated over time. In this paper, we will review them and discuss novel approaches based on the principle that protein synthesis from individual genes can be modulated by codon usage bias manipulation. We will summarize vaccine approaches that consider recoding of viral proteins to produce adenoviral attenuation and recoding of the transgene antigens for both viral attenuation and efficient viral epitope expression.
Ginkgolide B Maintains Calcium Homeostasis in Hypoxic Hippocampal Neurons by Inhibiting Calcium Influx and Intracellular Calcium Release
Authors: Wang Li , Lei Quan , Zhao Shuai , Xu WenJuan , Dong Wei , Ran JiHua , Shi QingHai , Fu JianFeng
Published: February 2021

Ginkgolide B (GB), a terpene lactone and active ingredient of Ginkgo biloba, shows protective effects in neuronal cells subjected to hypoxia. We investigated whether GB might protect neurons from hypoxic injury through regulation of neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis. Primary hippocampal neurons subjected to chemical hypoxia (0.7 mM CoCl2) in vitro exhibited an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ (measured from the fluorescence of fluo-4), but this effect was significantly diminished by pre-treatment with 0.4 mM GB. Electrophysiological recordings from the brain slices of rats exposed to hypoxia in vivo revealed increases in spontaneous discharge frequency, action potential frequency and calcium current magnitude, and all these effects of hypoxia were suppressed by pre-treatment with 12 mg/kg GB. Western blot analysis demonstrated that hypoxia was associated with enhanced mRNA and protein expressions of Cav1.2 (a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel), STIM1 (a regulator of store-operated Ca2+ entry) and RyR2 (isoforms of Ryanodine Receptor which mediates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release), and these actions of hypoxia were suppressed by GB. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that GB might protect neurons from hypoxia, in part, by regulating Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis.
Neurofascin Is a Novel Component of Rod Photoreceptor Synapses in the Outer Retina
Authors: Pourhoseini Sahar , Goswami-Sewell Debalina , Zuniga-Sanchez Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

Neural circuit formation is an intricate and complex process where multiple neuron types must come together to form synaptic connections at a precise location and time. How this process is orchestrated during development remains poorly understood. Cell adhesion molecules are known to play a pivotal role in assembling neural circuits. They serve as recognition molecules between corresponding synaptic partners. In this study, we identified a new player in assembling neural circuits in the outer retina, the L1-family cell adhesion molecule Neurofascin (Nfasc). Our data reveals Nfasc is expressed in the synaptic layer where photoreceptors make synaptic connections to their respective partners. A closer examination of Nfasc expression shows high levels of expression in rod bipolars but not in cone bipolars. Disruption of Nfasc using a conditional knockout allele results in selective loss of pre- and post-synaptic proteins in the rod synaptic layer but not in the cone synaptic layer. Electron microscopic analysis confirms that indeed there are abnormal synaptic structures with less dendrites of rod bipolars innervating rod terminals in loss of Nfasc animals. Consistent with these findings, we also observe a decrease in rod-driven retinal responses with disruption of Nfasc function but not in cone-driven responses. Taken together, our data suggest a new role of Nfasc in rod synapses within the mouse outer retina.
Considering Biological Sex in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Biegon Anat
Published: February 2021

Published epidemiological studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI) of all severities consistently report higher incidence in men. Recent increases in the participation of women in sports and active military service as well as increasing awareness of the very large number of women who sustain but do not report TBI as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV) suggest that the number of women with TBI is significantly larger than previously believed. Women are also grossly under-represented in clinical and natural history studies of TBI, most of which include relatively small numbers of women, ignore the role of sex- and age-related gonadal hormone levels, and report conflicting results. The emerging picture from recent studies powered to detect effects of biological sex as well as age (as a surrogate of hormonal status) suggest young (i.e., premenopausal) women are more likely to die from TBI relative to men of the same age group, but this is reversed in the 6th and 7th decades of life, coinciding with postmenopausal status in women. New data from concussion studies in young male and female athletes extend this finding to mild TBI, since female athletes who sustained mild TBI are significantly more likely to report more symptoms than males. Studies including information on gonadal hormone status at the time of injury are still too scarce and small to draw reliable conclusions, so there is an urgent need to include biological sex and gonadal hormone status in the design and analysis of future studies of TBI.
Effects of Long-Term Endogenous Corticosteroid Exposure on Brain Volume and Glial Cells in the AdKO Mouse
Authors: Amaya Jorge Miguel , Suidgeest Ernst , Sahut-Barnola Isabelle , Dumontet Typhanie , Montanier Nathanaëlle , Pagès Guilhem , Keller Cécile , van der Weerd Louise , Pereira Alberto M. , Martinez Antoine , Meijer Onno C.
Published: February 2021

Chronic exposure to high circulating levels of glucocorticoids has detrimental effects on health, including metabolic abnormalities, as exemplified in Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have found volumetric changes in gray and white matter of the brain in CS patients during the course of active disease, but also in remission. In order to explore this further, we performed MRI-based brain volumetric analyses in the AdKO mouse model for CS, which presents its key traits. AdKO mice had reduced relative volumes in several brain regions, including the corpus callosum and cortical areas. The medial amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and hypothalamus were increased in relative volume. Furthermore, we found a lower immunoreactivity of myelin basic protein (MBP, an oligodendrocyte marker) in several brain regions but a paradoxically increased MBP signal in the male cingulate cortex. We also observed a decrease in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker for reactive astrocytes) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1, a marker for activated microglia) in the cingulate regions of the anterior corpus callosum and the hippocampus. We conclude that long-term hypercorticosteronemia induced brain region-specific changes that might include aberrant myelination and a degree of white matter damage, as both repair (GFAP) and immune (IBA1) responses are decreased. These findings suggest a cause for the changes observed in the brains of human patients and serve as a background for further exploration of their subcellular and molecular mechanisms.
Anorectal Malformations Associated With Labioscrotal Fold Malformation and Perineal Mass in Pediatric Patients: Over a Decade of Experience
Authors: Wang Kai , Peng Chunhui , Pang Wenbo , Wang Zengmeng , Wu Dongyang , Zhang Dan , Siyin Sarah Tan , Chen Yajun
Published: February 2021

Background: The triad of anorectal malformation (ARM), labioscrotal fold malformation, and perineal mass has rarely been reported before. The purpose of this study was to review our experience in these patients, describe their characteristics, and discuss the possible pathogenesis.

Methods: Seven pediatric patients diagnosed with ARM associated with both labioscrotal fold malformation and perineal mass were included in this study. Medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed, and follow-up was held through telephone contact or outpatient service.

Results: Among the seven patients were six females and one male, and the age at surgery was between 5.2 and 12.4 months. The ratio of lateral-type to mid-perineum-type labioscrotal fold malformation was 5:2. The ARM type was all rectoperineal fistula. Operation was excision of the malformation and perineal mass at the same time of anoplasty. The pathology was lipoma (three cases), fibroma (one case), lipofibroma (one case), angiolipoma (one case), and mesenchymal hamartoma (one case). All the seven patients had no wound complication, and during the follow-up period of 7–100 months after surgery, none of the seven patients suffered perineal mass recurrence. Bowel control was satisfactory in the follow-up period.

Conclusions: There is a low incidence for the triad of ARM, labioscrotal fold malformation, and perineal mass. The nature of this disease is neoplastic overgrowth of intervening mesenchymal tissue, which impedes the continuity of caudal development into normal labioscrotal fold and affects the extension of urorectal septum, leading to ARM. Prognosis is mainly dependent on the type of ARM.
Prescription of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Dental Implant Surgery in Healthy Patients: A Systematic Review of Survey-Based Studies
Authors: Bernabeu-Mira Juan Carlos , Peñarrocha-Diago Miguel , Peñarrocha-Oltra David
Published: February 2021

Background: Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is frequently prescribed by dentists performing dental implant surgery to avoid premature implant failure and postoperative infections. The scientific literature suggests that a single preoperative dose suffices to reduce the risk of early dental implant failure in healthy patients.

Material and Methods: A systematic review was made based on an electronic literature search in the PubMed-Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Open Gray databases. The review addressed the question: “which antibiotic prophylaxis regimens are being used in dental implant surgery in healthy patients according to survey-based studies?” The identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion phases were conducted according to the PRISMA statement by two independent reviewers. The following data were collected: country, number of surveyed dentists, number of dentists who responded (n), response rate, routine prescription of antibiotic prophylactic treatment (yes, no, or conditioned prescription), prescription regimen (preoperative, perioperative or postoperative) and antibiotic choice (first and second choice). Cohen’s kappa coefficient (k) evaluated the level of agreement between the two reviewers. The analysis of risk of bias was performed follow the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for observational studies. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed to calculate total target sample, sample size and total mean.

Results: A total of 159 articles were identified, of which 12 were included in the analysis. Two thousand and seventy-seven dentists from nine different countries on three continents were surveyed. The median response rate was low and disparate between studies. About three-quarters of the surveyed dentists claimed to routinely prescribe systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for dental implant surgery. The prescription regimen was perioperative, postoperative and preoperative, in decreasing order of frequency. The most frequent first choice drug was amoxicillin, with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid as second choice.

Conclusions: A majority of dentists from different countries do not prescribe systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for dental implant surgery following the available scientific evidence and could be overprescribing. Efforts are needed by dental educators and professionals to reduce the gap between the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for dental implant surgery as supported by the scientific evidence and what is being done by clinicians in actual practice.
S1PR2 Inhibition Attenuates Allergic Asthma Possibly by Regulating Autophagy
Authors: Liu Hanye , Li Liangchang , Chen Zhengai , Song Yilan , Liu Weidong , Gao Ge , Li Li , Jiang Jingzhi , Xu Chang , Yan Guanghai , Cui Hong
Published: February 2021

This study is to investigate the role of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in the asthma progression, and the involvement of autophagy. Airway remodeling mice were subjected to the HE, PAS, and Masson staining. Protein expression levels in the tissues, samples and model cells were detected with ELISA, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical/immunofluorescent analysis. The S1P2 receptor antagonist JTE-013 decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell production in asthmatic mice tissues. The IL-1, IL-4, IL-5 and serum IgE contents were decreased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while the Beclin1 expression in lung tissues was decreased. The LC3B1 to LC-3B2 conversion was decreased, with increased P62 accumulation and decreased p-P62 expression. In airway remodeling mice, JTE-013 significantly decreased collagen deposition in lung tissues and decreased smooth muscle cell smooth muscle activating protein expression. In lung tissue, the expression levels of Beclin1 were decreased, with decreased LC3B1 to LC-3B2 conversion, as well as the increased P62 accumulation and decreased p-P62 expression. However, these effects were reversed by the RAC1 inhibitor EHT 1864. Similar results were observed for the silencing of S1P2 receptor in the cells, as shown by the decreased Beclin1 expression, decreased LC3B1 to LC-3B2 conversion, increased P62 accumulation, and decreased p-P62 expression. The smooth muscle activators were significantly decreased in the JTE-013 and EHT1864 groups, and the EHT 1864 + S1P2-SiRNA expression level was increased. S1P is involved in the progression of asthma and airway remodeling, which may be related to the activation of S1PR2 receptor and inhibition of autophagy through RAC1.
Recent Advance in Tunable Single-Frequency Fiber Laser Based on Two-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Wei Zhe , Chen Shuangcheng , Ding Jianyi , Sun Bo , Qi Xinyuan , Lu Baole , Bai Jintao
Published: February 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) materials possess optoelectronic and nonlinear optical properties make them used in many fields such as optical modulator, optical switch, and single frequency (SF) fiber lasers as a saturable absorber (SA) in the laser cavity. This review deals with recent advances in wavelength tunable single frequency fiber laser based on these properties. It extends the contents from previous reviews on pulsed fiber lasers to SF fiber lasers which have emerged in recent years. First, the research status of 2D materials, including the structural characteristics and properties of some typical cases and their saturable absorption characteristics are introduced. After that, the principle and some applicable technologies with these 2D materials to achieve the wavelength tunable SF operation are discussed. Further, the latest research progress on such fiber lasers are summarized. Finally, a discussion on future prospects and challenges are included.
Data Analysis and Background Subtraction in Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy
Authors: Hoffmann Ingo
Published: February 2021

With the constantly improving performance of neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometers it becomes possible to perform measurements on increasingly complex samples and to study more and more delicate effects. To properly study such effects, proper background correction becomes increasingly important. In this paper, we will review different methods to subtract the buffer from NSE measurements and study the effect of small errors in the subtraction of the background. In the large dynamic range of modern neutron spin-echo spectrometers multiple effects become visible in a single measurement. Specifically, for vesicles both membrane undulations and translational diffusion have an effect on the intermediate scattering function in the NSE time window and here, we will investigate how taking this into account differently affects the results obtained from data analysis.
Silicon Alleviate Hypoxia Stress by Improving Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Antioxidants and Regulating Nutrient Uptake in Muscadine Grape (Muscadinia rotundifolia Michx.)
Authors: Iqbal Zafar , Sarkhosh Ali , Balal Rashad Mukhtar , Gómez Celina , Zubair Muhammad , Ilyas Noshin , Khan Naeem , Shahid Muhammad Adnan
Published: February 2021

Flooding induces low oxygen (hypoxia) stress to plants, and this scenario is mounting due to hurricanes followed by heavy rains, especially in subtropical regions. Hypoxia stress results in the reduction of green pigments, gas exchange (stomatal conductance and internal CO2concentration), and photosynthetic activity in the plant leaves. In addition, hypoxia stress causes oxidative damage by accelerating lipid peroxidation due to the hyperproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaf and root tissues. Furthermore, osmolyte accumulation and antioxidant activity increase, whereas micronutrient uptake decreases under hypoxia stress. Plant physiology and development get severely compromised by hypoxia stress. This investigation was, therefore, aimed at appraising the effects of regular silicon (Si) and Si nanoparticles (SiNPs) to mitigate hypoxia stress in muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifoliaMichx.) plants. Our results demonstrated that hypoxia stress reduced muscadine plants’ growth by limiting the production of root and shoot dry biomass, whereas the root zone application of both Si and SiNP effectively mitigated oxidative and osmotic cell damage. Compared to Si, SiNP yielded better efficiency by improving the activity of enzymatic antioxidants [including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)], non-enzymatic antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione contents], and accumulation of organic osmolytes [proline and glycinebetaine (GB)]. SiNP also regulated the nutrient profile of the plants by increasing N, P, K, and Zn contents while limiting Mn and Fe concentration to a less toxic level. A negative correlation between antioxidant activities and lipid peroxidation rates was observed in SiNP-treated plants under hypoxia stress. Conclusively, SiNP-treated plants combat hypoxia more efficiently stress than conventional Si by boosting antioxidant activities, osmoprotectant accumulation, and micronutrient regulation.
Whole-Genome Diversification Analysis of the Hornbeam Species Reveals Speciation and Adaptation Among Closely Related Species
Authors: Zheng Zeyu , Li Ying , Li Minjie , Li Guiting , Du Xin , Hongyin Hu , Yin Mou , Lu Zhiqiang , Zhang Xu , Shrestha Nawal , Liu Jianquan , Yang Yongzhi
Published: February 2021

Speciation is the key evolutionary process for generating biological diversity and has a central place in evolutionary and ecological research. How species diverge and adapt to different habitats is one of the most exciting areas in speciation studies. Here, we sequenced 55 individuals from three closely related species in the genusCarpinus:Carpinus tibetana,Carpinus monbeigiana, andCarpinus mollicomato understand the strength and direction of gene flow and selection during the speciation process. We found low genetic diversity inC. tibetana, which reflects its extremely small effective population size. The speciation analysis betweenC. monbeigianaandC. mollicomarevealed that both species diverged ∼1.2 Mya with bidirectional gene flow. A total of 291 highly diverged genes, 223 copy number variants genes, and 269 positive selected genes were recovered from the two species. Genes associated with the diverged and positively selected regions were mainly involved in thermoregulation, plant development, and response to stress, which included adaptations to their habitats. We also found a great population decline and a low genetic divergence ofC. tibetana, which suggests that this species is extremely vulnerable. We believe that the current diversification and adaption study and the important genomic resource sequenced herein will facilitate the speciation studies and serve as an important methodological reference for future research.
Network Topological Analysis for the Identification of Novel Hubs in Plant Nutrition
Authors: Di Silvestre Dario , Vigani Gianpiero , Mauri Pierluigi , Hammadi Sereen , Morandini Piero , Murgia Irene
Published: February 2021

Network analysis is a systems biology-oriented approach based on graph theory that has been recently adopted in various fields of life sciences. Starting from mitochondrial proteomes purified from roots of Cucumis sativus plants grown under single or combined iron (Fe) and molybdenum (Mo) starvation, we reconstructed and analyzed at the topological level the protein–protein interaction (PPI) and co-expression networks. Besides formate dehydrogenase (FDH), already known to be involved in Fe and Mo nutrition, other potential mitochondrial hubs of Fe and Mo homeostasis could be identified, such as the voltage-dependent anion channel VDAC4, the beta-cyanoalanine synthase/cysteine synthase CYSC1, the aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH2B7, and the fumaryl acetoacetate hydrolase. Network topological analysis, applied to plant proteomes profiled in different single or combined nutritional conditions, can therefore assist in identifying novel players involved in multiple homeostatic interactions.
Self-Regulation and Regulatory Teaching as Determinants of Academic Behavioral Confidence and Procrastination in Undergraduate Students
Authors: de la Fuente Jesús , Sander Paul , Garzón-Umerenkova Angélica , Vera-Martínez Manuel Mariano , Fadda Salvatore , Gaetha Martha Leticia
Published: February 2021

The combination of student Self-Regulation (SR) and the context of Regulatory Teaching (RT), each in varying degree, has recently been demonstrated to have effects on achievement emotions, factors and symptoms of stress, and coping strategies. The aim of the present research study is to verify its possible further effects, on academic behavioral confidence and procrastination. A total of 1193 university students completed validated online questionnaires with regard to specific subjects in their degree program. Using an ex post facto design, multivariate analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) were carried out in order to test the relationships predicted by the model. SR and RT had a significant joint effect in determining the degree of academic behavioral confidence and of procrastination. Academic behavioral confidence also significantly predicted reasons for procrastinating, and these in turn predicted activities of procrastination. Conclusions are discussed, insisting on the combined weight of the two variables in determining academic behavioral confidence, reasons for procrastinating and activities subject to procrastination, in university students. Implications for guidance and educational support of university students and teachers are analyzed.
Morality and Values in Sports Among Young Athletes: The Role of Sport Type and Parenting Styles – A Pilot Study
Authors: Yaffe Yosi , Levental Orr , Arey Dalit Lev , Lev Assaf
Published: February 2021

Given the great importance of morality and values in modern sports, especially among young athletes, in this pilot study, we sought to broaden the exploration of the factors that may play role in these contexts, which have not been widely researched to date. Accordingly, the study tested the relationships between sport type (team or individual) and parenting styles (authoritative vs. non-authoritative), and moral decision-making in sport and sport values among 110 adolescent athletes whose age ranges from 11 to 22 (M= 16.04,SD= 2.86). The findings indicated that participants with authoritative parents, as compared to those with non-authoritative parents, are significantly less accepting of cheating in sport, while they also tend more to keep winning in proportion and hold significantly stronger moral values toward sports. Moreover, participants whose main sport is a team sport type tend to accept more cheating and gamesmanship than participants whose main sport is an individualistic sport type. While no differences were recorded between these groups in moral values, team athletes tend to value status in sport more than individual athletes, while the latter tend to value competence regarding their sport. The implications of the findings are discussed in light of no interaction between the effects of parenting styles and sport type on moral and sport values.
Prospects of COVID-19 Vaccination in Romania: Challenges and Potential Solutions
Authors: Dascalu Stefan , Geambasu Oana , Covaciu Ovidiu , Chereches Razvan Mircea , Diaconu Gabriel , Dumitra Gindrovel Gheorghe , Gheorghita Valeriu , Popovici Emilian Damian
Published: February 2021

The rapid advancement in vaccine development represents a critical milestone that will help humanity tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the success of these efforts is not guaranteed, as it relies on the outcomes of national and international vaccination strategies. In this article, we highlight some of the challenges that Romania will face and propose a set of solutions to overcome them. With this in mind, we discuss issues such as the infrastructure of vaccine storage and delivery, the deployment and administration of immunisations, and the public acceptance of vaccines. The ways in which Romanian society will respond to a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign will be contingent on appropriate and timely actions. As many of the problems encountered in Romania are not unique, the proposed recommendations could be adapted and implemented in other countries that face similar issues, thereby informing better practices in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Large Scale Subject Category Classification of Scholarly Papers With Deep Attentive Neural Networks
Authors: Kandimalla Bharath , Rohatgi Shaurya , Wu Jian , Giles C. Lee
Published: February 2021

Subject categories of scholarly papers generally refer to the knowledge domain(s) to which the papers belong, examples being computer science or physics. Subject category classification is a prerequisite for bibliometric studies, organizing scientific publications for domain knowledge extraction, and facilitating faceted searches for digital library search engines. Unfortunately, many academic papers do not have such information as part of their metadata. Most existing methods for solving this task focus on unsupervised learning that often relies on citation networks. However, a complete list of papers citing the current paper may not be readily available. In particular, new papers that have few or no citations cannot be classified using such methods. Here, we propose a deep attentive neural network (DANN) that classifies scholarly papers using only their abstracts. The network is trained using nine million abstracts from Web of Science (WoS). We also use the WoS schema that covers 104 subject categories. The proposed network consists of two bi-directional recurrent neural networks followed by an attention layer. We compare our model against baselines by varying the architecture and text representation. Our best model achieves micro-F1measure of 0.76 withF1of individual subject categories ranging from 0.50 to 0.95. The results showed the importance of retraining word embedding models to maximize the vocabulary overlap and the effectiveness of the attention mechanism. The combination of word vectors with TFIDF outperforms character and sentence level embedding models. We discuss imbalanced samples and overlapping categories and suggest possible strategies for mitigation. We also determine the subject category distribution in CiteSeerX by classifying a random sample of one million academic papers.
Monitoring Recently Acquired HIV Infections in Amsterdam, The Netherlands: The Attribution of Test Locations
Authors: Slurink Isabel A. L. , van de Baan Frank , van Sighem Ard I. , van Dam Alje P. , van de Laar Thijs J. W. , de Bree Godelieve J. , van Benthem Birgit H. B. , Op de Coul Eline L. M.
Published: February 2021

Background: Surveillance of recent HIV infections (RHI) using an avidity assay has been implemented at Dutch sexual health centres (SHC) since 2014, but data on RHI diagnosed at other test locations is lacking.

Setting: Implementation of the avidity assay in HIV treatment clinics for the purpose of studying RHI among HIV patients tested at different test locations.

Methods: We retrospectively tested leftover specimens from newly diagnosed HIV patients in care in 2013–2015 in Amsterdam. Avidity Index (AI) values ≤0.80 indicated recent infection (acquired ≤6 months prior to diagnosis), and AI > 0.80 indicated established infection (acquired >6 months prior to diagnosis). An algorithm for RHI was applied to correct for false recency. Recency based on this algorithm was compared with recency based on epidemiological data only. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with RHI among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Results: We tested 447 specimens with avidity; 72% from MSM. Proportions of RHI were 20% among MSM and 10% among heterosexuals. SHC showed highest proportions of RHI (27%), followed by GPs (15%), hospitals (5%), and other/unknown locations (11%) (p < 0.001). Test location was the only factor associated with RHI among MSM. A higher proportion of RHI was found based on epidemiological data compared to avidity testing combined with the RHI algorithm.

Conclusion: SHC identify more RHI infections compared to other test locations, as they serve high-risk populations and offer frequent HIV testing. Using avidity-testing for surveillance purposes may help targeting prevention programs, but the assay lacks robustness and its added value may decline with improved, repeat HIV testing and data collection.
“I’m Going to Stop Myself Before Someone Stops Me”: Complicating Narratives of Volitional Substance Use Treatment
Authors: Frank David , Walters Suzan M.
Published: February 2021

Background: Often people assume that entry into drug treatment is a voluntary action for persons who use drugs (PWUD). This narrative informs the organizational and regulatory structure of most treatment programs and consequently affects patients’ ability to exert agency over their own treatment. Yet, this view ignores the complex interplay between individual and structural factors in peoples’ decision-making processes, particularly among people who use drugs who are stigmatized and criminalized. Treatment programs that assume voluntary entry may lack appropriate services for the populations of treatment seekers that they serve.

Methods: This paper uses semi-structured interviews with 42 participants in Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) (including patients, clinic doctors and staff, and advocates) informed by one of the author’s own lived experience in OST, to examine patients’ treatment decisions, and in particular, if and how, the structural context of drugs’ illegality/criminalization affected their willingness to pursue treatment. A Critical Discourse Analysis was used to identify key themes.

Results: Interview data demonstrates that most people who use drugs enter treatment under constrained conditions related to drugs’ illegality. Themes that emerged included: 1. A feeling of limited choices due to drugs’ illegality; 2. Peer and family pressure; 3. Fear of losing children; and 4. Internalized stigma (i.e. feeling they are dirty or bad for using).

Conclusion: Narratives that frame PWUD’s treatment decisions as volitional provide political cover to policies that criminalize PWUD by obscuring their effect on PWUD’s treatment decisions. Treatment models, particularly those that serve highly criminalized populations, should be re-conceptualized outside of normative narratives of individual choice, and be broadened to understand how larger structures constrain choices. By looking at macro-level factors, including the interplay of criminalization and drug treatment, programs can begin to understand the complexity of PWUD motivations to enter drug treatment. Recognizing the role of the War on Drugs as a force of oppression for people who use drugs, and that their treatment decisions are made within that setting, may enable people in treatment, and providers, to develop more productive ways of interacting with one another. Additionally, this may lead to better retention in treatment programs.
First Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a Buffalo Aborted Foetus in Campania Region (Southern Italy)
Authors: Esposito Claudia , Cardillo Lorena , Borriello Giorgia , Ascione Grazia , Valvini Ornella , Galiero Giorgio , Fusco Giovanna
Published: February 2021

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is the causative agent of listeriosis in both animals and humans, representing one of the most severe food-borne diseases in humans. Out of 13 serotypes, only three (i.e., 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b) are responsible for 95% of human outbreaks of listeriosis. Ruminants have been hypothesised to represent the main natural reservoir for this pathogen and to be involved in the transmission of Listeria to humans. During pregnancy, listeriosis in ruminants cause various reproductive disorders as well as abortion. However, little is known about abortion due to LM in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). In this study, we report for the first time the detection of LM in a water buffalo foetus in the region of Campania, Italy. Complete necropsy was performed, and samples and swabs from the abomasum, kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen were collected. Microbiological and molecular analyses were carried out to detect bacterial, viral, and protozoarian abortive pathogens. The results revealed the presence of LM in the liver, lungs, and abomasum, and no other agent was detected. Isolation was confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. Molecular serotype characterisation was performed, and serogroup IVb was identified. In conclusion, because of the zoonotic implications of our findings, this report highlights the importance of including LM in the diagnostic panel in cases of bubaline abortion.
Surveillance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-, Cephalosporinase- and Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in Raw Milk Filters and Healthy Dairy Cattle in Three Farms in Île-de-France, France
Authors: Plassard Vincent , Gisbert Philippe , Granier Sophie A. , Millemann Yves
Published: February 2021

The aim of this work was to test a surveillance protocol able to detect extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-, cephalosporinase (AmpC)- and carbapenemase (CP)-producing gram-negative bacteria in three conveniently chosen dairy farms with known prior occurrences of ESBL- and CP-producing strains. The protocol was applied monthly for a year. At each visit, 10 healthy lactating dairy cows were rectally swabbed, and raw milk filters (RMFs) were sampled in two of the three farms. Bacterial isolation was based on a first screening step with MacConkey agar supplemented with 1 mg/L cefotaxime and commercial carbapenem-supplemented media. We failed to detect CP-producing strains but showed that ESBL-Escherichia strains, found in one farm only (13 strains), were closely associated with multi-drug resistance (12 out of 13). The limited number of conveniently selected farms and the fact that RMFs could not be retrieved from one of them limit the validity of our findings. Still, our results illustrate that ESBL-status changes monthly based on fecal swabs and negative herds should be qualified as “unsuspected” as proposed by previous authors. Although surveillance of farm statuses based on RMF analysis could theoretically allow for a better sensitivity than individual swabs, we failed to illustrate it as both farms where RMFs could be retrieved were constantly negative. Determination of CP herd-level status based on RMFs and our surveillance protocol was hindered by the presence of intrinsically resistant bacteria or strains cumulating multiple non-CP resistance mechanisms which means our protocol is not specific enough for routine monitoring of CP in dairy farms.
Plant-Based Phenolic Molecules as Natural Preservatives in Comminuted Meats: A Review
Authors: Beya Michel M. , Netzel Michael E. , Sultanbawa Yasmina , Smyth Heather , Hoffman Louwrens C.
Published: February 2021

Comminuted meat products are highly susceptible to safety and quality degradation partly because of their large interfacial area in the emulsion. The food industry extensively uses synthetic chemical preservatives to delay that degradation which is caused by microbial growth, enzyme activities and oxidation reactions. However, due to the potential health damage (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers among others) synthetic preservatives in meat may cause, consumers are becoming skeptical to buy meat products containing such additives. In the meat industry, the interest of finding natural food preservatives is intensifying. Polyphenolic-rich plants used as natural food preservatives offer the best alternative for a partial or a complete replacement of their synthetic counterparts. They can be extracted from natural sources such as olives, fruits, grapes, vegetables, spices, herbs, and algae, and among others. The common feature of these phenolic compounds is that they have one or more aromatic rings with one or more -OH group which are essential for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This review article is intended to provide an overview of the plant-based phenolic molecules used as natural food preservative, their antimicrobial and antioxidant mechanism of action, and their potential application in comminuted meat.