bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waste Is the New Wealth – Recovering Resources From Poultry Wastewater for Multifunctional Microalgae Feedstock
Authors: Thoré Eli S. J. , Schoeters Floris , De Cuyper Audrey , Vleugels Rut , Noyens Isabelle , Bleyen Peter , Van Miert Sabine
Published: July 2021

To meet the increasing demands of the growing population and to cope with the challenges of global change, both the production of biological feedstock and the recovery of recyclable natural resources play a critical role. Microalgal biomass is a promising source of renewable multifunctional feedstock, but the production is costly and requires large amounts of water. Here, we explored the potential of using wastewater as culture medium to lower the economic and environmental costs of microalgae biomass production and evaluated its valorization opportunities for animal feed production. As a proof of principle, we show that Chlorella sorokiniana can be cultivated on poultry wastewater, with a 83 and 113% increase in productivity when wastewater was first 50% diluted with tap water or standard growth medium, respectively. Wastewater sterilization before use enhanced algal growth with 36–118%, but only when wastewater was 25–50% diluted with standard medium. In contrast, it offered no additional benefits when dilutions were made with tap water or when wastewater was not diluted. At the end of the 22-days experiment, a maximum biomass of 0.8–1.9 g L−1 was reached for algae grown on wastewater. The produced biomass had a high macronutrient content, and the heavy metal content was below maximum limits for use in animal feed. Likewise, the tested pathogen groups were reduced until below safety norms for feed production after algal growth in unsterilized 50% wastewater (diluted with tap water). Overall, these findings add to our growing knowledge on the cultivation of microalgae on wastewater and its valorization opportunities, paving the way for a more sustainable use and reuse of resources.
Spectrum of Mutations in Pediatric Non-glomerular Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 2–5
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Xiao Huijie , Yao Yong , Xu Ke , Liu Xiaoyu , Su Baige , Zhang Hongwen , Guan Na , Zhong Xuhui , Zhang Yanqin , Ding Jie , Wang Fang
Published: July 2021

Renal hypodysplasia and cystic kidney diseases, the common non-glomerular causes of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), are usually diagnosed by their clinical and imaging characteristics. The high degree of phenotypic heterogeneity, in both conditions, makes the correct final diagnosis dependent on genetic testing. It is not clear, however, whether the frequencies of damaged alleles vary among different ethnicities in children with non-glomerular CKD, and this will influence the strategy used for genetic testing. In this study, 69 unrelated children (40 boys, 29 girls) of predominantly Han Chinese ethnicity with stage 2–5 non-glomerular CKD caused by suspected renal hypodysplasia or cystic kidney diseases were enrolled and assessed by molecular analysis using proband-only targeted exome sequencing and array-comparative genomic hybridization. Targeted exome sequencing discovered genetic etiologies in 33 patients (47.8%) covering 10 distinct genetic disorders. The clinical diagnoses in 13/48 patients (27.1%) with suspected renal hypodysplasia were confirmed, and two patients were reclassified carrying mutations in nephronophthisis (NPHP) genes. The clinical diagnoses in 16/20 patients (80%) with suspected cystic kidney diseases were confirmed, and one patient was reclassified as carrying a deletion in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1-beta gene (HNF1B). The diagnosis of one patient with unknown non-glomerular disease was elucidated. No copy number variations were identified in the 20 patients with negative targeted exome sequencing results. NPHP genes were the most common disease-causing genes in the patients with disease onsets above 6 years of age (14/45, 31.1%). The children with stage 2 and 3 CKD at onset were found to carry causative mutations in paired box gene 2 (PAX2) and HNF1B gene (11/24, 45.8%), whereas those with stage 4 and 5 CKD mostly carried causative mutations in NPHP genes (19/45, 42.2%). The causative genes were not suspected by the kidney imaging patterns at disease onset. Thus, our data show that in Chinese children with non-glomerular renal dysfunction caused by renal hypodysplasia and cystic kidney diseases, the common causative genes vary with age and CKD stage at disease onset. These findings have the potential to improve management and genetic counseling of these diseases in clinical practice.
Imbalance of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Budian , Lin Churong , Gu Jieruo
Published: July 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis is a complicated consequence of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Enthesitis is believed to be the hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis, and the chronic inflammatory state of this disease is perpetuated by the disturbances of both the innate immune system and the acquired immune system. To clarify the alteration of immune system in patients with AS, we conducted a meta-analysis concerning the proportions of major lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of AS patients. We systematically searched PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for articles related to this subject. A total of 95 articles involving 4,020 AS patients and 3,065 healthy controls were included in the analysis. This meta-analysis is performed on R platform using R package “meta”, and Egger’s tests were used to determine the presence of publication bias. Results showed that the percentages of T cells, NK cells and NKT cells were not significantly different between AS patients and healthy controls, but B cells were significantly increased. Among the subsets of T cells, the proportions of CD4+ T cells, Th17 cells, Tfh cells as well as Th1/Th2 ratio were significantly increased, while Tregs were significantly decreased. Subgroup analysis showed that the proportions of Th17 among both PBMCs, T cells and CD4+ T cells were significantly elevated, while Tregs were only significantly lower in PBMCs. Subgroup analysis also demonstrated that Tregs defined by “CD4+CD25+FoxP3+”, “CD4+CD25+CD127low”or “CD4+CD25+CD127-”were significantly downregulated, indicating that the selection of markers could be critical. Further study is warranted in order to elucidate the complicated interactions between different lymphocyte subsets in AS patients. This study implied that the disequilibrium between Th17 and Tregs, as well as between Th1 and Th2 could contribute to the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis, further cementing the understanding that ankylosing spondylitis is a consequence of disrupted balance of innate immune system and acquired immune system.
Evaluating the Tire/Pavement Noise and Surface Texture of Low-Noise Micro-Surface Using 3D Digital Image Technology
Authors: Chen Wang , Zheng Mulian , Wang Haiyang
Published: July 2021

As a common preventive maintenance technique for asphalt pavement, micro-surface (MS) has the advantages of waterproofing and crack sealing. However, issues such as the fact that the conventional MS generates large noise and the evaluation of the indexes of tire-road noise are relatively less studied. The traditional surface texture index cannot reveal the range and distribution of pavement surface texture, thus hindering research of low-noise MS. To study the mechanism of tire-road noise generated by MS, and propose the tire-road noise and surface texture indicators for MS. In this study, the mechanism of five low-noise MS was systematically analyzed and compared through surface texture and noise tests. Then, a three-dimensional digital texture model (3D-DTM) of MS surface texture was constructed using a series of digital image processing techniques, including grayscale identification, binary conversion, and noise reduction. The results show that optimizing the gradation, adding sound-absorbing materials, and improving the workability of construction can improve the noise reduction performance of MS, it is worth mentioning that the MS prepared with sound-absorbing materials and low-noise gradation has the greatest noise reduction effect, with a maximum reduction of 6.3 dB(A). In addition, it was also found that the 3D-DTM can well reflect the surface texture characteristics of MS. The probability of convex peak distribution (PCD) and the proportion of convex peak area (PCA) with peak heights greater than 0.25 mm (Kh ≥ 0.25), which are extracted from the 3D-DTM, can well reflect the surface texture, tire-road noise, respectively. The results show that the 3D-DTM is a promising tool to optimize the design of low-noise MS.
Determination of Vacancy Formation Energies in Binary UZr Alloys Using Special Quasirandom Structure Methods
Authors: Vizoso Daniel , Deo Chaitanya
Published: July 2021

The use of predictive models to examine defect production and migration in metallic systems requires a thorough understanding of the energetics of defect formation and migration. In fully miscible alloys, atomistic properties will all have a range of values that are heavily dependent on local atomic configurations. In this work we have used the atomistic simulation tool Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) to investigate the impact of first nearest neighbor configuration on vacancy formation energies at 0 K in γ-U-Zr alloys of varying Zr concentrations. The properties of randomly generated alloy microstructures were also compared with those produced as special quasi-random structures (SQS) using the “mcsqs” code within the Alloy Theoretic Automated Toolkit. Results have confirmed that local configuration can have a significant impact on measured properties and must be considered when characterizing miscible alloy systems. Results also indicated that the generation method of the random structure (i.e., via random species assignment or a method of enforced randomness) does not result in a measurable difference in average vacancy formation energies in miscible U-Zr systems.
Assessing the Diversity and Metabolic Potential of Psychrotolerant Arsenic-Metabolizing Microorganisms From a Subarctic Peatland Used for Treatment of Mining-Affected Waters by Culture-Dependent and -Independent Techniques
Authors: Ziegelhöfer Aileen , Kujala Katharina
Published: July 2021

Arsenic contamination in water by natural causes or industrial activities is a major environmental concern, and treatment of contaminated waters is needed to protect water resources and minimize the risk for human health. In mining environments, treatment peatlands are used in the polishing phase of water treatment to remove arsenic (among other contaminants), and peat microorganisms play a crucial role in arsenic removal. The present study assessed culture-independent diversity obtained through metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing and culture-dependent diversity obtained by isolating psychrotolerant arsenic-tolerant, arsenite-oxidizing, and arsenate-respiring microorganisms from a peatland treating mine effluent waters of a gold mine in Finnish Lapland using a dilution-to-extinction technique. Low diversity enrichments obtained after several transfers were dominated by the genera Pseudomonas, Polaromonas, Aeromonas, Brevundimonas, Ancylobacter, and Rhodoferax. Even though maximal growth and physiological activity (i.e., arsenite oxidation or arsenate reduction) were observed at temperatures between 20 and 28°C, most enrichments also showed substantial growth/activity at 2–5°C, indicating the successful enrichments of psychrotolerant microorganisms. After additional purification, eight arsenic-tolerant, five arsenite-oxidizing, and three arsenate-respiring strains were obtained in pure culture and identified as Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium, and Cadophora. Some of the enriched and isolated genera are not known to metabolize arsenic, and valuable insights on arsenic turnover pathways may be gained by their further characterization. Comparison with phylogenetic and functional data from the metagenome indicated that the enriched and isolated strains did not belong to the most abundant genera, indicating that culture-dependent and -independent methods capture different fractions of the microbial community involved in arsenic turnover. Rare biosphere microorganisms that are present in low abundance often play an important role in ecosystem functioning, and the enriched/isolated strains might thus contribute substantially to arsenic turnover in the treatment peatland. Psychrotolerant pure cultures of arsenic-metabolizing microorganisms from peatlands are needed to close the knowledge gaps pertaining to microbial arsenic turnover in peatlands located in cold climate regions, and the isolates and enrichments obtained in this study are a good starting point to establish model systems. Improved understanding of their metabolism could moreover lead to their use in biotechnological applications intended for bioremediation of arsenic-contaminated waters.
Loss of Interleukin-6 Influences Transcriptional Immune Signatures and Alters Bacterial Colonization in the Skin
Authors: Luckett-Chastain Lerin R. , King Catherine J. , McShan William M. , Gipson Jenny R. , Gillaspy Allison F. , Gallucci Randle M.
Published: July 2021

The skin functions as a protective barrier to inhibit the entry of foreign pathogens, all the while hosting a diverse milieu of microorganisms. Over time, skin cells, immune cells, cytokines, and microbes interact to integrate the processes of maintaining the skin’s physical and immune barrier. In the present study, the basal expression of two immunologically divergent mouse strains C57BL/6 and BALB/c, as well as a strain on the C57 background lacking IL-6, was characterized. Additionally, cutaneous antimicrobial gene expression profiles and skin bacterial microbiome were assessed between strains. Total RNA sequencing was performed on untreated C57BL/6 (control), BALB/c, and IL-6-deficient skin samples and found over 3,400 genes differentially modulated between strains. It was found that each strain modulated its own transcriptional “profile” associated with skin homeostasis and also influenced the overall bacterial colonization as indicated by the differential phyla present on each strain. Together, these data not only provide a comprehensive view of the transcriptional changes in homeostatic skin of different mouse strains but also highlight the possible influence of the strain differences (e.g., Th1/Th2 balance) as well as a role for IL-6 in overall skin immunity and resident microbial populations.
Taxifolin, an Inhibitor of Sortase A, Interferes With the Adhesion of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal aureus
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Guangming , Qu Han , Wang Kai , Jing Shisong , Guan Shuhan , Su Liyan , Li Qianxue , Wang Dacheng
Published: July 2021

The evolution and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant hidden risk to human public health. The majority of antibiotics used clinically have become mostly ineffective, and so the development of novel anti-infection strategies is urgently required. Since Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cysteine transpeptidase sortase A (SrtA) mediates the surface-anchoring of proteins to its surface, compounds that inhibit SrtA are considered potential antivirulence treatments. Herein, we report on the efficacy of the potent SrtA inhibitor taxifolin (Tax), a flavonoid compound isolated from Chinese herbs. It was able to reversibly block the activity of SrtA with an IC50 of 24.53 ± 0.42 μM. Tax did not display toxicity toward mammalian cells or S. aureus at a concentration of 200 μM. In addition, Tax attenuated the virulence-related phenotype of SrtA in vitro by decreasing the adherence of S. aureus, reducing the formation of a biofilm, and anchoring of S. aureus protein A on its cell wall. The mechanism of the SrtA-Tax interaction was determined using a localized surface plasmon resonance assay. Subsequent mechanistic studies confirmed that Asp-170 and Gln-172 were the principal sites on SrtA with which it binds to Tax. Importantly, in vivo experiments demonstrated that Tax protects mice against pneumonia induced by lethal doses of MRSA, significantly improving their survival rate and reducing the number of viable S. aureus in the lung tissue. The present study indicates that Tax is a useful pioneer compound for the development of novel agents against S. aureus infections.
Getting on in Old Age: How the Gut Microbiota Interferes With Brain Innate Immunity
Authors: Mossad Omar , Blank Thomas
Published: July 2021

The immune system is crucial for defending against various invaders, such as pathogens, cancer cells or misfolded proteins. With increasing age, the diminishing immune response, known as immunosenescence, becomes evident. Concomitantly, some diseases like infections, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer, accumulate with age. Different cell types are part of the innate immunity response and produce soluble factors, cytokines, chemokines, and type I interferons. Improper maturation of innate immune cells or their dysfunction have been linked to numerous age-related diseases. In parallel to the occurrence of the many functional facets of the immune response, a symbiotic microbiota had been acquired. For the relevant and situation-dependent function of the immune system the microbiome plays an essential role because it fine-tunes the immune system and its responses during life. Nevertheless, how the age-related alterations in the microbiota are reflected in the innate immune system, is still poorly understood. With this review, we provide an up-to-date overview on our present understanding of the gut microbiota effects on innate immunity, with a particular emphasis on aging-associated changes in the gut microbiota and the implications for the brain innate immune response.
Metabolic Seizures
Authors: Almannai Mohammed , Al Mahmoud Rabah A. , Mekki Mohammed , El-Hattab Ayman W.
Published: July 2021

Metabolic diseases should always be considered when evaluating children presenting with seizures. This is because many metabolic disorders are potentially treatable and seizure control can be achieved when these diseases are appropriately treated. Seizures caused by underlying metabolic diseases (metabolic seizures) should be particularly considered in unexplained neonatal seizures, refractory seizures, seizures related to fasting or food intake, seizures associated with other systemic or neurologic features, parental consanguinity, and family history of epilepsy. Metabolic seizures can be caused by various amino acids metabolic disorders, disorders of energy metabolism, cofactor-related metabolic diseases, purine and pyrimidine metabolic diseases, congenital disorders of glycosylation, and lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders. Diagnosing metabolic seizures without delay is essential because the immediate initiation of appropriate therapy for many metabolic diseases can prevent or minimize complications.
The Effect of Robotic Assisted Gait Training With Lokomat® on Balance Control After Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Baronchelli Federica , Zucchella Chiara , Serrao Mariano , Intiso Domenico , Bartolo Michelangelo
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Disturbances of balance control are common after stroke, affecting the quality of gait and increasing the risk of falls. Because balance and gait disorders may persist also in the chronic stage, reducing individual independence and participation, they represent primary goals of neurorehabilitation programs. For this purpose, in recent years, numerous technological devices have been developed, among which one of the most widespread is the Lokomat®, an actuated exoskeleton that guide the patient's limbs, simulating a symmetrical bilateral gait. Preliminary evidence suggests that beyond gait parameters, robotic assisted gait training may also improve balance. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize evidence about the effectiveness of Lokomat® in improving balance in stroke patients.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials published between January 1989 and August 2020, comparing Lokomat® training to conventional therapy for stroke patients, were retrieved from seven electronic databases. Balance, assessed by means of validated clinical scales, was considered as outcome measure. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (no. CRD42020197531).

Results: After the removal of the duplicates, according to the inclusion criteria, 13 studies were selected, involving 445 subacute or chronic stroke patients. Eleven papers contributed to three meta-analyses. Favorable results for recovery of balance in stroke survivors treated with Lokomat® were shown using Timed Up and Go (pooled mean difference = −3.40, 95% CI −4.35 to −2.44; p < 0.00001) and Rivermead Mobility Index as outcome measures (pooled mean difference = 0.40, 95% CI 0.26–0.55; p < 0.00001). Inconclusive results were found when balance was measured by means of the Berg Balance Scale (pooled mean difference = 0.17, 95% CI −0.26 to 0.60; p = 0.44).

Conclusions: Overall, most studies have shown beneficial effects of Lokomat® on balance recovery for stroke survivors, at least comparable to conventional physical therapy. However, due to the limited number of studies and their high heterogeneity, further research is needed to draw more solid and definitive conclusions.
Using Dynamics of Eye Movements, Speech Articulation and Brain Activity to Predict and Track mTBI Screening Outcomes
Authors: Williamson James R. , Sturim Doug , Vian Trina , Lacirignola Joseph , Shenk Trey E. , Yuditskaya Sophia , Rao Hrishikesh M. , Talavage Thomas M. , Heaton Kristin J. , Quatieri Thomas F.
Published: July 2021

Repeated subconcussive blows to the head during sports or other contact activities may have a cumulative and long lasting effect on cognitive functioning. Unobtrusive measurement and tracking of cognitive functioning is needed to enable preventative interventions for people at elevated risk of concussive injury. The focus of the present study is to investigate the potential for using passive measurements of fine motor movements (smooth pursuit eye tracking and read speech) and resting state brain activity (measured using fMRI) to complement existing diagnostic tools, such as the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), that are used for this purpose. Thirty-one high school American football and soccer athletes were tracked through the course of a sports season. Hypotheses were that (1) measures of complexity of fine motor coordination and of resting state brain activity are predictive of cognitive functioning measured by the ImPACT test, and (2) within-subject changes in these measures over the course of a sports season are predictive of changes in ImPACT scores. The first principal component of the six ImPACT composite scores was used as a latent factor that represents cognitive functioning. This latent factor was positively correlated with four of the ImPACT composites: verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed and reaction speed. Strong correlations, ranging betweenr= 0.26 andr= 0.49, were found between this latent factor and complexity features derived from each sensor modality. Based on a regression model, the complexity features were combined across sensor modalities and used to predict the latent factor on out-of-sample subjects. The predictions correlated with the true latent factor withr= 0.71. Within-subject changes over time were predicted withr= 0.34. These results indicate the potential to predict cognitive performance from passive monitoring of fine motor movements and brain activity, offering initial support for future application in detection of performance deficits associated with subconcussive events.
MIIND : A Model-Agnostic Simulator of Neural Populations
Authors: Osborne Hugh , Lai Yi Ming , Lepperød Mikkel Elle , Sichau David , Deutz Lukas , de Kamps Marc
Published: July 2021

MIIND is a software platform for easily and efficiently simulating the behaviour of interacting populations of point neurons governed by any 1D or 2D dynamical system. The simulator is entirely agnostic to the underlying neuron model of each population and provides an intuitive method for controlling the amount of noise which can significantly affect the overall behaviour. A network of populations can be set up quickly and easily using MIIND's XML-style simulation file format describing simulation parameters such as how populations interact, transmission delays, post-synaptic potentials, and what output to record. During simulation, a visual display of each population's state is provided for immediate feedback of the behaviour and population activity can be output to a file or passed to a Python script for further processing. The Python support also means that MIIND can be integrated into other software such as The Virtual Brain. MIIND's population density technique is a geometric and visual method for describing the activity of each neuron population which encourages a deep consideration of the dynamics of the neuron model and provides insight into how the behaviour of each population is affected by the behaviour of its neighbours in the network. For 1D neuron models, MIIND performs far better than direct simulation solutions for large populations. For 2D models, performance comparison is more nuanced but the population density approach still confers certain advantages over direct simulation. MIIND can be used to build neural systems that bridge the scales between an individual neuron model and a population network. This allows researchers to maintain a plausible path back from mesoscopic to microscopic scales while minimising the complexity of managing large numbers of interconnected neurons. In this paper, we introduce the MIIND system, its usage, and provide implementation details where appropriate.
Impaired SNF2L Chromatin Remodeling Prolongs Accessibility at Promoters Enriched for Fos/Jun Binding Sites and Delays Granule Neuron Differentiation
Authors: Goodwin Laura R. , Zapata Gerardo , Timpano Sara , Marenger Jacob , Picketts David J.
Published: July 2021

Chromatin remodeling proteins utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to mobilize nucleosomes often creating accessibility for transcription factors within gene regulatory elements. Aberrant chromatin remodeling has diverse effects on neuroprogenitor homeostasis altering progenitor competence, proliferation, survival, or cell fate. Previous work has shown that inactivation of the ISWI genes, Smarca5 (encoding Snf2h) and Smarca1 (encoding Snf2l) have dramatic effects on brain development. Smarca5 conditional knockout mice have reduced progenitor expansion and severe forebrain hypoplasia, with a similar effect on the postnatal growth of the cerebellum. In contrast, Smarca1 mutants exhibited enlarged forebrains with delayed progenitor differentiation and increased neuronal output. Here, we utilized cerebellar granule neuron precursor (GNP) cultures from Smarca1 mutant mice (Ex6DEL) to explore the requirement for Snf2l on progenitor homeostasis. The Ex6DEL GNPs showed delayed differentiation upon plating that was not attributed to changes in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway but was associated with overexpression of numerous positive effectors of proliferation, including targets of Wnt activation. Transcriptome analysis identified increased expression of Fosb and Fosl2 while ATACseq experiments identified a large increase in chromatin accessibility at promoters many enriched for Fos/Jun binding sites. Nonetheless, the elevated proliferation index was transient and the Ex6DEL cultures initiated differentiation with a high concordance in gene expression changes to the wild type cultures. Genes specific to Ex6DEL differentiation were associated with an increased activation of the ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, this data provides the first indication of how Smarca1 mutations alter progenitor cell homeostasis and contribute to changes in brain size.
Risperidone Mitigates Enhanced Excitatory Neuronal Function and Repetitive Behavior Caused by an ASD-Associated Mutation of SIK1
Authors: Badawi Moataz , Mori Takuma , Kurihara Taiga , Yoshizawa Takahiro , Nohara Katsuhiro , Kouyama-Suzuki Emi , Yanagawa Toru , Shirai Yoshinori , Tabuchi Katsuhiko
Published: July 2021

Six mutations in the salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1)-coding gene have been identified in patients with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE-30) accompanied by autistic symptoms. Two of the mutations are non-sense mutations that truncate the C-terminal region of SIK1. It has been shown that the C-terminal-truncated form of SIK1 protein affects the subcellular distribution of SIK1 protein, tempting to speculate the relevance to the pathophysiology of the disorders. We generated SIK1-mutant (SIK1-MT) mice recapitulating the C-terminal-truncated mutations using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. SIK1-MT protein was distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas the distribution of wild-type SIK1 was restricted to the nucleus. We found the disruption of excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) synaptic balance due to an increase in excitatory synaptic transmission and enhancement of neural excitability in the pyramidal neurons in layer 5 of the medial prefrontal cortex in SIK1-MT mice. We also found the increased repetitive behavior and social behavioral deficits in SIK1-MT mice. The risperidone administration attenuated the neural excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission, but the disrupted E/I synaptic balance was unchanged, because it also reduced the inhibitory synaptic transmission. Risperidone also eliminated the repetitive behavior but not social behavioral deficits. These results indicate that risperidone has a role in decreasing neuronal excitability and excitatory synapses, ameliorating repetitive behavior in the SIK1-truncated mice.
Association Between Dietary Iron Intake and Serum Ferritin and Severe Headache or Migraine
Authors: Meng Shu-Han , Zhou Hai-Bo , Li Xin , Wang Ming-Xue , Kang Li-Xin , Fu Jin-Ming , Li Xia , Li Xue-Ting , Zhao Ya-Shuang
Published: July 2021

Background: Dietary iron intake and serum ferritin in relation to severe headache or migraine remain largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the associations between dietary iron intake and serum ferritin with severe headache or migraine among American adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 7,880 adults (≥20 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) of America from 1999 to 2004. We performed multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression to assess the association of dietary iron and serum ferritin with severe headache or migraine.

Results: Most women aged 20–50 years consumed less dietary iron than their recommended dietary allowances. Dietary iron intake was inversely associated with severe headache or migraine in women aged 20–50 years. For women over 50 years, serum ferritin was negatively associated with severe headache or migraine. For men, there was no significant relationship between dietary iron and serum ferritin, and severe headache or migraine.

Conclusions: Dietary iron intake has different effects on migraine in women of different ages, and this different effect may be due to age-related menstrual changes. Women aged 20–50 years should have a higher awareness of RDA and increase their dietary iron intake if needed, which may play an important role in preventing severe headache or migraine. Higher serum ferritin levels in women aged 50 and above may have a protective effect against migraine.
Transcranial Doppler Based Cerebrovascular Reactivity Indices in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review of Associations With Patient Oriented Outcomes
Authors: Gomez Alwyn , Froese Logan , Sainbhi Amanjyot Singh , Batson Carleen , Zeiler Frederick A.
Published: July 2021

Background: Disruption in cerebrovascular reactivity following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a known phenomenon that may hold prognostic value and clinical relevance. Ultimately, improved knowledge of this process and more robust means of continuous assessment may lead to advances in precision medicine following TBI. One such method is transcranial Doppler (TCD), which has been employed to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity following injury utilizing a continuous time-series approach.

Objective: The present study undertakes a scoping review of the literature on the association of continuous time-domain TCD based indices of cerebrovascular reactivity, with global functional outcomes, cerebral physiologic correlates, and imaging evidence of lesion change.

Design: Multiple databases were searched from inception to November 2020 for articles relevant to the association of continuous time-domain TCD based indices of cerebrovascular reactivity with global functional outcomes, cerebral physiologic correlates, and imaging evidence of lesion change.

Results: Thirty-six relevant articles were identified. There was significant evidence supporting an association with continuous time-domain TCD based indices and functional outcomes following TBI. Indices based on mean flow velocity, as measured by TCD, were most numerous while more recent studies point to systolic flow velocity-based indices encoding more prognostic utility. Physiologic parameters such as intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) reactivity as well as more established indices of cerebrovascular reactivity have all been associated with these TCD based indices. The literature has been concentrated in a few centres and is further limited by the lack of multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: This systematic scoping review of the literature identifies that there is a substantial body of evidence that cerebrovascular reactivity as measured by time-domain TCD based indices have prognostic utility following TBI. Indices based on mean flow velocities have the largest body of literature for their support. However, recent studies indicate that indices based on systolic flow velocities may contain the most prognostic utility and more closely follow more established measures of cerebrovascular reactivity. To a lesser extent, the literature supports some associations between these indices and cerebral physiologic parameters. These indices provide a more complete picture of the patient’s physiome following TBI and may ultimately lead to personalized and precise clinical care. Further validation in multi-institution studies is required before these indices can be widely adopted clinically.
Peak Running Velocity or Critical Speed Under Field Conditions: Which Best Predicts 5-km Running Performance in Recreational Runners?
Authors: Figueiredo Diogo Hilgemberg , Figueiredo Diego Hilgemberg , Manoel Francisco de Assis , Machado Fabiana Andrade
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to examine which variable, between the peak running velocity determined on the track field (Vpeak_TF) and critical speed (CS), is the best predictor of the 5-km running performance in recreational runners. Twenty-five males performed three tests to determine the Vpeak_TF, CS, and 5-km running performance on the track field, with a minimal interval of 48 h between each test. The Vpeak_TF protocol started with a velocity of 8 km⋅h–1, followed by an increase of 1 km⋅h–1 every 3 min until volitional exhaustion, which was controlled by sound signals, with cones at every 25 m indicating when the participants were required to pass the cone’s position to maintain the required velocity. The participants performed three time trials (TTs) (1: 2,600 m; 2: 1,800 m; and 3: 1,000 m) on the same day, with a 30-min rest period to determine the CS through the combinations of three (CS1,2,3) and two TTs (CS1,2, CS1,3, and CS2,3). The 5-km running performance time was recorded to determine the test duration, and the mean velocity (MV) was calculated. There was a significant difference observed between the Vpeak_TF and the MV 5-km running performance. However, no differences were found between the CS values and the MV 5-km running performance. A correlation was observed between the Vpeak_TF (R = −0.90), CS1,2,3 (R = −0.95), CS1,3 (R = −0.95), and the 5-km running performance time. Linear regression indicated that the Vpeak_TF (R2 = 0.82), CS1,2,3 (R2 = 0.90), and CS1,3 (R2 = 0.90) significantly predicted the 5-km running performance time. The CS results showed a higher predictive power for the 5-km running performance, slightly better than the Vpeak_TF. Also, CS1,2,3 and the CS1,3 presented the highest predictive power for the 5-km running performance of recreational runners.
Enhancement of Nicotiana tabacum Resistance Against Dehydration-Induced Leaf Senescence via Metabolite/Phytohormone-Gene Regulatory Networks Modulated by Melatonin
Authors: Chen Zheng , Jia Wei , Li Songwei , Xu Jiayang , Xu Zicheng
Published: July 2021

Melatonin (MEL) is a pleiotropic agent with crucial functions reported in a variety of stress responses and developmental processes. Although MEL involvement in plant defense against natural leaf senescence has been widely reported, the precise regulatory mechanisms by which it delays stress-induced senescence remain unclear. In this study, we found that foliar spraying of melatonin markedly ameliorated dehydration-induced leaf senescence in Nicotiana tabacum, accompanied by attenuated oxidative damage, expression of senescence-related genes, and reduced endogenous ABA production. Metabolite profiling indicated that melatonin-treated plants accumulated higher concentrations of sugars, sugar alcohol, and organic acids, but fewer concentrations of amino acids in the leaves, than untreated plants after exposure to dehydration. Gene expression analysis revealed that the delayed senescence of stressed plants achieved by melatonin treatment might be partially ascribed to the upregulated expression of genes involved in ROS scavenging, chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and carbon/nitrogen balances, and downregulated expression of senescence-associated genes. Furthermore, hormone responses showed an extensively modulated expression, complemented by carotenoid biosynthesis regulation to achieve growth acceleration in melatonin-treated plants upon exposure to dehydration stress. These findings may provide more comprehensive insights into the role of melatonin in alleviating leaf senescence and enhancing dehydration resistance.
Do Epigenetic Timers Control Petal Development?
Authors: Huang Ruirui , Huang Tengbo , Irish Vivian F.
Published: July 2021

Epigenetic modifications include histone modifications and DNA methylation; such modifications can induce heritable changes in gene expression by altering DNA accessibility and chromatin structure. A number of studies have demonstrated that epigenetic factors regulate plant developmental timing in response to environmental changes. However, we still have an incomplete picture of how epigenetic factors can regulate developmental events such as organogenesis. The small number of cell types and the relatively simple developmental progression required to form the Arabidopsis petal makes it a good model to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving plant organogenesis. In this minireview, we summarize recent studies demonstrating the epigenetic control of gene expression during various developmental transitions, and how such regulatory mechanisms can potentially act in petal growth and differentiation.
Linking of Rasch-Scaled Tests: Consequences of Limited Item Pools and Model Misfit
Authors: Fischer Luise , Rohm Theresa , Carstensen Claus H. , Gnambs Timo
Published: July 2021

In the context of item response theory (IRT), linking the scales of two measurement points is a prerequisite to examine a change in competence over time. In educational large-scale assessments, non-identical test forms sharing a number of anchor-items are frequently scaled and linked using two− or three-parametric item response models. However, if item pools are limited and/or sample sizes are small to medium, the sparser Rasch model is a suitable alternative regarding the precision of parameter estimation. As the Rasch model implies stricter assumptions about the response process, a violation of these assumptions may manifest as model misfit in form of item discrimination parameters empirically deviating from their fixed value of one. The present simulation study investigated the performance of four IRT linking methods—fixed parameter calibration, mean/mean linking, weighted mean/mean linking, and concurrent calibration—applied to Rasch-scaled data with a small item pool. Moreover, the number of anchor items required in the absence/presence of moderate model misfit was investigated in small to medium sample sizes. Effects on the link outcome were operationalized as bias, relative bias, and root mean square error of the estimated sample mean and variance of the latent variable. In the light of this limited context, concurrent calibration had substantial convergence issues, while the other methods resulted in an overall satisfying and similar parameter recovery—even in the presence of moderate model misfit. Our findings suggest that in case of model misfit, the share of anchor items should exceed 20% as is currently proposed in the literature. Future studies should further investigate the effects of anchor item composition regarding unbalanced model misfit.
How Entrepreneurship Education at Universities Influences Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Effect Based on Entrepreneurial Competence
Authors: Lv Yijun , Chen Yingying , Sha Yimin , Wang Jing , An Lanyijie , Chen Tingjun , Huang Xiang , Huang Yangjie , Huang Leilei
Published: July 2021

Research shows that entrepreneurial activities significantly promote economic development, which enhances the importance of the innovative entrepreneurial potential of college students. This study analyzes the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of planned behavior theory. By examining the significant role of entrepreneurship education at colleges and universities on economic and social development, we established a conceptual model. To understand the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention, the hypotheses propose the intermediary role of entrepreneurial ability, and the study provides evidence from China the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Improving entrepreneurial intention and encouraging college students to establish businesses through entrepreneurship education in universities is crucial. This study proposes a hypothetical model of the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial intention in entrepreneurship education at universities. Using a questionnaire survey of college students with practical experience in the Yangtze River Delta of China, the bootstrap method in the SPSS macro program process software verifies the hypotheses. The results show that entrepreneurial teaching, business plan competition, and entrepreneurial practice support positively affect entrepreneurial competence. In addition, entrepreneurial competence plays an intermediary role in the relationship between entrepreneurial teaching, business plan competition, entrepreneurship practice support, and entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurship education improves the ability to establish a business in the present and in entrepreneurial activities in the future. Entrepreneurial competence obtained through entrepreneurship education continuously affects entrepreneurial intention.
Perceived Vulnerability and Severity Predict Adherence to COVID-19 Protection Measures: The Mediating Role of Instrumental Coping
Authors: González-Castro José Luis , Ubillos-Landa Silvia , Puente-Martínez Alicia , Gracia-Leiva Marcela
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 disease has caused thousands of deaths worldwide and required the rapid and drastic adoption of various protective measures as main resources in the fight to reduce the spread of the disease. In the present study we aimed to identify socio cognitive factors that may influence adherence to protective measures toward COVID-19 in a Spanish sample. This longitudinal study analyzes the predictive value of perceived severity and vulnerability of infection, self-efficacy, direct exposure to the virus, and instrumental focused coping style for adhering to infection protection behaviors during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also tests sex and age differences in these factors and changes over time. A two-wave longitudinal study (N = 757) was conducted in March and April 2020 starting the day after a strict national lockdown was decreed in Spain. A path analysis was used to test direct and indirect effects between vulnerability and the adherence to protective behaviors. Results suggest that individuals' perceived severity and vulnerability to COVID-19 and instrumental coping strategies are related to the use of more protective behaviors. This coping strategy mediates the effect of perceived vulnerability on engaging in protective behaviors, and this effect depends on direct exposure to COVID-19 and perceived self-efficacy moderators. Results suggest that recognizing one's own abilities to engage in instrumental actions may facilitate adherence to protective measures in people who had not been directly exposed to COVID-19. Therefore, adopting instrumental coping strategies to manage an individual's perceived vulnerability to infection may positively impact the adherence to protective behaviors, especially during the onset of an unexpected threat and when there is no prior direct experience with the situation.