bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in temporal processing speeds between the right and left auditory cortex reflect the strength of recurrent synaptic connectivity
Authors: Neophytou Demetrios , Arribas Diego M. , Arora Tushar , Levy Robert B. , Park Il Memming , Oviedo Hysell V.
Published: October 2022

Brain asymmetry in the sensitivity to spectrotemporal modulation is an established functional feature that underlies the perception of speech and music. The left auditory cortex (ACx) is believed to specialize in processing fast temporal components of speech sounds, and the right ACx slower components. However, the circuit features and neural computations behind these lateralized spectrotemporal processes are poorly understood. To answer these mechanistic questions we use mice, an animal model that captures some relevant features of human communication systems. In this study, we screened for circuit features that could subserve temporal integration differences between the left and right ACx. We mapped excitatory input to principal neurons in all cortical layers and found significantly stronger recurrent connections in the superficial layers of the right ACx compared to the left. We hypothesized that the underlying recurrent neural dynamics would exhibit differential characteristic timescales corresponding to their hemispheric specialization. To investigate, we recorded spike trains from awake mice and estimated the network time constants using a statistical method to combine evidence from multiple weak signal-to-noise ratio neurons. We found longer temporal integration windows in the superficial layers of the right ACx compared to the left as predicted by stronger recurrent excitation. Our study shows substantial evidence linking stronger recurrent synaptic connections to longer network timescales. These findings support speech processing theories that purport asymmetry in temporal integration is a crucial feature of lateralization in auditory processing.
GBPL3 localizes to the nuclear pore complex and functionally connects the nuclear basket with the nucleoskeleton in plants
Authors: Tang Yu , Ho Man Ip , Kang Byung-Ho , Gu Yangnan
Published: October 2022

The nuclear basket (NB) is an essential structure of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and serves as a dynamic and multifunctional platform that participates in various critical nuclear processes, including cargo transport, molecular docking, and gene expression regulation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood, particularly in plants. Here, we identified a guanylate-binding protein (GBP)-like GTPase (GBPL3) as a novel NPC basket component in Arabidopsis. Using fluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we found that GBPL3 localizes to the nuclear rim and is enriched in the nuclear pore. Proximity labeling proteomics and protein-protein interaction assays revealed that GBPL3 is predominantly distributed at the NPC basket, where it physically associates with NB nucleoporins and recruits chromatin remodelers, transcription apparatus and regulators, and the RNA splicing and processing machinery, suggesting a conserved function of the NB in transcription regulation as reported in yeasts and animals. Moreover, we found that GBPL3 physically interacts with the nucleoskeleton via disordered coiled-coil regions. Simultaneous loss of GBPL3 and one of the 4 Arabidopsis nucleoskeleton genes CRWNs led to distinct development- and stress-related phenotypes, ranging from seedling lethality to lesion development, and aberrant transcription of stress-related genes. Our results indicate that GBPL3 is a bona fide component of the plant NPC and physically and functionally connects the NB with the nucleoskeleton, which is required for the coordination of gene expression during plant development and stress responses.
The rearing environment persistently modulates mouse phenotypes from the molecular to the behavioural level
Authors: Jaric Ivana , Voelkl Bernhard , Clerc Melanie , Schmid Marc W. , Novak Janja , Rosso Marianna , Rufener Reto , von Kortzfleisch Vanessa Tabea , Richter S. Helene , Buettner Manuela , Bleich André , Amrein Irmgard , Wolfer David P. , Touma Chadi , Sunagawa Shinichi , Würbel Hanno
Published: October 2022

The phenotype of an organism results from its genotype and the influence of the environment throughout development. Even when using animals of the same genotype, independent studies may test animals of different phenotypes, resulting in poor replicability due to genotype-by-environment interactions. Thus, genetically defined strains of mice may respond differently to experimental treatments depending on their rearing environment. However, the extent of such phenotypic plasticity and its implications for the replicability of research findings have remained unknown. Here, we examined the extent to which common environmental differences between animal facilities modulate the phenotype of genetically homogeneous (inbred) mice. We conducted a comprehensive multicentre study, whereby inbred C57BL/6J mice from a single breeding cohort were allocated to and reared in 5 different animal facilities throughout early life and adolescence, before being transported to a single test laboratory. We found persistent effects of the rearing facility on the composition and heterogeneity of the gut microbial community. These effects were paralleled by persistent differences in body weight and in the behavioural phenotype of the mice. Furthermore, we show that environmental variation among animal facilities is strong enough to influence epigenetic patterns in neurons at the level of chromatin organisation. We detected changes in chromatin organisation in the regulatory regions of genes involved in nucleosome assembly, neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of behaviour. Our findings demonstrate that common environmental differences between animal facilities may produce facility-specific phenotypes, from the molecular to the behavioural level. Furthermore, they highlight an important limitation of inferences from single-laboratory studies and thus argue that study designs should take environmental background into account to increase the robustness and replicability of findings.
Comprehensive characterization of the Hsp70 interactome reveals novel client proteins and interactions mediated by posttranslational modifications
Authors: Nitika  , Zheng Bo , Ruan Linhao , Kline Jake T. , Omkar Siddhi , Sikora Jacek , Texeira Torres Mara , Wang Yuhao , Takakuwa Jade E. , Huguet Romain , Klemm Cinzia , Segarra Verónica A. , Winters Matthew J. , Pryciak Peter M. , Thorpe Peter H. , Tatebayashi Kazuo , Li Rong , Fornelli Luca , Truman Andrew W.
Published: October 2022

Hsp70 interactions are critical for cellular viability and the response to stress. Previous attempts to characterize Hsp70 interactions have been limited by their transient nature and the inability of current technologies to distinguish direct versus bridged interactions. We report the novel use of cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) to comprehensively characterize the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) Hsp70 protein interactome. Using this approach, we have gained fundamental new insights into Hsp70 function, including definitive evidence of Hsp70 self-association as well as multipoint interaction with its client proteins. In addition to identifying a novel set of direct Hsp70 interactors that can be used to probe chaperone function in cells, we have also identified a suite of posttranslational modification (PTM)-associated Hsp70 interactions. The majority of these PTMs have not been previously reported and appear to be critical in the regulation of client protein function. These data indicate that one of the mechanisms by which PTMs contribute to protein function is by facilitating interaction with chaperones. Taken together, we propose that XL-MS analysis of chaperone complexes may be used as a unique way to identify biologically important PTMs on client proteins.
MetaLP: An integrative linear programming method for protein inference in metaproteomics
Authors: Feng Shichao , Ji Hong-Long , Wang Huan , Zhang Bailu , Sterzenbach Ryan , Pan Chongle , Guo Xuan
Published: October 2022

Metaproteomics based on high-throughput tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) plays a crucial role in characterizing microbiome functions. The acquired MS/MS data is searched against a protein sequence database to identify peptides, which are then used to infer a list of proteins present in a metaproteome sample. While the problem of protein inference has been well-studied for proteomics of single organisms, it remains a major challenge for metaproteomics of complex microbial communities because of the large number of degenerate peptides shared among homologous proteins in different organisms. This challenge calls for improved discrimination of true protein identifications from false protein identifications given a set of unique and degenerate peptides identified in metaproteomics. MetaLP was developed here for protein inference in metaproteomics using an integrative linear programming method. Taxonomic abundance information extracted from metagenomics shotgun sequencing or 16s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, was incorporated as prior information in MetaLP. Benchmarking with mock, human gut, soil, and marine microbial communities demonstrated significantly higher numbers of protein identifications by MetaLP than ProteinLP, PeptideProphet, DeepPep, PIPQ, and Sipros Ensemble. In conclusion, MetaLP could substantially improve protein inference for complex metaproteomes by incorporating taxonomic abundance information in a linear programming model.
Stochastic dynamics of Type-I interferon responses
Authors: Maier Benjamin D. , Aguilera Luis U. , Sahle Sven , Mutz Pascal , Kalra Priyata , Dächert Christopher , Bartenschlager Ralf , Binder Marco , Kummer Ursula
Published: October 2022

Interferon (IFN) activates the transcription of several hundred of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) that constitute a highly effective antiviral defense program. Cell-to-cell variability in the induction of ISGs is well documented, but its source and effects are not completely understood. The molecular mechanisms behind this heterogeneity have been related to randomness in molecular events taking place during the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Here, we study the sources of variability in the induction of the IFN-alpha response by using MxA and IFIT1 activation as read-out. To this end, we integrate time-resolved flow cytometry data and stochastic modeling of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. The complexity of the IFN response was matched by fitting probability distributions to time-course flow cytometry snapshots. Both, experimental data and simulations confirmed that the MxA and IFIT1 induction circuits generate graded responses rather than all-or-none responses. Subsequently, we quantify the size of the intrinsic variability at different steps in the pathway. We found that stochastic effects are transiently strong during the ligand-receptor activation steps and the formation of the ISGF3 complex, but negligible for the final induction of the studied ISGs. We conclude that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is a robust biological circuit that efficiently transmits information under stochastic environments.
Bayesian parameter estimation for dynamical models in systems biology
Authors: Linden Nathaniel J. , Kramer Boris , Rangamani Padmini
Published: October 2022

Dynamical systems modeling, particularly via systems of ordinary differential equations, has been used to effectively capture the temporal behavior of different biochemical components in signal transduction networks. Despite the recent advances in experimental measurements, including sensor development and ‘-omics’ studies that have helped populate protein-protein interaction networks in great detail, modeling in systems biology lacks systematic methods to estimate kinetic parameters and quantify associated uncertainties. This is because of multiple reasons, including sparse and noisy experimental measurements, lack of detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the reactions, and missing biochemical interactions. Additionally, the inherent nonlinearities with respect to the states and parameters associated with the system of differential equations further compound the challenges of parameter estimation. In this study, we propose a comprehensive framework for Bayesian parameter estimation and complete quantification of the effects of uncertainties in the data and models. We apply these methods to a series of signaling models of increasing mathematical complexity. Systematic analysis of these dynamical systems showed that parameter estimation depends on data sparsity, noise level, and model structure, including the existence of multiple steady states. These results highlight how focused uncertainty quantification can enrich systems biology modeling and enable additional quantitative analyses for parameter estimation.
Population analysis of mortality risk: Predictive models from passive monitors using motion sensors for 100,000 UK Biobank participants
Authors: Zhou Haowen , Zhu Ruoqing , Ung Anita , Schatz Bruce
Published: October 2022

Many studies have utilized physical activity for predicting mortality risk, using measures such as participant walk tests and self-reported walking pace. The rise of passive monitors to measure participant activity without requiring specific actions opens the possibility for population level analysis. We have developed novel technology for this predictive health monitoring, using limited sensor inputs. In previous studies, we validated these models in clinical experiments with carried smartphones, using only their embedded accelerometers as motion sensors. Using smartphones as passive monitors for population measurement is critically important for health equity, since they are already ubiquitous in high-income countries and increasingly common in low-income countries. Our current study simulates smartphone data by extracting walking window inputs from wrist worn sensors. To analyze a population at national scale, we studied 100,000 participants in the UK Biobank who wore activity monitors with motion sensors for 1 week. This national cohort is demographically representative of the UK population, and this dataset represents the largest such available sensor record. We characterized participant motion during normal activities, including daily living equivalent of timed walk tests. We then compute walking intensity from sensor data, as input to survival analysis. Simulating passive smartphone monitoring, we validated predictive models using only sensors and demographics. This resulted in C-index of 0.76 for 1-year risk decreasing to 0.73 for 5-year. A minimum set of sensor features achieves C-index of 0.72 for 5-year risk, which is similar accuracy to other studies using methods not achievable with smartphone sensors. The smallest minimum model uses average acceleration, which has predictive value independent of demographics of age and sex, similar to physical measures of gait speed. Our results show passive measures with motion sensors can achieve similar accuracy to active measures of gait speed and walk pace, which utilize physical walk tests and self-reported questionnaires.
Why are they eco-friendly? Attributing eco-friendly descriptive norms to intrinsic motivation increases pro-environmental purchase intention
Authors: Ejelöv Emma , Bergquist Magnus , Hansla André , Nilsson Andreas
Published: October 2022

People perform pro-environmental behaviors not only out of intrinsic motivation, but also due to external factors such as expected social approval or financial gain. To the extent that people use their own motivations to infer the motivation of others, people may view descriptive norms favoring pro-environmental behavior as extrinsically motivated. This may in turn decrease the normative influence of the norm, as conformity can be negatively affected by perceptions that others are conforming mindlessly. While descriptive norms generally promote pro-environmental behavior change, the influential power of descriptive norms varies between studies. One possible explanation for these inconclusive findings is that people interpret others’ behavior as either intrinsically- or extrinsically motivated. We propose that pro-environmental descriptive norms will be more influential when attributing others’ pro-environmental behavior as intrinsically (e.g., pleasure of contributing to the environment) rather than extrinsically, motivated (e.g., fear of social disapproval). In two experiments (N = 1326), we compared participants’ intention to purchase pro-environmental products between four conditions: control condition vs intrinsic norm vs extrinsic norm (Exp. 1) vs injunctive norm (Exp. 2). Results consistently found a significant increase in pro-environmental purchase intention in the intrinsic norm condition compared to both extrinsic norm condition (Exp. 2) and no-information control condition (Exp. 1 & 2). These studies highlight that attribution of behavior is vital for the adoption of pro-environmental norms.
Ocular findings, surgery details and outcomes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Li Jipeng , Chandra Aman , Liu Lin , Zhang Lin , Xu Jun , Zhao Meng
Published: October 2022

Purpose

We investigated the influence of impaired renal function on fundus characteristics, pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) details, and outcomes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Design

A retrospective cohort study

Methods

We investigated a consecutive series of PDR patients who underwent PPV. The diabetic complications, previous photocoagulation, intravitreal injections before PPV, ocular findings during PPV, surgical details, short-term visual outcome and post-PPV complications were recorded and compared between patients with and without impaired renal function.

Results

149 patients had normal renal function (67.7%), and 71 (32.3%) patients had impaired renal function; 85.4% of patients were identified with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during the preoperative assessment. Impaired renal function was related to hypertension (3.40[1.58–7.29], p = 0.002), incomplete pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) (3.18[1.50–6.72], p = 0.002), severe fibrovascular membrane (8.19[3.43–19.54], p<0.001), and extensive retinal vascular closure (3.40[1.54–7.52], p = 0.002). There was a more frequent occurrence of severe intraoperative bleeding (56.3%, 32.2%, p = 0.001) and a higher percentage of intraocular subretinal fluid drainage (45.1%, 22.1%, p = 0.008) in patients with impaired renal function. The percentage of patients whose visual acuity (VA) increased was similar between the two groups (42.3%, 54.4%, p = 0.34).

Conclusions

In PDR patients, screening for CKD was required before PPV. PDR patients with impaired renal function tended to have more severe ischemic retinal conditions. Comparable PPV outcomes could be obtained in patients with and without impaired renal damage.
‘Invisible actors’—How poor methodology reporting compromises mouse models of oncology: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Nunamaker Elizabeth A. , Reynolds Penny S.
Published: October 2022

The laboratory mouse is a key player in preclinical oncology research. However, emphasis of techniques reporting at the expense of critical animal-related detail compromises research integrity, animal welfare, and, ultimately, the translation potential of mouse-based oncology models. To evaluate current reporting practices, we performed a cross-sectional survey of 400 preclinical oncology studies using mouse solid-tumour models. Articles published in 2020 were selected from 20 journals that specifically endorsed the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) preclinical reporting guidelines. We assessed reporting compliance for 22 items in five domains: ethical oversight assurance, animal signalment, husbandry, welfare, and euthanasia. Data were analysed using hierarchical generalised random-intercept models, clustered on journal. Overall, reporting of animal-related items was poor. Median compliance over all categories was 23%. There was little or no association between extent of reporting compliance and journal or journal impact factor. Age, sex, and source were reported most frequently, but verifiable strain information was reported for <10% of studies. Animal husbandry, housing environment, and welfare items were reported by <5% of studies. Fewer than one in four studies reported analgesia use, humane endpoints, or an identifiable method of euthanasia. Of concern was the poor documentation of ethical oversight information. Fewer than one in four provided verifiable approval information, and almost one in ten reported no information, or information that was demonstrably false. Mice are the “invisible actors” in preclinical oncology research. In spite of widespread endorsement of reporting guidelines, adherence to reporting guidelines on the part of authors is poor and journals fail to enforce guideline reporting standards. In particular, the inadequate reporting of key animal-related items severely restricts the utility and translation potential of mouse models, and results in research waste. Both investigators and journals have the ethical responsibility to ensure animals are not wasted in uninformative research.
Genome-wide discovery for diabetes-dependent triglycerides-associated loci
Authors: Selvaraj Margaret Sunitha , Paruchuri Kaavya , Haidermota Sara , Bernardo Rachel , Rich Stephen S. , Peloso Gina M. , Natarajan Pradeep
Published: October 2022

Purpose

We aimed to discover loci associated with triglyceride (TG) levels in the context of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 424,120 genotyped participants of the UK Biobank (UKB) with T2D status and TG levels.

Methods

We stratified the cohort based on T2D status and conducted association analyses of TG levels for genetic variants with minor allele count (MAC) at least 20 in each stratum. Effect differences of genetic variants by T2D status were determined by Cochran’s Q-test and we validated the significantly associated variants in the Mass General Brigham Biobank (MGBB).

Results

Among 21,176 T2D and 402,944 non-T2D samples from UKB, stratified GWAS identified 19 and 315 genomic risk loci significantly associated with TG levels, respectively. Only chr6p21.32 exhibited genome-wide significant heterogeneity (I2 = 98.4%; pheterogeneity = 2.1x10-15), with log(TG) effect estimates of -0.066 (95%CI: -0.082, -0.050) and 0.002 (95%CI: -0.002, 0.006) for T2D and non-T2D, respectively. The lead variant rs9274619:A (allele frequency 0.095) is located 2Kb upstream of the HLA-DQB1 gene, between HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQA2 genes. We replicated this finding among 25,137 participants (6,951 T2D cases) of MGBB (pheterogeneity = 9.5x10-3). Phenome-wide interaction association analyses showed that the lead variant was strongly associated with a concomitant diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) as well as diabetes-associated complications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we identified an intergenic variant near HLA-DQB1/DQA2 significantly associates with decreased triglycerides only among those with T2D and highlights an immune overlap with T1D.
Association between XRCC3 p.Thr241Met polymorphism and risk of glioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Shing Cheng , Low Teck Yew , Hussain Hafiz Muhammad Jafar , Sharzehan Mohamad Ayub Khan , Sito Hilary , Kord-Varkaneh Hamed , Islam Md Asiful
Published: October 2022

Background

The XRCC3 p.Thr241Met (rs861539) polymorphism has been extensively studied for its association with glioma risk, but results remain conflicting. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to resolve this inconsistency.

Methods

Studies published up to June 10, 2022, were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, VIP, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases and screened for eligibility. Then, the combined odds ratio (OR) of the included studies was estimated based on five genetic models, i.e., homozygous (Met/Met vs. Thr/Thr), heterozygous (Thr/Met vs. Thr/Thr), dominant (Thr/Met + Met/Met vs. Thr/Thr), recessive (Met/Met vs. Thr/Thr + Thr/Met) and allele (Met vs. Thr). The study protocol was preregistered at PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021235704).

Results

Overall, our meta-analysis of 14 eligible studies involving 12,905 subjects showed that the p.Thr241Met polymorphism was significantly associated with increased glioma risk in both homozygous and recessive models (homozygous, OR = 1.381, 95% CI = 1.081–1.764, P = 0.010; recessive, OR = 1.305, 95% CI = 1.140–1.493, P<0.001). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity also revealed a statistically significant association under the two aforementioned genetic models, but only in the Asian population and not in Caucasians (P>0.05).

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the XRCC3 p.Thr241Met polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of glioma only in the homozygous and recessive models.
The effect of a telephone-based intervention on physical activity after stroke
Authors: Cha Seungwoo , Chang Won Kee , Cho Hee-Mun , Jung Yun-Sun , Kang Miji , Paik Nam-Jong , Kim Won-Seok
Published: October 2022

Despite the effectiveness of telephone-based interventions for medical adherence and improved blood pressure, studies on the effect of such interventions on physical activity (PA) are needed. Therefore, we investigated the impact of a telephone-based intervention on PA in patients with subacute stroke. This pre-post study included patients who participated in an education program for stroke rehabilitation before being discharged to home, with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of ≤ 3. Patients hospitalized in 2020 (intervention group) received a nurse-led telephone-based intervention with a PA measurement once monthly during the 3 months after discharge. Those hospitalized in 2019 (historical controls) only received a PA measurement 3 months after discharge. Physical activity was assessed via a questionnaire by phone. In addition, demographics, medical history, smoking, mRS scores, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 data were collected. The study included 139 participants (73 in intervention, 66 in control). The intervention group had a higher proportion of patients with mRS of 0–1 and a shorter length of hospital stay than the historical controls. Three months post-discharge, a significantly higher proportion of participants were physically active in the intervention group (48 [71.6%] vs. control group, 25 [34.7%]). In addition, the intervention group had a significantly higher median energy expenditure (924 vs. 297 MET-min/week) than the control group. The OR of the intervention for achieving ‘physically active’ individuals was 4.749 (95% CI, 2.313–9.752) before and 5.222 (95% CI, 1.892–14.419) after adjusting for possible confounders. A telephone-based intervention improved PA three months after stroke. Further studies with larger sample size and long-term follow-up are needed.
Combining the GP’s assessment and the PHQ-9 questionnaire leads to more reliable and clinically relevant diagnoses in primary care
Authors: Teusen Clara , Hapfelmeier Alexander , von Schrottenberg Victoria , Gökce Feyza , Pitschel-Walz Gabriele , Henningsen Peter , Gensichen Jochen , Schneider Antonius ,   for the POKAL-Study-Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Screening questionnaires are not sufficient to improve diagnostic quality of depression in primary care. The additional consideration of the general practitioner’s (GP’s) assessment could improve the accuracy of depression diagnosis. The aim of this study was to examine whether the GP rating supports a reliable depression diagnosis indicated by the PHQ-9 over a period of three months.

Methods

We performed a secondary data analysis from a previous study. PHQ-9 scores of primary care patients were collected at the time of recruitment (t1) and during a follow-up 3 months later (t2). At t1 GPs independently made a subjective assessment whether they considered the patient depressive (yes/no). Two corresponding groups with concordant and discordant PHQ-9 and GP ratings at t1 were defined. Reliability of the PHQ-9 results at t1 and t2 was assessed within these groups and within the entire sample by Cohen’s Kappa, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots.

Results

364 consecutive patients from 12 practices in the region of Upper Bavaria/Germany participated in this longitudinal study. 279 patients (76.6%) sent back the questionnaire at t2. Concordance of GP rating and PHQ-9 at t1 led to higher replicability of PHQ-9 results between t1 and t2. The reliability of PHQ-9 was higher in the concordant subgroup (κ = 0.507) compared to the discordant subgroup (κ = 0.211) (p = 0.064). The Bland-Altman Plot showed that the deviation of PHQ-9 scores at t1 and t2 decreased by about 15% in the concordant subgroup. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between PHQ-9 scores at t1 and t2 increased significantly if the GP rating was concordant with the PHQ-9 at t1 (r = 0.671) compared to the discordant subgroup (r = 0.462) (p = 0.044).

Conclusions

The combination of PHQ-9 and GP rating might improve diagnostic decision making regarding depression in general practices. PHQ-9 positive results might be more reliable and accurate, when a concordant GP rating is considered.
Relationship between blood manganese and bone mineral density and bone mineral content in adults: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhu Yong , Long Haitao , Ou Mingning , Zhao Shushan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

It has been reported that bone is the primary organ for manganese (Mn) accumulation, but the association between manganese and bone loss remains debatable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood manganese and bone mineral density/bone mineral content (BMD/BMC) by using a representative sample from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods

A total of 9732 subjects over the age of 18 with available data were enrolled in this study. The relationship between blood manganese and BMD/BMC of the total body, spine and femoral regions was evaluated using multivariate linear regression models. Subgroup analyses were also performed.

Results

We observed a negative association between blood manganese and BMD/BMC in the femoral neck and total body in the fully adjusted model, especially femoral neck BMD in women aged 50–70 years.

Conclusion

In brief, people exposed to manganese should be aware of the increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Besides, due to the lack of available data, there are no definite values for the tolerable upper intake level (UL), average requirement (AR) and population reference intake (PRI) of manganese. The results of our study may provide some references for the establishment of AR, PRI and UL of Mn.
A clinical study of thread carpal tunnel release with a newly developed thread: A retrospective pilot study
Authors: Park Jisoo , Kim In Jong , Park Hae-yeon , Heo Dong jin , Kim Jae Min
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Previous studies have shown that, thread carpal tunnel release (TCTR), an ultrasound-guided transverse carpal ligament (TCL) transection procedure through needle and thread, to be a safe and effective technique for carpal tunnel release, compared to an open and endoscopic technique. We developed a newly improved thread (Smartwire-01, 0.27mm in diameter, Korea). This pilot study was performed to propose the effectiveness of TCTR with Smartwire-01 compared to the commercial thread in clinical settings.

Methods

A total of 22 TCTR procedures have been performed on 19 patients by one physiatrist during a 42-month period. The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome was based on standard clinical criteria including electromyography (EMG). Patients were divided into two groups, one dissected with commercial thread and the other with Smartwire-01. The technique was standardized by keeping the entry point at the middle of the palm and the exit point at just medial to the palmaris longus tendon. The Numeric Rating Scale and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) were used to assess monthly outcomes for 6 months following the procedure. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann-Whitney-U test were performed to analyze the above variables in the two groups.

Results

There was no definite evidence that the two groups have significant differences for any of the surveyed variables. The TCTR procedure with our newly developed thread also had significant improvements for all variables, showing its effectiveness in both pain and functional ability. The NRS and BCTQ severity and functional scales showed significant decreases just after the dissection and progressive improvement during each monthly follow-up of our study until the last assessment at 6 months.

Conclusion

The study suggests that, our newly developed thread is as safe and effective as the commercial thread in TCTR, we therefore recommend a randomize controlled trial with above methodology.
What factors contribute to the Scapular Assistance Test result? A classification and regression tree approach
Authors: Pechincha Ribeiro Larissa , Py Gonçalves Barreto Rodrigo , Augusto Souza Fernandes Ricardo , Rezende Camargo Paula
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to determine predictive factors related to the Scapular Assistance Test in individuals with shoulder pain during arm elevation, and to analyze how these predictors interact in a nonlinear manner to discriminate the result of a positive and negative Scapular Assistance Test. Eighty-four individuals with shoulder pain with positive (n = 47, average age 38.4 years) and negative (n = 37, average age 37.8 years) Scapular Assistance Test completed the study. Demographic data, affected shoulder, pain duration, pain at rest, angular onset of pain, scapular dyskinesis, serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscle strength, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and Pain Catastrophizing Scale were assessed in all participants. The Classification and Regression Tree analysis was used to determine which factors would predict the occurrence of a positive or negative Scapular Assistance Test and possible interactions among them. The resulting tree presented seven levels that combine the following variables: angular onset of pain, presence of scapular dyskinesis, pain catastrophizing, serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscle strength. The angular onset of pain during arm elevation was the main predictor of a positive Scapular Assistance Test selected by the Classification and Regression Tree. This study indicates that the Scapular Assistance Test result may be explained not only by biomechanical variables, but also by psychological factors. Disability of the upper limbs does not seem to contribute to the Scapular Assistance Test result.
Designing a model of knowledge competencies within drama therapy: Phase 1
Authors: Wood Laura L. , Reynolds Adam , Savage Myriam D.
Published: October 2022

This article describes and documents a step-by-step, iterative process of competency modelling – a way of identifying, generating and disseminating professional knowledge-based competencies in the field of drama therapy. The authors, the Education Competency Team (ETC) designated by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) board, discuss the significance of and the need for knowledge competencies, as well as the importance of transparency in their design. Relevant literature defining competency-based learning, its connection to skill, employment and equity, as well as a detailed outline of the three-tiered recursive method used collaboratively to create this inaugural document are included. We conclude with a discussion of limitations and future directions for the model, which also evidences as a living document.
Drama Therapy Family Mask Protocol in a forensic setting: Participant and therapist experience
Authors: Bornmann Barbara A.
Published: October 2022

In this clinical commentary, steps of a Drama Therapy Family Mask Protocol, implemented in a carceral setting, are discussed, using a case example. Steps include: mask making, ‘intermingling’, reparative family drama and participant reflection. Masks as a projective technique may provide a greater sense of safety in a forensic setting to support the participant’s experience while exploring their family drama. An autoethnographic response to the implementation of this protocol is processed through art and written response.
First study on the immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and clinicopathological association in canine hepatoid gland neoplasms
Authors: Chantawong Pinkarn , Mamom Thanongsak , Tangtrongsup Sahatchai , Chitsanoor Setthakit , Boonsriroj Hassadin
Published: October 2022

Background and Aim: Hepatoid gland neoplasms (HGNs) constitute one of the most common cutaneous tumors that arise from perianal glands in dogs and are clinically characterized by rapid growth. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible form of the enzyme, is associated with several hallmarks of tumorigenesis. Its expression has been confirmed in several human and animal neoplastic tissues, but there are no reports in hepatoid gland tissues. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate COX-2 immunoexpression in canine HGNs, compare the expression among groups of normal hepatoid glands, hepatoid gland adenomas (HGAs), hepatoid gland epitheliomas (HGEs), and hepatoid gland carcinomas (HGCs), and assess the association of the COX-2 expression with clinicopathological features.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-one formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded canine hepatoid gland tissues (20 samples of HGAs, 16 of HGEs, 15 of HGCs, and 10 of normal hepatoid glands) were analyzed for COX-2 expression using immunohistochemistry with scoring for percentage positivity and intensity. Multiple comparisons of COX-2 expression among normal and neoplastic hepatoid glands and the associations between COX-2 expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed.

Results: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was not detected in 60% of normal hepatoid glands and 25% of HGAs. Seventy-five percent of HGAs had a weak expression, while 43.7% and 56.3% of HGEs showed weak and moderate expression, respectively. The expression of HGCs ranged from weak (13.3%) to moderate (33.3%) and strong (53.3%). The immunoreactivity score of COX-2 labeling was significantly different among the normal and neoplastic hepatoid glands (p < 0.0001). The highest score was observed in the HGCs. Only in HGCs, the strong COX-2 expression was significantly associated with some clinicopathological features, including tissue invasion (p = 0.007) and necrosis (p = 0.029).

Conclusion: These results suggest that COX-2 may play a role in the modulation of neoplastic cell growth. These preliminary data lead to further investigation on the potential of COX-2 expression as a prognostic indicator and COX-2 inhibitors for canine HGCs treatment.
Analysis of the Conditions Influencing the Assimilation of the Robotic Process Automation by Enterprises
Authors: Sobczak Andrzej
Published: October 2022

More and more companies are implementing the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tools that belong to the newly emerging category of IT solutions used to automate business processes and enable the development of the so-called software robots. The term robot has a metaphorical meaning here – it is a special kind of software, not a device. Due to the fact that this is a new product category and many companies do not have extensive experience in this area yet, the use of the RPA tools is associated with many risks. At the same time, due to the increasingly competitive environment, it seems that there is no turning back from the implementation thereof. For this reason, two goals have been set in the article. The first is to build and verify a research model based on the TOE model (Technology-Organization-Environment), allowing for the identification of the determinants (drivers) influencing the assimilation of the robotic process automation by enterprises. The second goal is to develop recommendations for the managers responsible for implementing the RPA tools that will allow for increasing the assimilation of the robotic process automation. The following methods were used to accomplish these goals: literature research, a survey (conducted on 267 Polish enterprises) and statistical analysis (with the use of the structural equation models).
Physical activity and body composition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dobrovolskaya O. V. , Toroptsova N. V. , Feklistov A. Yu. , Demin N. V. , Nikitinskaya O. A.
Published: October 2022

Objective: to evaluate physical activity (PA) and its relationship with body composition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods. The study included 93 women with RA. A standardized questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurements, laboratory work up, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were conducted to assess body composition and bone mineral density. The level of PA was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Results and discussion. The IPAQ survey showed that 46 (49.5%), 41 (44.1%) and 6 (6.4%) patients had high, moderate and low levels of PA, respectively. The patients did not differ in clinical and anamnestic, laboratory and instrumental data depending on the level of PA. Correlations were found between total energy expenditure by IPAQ and daily food calcium intake (r=0.26, p=0.012), shoulder circumference (r=0.22, p=0.042) and postmenopausal duration (r=-0.27, p=0.016). The relationship between the sarcopenic phenotype (SP) and the time of vigorous physical activity less than 15 minutes per day was revealed (odds ratio, OR 6.31; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.75–22.71; p=0.004), between the frequency of moderate physical exercise and walking less than 4 times a week (OR 4.09; 95% CI 1.16–14.47; p=0.027 and OR 4.73; 95% CI 1.24–18.07; p=0.021, respectively), the presence of osteoporosis – OD (OR 9.41; 95% CI 2.73–32.47; p <0.001). The risk of obesity increased with vigorous exercise less than 15 minutes per day (OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.11–8.29; p=0.029). The osteoporotic phenotype (OPP) was associated with patient age (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05–1.19; p=0.001) and the presence of SP (OR 8.97; 95% CI 2.39– 33.60; p=0.001).

Conclusion. Half of the patients had moderate and low level of PA, independent of age, RA duration and activity. SP was associated with insufficient PA and the presence of OPP. Obesity is also associated with lack of PA, while OPP is associated with age and the presence of SP.
Chronic back pain from rheumatologist point of view
Authors: Olyunin Yu. A. , Lila A. M.
Published: October 2022

Back pain can be caused by various etiological factors, and its development is mediated by various pathogenetic mechanisms. Anatomical structures that can participate in the formation of pain include muscles, fascia, ligaments, tendons, facet joints, intervertebral discs and vertebrae. Changes in the central pain modulation system are an important factor in the development of chronic low back pain (LBP). Accumulating evidence allows us to consider LBP not as a series of isolated unrelated episodes, but as a long-term condition with a variable course. In the practice of a rheumatologist, LBP can occur as a manifestation of the underlying disease or as a comorbid pathology on the background of rheumatic pathology. In this case, it may be difficult to determine the activity of the underlying disease and the effectiveness of the therapy.
Kajian Anatomi-Histokimia Tangkai Daun dan Karakteristik Epidermis Pucuk Merah (Syzygium myrtifolium Walpp. – Myrtaceae)
Authors: Sofiyanti Nery , Iriani Dyah , Lestari Asri Ria
Published: October 2022

Tanaman pucuk merah (Syzygium myrtifolium Walp.) merupakan salah satu tanaman  yang termasuk dalam famili Myrtaceae. Penelitian ini bertujuan melakukan kajian  anatomi-histokimia petiole dan karakteristik epidermis daun pucuk merah. Sampel yang diambil adalah daun pucuk merah yang sudah dewasa. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan April sampai Juni 2022. Pembuatan preparat anatomi dilakukan dengan metode parafin, sedangkan uji histokimia dilakukan pada senyawa alkaloid, tanin, flavonoid, dan lipid dengan metode kualitatif. Pengamatan karakteristik epidermis dilakukan dengan metode paradermal. Hasil pengamatan anatomi penampang melintang petiole pucuk merah menunjukan bentuk  agak oval, membulat pada bagian dorsal dan bersayap pada bagian ventral. Kutikula terdapat di sebelah luar epidermis. Korteks terdiri dari lapisan hipodermis dan parenkim. Hipodermis tersusun dari 4 – 5 lapisan  sel-sel kolenkim memanjang, dan terdapat rongga sekresi berisi minyak. Parenkim tersusun dari 17 – 19 sel sel poligonal.  Berkas pembuluh berada di tengah dengan tipe bikolateral. Hasil uji histokimia petiole  menunjukkan hasil positif flavonoid, alkaloid, tanin, dan lipid. Stomata pucuk merah termasuk hipostomatik dengan tipe parasitik. Sel-sel epidermis poligonal dengan dinding sel bergelombang (undulate). Hasil kajian ini memberikan informasi tambahan mengenai anatomi, histokimia dari petiolus pucuk merah serta memberikan informasi karakteristik epidermis dan stomata tanaman ini. The red tip plant (Syzygium myrtifolium Walp.) belongs to Myrtaceae family. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical-histochemical of ptiole as well as epidermal chrakteristic of red tip plant. Leaf samples were collected sixth node from the top. This study had been conducted from April to June 2022. The anatomical preparation used paraffine method. Histochemistry test was carried out for alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid and lipid using qualitative method. Epidermal charateristic was observed using paradermal method. The anatomical result shows that the cross section of petiole of red tip plant is slightly ovale-shaped, with rounded part at dorsal side dan winged-part at ventral side. The outermost part is cuticle layer. Cortex is consisted of hipoderm and parenchyma layers. Hipoderm is arranged by 4 to 5 layers of elongated cholencym cells, with secretion structure or oil gland. Parenchym is consisted of 17 – 19 layers of polygonal cells. Vascular bundle is located in the center, with bicholateral type. The histochemistry test indicated positive content of flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and lipid. The stomata of red tip plant is hypostomatic with paracytic type. The epiderm cells are polygonal with undulate cell walls.The result of this study provide the additional information of anatomy, histochemistry of petiole of red tip land, and also provide the information of epidermal characteristic of this plant.
DETERMINAN PENANAMAN MODAL ASING DI INDONESIA PERIODE 1970-2020: PENDEKATAN NARDL
Authors: Jufri Achmad , Mulyadi Sandi , Wibowo Muhammad Ghafur , Rafiqi Iqbal
Published: October 2022

This study aims to examine the asymmetric relationship between trade opennes, exchange rate and market size to FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in Indonesia using the NARDL (Non Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag) method during the period 1970 to 2020. The results of the study found that there was a long-term asymmetrical effect of market size and trade openness on FDI. Meanwhile, the asymmetric effect of the dollar exchange rate on FDI was not found.