bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive conjunctive cognitive training (ACCT) in virtual reality for chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Maier Martina , Ballester Belén Rubio , Leiva Bañuelos Nuria , Duarte Oller Esther , Verschure Paul F. M. J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Current evidence for the effectiveness of post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation is weak, possibly due to two reasons. First, patients typically express cognitive deficits in several domains. Therapies focusing on specific cognitive deficits might not address their interrelated neurological nature. Second, co-occurring psychological problems are often neglected or not diagnosed, although post-stroke depression is common and related to cognitive deficits. This pilot trial aims to test a rehabilitation program in virtual reality that trains various cognitive domains in conjunction, by adapting to the patient’s disability and while investigating the influence of comorbidities.

Methods

Thirty community-dwelling stroke patients at the chronic stage and suffering from cognitive impairment performed 30 min of daily training for 6 weeks. The experimental group followed, so called, adaptive conjunctive cognitive training (ACCT) using RGS, whereas the control group solved standard cognitive tasks at home for an equivalent amount of time. A comprehensive test battery covering executive function, spatial awareness, attention, and memory as well as independence, depression, and motor impairment was applied at baseline, at 6 weeks and 18-weeks follow-up.

Results

At baseline, 75% of our sample had an impairment in more than one cognitive domain. The experimental group showed improvements in attention ($$ {\chi}_F^2 $$χF2(2) = 9.57,p < .01), spatial awareness ($$ {\chi}_F^2 $$χF2(2) = 11.23,p < .01) and generalized cognitive functioning ($$ {\chi}_F^2 $$χF2(2) = 15.5,p < .001). No significant change was seen in the executive function and memory domain. For the control group, no significant change over time was found. Further, they worsened in their depression level after treatment (T = 45,r = .72,p < .01) but returned to baseline at follow-up. The experimental group displayed a lower level of depression than the control group after treatment (Ws = 81.5, z = − 2.76,r = − .60,p < .01) and (Ws = 92, z = − 2.03,r = − .44,p < .05).

Conclusions

ACCT positively influences attention and spatial awareness, as well as depressive mood in chronic stroke patients.

Trial registration

The trial was registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02816008) on June 21, 2016.
Kinesin-5 Eg5 is essential for spindle assembly and chromosome alignment of mouse spermatocytes
Authors: She Zhen-Yu , Zhong Ning , Yu Kai-Wei , Xiao Yu , Wei Ya-Lan , Lin Yang , Li Yue-Ling , Lu Ming-Hui
Published: March 2020

Background

Microtubule organization is essential for bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, which contribute to genome stability. Kinesin-5 Eg5 is known to be a crucial regulator in centrosome separation and spindle assembly in mammalian somatic cells, however, the functions and mechanisms of Eg5 in male meiotic cell division remain largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we have found that Eg5 proteins are expressed in mouse spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. After Eg5 inhibition by specific inhibitors Monastrol, STLC and Dimethylenastron, the meiotic spindles of dividing spermatocytes show spindle collapse and the defects in bipolar spindle formation. We demonstrate that Eg5 regulates spindle bipolarity and the maintenance of meiotic spindles in meiosis. Eg5 inhibition leads to monopolar spindles, spindle abnormalities and chromosome misalignment in cultured GC-2 spd cells. Furthermore, Eg5 inhibition results in the decrease of the spermatids and the abnormalities in mature sperms.

Conclusions

Our results have revealed an important role of kinesin-5 Eg5 in male meiosis and the maintenance of male fertility. We demonstrate that Eg5 is crucial for bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome alignment in dividing spermatocytes. Our data provide insights into the functions of Eg5 in meiotic spindle assembly of dividing spermatocytes.
Targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 enhances radiosensitivity and reduces the metastatic potential of Lewis lung carcinoma cells
Authors: Tien Yun , Tsai Chiao-Ling , Hou Wei-Hsien , Chiang Yun , Hsu Feng-Ming , Tsai Yu-Chieh , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien
Published: March 2020

Background

Sublethal radiation induces matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)-mediated radioresistance in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and their metastatic dissemination. We aim to determine if EGFR/HER2 activation associates with MMP-9-mediated radioresistance and invasiveness in irradiated LLC cells.

Methods

LLC cells were treated with erlotinib or afatinib followed by sublethal radiation. After irradiation, we examined the phosphorylation of EGFR/HER2 and MMP-9 expression. Colony formation assay determined if the kinase inhibitors sensitize LLC cells to radiation. Matrigel-coated Boyden chamber assay assessed cellular invasiveness. Resulting tumors of wild-type LLC cells or HER2 knock-down mutant cells were irradiated to induce pulmonary metastases.

Results

Afatinib more effectively sensitized LLC cells to radiation and decreased invasiveness by inhibiting phosphorylation of EGFR, HER2, Akt, ERK, and p38, and down-regulating MMP-9 when compared to erlotinib. Afatinib abolished radiation-induced lung metastases in vivo. Furthermore, LLC HER2 knock-down cells treated with radiation had growth inhibition.

Conclusion

Dual inhibition of radiation-activated EGFR and HER2 signaling by afatinib suppressed the proliferation and invasion of irradiated LLC cells. Increased radiosensitivity and decreased metastatic dissemination were observed by pharmacological or genetic HER2 inhibition in vivo. These findings indicate that HER2 plays a pivotal role in enhancing radioresistance and reducing metastatic potential of LLC cells.
A qualitative exploration of service users’ and staff members’ perspectives on the roles of inpatient settings in mental health recovery
Authors: De Ruysscher Clara , Vandevelde Stijn , Tomlinson Peter , Vanheule Stijn
Published: March 2020

Background

Today, international mental health care increasingly focuses on creating recovery-oriented systems of support. This study aims to unravel the daily practice of an inpatient psychiatric ward that engages with persons with complex mental health needs.

Methods

17 in-depth interviews were conducted with patients and staff of the ward. Data was analyzed by means of thematic analysis.

Results

Three important functions of the ward were identified in the participants’ experiences. First, it functions as an asylum, a safe environment where patients can ‘simply be’. Second, the ward is experienced as a particularizing space, as support is organized in an individualized way and patients are encouraged to reconnect with their own identity. Third, the ward functions as a transitional space towards a valuable community life, in which finding adequate housing is of central importance.

Conclusions

The results show that inpatient forms of support tally with personal and social dimensions of recovery and fulfill important roles in recovery-oriented systems of support.
Effect of an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, quality of life, and sleep quality among adult cardiac surgical ICU survivors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Shuo , Xin Hui-Ning , Chung Lim Vico Chiang , Liao Jin-Hua , Li Sai-Lan , Xie Na-Mei , Hu Rong-Fang
Published: March 2020

Background

Although studies on the effectiveness of the use of ICU diaries on psychiatric disorders and quality of life have been published, the results still seem to be controversial. The study aimed to determine the effects of using an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) in adult ICU survivors in China.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent a scheduled cardiac surgery and were expected to stay ≥ 24 h in ICU were randomized to two groups (63 in each group). The patients in the intervention group received the use of ICU diaries during the period of post-ICU follow-up, while the patients in the control group received usual care without ICU diaries. The primary outcome was significant PTSD symptoms (Chinese version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R; total score ≥ 35 was defined as significant PTSD symptoms) and its severity in patients 3 months post-ICU. The secondary outcomes included memories of the ICU at 1 month, QoL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form, SF-36), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire, PSQI), anxiety, and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) at 3 months.

Results

Eighty-five and 83 patients completed the follow-up interviews at 1 month and 3 months post-ICU, respectively. Significant PTSD symptoms were reported by 6 of 41 (14.63%) in the intervention group vs 9 of 42 (21.43%) in the control group (risk difference, − 9% [95% CI, − 2% to 21%], P = 0.10). There was no significant differences between groups in IES-R score, symptoms of intrusion, symptoms of avoidance, numbers of memories of feeling and delusional memories, SF-36 score and anxiety score (P > 0.05), while significant differences were found in symptom of hyperarousal score, numbers of factual memories and PSQI score (P < 0.05). No adverse effect was reported.

Conclusions

Using an ICU diary is not useful for preventing PTSD symptoms and anxiety symptoms and preserving the quality of life of the patients at 3 months post-ICU, while it significantly improves the survivor’s factual memory of ICU and sleep quality, and prevents the hyperarousal symptom.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16009109, registered on 28 August 2016
Effect of postextubation high-flow nasal cannula therapy on lung recruitment and overdistension in high-risk patient
Authors: Zhang Rui , He Huaiwu , Yun Long , Zhou Xiang , Wang Xu , Chi Yi , Yuan Siyi , Zhao Zhanqi
Published: March 2020

Background

Postextubation high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is used as a support therapy in high-risk patients in ICU. This study aimed to determine the effects of HFNC therapy on lung recruitment and overdistension assessed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Methods

Twenty-four patients who received HFNC within 24 h after extubation were prospectively enrolled in this study. EIT was used to monitor regional lung ventilation distributions at baseline (conventional oxygen therapy) and three flow rate levels of HFNC therapy (20, 40, and 60 L/min). Change of end-expiratory lung impedance (ΔEELI), regional recruitment (recruited-pixels) and overdistension (overdistended-pixels), and lung strain change were determined by EIT. EIT images were equally divided into four ventral-to-dorsal horizontal regions of interest (ROIs 1, 2, 3, and 4). “Overdistension-by HFNC” due to HFNC is defined as an increase of overdistened-pixels > 10 than baseline. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) high potential of recruitment (HPR), recruited-pixels > 10 pixels at 60 L/min than baseline, and (2) low potential of recruitment (LPR), recruited-pixels < 10 pixels at 60 L/min than baseline.

Results

When the flow rate gradually increased from baseline to 60 L/min, a significant and consistent increasing trend of global ΔEELI (%) (p < 0.0001), recruited-pixels (p < 0.001), and overdistended-pixels (p = 0.101) was observed. Moreover, the increase of ΔEELI was mainly distributed in ROI2 (p = 0.001) and ROI3 (p < 0.0001). The HPR group (13/24 patients) had significantly higher recruited-pixels than the LPR group (11/24 patients) at 20, 40, and 60 L/min. There were no significant differences in PaO2/FiO2, ΔEELI (%), and overdistention pixels between the two groups. The HPR group had 13 patients in which no one had “overdistension-by HFNC”, and the LPR group had 11 patients in which 4 patients had “overdistension-by HFNC” (0/13 vs. 4/11, p = 0.017).

Conclusions

Using EIT could identify diverse effects of HFNC on lung regional ventilation in postextubation situations. Further study is required to validate using “HFNC effect” based on lung recruitment and overdistension by EIT in clinical practice.

Trial registration

The study was retrospectively registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (no. NCT04245241).
MiR-7 reduces the BCSC subset by inhibiting XIST to modulate the miR-92b/Slug/ESA axis and inhibit tumor growth
Authors: Li Miao , Pan Meng , You Chengzhong , Zhao Fengshu , Wu Di , Guo Mei , Xu Hui , Shi Fangfang , Zheng Danfeng , Dou Jun
Published: March 2020

Background

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are typically seed cells of breast tumor that initiate and maintain tumor growth. MiR-7, as a cancer inhibitor, decreases the BCSC subset and inhibits tumor progression through mechanisms that remain unknown.

Methods

We examined miR-7 expression in breast cancer and developed a BCSC-driven xenograft mouse model, to evaluate the effects of miR-7 overexpression on the decrease of the BCSC subset in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we determined how miR-7 decreased the BCSC subset by using the ALDEFLUOR, lentivirus infection, dual-luciferase reporter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR assays.

Results

MiR-7 was expressed at low levels in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, and overexpression of miR-7 directly inhibited lncRNA XIST, which mediates the transcriptional silencing of genes on the X chromosome, and reduced epithelium-specific antigen (ESA) expression by increasing miR-92b and inhibiting slug. Moreover, miR-7 suppressed CD44 and ESA by directly inhibiting the NF-κB subunit RELA and slug in breast cancer cell lines and in BCSC-driven xenografts, which confirmed the antitumor activity in mice injected with miR-7 agomir or stably infected with lenti-miR-7.

Conclusions

The findings from this study uncover the molecular mechanisms by which miR-7 inhibits XIST, modulates the miR-92b/Slug/ESA axis, and decreases the RELA and CD44 expression, resulting in a reduced BCSC subset and breast cancer growth inhibition. These findings suggest a potentially targeted treatment approach to breast cancer.
The genome evolution and domestication of tropical fruit mango
Authors: Wang Peng , Luo Yingfeng , Huang Jianfeng , Gao Shenghan , Zhu Guopeng , Dang Zhiguo , Gai Jiangtao , Yang Meng , Zhu Min , Zhang Huangkai , Ye Xiuxu , Gao Aiping , Tan Xinyu , Wang Sen , Wu Shuangyang , Cahoon Edgar B. , Bai Beibei , Zhao Zhichang , Li Qian , Wei Junya , Chen Huarui , Luo Ruixiong , Gong Deyong , Tang Kexuan , Zhang Bing , Ni Zhangguang , Huang Guodi , Hu Songnian , Chen Yeyuan
Published: March 2020

Background

Mango is one of the world’s most important tropical fruits. It belongs to the family Anacardiaceae, which includes several other economically important species, notably cashew, sumac and pistachio from other genera. Many species in this family produce family-specific urushiols and related phenols, which can induce contact dermatitis.

Results

We generate a chromosome-scale genome assembly of mango, providing a reference genome for the Anacardiaceae family. Our results indicate the occurrence of a recent whole-genome duplication (WGD) event in mango. Duplicated genes preferentially retained include photosynthetic, photorespiration, and lipid metabolic genes that may have provided adaptive advantages to sharp historical decreases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures. A notable example of an extended gene family is the chalcone synthase (CHS) family of genes, and particular genes in this family show universally higher expression in peels than in flesh, likely for the biosynthesis of urushiols and related phenols. Genome resequencing reveals two distinct groups of mango varieties, with commercial varieties clustered with India germplasms and demonstrating allelic admixture, and indigenous varieties from Southeast Asia in the second group. Landraces indigenous in China formed distinct clades, and some showed admixture in genomes.

Conclusions

Analysis of chromosome-scale mango genome sequences reveals photosynthesis and lipid metabolism are preferentially retained after a recent WGD event, and expansion of CHS genes is likely associated with urushiol biosynthesis in mango. Genome resequencing clarifies two groups of mango varieties, discovers allelic admixture in commercial varieties, and shows distinct genetic background of landraces.
Correction to: Effectiveness of Gyejibongnyeong-Hwan for shoulder pain: study protocol for a randomised, wait-list controlled pilot trial
Authors: Jang Soobin , Sung Hyun Kyung , Ko Mi Mi , Shin Seon Mi , Go Ho-Yeon , Jung Jeeyoun
Published: March 2020

After publication of our article [1] the authors have notified us that one of the names has been incorrectly spelled.
Phylogenetically informative mutations in genes implicated in antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
Authors: Merker Matthias , Kohl Thomas A. , Barilar Ivan , Andres Sönke , Fowler Philip W. , Chryssanthou Erja , Ängeby Kristian , Jureen Pontus , Moradigaravand Danesh , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J. , Schön Thomas , Maurer Florian P. , Walker Timothy , Köser Claudio , Niemann Stefan
Published: March 2020

Background

A comprehensive understanding of the pre-existing genetic variation in genes associated with antibiotic resistance in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is needed to accurately interpret whole-genome sequencing data for genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST).

Methods

We investigated mutations in 92 genes implicated in resistance to 21 anti-tuberculosis drugs using the genomes of 405 phylogenetically diverse MTBC strains. The role of phylogenetically informative mutations was assessed by routine phenotypic DST data for the first-line drugs isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide from a separate collection of over 7000 clinical strains. Selected mutations/strains were further investigated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing.

Results

Out of 547 phylogenetically informative mutations identified, 138 were classified as not correlating with resistance to first-line drugs. MIC testing did not reveal a discernible impact of a Rv1979c deletion shared by M. africanum lineage 5 strains on resistance to clofazimine. Finally, we found molecular evidence that some MTBC subgroups may be hyper-susceptible to bedaquiline and clofazimine by different loss-of-function mutations affecting a drug efflux pump subunit (MmpL5).

Conclusions

Our findings underline that the genetic diversity in MTBC has to be studied more systematically to inform the design of clinical trials and to define sound epidemiologic cut-off values (ECOFFs) for new and repurposed anti-tuberculosis drugs. In that regard, our comprehensive variant catalogue provides a solid basis for the interpretation of mutations in genotypic as well as in phenotypic DST assays.
Gallstones top to toe: what the radiologist needs to know
Authors: Murphy M. C. , Gibney B. , Gillespie C. , Hynes J. , Bolster F.
Published: March 2020

Gallstone-related disease can have significant associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence of gallstone-related disease in the Western world is on the increase. There are multiple different pathological manifestations of gallstone disease: the presentation, diagnosis and associated complications of which vary significantly depending on anatomical location. The role of imaging in gallstone-related disease is broad with radiology playing an essential role in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of gallstone-related pathologies. This paper distills the broad range of gallstone-related pathologies into an anatomical map, discussing the disease processes involved at each point along the biliary tree and reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of different imaging modalities for each distinct disease process.
Lung endothelial cells are sensitive to epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Dorca-Arévalo Jonatan , Dorca Eduard , Torrejón-Escribano Benjamín , Blanch Marta , Martín-Satué Mireia , Blasi Juan
Published: March 2020

The pore-forming protein epsilon toxin (Etx) from Clostridium perfringens produces acute perivascular edema affecting several organs, especially the brain and lungs. Despite the toxin evident effect on microvasculature and endothelial cells, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain obscure. Moreover, no Etx-sensitive endothelial cell model has been identified to date. Here, we characterize the mouse lung endothelial cell line 1G11 as an Etx-sensitive cell line and compare it with the well-characterized Etx-sensitive Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell line. Several experimental approaches, including morphological and cytotoxic assays, clearly demonstrate that the 1G11 cell line is highly sensitive to Etx and show the specific binding, oligomerization, and pore-forming activity of the toxin in these cells. Recently, the myelin and lymphocyte (MAL) protein has been postulated as a putative receptor for Etx. Here, we show the presence of Mal mRNA in the 1G11 cell line and the presence of the MAL protein in the endothelium of some mouse lung vessels, supporting the hypothesis that this protein is a key element in the Etx intoxication pathway. The existence of an Etx-sensitive cell line of endothelial origin would help shed light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Etx-induced edema and its consequences.
Anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii L531 in a pig model of Salmonella Infantis infection involves modulation of CCR6+ T cell responses and ER stress
Authors: Yang Gui-Yan , Xia Bing , Su Jin-Hui , He Ting , Liu Xiao , Guo Liang , Zhang Shuai , Zhu Yao-Hong , Wang Jiu-Feng
Published: March 2020

Probiotic pretreatment is an effective non-antibiotic strategy for preventing or controlling Salmonella infections. We found that Lactobacillus johnsonii L531, isolated from the colon of a clinically healthy weaned piglet, effectively prevented infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in a pig model. Newly weaned piglets were intragastrically administered Lactobacillus johnsonii L531 at 1.0 × 1010 CFU/day for 1 week before S. Infantis challenge. Pretreatment with L. johnsonii L531 lessened the severity of diarrhea and ileal inflammation in S. Infantis–infected piglets. Lactobacilli were more abundant in the ileum than jejunum after L. johnsonii L531 pretreatment. Treatment with L. johnsonii L531 reduced the abundance of total bacteria in the ileal mucosa and the production of lipocalin 2 in the jejunum of piglets challenged with Salmonella. Both intestinal morphology and transmission electron microscopy results indicated that L. johnsonii L531 alleviated intestinal tissue damage following S. Infantis challenge, especially in the villus and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER stress induced by S. Infantis was attenuated by L. johnsonii L531 treatment. The number of CD4− CCR6+ T cells decreased following S. Infantis challenge, but the percentage of CCR6− IFNγ+ T cells in peripheral blood increased. In intestinal mesenteric lymph nodes, S. Infantis increased the proportion of CCR6+ IFNγ+ T cells, whereas L. johnsonii L531 induced an increase in the proportion of CD4+ CCR6+ T cells in response to S. Infantis infection. Our data thus suggest that L. johnsonii L531 contributes to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis by modulating T-cell responses and ER stress.
Intranasally administered protein coated chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating influenza H9N2 HA2 and M2e mRNA molecules elicit protective immunity against avian influenza viruses in chickens
Authors: Hajam Irshad Ahmed , Senevirathne Amal , Hewawaduge Chamit , Kim Jehyoung , Lee John Hwa
Published: March 2020

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) represent an efficient vaccination tool to deliver immunogenic antigens to the antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which subsequently stimulate protective immune responses against infectious diseases. Herein, we prepared CNPs encapsulating mRNA molecules followed by surface coating with conserved H9N2 HA2 and M2e influenza proteins. We demonstrated that CNPs efficiently delivered mRNA molecules into APCs and had effectively penetrated the mucosal barrier to reach to the immune initiation sites. To investigate the potential of CNPs delivering influenza antigens to stimulate protective immunity, we intranasally vaccinated chickens with empty CNPs, CNPs delivering HA2 and M2e in both mRNA and protein formats (CNPs + RNA + Pr) or CNPs delivering antigens in protein format only (CNPs + Pr). Our results demonstrated that chickens vaccinated with CNPs + RNA + Pr elicited significantly (p < 0.05) higher systemic IgG, mucosal IgA antibody responses and cellular immune responses compared to the CNPs + Pr vaccinated group. Consequently, upon challenge with either H7N9 or H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs), efficient protection, in the context of viral load and lung pathology, was observed in chickens vaccinated with CNPs + RNA + Pr than CNPs + Pr vaccinated group. In conclusion, we show that HA2 and M2e antigens elicited a broad spectrum of protection against AIVs and incorporation of mRNAs in vaccine formulation is an effective strategy to induce superior immune responses.
Spatial-spectral hyperspectral image classification based on information measurement and CNN
Authors: Lin Lianlei , Chen Cailu , Xu Tiejun
Published: March 2020

In order to construct virtual land environment for virtual test, we propose a construction method of virtual land environment using multi-satellite remote sensing data, the key step of which is accurate recognition of ground object. In this paper, a method of ground object recognition based on hyperspectral image (HSI) was proposed, i.e., a HSI classification method based on information measure and convolutional neural networks (CNN) combined with spatial-spectral information. Firstly, the most important three spectra of the hyperspectral image was selected based on information measure. Specifically, the entropy and color-matching functions were applied to determine the candidate spectra sets from all the spectra of the hyperspectral image. Then three spectra with the largest amount of information were selected through the minimum mutual information. Through the above two steps, the dimensionality reduction for hyperspectral images was effectively achieved. Based on the three selected spectra, the CNN network input combined with the spatial-spectral information was designed. Two input strategies were designed: (1) The patch surrounding the pixel to be classified was directly intercepted from the grayscale images of the three selected spectra. (2) In order to highlight the effect of the spectrum of the pixel to be classified, all the spectral components of this pixel were superimposed on the patch obtained by the previous strategy. As a result, a new patch with more prominent spectral components of the pixel to be classified was obtained. Using the two public hyperspectral datasets, Salinas and Pavia Center, the experiments of on both parameter selection and classification performance were performed to verify that the proposed methods had better classification performance.
What is the effectiveness of various invitation methods to a colonoscopy in the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer? Protocol of a systematic review
Authors: Stark Undine Antonia , Frese Thomas , Unverzagt Susanne , Bauer Alexander
Published: March 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer, a prevalent malignancy worldwide, is associated with numerous modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that play a role in the early detection and successful treatment of cancer. Despite improvements in the availability and quality of screening methods, especially colonoscopy, and the substantial survival benefits of the early detection of colorectal cancer, patient participation remains low due to clinical reasons and patient barriers. Studies around the world have used various methods of invitation in order to promote patient uptake of colonoscopies. The main objective of this systematic review is to analyze the association between certain invitation procedures, the participation in colonoscopies, and important patient outcomes in the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.

Method

We will systematically search in electronic databases including Medline via PubMed and Ovid, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Cochrane Library. All studies will be described in a table of study characteristics with a risk of bias assessment. In addition, two authors will independently rate the overall quality of evidence for the critical outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group approach. Discrepancies regarding the inclusion of studies, data extraction, or risk of bias assessment will be resolved independently by one other reviewer. Due to the heterogeneous design of the studies that will be evaluated in this review, synthesizing data from these studies in the form of a meta-analysis may not be possible. In this instance, we can conduct a descriptive synthesis of data from these studies.

Discussion

The results that arise from this systematic review will reflect the influence that various invitation procedures to a colonoscopy have on patient participation in these screenings. Drawing conclusions about the efficiency of various invitation methods to a colonoscopy can provide valuable information to both clinicians and patients and may not only improve future invitation-based patient recruitment to colonoscopy screenings, but also shape guidelines regarding prevention of colorectal cancer.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019128645
Low-rate DoS attack detection based on two-step cluster analysis and UTR analysis
Authors: Tang Dan , Dai Rui , Tang Liu , Li Xiong
Published: March 2020

Low-rate denial of service (LDoS) attacks send attacking bursts intermittently to the network which can severely degrade the victim system’s Quality of Service (QoS). The low-rate nature of such attacks complicates attack detection. LDoS attacks repeatedly trigger the congestion control mechanism, which can make TCP traffic extremely unstable. This paper investigates the network traffic’ characteristics, in which variance and entropy are used to evaluate the TCP traffic’s characteristics, and the ratio of UDP traffic to TCP traffic (UTR) is also analyzed. Thus, a detection method combining two-step cluster analysis and UTR analysis is proposed. Through two-step cluster analysis which is one of the machine learning algorithms, network traffic is divided into multiple clusters and then clusters subjected to LDoS attacks are determined using UTR analysis. NS2 simulation platform and test-bed network environment aim to evaluate the detection approach’s performance. To better assess the effectiveness of the method, public dataset WIDE is also utilized. Experimental results with a good performance prove that the proposed detection approach can accurately detect LDoS attacks.
Experimental evidence on biodiversity impacts of variable retention forestry, prescribed burning, and deadwood manipulation in Fennoscandia
Authors: Koivula Matti , Vanha-Majamaa Ilkka
Published: March 2020

Intensive forest management has been applied in most Fennoscandian forests for a period of almost one felling rotation. This paradigm has produced even-aged and even-structured forests of different successional stages that cover about 90% of forest land. At the same time, wildfires have been nearly eliminated in most of the Fennoscandian nature. Consequently, hundreds of species are red-listed because of forest management. To support these species, forest management requires improvements. Variable retention forestry and habitat restoration have been suggested to mitigate negative effects of forest management on biodiversity, and these have been practiced to some extent during the past few decades. Here, we review experimental results on the effects of variable retention and two restoration measures (prescribed burning and artificial addition of coarse woody debris) on different species groups in Fennoscandia. Our key findings are as follows: (i) Many species respond positively to felling within a few years, apparently due to released and often ephemeral resources, such as fresh residue and stumps. Species associated with shady conditions are negatively impacted, but any retention supports many of these, and their species composition remains almost unaffected with 50–70% retention of the initial tree volume. (ii) These effects remain detectable for at least 10–30 years or, according to some studies, nearly 100 years, e.g., in polypore fungi. (iii) Initial effects of prescribed burning on most species groups (apart from pyrophiles) are negative, but within 10–15 years post-fire sites begin to support many rare and threatened deadwood-dependent species. Epiphytic lichens, however, remain negatively affected. (iv) Artificial addition of deadwood (mostly high stumps) supports a wide spectrum of deadwood-dependent species, but the species composition differs from that of naturally died trees. (v) Moisture and micro-habitat variation are crucial for forest species at harvested sites, at least in forests dominated by Norway spruce. We conclude that felling method as such is of little importance for threatened forest species, although retention mitigates many negative effects. These species require microclimatic continuity, and maintenance and active increase of legacies, such as deadwood of different qualities (species, downed/standing, snag/log/stump, decay stage), very old trees, and tree species mixtures.
AMPK-mTOR pathway is involved in glucose-modulated amino acid sensing and utilization in the mammary glands of lactating goats
Authors: Cai Jie , Wang Diming , Zhao Feng-Qi , Liang Shulin , Liu Jianxin
Published: March 2020

Background

The local supply of energy-yielding nutrients such as glucose seems to affect the synthesis of milk components in the mammary gland (MG). Thus, our study was conducted to investigate the effects of locally available MG glucose supply (LMGS) on amino acid (AA) sensing and utilization in the MG of lactating dairy goats. Six dosages of glucose (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/d) were infused into the MG through the external pudendal artery to investigate the dose-dependent changes in mammary AA uptake and utilization (Exp.1) and the changes in mRNA and protein expression of the AMPK-mTOR pathway (Expt.2).

Results

In Exp.1, total milk AA concentration was highest when goats were infused with 60 g/d glucose, but lower when goats were infused with 0 and 100 g/d glucose. Increasing LMGS quadratically changed the percentages of αS2-casein and α-lactalbumin in milk protein, which increased with infusions from 0 to 60 g/d glucose and then decreased with infusions between 60 and 100 g/d glucose. The LMGS changed the AA availability and intramammary gland AA utilization, as reflected by the mammary AA flux indexes. In Exp.2, the mRNA expression ofLALBAin the MG increased quadratically with increasing LMGS, with the highest expression at dose of 60 g/d glucose. A high glucose dosage (100 g/d) activated the general control nonderepressible 2 kinase, an intracellular sensor of AA status, resulting in a reduced total milk AA concentration.

Conclusions

Our new findings suggest that the lactating MG in dairy goats may be affected by LMGS through regulation of the AA sensory pathway, AA utilization and protein synthesis, all being driven by the AMPK-mTOR pathway.
Estimating relative biomasses of organisms in microbiota using “phylopeptidomics”
Authors: Pible Olivier , Allain François , Jouffret Virginie , Culotta Karen , Miotello Guylaine , Armengaud Jean
Published: March 2020

Background

There is an important need for the development of fast and robust methods to quantify the diversity and temporal dynamics of microbial communities in complex environmental samples. Because tandem mass spectrometry allows rapid inspection of protein content, metaproteomics is increasingly used for the phenotypic analysis of microbiota across many fields, including biotechnology, environmental ecology, and medicine.

Results

Here, we present a new method for identifying the biomass contribution of any given organism based on a signature describing the number of peptide sequences shared with all other organisms, calculated by mathematical modeling and phylogenetic relationships. This so-called “phylopeptidomics” principle allows for the calculation of the relative ratios of peptide-specified taxa by the linear combination of such signatures applied to an experimental metaproteomic dataset. We illustrate its efficiency using artificial mixtures of two closely related pathogens of clinical interest, and with more complex microbiota models.

Conclusions

This approach paves the way to a new vision of taxonomic changes and accurate label-free quantitative metaproteomics for fine-tuned functional characterization.
Measuring the passive cuticular membrane permeability of potassium with a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay and the implications for foliar nutrient formulations
Authors: He Qingwen , Rezai Taha
Published: March 2020

A modified PAMPA (parallel artificial membrane permeability assay) is proposed for evaluating the passive cuticular membrane permeability of potassium in several foliar nutrient formulations. The modified PAMPA can measure the passive permeability of ionic nutrients under fully hydrated conditions through an artificial membrane designed to more closely resemble a plant cuticle, rather than the traditional phospholipid animal model. Foliar nutrient formulations, which in some cases contain a complex organic matter component, may be evaluated with the modified PAMPA in order to develop better structure activity relationships that can help guide rational formulation development. In addition, mechanistic insights may also be uncovered with the simplified system.
Praxis pedagogy in teacher education
Authors: Arnold Julie , Mundy Brian
Published: March 2020

This paper presents and analyses a pedagogical model which focuses on ‘praxis’. Portfolio dialogue, case writing and signature pedagogy mapping are all identified as central to this model. These pedagogical practices intend to create a possibility of orientation rather than a lineal hierarchy of outcomes for pre-service teachers. Part of this paper reports on data received from final year preservice teachers regarding their portfolio discussions and considers the presence and the contributions of the signature pedagogies. New knowledge concerning planning of practice through visual modes may assist staff and students via critical, dialogical and a praxis views within teacher education.
A two-component system gene SACE_0101 regulates copper homeostasis in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Qiao Lijia , Li Xiaobo , Ke Xiang , Chu Ju
Published: March 2020

Background

Saccharopolyspora erythraea (S. erythraea) is a Gram-positive bacterium widely used for the production of erythromycin, a potent macrolide antibiotic. However, the mechanism behind erythromycin production is poorly understood. In the high erythromycin-producer strain S. erythraea HL3168 E3, the level of copper ions positively correlates with erythromycin production. To explain this correlation, we performed a genome-based comparison between the wild-type strain NRRL23338 and the mutant strain HL3168 E3, and further characterized the identified gene(s) by targeted genome editing, mRNA transcript analysis, and functional analysis.

Results

The response regulator of the two-component system (TCS) encoded by the gene SACE_0101 in S. erythraea showed high similarity with CopR of TCS CopRS in Streptomyces coelicolor, which is involved in the regulation of copper metabolism. The deletion of SACE_0101 was beneficial for erythromycin synthesis most likely by causing changes in the intracellular copper homeostasis, leading to enhanced erythromycin production. In addition, Cu2+ supplementation and gene expression analysis suggested that SACE_0101 may be involved in the regulation of copper homeostasis and erythromycin production.

Conclusions

The mutation of SACE_0101 gene increased the yield of erythromycin, especially upon the addition of copper ions. Therefore, the two-component system gene SACE_0101 plays a crucial role in regulating copper homeostasis and erythromycin synthesis in S. erythraea.
Perianesthetic death: a 10-year retrospective observational study in a Japanese university hospital
Authors: Sato Mariko , Ida Mitsuru , Naito Yusuke , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: March 2020

Background

Studies reporting on perianesthetic death and anesthesia-related death are limited. The present study aimed to assess the incidence of perianesthetic death and its relation to anesthesia and to describe the patient characteristics and main events leading to death in cases of anesthesia-related death and anesthesia-contributory death.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients in whom anesthesia procedures were performed by anesthesiologists at a Japanese tertiary hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. Perianesthetic death was defined as death occurring within 48 h of an anesthetic, and it was divided into the following three categories: anesthesia-related death, anesthesia-contributory death, and nonanesthesia-related death. Patient demographics and perioperative factors were analyzed in cases of anesthesia-related death and anesthesia-contributory death.

Results

Among 46,378 patients who underwent anesthetics, 41 experienced perianesthetic death, with an incidence of 8.8/10,000 anesthetics (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1–11.6). No patient experienced anesthesia-related death, whereas 10 experienced anesthesia-contributory death, with an incidence of 2.1/10,000 (95% CI, 0.69–3.6), and 31 experienced nonanesthesia-related death, with an incidence of 6.8/10,000 (95% CI, 4.2–9.1). The events leading to anesthesia-contributory death were hypovolemia, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and respiratory failure, and they occurred during anesthesia maintenance in 5 patients and after surgery in 5 patients.

Conclusions

The incidence of perianesthetic death was 8.8/10,000 anesthetics; however, anesthesia-related death was not detected. Ten patients experienced anesthesia-contributory death, and hypovolemia during or after surgery was most frequently associated with anesthesia-contributory death.
Efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungi; Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)
Authors: Ozdemir Ismail Oguz , Tuncer Celal , Erper Ismail , Kushiyev Rahman
Published: March 2020

The efficacy of the two entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae (TR 106) and Beauveria bassiana (TR 217), was tested against the adults of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in laboratory. Two concentrations of conidial suspensions (1 × 106 and 1 × 108 conidia/ml) of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana isolates were directly applied on four pairs of adult beetles in Petri dishes (2 ml/dish) and then incubated at two different climatic regimes; 22±1 °C and 26 ± 1 °C with 70 ± 5% RH, 16:8 h light-to-dark. Lethal time values (LT50 and LT90) were calculated using probit analysis. As a result, the LT50 and LT90 values of M. anisopliae (1 × 108 conidia/ml) were 4.45 and 5.34 days at 26 °C and 5.17 and 6.15 days at 22 °C, respectively. LT50 and LT90 values of B. bassiana (1 × 108 conidia/ml) were 4.07 and 5.11 days at 26 °C and 4.07 and 5.41 days at 22 °C, respectively. LT50 and LT90 values of M. anisopliae (1 × 106 conidia/ml) were 5.42 and 6.43 days at 26 °C and 6.08 and 7.54 days at 22 °C, respectively. The LT50 and LT90 values of B. bassiana (1 × 106 conidia/ml) were 5.67 and 7.15 days at 26 °C and 5.47 and 7.50 days at 22 °C, respectively. Approximately 100% of mycoses were obtained in all treatments. In general, the effectiveness of these two entomopathogens increased by increasing suspension concentrations and temperature. These results suggest that the two isolates may be very successful in biological control of the C. maculatus and may be alternatives for chemical pest management.
Molecular characterization and expression analysis of hepc1 and hepc2 in three tilapia species collected from Lake Manzala
Authors: Mahrous Karima F. , Abd El - Kader Heba A. M. , Mabrouk Dalia M. , Aboelenin Mohamad M. , Osman Noha M. , Khalil Wagdy K. B. , Hassanane Mohamed Saber
Published: March 2020

Background

Antimicrobial peptides were examined as an evolutionarily preserved component of the innate immune response and identified as a vital first-line defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens in fish. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular characterization and expression analysis of hepc1 and hepc2 in three strains of tilapia species infected naturally in Lake Manzala.

Results

The results revealed that the alignment of nucleotide sequences including cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences showed that hepcidin 1 in Sarotherodon galilaeus has four genotypes due to SNPs in codon 34Gln (CAG)/Leu (CTG) and codon 36Glu (GAA/GAG). Regarding hepcidin 2 gene, different genotypes were detected in Tilapia zillii and Sarotherodon galilaeus due to SNPs in codons 19Met (ATG)/Ile (ATT), 57Pro (CCA)/Ser (TCA), and codon 14Leu (CTT / CTC). Hepcidins 1 and 2 coding region sequences in three tilapia species deposited to GeneBank and phylogenetic analysis indicated that tilapia species are more similar to each other and closely related to Sea perch. On the other hand, the expression levels of hepc1 and hepc2 genes were over-expressed in different tilapia tissue species (hepc1 in Sarotherodon galilaeus and hepc2 in Tilapia zillii).

Conclusions

The results concluded that the hepcidin 1 and 2 genes showed constitutive expressions in most of tested tissues and have a very similar three-dimensional structure as well as mature peptides which mean that these genes are highly conserved within the species examined.
Review of heterogeneous material objects modeling in additive manufacturing
Authors: Li Bin , Fu Jianzhong , Feng Jiawei , Shang Ce , Lin Zhiwei
Published: March 2020

This review investigates the recent developments of heterogeneous objects modeling in additive manufacturing (AM), as well as general problems and widespread solutions to the modeling methods of heterogeneous objects. Prevalent heterogeneous object representations are generally categorized based on the different expression or data structure employed therein, and the state-of-the-art of process planning procedures for AM is reviewed via different vigorous solutions for part orientation, slicing methods, and path planning strategies. Finally, some evident problems and possible future directions of investigation are discussed.