bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primario desconocido de cabeza y cuello, una visión del oncólogo radioterapeuta
Authors: Rivero Milexys , Lorenzo Federico , Torres Marcelo , Quarneti Aldo
Published: December 2021

Se define carcinoma de cabeza y cuello (CCC) de primario desconocido al cuadro de adenopatía cervical en que, luego de examen físico, estudios de imágenes y panendoscopia con biopsias, no se encuentra el tumor primario pero sí la confirmación de malignidad de la adenomegalia. Son infrecuentes, por lo que estudios prospectivos que arrojen resultados estadísticamente significativos no están disponibles actualmente, y el tratamiento definitivo es aún motivo de controversia. Al ser la radioterapia un tratamiento dirigido es imprescindible definir adecuadamente los volúmenes blanco de tratamiento; es ideal el hallazgo del tumor primario, pero en muchos casos a pesar de un estudio escalonado, exhaustivo y multidisciplinar esto no se logra. Esto motiva el debate de qué regiones tratar, dosis, fraccionamiento y modalidad (exclusiva, adyuvante, en concurrencia). Hasta el momento el tratamiento de ganglios cervicales y mucosa de alto riesgo parece ser la estrategia con mejor control locorregional.
Souvenir du Pará, de Reichert/Cortez: pioneirismo no tremolo (1909) e critérios de uma edição para violão
Authors: Amorim Humberto , Paschoito Ivan
Published: December 2021

Apesar de periódicos indicarem circulação de partituras para violão desde o Brasil oitocentista, o repertório produzido no país antes de 1930 ainda é infimamente conhecido, ora porque as peças foram perdidas, ora porque sobreviveram em edições de pouca tiragem ou raros manuscritos. Este artigo recoloca em cena uma destas peças pioneiras, Souvenir du Pará op. 10 (M. A. Reichert), composta originalmente para flauta e piano na segunda metade do século XIX. Em 1909, Melchior Cortez (1882-1947) realizou uma transcrição para violão utilizando tremolo, um dos primeiros usos deste recurso em partituras publicadas no Rio de Janeiro. A partir do levantamento de fontes hemerográficas e de uma rara edição pertencente à Coleção Chiquinha Gonzaga (IMS), nossos objetivos são: resgatar a publicação de 1909, traçando uma breve genealogia dos contextos e personagens envolvidos; apresentar os critérios que embasaram uma nova edição, colaborando no conhecimento e difusão do repertório para violão deste período.
Suíte Vera Cruz: samba, maracatu e ijexá em adaptações a compassos mistos
Authors: Silva Raphael
Published: December 2021

[Obra artística – nota do editor]
«Меня очень угнетает слово «алиментщик…»: правовые и антропологические аспекты алиментных выплат на детей (1930–1960 гг.)
Authors: Воронова Е.А.
Published: December 2021

Алименты на детей, выплачиваемые после развода родителей, являются важной категорией анализа гендерного порядка в СССР. Декларируемое равенство полов расходилось с реалиями советской повседневности, в которой после разводов дети по умолчанию оставались с матерью, а отцам предписывалось выплачивать денежное содержание. Обращаясь к источникам нормативного происхождения, периодической печати и «письмам во власть», автор анализирует процесс формирования алиментного законодательства в СССР с 1917 по 1969 г., в котором отразились основные тенденции конструирования гендерных норм и ролей в советской семье. Автор показывает, как отцовские алименты на детей, воспринимавшиеся в 1920-х гг. как «неизбежное зло», в 1960-е гг. начинают восприниматься как необходимая часть родительских обязанностей мужчин по отношению к детям. в тексте статьи выдвигается предположение, что, несмотря на маркирование алиментных выплат как специфически-мужской обязанности, матерям предписывалось заботиться о том, чтобы судебное решение по алиментам было вынесено, и «отцовские» деньги на воспитание детей были получены. Отцы-алиментщики, в свою очередь, рассматривали алименты как финансовое бремя, несправедливое и ненужное, и использовали риторическую стратегию «слабого» отца, чтобы добиться снижения размера выплат.
Воспроизведение исторического опыта самоорганизации в инокультурной среде на примере деятельности хазарейской студенческой ассоциации «Катиб» в Москве
Authors: Сеитов Э.М.
Published: December 2021

Статья посвящена мигрантам из Исламской республики Афганистан – хазарейцам, проживающим в Москве. На примере «Студенческой научно-культурной ассоциации “Катиб” в РФ» рассматриваются вопросы внутренней самоорганизации и социализации хазарейцев в инокультурном обществе. Показанные механизмы адаптации выработаны на основе исторического опыта и часто отсылают к региону исхода. Взаимоотношения хазарейцев с представителями других «афганских» этнических групп в Москве во многом повторяют ситуацию в самом Афганистане.
Влияние психоэмоционального напряжения на психофизиологические характеристики и физические качества танцоров и танцовщиц высокой квалификации
Authors: Захарьева Н.Н. , Коняев И.Д, , Абдрахманова И.В.
Published: December 2021

Проведено обследование 96 спортсменов-танцоров высокой квалификации (50 мужчин и 46 женщин) в подготовительном периоде спортивной подготовки. По результатам анкетирования и психофизиологического тестирования с использованием тестов: TMAS (Taylor manifest anxiety scale), Ч.Д. Спилбергер – Ю.Л. Ханин, «Индивидуальная минута» танцоры распределены по психоэмоциональному напряжению на 3 группы: Gr1 – низкий уровень (n=40; муж – 24 чел. и жен – 16 чел.); Gr2 – средний уровень (n=39; муж – 19 чел. и жен – 20 чел.); Gr3 – высокий уровень (n=17; муж – 7 чел. и жен – 10 чел.). Для дифференцирования уровней психоэмоционального напряжения танцоров высокой квалификации без учета половых различий рекомендованы психофизиологические тесты: TMAS; «Реакция на звук правой рукой»; «Простая зрительно-моторная реакция» и тест физической работоспособности PWC170. У танцовщиц–женщин с различным уровнем психоэмоционального напряжения установлены достоверные отличия в группах сравнения в тестах: «Реакция на звук», выполненная правой рукой (p <0,001); «Воспроизведение временного интервала со звуковым сигналом», «Оценка величины углов» (p <0,05). У танцоров-мужчин с различным уровнем психоэмоционального напряжения установлены достоверные отличия в тестах: PWC170 (p <0,05) и теппинг тесте (1-я и 2-я попытка). Танцоры, имеющие высокое психоэмоциональное напряжение, имеют самые низкие значения физической работоспособности в группах сравнения, что может обуславливать их низкую р.
Рецензия на мон.: Воронцов В.С., Мартыненко А.В., Орлова О.В. Марий Эл, Мордовия, Удмуртия: Современная этноконфессиональная ситуация: монография. Йошкар-Ола, 2021. 292 с.
Authors: Мухаметшина Н.С.
Published: December 2021

В рецензируемой монографии исследуется этноконфессиональная ситуация в трех финно-угорских республиках Российской Федерации: Марий Эл, Мордовии и Удмуртии. В анализ включены статистические данные, законодательная база национальной политики, вопросы деятельности органов государственной власти в регионах и структура управления этнонациональной сферой, работа национально-культурных организаций в постсоветский период с акцентом на современность. Авторами представлены материалы социологических исследований, свидетельствующих о состоянии межнациональных и межконфессиональных отношениях в регионах. В рецензии отмечено высокое качество исследования, в основу которого положен метод подготовки аналитических докладов с рекомендациями органам государственной власти и местного самоуправления по предупреждению и разрешению межэтнической напряженности и конфликтов, утверждению российского самосознания и гражданского согласия в обществе.
Языковое поведение и компетенции адыгейского студенчества
Authors: Донежук М.Ю.
Published: December 2021

Вопрос языковых компетенций адыгейского студенчества, знание адыгейского языка и его бытование продолжительное время находятся в поле зрения адыгейской общественности. В СМИ и сетях интернет периодически обсуждается тема «утраты адыгейского языка» молодежью и его «скорая гибель». Автор статьи, на основе результатов массового опроса, проведенного в городе Майкоп, рассматривает языковые компетенции и сферы применения языков студенческой молодежью Республики Адыгея. Они показывают, что большая часть респондентов чаще используют русский язык в общении на улице, учебе и работе. Адыгейский язык превалирует исключительно в домашнем общении. При этом, показано, что городская молодежь в отличие от сельской реже использует адыгейский язык, отдавая предпочтение русскому. Практически все респонденты знают русский на высоком уровне, т.е. думают на нем, читают и пишут, в то время, как для адыгейского языка доля студентов адыгов, указавших подобный уровень, составляет менее 2/3. Применяя дополнительную литературу, а также материалы интервью, автор объясняет процессы вытеснения адыгейского языка в бытовую, домашнюю среду, а также причины большой разницы в знании и использовании языка между респондентами, родившимися в городе или селе. Так, среди отмеченных причин находятся изменения в экономике, активная урбанизация и внутренние миграции, формирование более полиэтничной среды в аулах, проблемы в школьном и высшем образовании.
Current Research Progress of the Role of LncRNA LEF1-AS1 in a Variety of Tumors
Authors: Zheng Qingyuan , Yu Xiao , Zhang Menggang , Zhang Shuijun , Guo Wenzhi , He Yuting
Published: December 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), as key regulators of cell proliferation and death, are involved in the regulation of various processes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, involving biological developmental processes in the fields of immunology, neurobiology, cancer, and stress. There is great scientific interest in exploring the relationship between lncRNA and tumors. Many researches revealed that lymph enhancer-binding factor 1-antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1), a recently discovered lncRNA, is downregulated in myeloid malignancy, acting mainly as a tumor suppressor, while it is highly expressed and carcinogenic in glioblastoma (GBM), lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), osteosarcoma, colorectal cancer (CRC), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), prostatic carcinoma, retinoblastoma, and other malignant tumors. Furthermore, abnormal LEF1-AS1 expression was associated with tumorigenesis, development, survival, and prognosis via the regulation of target genes and signaling pathways. This review summarizes the existing data on the expression, functions, underlying mechanism, relevant signaling pathways, and clinical significance of LEF1-AS1 in cancer. It is concluded that LEF1-AS1 can serve as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various tumors, thus deserves further attention in the future.
Urbanization Negatively Affects the Species Composition of Native Ladybirds in Central Europe
Authors: Skuhrovec Jiří , Honek Alois , Martinkova Zdenka
Published: December 2021

We evaluated the differences in frequency (percentage of sampling sessions where the species was recorded) and abundance (mean number of individuals per 100 sweeps) of native species of ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the center of Prague, Central Europe, and in its outskirts. Between 2016 and 2019, coccinellids were sampled on Tilia stands using a standardized sweeping method. Twenty-one species were identified in the total sample of 2,761 adults that were collected in 504 sampling sessions. Species richness was significantly higher in the outskirts than in the center, where seven species were absent and two species were found only once. In contrast, only five species were more abundant in the center than in the outskirts. Communities of native coccinellids were poorer in species, and most species were less abundant in the center than in the outskirts.
Chronic Stress A Potential Suspect Zero of Atherosclerosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Meng Ling-bing , Zhang Yuan-meng , Luo Yue , Gong Tao , Liu De-ping
Published: December 2021

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic vascular inflammatory disease, in which the lipid accumulation in the intima of the arteries shows yellow atheromatous appearance, which is the pathological basis of many diseases, such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. In recent years, it has become the main cause of death in the global aging society, which seriously endangers human health. As a result, research on AS is increasing. Lesions of atherosclerosis contain macrophages, T cells and other cells of the immune response, together with cholesterol that infiltrates from the blood. Recent studies have shown that chronic stress plays an important role in the occurrence and development of AS. From the etiology of disease, social, environmental and genetic factors jointly determine the occurrence of disease. Atherosclerotic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (ASCVD) is often caused by chronic stress (CS). If it cannot be effectively prevented, there will be biological changes in the body environment successively, and then the morphological changes of the corresponding organs. If the patient has a genetic predisposition and a combination of environmental factors triggers the pathogenesis, then chronic stress can eventually lead to AS. Therefore, this paper discusses the influence of chronic stress on AS in the aspects of inflammation, lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, hemodynamics and blood pressure, plaque stability, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cholesterol efflux.
Disorders of Sex Development of Adrenal Origin
Authors: Finkielstain Gabriela P. , Vieites Ana , Bergadá Ignacio , Rey Rodolfo A.
Published: December 2021

Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are anomalies occurring in the process of fetal sexual differentiation that result in a discordance between the chromosomal sex and the sex of the gonads and/or the internal and/or external genitalia. Congenital disorders affecting adrenal function may be associated with DSD in both 46,XX and 46,XY individuals, but the pathogenic mechanisms differ. While in 46,XX cases, the adrenal steroidogenic disorder is responsible for the genital anomalies, in 46,XY patients DSD results from the associated testicular dysfunction. Primary adrenal insufficiency, characterized by a reduction in cortisol secretion and overproduction of ACTH, is the rule. In addition, patients may exhibit aldosterone deficiency leading to salt-wasting crises that may be life-threatening. The trophic effect of ACTH provokes congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Adrenal steroidogenic defects leading to 46,XX DSD are 21-hydroxylase deficiency, by far the most prevalent, and 11β-hydroxylase deficiency. Lipoid Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to StAR defects, and cytochrome P450scc and P450c17 deficiencies cause DSD in 46,XY newborns. Mutations in SF1 may also result in combined adrenal and testicular failure leading to DSD in 46,XY individuals. Finally, impaired activities of 3βHSD2 or POR may lead to DSD in both 46,XX and 46,XY individuals. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of the above-mentioned disorders are critically reviewed, with a special focus on the latest biomarkers and therapeutic development.
Early Pregnancy Exposure to Rare Earth Elements and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Xu Xiangrong , Wang Yuanyuan , Han Na , Yang Xiangming , Ji Yuelong , Liu Jue , Jin Chuyao , Lin Lizi , Zhou Shuang , Luo Shusheng , Bao Heling , Liu Zheng , Wang Bin , Yan Lailai , Wang Hai-Jun , Ma Xu
Published: December 2021

Objective

The extensive use of rare earth elements (REEs) in many technologies was found to have effects on human health, but the association between early pregnancy exposure to REEs and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still unknown.

Methods

This nested case-control study involved 200 pregnant women with GDM and 200 healthy pregnant women from the Peking University Birth Cohort in Tongzhou. We examined the serum concentrations of 14 REEs during early pregnancy and analyzed their associations with the risk of GDM.

Results

When the elements were considered individually in the logistic regression model, no significant associations were found between REEs and GDM, after adjusting for confounding variables (P > 0.05). In weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, each quartile decrease in the mixture index for REEs resulted in a 1.67-fold (95% CI: 1.12-2.49) increased risk of GDM. Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), and Lanthanum (La) were the most important contributors in the mixture.

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that early pregnancy exposure to lower levels of REE mixture was associated with an increased risk of GDM, and Nd, Pr, and La exhibited the strongest effects in the mixture.
An Experimental Study on External Ventilation to the Heating Performance of Household Air Source Heat Pump
Authors: Zou Hang , Liu Zhanqiang , Long Enshen
Published: December 2021

The external ventilation conditions have a great influence on the heating performance of the air source heat pump (ASHP) systems. The outdoor units of residential household air source heat pumps are often installed in narrow spaces such as balconies. The ventilation conditions of the outdoor unit will influent the heating performance of the air source heat pump. It is necessary to study the effect of the outdoor unit ventilation conditions on the heating performance of residential household heat pumps. This paper experimentally studied the heating performances of an air source heat pump system with the outdoor unit mounted in a balcony in different external ventilation conditions. The results indicate that the ventilation conditions for the outdoor units have a significant effect on the heating performance of the system. When the inlet of the outdoor unit was close to the sliding door and completely blocked, the ventilation environment was the worst and the coefficient of performance (COP) was the lowest. In addition, the unfavorable ventilation environment could result in a reduction of the COP by 26.2%. When the inlet of the outdoor unit was partially blocked, the heating performance could be improved and the COP was also slightly improved. The great heating performance was obtained under the cross-ventilation condition. This paper can guide the design of the installation position of the household air source heat pump outdoor units in actual engineering.
SNAREs-SAP: SNARE Proteins Identification With PSSM Profiles
Authors: Zhang Zixiao , Gong Yue , Gao Bo , Li Hongfei , Gao Wentao , Zhao Yuming , Dong Benzhi
Published: December 2021

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor activating protein receptor (SNARE) proteins are a large family of transmembrane proteins located in organelles and vesicles. The important roles of SNARE proteins include initiating the vesicle fusion process and activating and fusing proteins as they undergo exocytosis activity, and SNARE proteins are also vital for the transport regulation of membrane proteins and non-regulatory vesicles. Therefore, there is great significance in establishing a method to efficiently identify SNARE proteins. However, the identification accuracy of the existing methods such as SNARE CNN is not satisfied. In our study, we developed a method based on a support vector machine (SVM) that can effectively recognize SNARE proteins. We used the position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) method to extract features of SNARE protein sequences, used the support vector machine recursive elimination correlation bias reduction (SVM-RFE-CBR) algorithm to rank the importance of features, and then screened out the optimal subset of feature data based on the sorted results. We input the feature data into the model when building the model, used 10-fold crossing validation for training, and tested model performance by using an independent dataset. In independent tests, the ability of our method to identify SNARE proteins achieved a sensitivity of 68%, specificity of 94%, accuracy of 92%, area under the curve (AUC) of 84%, and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.48. The results of the experiment show that the common evaluation indicators of our method are excellent, indicating that our method performs better than other existing classification methods in identifying SNARE proteins.
Plasmodium berghei-Released Factor, PbTIP, Modulates the Host Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Kalia Inderjeet , Anand Rajesh , Quadiri Afshana , Bhattacharya Shreya , Sahoo Bijayalaxmi , Singh Agam Prasad
Published: December 2021

The Plasmodium parasite has to cross various immunological barriers for successful infection. Parasites have evolved mechanisms to evade host immune responses, which hugely contributes to the successful infection and transmission by parasites. One way in which a parasite evades immune surveillance is by expressing molecular mimics of the host molecules in order to manipulate the host responses. In this study, we report a Plasmodium berghei hypothetical protein, PbTIP (PbANKA_124360.0), which is a Plasmodium homolog of the human T-cell immunomodulatory protein (TIP). The latter possesses immunomodulatory activities and suppressed the host immune responses in a mouse acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) model. The Plasmodium berghei protein, PbTIP, is expressed on the merozoite surface and exported to the host erythrocyte surface upon infection. It is shed in the blood circulation by the activity of an uncharacterized membrane protease(s). The shed PbTIP could be detected in the host serum during infection. Our results demonstrate that the shed PbTIP exhibits binding on the surface of macrophages and reduces their inflammatory cytokine response while upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β and IL-10. Such manipulated immune responses are observed in the later stage of malaria infection. PbTIP induced Th2-type gene transcript changes in macrophages, hinting toward its potential to regulate the host immune responses against the parasite. Therefore, this study highlights the role of a Plasmodium-released protein, PbTIP, in immune evasion using macrophages, which may represent the critical strategy of the parasite to successfully survive and thrive in its host. This study also indicates the human malaria parasite TIP as a potential diagnostic molecule that could be exploited in lateral flow-based immunochromatographic tests for malaria disease diagnosis.
Tracing Human IgE B Cell Antigen Receptor-Bearing Cells With a Monoclonal Anti-Human IgE Antibody That Specifically Recognizes Non-Receptor-Bound IgE
Authors: Zghaebi Mohammed , Byazrova Maria , Flicker Sabine , Villazala-Merino Sergio , Campion Nicholas J. , Stanek Victoria , Tu Aldine , Breiteneder Heimo , Filatov Alexander , Khaitov Musa , Niederberger-Leppin Verena , Eckl-Dorna Julia , Valenta Rudolf
Published: December 2021

Up to 30% of the population suffers from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies. Despite current stepwise gating approaches, the unambiguous identification of human IgE-producing cells by flow cytometry and immunohistology remains challenging. This is mainly due to the scarcity of these cells and the fact that IgE is not only expressed in a membrane-bound form on the surface of IgE-producing cells in form of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), but is more frequently found on various cell types bound to the low and high affinity receptors, CD23 and FcϵRI, respectively. Here we sought to develop a sequential gating strategy for unambiguous detection of cells bearing the IgE BCR on their surface. To that aim we first tested the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab for its ability to discriminate between IgE BCR and receptor-bound IgE using cells producing IgE or bearing IgE bound to CD23 as well as basophils exhibiting FcϵRI receptor-bound IgE. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated that omalizumab recognized IgE producing cells with a high sensitivity of up to 1 IgE+cell in 1000 human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These results were confirmed by confocal microscopy both in cell suspensions as well as in nasal polyp tissue sections. Finally, we established a consecutive gating strategy allowing the clear identification of class-switched, allergen-specific IgE+memory B cells and plasmablasts/plasma cells in human PBMCs. Birch pollen specific IgE+memory B cells represented on average 0.734% of total CD19+B cells in allergic patients after allergen exposure. Thus, we developed a new protocol for exclusive staining of non-receptor bound allergen-specific IgE+B cell subsets in human samples.
Visual Storytelling for Knowledge Translation: A Study on BRAC’s Novel Health Loans in Protecting the Poor Against Health and Asset Vulnerability In Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mahima , Tamjid Rafee , Islam Muhammed Nazmul , Rahman Mushfiqur , Rabbani Atonu , Sarker Malabika
Published: December 2021

Knowledge Translation (KT) is a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesizing, disseminating, exchanging, and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve health and strengthen the health care system. It facilitates sharing the information generated through research outcomes with the public, the policymakers, or others for further scaling up or continuation of the interventions. Literature suggests a substantial gap exists in communicating with the decision-makers. BRAC JPGSPH produced a documentary/video that iterates how BRAC’s revised medical treatment loan program (MTL+) works with its microcredit clients and modalities. After reviewing all possible options for communication, the video was chosen as the best knowledge translation tool. The video creation and dissemination process are comprised of four phases: pre-production, production, post-production, and exhibition. The video production team reviewed documents and articles and conducted multiple interviews before developing the script. Later, a series of interviews were taken with the beneficiaries who receive medical treatment loans, mid-level, senior managers at BRAC, and researchers. After the production, the director, with a professional editor, edited the video. Over three hours of footage was viewed and ultimately compiled into a six-minute-long video documentary. The audience for the video was more expansive than narrow; from potential beneficiaries to policymakers and every group of stakeholders in between, the video was well-understood. The new MTL+ was integrated into the main program and would be scaled up soon.
Survival of Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies in Slovenia
Authors: Hočevar Alojzija , Viršček Andrej , Krošel Monika , Gradišnik Suzana , Rotar Žiga , Tomšič Matija , Holc Iztok
Published: December 2021

Background: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are rare systemic diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to estimate for the first time the survival of IIM patients in Slovenia.

Methods: We included IIM patients diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2020 and followed at two secondary/tertiary rheumatology centers in the country. To study survival/mortality the censor date of April 14 2021 was set. Kaplan–Meier analysis and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were plotted using data of age and sex matched Slovenian population as a reference. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to study prognostic factors for IIM mortality.

Results: During the 16-year observation period, we identified 217 new IIM patients. During follow up 65 (30.0%) patients died. In the first year following IIM diagnosis the SMR was nearly 7-fold higher compared to the matched general population [SMR 6.88 (95%CI 4.41–10.24)] and remained higher also during the following 4 years. However, when excluding IIM patients with cancer, the survival outcome was, except in the first year after IIM diagnosis [SMR 5.55 (95%CI 3.10–9.15)], comparable to matched general population. In addition to cancer [HR 3.71 (95% CI 2.18–6.04)], cardiac involvement [HR 2.18 (95% CI 1.07–4.45)], fever [HR 2.13 (95% CI 1.13–4.03)], and older age [HR 1.07 (95% CI 1.04–1.09)] were extracted as prognostic factors associated with death.

Conclusion: The survival of patients with IIM patients was substantially worse compared to matched general population. Cancer was the leading cause of death in our cohort.
In vitro Modeling of Chicken Cecal Microbiota Ecology and Metabolism Using the PolyFermS Platform
Authors: Asare Paul Tetteh , Greppi Anna , Pennacchia Alessia , Brenig Katharina , Geirnaert Annelies , Schwab Clarissa , Stephan Roger , Lacroix Christophe
Published: December 2021

Continuous in vitro fermentation models provide a useful tool for a fast, reproducible, and direct assessment of treatment-related changes in microbiota metabolism and composition independent of the host. In this study, we used the PolyFermS model to mimic the conditions of the chicken cecum and evaluated three nutritive media for in vitro modeling of the chicken cecal microbiota ecology and metabolism. We observed that our model inoculated with immobilized cecal microbiota and fed with a modified Viande Levure medium (mVL-3) reached a high bacterial cell density of up to approximately 10.5 log cells per mL and stable microbiota composition, akin to the host, during 82 days of continuous operation. Relevant bacterial functional groups containing primary fibrolytic (Bacteroides, Bifidobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae), glycolytic (Enterococcus), mucolytic (Bacteroides), proteolytic (Bacteroides), and secondary acetate-utilizing butyrate-producing and propionate-producing (Lachnospiraceae) taxa were preserved in vitro. Besides, conserved metabolic and functional Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were observed between in vitro microbiota and cecal inoculum microbiota as predicted by functional metagenomics analysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the continuous inoculation provided by the inoculum reactor generated reproducible metabolic profiles in second-stage reactors comparable to the chicken cecum, allowing for the simultaneous investigation and direct comparison of different treatments with a control. In conclusion, we showed that PolyFermS is a suitable model for mimicking chicken cecal microbiota fermentation allowing ethical and ex vivo screening of environmental factors, such as dietary additives, on chicken cecal fermentation. We report here for the first time a fermentation medium (mVL-3) that closely mimics the substrate conditions in the chicken cecum and supports the growth and metabolic activity of the cecal bacterial akin to the host. Our PolyFermS chicken cecum model is a useful tool to study microbiota functionality and structure ex vivo.
Identification of Antimicrobial Peptides Isolated From the Skin Mucus of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
Authors: Okella Hedmon , Ikiriza Hilda , Ochwo Sylvester , Ajayi Clement Olusoji , Ndekezi Christian , Nkamwesiga Joseph , Kaggwa Bruhan , Aber Jacqueline , Mtewa Andrew Glory , Koffi Tindo Kevin , Odongo Steven , Vertommen Didier , Kato Charles Drago , Ogwang Patrick Engeu
Published: December 2021

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute a broad range of bioactive compounds in diverse organisms, including fish. They are effector molecules for the innate immune response, against pathogens, tissue damage and infections. Still, AMPs from African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, skin mucus are largely unexplored despite their possible therapeutic role in combating antimicrobial resistance. In this study, African Catfish Antimicrobial peptides (ACAPs) were identified from the skin mucus of African Catfish, C. gariepinus. Native peptides were extracted from fish mucus scrapings in 10% acetic acid (v/v) and ultra-filtered using 5 kDa molecular weight cut-off membrane. The extract was purified using C18 Solid-Phase Extraction. The antibacterial activity was determined using the Agar Well Diffusion method and broth-dilution method utilizing Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). Thereafter, Sephadex G-25 gel filtration was further utilized in bio-guided isolation of the most active fractions prior to peptide identification using Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometry. The skin mucus extracted from African Catfish from all the three major lakes of Uganda exhibited antimicrobial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. Lake Albert’s C. gariepinus demonstrated the best activity with the lowest MIC of 2.84 and 0.71 μg/ml on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Sephadex G-25 peak I mass spectrometry analysis (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD029193) alongside in silico analysis revealed seven short peptides (11–16 amino acid residues) of high antimicrobial scores (0.561–0.905 units). In addition, these peptides had a low molecular weight (1005.57–1622.05 Da) and had percentage hydrophobicity above 54%. Up to four of these AMPs demonstrated α-helix structure conformation, rendering them amphipathic. The findings of this study indicate that novel AMPs can be sourced from the skin mucus of C. gariepinus. Such AMPs are potential alternatives to the traditional antibiotics and can be of great application to food and pharmaceutical industries; however, further studies are still needed to establish their drug-likeness and safety profiles.
The Cold Hand Sign in Multiple System Atrophy: Frequency-Associated Factors and Its Impact on Survival
Authors: Cao Bei , Liang Yan , Zhang Ling-Yu , Hou Yan-Bing , Ou Ru-Wei , Wei Qian-qian , Shang Huifang
Published: December 2021

Background: Few studies have focused on the cold hand sign (CHS), a red flag symptom, in multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and correlative factors of CHS in patients with MSA and the impact of its early occurrence on the survival of these patients.

Methods: A total of 483 patients with MSA were enrolled in this study, and the motor and non-motor symptoms between patients with MSA with and without CHS were compared. Moreover, patients with disease duration ≤ 3 years at baseline were followed, and the association between CHS and survival of patients with MSA was examined.

Results: The frequencies of CHS in patients with MSA were 20, 15.4, and 25.3% in MSA, MSA-parkinsonian subtype (MSA-P), and MSA-cerebellar subtype (MSA-C), respectively. Higher Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores and higher Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS) scores at baseline were associated with CHS in MSA. CHS was associated with shorter survival after adjusting for baseline diagnosis subtype, age at onset, sex, orthostatic hypotension, disease duration, autonomic onset, UMSARS total score, and NMSS score (p = 0.001; HR = 3.701; 95% CI = 1.765–7.760).

Conclusion: CHS is not rare in patients with MSA. Greater disease severity and more severe non-motor symptoms were associated with CHS in patients with MSA. Patients with early occurrence of CHS had a poor prognosis.
Butylphthalide Combined With Conventional Treatment Attenuates MMP-9 Levels and Increases VEGF Levels in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xiong Yingqiong , Liu Juanjuan , Xu Yang , Xie Shu , Zhou Xinhua , Cheng Shaomin
Published: December 2021

Background and Purpose: Butylphtalide increases the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and decreases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in animal models of stroke and might be of use in the management of stroke. To explore whether butylphthalide combined with conventional treatment can change the levels of MMP-9 and VEGF and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of patients with stroke.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving inpatients admitted to the Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital (January–June 2019) due to acute cerebral infarction. The patients received conventional treatments with or without butylphthalide. The changes in the NIHSS scores were compared between groups. Plasma MMP-9 and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: A total of 24 patients were included in the conventional treatment group and 46 in the butylphthalide group. The butylphthalide group showed lower MMP-9 (130 ± 59 vs. 188 ± 65, p = 0.001) and higher VEGF (441 ± 121 vs. 378 ± 70, p = 0.034) levels on day 6 compared with the conventional treatment group. The changes in MMP-9 and VEGF were significant, starting on day 3 in the butylphthalide group but on day 6 in the conventional treatment group. There were no differences between the two groups in the NIHSS scores at admission and at discharge (p > 0.05). The overall response rate was higher in the butylphthalide group compared with the conventional treatment group (63.0 vs. 37.5%, p = 0.042).

Conclusion: Butylphthalide combined with conventional treatment can decrease MMP-9 levels and increase VEGF levels. The patients showed the reduced NIHSS scores, possibly suggesting some improvement in prognosis after stroke. Still, the conclusions need to be confirmed in a larger sample and in different etiological subtypes of stroke.
Case Report: Bow Hunter Syndrome—One Reason to Add Non-gravity Dependent Positional Nystagmus Testing to Your Clinical Neuro-Otologic Exam
Authors: Schubert Michael C. , Carter Nathaniel , Lo Sheng-fu Larry
Published: December 2021

This case study describes transient downbeat nystagmus with vertigo due to a bilateral Bow Hunters Syndrome that was initially treated for 7 months as a peripheral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Normal static angiography and imaging studies (magnetic resonance, computed tomography) contributed to the mis-diagnosis. However, not until positional testing with the patient in upright (non-gravity dependent) was a transient downbeat nystagmus revealed with vertigo. The patient was referred for neurosurgical consult. Unfortunately, surgery was delayed due to suicidal ideation and hospitalization. Eventually, vertigo symptoms resolved following a C4-5 anterior cervical dissection and fusion. This case highlights the critical inclusion of non-gravity dependent position testing as an augment to the positional testing component of the clinical examination as well as the extreme duress that prolonged positional vertigo can cause.
Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation and Behavioral Training, a Promising Tool for a Tailor-Made Post-stroke Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Review
Authors: Zettin Marina , Bondesan Caterina , Nada Giulia , Varini Matteo , Dimitri Danilo
Published: December 2021

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder resulting from damage to portions of the brain which are responsible for language comprehension and formulation. This disorder can involve different levels of language processing with impairments in both oral and written comprehension and production. Over the last years, different rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions have been developed, especially non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques. One of the most used NIBS techniques in aphasia rehabilitation is the Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation (tDCS). It has been proven to be effective in promoting a successful recovery both in the short and the long term after a brain injury. The main strength of tDCS is its feasibility associated with relatively minor side effects, if safely and properly administered. TDCS requires two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, which are generally placed on the scalp. The electrode montage can be either unipolar or bipolar. The main aim of this review is to give an overview of the state of the art of tDCS for the treatment of aphasia. The studies described included patients with different types of language impairments, especially with non-fluent aphasia and in several cases anomia. The effects of tDCS are variable and depend on several factors, such as electrode size and montage, duration of the stimulation, current density and characteristics of the brain tissue underneath the electrodes. Generally, tDCS has led to promising results in rehabilitating patients with acquired aphasia, especially if combined with different language and communication therapies. The selection of the appropriate approach depends on the patients treated and their impaired language function. When used in combination with treatments such as Speech and Language Therapy, Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy or Intensive Action Treatment, tDCS has generally promoted a better recovery of the impaired functions. In addition to these rehabilitation protocols, Action Observation Therapy, such as IMITAF, appeared to contribute to the reduction of post-stroke anomia. The potential of combining such techniques with tDCS would would therefore be a possibility for further improvement, also providing the clinician with a new action and intervention tool. The association of a tDCS protocol with a dedicated rehabilitation training would favor a generalized long-term improvement of the different components of language.
Altered Microstructure of Cerebral Gray Matter in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder-Optic Neuritis: A DKI Study
Authors: Zhang Hanjuan , Li Qing , Liu Lei , Qu Xiaoxia , Wang Qian , Yang Bingbing , Xian Junfang
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze microstructural alterations in cerebral gray matter using non-Gaussian diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with optic neuritis (NMOSD-ON). DKI was performed in 14 NMOSD-ON patients and 22 normal controls (NCs). DKI-derived metrics, including mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK), axial kurtosis (AK), fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD), were voxel-wisely compared by two-sample t-tests with gaussian random field (GRF) correction between the two groups. The correlations between altered DKI metrics and clinical features were analyzed. Compared with NCs, NMOSD-ON patients showed significantly decreased MK and RK both in the left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), and decreased AK in the bilateral calcarine (CAL). While increased MD in the left fusiform gyrus (FFG), right CAL, and right hippocampus (HIP)/parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) were found. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that mean deviation was negatively correlated with AK values of bilateral CAL and positively correlated with MD values of right CAL (q < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected). For NMOSD-ON patients, microstructural abnormalities in the occipital visual cortex are correlated with clinical disability. These findings may provide complementary information to understand the neuropathological mechanisms underlying the impairments of cerebral gray matter in NMOSD-ON.
Chronic Fatigue in Cancer, Brain Connectivity and Reluctance to Engage in Physical Activity: A Mini-Review
Authors: André Nathalie , Gastinger Steven , Rébillard Amélie
Published: December 2021

A large amount of evidence shows that after a cancer diagnosis, patients significantly reduce their level of physical activity. Usually, this reduction is attributed to cancer-related fatigue. However, to our knowledge, no study has clearly demonstrated that fatigue alters effort-based decision-making in cancer. This mini-review aimed to provide evidence that chronic fatigue in cancer patients causes changes in brain connectivity that impact effort-based decision-making. Indeed, three patterns of activation to compensate for dysfunctional networks have been reported: greater variability in the executive network and hyperactivation in the executive network, which account for less efficient and costly processes in the frontal cortex, and reduced deactivation in the default mode network. Nevertheless, these activation patterns are also observed with other factors, such as anticipatory stressors (worry, rumination or sleep loss), that might also cause reluctance to engage in physical activity. Effort-based decision-making involving weighing costs against benefits and physical activity interventions should increase immediate benefits to facilitate engagement in effortful activities.
Hypoxia-Induced Intracellular and Extracellular Heat Shock Protein gp96 Increases Paclitaxel-Resistance and Facilitates Immune Evasion in Breast Cancer
Authors: Tian Tian , Han Jiguang , Huang Jian , Li Shangziyan , Pang Hui
Published: December 2021

Backgrounds

Hypoxia contributes to cancer progression, drug resistance and immune evasion in various cancers, including breast cancer (BC), but the molecular mechanisms have not been fully studied. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate this issue.

Methods

The paclitaxel-sensitive BC (PS-BC) cells were administered with continuous low-dose paclitaxel treatment to establish paclitaxel-resistant BC (PR-BC) cells. Exosomes were isolated/purified by using the commercial kit, which were observed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometer (FCM). Gene expressions were respectively measured by Real-Time qPCR, Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining assay. The peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived CD8+ T cells were obtained and co-cultured with gp96-containing exosomes, and cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU assay. ELISA was employed to measure cytokine secretion in CD8+ T cells’ supernatants.

Results

HSP gp96 was significantly upregulated in the cancer tissues and plasma exosomes collected from BC patients with paclitaxel-resistant properties. Also, continuous low-dose paclitaxel treatment increased gp96 levels in the descendent PR-BC cells and their exosomes, in contrast with the parental PS-BC cells. Upregulation of gp96 increased paclitaxel-resistance in PS-BC cells via degrading p53, while gp96 silence sensitized PR-BC cells to paclitaxel treatments. Moreover, PR-BC derived gp96 exosomes promoted paclitaxel-resistance in PS-BC cells and induced pyroptotic cell death in the CD8+ T cells isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (pPBMCs). Furthermore, we noticed that hypoxia promoted gp96 generation and secretion through upregulating hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), and hypoxia increased paclitaxel-resistance and accelerated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PS-BC cells.

Conclusions

Hypoxia induced upregulation of intracellular and extracellular gp96, which further degraded p53 to increase paclitaxel-sensitivity in BC cells and activated cell pyroptosis in CD8+ T cells to impair immune surveillance.
Increased Risk of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Patients With a Past History of Kawasaki Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Lei Wei-Te , Hsu Chih-Wei , Chen Po-Cheng , Tseng Ping-Tao , Kuo Ho-Chang , Guo Mindy Ming-Huey , Tu Yu-Kang , Lin Pao-Yen , Kao Yu-Hsuan , Chang Ling-Sai
Published: December 2021

Background: Allergic diseases are frequently observed in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the evidence supporting the association between KD and allergies has been conflicting. The objective of the current study is to examine the association between KD and allergic diseases.

Methods: We conducted an electronic search using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane through 24 July 2021. The inclusion criteria consisted of studies that examined the prevalence of allergic diseases in children with a previous diagnosis of KD and in a comparison group. We pooled studies by using a random effects model. The effects of KD on the subsequent risk of allergic diseases were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: We included a total of four studies that assessed the effect of KD on asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis vs. non-KD children (KD individuals for asthma, four studies, n = 8,474; allergic rhinitis, four studies, n = 8,474; atopic dermatitis, three studies, n = 8,330). The overall prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis was 9.12, 27.63, and 6.55% among patients with previous KD. The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk of asthma (OR:1.437, CI: 1.067–1.937) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 1.726, CI: 1.291–2.307) in patients with KD, compared with the control groups. However, patients with KD did not have a significantly different level of risk of atopic dermatitis (OR: 1.243, 95% CI: 0.857–1.802).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports that individuals with KD are more likely to have asthma and allergic rhinitis compared to controls.