bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardized Stimulation Protocols Are Needed for Comparable Analysis of Pain-related Evoked Potentials (PREP)
Authors: Brech Katharina , Enax-Krumova Elena K. , Eitner Lynn , Vollert Jan , Maier Christoph , Höffken Oliver , Tegenthoff Martin , Özgül Özüm Simal
Published: November 2021

Objective: Pain-related evoked potentials (PREP) are increasingly used to investigate nociception and small-fibre function. Due to lack of a standard stimulation protocol, it is unclear whether results from studies using different protocols are comparable. Aim of the study was to assess the influence of different stimulation parameters on N1P1-amplitudes, N1-latencies and PREP-induced pain intensity. Methods: In a cross-over design we examined 31 healthy volunteers using four different stimulation protocols (number of stimulation electrodes 1 vs. 3, stimulus durations 200 µs vs. 500 µs) in a randomized order. Statistics: paired t-test, ANOVA, correlation analyses. Results: Longer stimulus duration induced higher N1P1-amplitudes (p<0.05) and higher pain intensity (p<0.001). Stimulation with 3 electrodes lead to a lower pain intensity (p<0.01), whereas the N1P1-amplitude and stimulus intensity at twofold of individual pain remained unaffected by the number of electrodes. Also, there was no relation between stimulus intensities and N1P1-amplitudes (one electrode: r=0.079; p=0.646, three electrodes: r=-0.10, p=0.70) was observed. N1-latencies remained comparable between the four protocols.Conclusions and Significance: The use of different stimulation protocols for PREP is limited by relevant differences in the N1P1-amplitudes and evoked pain intensities. Standard consented stimulation protocols are needed to allow data comparison between different labs and studies.
Asymmetrical Attention to Gambling-related Stimuli and Pupillary Dilation in Response to Wins and Losses in Problem Gamblers
Authors: Shigemune Yayoi , Midorikawa Akira
Published: November 2021

Gambling disorder and problem gambling are characterized by persistent and repetitive problematic gambling behavior. Attentional bias toward gambling-related stimuli such as casino chips, dice, roulette, etc. have been observed in problem gamblers (PGs), but it remains unclear whether stimuli in gambling tasks elicit greater attention and pupillary responses in PGs. To address this issue, we administrated PGs and non-problem gamblers (NPGs) a gambling task accompanied by eye-tracking measurements, in which the participants were required to choose one of the paired pictures to receive monetary rewards and avoid punishments. Concerning attentional allocation, PG showed a greater attentional preference for the right-hand pictures in the decision and feedback phases, and compared to NPGs, PGs’ attention was narrower and more focused on the left-hand pictures in the decision phase. Concerning pupillary dynamics indicative of noradrenergic locus coeruleus activity, pupillary dilation in response to rewards and punishments was observed only in PGs. Studies of unilateral spatial neglect have proposed that asymmetric attention is induced by hemispheric imbalance. Accordingly, asymmetrical allocation of attention by PGs may reflect hemispheric imbalance, and pupillary dynamics may reflect sensitivity to wins and losses.
Sarcopenia Measured by Temporalis Muscle Thickness Independently Predicts Early Relapse and Short Survival in Primary CNS Lymphoma
Authors: Bonm Alipi , Menghini Anthony , Graber Jerome J.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) outcomes diverge between a majority of patients who achieve long term remission and a smaller minority who have aggressive disease course and die in the first year. Sarcopenia is increasingly recognized as a powerful predictor of mortality in brain and systemic cancers. Temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) is a validated radiographic measure of sarcopenia. We hypothesized that patients with TMT less than one standard deviation below the mean (“very thin TMT”) would go on to have shorter survival. Methods: Two blinded operators retrospectively measured TMT in 99 consecutive pretreatment brain MRIs from patients that were subsequently diagnosed with PCNSL. Results: On univariate analysis TMT predicted early progression (HR 4.25, 95% CI 1.95 – 9.29, p<0.001) and early mortality (HR 4.38, 95% CI 2.25 – 8.53, p<0.001), and these effects were maintained in subgroups of patients both <65 and ³65 years of age. Very thin TMT predicted mortality more robustly than IELSG or MSKCC scores. Patients with very thin TMT received fewer cycles of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and were less likely to receive consolidation. On multivariate analysis which included the covariates age, sex, TMT, ECOG, BMI, lifetime doses of HD-MTX, and consolidation, very thin TMT was independently associated with both early progression (HR = 7.87, 95% CI = 3.55 – 17.45, p<0.001) and short survival (HR 4.49, 95% CI = 1.94 – 10.40, p<0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that PCNSL patients with very thin TMT are at high risk for relapse and early mortality. Future trials should stratify patients by TMT to avoid potential confounding.
The Effects of Ram Exposure, Progestogen and eCG on Reproductive Performance of Fat Tail Ewes in Non-Breeding Season
Authors: Garoussi Massoud - Talebkhan , Mavadati Omid , Bahonar Mohammad Ali , Dabiri Mehran
Published: November 2021

Sheep are considered short-day breeders. Exposure of rams to anestrus ewes results in an increase in LH secretion. The aims of this study was to determine whether the presence and exposure of rams can effect on reproductive performance such as: pregnancy rate, litter size, sex of lamb, fecundity rate and prolificacy rate of fat tail Iranian Shaal breed ewes in non-breeding season using progesterone (p4) analogue with or without equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Totally, 100 ewes out of 138 non-cyclic ewes with <0.5ng/ml P4 were selected for this study. They were aged 2 to >7 years old. They were stratified to two groups (control and treatment). The ewes in treatment and control groups received 13 days a sponge containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The treatment group consists of 3 subgroups and each group contains 25 ewes equally. They were included: 1- P4, eCG and Ram exposure. 2- P4 and ram exposure. 3- P4 and eCG. Ewes in control group received only P4. The ewes were located in isolated corrals for 40 days. The ram to ewe ratio was 1 to 5. Twenty healthy rams were housed in an isolated pen from ewes with distance 1500 m during 40 days. Rams exposed three days before sponge withdraw (day 10). They were separated by considerable distance (2 meters) using fence. The related groups received 500 IU eCG on the day of sponge removal (day 13). The rams were released into the ewe flock after removing the sponge in treatment and control groups. Pregnancy diagnosis performed using transabdominal ultrasonography. The obtained data analyzed using SPSS version 16. The conception rate in treatment and control groups were differed significantly (P<0.01). The conception rate in P4+ram exposure+ eCG, P4+ramexposure and P4+ eCG were 96%(no.24), 80%(no.20) and 88%(no.22), respectively. However, the conception rate in control group was 60% (no. 15). The fecundity rates were 136%, 100% and 124% in treatment subgroups, however, it was 84% in control group, respectively. There were no significant differences among genus and weight of lambs in treatments subgroups and control group (P>0.05). It is concluded that ram exposure can increase significantly reproductive performance in non-breeding season fat tailed ewes Shaal breed.
Nestin+ Mesenchymal Precursors Generate Distinct Spleen Stromal Cell Subsets and Have Immunomodulatory Function
Authors: Huang Jing , Li Minrong , Deng Ronghai , Li Weiqiang , Jiang Meihua , Xiang Andy Peng , Zhang Xiaoran
Published: November 2021

Background
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are known to be widespread in many tissues and possess a broad spectrum of immunoregulatory properties. They have been used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases; however, the therapeutic effects are still inconsistent owing to their heterogeneity. Spleen stromal cells have evolved to regulate the immune response at many levels as they are bathed in a complex inflammatory milieu during infection. Therefore, it is unknown whether they have stronger immunomodulatory effects than their counterparts derived from other tissues.
Methods
Here, using a transgenic mouse model expressing GFP driven by the Nestin (Nes) promoter, Nes-GFP+ cells from bone marrow and spleen were collected. Artificial lymphoid reconstruction in vivo was performed. Cell phenotype, inhibition of T cell inflammatory cytokines, and in vivo therapeutic effects were assessed.
Results
We observed Nes-GFP+ cells colocalized with splenic stromal cells and further demonstrated that these Nes-GFP+ cells had the ability to establish ectopic lymphoid-like structures in vivo. Moreover, we showed that the Nes-GFP+ cells possessed the characteristics of MSCs. Spleen-derived Nes-GFP+ cells exhibited greater immunomodulatory ability in vitro, and more remarkable therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory diseases, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than bone marrow-derived Nes-GFP+ cells.
Conclusions
Overall, our data showed that Nes-GFP+ cells contributed to subsets of spleen stromal populations and possessed the biological characteristics of MSCs with a stronger immunoregulatory function and therapeutic potential than bone marrow-derived Nes-GFP+ cells.
Screening and Evaluating Novel Autoantibodies Based on Proteomic Chips in Diagnosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Han Zhuo , Wu Jinyu , Sun Guiying , Cui Chi , Qiu Cuipeng , Ye Hua , Dai Liping , Wang Keyan , Shi Jianxiang , Wang Peng
Published: November 2021

Background

More and more studies have confirmed that TAAbs could be used as potential biomarkers for tumor patients. The aim of this study is to identify novel TAAbs through proteomic chips and construct a diagnostic model to discriminate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases from benign esophageal diseases cases and normal controls (NCs).
Methods

The human proteomic chips were used to screen TAAbs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to verify and validate the candidate TAAbs which were screened by the chips in verification phase (90 ESCC cases and 90 NCs) and validation phase (126 ESCC cases, 237 benign esophageal diseases cases and 126 NCs). Based on the candidate TAAbs, then the diagnostic model for ESCC was constructed by logistic regression analysis in the training group and validated in the testing group.
Results

Firstly, thirteen potential candidate TAAbs were identified by proteomic chips. In verification phase, the titers of six TAAbs (anti-MAGEA1, anti-VCL, anti-PRKCZ, anti-TP53, anti-NFKB1 and anti- MAGEA4) in ESCC cases were higher than those in NCs while other seven TAAbs showed no difference. Subsequently, six candidate TAAbs were validated further in validation phase. Finally, the logistic regression model with 3 TAAbs (anti-MAGEA1, anti-VCL, anti-TP53) could discriminate ESCC cases from NCs with area under curve(AUC)of 0.80 in the training group and 0.73 in the testing group, respectively. Meanwhile, the model could discriminate ESCC cases from benign esophageal diseases cases with AUC of 0.74.
Conclusion

The study has identified six novel TAAbs through protein chips and constructed a diagnostic model. The panel showed great performance to distinguish ESCC cases from benign esophageal diseases cases and NCs.
Predicting Value of Perirenal Fat Thickness for Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Newly-Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Guo Xiu Li , Tu Mei , Chen Yang , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

Objective

Increasing evidences suggested that perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) was associated with metabolic risk factors, this study aimed to assess the association between PrFT with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and explore the value of PrFT in predicting MetS among Newly-Diagnosed type 2 diabetes(T2DM).
Method

A total of 445 patients with Newly-Diagnosed T2DM from southern China were enrolled into this study. Demographic and anthropometric information were collected. PrFT was evaluated by CT scanning on Revolution VCT 64. Binomial logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were conducted to assess the value and optimal cutoff of PrFT for predicting MetS divided by sex.
Results

The prevalence of MetS was 58.2% in Newly-Diagnosed T2DM.Correlation analysis showed that PrFT was significantly correlated with metabolic risk factors (BMI, WC, TG, HDL-c, SBP, DBP, UA and HOMA-IR). PrFT was also shown to be independently associated with MetS after adjustment for other confounders, the ORs(95%CI) were 1.33(1.01~1.74) in men and 1.53(1.08~2.17) in women(P<0.05). ROC curves showed a good predictive value of PrFT for MetS, the the areas under the curve of ROC values of PrFT predicting MetS were 0.895(95% CI 0.852~0.939) in men and 0.910(95% CI 0.876~0.953) in women(P<0.001). The optimal cut-off values of PrFT were 14.6 mm (sensitivity: 83.8%, specificity: 89.6%) for men and 13.1 mm (sensitivity: 87.6%, specificity: 91.1%) for women.
Conclusions

PrFT was significantly independent with MetS and showed a powerful predictive value for MetS, which suggested PrFT could be a potential indicator to help clinicians to screen high-risk groups in Newly-Diagnosed T2DM.
Clinical Trial Registration:

This study was registered in Clinical Trials. Gov (ChiCTR2100052032).
Association of Diabetes Complications With Depression and Suicidality in Hospitalized Patients: a Multicenter Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Pakdin Majid , Ebrahimi Alireza , Jahromi Mohammadsaeed Gharaati , Firoozabadi Ali
Published: November 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and depression are both considered the most prevalent diseases of the recent century. On the other hand, it is estimated that the rate of depression is nearly doubled in diabetic patients compared with the general population.Method: A total of 89 patients, who were admitted to the hospital because of the complications of the disease, were voluntarily and conveniently participated in the study. The participants were given the questionnaires of Beck Depression Inventory-2nd-edition and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. They were divided into two age groups: 18-50 years old and 50-75 years old. Control group, consisting of 89 individuals without any underlying disease, were randomly selected from the patients’ visitors, matched with the participants according to the age group and gender. Statistical analysis was performed between the two groups based on scores obtained. Results: Beck Depression Inventory Scale score was significantly higher, regardless of age, in the patient group compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the scores of Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation between the patient group and the control group. In the patient group, it was found that among the variables, female gender, and diabetic foot were associated with higher severity of depression symptoms. Conclusion: It is vitally essential for diabetic patients to undergo periodic psychiatric evaluation. Early diagnosis of depression could help them to better cope with their mental health issue, and as a result, it will decrease risk of suicidal ideation and other consequences.
Photon-Pair Generation from Chip-Scale Cs Atomic Vapor Cell
Authors: Kim Heewoo , Park Jiho , Hong Hyun-Gue , Kwon Taeg Yong , Park Jongchenol , Moon Han Seb
Published: November 2021

The realization of a narrowband photonic quantum source based on a chip-scale atomic device is considered essential in the practical development of photonic quantum information science and technology. In this study, we present the first step toward the development of a photon-pair source based on a microfabricated chip-scale Cs atomic vapor cell. Time-correlated photon pairs from the millimeter-scale Cs vapor cell are emitted via the spontaneous four-wave mixing process of the cascade-type 6S1/2–6P3/2–8S1/2 transition of 133Cs. The maximum normalized cross-correlation value between the signal and idler photons is measured as 622(8) under a weak pump power of 10 mW. Our photon source violates the Cauchy–Schwartz inequality by a factor of >105. We believe that our approach has very important applications in the context of realizing practical scalable quantum networks based on atom–photon interactions.
Joint Effects of Co-Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure and Smoking with XPC Polymorphisms on Damage in Exon 2 of KRAS Gene Among Young Coke-Oven Workers
Authors: Chen Siqin , He Yuefeng , Yin Xingyue , He Qinghua , Li Xiaomei , Yan Maosheng , Huang Suli , Yang Binyao
Published: November 2021

Background

Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to variable individual susceptibility to DNA damage induced by co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and smoking. Here, we evaluate the joint effects of co-exposure to PAHs and smoking with polymorphisms in XPC, alone or combined, on damage in exons.
Methods

288 healthy male coke-oven workers were enrolled into this study, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-pyr), as an indirect and sensitive indicator of PAHs exposure, was detected. Base modification in exons of KRAS and BRAF gene, and polymorphisms of XPC were determined by real-time PCR in plasma samples.
Results

We observed urinary 1-OH-pyr was positively related to damage index of exon 2 of KRAS gene (KRAS-2) and damage index of exon 15 of BRAF gene (BRAF-15) (both p < 0.001), and KRAS-2 and BRAF-15 were both significantly associated with increased urinary 1-OH-pyr (both p trend < 0.001). A stratified analysis found that urinary 1-OH-pyr was found to be significantly associated with KRAS-2 in both smokers (p < 0.001) and nonsmokers (p < 0.05), while urinary 1-OH-pyr was significantly associated with BRAF-15 only in smokers (p < 0.001). Additionally, rs2228001 in the XPC gene was positively associated with KRAS-2 (p trend < 0.001), and the high levels of 1-OH-pyr were linearly associated with KRAS-2 only in rs2228001 GG+GT genotype carriers (p < 0.001); However, another SNP rs3731055 in the XPC gene was associated with lower KRAS-2 (p trend = 0.006), and the high levels of 1-OH-pyr were linearly associated with KRAS-2 only in rs3731055 GG genotype carriers (p < 0.001). Moreover, KRAS-2 significantly increased with high levels of 1-OH-pyr exposure, smoking, rs2228001 G-allele, and rs3731055 GG homozygote genotype, and we found the most severe KRAS-2 among subjects carrying all 4 of the above risk factors.
Conclusions

Our findings indicated that the co-exposure effect of PAHs and cigarette smoking could increase the risk of damage in exon 2 of KRAS by a mechanism partly involving XPC polymorphisms.
The Expression of YKL-40 in Peripheral Blood of Colorectal Cancer and Its Effect on the Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Yang Shaohui , Shen Jie , Zhao Yibin
Published: November 2021

Objective To observe the expression of YKL-40 in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer, and to study the effect of YKL-40 gene on the proliferation and angiogenesis of colon cancer cell lines. Methods The serum of patients with colorectal cancer, precancerous lesions, and healthy controls were collected, and the expression of YKL-40 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology. Screened cell lines with high expression of YKL-40 from colon cancer cell lines HCT-15, HCT-116, SW480, interfered with YKL-40 gene expression through siRNA technology, and co-cultured with bevacizumab, and detected cells with CCK8 method Proliferation, cell formation test to detect blood vessel formation. Results The mean values of serum YKL-40 in the colorectal cancer group, precancerous lesion group and control group were (178.50±71.91) μg/L, (91.37±35.79) μg/L and (78.23±26.52) μg/L, respectively. The colorectal cancer group (preoperative) was significantly higher than the precancerous lesion group and the control group (P <0.01). The precancerous lesion group was higher than the control group, but the difference between the two was not statistically significant (P = 0.244). The expression of YKL-40 was positively correlated with the stage of colorectal cancer (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of serum YKL-40 before and after surgery (p=0.07). HCT-116 is a YKL-40 highly expressing cell line. After inhibiting the expression of this gene, the survival rate of the experimental group was 78.75%, which was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). The angiogenesis test is used to detect the angiogenesis ability. siRNA interference with YKL-40 gene and the addition of bevacizumab can inhibit the angiogenesis ability in vitro. Moreover,the vascular inhibitory effect of bevacizumab in the experimental group was stronger than that in the control group. Conclusion YKL-40 is highly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer and is related to the tumor stage. The HCT-116 colon cancer cell line has a high expression of YKL-40. Interfering with the expression of YKL-40 can inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis. It suggests that YKL-40 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.
The Cross Talk Between ROS And NO In The Viability Decline of Cryopreserved Pollen From Paeonia Lactiflora
Authors: Ren Ruifen , Zhang Lingling , Zhou Hao , Jiang Xueru , Liu Yan
Published: November 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), two common active molecules, are both involved in changes in viability after liquid nitrogen (LN) storage, but the relationship between these two molecules has not been examined in plant cryopreservation until now. In this study, the pollen of Paeonia lactiflora 'Fen Yu Nu' with significantly decreased viability after cryopreservation was used as the material. We studied the effects of the two regulators on each other and their biosynthesis and scavenging indices to explore the interaction between ROS and NO in pollen cryopreservation and its mechanism. The results showed that the contents of ROS and NO increased significantly with the decrease of pollen viability after cryopreservation, and changes in the ROS and NO content had a significant effect on post-LN pollen viability. The ROS content positively regulated the endogenous NO content and had significant effects on the expression level of NOS-like enzyme regulation gene CSU2 and its activity. Down-regulated NO had a positive effect on the ROS content, and it significantly affected the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and its regulatory gene RBOHJ. It also significantly affected catalase (CAT) and substrates related to the ascorbic acid (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) antioxidant cycle system. These results indicate that there was a positive interaction between ROS and NO in pollen cryopreservation. The NOS biosynthesis pathway is one of the ROS-regulated NO pathways, and the NADPH oxidase, CAT and AsA-GSH antioxidant cycle systems are the key sites of regulation of the ROS content by NO.
Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Preterm Infants: How to Achieve Optimal Catch-Up Growth During Hospitalization?
Authors: Lan Si-Yuan , Zhang Rui , Zhong Gui-Mei , Pan Li-Ya , Fu Huan-Huan , Bei Fei , Hong Li
Published: November 2021

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), a serious risk that potentially impairs the growth of preterm infants after birth and during childhood, triggers a thought of how to achieve optimal catch-up growth during hospitalization.We aimed to access the incidence of optimal catch-up growth in small-for-gestational-age (SGA), appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants, and identify the factors for optimal catch-up growth in preterm infants during hospitalization. Premature infants admitted to Shanghai Children’s Medical Center within 24 hours after birth from January 1,2016 to December 31, 2018 were enrolled. Prenatal, neonatal etiological, and nutrition data were collected and analyzed to identify factors associated with optimal catch-up growth during hospitalization. 105 (9.9%) of 1065 preterm newborns achieved predischarge optimal catch-up growth, including 27 (17.2%) of 157 SGA, 74 (8.5%) of 868 AGA, and 4 (10.0%) of 40 LGA infants. Logistic regression analysis indicated SGA, avoiding BPD and less days to regain birth weight as the contributing factors of optimal catch-up growth during hospitalization.Conclusion: SGA infants showed greater potential in predischarge optimal catch-up growth. Early abundant nutrition and avoiding BPD are essential for achieving optimal catch-up growth during hospitalization.
Modeling the Effects of the Factors Affecting IGF in Coastal Areas and Variation of IGF in Jiaodong Peninsula of China Based on Finite Element Method
Authors: Chu Hong-Xu , Xing Zan-Yang , Wang Yan-Ling , Nanan Balan , Zhang Qing-He , Liang Li-Kai , Wang Han
Published: November 2021

Based on finite element method, we develop a model of the induced geoelectric field (IGF) occurring in land-sea boundary regions during large geomagnetic field disturbances. The model is used first to study the effects of the changes in the lithospheric conductivity, ionospheric current, and ocean depth on the distribution of IGF in a typical land-sea boundary region. The results show that the changes in the lithospheric conductivity and ionospheric current (frequency, magnitude and direction) have major effects and ocean depth has minor effect on IGF in coastal areas. Then by incorporating a realistic 3-D conductivity variation of Jiaodong Peninsula (JDP) in China obtained from measured data, the model is used to simulate the IGF variation in JDP covering its land-sea boundaries for east-west and north-south ionospheric currents. The results show a new aspect that extremely large IGF development on the land side of the coastal bay areas perpendicular to the currnet compared to plane coastal areas. The results can stimulate detailed investigations of IGF (and GIC, geomagnetically induced current) in coastal areas.
Effect of Notch1 Signaling on Cellular Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Laryngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Li Dawei , Zhang Yifei , Chen Penghui , Xie Jin , Xu Dan
Published: November 2021

The pathological processes of occurrence and development of malignancies include the excessive proliferation and apoptosis resistance of neoplastic cells. The study aims to identify the effects of Notch1 signaling on the proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells in hypoxic microenvironment. Notch1 and Ki-67 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissue samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic index (AI) of LSCC was evaluated by TUNEL method. In laryngeal cancer cells, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was to inhibit Notch1 expression. Meanwhile, Real-time PCR detected Notch1, Hes1 and Hey1 mRNA expression, and Western blot detected Notch1 and Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) protein expression. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining and Cell Counting Kit‑8 methods measured cell apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Notch1 expression was detected in 63.55％(68/107) of LSCC samples and was significantly related to the proliferation index (PI) (P < 0.05) and AI (P < 0.05) in LSCC tissues. Furthermore, it was confirmed that hypoxia could induce proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, Notch1 expression and Notch1 signaling activity could be upregulated by hypoxia (P < 0.05). In contrast, suppression of Notch1 signaling activity in hypoxic neoplastic cells could obviously decrease cell proliferation and increase cell apoptosis (both P<0.05). Our study has demonstrated that hypoxia may promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma. Notch1 signalling may exert a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis resistance of laryngeal cancer cells under hypoxia.
Nurses’ experiences of the role of organizational and environmental factors in the development of love of the profession: a qualitative study
Authors: Adib-Hajbaghery Mohsen , Bolandian-Bafghi Shahnaz , Zandi Mitra
Published: November 2021

Background

Love of the profession has significant relationship with nurses’ job motivation and care quality. However, there is limited information about organizational and environmental factors affecting LOP among nurses.
Aim

This study aimed at exploring nurses’ experiences of the role of organizational and environmental factors in the development of Love of the profession.
Methods

This qualitative study was conducted in 2020–2021 using the conventional content analysis approach. Participants were Fifteen Iranian nurses with deep Love of the profession, nursing instructors, and nursing managers purposefully selected from different healthcare and academic settings in seven large cities of Iran. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews and were analyzed via the conventional content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.
Results

Organizational and environmental factors affecting the development of Love of the profession were grouped into three main categories, The social context of the profession (with two subcategories), family support (with two subcategories), and organizational health (with four subcategories). Subcategories were respectively historical context of the profession, the evolving context, emotional family support, instrumental family support, quality of interpersonal relationships in the organization, level of organizational justice, level of authority delegation to nurses, and level of organizational support.
Conclusions

Different organizational and environmental factors can affect nurses’ Love of the profession development. Improving public image of nursing, providing nurses with stronger support, improving organizational climate, and strengthening interpersonal relationships in healthcare settings are recommended to develop nurses’ Love of the profession.
Effect of Canagliflozin on Estimated Fluid Volumes in Patients with Heart Failure and type 2 Diabetes: A Post-hoc Analysis of the CANDLE Trial
Authors: Fujiki Shinya , Imai Takumi , Tanaka Atsushi , Shimabukuro Michio , Uehara Hiroki , Nakamura Ikuko , Matsunaga Kazuo , Suzuki Makoto , Kashimura Takeshi , Minamino Tohru , Inomata Takayuki , Node Koichi
Published: November 2021

Background:In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), inhibition of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) improves cardiorenal outcomes, but the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin on body fluid volume and renal function remain to be clarified.Methods:This was a post-hoc analysis of 233 patients with CHF and T2D in the CANDLE Trial (UMIN000017669), an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized open-label trial that compared the effect of canagliflozin (100 mg, n=113) with glimepiride (starting dose: 0.5 mg, n=120) on changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. The time courses of estimated plasma volume (ePV, calculated with the Straus formula), estimated extracellular volume (eEV, determined by the body surface area), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, calculated with the modified Cockcroft formula) were compared between the canagliflozin and glimepiride groups at weeks 4, 12, and 24. Results:Reductions in ePV and eEV were observed only in the canagliflozin group until week 12 (change from baseline at week 12, ePV; -7.63%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -10.71 to -4.55%, p<0.001, eEV; -123.15 mL; 95% CI, -190.38 to -55.92 mL, p<0.001). Whilst ePV stopped falling after week 12, eEV continued to fall until week 24 ([change from baseline at week 24] – [change from baseline at week 12], ePV; 1.01%; 95%CI, -2.30 to 4.32%, p=0549, eEV; -125.15 mL; 95% CI, -184.35 to -65.95 mL, p<0.001). An initial significant reduction in eGFR was observed in the canagliflozin group (change from baseline at week 4, -4.18 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, -5.99 to -2.37 mL/min/1.73 m2, p<0.001), but after 4 weeks, eGFR stopped falling, and the difference between groups became insignificant (change from baseline at week 24, -1.27 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, -3.05 to 0.51 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.162, [change from baseline at week 24] – [change from baseline at week 12], 0.89 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, -0.74 to 2.51 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.284).Conclusions:Canagliflozin reduced ePV and eEV gradually, whilst glimepiride did not. Maintenance of a modest reduction in ePV by canagliflozin suggests appropriate intravascular volume reduction contributing to cardiorenal benefits in patients with CHF and T2D.Trial Registration: UMIN000017669
Autophagy Overactivity Regulate Terf1 and Terf2 in Positive and Negative-Telomerase Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: panahi mohammad , Samani Saeed , Mohajeri Nasrin , Bafroee Akram Sadat Tabatabee , Baesi Kazem , Abdoli Asghar
Published: November 2021

A recent suggestion for cancer therapy is targeting intracellular homeostatic signaling pathways like autophagy providing the balance between metabolism and cell cycling. Our study focused on investigating the relationship between autophagy activation by Beclin1 transfection and assessing Terf1 and Terf2 expression as shelterin proteins. The beclin1-containing plasmid was introduced to the U-2OS and Huh7 cell lines using Lipofectamine. The LC3-II as an intracellular autophagosomal marker was detected in transfected cells by flow cytometry. Also, the cells were treated with 3-methyladenine and metformin as autophagy inhibitors and inducers, respectively. Finally, the expression levels of Terf1 and Terf2 were analyzed by real-time PCR. Fluorescent images and flow cytometry results proved excellent GFP expression in the transfected cells. The results of real-time PCR demonstrated that autophagy induction by Beclin1 was increased Terf1 expression level in U-2OS cells up to 451%, while Huh7 cells suffered from the decreased expression of Terf1. Altogether, Terf2 expression was enhanced significantly in both cell lines after 48h treatment in comparison with 24h treatment. The obtained data provided that Beclin1-based activation of autophagy leads to overexpression of some protective shelterin proteins.
Query-Based Extractive Text Summarization Using Sense-Oriented Semantic Relatedness Measure
Authors: Rahman Nazreena , Borah Bhogeswar
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a query-based extractive text summarization method by using sense-oriented semantic relatedness measure. We have proposed a Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) technique to find the exact sense of a word present in the sentence. It helps in extracting query relevance sentences while calculating the sense-oriented sentence semantic relatedness score between the query and input text sentence. The proposed method uses five unique features to make clusters of query-relevant sentences. A redundancy removal technique is also put forward to eliminate redundant sentences. We have evaluated our proposed WSD technique with other existing methods by using Senseval and SemEval datasets. Experimental evaluation and discussion signifies the better performance of proposed WSD method over current systems in terms of F-score. We compare our proposed query-based extractive text summarization method with other methods participated in Document Understanding Conference (DUC) and as well as with current methods. Evaluation and comparison state that the proposed query-based extractive text summarization method outperforms many existing methods. As an unsupervised learning algorithm, we obtained highest ROUGE (Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation) score for all three DUC 2005, 2006 and 2007 datasets. Our proposed method is also quite comparable with other supervised learning based algorithms. We also observe that our query-based extractive text summarization method can recognize query relevance sentences which meet the query need.
Chloroform and Cognitive Function in the General Population of the US Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lee Sohyae , Min Jin-Young , Min Kyoung-Bok
Published: November 2021

Background

Chloroform is a water disinfection by-product associated with hepatic, renal and neurotoxicity. High concentrations of chloroform are known to cause central nervous system depression; however, the association between blood chloroform levels and cognitive function in the general elderly population is unknown. In this study, we investigated the association between blood chloroform levels and cognitive function in the elderly US population (n=782).
Methods

We analyzed blood chloroform levels and cognitive function, as measured by the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), from the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for participants aged 60 years and older. Blood chloroform levels were measured using capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring detection and istotope-dilution.
Results

After adjusting for all covariates, increases in log-transformed blood chloroform levels were significantly associated with decreased DSST scores (β = -1.56, SE = 0.57, p-value 0.010). Compared with individuals in the lowest quartile of blood chloroform, the regression coefficients were significantly lower among those in the second and third tertile (tertile 2 β = -3.00 (SE = 1.25, p-value 0.022); tertile 3 β = -4.05 (SE = 1.22, p-value 0.002)). After stratification by obesity status, increases in log-transformed chloroform levels showed borderline significant associations with decreased DSST scores among the obese (β = -1.71, SE = 0.85, p-value 0.052).
Conclusions

Our finding suggest a possible link between blood chloroform levels and cognitive function in the US elderly population.
Identification of Pathways and Key Genes in Carotid Atherosclerosis by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Zhang Di , Jing Bei , Li Xin , Shi Huimei , Chang Shiquan , Chen Zhenni , Zheng Yachun , Pan Yuwei , Zhao Guoping
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Carotid atherosclerosis is a serious vascular disease, leading to various cerebrovascular diseases. Methods: Gene expression profile of GSE100927 was selected to conduct differentially expressed genes. Then we performed protein-protein interactions, Gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Then we used HUVEC, HAVSMC, and THP-1 induced macrophages cells to conduct experimental verification. The experimental groups were as follows: Control group, Solvent control group, and Palmitic acid group. We measured the levels of reactive oxygen species in three cells via flow cytometer or fluorescence microscope. Then we detected apoptosis of HUVEC cells and HAVSMC cells or observed nucleus of THP-1 induced macrophages cells. Results: We selected male carotid atherosclerosis, with 10 control samples and 21 atherosclerosis samples. The results of pathway enrichment showed that “Toll-like receptor signaling pathway” ranked first. We chose IL1β, CCL4, SPP1, CCL3, IRF5. MMP7 and MMP9 for experimental verification. Palmitic acid increased the reactive oxygen species levels and the apoptosis rates of HUVEC cells and HAVSMC cells while increasing the activity of THP-1 induced macrophages cells, and it cannot increase the level of reactive oxygen species, and shrink the nucleus. Palmitic acid increased mRNA levels of IL1β, CCL4, SPP1, CCL3, IRF5. MMP7 and MMP9 in HUVEC cells and THP-1 induced macrophages, and increased the mRNA levels of CCL4 and MMP9 in HAVSMC cells，not changed the mRNA level of IRF5. Conclusion: IL1β，CCL3, CCL4, SPP1, IRF5, MMP7, and MMP9 are significant markers of carotid atherosclerosis.
Weaving an Innovation Network from the Middle Out: the Case of the Renewable Energy Ecosystem
Authors: Zohar Tali , Parag Yael , Ayalon Ofira
Published: November 2021

BackgroundRenewable energy (RE) systems are becoming a central component of the clean energy transition and often seen as the way to combat climate change. Their establishment requires innovation, investments, and deployment policies for emerging technologies. Governments around the world are increasingly trying to create and support the energy-tech and climate-tech innovation ecosystems in their attempt to promote an innovation-supporting environment. However, energy innovation policies are often aligned with the dichotomous notion of technology-push and market-pull, and overlook the social, political, and cultural contexts in which RE innovative technologies are embedded, and the multiple actors and interactions that are associated with their development. By combining the Middle-Out Perspective (MOP) and innovation literature, this paper argues that an innovation ecosystem could be weaved from the middle-out.MethodsThis paper analyses the case of Israel’s RE innovation ecosystem creation through the lens of the MOP and applies a socio-technical interpretation to the push and pull terminology. Process tracing methodology was applied to trace a sequence of events to determines whether an actor was pushed or pulled, the formation of a network of actors, and its evolvement to an energy innovation ecosystem from the middle-out. Data for the analysis was collected from interviews, policy papers, media articles and Governmental decisions.ResultsThe analysis demonstrates how middle actors push the implementation of RE technologies in Israel, and at the same time pull decision-makers and other middle actors to promote the low carbon transition. The push and pull forces and the interactions between actors lead to the engagement of new stakeholders in the innovation network, the adoption of more ambitious RE targets and supporting policies, and to the creation of an effective RE innovation ecosystem.ConclusionsThis paper uses the MOP as an analytical framework and the push and pull terminology to demonstrate how a middle actor initiates and develops an actor-network by interacting with other actors. As this network broadens, it forms an effective innovation ecosystem. Network of actors have the potential to lead change, provide innovative ideas, initiate research, encourage investments, create employment possibilities, and promote regional sustainable development.
Exploring the role of mindful eating and self-compassion on eating behaviours and orthorexia in people following a plant-based diet
Authors: Kalika Eliza , Egan Helen , Mantzios Michael
Published: November 2021

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a new concept that is more prevalent in vegan populations. The aim of this study was to explore problematic eating behaviours in a vegan population, and to explore whether mindful eating and self-compassion have an impact on orthorexia nervosa. Three hundred thirteen individuals following a vegan diet completed scales in Orthorexia, Self-Compassion, Mindful, Emotional, External and Restraint Eating. The results indicated that individuals with high levels of orthorexia nervosa display low levels of self-compassion, and high levels of restrained eating. Moreover, the findings indicated that self-compassion, but not mindful eating, partially mediated the relationship between restrained eating and orthorexia nervosa. The present results contribute to a better understanding of orthorexic eating behaviours in a vegan population, and identifies the mediating capacity of self-compassion. Future directions are discussed.
Melatonin-mediated Calcineurin Inactivation Attenuates Prion Protein-induced Nf-Kb- Driven Pro-Inflammation Response
Authors: Hong Jeong-Min , Moon Ji-Hong , Seol Jae-Won , Park Sang-Youel
Published: November 2021

Background: Prion diseases are a group of prevalent and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorders that lead to chronic inflammation and neuronal cell death. Calcineurin and autophagy mediate prion-induced neurodegeneration, suggesting that inhibition of calcineurin and autophagy could be a target for therapy. Melatonin has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects against calcium-dependent neuronal cell death.Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Western blot was used to analysis p-nfkb, p-bcl10, calcineurin, prpc and autophagy flux pathway. Immunocytochemistry was used to analysis p-nfkb and calcineurin. Ca2+ levels were measured by fluo-4 using confocal microscope. Calcineurin activity was used to detect with calcineurin cellular activity assay kit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to detect autophagy flux.Results: In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin attenuates prion peptide-mediated neuroinflammation and reduces calcineurin. We found that melatonin treatment inhibits prion protein-induced apoptosis. Melatonin inhibited calcium up-regulation and protected the cells against prion peptide‑induced neuron cell death by calcineurin inactivation. Furthermore, melatonin increased p62 protein levels and decrease LC3-II protein levels indicating autophagic flux inhibition and melatonin inhibited prion protein-induced neurotoxicity through autophagy flux inhibition.Conclusions: Taken together, our results illuminate that melatonin attenuated prion protein-induced neurinflammation through calcineurin inactivation and autophagic flux reduction, and also suggest that melatonin may provide effective strategy for therapy against neurodegenerative diseases, including prion diseases.
Primary COVID-19 vaccine cycle and booster doses efficacy: analysis of Italian nationwide vaccination campaign
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Mattiuzzi Camilla
Published: November 2021

We provide here an updated analysis of primary COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine booster doses efficacy, emerging from the ongoing Italian nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Primary COVID-19 vaccination efficacy was 76-92% within 6 months, decreasing to 34-80% after 6 months. Administration of vaccine booster doses decreased SARS-CoV-2 infections by 65%, COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths by 69% and 97% compared to vaccine efficacy after 6 months, but also decreased SARS-CoV-2 infections by 39% compared to vaccine efficacy within 6 months. These results suggest that COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are important for restoring vaccine efficacy and further limiting virus circulation.
Investigation of the Relation Between Epithelial Barrier Function and Autism Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Nalbant Kevser , Erden Semih , Yazar Abdullah , Kılınç İbrahim
Published: November 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by limitations in mutual communication and social interaction as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. A number of biological abnormalities have been reported in ASD. Therefore the possible role of biological abnormalities in etiopathogenesis arouses research interest in this area. This is a case-control design study evaluating epithelial barrier function by comparing serum concentrations of occludin and zonulin in children with ASD (n = 60) and controls (n = 30). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used to evaluate autistic symptom levels of all children. Serum occludin and zonulin levels were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum occludin was significantly lower in children with ASD than in control subjects. In children with ASD, a decrease in occludin level was significantly associated with the disorder symptom levels item mean score (CARS total scores). Our findings showed that children with ASD had alterations in epithelial barrier function compared to the control group. The investigation of the mechanism underlying the different levels of occludin between ASD and controls may be of importance in clarifying the etiopathogenesis of ASD, as well as its follow-up and treatment.