bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Whole Process Risk Management System for the Monitoring and Early Warning of Slope Hazards Affecting Gas and Oil Pipelines
Authors: Yan Yan , Xiong Guanglin , Zhou Jiaojiao , Wang Renhe , Huang Wenyao , Yang Miao , Wang Renchao , Geng Dongxian
Published: January 2022

Pipelines are important methods of oil and gas transportation and are fundamental to many country’s economies. Pipeline safety is a critical issue; over 96% of pipeline accidents due to ground movement are caused by slope hazards and these can lead to serious personnel and property losses. Therefore, effective pipeline slope hazard monitoring and early warning is crucial, but there are many limitations to existing measures. The recent advance in remote sensing technologies enables the collection of slope hazards information that maps the spatial distribution of landslide. But this approach cannot provide real-time monitoring and early warning as there is a time lag due to image processing. Also, pipelines are considered separately from the slope hazard, with only slope event occurrence assessed rather than quantification of the impact of the hazard on the pipeline. Here, we report on a whole process risk management system for the pipeline slope hazard, incorporating monitoring and early warning of pipeline slope hazards. Three sites at risk of slope hazard on the Guangdong Dapeng Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company pipeline in Guandong, South China - Zhangmutou, Huoshaogang and Dapeng New District - were selected for research and implementation of the whole process risk management, monitoring and early warning system. The system is shown to operate well and, overall, we found that the three sites are relatively stable at present. This research provides widely applicable guidance for the prevention, control, and early warning of pipeline slope hazards.
Analyzing Student Problem-Solving With MAtCH
Authors: Chiu Barbara , Randles Christopher , Irby Stefan
Published: January 2022

Problem-solving has been recognized as a critical skill that students lack in the current education system, due to the use of algorithmic questions in tests that can be simply memorized and solved without conceptual understanding. Research on student problem-solving is needed to gain deeper insight into how students are approaching problems and where they lack proficiency so that instruction can help students gain a conceptual understanding of chemistry. The MAtCH (methods, analogies, theory, context, how) model was recently developed from analyzing expert explanations of their research and could be a valuable model to identify key components of student problem-solving. Using phenomenography, this project will address the current gap in the literature of applying the MAtCH model to student responses. Twenty-two undergraduate students from first-year general chemistry and general physics classes were recorded using a think-aloud protocol as they worked through the following open-ended problems: 1) How many toilets do you need at a music festival? 2) How far does a car travel before one atom layer is worn off the tires? 3)What is the mass of the Earth’s atmosphere? The original definitions of MAtCH were adapted to better fit student problem-solving, and then the newly defined model was used as an analytical framework to code the student transcripts. Applying the MAtCH model within student problem-solving has revealed a reliance on the method component, namely, using formulas and performing simple plug-and-chug calculations, over deeper analysis of the question or evaluation of their work. More important than the order of the components, the biggest differences in promoted versus impeded problem-solving are how students incorporate multiple components of MAtCH and apply them as they work through the problems. The results of this study will further discuss in detail the revisions made to apply MAtCH definitions to student transcripts and give insight into the elements that promote and impede student problem-solving under the MAtCH model.
Clinical Translational Potentials of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hu Wei , Song Xiang , Yu Haibo , Sun Jingyu , Wang Hongjun , Zhao Yong
Published: January 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific disease characterized by the deficiency of insulin caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet β cells. Stem cell-based therapies play essential roles in immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, both of which hold great promise for treating many autoimmune dysfunctions. However, their clinical translational potential has been limited by ethical issues and cell transplant rejections. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by almost all types of cells, performing a variety of cell functions through the delivery of their molecular contents such as proteins, DNAs, and RNAs. Increasing evidence suggests that stem cell-derived EVs exhibit similar functions as their parent cells, which may represent novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including T1D. In this review, we summarize the current research progresses of stem cell-derived EVs for the treatment of T1D.
Resistance to Dopamine Agonists in Pituitary Tumors: Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Pivonello Claudia , Patalano Roberta , Negri Mariarosaria , Pirchio Rosa , Colao Annamaria , Pivonello Rosario , Auriemma Renata Simona
Published: January 2022

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) are commonly benign tumors accounting for 10-25% of intracranial tumors. Prolactin-secreting adenomas represent the most predominant type of all PitNET and for this subtype of tumors, the medical therapy relies on the use of dopamine agonists (DAs). DAs yield an excellent therapeutic response in reducing tumor size and hormonal secretion targeting the dopamine receptor type 2 (D2DR) whose higher expression in prolactin-secreting adenomas compared to other PitNET is now well established. Moreover, although DAs therapy does not represent the first-line therapy for other PitNET, off-label use of DAs is considered in PitNET expressing D2DR. Nevertheless, DAs primary or secondary resistance, occurring in a subset of patients, may involve several molecular mechanisms, presently not fully elucidated. Dopamine receptors (DRs) expression is a prerequisite for a proper DA function in PitNET and several molecular events may negatively modify DR membrane expression, through the DRs down-regulation and intracellular trafficking, and DR signal transduction pathway. The current mini-review will summarise the presently known molecular events that underpin the unsuccessful therapy with DAs.
Thermal Suitability of the Los Angeles River for Cold Water Resident and Migrating Fish Under Physical Restoration Alternatives
Authors: Abdi Reza , Rust Ashley , Wolfand Jordyn M. , Taniguchi-Quan Kristine , Irving Katie , Philippus Daniel , Stein Eric D. , Hogue Terri S.
Published: January 2022

Anthropogenic development has adversely affected river habitat and species diversity in urban rivers, and existing habitats are jeopardized by future uncertainties in water resources management and climate. The Los Angeles River (LAR), for example, is a highly modified system that has been mostly channelized for flood control purposes, has altered hydrologic and hydraulic conditions, and is thermally altered (warmed), which severely limits the habitat suitability for cold water fish species. Efforts are currently underway to provide suitable environmental flows and improve channel hydraulic conditions, such as depth and velocity, for adult fish migration from the Pacific Ocean to upstream spawning areas. However, the thermal responses of restoration alternatives for resident and migrating cold water fish have not been fully investigated. Using a mechanistic model, we simulated the LAR’s water temperature under baseline conditions and future alternative restoration scenarios for migration of the native, anadromous steelhead trout in Southern California and the historically resident Santa Ana sucker. We considered three scenarios: 1) increasing roughness of the low-flow channel, 2) increasing the depth and width of the low-flow channel, and 3) allowing subsurface inflow to the river at a soft bottom reach in the LA downtown area. Our analysis indicates that the maximum weekly average temperature (MaxWAT) in the baseline condition was 28.9°C, suggesting that the current river temperatures would act as a limiting factor during the steelhead migration season and habitat for Santa Ana sucker. The MaxWAT dropped about 3%–28°C after applying all the considered scenarios at the study site, which is 3°C higher than the determined steelhead survival threshold. Our simulations suggest that without consideration of thermal restoration, restoring hydraulic conditions may be insufficient to support cold water fish migration or year-round resident native fish populations, particularly with potential river temperature increases due to climate change.
Does Green Credit Policy Move the Industrial Firms Toward a Greener Future? Evidence From a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China
Authors: Xiao Zumian , Yu Lu , Liu Yinwei , Bu Xiaoning , Yin Zhichao
Published: January 2022

How to utilize financial instrument to deal with environmental issues has been a focal topic. Taking the introduction of green credit program as a “quasi-natural experiment,” the propensity score matching and difference-in-difference approach (PSM-DID) are used to investigate the impact of the green credit policy implemented by Chinese government on firm-level industrial pollutant emissions. The estimation results indicate that the green credit policy significantly reduces corporate sulfur dioxide emissions. Heterogeneity analysis shows this impact is more pronounced for large-scale enterprises and enterprises located in the eastern region. The estimated mediation models reveal that after the implementation of the green credit policy, reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions can be attribute to the increased environmental investment and improved energy consumption intensity. Moreover, the green credit policy is also significantly effective in mitigating the discharge of other common industrial pollutants. Our findings highlight the importance of green credit policies in achieving greener industrial production and more sustainable economic development.
Phylogenomics for Chagas Disease Vectors of the Rhodnius Genus (Hemiptera, Triatominae): What We Learn From Mito-Nuclear Conflicts and Recommendations
Authors: Filée Jonathan , Merle Marie , Bastide Héloïse , Mougel Florence , Bérenger Jean-Michel , Folly-Ramos Elaine , Almeida Carlos Eduardo , Harry Myriam
Published: January 2022

We provide in this study a very large DNA dataset on Rhodnius species including 36 samples representing 16 valid species of the three Rhodnius groups, pictipes, prolixus and pallescens. Samples were sequenced at low-depth with whole-genome shotgun sequencing (Illumina technology). Using phylogenomics including 15 mitochondrial genes (13.3 kb), partial nuclear rDNA (5.2 kb) and 51 nuclear protein-coding genes (36.3 kb), we resolve sticking points in the Rhodnius phylogeny. At the species level, we confirmed the species-specific status of R. montenegrensis and R. marabaensis and we agree with the synonymy of R. taquarussuensis with R. neglectus. We also invite to revisit the species-specific status of R. milesi that is more likely R. nasutus. We proposed to define a robustus species complex that comprises the four close relative species: R. marabaensis, R. montenegrensis, R. prolixus and R. robustus. As Psammolestes tertius was included in the Rhodnius clade, we strongly recommend reclassifying this species as R. tertius. At the Rhodnius group level, molecular data consistently supports the clustering of the pictipes and pallescens groups, more related to each other than they are to the prolixus group. Moreover, comparing mitochondrial and nuclear tree topologies, our results demonstrated that various introgression events occurred in all the three Rhodnius groups, in laboratory strains but also in wild specimens. We demonstrated that introgressions occurred frequently in the prolixus group, involving the related species of the robustus complex but also the pairwise R. nasutus and R. neglectus. A genome wide analysis highlighted an introgression event in the pictipes group between R. stali and R. brethesi and suggested a complex gene flow between the three species of the pallescens group, R. colombiensis, R. pallescens and R. ecuadoriensis. The molecular data supports also a sylvatic distribution of R. prolixus in Brazil (Pará state) and the monophyly of R. robustus. As we detected extensive introgression events and selective pressure on mitochondrial genes, we strongly recommend performing separate mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies and to take advantages of mito-nuclear conflicts in order to have a comprehensive evolutionary vision of this genus.
Case Report: Infant With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and 47,XXY
Authors: Song Sophia Q. , Gropman Andrea , Benjamin Robert W. , Mitchell Francie , Brooks Michaela R. , Hamzik Mary P. , Sampson Kira , Kommareddi Ritika , Sadeghin Teresa , Samango-Sprouse Carole A.
Published: January 2022

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive disorders in which enzymes in the cortisol biosynthesis pathways are disrupted by gene mutations. The most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, is characterized by decreased cortisol and aldosterone synthesis and excessive androgen production. Adult height is often compromised in affected patients. Intellectual capability remains intact in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, based on previous studies. 47,XXY (KS) is a sex chromosomal aneuploidy that manifests with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, tall stature, and variable intellectual and behavioral dysfunction. This clinical report describes an infant with 21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 47,XXY. The results of his neurodevelopmental, endocrine, neurological, and physical therapy evaluations during his first 22 months are included and were normal. This is the first published case investigating the neurodevelopmental profile of a patient with the combination of these two genetic disorders.
Integrative Lipidomics and Metabolomics for System-Level Understanding of the Metabolic Syndrome in Long-Term Treated HIV-Infected Individuals
Authors: Olund Villumsen Sofie , Benfeitas Rui , Knudsen Andreas Dehlbæk , Gelpi Marco , Høgh Julie , Thomsen Magda Teresa , Murray Daniel , Ullum Henrik , Neogi Ujjwal , Nielsen Susanne Dam
Published: January 2022

People living with HIV (PLWH) require life-long anti-retroviral treatment and often present with comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Systematic lipidomic characterization and its association with the metabolism are currently missing. We included 100 PLWH with MetS and 100 without MetS from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) cohort to examine whether and how lipidome profiles are associated with MetS in PLWH. We combined several standard biostatistical, machine learning, and network analysis techniques to investigate the lipidome systematically and comprehensively and its association with clinical parameters. Additionally, we generated weighted lipid-metabolite networks to understand the relationship between lipidomic profiles with those metabolites associated with MetS in PLWH. The lipidomic dataset consisted of 917 lipid species including 602 glycerolipids, 228 glycerophospholipids, 61 sphingolipids, and 26 steroids. With a consensus approach using four different statistical and machine learning methods, we observed 13 differentially abundant lipids between PLWH without MetS and PLWH with MetS, which mainly belongs to diacylglyceride (DAG, n = 2) and triacylglyceride (TAG, n = 11). The comprehensive network integration of the lipidomics and metabolomics data suggested interactions between specific glycerolipids’ structural composition patterns and key metabolites involved in glutamate metabolism. Further integration of the clinical data with metabolomics and lipidomics resulted in the association of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and exposure to earlier generations of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our integrative omics data indicated disruption of glutamate and fatty acid metabolism, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of PLWH with MetS. Alterations in the lipid homeostasis and glutaminolysis need clinical interventions to prevent accelerated aging in PLWH with MetS.
Optimization of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Expression in the Silkworm and Induction of Efficient Protective Immunity by Inoculation With Alum Adjuvants
Authors: Masuda Akitsu , Lee Jae Man , Miyata Takeshi , Mon Hiroaki , Sato Keita , Oyama Kosuke , Sakurai Yasuteru , Yasuda Jiro , Takahashi Daisuke , Ueda Tadashi , Kato Yuri , Nishida Motohiro , Karasaki Noriko , Kakino Kohei , Ebihara Takeru , Nagasato Takumi , Hino Masato , Nakashima Ayaka , Suzuki Kengo , Tonooka Yoshino , Tanaka Miyu , Moriyama Takato , Nakatake Hirokazu , Fujita Ryosuke , Kusakabe Takahiro
Published: January 2022

The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing a spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally. In order to end the COVID-19 pandemic, an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 must be produced at low cost and disseminated worldwide. The spike (S) protein of coronaviruses plays a pivotal role in the infection to host cells. Therefore, targeting the S protein is one of the most rational approaches in developing vaccines and therapeutic agents. In this study, we optimized the expression of secreted trimerized S protein of SARS-CoV-2 using a silkworm-baculovirus expression vector system and evaluated its immunogenicity in mice. The results showed that the S protein forming the trimeric structure was the most stable when the chicken cartilage matrix protein was used as the trimeric motif and could be purified in large amounts from the serum of silkworm larvae. The purified S protein efficiently induced antigen-specific antibodies in mouse serum without adjuvant, but its ability to induce neutralizing antibodies was low. After examining several adjuvants, the use of Alum adjuvant was the most effective in inducing strong neutralizing antibody induction. We also examined the adjuvant effect of paramylon from Euglena gracilis when administered with the S protein. Our results highlight the effectiveness and suitable construct design of the S protein produced in silkworms for the subunit vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.
Computed Microtomography (Micro-CT) in the Anatomical Study and Identification of Solenogastres (Mollusca)
Authors: Martínez-Sanjuán Jesús , Kocot Kevin , García-Álvarez Óscar , Candás María , Díaz-Agras Guillermo
Published: January 2022

Solenogastres are vermiform marine molluscs characterised by an aculiferous mantle, a longitudinal ventral pedal groove and a terminal or subterminal pallial cavity. Their classification is based in part on the type of mantle sclerites, but identification to even the family level generally requires the study of internal anatomical characters. Taxonomically important internal characters include those related to radular structure, the type of ventrolateral glandular organs of the pharynx and the reproductive system, among others. In order to study their internal anatomical organisation, according to the classical reconstruction method, serial histological sections of specimens are made, from which the 2D internal anatomy of the specimen can be reconstructed manually. However, this is a time-consuming technique that results in destruction of the specimen. Computed microtomography or micro-CT is a non-destructive technique based on the measurement of the attenuation of X-rays as they pass through a specimen. Micro-CT is faster than histology for studying internal anatomy and it is non-destructive, meaning that specimens may be used for e.g., DNA extraction or retained as intact vouchers. In this paper, the utility of micro-CT for studying taxonomically important internal anatomical structures was assessed. Results of the 3D anatomical study of the soft parts of four specimens of three species using micro-CT are presented: Proneomenia sluiteriHubrecht, 1880, Dorymenia menchuescribanaeGarcía-Álvarez et al., 2000 and Anamenia gorgonophilaKowalevsky, 1880. Micro-CT enabled detailed study of most taxonomically important anatomical characters, precise measurements of structures, and observation of the relative position of organs from a variety of angles. However, it was not possible to observe the radula and some details of the ventral foregut organs could not be discerned. Despite these limitations, results of this study highlight micro-CT as a valuable tool to compliment histology in the study of solenogaster anatomy and in non-destructively identifying animals to the family and even genus-level.
Invertebrate Grazing on Live Turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum): A Common Interaction That May Facilitate Fungal Growth
Authors: Boyd Anjali D. , Walker Nia S. , Valdez Stephanie R. , Zhang Y. Stacy , Altieri Andrew H. , Gulis Vladislav , Crain Caitlin , Silliman Brian
Published: January 2022

In coastal wetlands and tropical reefs, snails can regulate foundation species by feeding on marsh grasses and hard corals. In many cases, their impacts are amplified because they facilitate microbial infection in grazer-induced wounds. Whether snails commonly graze live plants and facilitate microbial growth on plants in tropical seagrass systems is less explored. On a Belizean Caye, we examined patterns in snail-generated grazer scars on the abundant turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum). Our initial survey showed the occurrence of snail-induced scarring on live turtlegrass blades was common, with 57% of live leaves scarred. Feeding trials demonstrated that two of five common snails (Tegula fasciata–smooth tegula and Smaragdia viridis–emerald nerite) grazed unepiphytized turtlegrass blades and that smooth tegula abundance had a positive relationship with scarring intensity. Subsequent surveys at three Caribbean sites (separated by >150 km) also showed a high occurrence of snail-induced scars on turtlegrass blades. Finally, simulated herbivory experiments and field observations of a turtlegrass bed in Florida, United States suggests that herbivore damage could facilitate fungal growth in live seagrass tissue through mechanical opening of tissue. Combined, these findings reveal that snail grazing on live turtlegrass blades in the Caribbean can be common. Based on these results, we hypothesize that small grazers could be exerting top-down control over turtlegrass growth directly via grazing and/or indirectly by facilitating microbial infection in live seagrass tissue. Further studies are needed to determine the generality and relative importance of direct and indirect effects of gastropod grazing on turtlegrass health.
Environmental Filtering by pH and Salinity Jointly Drives Prokaryotic Community Assembly in Coastal Wetland Sediments
Authors: Yu Huang , Zhong Qiuping , Peng Yisheng , Zheng Xiafei , Xiao Fanshu , Wu Bo , Yu Xiaoli , Luo Zhiwen , Shu Longfei , Wang Cheng , Yan Qingyun , He Zhili
Published: January 2022

Understanding the microbial community assembly is an essential topic in microbial ecology. Coastal wetlands are an important blue carbon sink, where microbes play a key role in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and energy transformation. However, the drivers controlling the distribution patterns and assembly of bacterial and archaeal communities in coastal wetland are unclear. Here we examined the diversity, co-occurrence network, assembly processes and environmental drivers of bacterial and archaeal communities from inshore to offshore sediments by the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The value of α- and β-diversity of bacterial and archaeal communities generally did not change significantly (P> 0.05) between offshore sites, but changed significantly (P< 0.05) among inshore sites. Sediment pH and salinity showed significant effects on the diversity and keystone taxa of bacterial and archaeal communities. The bacterial and archaeal co-occurrence networks were inextricably linked with pH and salinity to formed the large network nodes, suggesting that they were the key factors to drive the prokaryotic community. We also identified that heterogeneous and homogeneous selection drove the bacterial and archaeal community assembly, while the two selections became weaker from offshore sites to inshore sites, suggesting that deterministic processes were more important in offshore sites. Overall, these results suggested that the environmental filtering of pH and salinity jointly governed the assembly of prokaryotic community in offshore sediments. This study advances our understanding of microbial community assembly in coastal wetland ecosystems.
Radiation-Scattering–Integrated Design of Multi-Functional Metasurfaces Based on Antenna-Embedded Substrates
Authors: Fu Xinmin , Fan Ya , Han Yajuan , Wang Jiafu , Wang Zhuangzhuang , Yan Mingbao , Qu Shaobo
Published: January 2022

The integration of the metasurface and antenna has brought new vitality to function integration and performance improvement for metasurfaces. In this study, we propose a radiation-scattering–integrated (RSI) design method of functional metasurfaces by incorporating antenna radiators into the substrates. The antenna radiators can also be considered as a band-stop frequency selective surface (FSS) embedded within the dielectric substrate, which adds up to the degree of freedom (DOF) in tailoring electromagnetic (EM) properties of the substrate. In this way, not only radiation function is added to the metasurfaces but also the original scattering-manipulation function is augmented. As an example, we apply this method to the design of a metasurface that can achieve a high radiation gain in-band and low-RCS out-of-band simultaneously. An antenna array was first designed, which uses circular patches as the radiators. Then, the antenna array was used as the substrate of a typical polarization conversion (PC) metasurface. The circular patch lies between the ground plane and the PC meta-atom, providing optimal electrical substrate thickness for PC at two separate bands. By adjusting structural parameters, the operating band of the antenna array can be made to lie in between the two PC bands. In this way, the metasurface can simultaneously possess high-gain radiation function in-band and high-efficiency PC function for RCS reduction out-of-band. A prototype was fabricated and measured. Both the simulated and measured results show that the metasurface can achieve satisfactory radiation gain in-band and significant RCS reduction out of band. This work provides an alternative method of designing multi-functional metasurfaces, which may find applications in smart skins and others.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Predicts Visual Outcomes for Craniopharyngioma in Children by Quantifying Choroidal Capillaries
Authors: Zhang Qing Lin , Wang Jun Hua , Sun Li Ying , Wang Jian Bin , Ma Yu , Zhang Yu Qi
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To predict the prognosis of craniopharyngioma in children by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: We evaluated if the relationship between preoperative OCTA of the choroidal capillary density (CCD) and visual outcome continued over long-term visual recovery in 38 patients undergoing craniopharyngioma resection. Patients were evaluated 3 times: 1 week before surgery (Visit1), followed-up at 6–10 weeks (Visit2), and 9–15 months (Visit3) after surgery.

Results: In total 38 patients (70 eyes) with craniopharyngiomas, which included 20 (52.6%) boys and 18 (47.4%)girls, the mean age was 11.8 ± 2.7 years (range: 6–18 years). The age (p = 0.71), gender (p = 1.00), mean refractive error (p = 0.55), and axial length (p = 0.23) of 38 normal volunteers (76 eyes) were matched. After surgery, the cross-compression of patients was relieved. The average visual acuity change in the normal CCD group was 0.07 ± 0.02; the average visual acuity change in the low CCD group was 0.01 ± 0.01, p < 0.001. Preoperative CCD value is related to the preoperative BCVA (p < 0.001), and the visual function after the long-term follow-up (9–15 months) (p < 0.001). The prognosis of CCD has the same trend as the BCVA. Further correlation analysis shows that CCD and BCVA are significantly correlated (r = 0.878; p < 0.001). CCD has a weak but significant correlation both with MD (r = 0.19; p < 0.001) and PSD (r = −0.21; p <0.001). A natural cutoff of CCD is approximately 38%. With the normal CCD group the maximum improvement of BCVA exceeds 0.3 post-operatively, compared to eyes in the low CCD group that improve by <0.03, and worse after surgery.

Conclusions: Long-term vision recovery after surgical decompression of craniopharyngiomas in children can be predicted by preoperative by OCTA. Patients with normal CCD before surgery showed a tendency to improve vision; this trend of improvement persisted in subsequent follow-ups. The CCD baseline natural cutoff value for predicting visual prognosis before and after surgery is about 38%.
Potential Application of Bionanoparticles to Treat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection
Authors: Debnath Sujit K. , Srivastava Rohit
Published: January 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a contagious virus that spreads exponentially across the world, resulting in serious viral pneumonia. Several companies and researchers have put their tremendous effort into developing novel vaccines or drugs for the complete eradication of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. Bionanotechnology plays a vital role in designing functionalized biocompatible nanoparticulate systems with higher antiviral capabilities. Thus, several nanocarriers have been explored in designing and delivering drugs and vaccines. This problem can be overcome with the intervention of biomaterials or bionanoparticles. The present review describes the comparative analysis of SARS infection and its associated etiological agents. This review also highlighted some nanoparticles that have been explored in the treatment of COVID-19. However, these carriers elicit several problems once they come in contact with biological systems. Often, the body’s immune system treats these nanocarriers as foreign particles and antigens. In contrast, some bionanoparticles are highlighted here with their potential application in SARS-CoV-2. However, bionanoparticles have demonstrated some drawbacks discussed here with the possible outcomes. The scope of bioinspired nanoparticles is also discussed in detail to explore the new era of research. It is highly essential for the effective delivery of these nanoparticles to the target site. For effective management of SARS-CoV-2, different delivery patterns are also discussed here.
Distinct Mechanisms in Number Comparison of Random and Regular Dots: An ERP Study
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Yajun , Wang Chunhui , Wang Lu , Fu Ying , Zhang Zhijun
Published: January 2022

Numerosity comparison for regular patterns shows different features compared with that for random ones in previous studies, suggesting an underlying mechanism distinct from numerosity. In this study, we went further to compare the event-related potentials (ERP) components in numerosity processing of random and regular patterns, which are identical in all aspects of texture features except for the distribution. ERP components were recorded and analyzed while participants compared which of the two successively presented sets was more numerous. P2p amplitude was revealed to be significantly weaker for regular patterns compared with that for random patterns over right occipital-parietal cites, whereas no difference was found for P1 or N1 components. The difference in P2p amplitude, which is consistent with the behavior dissociation revealed in our previous studies, suggests that regular distribution can trigger distinct processing in numeral comparison tasks. Processing of continuous magnitudes or configuration cannot explain the decrease in P2p amplitude for regular distributed patterns. Therefore, this study further supports that P2p is mediated by numerosity processing.
Resting State Functional Connectivity Signatures of MRgFUS Vim Thalamotomy in Parkinson's Disease: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Stanziano Mario , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Messina Giuseppe , Rinaldo Sara , Palermo Sara , Verri Mattia , Demichelis Greta , Medina Jean Paul , Ghielmetti Francesco , Bonvegna Salvatore , Nigri Anna , Frazzetta Giulia , D'Incerti Ludovico , Tringali Giovanni , DiMeco Francesco , Eleopra Roberto , Bruzzone Maria Grazia
Published: January 2022

Magnetic Resonance-guided high-intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) for tremor has increasingly gained interest as a new non-invasive alternative to standard neurosurgery. Resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) correlates of MRgFUS have not been extensively investigated yet. A region of interest (ROI)-to-ROI rs-FC MRI “connectomic” analysis focusing on brain regions relevant for tremor was conducted on 15 tremor-dominant patients with Parkinson's disease who underwent MRgFUS. We tested whether rs-FC between tremor-related areas was modulated by MRgFUS at 1 and 3 months post-operatively, and whether such changes correlated with individual clinical outcomes assessed by the MDS-UPDRS-III sub items for tremor. Significant increase in FC was detected within bilateral primary motor (M1) cortices, as well as between bilateral M1 and crossed primary somatosensory cortices, and also between pallidum and the dentate nucleus of the untreated hemisphere. Correlation between disease duration and FC increase at 3 months was found between the putamen of both cerebral hemispheres and the Lobe VI of both cerebellar hemispheres, as well as between the Lobe VI of untreated cerebellar hemisphere with bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA). Drop-points value of MDS-UPDRS at 3 months correlated with post-treatment decrease in FC, between the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral SMA, as well as between the Lobe VI of treated cerebellar hemisphere and the interpositus nucleus of untreated cerebellum. Tremor improvement at 3 months, expressed as percentage of intra-subject MDS-UPDRS changes, correlated with FC decrease between bilateral occipital fusiform gyrus and crossed Lobe VI and Vermis VI. Good responders (≥50% of baseline tremor improvement) showed reduced FC between bilateral SMA, between the interpositus nucleus of untreated cerebellum and the Lobe VI of treated cerebellum, as well as between the untreated SMA and the contralateral putamen. Good responders were characterized at baseline by crossed hypoconnectivity between bilateral putamen and M1, as well as between the putamen of the treated hemisphere and the contralateral SMA. We conclude that MRgFUS can effectively modulate brain FC within the tremor network. Such changes are associated with clinical outcome. The shifting mode of integration among the constituents of this network is, therefore, susceptible to external redirection despite the chronic nature of PD.
Shaping the Sensory–Motor Network by Short-Term Unresolvable Sensory–Motor Mismatch
Authors: Klingner Carsten M. , Kattlun Fabian , Krolopp Lena , Jochmann Elisabeth , Volk Gerd F. , Brodoehl Stefan , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Witte Otto W. , Dobel Christian
Published: January 2022

Learning from errors as the main mechanism for motor adaptation has two fundamental prerequisites: a mismatch between the intended and performed movement and the ability to adapt motor actions. Many neurological patients are limited in their ability to transfer an altered motor representation into motor action due to a compromised motor pathway. Studies that have investigated the effects of a sustained and unresolvable mismatch over multiple days found changes in brain processing that seem to optimize the potential for motor learning (increased drive for motor adaptation and a weakening of the current implementation of motor programs). However, it remains unclear whether the observed effects can be induced experimentally and more important after shorter periods. Here, we used task-based and resting-state fMRI to investigate whether the known pattern of cortical adaptations due to a sustained mismatch can be induced experimentally by a short (20 min), but unresolvable, sensory–motor mismatch by impaired facial movements in healthy participants by transient facial tapping. Similar to long-term mismatch, we found plastic changes in a network that includes the striatal, cerebellar and somatosensory brain areas. However, in contrast to long-term mismatch, we did not find the involvement of the cerebral motor cortex. The lack of the involvement of the motor cortex can be interpreted both as an effect of time and also as an effect of the lack of a reduction in the motor error. The similar effects of long-term and short-term mismatch on other parts of the sensory–motor network suggest that the brain-state caused by long-term mismatch can be (at least partly) induced by short-term mismatch. Further studies should investigate whether short-term mismatch interventions can be used as therapeutic strategy to induce an altered brain-state that increase the potential for motor learning.
Incidence and Antiseizure Medications of Post-stroke Epilepsy in Umbria: A Population-Based Study Using Healthcare Administrative Databases
Authors: Costa Cinzia , Nardi Cesarini Elena , Eusebi Paolo , Franchini David , Casucci Paola , De Giorgi Marcello , Calvello Carmen , Romoli Michele , Parnetti Lucilla , Calabresi Paolo
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) requires long-term treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs). However, epidemiology of PSE and long-term compliance with ASM in this population are still unclear. Here we report, through population-level healthcare administrative data, incidence, risk factors, ASM choice, and ASM switch over long-term follow-up.

Materials and Methods: This is a population-based retrospective study using Umbria healthcare administrative database. Population consisted of all patients with acute stroke, either ischaemic or hemorrhagic, between 2013 and 2018. ICD-9-CM codes were implemented to identify people with stroke, while PSE was adjudicated according to previously validated algorithm, such as EEG and ≥1 ASM 7 days after stroke.

Results: Overall, among 11,093 incident cases of acute stroke (75.9% ischemic), 275 subjects presented PSE, for a cumulative incidence of 2.5%. Patients with PSE were younger (64 vs. 76 years), more frequently presented with hemorrhagic stroke, and had longer hospital stay (15.5 vs. 11.2 days) compared with patients without PSE. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models confirmed that PSE associated with hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and longer duration of hospital stay. Levetiracetam was the most prescribed ASM (55.3%), followed by valproate and oxcarbazepine. Almost 30% of patients prescribed with these ASMs switched treatment during follow-up, mostly toward non-enzyme-inducing ASMs. About 12% of patients was prescribed ASM polytherapy over follow-up.

Conclusions: Post-stroke epilepsy is associated with hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and longer hospital stay. First ASM is switched every one in three patients, suggesting the need for treatment tailoring in line with secondary prevention.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Indomethacin-Induced Small Bowel Inflammation
Authors: Caravaca April S. , Levine Yaakov A. , Drake Anna , Eberhardson Michael , Olofsson Peder S.
Published: January 2022

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, idiopathic condition characterized by intestinal inflammation and debilitating gastrointestinal symptomatology. Previous studies of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), primarily in colitis, have shown reduced inflammation after electrical or pharmacological activation of the vagus nerve, but the scope and kinetics of this effect are incompletely understood. To investigate this, we studied the effect of electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in a rat model of indomethacin-induced small intestinal inflammation. 1 min of VNS significantly reduced small bowel total inflammatory lesion area [(mean ± SEM) sham: 124 ± 14 mm2, VNS: 62 ± 14 mm2, p = 0.002], intestinal peroxidation and chlorination rates, and intestinal and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels as compared with sham-treated animals after 24 h following indomethacin administration. It was not known whether this observed reduction of inflammation after VNS in intestinal inflammation was mediated by direct innervation of the gut or if the signals are relayed through the spleen. To investigate this, we studied the VNS effect on the small bowel lesions of splenectomized rats and splenic nerve stimulation (SNS) in intact rats. We observed that VNS reduced small bowel inflammation also in splenectomized rats but SNS alone failed to significantly reduce small bowel lesion area. Interestingly, VNS significantly reduced small bowel lesion area for 48 h when indomethacin administration was delayed. Thus, 1 min of electrical activation of the vagus nerve reduced indomethacin-induced intestinal lesion area by a spleen-independent mechanism. The surprisingly long-lasting and spleen-independent effect of VNS on the intestinal response to indomethacin challenge has important implications on our understanding of neural control of intestinal inflammation and its potential translation to improved therapies for IBD.
The Role of Transient Receptor Potential A1 and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 39 in Zinc-Mediated Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice
Authors: Hu Yue , Fu Qing-Yue , Fu Dan-Ni , Wang Xue-Long , Wang Zhi-Hong , Zhang Jiang-Tao , Xu Wen-Jing , Zhou Guo-Kun , Chen Li-Hua , Liu Tong
Published: January 2022

Itching is a common symptom of many skin or systemic diseases and has a negative impact on the quality of life. Zinc, one of the most important trace elements in an organism, plays an important role in the regulation of pain. Whether and how zinc regulates itching is largely unclear. Herein, we explored the role of Zn2+ in the regulation of acute and chronic itch in mice. It is found that intradermal injection (i.d.) of Zn2+ dose-dependently induced acute itch and transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) participated in Zn2+-induced acute itch in mice. Moreover, the pharmacological analysis showed the involvement of histamine, mast cells, opioid receptors, and capsaicin-sensitive C-fibers in Zn2+-induced acute itch in mice. Systemic administration of Zn2+ chelators, such as N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), pyrithione, and clioquinol were able to attenuate both acute itch and dry skin-induced chronic itch in mice. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) analysis showed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIPs and ZnTs) significantly changed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) under dry skin-induced chronic itch condition in mice. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was induced in the DRG and skin by the administration of zinc or under dry skin condition, which was inhibited by systemic administration of Zn2+ chelators. Finally, we found that the expression of GPR39 (a zinc-sensing GPCR) was significantly upregulated in the dry skin mice model and involved in the pathogenesis of chronic itch. Together, these results indicated that the TRPA1/GPR39/ERK axis mediated the zinc-induced itch and, thus, targeting zinc signaling may be a promising strategy for anti-itch therapy.
HDAC1 Regulates Neuronal Differentiation
Authors: Nieto-Estevez Vanesa , Changarathil Gopakumar , Adeyeye Adebayo Olukayode , Coppin Marissa Olga , Kassim Rawan Serena , Zhu Jingfei , Hsieh Jenny
Published: January 2022

In adult hippocampal neurogenesis, chromatin modification plays an important role in neural stem cell self-renewal and differentiation by regulating the expression of multiple genes. Histone deacetylases (HDACs), which remove acetyl groups from histones, create a non-permissive chromatin that prevents transcription of genes involved in adult neurogenesis. HDAC inhibitors have been shown to promote adult neurogenesis and have also been used to treat nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy. However, most HDAC inhibitors are not specific and may have other targets. Therefore, it is important to decipher the role of individual HDACs in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. HDACs 1, 2, and 3 have been found expressed at different cellular stages during neurogenesis. Conditional deletion of HDAC2 in neural stem cells impairs neuronal differentiation in adult hippocampus. HDAC3 supports proliferation of adult hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells. The role of HDAC1 in adult neurogenesis remains still open. Here, we used a conditional knock-out mouse to block HDAC1 expression in neural stem cells (Nestin+ cells) during hippocampal neurogenesis. Our results showed that both HDAC1 and HDAC2 are expressed in all cellular stages during hippocampal neurogenesis. Moreover, we found that deletion of HDAC1 by viral infection of neural stem cells is sufficient to compromise neuronal differentiation in vitro. However, we were unable to reduce the expression of HDAC1 in vivo using Nestin-CreERT2 mice. Understanding the role of HDAC1 may lead to ways to control stem cell proliferation and neuronal regeneration in the adult hippocampus, and to more specific HDAC therapeutics for neurological disorders.
Effects of Resistant Starch Interventions on Metabolic Biomarkers in Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes Adults
Authors: Rashed Aswir Abd , Saparuddin Fatin , Rathi Devi-Nair Gunasegavan , Nasir Nur Najihah Mohd , Lokman Ezarul Faradianna
Published: January 2022

Simple lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to maintaining a physically active way of life, the diet has become one of the bases in managing TD2M. Due to many studies linking the ability of resistant starch (RS) to a substantial role in enhancing the nutritional quality of food and disease prevention, the challenge of incorporating RS into the diet and increasing its intake remains. Therefore, we conducted this review to assess the potential benefits of RS on metabolic biomarkers in pre-diabetes and diabetes adults based on available intervention studies over the last decade. Based on the conducted review, we observed that RS intake correlates directly to minimize possible effects through different mechanisms for better control of pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions. In most studies, significant changes were evident in the postprandial glucose and insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC). Comparative evaluation of RS consumption and control groups also showed differences with inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, and E-selectin. Only RS2 and RS3 were extensively investigated and widely reported among the five reported RS types. However, a proper comparison and conclusion are deemed inappropriate considering the variations observed with the study duration, sample size, subjects and their metabolic conditions, intervention doses, and the intervention base products. In conclusion, this result provides interesting insights into the potential use of RS as part of a sustainable diet in diabetes management and should be further explored in terms of the mechanism involved.