bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging reveals white matter microstructural alterations in adults with autism
Authors: Andica Christina , Kamagata Koji , Kirino Eiji , Uchida Wataru , Irie Ryusuke , Murata Syo , Aoki Shigeki
Published: June 2021

Background

Evidences suggesting the association between behavioral anomalies in autism and white matter (WM) microstructural alterations are increasing. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is widely used to infer tissue microstructure. However, due to its lack of specificity, the underlying pathology of reported differences in DTI measures in autism remains poorly understood. Herein, we applied neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to quantify and define more specific causes of WM microstructural changes associated with autism in adults.

Methods

NODDI (neurite density index [NDI], orientation dispersion index, and isotropic volume fraction [ISOVF]) and DTI (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity [RD]) measures were compared between autism (N = 26; 19 males and 7 females; 32.93 ± 9.24 years old) and age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD; N = 25; 17 males and 8 females; 34.43 ± 9.02 years old) groups using tract-based spatial statistics and region-of-interest analyses. Linear discriminant analysis using leave-one-out cross-validation (LDA-LOOCV) was also performed to assess the discriminative power of diffusion measures in autism and TD.

Results

Significantly lower NDI and higher ISOVF, suggestive of decreased neurite density and increased extracellular free-water, respectively, were demonstrated in the autism group compared with the TD group, mainly in commissural and long-range association tracts, but with distinct predominant sides. Consistent with previous reports, the autism group showed lower FA and higher MD and RD when compared with TD group. Notably, LDA-LOOCV suggests that NDI and ISOVF have relatively higher accuracy (82%) and specificity (NDI, 84%; ISOVF, 88%) compared with that of FA, MD, and RD (accuracy, 67–73%; specificity, 68–80%).

Limitations

The absence of histopathological confirmation limit the interpretation of our findings.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that NODDI measures might be useful as imaging biomarkers to diagnose autism in adults and assess its behavioral characteristics. Furthermore, NODDI allows interpretation of previous findings on changes in WM diffusion tensor metrics in individuals with autism.
CD44 fucosylation on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhances homing and promotes enteric nervous system remodeling in diabetic mice
Authors: Shi Huiying , Jiang Chen , Yao Hailing , Zhang Yurui , Zhang Qin , Hou Xiaohua , Lin Rong
Published: June 2021

Background

Diabetes can cause extensive enteric nervous system (ENS) injuries and gastrointestinal motility disorder. In developing possible treatments, researchers have engaged in tissue regeneration engineering with the very promising bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, BMSCs have poor homing ability to the targeted tissues after intravenous injection. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether enhancing the expression of E-selectin ligand on BMSCs could improve their homing ability and subsequently influence their role in ENS remodeling in diabetic mice.

Methods

First, we constructed the fucosylation modification of CD44 on BMSCs through a fucosyltransferase VII (FTVII) system to generate a Hematopoietic Cell E-/L-selectin Ligand (HCELL) property, a fucosylated sialyllactosaminyl glycovariant of CD44 that potently binds E-selectin. Next, FTVII-modified and unmodified BMSCs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were injected into diabetic mice through the tail vein to compare their homing ability to the gastrointestinal tract and their effect on ENS remodeling, respectively. A bioluminescent imaging system was used to evaluate the homing ability of GFP-labeled BMSCs with and without FTVII modification, to the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed by gastrointestinal transient time, defecation frequency, stool water content and colon strips contractility. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF).

Results

The FTVII-mediated α(1,3)-fucosylation modification of CD44 on BMSCs generated a HCELL property. Bioluminescent imaging assays showed that FTVII-modified BMSCs had enhanced homing ability to gastrointestinal tract, mainly to the colon, 24 h after injection through the tail vein. Compared with diabetic mice, FTVII-modified BMSCs significantly promoted the gastrointestinal motility and the ENS remodeling, including intestinal peristalsis (P < 0.05), increased feces excretion (P < 0.05) and the water content of the feces (P < 0.05), restored the spontaneous contraction of the colon (P < 0.05), and upregulated the protein expression levels of PGP9.5 (P < 0.01), GFAP (P < 0.001), and GDNF (P < 0.05), while unmodified BMSCs did not (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

CD44 fucosylation modification on murine BMSCs promotes homing ability to the gastrointestinal tract and ENS remodeling in diabetic mice.
Multiple responses contribute to the enhanced drought tolerance of the autotetraploid Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa
Authors: Li Meng , Zhang Chenxing , Hou Lu , Yang Weicong , Liu Songshan , Pang Xiaoming , Li Yingyue
Published: June 2021

Background

Polyploid plants often exhibit enhanced stress tolerance. The underlying physiological and molecular bases of such mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we characterized the drought tolerance of autotetraploid sour jujube at phenotypic, physiological and molecular levels.

Results

The study findings showed that the autotetraploid sour jujube exhibited a superior drought tolerance and enhanced regrowth potential after dehydration in comparison with the diploid counterpart. Under drought stress, more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in autotetraploid sour jujube and the physiological responses gradually triggered important functions. Through GO enrichment analysis, many DEGs between the diploid and autotetraploid sour jujube after drought-stress exposure were annotated to the oxidation–reduction process, photosystem, DNA binding transcription factor activity and oxidoreductase activity. Six reactive oxygen species scavenging-related genes were specifically differentially expressed and the larger positive fold-changes of the DEGs involved in glutathione metabolism were detected in autotetraploid. Consistently, the lower O2− level and malonaldehyde (MDA) content and higher antioxidant enzymes activity were detected in the autotetraploid under drought-stress conditions. In addition, DEGs in the autotetraploid after stress exposure were significantly enriched in anthocyanin biosynthesis, DNA replication, photosynthesis and plant hormone, including auxin, abscisic acid and gibberellin signal-transduction pathways. Under osmotic stress conditions, genes associated with the synthesis and transport of osmotic regulators including anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were differentially expressed, and the soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline contents were significantly higher in the autotetraploid. The higher chlorophyll content and DEGs enriched in photosynthesis suggest that the photosynthetic system in the autotetraploid was enhanced compared with diploid during drought stress. Moreover, several genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) including GRAS, Bhlh, MYB, WRKY and NAC were induced specifically or to higher levels in the autotetraploid under drought-stress conditions, and hub genes, LOC107403632, LOC107422279, LOC107434947, LOC107412673 and LOC107432609, related to 18 up-regulated transcription factors in the autotetraploid compared with the diploid were identified.

Conclusion

Taken together, multiple responses contribute to the enhanced drought tolerance of autotetraploid sour jujube. This study could provide an important basis for elucidating the mechanism of tolerance variation after the polyploidization of trees.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus isolates
Authors: Wu Qianxing , Sabokroo Niloofar , Wang Yujie , Hashemian Marzieh , Karamollahi Somayeh , Kouhsari Ebrahim
Published: June 2021

Background

Vancomycin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a serious public health challenging concern worldwide.

Objectives

Therefore, the objective of present study of 62 published studies was to evaluate the prevalence of VRSA based on different years, areas, isolate source, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the genetic determinants.

Methods

We searched the relevant articles that focused on the prevalence rates of VRSA in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from 2000 to 2019. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA software (version 14.0).

Results

The prevalence of VRSA was 2% before 2006, 5% in 2006–2014, and 7% in 2015–2020 that showed a 3.5-fold increase in the frequency of VRSA between before 2006 and 2020 years. The prevalence of VRSA was 5% in Asia, 1% in Europe, 4% in America, 3% in South America, and 16% in Africa. The frequencies of VRSA isolated from clinical, non-clinical, and mixed samples were 6%, 7%, and 14%, respectively. The prevalence of VRSA was 12% using disk diffusion agar method, 7% using MIC-base methods, and 4% using mixed-methods. The prevalence of vanA, vanB, and vanC1 positive were 71%, 26%, and 4% among VRSA strains. The most prevalent genotype was staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec (SCCmec) II, which accounted for 57% of VRSA. The most prevalent staphylococcal protein A (spa) types were t002, t030, and t037.

Conclusion

The prevalence of VRSA has been increasing in recent years particularly in Africa/Asia than Europe/America. The most prevalent of genetic determinants associated with VRSA were vanA and SCCmec II. This study clarifies that the rigorous monitoring of definite antibiotic policy, regular surveillance/control of nosocomial-associated infections and intensive surveillance of vancomycin-resistance are required for preventing emergence and further spreading of VRSA.
Determination of parasitic burden in the brain tissue of infected mice in acute toxoplasmosis after treatment by fluconazole combined with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine
Authors: Sina Sekandarpour , Mohammad Jafari Modrek , Reza Shafiei , Anita Mohammadiha , Soudabeh Etemadi , Hadi Mirahmadi
Published: June 2021

Background/aims

One of the opportunistic pathogens which cause serious problems in the human immune system is Toxoplasma gondii, with toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) seen in patients affected by it. The treatment of these patients is limited, and if not treated on time, death will be possible.

Methods

In this study, the effects of the treatment with different doses of fluconazole (FLZ) in combination with the current treatment of acute toxoplasmosis on reducing the mortality rate and the parasitic load in the murine model in vivo were studied. The mice were treated with different doses of fluconazole alone, sulfadiazine, and pyrimethamine plus fluconazole. A day after the end of the treatment and 1 day before death, the mice’s brains were collected, and after DNA extraction and molecular tests, the parasite burden was detected.

Results

This study showed that a 10-day treatment with 20 mg/kg of fluconazole combined with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 1.40 mg/kg per day affected acute toxoplasmosis and reduced the parasitic load significantly in brain tissues and also increased the survival rate of all mice in this group until the last day of the study, in contrast to other treatment groups. These results also indicate the positive effects of combined therapy on Toxoplasma gondii and the prevention of relapse.

Conclusions

Reducing the parasitic burden and increasing the survival rate were more effective against acute toxoplasmosis in the combined treatment of different doses of fluconazole with current treatments than current treatments without fluconazole. In other words, combination therapy with fluconazole plus pyrimethamine reduced the parasitic burden in the brain significantly, so it could be a replacement therapy in patients with intolerance sulfadiazine.
Candidate probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HNU082 rapidly and convergently evolves within human, mice, and zebrafish gut but differentially influences the resident microbiome
Authors: Huang Shi , Jiang Shuaiming , Huo Dongxue , Allaband Celeste , Estaki Mehrbod , Cantu Victor , Belda-Ferre Pedro , Vázquez-Baeza Yoshiki , Zhu Qiyun , Ma Chenchen , Li Congfa , Zarrinpar Amir , Liu Yang-Yu , Knight Rob , Zhang Jiachao
Published: June 2021

Background

Improving probiotic engraftment in the human gut requires a thorough understanding of the in vivo adaptive strategies of probiotics in diverse contexts. However, for most probiotic strains, these in vivo genetic processes are still poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the effects of gut selection pressures from human, mice, and zebrafish on the genetic stability of a candidate probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HNU082 (Lp082) as well as its ecological and evolutionary impacts on the indigenous gut microbiota using shotgun metagenomic sequencing in combination with isolate resequencing methods.

Results

We combined both metagenomics and isolate whole genome sequencing approaches to systematically study the gut-adaptive evolution of probiotic L. plantarum and the ecological and evolutionary changes of resident gut microbiomes in response to probiotic ingestion in multiple host species. Independent of host model, Lp082 colonized and adapted to the gut by acquiring highly consistent single-nucleotide mutations, which primarily modulated carbohydrate utilization and acid tolerance. We cultivated the probiotic mutants and validated that these gut-adapted mutations were genetically stable for at least 3 months and improved their fitness in vitro. In turn, resident gut microbial strains, especially competing strains with Lp082 (e.g., Bacteroides spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.), actively responded to Lp082 engraftment by accumulating 10–70 times more evolutionary changes than usual. Human gut microbiota exhibited a higher ecological and genetic stability than that of mice.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results suggest a highly convergent adaptation strategy of Lp082 across three different host environments. In contrast, the evolutionary changes within the resident gut microbes in response to Lp082 were more divergent and host-specific; however, these changes were not associated with any adverse outcomes. This work lays a theoretical foundation for leveraging animal models for ex vivo engineering of probiotics to improve engraftment outcomes in humans.
Non-acid reflux and sleep apnea: The importance of drug induced sleep endoscopy
Authors: O'Connor-Reina Carlos , Garcia Jose Maria Ignacio , Baptista Peter , Garcia-Iriarte Maria Teresa , Alba Carlos Casado , Perona Monica , Borrmann Paz Francisca , Alcala Laura Rodriguez , Plaza Guillermo
Published: June 2021

Background

We present the first case of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), where drug induced sleep endoscopy was helpful to suspect a non-acid reflux disease and showed an improvement in a swollen epiglottis after treatment. Patient ameliorated significantly his disease only with medical therapy.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old man without significant anatomical findings with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and non-acid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disease whose Apnea- hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly reduced with the intake of 500 mg of sodium alginate twice a day for 6 months. Conventional digestive tests such as esophagoscopy and simple- and double-channel 24-h pH-metry suggested mild GERD. Conventional proton-pump inhibitor treatment with pantoprazole (40 mg daily) was started without any improvement in his sleep. Multichannel intraluminal 24-h impedanciometry indicated the presence of severe pathological GER of gaseous origin. The patient's AHI decreased from 25.3 at baseline to 8 after treatment with sodium alginate. A drug-induced sleep endoscopy study showed the changes before and after this treatment and was helpful for the diagnosis.

Conclusions

Thus, medical treatment can be a therapeutic option in some patients with OSA. Multichannel 24-h impedanciometry should be performed when nonacid GERD is suspected.
Spatial progression and molecular heterogeneity of IDH-mutant glioblastoma determined by DNA methylation-based mapping
Authors: Lyon James F. , Vasudevaraja Varshini , Mirchia Kanish , Walker Jamie M. , Corona Robert J. , Chin Lawrence S. , Tran Ivy , Snuderl Matija , Richardson Timothy E. , Viapiano Mariano S.
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm in adults, and has an almost universally poor prognosis. Recently, an emphasis on genetic and epigenetic profiling has revealed a number of molecular features useful in the diagnostic and prognostic classification of GBM, advancing our understanding of the underlying features that make these tumors so aggressive and providing the rationale for the creation of better targeted therapeutics. One such method, DNA methylation profiling, has recently emerged as an important technique for the classification of CNS tumors, with diagnostic accuracy in some cases surpassing traditional methods. However, how DNA methylation profiles change with the course of the disease remains less understood. Here, we present a case of a 30-year-old male with primary IDH-mutant GBM with widespread recurrence and death two years later. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering of methylation probes, we created a phylogenetic map to trace the tumor path as it spread from the initial biopsy site throughout the right hemisphere, across the corpus callosum to the contralateral hemisphere, and into the brainstem. We identified molecular divergence between the right and left hemisphere GBM samples marked by distinct copy number profile alterations, alterations in specific methylation sites, and regional loss of MGMT promoter methylation, providing a potential mechanism for treatment resistance in this case. In summary, this case both highlights the molecular diversity in GBM, and illustrates a novel use for methylation profiling in establishing a phylogenetic profile to allow for spatial mapping of tumor progression.
Molecular diagnostics helps to identify distinct subgroups of spinal astrocytomas
Authors: Biczok Annamaria , Strübing Felix L. , Eder Julia M. , Egensperger Rupert , Schnell Oliver , Zausinger Stefan , Neumann Julia E. , Herms Jochen , Tonn Joerg-Christian , Dorostkar Mario M.
Published: June 2021

Primary spinal cord astrocytomas are rare, hence few data exist about the prognostic significance of molecular markers. Here we analyze a panel of molecular alterations in association with the clinical course. Histology and genome sequencing was performed in 26 spinal astrocytomas operated upon between 2000 and 2020. Next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing (NGS) and methylome analysis were performed to determine molecular alterations. Histology and NGS allowed the distinction of 5 tumor subgroups: glioblastoma IDH wildtype (GBM); diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M mutated (DMG-H3); high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features (HAP); diffuse astrocytoma IDH mutated (DA), diffuse leptomeningeal glioneural tumors (DGLN) and pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Within all tumor entities GBM (median OS: 5.5 months), DMG-H3 (median OS: 13 months) and HAP (median OS: 8 months) showed a fatal prognosis. DMG-H3 tend to emerge in adolescence whereas GBM and HAP develop in the elderly. HAP are characterized by CDKN2A/B deletion and ATRX mutation. 50% of PA tumors carried a mutation in the PIK3CA gene which is seemingly associated with better outcome (median OS: PIK3CA mutated 107.5 vs 45.5 months in wildtype PA). This exploratory molecular profiling of spinal cord astrocytomas allows to identify distinct subgroups by combining molecular markers and histomorphology. DMG-H3 tend to develop in adolescence with a similar dismal prognosis like GBM and HAP in the elderly. We here describe spinal HAP with a distinct molecular profile for the first time.
Medication adherence among the elderly: applying grounded theory approach in a developing country
Authors: Bastani Peivand , Bikineh Parisa , Mehralian Gholamhossein , Sadeghkhani Omid , Rezaee Rita , Kavosi Zahra , Ravangard Ramin
Published: June 2021

Background

Medication adherence is an important concept particularly among the elderly that can, directly and indirectly, affect the health system’s costs and the elderly’s health, quality of life, and functional abilities. This study aimed to determine the model of medication adherence among the Iranian elderly using the grounded theory approach.

Methods

The concept of medication adherence and the determination of its process among the elderly is a multidisciplinary social issue that can be affected by many contextual factors. Grounded theory with the approach of Strauss and Corbin (2004) was applied to determine the customized model. Data triangulation occurred through semi-structured interviews, observation, field notes, and memoing. Open coding, selective coding, and axial coding were applied to analyze the data.

Results

Delinquency in the medication use among the elderly was caused by factors such as doubtfulness, fear of complications, not following the patients by the physicians, and negative others and medical staff’s impacts. During the process of medication adherence, the patient’s lack of knowledge, lack of sufficient education, inappropriate and restricted lifestyle, difficult living conditions, and social pressures imposed on individuals could exacerbate and worsen the delinquency in medication adherence. It should not be neglected that some other factors such as lack of an effective supervision system, lack of supportive organizations, stakeholders’ market-based behaviors, consumption inconvenience, consumption stress, hopelessness, and misunderstanding could also aggravate the delinquency.

Conclusions

Although the proposed theory and model were customized and context-based for the Iranian elderly, in general, making positive changes in the process of adherence to the medication use among the elderly requires scientific and basic management and planning of its factors. It should be noted that making these changes requires some interventions in and cooperation of all levels of the country's health system, from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to the individual level of the elderly.
Effects of stand features and soil enzyme activity on spontaneous pedunculate oak regeneration in Scots pine dominated stands – implication for forest management
Authors: Dorota Dobrowolska , Przemysław Kurek , Grażyna Olszowska , Bolibok Leszek
Published: June 2021

Background

A challenge in current forestry is adaptation of managed forests to climate change, which is likely to alter the main processes of forest dynamics, i.e. natural regeneration. Scots pine will probably lose some parts of its distribution area in Europe. However, two native oaks, pedunculate and sessile may maintain or expand the area of their occurrence in central Europe. The utilization of spontaneous (not initialized by foresters) oak regeneration in Scots pine stands for the creation of next generation stands is one of the adaptation methods to climate change. Many factors influencing pedunculate oak regeneration are well known, but there is a lack of knowledge on the relation between soil enzyme activity and the establishment and development of the species. The aim of the study was to identify the relationships among stand characteristics, herb species composition, soil enzyme activity and the establishment or recruitment of oak regeneration in Scots pine-dominated stands.

Results

The one of the most influential factors shaping the oak seedling count was dehydrogenase activity in the humus horizon. We found that plots without litter and fern cover had higher seedling density. The raspberry ground cover and birch crown projection area had a positive influence on oak seedling number. The factor indicating good conditions for high density of oak saplings was phosphatase activity in the organic horizon. The same enzyme activity but in humus horizon described conditions in which more numerous recruits were observed.

Conclusions

The activity of soil enzymes can be used as the predictor of the establishment and advancement of oak regeneration but also could be seen as a new dimension of oak regeneration. The general density of spontaneous oak regeneration was not sufficient for the creation of new generation forest stands dominated by oak, but it is possible to use them as admixtures in new generation stands.
Dynamics and chronology of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain 232 infection in experimentally inoculated swine
Authors: Almeida Henrique M. S. , Mechler-Dreibi Marina L. , Sonálio Karina , Ferreira Marcela M. , Martinelli Paulo E. B. , Gatto Igor R. H. , Maes Dominiek , Montassier Hélio J. , Oliveira Luís G.
Published: June 2021

Direct detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae through molecular tools is a growing trend for early diagnosis, highlighting the importance of knowing M. hyopneumoniae dynamics in the respiratory tract upon infection. This study focused on monitoring the infection level and its effects in different anatomic sites of the respiratory tract of experimentally infected swine in four time-points post-infection. To this end, 24 pigs were allocated to either non-inoculated group (n = 8) or inoculated group (n = 16). On day 0 post-infection (dpi), animals of the inoculated group were intratracheally inoculated with M. hyopneumoniae. Nasal swabs were collected weekly for qPCR detection of bacterial shedding. At 14, 28, 42, and 56 dpi, four animals from the inoculated group and two from the control group were necropsied. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and samples from three different anatomical tracheal sections (cranial - CT, medium - MT, lower - LT) were collected for qPCR and histopathology. Bacterial loads (qPCR) in tracheal samples were: 4.47 × 102 copies∕μL (CT), 1.5 × 104- copies∕ μL (MT) and 1.4 × 104 copies∕μL (LT samples). M. hyopneumoniae quantification in BALF showed the highest load at 28 dpi (2.0 × 106 copies∕ μL). Microscopic lesions in LT samples presented the highest scores at 56 dpi and were significantly correlated with the pathogen load on 14 dpi (0.93) and 28 dpi (0.75). The greatest bacterial load of M. hyopneumoniae in CT samples and BALF was registered at 28 dpi, and it remained high in BALF and LT throughout the 56 dpi. The pathogen was able to persist during the whole experimental period, however higher estimated quantification values were registered in the lower parts of the respiratory tract, especially at 56 dpi. These findings are important for improving diagnostics, treatment, and control measures of M. hyopneumoniae infection in swine herds.
Salivary exosomal microRNAs as biomarkers for head and neck cancer detection—a literature review
Authors: Faur Cosmin Ioan , Rotaru Horatiu , Osan Ciprian , Jurj Ancuta , Roman Rares Calin , Moldovan Madalina , Chirila Magdalena , Hedesiu Mihaela
Published: June 2021

Background

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, non-coding mRNA molecules which regulate cellular processes in tumorigenesis. miRs were discovered in extracellular environment and biological fluids, carrying marks of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). They were also identified in abundance in salivary exosomes, in which they are protected by exosome lipid barrier against enzymatic injuries and therefore, the accuracy of exosomal miR-based cancer detection increase. This systematic review aimed to reveal and inventorize the most reliable exosomal miRNAs in saliva samples which can be used as novel biomarkers for early detection of HNSCC.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search, according to PRISMA guideline, was performed on Pubmed and Google Academic libraries, based on specific keywords. Original articles published between 2010 and 2021 were selected. The quality of each paper was assessed using the Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool.

Results

At the end of selection process, five studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies analyzed twelve salivary exosomal miRs, presenting different methods of exosome and miR identification for HNSCC detection. A comprehensive explanation of the miR pathways of action was drawn and illustrated in this review.

Conclusion

Exosomal miRs are promising biomarkers for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer detection. miR-10b-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-24-3p and miR-200a stand as the most useful ones in saliva sample examination.
Effect of different soil moisture regimes on plant growth and water use efficiency of Sunflower: experimental study and modeling
Authors: Soothar Rajesh Kumar , Singha Ashutus , Soomro Shakeel Ahmed , Chachar Azhar-u-ddin , Kalhoro Faiza , Rahaman Md Arifur
Published: June 2021

Background

Climate change and increasing demand in non-agricultural sectors profoundly affect the availability and quality of water resources for irrigated agriculture. The FAO AquaCrop simulation model provides a sound theoretical framework to investigate crop yield response to environmental stress. This model has successfully simulated crop growth and yield as influenced by varying soil moisture environments for crops. Integrating crop models that simulate the effects of water on crop yield with targeted experimentation can facilitate the development of irrigation strategies for high yield procurement and improving farm level water management and water use efficiency (WUE) under climatic condition of District Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.

Results

This study was based on completely randomized block design with three treatments including T1 (30% soil moisture depletion), T2 (50% soil moisture depletion) and T3 (70% soil moisture depletion) with three replicates. In order to determine the crop water requirements under desired treatments, the gypsum blocks were used for computing the daily soil moisture depletion. The result shows that total volume of water applied to crop under T1, T2 and T3 was 9689, 5200 and 2045 m3 ha−1, respectively. As a result, the grain yield under T1, T2 and T3 was 13.2, 12.1 and 14.3 t ha−1, respectively. These results advocate that total yield of crop under T1 and T2 was less as compared to T3. The T3 gave higher yield and WUE compared than other treatments. On the other hand, results revealed that the simulated sunflower yields showed a good agreement with their measured under T3. The simulated grain yield was 15.5 t ha−1, while the measured yield varied from 12.1 to 14.3 t ha−1. This study suggested that WUE under T3 was more as compared to T1 and T2. The results showed that the T3 gave the highest crop yield in relation to WUE and optimize yield of sunflower crop under water scarcity.

Conclusion

The Aquacrop model could very well predict crop yield and WUE at T3 under experiential region for sunflower production.
Portal venous and hepatic artery hemodynamic variation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Sabry Manal , Youssef Tarek , Shaker Mohamed , Salama Mohamed Magdy , Assem Nourhan , Anwar Christina Alfons
Published: June 2021

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains asymptomatic until advanced disease, when risk factor modification and available treatment become no longer effective. Studies on hepatic vasculature can be informative about parenchymal injury and disease severity through the study of changes affecting vascular compliance. This study aimed to study portal vein and hepatic artery hemodynamic variation in non-alcoholic fatty liver and to correlate it with disease severity.

Results

This case control study included 80 participants; those were further divided into four groups; healthy volunteers and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients’ grade 1, 2, and 3. We did anthropometric measures, laboratory tests, transient elastography, and Doppler ultrasound for all participants, and then we collected the data and analyzed it using SPSS version 25.

Doppler findings showed that peak maximum velocity, peak minimum velocity, mean flow velocity, portal vein pulsatility index of portal vein, and hepatic artery resistivity index were significantly lower in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients than in healthy people. All indices were indirectly proportionate to the grade of the disease except for peak minimum velocity which was significantly lower on comparing grade 3 patients with grades 1 and 2 patients.

Conclusions

Reduction of portal flow and increase in hepatic artery flow in fatty liver correlates with disease severity and can help as a non-invasive measure in diagnosis and grading of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Responses of Moringa oleifera to alteration in soil properties induced by calcium nanoparticles (CaNPs) on mineral absorption, physiological indices and photosynthetic indicators
Authors: Azeez Luqmon , Lateef Agbaje , Adetoro Rasheed O. , Adeleke Adebayo E.
Published: June 2021

Background

The application of nanofertilisers in agriculture has been widely utilised due to their distinct characteristics and negative impacts of conventional chemical fertilisers. This study thus examined the influence of calcium nanoparticles (CaNPs) on soil composition vis-à-vis performance parameters inMoringa oleiferaL exposed to water, 100 mg Ca(NO3)2kg−1soil and 100, 75 and 50 mg CaNPs kg−1soil. Soil morphology was determined with a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) and elemental composition in both soils andM. oleiferaroots determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES).

Results

The CaNP-amended soils were more crystalline, more fertile and had reduced salinity. An increase in immobilisation percentage of heavy metals, improvement in physiological parameters (percentage germination, vigour indices, relative water contents, lengths of roots and shoots) and photosynthetic efficiency inM. oleiferawere recorded.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that CaNPs could improve soil composition for better plant performance and can act as nanofertilisers mobilising essential nutrients.

Graphical abstract
Morphophysiological and molecular characterization of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties for crop improvement in Western Europe
Authors: Vischi Massimo , Zorzin Nicola , Bernhart Maria , Winkler Johanna , Santra Dipak , Pappalardo Carla , Marchetti Stefano
Published: June 2021

Background

Global warming and issues in favour of a more sustainable agriculture suggest a reconsideration of minor cereals in European agrosystems. Compared to other summer crops, proso millet has a remarkable drought resistance and could be used to improve crop rotation and biodiversity. Proso millet is also increasingly sought by industry to produce novel foods such as those designed for coeliac patients. In this study, a thorough characterization of 11, commercially available, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties was carried out as a preliminary step for crop reintroduction and breeding in Western Europe.

Methods

The cultivars under evaluation were introduced from Austria, Poland, Russia, and the USA (University of Nebraska–Lincoln). Plants were grown at Udine (NE Italy) and Gleisdorf (Styria, Austria), under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Yield components and a range of morphophysiological characters were recorded in both locations. In parallel, 85 SSR markers were tested on DNA samples extracted from randomly chosen plants of each variety and the 12 responsive markers used to genotype the whole variety set.

Results

Morphometric analyses showed that varieties have several diverging phenotypic traits and architectures. In all instances, yields recorded at field level were much lower than potential yields. In this respect, US selections were comparable to earlier developed European varieties, suggesting that breeding for an increased adaptation is the keystone for a stable reintroduction of millet in Western Europe. Molecular analyses uncovered remarkably low genetic differences and heterozygosity levels within cultivars, confirming millet as an essentially autogamous species; in contrast, large genetic distances were noted among cultivars selected in different environments. Results of SSR genotyping combined with those originating from phenotypic analyses indicated possible crosses to source the genetic variability necessary for selection.

Conclusions

This study enabled the identification of cultivars that could be used to revitalize the crop in Western Europe and to produce genetically variable hybrid progenies exploitable by breeding.
Adverse and Advantageous Selection in the Laboratory
Authors: Ali S. Nageeb , Mihm Maximilian , Siga Lucas , Tergiman Chloe
Published: June 2021

We study two-player games where one-sided asymmetric information can lead to either adverse or advantageous selection. We contrast behavior in these games with settings where both players are uninformed. We find stark differences, suggesting that subjects do account for endogenous selection effects. Removing strategic uncertainty increases the fraction of subjects who account for selection. Subjects respond more to adverse than advantageous selection. Using additional treatments where we vary payoff feedback, we connect this difference to learning. We also observe a significant fraction of subjects who appear to understand selection effects but do not apply that knowledge. (JEL C92, D82, D91)
Assessment of the impact of heart failure on household economic well-being: a protocol
Authors: Harikrishnan Sivadasanpillai , Ganapathi Sanjay , Reethu Salim , Bahl Ajay , Katageri Anand , Mishra Animesh , Alex Anoop George , Roy Bhavesh , Mohan Bishav , Joshi Hasit , Abdullakutty Jabir , Paul Justin , Rai Maneesh , Manjunath Cholenahally , Negi Prakash C. , Rajasekhar Durgaprasad , Sethi Rishi , Routray Satyanarayan , Shanmugasundaram Radhakrishnan , Padhi Sumanta Shekhar , Reddy P Shyam Sunder , Jeemon Panniyammakal
Published: June 2021

Background: Heart failure (HF), which is an emerging public health issue, adversely affects the strained health system in India. Additionally, the adverse impact of HF on the economic well-being of affected individuals and their families has been narrated in various anecdotal reports, with affected individuals and their dependents pushed into poverty. However, there is limited research quantifying how HF impacts the economic well-being of households from low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: We describe the methods of a detailed economic impact assessment of HF at the household level in India. The study will be initiated across 20 hospitals in India. The selected centres represent different regions in India stratified based on the prevailing stages of epidemiological transition levels (ETLs). We will collect data from 1800 patients with acute decompensated HF and within 6-15 months follow-up from the time of initial admission. The data that we intend to collect will consist of a) household healthcare expenditure including out-of-pocket expenditure, b) financing mechanisms used by households and (c) the impoverishing effects of health expenditures including distress financing and catastrophic health expenditure. Trained staff at each centre will collect relevant data by using a validated and structured interview schedule. The study will have 80% power to detect an 8% difference in the proportion of households experiencing catastrophic health expenditures between two ETL groups.  After considering a non-response rate of 5%, the target sample size is approximately 600 patients from each group and the total sample size is 1800 patients with heart failure.

Impact: The results from our study will help policy makers in understanding the micro-economic impact of HF in India and aid in allocation of appropriate resources for prevention and control of HF.
Implementation of Means of Art Pedagogy: Origami Classes with Long-Term Ill Children
Authors: Agafonova Svetlana
Published: June 2021

The article, based on the results of the personal practical experience of the author working with seriously ill children who are in hospitals and

deprived of the opportunity to study in ordinary schools, reveals the effectiveness of using such a means of art pedagogy as origami. Classes on the design of various paper figures have a positive effect on child patients: they reduce the state of fear and anxiety, distract from pain, increase self-confidence, and contribute to the establishment of friendships. In the process of folding origami, in addition to the pleasure of getting a new model, children improve their knowledge in the field of geometry, develop spatial abilities, learn new concepts and properties.
The Use of Non-Standard Problems with Matches When Teaching Younger Schoolchildren
Authors: Pavlova O. , Surovceva A. , Yakushkina Evgeniya
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the actual problem of the intellectual development of primary schoolchildren by including in the work of non-standard tasks of a search nature, the use of sign-symbolic means of presenting information, which allow you to create models of the objects and processes under study. Among the non-standard are the problems with matches described by the authors in the form of visual calculating material, the search for a solution to which makes it possible to intensify the mental activity of students of this age category, to develop their fine motor skills of hands and mathematical observation. The article describes a methodology for the step-by-step familiarization of junior schoolchildren with simple and more complex transformations and manipulations with matches as geometric objects, the consistent formation of an independent creative approach in children to the choice of schemes for solving non-standard educational and practical problems.
Acceleration of particles in a constant magnetic field and an electric field perpendicular to it, increasing with time
Authors: Kichigin Gennadiy
Published: June 2021

The paper addresses the problem of acceleration of particles in a constant, uniform magnetic field of magnitude B and a uniform electric field perpendicular to it, which slowly increases with time. Assuming that the electric field grows linearly up to the maximum value Em=B, approximate analytical relations have been found which determine the particle velocity dependence on the acceleration time. The particles are shown to accelerate for the entire time of the increase in the electric field to a certain final energy, whose value depends on the acceleration rate. It has been established that the lower the acceleration rate, the greater the limiting energy. In the case when the ratio Em/B <0.9, using the solution method proposed by Alfvén in the drift approximation, an analytical solution of the relativistic equation of particle motion has been obtained. The results can be used to find the energy of particles in various pulsed processes in space plasma.
Geomagnetic data recovery approach based on the concept of digital twins
Authors: Vorobev Andrey , Pilipenko Vyacheslav
Published: June 2021

There is no ground-based magnetic station or observatory that guarantees the quality of information received and transmitted to it. Data gaps, outliers, and anomalies are a common problem affecting virtually any ground-based magnetometer network, creating additional obstacles to efficient processing and analysis of experimental data. It is possible to monitor the reliability and improve the quality of the hardware and soft- ware modules included in magnetic stations by develop- ing their virtual models or so-called digital twins.

In this paper, using a network of high-latitude IMAGE magnetometers as an example, we consider one of the possible approaches to creating such models. It has been substantiated that the use of digital twins of magnetic stations can minimize a number of problems and limitations associated with the presence of emissions and missing values in time series of geomagnetic data, and also provides the possibility of retrospective forecasting of geomagnetic field parameters with a mean square error (MSE) in the auroral zone up to 11.5 nT. Integration of digital twins into the processes of collecting and registering geomagnetic data makes the automatic identification and replacement of missing and abnormal values possible, thus increasing, due to the redundancy effect, the fault tolerance of the magnetic station as a data source object.

By the example of the digital twin of the station “Kilpisjärvi” (Finland), it is shown that the proposed approach implements recovery of 99.55 % of annual information, while 86.73 % with M not exceeding 12 nT.
Geomagnetic method for automatic diagnostics of auroral oval boundaries in two hemispheres of Earth
Authors: Penskikh Yury , Lunyushkin Sergey , Kapustin Vyacheslav
Published: June 2021

The ground-based automatic method for determining auroral oval (AO) boundaries developed by the authors [Lunyushkin, Penskikh, 2019] has been modified and expanded to the Southern Hemisphere. Input data of the method contains large-scale distributions of the equivalent current function and field-aligned current density calculated in the polar ionospheres of two hemispheres in a uniform ionospheric conductance approximation based on the magnetogram inversion technique and the geomagnetic database of the world network of stations of the SuperMAG project. The software implementation of the method processes large volumes of time series of input data and produces coordinates of the main boundaries of AO in both hemi- spheres: the boundaries of the ionospheric convection reversal, the AO polar and equatorial boundaries, the lines of maximum density of field-aligned currents and auroral electrojets. The automatic method reduces the processing time for a given amount of data by 2–3 orders of magnitude (up to minutes and hours) compared to the manual method, which requires weeks and months of laborious operator work on the same task, while both methods are comparable in accuracy. The automatic geomagnetic method has been tested for diagnostics of AO boundaries during the isolated substorm of August 27, 2001, for which the expected synchronous dynamics of polar caps in two hemispheres has been confirmed. We also show the AO boundaries identified are in qualitative agreement with simultaneous AO images from the IMAGE satellite, as well as with the results of the OVATION and APM models; the boundary of ionospheric convection reversal, determined by the geomagnetic method in two hemispheres, is consistent with the maps of the electric potential of the ionosphere according to the SuperDARN-RG96 model.
David McInnis ed. Old Fortunatus by Thomas Dekker. Manchester: Manchester University Press, The Revels Plays, 2020. Pp 253.
Authors: Smith Emma
Published: June 2021

Emma Smith's review of Old Fortunatus by Thomas Dekker, edited by David McInnis.
THE TWO GERMAN AGREEMENTS WITH MOROCCO ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND CHILD BENEFITS.
Authors: Weber Helmut
Published: June 2021

This paper analyses the two agreements in force on social security coordination between Germany and Morocco: the Agreement on Social Security from 25 March 1981 (quoted as “SSA Morocco”), and the Agreement on Child Benefits also from 25 March 1981 in the form of the Supplementary Agreement of 22 November 1991 (quoted as “CBA Morocco”).