bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Early-Life Adversity on Tooth Enamel Formation
Authors: Shaffer Ida C. , Nakano Yukiko , Pham Aidan , Short Annabel , Nanci Antonio , Zhang Yan , Shemirani Rozana , Den Besten Pamela K.
Published: June 2022

In a systemic effort to survive environmental stress, organ systems fluctuate and adapt to overcome external pressures. The evolutionary drive back toward homeostasis makes it difficult to determine if an organism experienced a toxic exposure to stress, especially in early prenatal and neonatal periods of development. Previous studies indicate that primary human teeth may provide historical records of experiences related to stressors during that early time window. To assess the molecular effects of early-life adversity on enamel formation, we used a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) mouse model of early-life adversity (ELA) to assess changes in the enamel organ gene expression and enamel matrix mineralization. On average, postnatal day 12 (P12) ELA mice weighed significantly less than the controls. When adjusted for animal weight, ELA molar enamel volume was reduced as compared with the controls, and the relative mineral density of molar enamel was significantly increased. There were no obvious changes in enamel matrix crystal morphology or structure in ELA as compared with the control mouse enamel. RNAseq showed extracellular matrix organization to be the most significantly affected GO and reactome pathways, whereas butanote metabolism was the most significantly altered KEGG pathway. Transcripts expressing the enamel matrix proteins amelogenin (Amelx) and enamelin (Enam) were among the top 4 most differentially expressed genes. When evaluating molecular mechanisms for the changes in gene expression in ELA enamel organs, we found significantly increased expression of Dlx3, while transcripts for clock genes Per1 and Nrd1 were downregulated. These findings support the possibility that the developing enamel organ is sensitive to the pressures of early-life adversity and produces molecular and structural biomarkers reflecting these challenges.
Expansion of Blast Vibration Attenuation Equations for Deeply Buried Small Clearance Tunnels Based on Dimensional Analysis
Authors: Shi Jian-Jun , Guo Shu-Cheng , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2022

The conventional empirical Sadowski formula has low prediction accuracy for the vibration velocity of the mass point in the near zone of the blast source, which makes it challenging to evaluate the damage of the building structures accurately. Considering the main influencing factors of blast vibration, the blast vibration attenuation law of deeply buried small clearance tunnels is investigated using dimensional analysis, and the Sadowski expansion formula is established considering the resistance line and free face. The regression analysis and fitting results were evaluated by combining the actual blast vibration data measured at the excavation site of the three separated tunnels at Badaling Great Wall Station with the post-expansion formula and the Sadowski formula, respectively. The results show that the correlation coefficients of the blast vibration expansion formulae based on the gauge theory for the fitted predictions of blast vibration isotropic velocities in a practical engineering context (0.92, 0.81, and 0.88, respectively) are higher than those of the conventional attenuation formulae, by 12, 10.5, and 6.3%, respectively, indicating that the expanded Sadowski formulae can better predict the blast vibration attenuation generated by the described deeply buried small clearance tunneling project.
Embedding L2 Listening Homework in Metacognitive Intervention: Listening Comprehension Development
Authors: Bozorgian Hossein , Muhammadpour Meysam , Mahmoudi Elahe
Published: June 2022

A review of the various approaches to L2 listening instruction suggests that they were more of text- or communication-oriented approaches and less of learner-oriented ones. More recently, the focus has shifted to engage L2 listeners in their own listening comprehension process through strategy instruction inside the classroom and strategy use outside the classroom. In this regard, Vandergrift and Goh suggested a metacognitive approach to L2 listening instruction in which listening homework is assigned to L2 listeners as an extensive listening activity. Thus, the present article reports on a qualitative study that explores the role of embedding listening homework in metacognitive intervention in the case of English as Foreign Language listening comprehension and the problems learners encounter during listening. A group of intermediate-level male and female learners (N = 25) speaking Persian as the first language participated in embedded listening tasks. As part of a metacognitive intervention, the learners were given listening homework for which they were requested to view five news programs drawn from the BBC website for 5 weeks and complete diaries with a self-directed listening guide before, during, and after watching the programs. Totally, 116 diary entries were analyzed and data about factors influencing their listening comprehension processes and the actual notes they took during planning, monitoring, and evaluating stages of listening comprehension were collected. To categorize and analyze the diary entries, Goh’s framework was used as the analytical framework. Results indicated that diaries with a self-directed listening guide served pedagogical purposes by raising the learners’ metacognitive knowledge and providing them with opportunities to plan, monitor, and evaluate their unseen listening processes. It helped listeners to reflect on their listening homework, find the gap, take action to resolve their listening problems, and experience a sense of achievement and confidence. Possible reasons for findings are outlined and recommendations for future research are presented.
Generalizability of Written Expression Curriculum-Based-Measurement in the German Language: What Are the Major Sources of Variability?
Authors: Winkes Julia , Schaller Pascale
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to identify the sources of measurement error that contribute to the intraindividual variability of written expression curriculum-based measurement (CBM-W) and assess how many German writing samples of 3 or 5 min duration are necessary to make sufficiently reliable relative and absolute decisions. Students in grade 3 (N = 128) and grade 6 (N = 118) wrote five CBM-W probes of 5 min each within 1 week, which were scored for commonly used metrics (i.e., words written, correct writing sequences). Analyses within the generalizability theory framework showed that between-student differences accounted for 36–60% of the variance. The student × writing prompt interaction was the largest source of variability, particularly among younger students (44%), while writing prompt per se and writing time explained no variance. Two to four writing samples of 3 min are sufficient for most scoring methods to achieve relative reliability >0.80. CBM-W in German proved inadequate for the grade levels studied for absolute decisions. These findings imply that CBM-W in this form in German-speaking primary grades is suitable as a universal screening tool but not as a tool for progress monitoring of individual students.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection May Not Improve Clinical Outcomes Despite Its Positive Effect on Embryo Results: A Retrospective Analysis of 1130 Half-ICSI Treatments
Authors: Peng Nan , Ma Shuiying , Li Cheng , Liu Hui , Zhao Haibin , Li Lian-Jie , Li Qing , Li Mei
Published: June 2022

Objective

To explore the clinical application value of half-ICSI treatment for infertility in assisted reproductive technology.

Method

A retrospective analysis of 1130 half-ICSI treatments was conducted at the Affiliated Reproductive Hospital of Shandong University from January 2011 to December 2015. Patients with low fertilization rates in previous cycles, primary infertility for >5 years with unexplained reason, or secondary infertility for >5 years without fallopian tube factor were involved in this study. The 2PN rate, high-quality embryo rate, oocyte utilization rate, and clinical outcomes were compared between IVF insemination group (IVF group) and ICSI insemination group (ICSI group). The clinical outcome of half-ICSI insemination treatment, grouped according primary and secondary infertility, was also analyzed.

Results

Compared with IVF, ICSI resulted in a significantly higher 2PN rate (74.8% vs. 62.9%), high-quality embryo rate (54.6% vs. 51.7%), and oocyte utilization rate (35.9% vs. 32.8%; P<0.05). Among the 884 fresh-embryo transfer cycles, there were no notable differences in clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, or neonatal abnormality rate between the IVF and ICSI groups. Among the 792 primary infertility cycles, ICSI resulted in a significantly higher 2PN rate, high-quality embryo rate, and oocyte utilization rate compared with IVF (75.3% vs. 62.4%, 54.3% vs. 50.8%, 36.4% vs. 32.6%, P<0.05). For the 338 secondary infertility cycles, ICSI resulted in a significantly higher 2PN rate (73.6% vs. 63.9%, P<0.05) compared with IVF, but there were no notable differences in other laboratory results. Moreover, the biochemical pregnancy rate of the ICSI group was significantly lower than for IVF in secondary infertility cycles (49.3% vs. 65.6%; P<0.05). A total of 89 cycles (7.9%) with complete IVF fertilization failure showed a low second polar body (2PB) rate (33.6%) after a 5-h short-time fertilization period, including 34 cycles (3.0%) with no 2PB oocytes observed in the IVF group.

Conclusion

ICSI insemination improved laboratory results compared with IVF insemination, however, fresh-embryo transfer of ICSI originated embryos did not improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Rescue ICSI has been successfully applied in clinical IVF insemination to avoid fertilization failure. Therefore, as an extra intervention, it is suggested that ICSI be used judiciously.
The Burden of Diabetes-Related Chronic Kidney Disease in China From 1990 to 2019
Authors: Pan Xiaowen , Lin Xiling , Huang Xin , Xu Jingya , Ye Lingxia , Zhang Tianyue , Hu Shaoning , Jiang Hongwei , Ren Yuezhong , Shan Peng-Fei
Published: June 2022

Objective

To analyze the trends in disease burden of diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (CKD) by year, age, gender and types of diabetes in China from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Data on prevalence, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for diabetes-related CKD were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. Analyses were performed by year, age, gender and types of diabetes.

Results

In China, the numbers of deaths and DALYs of diabetes-related CKD continuously increased but the age-standardized rates (per 100,000 population) decreased over 30 years, in which the numbers of deaths and DALYs attributable to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-related CKD barely changed and the age-standardized rates decreased over the years; and the number of deaths and DALYs attributable to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related CKD continuously increased, but the age-standardized rates also decreased. In 2019, 76.03 (58.24-95.61) thousand deaths and 2.13 (1.65–2.67) million DALYs were attributable to diabetes-related CKD, of which, T2DM accounted for 83.32% and 77.0% respectively, and T1DM accounted for the rest. Increasing gender disparity was seen, with males being more heavily impacted. The burden of diabetes-related CKD varied among different age groups, with the numbers of deaths and DALYs attributable to T1DM-related CKD peaking between 45 and 54 years of age and T2DM-related CKD peaking between 75 and 79 years of age; and the crude rates of deaths and DALYs attributable to T1DM-related CKD peaking between 70 and 79 years of age and 40 to 54 years of age, respectively, and T2DM-related CKD peaking over 90 years of age. Among neighboring and G20 countries, the burden of diabetes-related CKD in China was relatively controlled reflected by the ranking of adjusted death and DALYs rates.

Conclusions

The burden of diabetes-related CKD in China worsens and shows gender disparities and different age distribution. Greater efforts are needed to improve the health outcomes of these patients, especially among males.
Low Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Is Associated With Diabetic Kidney Disease in Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Xiao Jinfeng , Li Xin , Cui Jingqiu , Wang Kunling , He Qing , Liu Ming
Published: June 2022

Background

The associations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remained unclear. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore the associations of DHEA and DHEAS with the risk of DKD in patients with T2DM.

Methods

The information of 1251 patients with T2DM were included in this study. Serum DHEA and DHEAS were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of DHEA and DHEAS with DKD as well as high urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).

Results

In men with T2DM, the risk of DKD decreased with an increasing DHEA concentration after adjustment for traditional risk factors; the fully adjusted OR (95% CI) for tertile3 vs tertile1 was 0.37 (0.19-0.70; P = 0.010 for trend). Similarly, when taking high ACR as the outcome, low DHEA levels were still significantly associated with increased odds of high ACR (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19–0.72 for tertile3 vs tertile1; P = 0.012 for trend). The restricted cubic spline showed that the risk of DKD gradually decreased with the increment of serum DHEA levels (P-overall = 0.007; P-nonlinear = 0.161). DHEAS was not independently associated with the risk of DKD in men. In contrast, no significant relationships were found between DHEA and DHEAS and the risk of DKD in women (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

In men with T2DM, low serum DHEA levels were independently related to the risk of DKD after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Our finding highlights the potential role of DHEA in the development of DKD in men with T2DM.
Analysis of Digital Operation of Rural Sewage Treatment System in Big Data Environment by Discrete Dynamic Modeling Technology
Authors: Lixuan Wang
Published: June 2022

Sewage treatment is a process with high energy consumption and pollution. In the current situation of energy shortage and fierce competition in the paper industry market, how to reduce the energy cost is related to the survival and development of every sewage treatment plant. With the rise of big data environment in the internet, discrete dynamic modeling technology has developed very rapidly. Discrete dynamic modeling technology is a dynamic model system that can connect the information of different things, so as to form a dynamic model system that can control all devices or data. The object attributes processed by the model system also determine the nature of the dynamic model system. As we all know, the big data environment is a large database with complex data types, so the dynamic model system in the big data environment is nonlinear. This paper mainly studies the historical development trend of big data environment and discrete dynamic modeling technology, as well as the stability method of five level H-bridge when discrete dynamic modeling technology controls rural sewage treatment system. Finally, the control of chaotic bifurcation in discrete dynamic model system under digital background is studied. It includes the rectifier modeling of the current data required by large devices in the sewage treatment system and the result analysis of the generated values.
Do Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Green Finance Dimensions Determine Environmental Performance? An Empirical Study on Bangladeshi Banking Institutions
Authors: Guang-Wen Zheng , Siddik Abu Bakkar
Published: June 2022

This study aims to examine the effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and green finance dimensions on the environmental performance of banking institutions in a developing economy like Bangladesh. In order to identify the relationship between the study variables, primary data were collected from 388 employees of Private Commercial Banks (PCBs) in Bangladesh using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method and analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The results suggested that CSR practices have a positive influence on the environmental performance. Furthermore, the results indicated that the social, economic and environmental aspects of green financing significantly influence the environmental performance of banking institutions. Overall, the paper concludes that CSR practices and financing of various eco-friendly projects play a crucial role in improving the environmental performance of organizations and ultimately promote a sustainable development in the country. Finally, the study’s findings can help managers of banking institutions in emerging economies like Bangladesh strengthen internal resources such as CSR activities and green finance to improve environmental performance. Therefore, the major policy implications are further discussed.
Fish Species Diversity From Someșul Cald River: 50Years After Cascade Dam Constructions
Authors: Lațiu Călin , Papuc Tudor , Muntean George , Uiuiu Paul , Constantinescu Radu , Matei-Lațiu Maria-Cătălina , Nicula Alexandru-Sabin , Craioveanu Cristina , Mireșan Vioara , Cocan Daniel
Published: June 2022

In the present study, changes in fish species composition, distribution, and diversity caused by cascade dam constructions on Someșul Cald River, Romania, were analyzed. Cascade dam constructions may act as a freshwater stressor both on short and long term. The river was divided into two sections according to the positioning of the cascade dams (T1-inferior section, respectively T2-superior section). In the T1 and T2 sections, 8 and 12 sampling stations were established, respectively. A total number of 1789 specimens grouped in 12 species and 8 families were sampled from August to September 2018. The most abundant species in both sections was S. trutta. The most abundant family was Salmonidae, with 66.2%. Alpha diversity (species richness) in the T2 section was higher than in T1 (T2 = 12 species vs T1 = 9 species). The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05) for beta diversity of T1 vs T2 (Sørensen coefficient). The species that contributed most to the dissimilarities between the two river sections were T. thymallus, B. carpathicus, C. gobio, and S. cephalus, their summed contribution to the dissimilarity being larger than 50%. The analyzed environmental variables influenced the distribution of some fish species. Alpha and beta diversity distribution on elevation gradient showed that stations close to reservoirs had more species (both in T1 and T2 sections) than the other stations, clearly showing that the distance from lake/reservoir is influencing species richness. The effect of dams from Someșul Cald River on fish species distribution was analyzed by comparing previous data (before 1968) to recent collected data.
Gm-PLoc: A Subcellular Localization Model of Multi-Label Protein Based on GAN and DeepFM
Authors: Wu Liwen , Gao Song , Yao Shaowen , Wu Feng , Li Jie , Dong Yunyun , Zhang Yunqi
Published: June 2022

Identifying the subcellular localization of a given protein is an essential part of biological and medical research, since the protein must be localized in the correct organelle to ensure physiological function. Conventional biological experiments for protein subcellular localization have some limitations, such as high cost and low efficiency, thus massive computational methods are proposed to solve these problems. However, some of these methods need to be improved further for protein subcellular localization with class imbalance problem. We propose a new model, generating minority samples for protein subcellular localization (Gm-PLoc), to predict the subcellular localization of multi-label proteins. This model includes three steps: using the position specific scoring matrix to extract distinguishable features of proteins; synthesizing samples of the minority category to balance the distribution of categories based on the revised generative adversarial networks; training a classifier with the rebalanced dataset to predict the subcellular localization of multi-label proteins. One benchmark dataset is selected to evaluate the performance of the presented model, and the experimental results demonstrate that Gm-PLoc performs well for the multi-label protein subcellular localization.
MIR4435-2HG Is a Potential Pan-Cancer Biomarker for Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Zhong Chenming , Xie Zijun , Zeng Ling-hui , Yuan Chunhui , Duan Shiwei
Published: June 2022

The lncRNA MIR4435-2 host gene (MIR4435-2HG) is located on human chromosome 2q13, and its expression is up-regulated in 18 tumors. MIR4435-2HG participates in 6 signaling pathways to promote tumorigenesis, including the TGF-β signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, MDM2/p53 signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. MIR4435-2HG competitively binds with 20 miRNAs to form a complex ceRNA network, thereby regulating the expression of downstream target genes. The high expression of MIR4435-2HG is also closely related to the clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis of a variety of tumors. Also, the high expression of MIR4435-2HG in peripheral blood or serum has the value of predicting the risk of 9 tumors. In addition, MIR4435-2HG participates in the mechanism of action of three cancer drugs, including resveratrol for the treatment of lung cancer, cisplatin for non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer, and carboplatin for triple-negative breast cancer. This article systematically summarizes the diagnostic and prognostic value of MIR4435-2HG in a variety of tumors and outlines the ceRNA network and signaling pathways related to MIR4435-2HG, which will provide potential directions for future MIR4435-2HG research.
Humanized Anti-RGMa Antibody Treatment Promotes Repair of Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Under Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice
Authors: Hirata Takeshi , Itokazu Takahide , Sasaki Atsushi , Sugihara Fuminori , Yamashita Toshihide
Published: June 2022

The lack of established biomarkers which reflect dynamic neuropathological alterations in multiple sclerosis (MS) makes it difficult to determine the therapeutic response to the tested drugs and to identify the key biological process that mediates the beneficial effect of them. In the present study, we applied high-field MR imaging in locally-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice to evaluate dynamic changes following treatment with a humanized anti-repulsive guidance molecule-a (RGMa) antibody, a potential drug for MS. Based on the longitudinal evaluation of various MRI parameters including white matter, axon, and myelin integrity as well as blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption, anti-RGMa antibody treatment exhibited a strong and prompt therapeutic effect on the disrupted BSCB, which was paralleled by functional improvement. The antibody’s effect on BSCB repair was also suggested via GeneChip analysis. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that EAE-induced vascular pathology which is characterized by aberrant thickening of endothelial cells and perivascular type I/IV collagen deposits were attenuated by anti-RGMa antibody treatment, further supporting the idea that the BSCB is one of the key therapeutic targets of anti-RGMa antibody. Importantly, the extent of BSCB disruption detected by MRI could predict late-phase demyelination, and the predictability of myelin integrity based on the extent of acute-phase BSCB disruption was compromised following anti-RGMa antibody treatment. These results strongly support the concept that longitudinal MRI with simultaneous DCE-MRI and DTI analysis can be used as an imaging biomarker and is useful for unbiased prioritization of the key biological process that mediates the therapeutic effect of tested drugs.
Preclinical Assessment of IgY Antibodies Against Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD Protein for Prophylaxis and Post-Infection Treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Agurto-Arteaga Andres , Poma-Acevedo Astrid , Rios-Matos Dora , Choque-Guevara Ricardo , Montesinos-Millán Ricardo , Montalván Ángela , Isasi-Rivas Gisela , Cauna-Orocollo Yudith , Cauti-Mendoza María de Grecia , Pérez-Martínez Norma , Gutierrez-Manchay Kristel , Ramirez-Ortiz Ingrid , Núñez-Fernández Dennis , Salguedo-Bohorquez Mario I. , Quiñones-Garcia Stefany , Fernández Díaz Manolo , Guevara Sarmiento Luis A. , Zimic Mirko ,   COVID-19 Working Group in Perú
Published: June 2022

Within the framework of the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a race against time to find therapies for the outbreak to be controlled. Since vaccines are still tedious to develop and partially available for low-income countries, passive immunity based on egg-yolk antibodies (IgY) is presented as a suitable approach to preclude potential death of infected patients, based on its high specificity/avidity/production yield, cost-effective manufacture, and ease of administration. In the present study, IgY antibodies against a recombinant RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2 were produced in specific-pathogen-free chickens and purified from eggs using a biocompatible method.In vitroimmunoreactivity was tested, finding high recognition and neutralization values. Safety was also demonstrated prior to efficacy evaluation, in which body weight, kinematics, and histopathological assessments of hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2 were performed, showing a protective effect administering IgY intranasally both as a prophylactic treatment or a post-infection treatment. The results of this study showed that intranasally delivered IgY has the potential to both aid in prevention and in overcoming COVID-19 infection, which should be very useful to control the advance of the current pandemic and the associated mortality.
Mechanisms for Host Immune Evasion Mediated by Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigens
Authors: Sakoguchi Akihito , Arase Hisashi
Published: June 2022

Plasmodium falciparum infection causes the most severe form of malaria. It has been hypothesized that P. falciparum directly suppresses host immune responses because sufficient acquired immunity is often not induced even by repeated P. falciparum infections in malaria-endemic areas. It is known that many kinds of P. falciparum-derived proteins are expressed on the surface of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs), and these proteins have long been thought to be a key to the elucidation of the host immune evasion mechanisms. Our recent studies have revealed that the P. falciparum-derived erythrocyte surface antigen, RIFIN, the largest multiple gene family protein in the P. falciparum genome, suppresses host immune cell activation through direct interaction with human inhibitory immune receptors. In this review, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms for host immune evasion by P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface antigens. In addition, we will discuss the recently identified host immune response to P. falciparum using specialized antibodies that target host-P. falciparum-derived molecule interactions.
Methodologies for Patellid Limpets’ Aquaculture: From Broodstock Management to Juveniles
Authors: Castejón Diego , García Loreto , Cañizares José M. , De Girolamo Mirko , Nunes Carla , Isidro Eduardo , Courtois de Viçose Gercende , Nogueira Natacha , Andrade Carlos A. P.
Published: June 2022

The production of cultured limpets is a recent research field contributing to aquaculture diversification, focusing on low trophic species while reducing the carbon footprint. Limpets are gastropods that colonize rocky substrates and are mostly present on tidal and subtidal shores. This animal group is in high commercial demand and is endangered in several regions. The aquaculture production of limpets has been traditionally challenging. The most successful reproduction method has been gonadal dissection, as artificial spawning induction has shown limited success to date. Moreover, methods for larval culture, settlement, and juvenile growth have been poorly developed and remain largely unknown. In recent years, advances in this field have led to the optimization of methods to enhance larval production, larval culture, settlement induction of competent larvae, and management of post-larvae and juveniles. The present manuscript reviews these advances, obtained within the framework of AQUAINVERT project, focusing on broodstock management, gametes release, larval production, larviculture, settlement, and grow-out of post-larvae, and providing an update on the actual state of the art in limpets’ aquaculture.
Contaminant Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Heavy Metals in Seawater and Sediments in a Typical Mariculture Bay in South China
Authors: Lao Qibin , Cai Shangjun , Huang Peng , Chen Fajin , Su Qizhong , Lei Xuetie , Zhou Xin , Chen Chunqing , Zhu Qingmei , Lu Xuan , Liu Guoqiang
Published: June 2022

Heavy metal pollution in the mariculture areas is of considerable attention due to its potential ecological effects and public concern for seafood safety. A better understanding of the current contamination status and historical trend of heavy metals in the ecosystems of mariculture areas has an important implication for the sustainable development of marine ecosystems and for public health concerns. To assess the impact of human activities on heavy metal pollution in the mariculture area, seven metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, As, and Cr) and the environmental parameters were seasonally investigated in the surface seawater and sediments in Qinzhou Bay, a typical mariculture bay in South China. Seasonal variations in the concentration of heavy metals were found in both seawater and sediment, which are mainly influenced by seasonal hydrological change, biological activity, and human influence. The concentration of heavy metals in the seawater was at a relatively higher level than that of other mariculture areas in China, while a lower level was found in the sediment. The concentration of Cu increased in both seawater and sediment for the past decades (by nearly 2 times), which is mainly influenced by the mariculture and shipping activities. The concentration of Hg decreased significantly in the seawater for the past 40 years (decreased by 13 times) due to the decrease in production and usage of Hg. However, the concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd in seawater showed an increasing trend in the mariculture bay, while the concentrations of Pb, Zn, As, and Cr decreased in the sediment over the past decades. The decrease in pH value (decreasing by 4.7% for the past 20 years) was responsible for the different trend of those metals between seawater and sediment because the decrease in pH could re-release metals from sediments into the water column. Hg and As are the main ecological risk factors in the mariculture bay. This study suggests that environmental changes, such as ocean acidification, affect the distribution of metals in seawater and sediments, which we should be more vigilant and concerned about under the global climate change.
The Strain Rate Sensitivity of Heterogeneous Thin Film Metallic Glasses: Interplay Between Nanoscale Heterogeneity and Dynamic Plasticity
Authors: Gu Yucong , Han Xiao , Yan Feng , Li Lin
Published: June 2022

The dynamic mechanical properties of metallic glasses (MGs) are crucial to capturing the deformation signatures as well as for structural and functional applications. In this work, we investigate the influence of nanoscale structural heterogeneity of MGs on dynamic plasticity, focusing on the variation in strain rate sensitivity and the transition of deformation mechanisms, using a combined experimental and simulation approach. The Cu50Zr50 thin-film MGs with different nanoscale heterogeneities are synthesized using magnetron sputtering and further characterized using dynamic force microscopy and nanoindentation. All the films exhibit a strain rate hardening effect, but a transition in strain rate sensitivity as the indentation rate increases has been found in the MG with a higher heterogeneity. To understand the underlying mechanisms, mesoscale shear transformation zone dynamics simulations are performed on model Cu50Zr50 MGs. The simulation results are able to capture the experimental trend. Notably, the transition in strain rate sensitivity for a heterogenous MG stems from a change in deformation mechanisms: from structure-dictated strain localization at a lower strain rate to stress-dictated strain percolation into a shear band at a higher strain rate. The observed strain rate sensitivity and the corresponding mechanisms are summarized in a deformation mechanism map where nanoscale structural heterogeneity and strain rate are varied. We envision our study not only providing insights into the structure and property relationship of MGs on the nanoscale but also will facilitate the design of heterogeneous MGs for dynamic applications.
Antioxidant and Immunostimulatory Activities of Fermented Sour Soybean Milk Added With Polypeptides From Pleurotus eryngii
Authors: Song Xinling , Xu Ximin , Chen Wei
Published: June 2022

The improved quality of sour soybean milk by adding polypeptide from Pleurotus eryngii was investigated in this study, and the immunomodulatory effect of sour soybean milk fermented with polypeptides from P. eryngii was also evaluated in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide. Results showed the physicochemical property of sour soybean milk fermented with small-molecular-weight polypeptide (<3 kDa) were superior to the others including the decrease of pH, and increase of acidity, water-holding capacity and lactic acid bacteria count. The animal experiment demonstrated that sour soybean milk with polypeptide could effectively reverse the decreasing trend of thymus/spleen index and hematological parameters, enhance murine immune functions including serum hemolysin and splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and inhibit oxidative stress. In addition, sour soybean milk fermented with polypeptide could increase the diversity of intestinal flora, and increase the abundances of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus. Taken together, it could provide a theoretical basis for developing an immunomodulatory agent or functional food additives with antioxidant activity.
Polyethylene Glycol Loxenatide Injection (GLP-1) Protects Vascular Endothelial Cell Function in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes by Regulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Chen Fengwu , He Lina , Li Jilin , Yang Shuhui , Zhang Bangzhou , Zhu Dan , Wu Zezhen , Zhang Shuo , Hou Ducheng , Ouyang Cong , Yi Jianfeng , Xiao Chuanxing , Hou Kaijian
Published: June 2022

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of Polyethylene Glycol Loxenatide Injection (Glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1) on endothelial cells from middle-aged and elderly patients with newly diagnosed or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). GLP-1 weekly formulation was analyzed for cardiovascular disease protection and correlated with intestinal flora.

Design: Stool samples were collected from middle-aged and elderly patients with new-onset or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in Longhu People’s Hospital and Shantou Central Hospital from June 2019 to November 2019. Samples were collected at week 0, 4, and 8 of treatment with GLP-1 weekly formulations. Samples were analyzed for metagenomic sequencing. Analysis was performed to compare the characteristics of the gut microbiota at week 0, 4, and 8 of GLP-1 treatment and to correlate different microbiota with characteristic clinical parameters.

Results: Statistical differences were found in blood glucose lowering, cardiovascular endothelial, and inflammation-related indices between week 0 and W4 and in blood glucose lowering and cardiovascular endothelial indices from week 0 to 8 in the newly diagnosed or poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients treated with GLP-1. Changes in gut microbiota at week 0, 4, and 8 after using GLP-1 were not statistically different, but had an overall trend of rising and then falling, and with different bacteria, that were correlated with different clinical indicators.

Conclusion: GLP-1 improves endothelial cell function indicators in middle-aged and elderly diabetic patients, which may be related to its alteration of the population numbers of gut microbiota such as Acinetobacter, Eubacterium ramulus ATCC 29099, and Bacteroides_faecis. This study provides a guidance for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.
Jugular Vein Catheter Design and Cocaine Self-Administration Using Mice: A Comprehensive Method
Authors: Valles Gia , Huebschman Jessica L. , Chow Elsbeth , Kelly Corinne , Guo Yuhong , Smith Laura N.
Published: June 2022

Intravenous self-administration (IVSA) is a behavioral method of voluntary drug intake in animal models which is used to study the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. It is considered to have greater face validity in the study of substance use and abuse than other assays, and thus, allows for valuable insight into the neurobiological basis of addiction, and the development of substance abuse disorders. The technique typically involves surgically inserting a catheter into the jugular vein, which enables the infusion of drug solution after the performance of a desired operant behavior. Two nose- poke ports or levers are offered as manipulanda and are randomly assigned as active (reinforced) or inactive (non-reinforced) to allow for the examination of discrimination in the assessment of learning. Here, we describe our methodological approach to this assay in a mouse model, including construction and surgical implantation of a jugular vein catheter, set up of operant chambers, and considerations during each phase of the operant task.
Microglial Priming in Infections and Its Risk to Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Lima Maiara N. , Barbosa-Silva Maria C. , Maron-Gutierrez Tatiana
Published: June 2022

Infectious diseases of different etiologies have been associated with acute and long-term neurological consequences. The primary cause of these consequences appears to be an inflammatory process characterized primarily by a pro-inflammatory microglial state. Microglial cells, the local effectors’ cells of innate immunity, once faced by a stimulus, alter their morphology, and become a primary source of inflammatory cytokines that increase the inflammatory process of the brain. This inflammatory scenario exerts a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, several studies have shown the involvement of the microglial inflammatory response caused by infections in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This has been associated with a transitory microglial state subsequent to an inflammatory response, known as microglial priming, in which these cells are more responsive to stimuli. Thus, systemic inflammation and infections induce a transitory state in microglia that may lead to changes in their state and function, making priming them for subsequent immune challenges. However, considering that microglia are long-lived cells and are repeatedly exposed to infections during a lifetime, microglial priming may not be beneficial. In this review, we discuss the relationship between infections and neurodegenerative diseases and how this may rely on microglial priming.
Comparative Efficacy of Different Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocols for Stroke: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xia Yuan , Xu Yuxiang , Li Yongjie , Lu Yue , Wang Zhenyu
Published: June 2022

Background

Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proven to be effective in the upper limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL), the therapeutic effects of different stimulation protocols have not been effectively compared. To fill this gap, this study carried out the comparison of the upper limb motor function and ADL performance of patients with stroke through a network meta-analysis.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the rTMS therapy for stroke were searched from various databases, including PubMed, web of science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Wanfang database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP information (www.cqvip.com). The retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to January 2021. Meanwhile, five independent researchers were responsible for the study selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation. The outcome measures included Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), and adverse reactions. The Gemtc 0.14.3 software based on the Bayesian model framework was used for network meta-analysis, and funnel plots and network diagram plots were conducted using Stata14.0 software.

Results

Ninety-five studies and 5,016 patients were included ultimately. The intervention measures included were as follows: placebo, intermittent theta-burst stimulation (ITBS), continuous theta-burst stimulation (CTBS),1 Hz rTMS,3–5 Hz rTMS, and ≥10 Hz rTMS. The results of the network meta-analysis show that different rTMS protocols were superior to placebo in terms of UE-FMA, NIHSS, and MBI outcomes. In the probability ranking results, ≥10 Hz rTMS ranked first in UE-FMA, WMFT, and MBI. For the NIHSS outcome, the ITBS ranked first and 1 Hz rTMS ranked the second. The subgroup analyses of UE-FMA showed that ≥10 Hz rTMS was the best stimulation protocol for mild stroke, severe stroke, and the convalescent phase, as well as ITBS was for acute and subacute phases. In addition, it was reported in 13 included studies that only a few patients suffered from adverse reactions, such as headache, nausea, and emesis.

Conclusion

Overall, ≥10 Hz rTMS may be the best stimulation protocol for improving the upper limb motor function and ADL performance in patients with stroke. Considering the impact of stroke severity and phase on the upper limb motor function, ≥10 Hz rTMS may be the preferred stimulation protocol for mild stroke, severe stroke, and for the convalescent phase, and ITBS for acute and subacute phases.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier [CRD42020212253].
Opioid Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Neurotransmission in the Brain
Authors: Reeves Kaitlin C. , Shah Nikhil , Muñoz Braulio , Atwood Brady K.
Published: June 2022

Opioids mediate their effectsviaopioid receptors: mu, delta, and kappa. At the neuronal level, opioid receptors are generally inhibitory, presynaptically reducing neurotransmitter release and postsynaptically hyperpolarizing neurons. However, opioid receptor-mediated regulation of neuronal function and synaptic transmission is not uniform in expression pattern and mechanism across the brain. The localization of receptors within specific cell types and neurocircuits determine the effects that endogenous and exogenous opioids have on brain function. In this review we will explore the similarities and differences in opioid receptor-mediated regulation of neurotransmission across different brain regions. We discuss how future studies can consider potential cell-type, regional, and neural pathway-specific effects of opioid receptors in order to better understand how opioid receptors modulate brain function.
Regulation of Inhibitory Signaling at the Receptor and Cellular Level; Advances in Our Understanding of GABAergic Neurotransmission and the Mechanisms by Which It Is Disrupted in Epilepsy
Authors: Tipton Allison E. , Russek Shelley J.
Published: June 2022

Inhibitory signaling in the brain organizes the neural circuits that orchestrate how living creatures interact with the world around them and how they build representations of objects and ideas. Without tight control at multiple points of cellular engagement, the brain’s inhibitory systems would run down and the ability to extract meaningful information from excitatory events would be lost leaving behind a system vulnerable to seizures and to cognitive decline. In this review, we will cover many of the salient features that have emerged regarding the dynamic regulation of inhibitory signaling seen through the lens of cell biology with an emphasis on the major building blocks, the ligand-gated ion channel receptors that are the first transduction point when the neurotransmitter GABA is released into the synapse. Epilepsy association will be used to indicate importance of key proteins and their pathways to brain function and to introduce novel areas for therapeutic intervention.
The Relationship Between Daily Dietary Intake of Fiber and Short Sleep Duration in the Presence of Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Lin Jilei , Cheng Siying , Zhang Jing , Yuan Shuhua , Zhang Lei , Wu Jinhong , Chen Jiande , Tang Mingyu , Zhao Liebin , Yin Yong
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between daily dietary intake of fiber (DDIF) and short sleep duration (SSD) in the presence of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Methods

Data of 13,634 participants in this study were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The sum of urinary mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl)-hexyl phthalate, and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate was used to evaluate the level of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure. The ln-transformed urinary creatinine-corrected DEHP [ln(DEHP/UCr)] level was used in the statistical models. DDIF was divided into tertiles (<5.77 g/1,000 kcal, 5.77–9.04 g/1,000 kcal, and ≥9.04 g/1,000 kcal).

Results

The 13,634 participants included in this study were classified into two groups according to sleep duration. The dose response analysis showed that higher ln(DEHP/UCr) was related to a higher risk of SSD (<7 h and <6 h). Participants in the highest vs. the lowest quartile of DEHP were found to be at increased risk of SSD (<7 h, <6 h, and <5 h). The result of risk of SSD <7 h was OR 1.57, 95% CI, 1.40–1.76; Ptrend <0.001, of SSD <6 h was OR 1.38, 95% CI, 1.18–1.61; Ptrend <0.001, and of SSD <5 h was OR 1.45, 95% CI, 1.13–1.86; Ptrend <0.001. DEHP exposure was found to be associated with SSD <7 h in a sex-specific manner (Pinteraction = 0.033). A significant interaction between ln(DEHP/UCr) and DDIF(tertiles1 vs. tertiles2) (Pinteraction = 0.02) was detected for SSD <7 h.

Conclusion

Our results showed that there was a harmful association between DEHP exposure and SSD (<7 h, <6 h, and <5 h). The ameliorative effects of median level of DDIF on SSD <7 h in the presence of DEHP exposure were observed in this study.