bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel constraint tracking control with sliding mode control for industrial robots
Authors: Xu Yaru , Liu Rong , Liu Jia , Zhang Jiancheng
Published: July 2021

As industrial robots are characterized by flexibility, load variation, and unknown interference, it is necessary to develop a control strategy with strong robustness and adaptability, fast convergence rate, and simple structure. Sliding mode control is a special method widely used to handle nonlinear robot control. However, the existing control law for sliding mode control has limitations in the chattering and convergence rate. The sliding mode manifold and reaching law are firstly discussed in this article. In the meanwhile, a proposed control law for sliding mode control combining linear sliding mode manifold and double-power reaching law is developed, which is based on the robot dynamic equation derived by the Udwadia–Kalaba theory. Furthermore, a compared control law for sliding mode control combining linear sliding mode manifold with exponential reaching law is presented to test the proposed control law for sliding mode control. The comparison indicates that the proposed law effectively improves the performance in convergence rate and the chattering of constraint tracking control. Finally, the two control laws for sliding mode control are applied to the Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm robot system with modeling error and uncertain external disturbance to demonstrate the merit and validation of the proposed scheme.
Heterogeneity of Access to Diabetes Technology Depending on Area Deprivation and Demographics Between 2016 and 2019 in Germany
Authors: Auzanneau Marie , Rosenbauer Joachim , Maier Werner , von Sengbusch Simone , Hamann Johannes , Kapellen Thomas , Freckmann Guido , Schmidt Silke , Lilienthal Eggert , Holl Reinhard W.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Despite increasing use of technology in type 1 diabetes, persistent ethnic and socio-economic disparities have been reported. We analyzed how the use of insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) evolved over the years in Germany depending on demographics and area deprivation.

Method:

We investigated the use of insulin pump and CGM between 2016 and 2019 in 37,798 patients with type 1 diabetes aged < 26 years from the German Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV). Associations with federal state, area-deprivation quintile (German Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 on district level), gender, and migration background were investigated over time using multiple logistic regression.

Results:

Between 2016 and 2019, the regional distribution of insulin pump use did not change substantially and the association with area deprivation remained non-linear and statistically non-significant. The effect of area deprivation on CGM use decreased continuously and disappeared in 2019 (OR [95%-CI] Q1 vs Q5: 1.85 [1.63-2.10] in 2016; 0.97 [0.88-1.08] in 2019). The effect of migration background on the use of either technology decreased over the years but remained significant in 2019. Girls had constantly higher odds of using an insulin pump than boys (OR: 1.25 [1.18-1.31] in 2019), whereas no gender difference was identified for CGM use.

Conclusions:

Although disparities decreased in Germany, access to diabetes technology still depends on migration background in 2019, and gender differences in pump use persist. As technological advances are made, further research is needed to understand the reasons for these persistent disparities.
The now-times of (post) apartheid
Authors: Robinson Jennifer
Published: July 2021

This commentary explores the multi-temporalities of the pasts which relate to South African cities ‘now’. Inspired by Myriam Houssay-Holzchuch’s article in this volume, and the wider engagements of French scholars in the South African context, this commentary takes as a starting point Walter Benjamin’s idea of history as thought through ‘now-time’. In doing so, I assess the declining relevance of the ‘post’ in thinking the futures of South African cities.
How Do Language Learning, Teaching, and Transnational Experiences (Re)shape an EFLer’s Identities? A Critical Ethnographic Narrative
Authors: Gao Yang
Published: July 2021

Using critical ethnographic narrative as a tool and language socialization as the theoretical stance, the article analyzes excerpts of a language teacher’s life experience and presents findings to join the existing literature. The article indicates that (a) transnational teacher identities develop in a multiple-identity system including identities as an L2 learner, teacher, user, critical thinker, and global citizen; (b) the identity development is not completely staged, but instead recurring; (c) the emergence, formation, and development of the identity system requires translanguaging, transcultural, and transnational capitals, which are accrued through socializing experiences; and (d) critical thinking and intellectual agency work as stimuli to sustain the identity development. The article contributes to the existing literature by presenting a conceptual framework in studying language teacher identities. This article ends up with some advocacy that identity as a pedagogy and tool may provide teacher educators with something innovative and helpful to conduct research in the field.
How to Run an Empty School: The Experience of Slovenian School Heads During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ermenc Klara Skubic , Kalin Jana , Mažgon Jasna
Published: July 2021

In mid-March 2020, Slovenia declared the COVID-19 epidemic, which led to the closure of schools and the transition to remote education. This article presents the findings of a study conducted during the lockdown among school heads in primary and secondary schools. The authors identify the challenges and issues the school heads faced in the first weeks of the epidemic and examine the positive experiences that may represent examples of good practice for dealing with similar problems in the future. The study was carried out through an online questionnaire containing 12 single-answer and multiple-choice questions and one Likert-type scale. The school heads were free to write their answers to two open-ended questions. The findings show that schools responded quickly to the changed circumstances and continued to deliver education to their students without interruption, although their approaches differed significantly. A great deal of improvisation was observed, as was to be expected, as the state did not have a pre-prepared plan and was not able to provide a quick and adequate response.
Instruments for Policy Integration: How Policy Mixes Work Together
Authors: Cejudo Guillermo M. , Michel Cynthia L.
Published: July 2021

To effectively address complex problems, different policy instruments must be integrated into policy mixes. A crucial task for the policymaker is to identify the set of instruments to be deployed and to integrate them into a policy mix. However, policy instruments not only need to be coherent in their design; their implementation also requires instruments that create interdependence and preserve the integrated logic of the policy mix over time. In this paper we identify the instruments that make integration work. We argue that for policy mixes to solve complex problems, instruments that secure the continued interaction of its components are needed. We show that three instruments serve this purpose: a policy frame, authority, and information. We use three cases where governments have attempted to solve complex problems through policy integration to illustrate our argument. With this paper, we advance our understanding of how integration works and, by doing so, we inform decision-makers about the specific policy tools necessary to achieve it.
NGA-East Ground-Motion Characterization model part I: Summary of products and model development
Authors: Goulet Christine A , Bozorgnia Yousef , Kuehn Nicolas , Al Atik Linda , Youngs Robert R , Graves Robert W , Atkinson Gail M
Published: July 2021

In this article, we present an overview of the research project NGA-East, Next Generation Attenuation for Central and Eastern North America (CENA), and summarize the key methodology and products. The project was tasked with developing a new ground motion characterization (GMC) model for CENA. The final NGA-East GMC model includes a set of 17 median ground motion models (GMMs) for peak ground acceleration and velocity (PGA, PGV) and response spectral ordinates for periods ranging from 0.01 to 10 s. The NGA-East GMMs are applicable to horizontal components of ground motions on very hard rock, for the moment magnitude range of 4.0–8.2, and distances of up to 1500 km. The aleatory standard deviations of GMMs are also provided for site-specific analysis (single-station standard deviation) and for general probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA) applications (ergodic standard deviation). In addition, adjustment factors are provided for source depth and hanging-wall effects, as well as for hazard computations at sites in the Gulf Coast Region. During the course of the project, several innovative technologies were developed and implemented to increase the transparency and repeatability of the GMC building process. This involved expanding on a set of candidate median GMMs to define and capture an appropriate range of epistemic uncertainty in ground motions. We also developed a new approach for modeling the aleatory variability that was completely independent of the median GMMs. The development made extensive use of the CENA database but also borrowed data from other parts of the world when relevant and led to an integrated suite of models. Through this repeatable process, epistemic uncertainty could be quantified more objectively than before, relying less on expert opinion. The NGA-East project went through a comprehensive Seismic Senior Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 3 peer review process before its release.
DYRK1a mediates BAFF-induced noncanonical NF-κB activation to promote autoimmunity and B-cell leukemogenesis
Authors: Li Yanchuan , Xie Xiaoping , Jie Zuliang , Zhu Lele , Yang Jin-Young , Ko Chun-Jung , Gao Tianxiao , Jain Antrix , Jung Sung Yun , Baran Natalia , Konopleva Marina Y. , Cheng Xuhong , Sun Shao-Cong
Published: July 2021

B-cell–activating factor (BAFF) mediates B-cell survival and, when deregulated, contributes to autoimmune diseases and B-cell malignancies. The mechanism connecting BAFF receptor (BAFFR) signal to downstream pathways and pathophysiological functions is not well understood. Here we identified DYRK1a as a kinase that responds to BAFF stimulation and mediates BAFF-induced B-cell survival. B-cell–specific DYRK1a deficiency causes peripheral B-cell reduction and ameliorates autoimmunity in a mouse model of lupus. An unbiased screen identified DYRK1a as a protein that interacts with TRAF3, a ubiquitin ligase component mediating degradation of the noncanonical nuclear factor (NF)-κB–inducing kinase (NIK). DYRK1a phosphorylates TRAF3 at serine-29 to interfere with its function in mediating NIK degradation, thereby facilitating BAFF-induced NIK accumulation and noncanonical NF-κB activation. Interestingly, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells express high levels of BAFFR and respond to BAFF for noncanonical NF-κB activation and survival in a DYRK1a-dependent manner. Furthermore, DYRK1a promotes a mouse model of B-ALL through activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. These results establish DYRK1a as a critical BAFFR signaling mediator and provide novel insight into B-ALL pathogenesis.
A critical role of nuclear m6A reader YTHDC1 in leukemogenesis by regulating MCM complex–mediated DNA replication
Authors: Sheng Yue , Wei Jiangbo , Yu Fang , Xu Huanzhou , Yu Chunjie , Wu Qiong , Liu Yin , Li Lei , Cui Xiao-long , Gu Xueying , Shen Bin , Li Wei , Huang Yong , Bhaduri-McIntosh Sumita , He Chuan , Qian Zhijian
Published: July 2021

YTHDC1 has distinct functions as a nuclear N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader in regulating RNA metabolism. Here we show that YTHDC1 is overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and that it is required for the proliferation and survival of human AML cells. Genetic deletion of Ythdc1 markedly blocks AML development and maintenance as well as self-renewal of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in vivo in mice. We found that Ythdc1 is also required for normal hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance in vivo. Notably, Ythdc1 haploinsufficiency reduces self-renewal of LSCs but not HSPCs in vivo. YTHDC1 knockdown has a strong inhibitory effect on proliferation of primary AML cells. Mechanistically, YTHDC1 regulates leukemogenesis through MCM4, which is a critical regulator of DNA replication. Our study provides compelling evidence that shows an oncogenic role and a distinct mechanism of YTHDC1 in AML.
Place of study, field of study and labour-market region: What matters for wage differences among higher-education graduates?
Authors: Kopecny Silvia , Hillmert Steffen
Published: July 2021

This paper focuses on the structure and extent of wage differences among graduates of different higher-education institutions in Germany. We ask how large these differences are and how they relate to fields of study and regional labour markets. The results from our application of cross-classified random-effects models to a cohort of the DZHW Graduate Panel show that there is a considerable amount of wage variation depending on the graduates’ alma mater. However, this variation can be fully explained by structural characteristics: Selection based on individual characteristics is of only minor importance, while regional labour markets do matter. Most of all, however, the differences relate to fields of study.
Selection for environmental variance of litter size in rabbits involves genes in pathways controlling animal resilience
Authors: Casto-Rebollo Cristina , Argente María José , García María Luz , Blasco Agustín , Ibáñez-Escriche Noelia
Published: July 2021

Background

Environmental variance (VE) is partially under genetic control, which means that the VE of individuals that share the same environment can differ because they have different genotypes. Previously, a divergent selection experiment for VE of litter size (LS) during 13 generations in rabbit yielded a successful response and revealed differences in resilience between the divergent lines. The aim of the current study was to identify signatures of selection in these divergent lines to better understand the molecular mechanisms and pathways that control VE of LS and animal resilience. Three methods (FST, ROH and varLD) were used to identify signatures of selection in a set of 473 genotypes from these rabbit lines (377) and a base population (96). A whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was performed on 54 animals to detect genes with functional mutations.

Results

By combining signatures of selection and WGS data, we detected 373 genes with functional mutations in their transcription units, among which 111 had functions related to the immune system, stress response, reproduction and embryo development, and/or carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The genes TTC23L, FBXL20, GHDC, ENSOCUG00000031631, SLC18A1, CD300LG, MC2R, and ENSOCUG00000006264 were particularly relevant, since each one carried a functional mutation that was fixed in one of the rabbit lines and absent in the other line. In the 3ʹUTR region of the MC2R and ENSOCUG00000006264 genes, we detected a novel insertion/deletion (INDEL) variant.

Conclusions

Our findings provide further evidence in favour of VE as a measure of animal resilience. Signatures of selection were identified for VE of LS in genes that have a functional mutation in their transcription units and are mostly implicated in the immune response and stress response pathways. However, the real implications of these genes for VE and animal resilience will need to be assessed through functional analyses.
Disruption of Drosophila larval muscle structure and function by UNC45 knockdown
Authors: Karunendiran Abiramy , Nguyen Christine T. , Barzda Virginijus , Stewart Bryan A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Proper muscle function is heavily dependent on highly ordered protein complexes. UNC45 is a USC (named since this region is shared by three proteins UNC45/CRO1/She4P) chaperone that is necessary for myosin incorporation into the thick filaments. UNC45 is expressed throughout the entire Drosophila life cycle and it has been shown to be important during late embryogenesis when initial muscle development occurs. However, the effects of UNC45 manipulation at later developmental times, after muscle development, have not yet been studied.

Main results

UNC45 was knocked down with RNAi in a manner that permitted survival to the pupal stage, allowing for characterization of sarcomere organization in the well-studied third instar larvae. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy revealed changes in the striated pattern of body wall muscles as well as a reduction of signal intensity. This observation was confirmed with immunofluorescence and electron microscopy imaging, showing diminished UNC45 signal and disorganization of myosin and z-disk proteins. Concomitant alterations in both synaptic physiology and locomotor function were also found. Both nerve-stimulated response and spontaneous vesicle release were negatively affected, while larval movement was impaired.

Conclusions

This study highlights the dependency of normal sarcomere structure on UNC45 expression. We confirm the known role of UNC45 for myosin localization and further show the I-Z-I complex is also disrupted. This suggests a broad need for UNC45 to maintain sarcomere integrity. Newly discovered changes in synaptic physiology reveal the likely presence of a homeostatic response to partially maintain synaptic strength and muscle function.
Genome sequence of Apostasia ramifera provides insights into the adaptive evolution in orchids
Authors: Zhang Weixiong , Zhang Guoqiang , Zeng Peng , Zhang Yongqiang , Hu Hao , Liu Zhongjian , Cai Jing
Published: July 2021

Background

The Orchidaceae family is one of the most diverse among flowering plants and serves as an important research model for plant evolution, especially “evo-devo” study on floral organs. Recently, sequencing of several orchid genomes has greatly improved our understanding of the genetic basis of orchid biology. To date, however, most sequenced genomes are from the Epidendroideae subfamily. To better elucidate orchid evolution, greater attention should be paid to other orchid lineages, especially basal lineages such as Apostasioideae.

Results

Here, we present a genome sequence ofApostasia ramifera, a terrestrial orchid species from the Apostasioideae subfamily. The genomes ofA. ramiferaand other orchids were compared to explore the genetic basis underlying orchid species richness. Genome-based population dynamics revealed a continuous decrease in population size over the last 100 000 years in all studied orchids, although the epiphytic orchids generally showed larger effective population size than the terrestrial orchids over most of that period. We also found more genes of the terpene synthase gene family, resistant gene family, andLOX1/LOX5homologs in the epiphytic orchids.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into the adaptive evolution of orchids. TheA. ramiferagenome sequence reported here should be a helpful resource for future research on orchid biology.
Transcriptome analysis uncovers the key pathways and candidate genes related to the treatment of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces with the repurposed drug pyronaridine
Authors: Yu Yingfang , Li Jun , Wang Weisi , Wang Tian , Qi Wenjing , Zheng Xueting , Duan Lei , Chen Jiaxu , Li Shizhu , Han Xiumin , Zhang Wenbao , Duan Liping
Published: July 2021

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a life-threatening zoonosis caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm. Our previous study showed that an approved drug pyronaridine (PND) is highly effective against CE, both in vitro and in an animal model. To identify possible target genes, transcriptome analysis was performed with E. granulosus sensu stricto protoscoleces treated with PND.

Results

A total of 1,321 genes were differentially expressed in protoscoleces treated with PND, including 541 upregulated and 780 downregulated genes. Gene ontology and KEGG analyses revealed that the spliceosome, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters were the top three enriched pathways. Western blot analysis showed that PND treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in protein expression levels of EgMKK1 (MKK3/6-like) and EgMKK2 (MEK1/2-like), two members of MAPK cascades. Interestingly, several heat shock protein (HSP) genes were greatly downregulated including stress-inducible HSPs and their constitutive cognates, and some of them belong to Echinococcus-specific expansion of HSP70.

Conclusions

PND has a great impact on the spliceosome, MAPK pathway and ABC transporters, which may underline the mechanisms by which PND kills E. granulosus protoscoleces. In addition, PND downregulates HSPs expression, suggesting a close relationship between the drug and HSPs.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of aquaporin family in Canavalia rosea and their roles in the adaptation to saline-alkaline soils and drought stress
Authors: Lin Ruoyi , Zheng Jiexuan , Pu Lin , Wang Zhengfeng , Mei Qiming , Zhang Mei , Jian Shuguang
Published: July 2021

Background

Canavalia rosea(Sw.) DC. (bay bean) is an extremophile halophyte that is widely distributed in coastal areas of the tropics and subtropics. Seawater and drought tolerance in this species may be facilitated by aquaporins (AQPs), channel proteins that transport water and small molecules across cell membranes and thereby maintain cellular water homeostasis in the face of abiotic stress. InC. rosea, AQP diversity, protein features, and their biological functions are still largely unknown.

Results

We describe the action of AQPs inC. roseausing evolutionary analyses coupled with promoter and expression analyses. A total of 37 AQPs were identified in theC. roseagenome and classified into five subgroups: 11 plasma membrane intrinsic proteins, 10 tonoplast intrinsic proteins, 11 Nod26-like intrinsic proteins, 4 small and basic intrinsic proteins, and 1 X-intrinsic protein. Analysis of RNA-Seq data and targeted qPCR revealed organ-specific expression of aquaporin genes and the involvement of some AQP members in adaptation ofC. roseato extreme coral reef environments. We also analyzedC. roseasequences for phylogeny reconstruction, protein modeling, cellular localizations, and promoter analysis. Furthermore, one of PIP1 gene,CrPIP1;5, was identified as functional using a yeast expression system and transgenic overexpression inArabidopsis.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that AQPs play an important role inC. rosearesponses to saline-alkaline soils and drought stress. These findings not only increase our understanding of the role AQPs play in mediatingC. roseaadaptation to extreme environments, but also improve our knowledge of plant aquaporin evolution more generally.
Current status and etiology of valvular heart disease in China: a population-based survey
Authors: Yang Ying , Wang Zengwu , Chen Zuo , Wang Xin , Zhang Linfeng , Li Suning , Zheng Congyi , Kang Yuting , Jiang Linlin , Zhu Zhenhui , Gao Runlin
Published: July 2021

Background

The epidemiology of valvular heart disease (VHD) has changed markedly over the last 50 years worldwide, and the prevalence and features of VHD in China are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the current status and etiology of VHD in China.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional national survey with stratified multistage random sampling from the general Chinese population to estimate the VHD burden. Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and potential etiology were collected. Echocardiography was used to detect VHD.

Results

The national survey enrolled 34,994 people aged 35 years or older across China. Overall, 31,499 people were included in the final analysis, and 1309 participants were diagnosed with VHD. The weighted prevalence was 3.8%, with an estimated 25 million patients in China. The prevalence of VHD increased with age and was higher in participants with hypertension or chronic kidney disease than in their counterparts. Among participants with VHD, 55.1% were rheumatic and 21.3% were degenerative. The proportion of rheumatic decreased with age, and the proportion of degenerative rose with age. However, the prevalence of rheumatic disease was still higher in the elderly population than in the younger population. Logistic regression revealed that age and hypertension were correlated with VHD.

Conclusions

In China, rheumatic heart disease was still the major cause of the VHD, with a significant increase in degenerative heart disease. Age and hypertension are important and easily identifiable markers of VHD.
Clinical characteristics and disease outcomes in ER+ breast cancer: a comparison between HER2+ patients treated with trastuzumab and HER2- patients
Authors: Li Shuai , Wu Jiayi , Huang Ou , He Jianrong , Zhu Li , Chen Weiguo , Li Yafen , Chen Xiaosong , Shen Kunwei
Published: July 2021

Background

Trastuzumab has changed the prognosis of HER2+ breast cancer. We aimed to investigate the prognosis of ER+/HER2+ patients treated with trastuzumab, thus to guide escalation endocrine treatment in ER+ breast cancer.

Methods

ER-positive early breast cancer patients operated at Ruijin Hospital between Jan. 2009 and Dec. 2017 were retrospectively included. Eligible patients were grouped as HER2-negative (HER2-neg) or HER2-positive with trastuzumab treatment (HER2-pos-T). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to compare the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between these two groups.

Results

A total of 3761 patients were enrolled: 3313 in the HER2-neg group and 448 in the HER2-pos-T group. Patients in the HER2-pos-T group were associated with pre/peri-menopause, higher histological grade, LVI, higher Ki-67 level, lower ER and PR levels (all P <  0.05). At a median follow-up of 62 months, 443 DFS events and 191 deaths were observed. The estimated 5-year DFS rate was 89.7% in the HER2-neg group and 90.2% in the HER2-pos-T group (P = 0.185), respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients in the HER2-pos-T group had a better DFS than patients in the HER2-neg group (HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37–0.73, P <  0.001). The estimated 5-year OS rates were 96.0% and 96.3% in the two groups, respectively (P = 0.133). Multivariate analysis found that HER2-pos-T group was still associated with significantly better OS compared with the HER2-neg group (HR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22–0.67, P = 0.037).

Conclusion

ER+/HER2+ breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab were associated with superior outcome compared with ER+/HER2- patients, indicating HER2-positivity itself may not be an adverse factor for ER+ patients in the era of trastuzumab.
A novel risk score system for prognostic evaluation in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction: a large population study from the SEER database and our center
Authors: Wang Jun , Shi Le , Chen Jing , Wang Beidi , Qi Jia , Chen Guofeng , Kang Muxing , Zhang Hang , Jin Xiaoli , Huang Yi , Zhao Zhiqing , Chen Jianfeng , Song Bin , Chen Jian
Published: July 2021

Background

The incidence rate of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction (AEG) has significantly increased over the past decades, with a steady increase in morbidity. The aim of this study was to explore a variety of clinical factors to judge the survival outcomes of AEG patients.

Methods

We first obtained the clinical data of AEG patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression models were used to build a risk score system. Patient survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. The specificity and sensitivity of the risk score were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Finally, the internal validation set from the SEER database and external validation sets from our center were used to validate the prognostic power of this model.

Results

We identified a risk score system consisting of six clinical features that can be a good predictor of AEG patient survival. Patients with high risk scores had a significantly worse prognosis than those with low risk scores (log-rank test, P-value < 0.0001). Furthermore, the areas under ROC for 3-year and 5-year survival were 0.74 and 0.75, respectively. We also found that the benefits of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were limited to stage III/IV AEG patients in the high-risk group. Using the validation sets, our novel risk score system was proven to have strong prognostic value for AEG patients.

Conclusions

Our results may provide new insights into the prognostic evaluation of AEG.
Influence of chronic hepatitis C infection on the monocyte-to-platelet ratio: data analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2016)
Authors: Nikiforuk Aidan M. , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , Patrick David M. , Jassem Agatha N.
Published: July 2021

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes life-threatening chronic infections. Implementation of novel, economical or widely available screening tools can help detect unidentified cases and facilitate their linkage to care. We investigated the relationship between chronic HCV infection and a potential complete blood count biomarker (the monocyte-to-platelet ratio) in the United States.

Methods

The analytic dataset was selected from cycle years 2009–2016 of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Complete case data- with no missingness- was available for n = 5281 observations, one-hundred and twenty-two (n = 122) of which were exposed to chronic HCV. The primary analysis used survey-weighted logistic regression to model the effect of chronic HCV on the monocyte-to-platelet ratio adjusting for demographic and biological confounders in a causal inference framework. Missing data and propensity score methods were respectively performed as a secondary and sensitivity analysis.

Results

In the analytic dataset, outcome data was available for n = 5281 (n = 64,245,530 in the weighted sample) observations of which n = 122 (n = 1,067,882 in the weighted sample) tested nucleic acid positive for HCV. Those exposed to chronic HCV infection in the United States have 3.10 times the odds of a high monocyte-to-platelet ratio than those not exposed (OR = 3.10, [95% CI: 1.55–6.18]).

Conclusion

A relationship exists between chronic HCV infection and the monocyte-to-platelet ratio in the general population of the United States. Reversing the direction of this association to predict chronic HCV infection from complete blood counts, could provide an economically feasible and universal screening tool, which would help link patients with care.
Annual, seasonal, cultural and vacation patterns in sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ferguson Ty , Curtis Rachel , Fraysse Francois , Lagiseti Rajini , Northcott Celine , Virgara Rosa , Watson Amanda , Maher Carol A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Time spent in daily activities (sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) has important consequences for health and wellbeing. The amount of time spent varies from day to day, yet little is known about the temporal nature of daily activity patterns in adults. The aim of this review is to identify the annual rhythms of daily activity behaviours in healthy adults and explore what temporal factors appear to influence these rhythms.

Methods

Six online databases were searched for cohort studies exploring within-year temporal patterns (e.g. season effects, vacation, cultural festivals) in sleep, sedentary behaviour or physical activity in healthy 18 to 65-year-old adults. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias scoring were performed in duplicate. Extracted data was presented as mean daily minutes of each activity type, with transformations performed as needed. Where possible, meta-analyses were performed using random effect models to calculate standardised mean differences (SMD).

Results

Of the 7009 articles identified, 17 studies were included. Studies were published between 2003 and 2019, representing 14 countries and 1951 participants, addressing variation in daily activities across season (n = 11), Ramadan (n = 4), vacation (n = 1) and daylight savings time transitions (n = 1). Meta-analyses suggested evidence of seasonal variation in activity patterns, with sleep highest in autumn (+ 12 min); sedentary behaviour highest in winter (+ 19 min); light physical activity highest in summer (+ 19 min); and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity highest in summer (+ 2 min) when compared to the yearly mean. These trends were significant for light physical activity in winter (SMD = − 0.03, 95% CI − 0.58 to − 0.01, P = 0.04). Sleep appeared 64 min less during, compared to outside Ramadan (non-significant). Narrative analyses for the impact of vacation and daylight savings suggested that light physical activity is higher during vacation and that sleep increases after the spring daylight savings transition, and decreases after the autumn transition.

Conclusions

Research into temporal patterns in activity behaviours is scarce. Existing evidence suggests that seasonal changes and periodic changes to usual routine, such as observing religious events, may influence activity behaviours across the year. Further research measuring 24-h time use and exploring a wider variety of temporal factors is needed.
Protective vaccinations during pregnancy - adult Poles knowledge in this area
Authors: Dąbek Józefa , Sierka Oskar , Kulik Halina , Gąsior Zbigniew
Published: July 2021

Background

The vaccine is a preparation of biological origin containing antigens that stimulate the body’s immune system to produce acquired immunity. Vaccines can contain killed or “live” (attenuated) microorganisms as well as fragments of these (antigens). Although many vaccines are used routinely in pregnancy to provide a seroprotective immune response for mother, fetus and neonate there is much controversy over their use during this unique time. The aim of the study was to find out about the knowledge of adult Poles on the use of preventive vaccinations during pregnancy.

Methods

The study involved 700 people (100%) aged 18 to 80 years ($$ \overline{x} $$

x
¯

= 32.16 ± 16.46). Most of the respondents were women (511; 73%). The study consisted of 9 questions about preventive vaccinations of pregnant women and 5 questions about members of the studied group. The aforementioned questions formed the basis of the preparation of the presented article.

Results

A significant part of respondents (322; 46%) did not have knowledge on the topic of safeness of using preventive vaccinations during pregnancy, 196 (28%) respondents believed that such procedure is not safe. Most of the respondents (371; 53%) did not know about the possibility of using “live” vaccines during pregnancy. 14 (2%) of respondents believed that pregnancy should be terminated in case of administration of a “live” vaccine to a pregnant woman. According to 294 (42%) respondents, vaccinations with “live” vaccines should be completed at least 3 months before the planned pregnancy. The subjects were not aware of the issue of post-exposure vaccination against tetanus and rabies among pregnant women. The respondents’ responses were divided on the issue of the safest trimester of pregnancy for vaccine administration. Almost 1/3 of the respondents (203; 29%) indicated the third trimester as the safest for their performance.

Conclusion

The knowledge of the surveyed group, the majority of whom were women, about the use of vaccinations before and during pregnancy was unsatisfactory. There is a need to educate the public about the benefits and risks of performing or avoiding preventive vaccinations during pregnancy.
A novel ferroptosis-related genes model for prognosis prediction of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Fei , Ge Dongcen , Sun Shu-lan
Published: July 2021

Background

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This study aims to investigate the potential correlation between ferroptosis and the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

RNA-seq data were collected from the LUAD dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Based on ferroptosis-related genes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LUAD and paracancerous specimens were identified. The univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to screen key genes associated with the prognosis of LUAD. LUAD patients were divided into the training set and validation set. Then, we screened out key genes and built a prognostic prediction model involving 5 genes using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression with tenfold cross-validation and the multivariate Cox regression analysis. After dividing LUAD patients based on the median level of risk score as cut-off value, the generated prognostic prediction model was validated in the validation set. Moreover, we analyzed the somatic mutations, and estimated the scores of immune infiltration in the high-risk and low-risk groups. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed as well.

Results

High-risk scores indicated the worse prognosis of LUAD. The maximum area under curve (AUC) of the training set and the validation set in this study was 0.7 and 0.69, respectively. Moreover, we integrated the age, gender, and tumor stage to construct the composite nomogram. The charts indicated that the AUC of LUAD cases with the survival time of 1, 3 and 5 years was 0.698, 0.71 and 0.73, respectively. In addition, the mutation frequency of LUAD patients in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that in the low-risk group. Simultaneously, DEGs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis-related pathways by analyzing the functional results.

Conclusions

This study constructs a novel LUAD prognosis prediction model involving 5 ferroptosis-related genes, which can be used as a promising tool for decision-making of clinical therapeutic strategies of LUAD.
Health literacy and health outcomes in patients with low back pain: a scoping review
Authors: See Ye King Clarence , Smith Helen Elizabeth , Car Lorainne Tudor , Protheroe Joanne , Wong Wei Cong , Bartlam Bernadette
Published: July 2021

Background

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Health literacy has been associated with pain intensity and pain control. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding this association. In the field of low back pain research, inconsistent reporting of outcomes has been highlighted. To address this issue a Core Outcome Set has been developed.

Objectives

The objectives of this scoping review were: (1) The health literacy measures currently employed for low back pain and the aspects of health literacy they include. (2) The low back pain health outcomes included in such work. (3) The extent to which these health outcomes reflect the Core Outcome Set for Clinical Trials in Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Methods

The search included thirteen bibliographic databases, using medical subject heading terms for low back pain and health literacy, and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The eligibility criteria were defined by the Joanna Briggs Institute PCC mnemonic. A thematic framework approach was used for analysis.

Results

The search yielded ten relevant studies for inclusion, amongst which a total of nine health literacy measures and 50 health outcome measures were used. Most health literacy measures focused on functional health literacy, with few assessing communicative and critical health literacy. The health outcomes assessed by the included studies could be broadly categorised into: Pain, Disability, Behaviour, Knowledge and Beliefs, and Resource Utilisation. Most of these outcome measures studied (36 out of 50) did not directly reflect the Core Outcome Set for Clinical Trials in Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Conclusions

To allow for comparison across findings and the development of a rigorous evidence base, future work should include the Core Outcome Set for Clinical Trials in Non-Specific Low Back Pain. There is an urgent need to broaden the evidence-base to include regions where low back pain morbidity is high, but data is lacking. Such work demands the incorporation of comprehensive measures of health literacy that have both generic and culturally sensitive components.
Biodegradation of flonicamid by Ensifer adhaerens CGMCC 6315 and enzymatic characterization of the nitrile hydratases involved
Authors: Zhao Yun-Xiu , Wang Li , Chen Ke-Xin , Jiang Neng-Dang , Sun Shi-Lei , Ge Feng , Dai Yi-Jun
Published: July 2021

Background

Flonicamid (N-cyanomethyl-4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide, FLO) is a new type of pyridinamide insecticide that regulates insect growth. Because of its wide application in agricultural production and high solubility in water, it poses potential risks to aquatic environments and food chain.

Results

In the present study, Ensifer adhaerens CGMCC 6315 was shown to efficiently transform FLO into N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl) glycinamide (TFNG-AM) via a hydration pathway mediated by two nitrile hydratases, PnhA and CnhA. In pure culture, resting cells of E. adhaerens CGMCC 6315 degraded 92% of 0.87 mmol/L FLO within 24 h at 30 °C (half-life 7.4 h). Both free and immobilized (by gel beads, using calcium alginate as a carrier) E. adhaerens CGMCC 6315 cells effectively degraded FLO in surface water. PnhA has, to our knowledge, the highest reported degradation activity toward FLO, Vmax = 88.7 U/mg (Km = 2.96 mmol/L). Addition of copper ions could increase the enzyme activity of CnhA toward FLO by 4.2-fold. Structural homology modeling indicated that residue β-Glu56 may be important for the observed significant difference in enzyme activity between PnhA and CnhA.

Conclusions

Application of E. adhaerens may be a good strategy for bioremediation of FLO in surface water. This work furthers our understanding of the enzymatic mechanisms of biodegradation of nitrile-containing insecticides and provides effective transformation strategies for microbial remediation of FLO contamination.
New insight into long non-coding RNAs associated with bone metastasis of breast cancer based on an integrated analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Huang Xiaofeng , Liu Jin , Chen Guo , Liu Chengjun , Zhang Sen , Li Jiaxin
Published: July 2021

Background

Bone is the most common site of metastatic breast cancer, and it is a leading cause of breast cancer-related death. This study aimed to explore bone metastasis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in breast cancer.

Methods

Four mRNA datasets and two lncRNA datasets of bone metastasis, lung metastasis and liver metastasis of breast cancer were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in group of bone metastasis vs lung metastasis and bone metastasis vs liver metastasis, as well as the overlap of the two groups, were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction of DEmRNAs were conducted. The cis nearby-targeted DEmRNAs of DElncRNAs were obtained. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of selected DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs. LOC641518-lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) pair was selected to verify its role in migration and invasion capability of breast cancer cells by wounding healing assay and transwell invasion assay.

Results

A total of 237 DEmRNAs were obtained in bone metastasis compared with both lung metastasis and liver metastasis. A total of three DElncRNAs in bone metastasis compared with both lung metastasis and liver metastasis were obtained. A total of seven DElncRNA-nearby-targeted DEmRNA pairs and 15 DElncRNA-nearby-targeted DEmRNA pairs in group of bone metastasis vs lung metastasis and bone metastasis vs liver metastasis, were detected, respectively. Four cis LncRNA-mRNA interaction pairs were identified, which are LOC641518-LEF1, FLJ35024-Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (VLDLR), LOC285972-Retinoic Acid Receptor Responder 2 (RARRES2) and LOC254896-TNF receptor superfamily member 10c (TNFRSF10C). qRT-PCR using clinical samples from our hospital confirms the bioinformatics prediction. siRNA knocking down LOC641518 down-regulates LEF1 mRNA expression, and reduces the migration and invasion capability of breast cancer cells.

Conclusions

We concluded that four LncRNA-mRNA pairs, including LOC641518-LEF1, may play a central role in breast cancer bone metastasis.
Health disparities in Russia at the regional and global scales
Authors: Shartova Natalia , Tikunov Vladimir , Chereshnya Olga
Published: July 2021

Background

The capacity for health comparisons, including the accurate comparison of indicators, is necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of well-being in places where people live. An important issue is the assessment of within-country heterogeneity for geographically extensive countries. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal changes in health status in Russia and to compare these regional changes with global trends.

Methods

The index, which considers the infant mortality rate and the male and female life expectancy at birth, was used for this purpose. Homogeneous territorial groups were identified using principal component analysis and multivariate ranking procedures. Trend analysis of individual indicators included in the index was also performed to assess the changes over the past 20 years (1990–2017).

Results

The study indicated a trend towards convergence in health indicators worldwide, which is largely due to changes in infant mortality. It also revealed that the trend of increasing life expectancy in many regions of Russia is not statistically significant. Significant interregional heterogeneity of health status in Russia was identified according to the application of typological ranking. The regions were characterized by similar index values until the mid-1990s.

Conclusions

The strong spatial inequality in health of population was found in Russia. While many regions of Russia were comparable to the countries in the high-income group in terms of GDP, the progress in health was less pronounced. Perhaps this can be explained by intraregional inequality, expressed by significant fluctuations in income levels.

Trial registration

Not applicable.