bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrocatalytic Properties of Pulse-Reverse Electrodeposited Nickel Phosphide for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Jo Woohyeon , Jeong Dasol , Jeong Jaebum , Kim Taegeon , Han Seungyeon , Son Minkyu , Kim Yangdo , Park Yong Ho , Jung Hyunsung
Published: December 2021

Nickel phosphide (Ni-P) films as a catalytic cathode for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of a water splitting were fabricated by a pulse-reverse electrodeposition technique. The electrochemical behaviors for the electrodeposition of Ni-P were investigated by the characterization of peaks in a cyclic voltammogram. The composition of the electrodeposited Ni-P alloys was controlled by adjusting duty cycles of the pulse-reverse electrodeposition. The HER electrocatalytic properties of the Ni-P electrodeposits with an amorphous phase as a function of phosphorous contents existing in Ni-P were electrochemically characterized by the analysis of overpotentials, Tafel slopes, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry. Additionally, the elemental Ni-embedded crystalline Ni3P was prepared by an annealing process with the amorphous Ni69P31 electrodeposit with high contents of phosphorus. The crystalline structure with Ni inclusions in the matrix of Ni3P was formed by the precipitation of excess Ni. The electrocatalytic properties of crystalline Ni3P with elemental Ni inclusions were also investigated by electrochemical characterization.
Synergistic Modulations of Large-Scale Synoptic Patterns and Local-Scale Urbanization Effects on Summer Rainfall in South China
Authors: Zhang Minxuan , Li Wanju , Bi Xueyan , Zong Lian , Zhang Yanhao , Yang Yuanjian
Published: December 2021

Using the ERA5 (the fifth major global reanalysis produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) data and the T-PCA (Principal Component Analysis in T-mode) objective classification method to classify the 850-hPa geopotential height, we summarize four conceptual models of large-scale synoptic weather types over East Asia. By combining this with the daily precipitation observation data of 36 meteorological stations in Guangdong, South China, during summer (June to August) of 2014–2018, we found that summer precipitation in Guangdong Province is closely related to the position of the northwestern Pacific subtropical high and the strong upward motion of the warm airflow over the Pearl River Delta. It is further revealed the regulation effect of different weather patterns on summer precipitation in Guangdong Province and their urban–rural differences. More specifically, both urban and rural areas have a decreasing proportion of light rainfall and an increasing proportion of heavy and torrential rainfall, which are mainly regulated by the trend of frequency changes of four different weather types: Type 1 (47.39%) and Type 2 (32.39%) days are decreasing year by year, modulating the trend of light rainfall, while Type 3 (13.26%) and Type 4 (6.96%) days are steadily increasing, dominating the trend of heavy rainfall. In addition, it was further found that the frequency of light rainfall is decreasing more significantly in cities compared to that in rural areas, while the proportion of heavy and stormy rainfall is increasing more significantly, which is closely related to the effects of rapid urbanization.
Site Characteristics Mediate the Relationship Between Forest Productivity and Satellite Measured Solar Induced Fluorescence
Authors: Yazbeck Theresia , Bohrer Gil , Gentine Pierre , Ye Luping , Arriga Nicola , Bernhofer Christian , Blanken Peter D. , Desai Ankur R. , Durden David , Knohl Alexander , Kowalska Natalia , Metzger Stefan , Mölder Meelis , Noormets Asko , Novick Kim , Scott Russell L. , Šigut Ladislav , Soudani Kamel , Ueyama Masahito , Varlagin Andrej
Published: December 2021

Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) can provide key information about the state of photosynthesis and offers the prospect of defining remote sensing-based estimation of Gross Primary Production (GPP). There is strong theoretical support for the link between SIF and GPP and this relationship has been empirically demonstrated using ground-based, airborne, and satellite-based SIF observations, as well as modeling. However, most evaluations have been based on monthly and annual scales, yet the GPP:SIF relations can be strongly influenced by both vegetation structure and physiology. At the monthly timescales, the structural response often dominates but short-term physiological variations can strongly impact the GPP:SIF relations. Here, we test how well SIF can predict the inter-daily variation of GPP during the growing season and under stress conditions, while taking into account the local effect of sites and abiotic conditions. We compare the accuracy of GPP predictions from SIF at different timescales (half-hourly, daily, and weekly), while evaluating effect of adding environmental variables to the relationship. We utilize observations for years 2018–2019 at 31 mid-latitudes, forested, eddy covariance (EC) flux sites in North America and Europe and use TROPOMI satellite data for SIF. Our results show that SIF is a good predictor of GPP, when accounting for inter-site variation, probably due to differences in canopy structure. Seasonally averaged leaf area index, fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) and canopy conductance provide a predictor to the site-level effect. We show that fPAR is the main factor driving errors in the linear model at high temporal resolution. Adding water stress indicators, namely canopy conductance, to a multi-linear SIF-based GPP model provides the best improvement in the model precision at the three considered timescales, showing the importance of accounting for water stress in GPP predictions, independent of the SIF signal. SIF is a promising predictor for GPP among other remote sensing variables, but more focus should be placed on including canopy structure, and water stress effects in the relationship, especially when considering intra-seasonal, and inter- and intra-daily resolutions.
Complement C5a and Clinical Markers as Predictors of COVID-19 Disease Severity and Mortality in a Multi-Ethnic Population
Authors: Cyprian Farhan S. , Suleman Muhammad , Abdelhafez Ibrahim , Doudin Asmma , Masud Danjuma Ibn Mohammed , Mir Fayaz Ahmad , Parray Aijaz , Yousaf Zohaib , Siddiqui Mohammed Yaseen Ahmed , Abdelmajid Alaaedin , Mulhim Mohammad , Al-Shokri Shaikha , Abukhattab Mohammad , Shaheen Ranad , Elkord Eyad , Al-khal Abdul Latif , Elzouki Abdel-Naser , Girardi Guillermina
Published: December 2021

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic by WHO in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 causes a wide range of illness from asymptomatic to life-threatening. There is an essential need to identify biomarkers to predict disease severity and mortality during the earlier stages of the disease, aiding treatment and allocation of resources to improve survival. The aim of this study was to identify at the time of SARS-COV-2 infection patients at high risk of developing severe disease associated with low survival using blood parameters, including inflammation and coagulation mediators, vital signs, and pre-existing comorbidities. This cohort included 89 multi-ethnic COVID-19 patients recruited between July 14th and October 20th 2020 in Doha, Qatar. According to clinical severity, patients were grouped into severe (n=33), mild (n=33) and asymptomatic (n=23). Common routine tests such as complete blood count (CBC), glucose, electrolytes, liver and kidney function parameters and markers of inflammation, thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction including complement component split product C5a, Interleukin-6, ferritin and C-reactive protein were measured at the time COVID-19 infection was confirmed. Correlation tests suggest that C5a is a predictive marker of disease severity and mortality, in addition to 40 biological and physiological parameters that were found statistically significant between survivors and non-survivors. Survival analysis showed that high C5a levels, hypoalbuminemia, lymphopenia, elevated procalcitonin, neutrophilic leukocytosis, acute anemia along with increased acute kidney and hepatocellular injury markers were associated with a higher risk of death in COVID-19 patients. Altogether, we created a prognostic classification model, the CAL model (C5a, Albumin, and Lymphocyte count) to predict severity with significant accuracy. Stratification of patients using the CAL model could help in the identification of patients likely to develop severe symptoms in advance so that treatments can be targeted accordingly.
Replacement of Astaxanthin With Lutein in Diets of Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei: Effects on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immune Response
Authors: Fang HaoHang , He XuanShu , Zeng HuLong , Liu YongJian , Tian LiXia , Niu Jin
Published: December 2021

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate whether diet supplementation of lutein could result in similar growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei when compared to dietary astaxanthin. Juvenile L. vannamei (initial body weight: 0.64 ± 0.04 g) were fed with one of five isonitrogen and isolipids diets with/without lutein or astaxanthin [control group (C); the lutein (L) groups contained 0, 62.5, 75, 87.5 ppm lutein, respectively, the astaxanthin (A) group contained 50 ppm astaxanthin]. Results showed that dietary supplementation of lutein ranging from 62.5 to 75 ppm resulted in similar growth performance (WGR, SGR, FCR, and SR) of L. vannamei compared with the A group (P > 0.05). Apart from that, no statistical difference was observed in antioxidant parameters (hemolymph T-AOC, hemolymph MDA, and RNA expression level of GSH-PX, CAT), anti-inflammatory ability (Relish, Rho, and HSP70) and apoptosis-related gene expression (Caspase3) among lutein treatments ranging from 62.5 to 87.5 ppm and the A group (P > 0.05). These results indicate that a dose of 62.5–75 ppm of lutein was suitable in the diet of L. vannamei for substituting dietary astaxanthin.
The Effect of Plasma Triglyceride-Lowering Therapy on the Evolution of Organ Function in Early Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Patients With Worrisome Features (PERFORM Study): Rationale and Design of a Multicenter, Prospective, Observational, Cohort Study
Authors: Cao Longxiang , Zhou Jing , Chen Mingzhi , Chen Tao , Liu Man , Mao Wenjian , Lin Jiyan , Hong Donghuang , Yao Weijie , Sun Yi , Qin Kaixiu , Guo Feng , Zhou Yun , Jiao Qinghai , Chen Yingjie , Li Gang , Ye Bo , Ke Lu , Tong Zhihui , Liu Yuxiu , Li Weiqin ,   Chinese Acute Pancreatitis Clinical Trials Group (CAPCTG)
Published: December 2021

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease with multiple etiologies. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) has been increasing in recent years. It is reported that early triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with the severity of the disease, and TG- lowering therapies, including medical treatment and blood purification, may impact the clinical outcomes. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal TG-lowering therapy, and clinical practice varies greatly among different centers. Our objective is to evaluate the TG-lowering effects of different therapies and their impact on clinical outcomes in HTG-AP patients with worrisome features.

Methods: This is a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study. A total of approximately 300 patients with HTG-AP with worrisome features are planned to be enrolled. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the relationship between TG decline and the evolution of organ failure, and patients will be dichotomized depending on the rate of TG decline. The primary outcome is organ failure (OF) free days to 14 days after enrollment. Secondary outcomes include new-onset organ failure, new-onset multiple-organ failure (MOF), new-onset persistent organ failure (POF), new receipt of organ support, requirement of ICU admission, ICU free days to day 14, hospital free days to day 14, 60-day mortality, AP severity grade (Based on the Revised Atlanta Classification), and incidence of systemic and local complications. Generalized linear model (GLM), Fine and Gray competing risk regression, and propensity score matching will be used for statistical analysis.

Discussion: Results of this study will reveal the current practice of TG-lowering therapy in HTG-AP and provide necessary data for future trials.
Comparative Genome-Wide Transcriptome Analysis of Brucella suis and Brucella microti Under Acid Stress at pH 4.5: Cold Shock Protein CspA and Dps Are Associated With Acid Resistance of B. microti
Authors: de la Garza-García Jorge A. , Ouahrani-Bettache Safia , Lyonnais Sébastien , Ornelas-Eusebio Erika , Freddi Luca , Al Dahouk Sascha , Occhialini Alessandra , Köhler Stephan
Published: December 2021

Brucellae are facultative intracellular coccobacilli causing brucellosis, one of the most widespread bacterial zoonosis affecting wildlife animals, livestock and humans. The genus Brucella comprises classical and atypical species, such as Brucella suis and Brucella microti, respectively. The latter is characterized by increased metabolic activity, fast growth rates, and extreme acid resistance at pH 2.5, suggesting an advantage for environmental survival. In addition, B. microti is more acid-tolerant than B. suis at the intermediate pH of 4.5. This acid-resistant phenotype of B. microti may have major implications for fitness in soil, food products and macrophages. Our study focused on the identification and characterization of acid resistance determinants of B. suis and B. microti in Gerhardt’s minimal medium at pH 4.5 and 7.0 for 20 min and 2 h by comparative RNA-Seq-based transcriptome analysis, validated by RT-qPCR. Results yielded a common core response in both species with a total of 150 differentially expressed genes, and acidic pH-dependent genes regulated specifically in each species. The identified core response mechanisms comprise proton neutralization or extrusion from the cytosol, participating in maintaining physiological intracellular pH values. Differential expression of 441 genes revealed species-specific mechanisms in B. microti with rapid physiological adaptation to acid stress, anticipating potential damage to cellular components and critical energy conditions. Acid stress-induced genes encoding cold shock protein CspA, pseudogene in B. suis, and stress protein Dps were associated with survival of B. microti at pH 4.5. B. suis response with 284 specifically regulated genes suggested increased acid stress-mediated protein misfolding or damaging, triggering the set-up of repair strategies countering the consequences rather than the origin of acid stress and leading to subsequent loss of viability. In conclusion, our work supports the hypothesis that increased acid stress resistance of B. microti is based on selective pressure for the maintenance of functionality of critical genes, and on specific differential gene expression, resulting in rapid adaptation.
Decoding Cancer Variants of Unknown Significance for Helicase–Nuclease–RPA Complexes Orchestrating DNA Repair During Transcription and Replication
Authors: Tsutakawa Susan E. , Bacolla Albino , Katsonis Panagiotis , Bralić Amer , Hamdan Samir M. , Lichtarge Olivier , Tainer John A. , Tsai Chi-Lin
Published: December 2021

All tumors have DNA mutations, and a predictive understanding of those mutations could inform clinical treatments. However, 40% of the mutations are variants of unknown significance (VUS), with the challenge being to objectively predict whether a VUS is pathogenic and supports the tumor or whether it is benign. To objectively decode VUS, we mapped cancer sequence data and evolutionary trace (ET) scores onto crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy structures with variant impacts quantitated by evolutionary action (EA) measures. As tumors depend on helicases and nucleases to deal with transcription/replication stress, we targeted helicase–nuclease–RPA complexes: (1) XPB-XPD (within TFIIH), XPF-ERCC1, XPG, and RPA for transcription and nucleotide excision repair pathways and (2) BLM, EXO5, and RPA plus DNA2 for stalled replication fork restart. As validation, EA scoring predicts severe effects for most disease mutations, but disease mutants with low ET scores not only are likely destabilizing but also disrupt sophisticated allosteric mechanisms. For sites of disease mutations and VUS predicted to be severe, we found strong co-localization to ordered regions. Rare discrepancies highlighted the different survival requirements between disease and tumor mutations, as well as the value of examining proteins within complexes. In a genome-wide analysis of 33 cancer types, we found correlation between the number of mutations in each tumor and which pathways or functional processes in which the mutations occur, revealing different mutagenic routes to tumorigenesis. We also found upregulation of ancient genes including BLM, which supports a non-random and concerted cancer process: reversion to a unicellular, proliferation-uncontrolled, status by breaking multicellular constraints on cell division. Together, these genes and global analyses challenge the binary “driver” and “passenger” mutation paradigm, support a gradient impact as revealed by EA scoring from moderate to severe at a single gene level, and indicate reduced regulation as well as activity. The objective quantitative assessment of VUS scoring and gene overexpression in the context of functional interactions and pathways provides insights for biology, oncology, and precision medicine.
Characterization of the Canine Retinal Vasculature With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Comparisons With Histology and Fluorescein Angiography
Authors: Ripolles-Garcia Ana , Ruthel Gordon , Ying Gui-Shuang , Chen Yineng , Cuenca Nicolas , Aguirre Gustavo D. , Beltran William A.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To present a methodology for quantification of the canine retinal vasculature imaged by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and validate this approach by comparison with fluorescein angiography (FA) and confocal imaging of retinal wholemounts labelled by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods: Six normal adult dogs underwent retinal OCTA imaging in both eyes. The images extracted from the different microvascular plexuses at eight retinal locations spanning the central and mid-peripheral fundus were analyzed using the AngioTool software. FA was performed in one eye and was compared to the OCTA images. Six eyes from three dogs were processed by IHC to examine the retinal vasculature.

Results: A total of four retinal plexuses were identified by OCTA in the canine retina, and their density and topographical pattern varied with eccentricity. OCTA offered improved resolution over FA with the advantage of allowing imaging of the individual plexuses. Detection by OCTA of small vessels within the deep capillary plexus was possible and approached the level of resolution achieved with ex vivo imaging of the retinal vasculature by confocal microscopy/IHC. The plexuses herein described are analogous to human retinal vasculature.

Conclusion: OCTA can be used to image and quantify non-invasively the vascular retinal networks of the canine retina. We provide normative data in eight different retinal locations that can be imaged non-invasively with this technology. This could support analysis of retinal vascular changes associated with disease and following therapeutic intervention.
Association Between Patent Foramen Ovale and Overt Ischemic Stroke in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Galadanci Najibah A. , Johnson Walter , Carson April , Hellemann Gerhard , Howard Virginia , Kanter Julie
Published: December 2021

Ischemic stroke is one of the most devastating complications of sickle cell anemia (SCA). Previous studies have shown that intracardiac shunting including patent foramen ovale (PFO) can be a potential risk factor for stroke in children with SCA. This study investigates the association between PFO and overt ischemic stroke in the DISPLACE (Dissemination and Implementation of Stroke Prevention Looking at the Care Environment) study cohort of 5,247 children with SCA of whom 1,414 had at least one clinical non-contrast transthoracic echocardiogram. Presence of PFO was taken from the clinical report. Further, we assessed the association between PFO and other clinical and hemolytic factors in children with SCA such as history of abnormal sickle stroke screen [elevated Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) velocity] and patient's baseline hemoglobin. In 642 children for whom all data were available, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for overt stroke was higher in those with PFO but this was not statistically significant (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.20–11.03, p = 0.6994). With an OR of 0.85, the study suggested less PFOs in those with abnormal TCD, but this was not statistically significant (95% CI: 0.17–4.25, p = 0.8463). Overall, the prevalence of PFO in this large sub study of non-contrast echocardiography amongst children with SCA is much lower than previous smaller studies using bubble contrast echocardiography. Overt stroke was non-statistically more common in children with SCA and PFO, but there was no evidence that PFO was more common in those with abnormal TCD, the most important pediatric sickle stroke screen.
Effect of Hulless Barley Flours on Dough Rheological Properties, Baking Quality, and Starch Digestibility of Wheat Bread
Authors: Yu Liwei , Ma Yanrong , Zhao Yiyue , Pan Yilin , Tian Renmei , Yao Xiaohua , Yao Youhua , Cao Xinyou , Geng La , Wang Zhonghua , Wu Kunlun , Gao Xin
Published: December 2021

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), also known as highland barley, contains nutritional compounds, such as β-glucan and polyphenol, which can be added to wheat flour to improve the dough nutritional quality. In this study, different formulated dough samples were obtained by individually adding four hulless barley flours into flour of a wheat variety (Jimai 44, designated as JM) which has very strong gluten. The effects of hulless barley supplementation on gluten structure, dough rheological properties, bread-making properties, and starch digestibility were assessed. The results showed that compared with JM dough, substitution of hulless barley flour to wheat flour at levels ranging from 10 to 40% negatively affected gluten micro-structure and dough mixing behavior, because the cross-links of gluten network were partially broken and the dough development time and stability time were shortened. For the hulless barley-supplemented bread, specific volume was significantly (P < 0.05) increased while springiness was not greatly changed. Furthermore, the hydrolysed starch rate in hulless barley-supplemented bread was decreased, compared with that in JM bread. Importantly, the contents of β-glucan, polyphenols and flavonoids in hulless barley-supplemented bread were 132.61–160.87%, 5.71–48.57%, and 25–293.75% higher than those in JM bread, respectively. Taken together, the hulless barley-supplemented bread has been fortified with enhanced nutritional components, more desirable bread-making quality, and improved starch hydrolytic properties, which shows a great potential to use hulless barley as a health supplement.
Osteoblasts Promote Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation Through Androgen Receptor Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Ribelli Giulia , Simonetti Sonia , Iuliani Michele , Rossi Elisabetta , Vincenzi Bruno , Tonini Giuseppe , Pantano Francesco , Santini Daniele
Published: December 2021

Patients with metastatic prostate cancer frequently develop bone metastases that elicit significant skeletal morbidity and increased mortality. The high tropism of prostate cancer cells for bone and their tendency to induce the osteoblastic-like phenotype are a result of a complex interplay between tumor cells and osteoblasts. Although the role of osteoblasts in supporting prostate cancer cell proliferation has been reported by previous studies, their precise contribution in tumor growth remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we tried to dissect the molecular signaling underlining the interactions between castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells and osteoblasts using in vitro co-culture models. Transcriptomic analysis showed that osteoblast-conditioned media (OCM) induced the overexpression of genes related to cell cycle in the CRPC cell line C4-2B but, surprisingly, reduced androgen receptor (AR) transcript levels. In-depth analysis of AR expression in C4-2B cells after OCM treatment showed an AR reduction at the mRNA (p = 0.0047), protein (p = 0.0247), and functional level (p = 0.0029) and, concomitantly, an increase of C4-2B cells in S-G2-M cell cycle phases (p = 0.0185). An extensive proteomic analysis revealed in OCM the presence of some molecules that reduced AR activation, and among these, Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) was the only one able to block AR function (0.1 ng/ml p = 0.006; 1 ng/ml p = 0.002; 10 ng/ml p = 0.0001) and, at the same time, enhance CRPC proliferation (1 ng/ml p = 0.009; 10 ng/ml p = 0.033). Although the increase of C4-2B cell growth induced by MMP-1 did not reach the proliferation levels observed after OCM treatment, the addition of Vorapaxar, an MMP-1 receptor inhibitor (Protease-activated receptor-1, PAR-1), significantly reduced C4-2B cell cycle (0.1 μM p = 0.014; 1 μM p = 0.0087). Overall, our results provide a novel AR-independent mechanism of CRPC proliferation and suggest that MMP-1/PAR-1 could be one of the potential pathways involved in this process.
Computer Mediated Automatic Detection of Pain-Related Behavior: Prospect, Progress, Perils
Authors: Prkachin Kenneth M. , Hammal Zakia
Published: December 2021

Pain is often characterized as a fundamentally subjective phenomenon; however, all pain assessment reduces the experience to observables, with strengths and limitations. Most evidence about pain derives from observations of pain-related behavior. There has been considerable progress in articulating the properties of behavioral indices of pain; especially, but not exclusively those based on facial expression. An abundant literature shows that a limited subset of facial actions, with homologs in several non-human species, encode pain intensity across the lifespan. Unfortunately, acquiring such measures remains prohibitively impractical in many settings because it requires trained human observers and is laborious. The advent of the field of affective computing, which applies computer vision and machine learning (CVML) techniques to the recognition of behavior, raised the prospect that advanced technology might overcome some of the constraints limiting behavioral pain assessment in clinical and research settings. Studies have shown that it is indeed possible, through CVML, to develop systems that track facial expressions of pain. There has since been an explosion of research testing models for automated pain assessment. More recently, researchers have explored the feasibility of multimodal measurement of pain-related behaviors. Commercial products that purport to enable automatic, real-time measurement of pain expression have also appeared. Though progress has been made, this field remains in its infancy and there is risk of overpromising on what can be delivered. Insufficient adherence to conventional principles for developing valid measures and drawing appropriate generalizations to identifiable populations could lead to scientifically dubious and clinically risky claims. There is a particular need for the development of databases containing samples from various settings in which pain may or may not occur, meticulously annotated according to standards that would permit sharing, subject to international privacy standards. Researchers and users need to be sensitive to the limitations of the technology (for e.g., the potential reification of biases that are irrelevant to the assessment of pain) and its potentially problematic social implications.
Case Report: Anesthetic Management and Electrical Cardiometry as Intensive Hemodynamic Monitoring During Cheiloplasty in an Infant With Enzyme-Replaced Pompe Disease and Preserved Preoperative Cardiac Function
Authors: Liu Meng-Chen , Wang Ming-Tse , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting , Niu Dau-Ming , Fan Chiang Yu-Hsuan , Hsieh Ming-Hui , Tsai Hsiao-Chien
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Pompe disease is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase, which results in cardiac and muscular complications that can jeopardize perioperative outcomes. We report a 4-month-old infant with Pompe disease receiving cheiloplasty under general anesthesia with the aid of peripheral nerve blocks and intensive hemodynamic monitoring.

Case Description: This case report describes a 4-month-old full-term Taiwanese female infant who presented with left unilateral cleft lip and palate in the prenatal examination. She was diagnosed with infantile-onset Pompe disease after acidic α-glucosidase (GAA) gene sequencing. She also received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) 15 days after birth and regular ERT every other week. Cheiloplasty was performed under general anesthesia uneventfully, and peripheral nerve blocks were adopted for analgesia. Intensive hemodynamic monitoring using electrical cardiometry technology (ICON®) and pulse contour analysis (FloTrac system) were applied during the operation. No adverse effects were observed, and the wound healed well. Therefore, the patient was discharged 4 days after surgery.

Conclusion: With the availability of ERT, severe organ dysfunction in infantile-onset Pompe disease patients is no longer common. However, moderate cardiac depression can still occur while increasing inspiratory pressure and deepening the anesthesia level despite a normal preoperative echocardiogram report. Therefore, careful, gradual titration is desirable. Furthermore, electrical cardiometry can detect hemodynamic changes more instantaneously and reliably than pulse contour analysis. In addition, we suggest taking advantage of the peripheral nerve block as a part of balanced anesthesia to alleviate the cardiac suppression caused by general anesthesia.
The Association Between Genetic Variants, Pharmacokinetics, and Infliximab Efficacy in Pediatric Patients With Crohn's Disease in China
Authors: Hu Wenhui , Feng Yan , Ye Ziqing , Tang Zifei , Qian Lai , Wang Yuhuan , Huang Ying
Published: December 2021

Background: Infliximab is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). Early non-invasive predictors of disease remission allow for modification of treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between genetic variants, pharmacokinetics, and infliximab efficacy in pediatric patients with CD.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included CD patients under infliximab therapy between August 2015 and December 2020. Information on demographics, laboratory tests, medication data, and disease activity index was collected. The trough levels of infliximab (TLI) and antibodies to infliximab (ATI) were measured at week 14, and reactive drug monitoring was performed during follow-up. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms involved in the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic response to infliximab were genotyped.

Results: A total of 62 pediatric CD patients were enrolled. The clinical remission (CR) rate was 69.4 and 63.2% at week 14 and week 30, respectively. TLI at week 14 was significantly independently associated with CR at week 14 and mucosal healing (MH) at week 30 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.025, respectively). The optimal TLI threshold level capable of distinguishing between the CR and non-CR groups was 2.62 μg/ml (p < 0.001, area under the curve = 0.79, sensitivity = 69.2%, specificity = 78.9%), while that capable of distinguishing between the MH and non-MH groups was 3.34 μg/ml (p < 0.001, area under the curve = 0.85, sensitivity = 78.6%, specificity = 79.4%). Rs3397 in TNFRSF1B was associated with time to ATI production in CD patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Higher TLI contributed to achieving MH. Genotyping rs3397 in TNFRSF1B may identify patients who are prone to generating immunogenicity to drugs.
Case Report: Necrotizing Stomatitis as a Manifestation of COVID-19-Associated Vasculopathy
Authors: Emeršič Nina , Tomaževič Tanja , Točkova Olga , Kopač Matjaž , Volavšek Metka , Ključevšek Damjana , Avčin Tadej
Published: December 2021

Necrotizing stomatitis is a rare, acute-onset disease that is usually associated with severely malnourished children or diminished systemic resistance. We describe a 1-year-old girl who developed necrotizing stomatitis, vasculitic rash, skin desquamation on the fingers and toes, and persistent hypertension after serologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Her laboratory investigations revealed positive IgG anticardiolipin and IgG anti-β2 glycoprotein antibodies, and biopsy of the mucosa of the lower jaw showed necrosis and endothelial damage with mural thrombi. Swollen endothelial cells of small veins in the upper dermis were confirmed also by electron microscopy. As illustrated by our case, necrotizing stomatitis may develop as a rare complication associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be considered as a part of the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 vasculopathy. The pathogenic mechanism could involve a consequence of inflammatory events with vasculopathy, hypercoagulability, and damage of endothelial cells as a response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Integration of System Biology Tools to Investigate Huperzine A as an Anti-Alzheimer Agent
Authors: Khanal Pukar , Zargari Farshid , Far Bahareh Farasati , Kumar Dharmendra , R Mogana , Mahdi Yasir K. , Jubair Najwan K. , Saraf Shailendra K. , Bansal Parveen , Singh Ranjit , Selvaraja Malarvili , Dey Yadu Nandan
Published: December 2021

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate huperzine A as an anti-Alzheimer agent based on the principle that a single compound can regulate multiple proteins and associated pathways, using system biology tools.

Methodology: The simplified molecular-input line-entry system of huperzine A was retrieved from the PubChem database, and its targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. These targets were matched with the proteins deposited in DisGeNET for Alzheimer disease and enriched in STRING to identify the probably regulated pathways, cellular components, biological processes, and molecular function. Furthermore, huperzine A was docked against acetylcholinesterase using AutoDock Vina, and simulations were performed with the Gromacs package to take into account the dynamics of the system and its effect on the stability and function of the ligands.

Results: A total of 100 targets were predicted to be targeted by huperzine A, of which 42 were regulated at a minimum probability of 0.05. Similarly, 101 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were triggered, in which neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions scored the least false discovery rate. Also, huperzine A was predicted to modulate 54 cellular components, 120 molecular functions, and 873 biological processes. Furthermore, huperzine A possessed a binding affinity of −8.7 kcal/mol with AChE and interacted within the active site of AChE via H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions.
Interpersonal Physiological Synchrony for Detecting Moments of Connection in Persons With Dementia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fu Dannie , Incio-Serra Natalia , Motta-Ochoa Rossio , Blain-Moraes Stefanie
Published: December 2021

Interpersonal physiological synchrony has been successfully used to characterize social interactions and social processes during a variety of interpersonal interactions. There are a handful of measures of interpersonal physiological synchrony, but those that exist have only been validated on able-bodied adults. Here, we present a novel information-theory based measure of interpersonal physiological synchrony—normalized Symbolic Transfer Entropy (NSTE)—and compare its performance with a popular physiological synchrony measure—physiological concordance and single session index (SSI). Using wearable sensors, we measured the electrodermal activity (EDA) of five individuals with dementia and six able-bodied individuals as they participated in a movement activity that aimed to foster connection in persons with dementia. We calculated time-resolved NSTE and SSI measures for case studies of three dyads and compared them against moments of observed interpersonal connection in video recordings of the activity. Our findings suggest that NSTE-based measures of interpersonal physiological synchrony may provide additional advantages over SSI, including resolving moments of ambiguous SSI and providing information about the direction of information flow between participants. This study also investigated the feasibility of using interpersonal synchrony to gain insight into moments of connection experienced by individuals with dementia and further encourages exploration of these measures in other populations with reduced communicative abilities.
Research on the Relationship Between High-Commitment Work Systems and Employees’ Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior: The Moderating Role of Balanced Reciprocity Beliefs
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhao Lijing , Chen Zhihong
Published: December 2021

Based on the social exchange theory, this paper explores the indirect impact of high-commitment work systems on employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior. Through the analysis of multisource data from 139 companies (including 139 human resource managers and 966 employees), a multilevel structuring equation model is used to verify the study’s hypotheses. The research results show the following findings: (1) High-commitment work systems are significantly positively related to employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior. (2) High-commitment work systems have indirect effects on the employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior through the relational psychological contract. The relational psychological contract plays a mediating role in this process. (3) Employees’ balanced reciprocity beliefs significantly enhance the positive effect of relational psychological contracts on employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior. It can also positively moderate the mediating effect of high-commitment work systems that affect employees’ unethical pro-organizational behaviorviarelational psychological contract.
Physical and Psychosocial Well-Being of Hospitalized and Non-Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Compared to the General Population in Qatar
Authors: Ouanes Sami , Al-Amin Hassen , Hussein Nurrunnazha Binti , Khan Faisal , Al Shahrani Ahmad , David Premalatha , Wali Amel Baker , Thapur Maliha , Karim Mustafa Abdul , Al Maslamani Muna , Al-Ansari Zainab , Ghuloum Suhaila
Published: December 2021

Background: Many studies have shown a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in COVID-19 patients and the general population. However, very few studies directly examined the potential impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and none compared HRQoL in COVID-19 patients to the general population amid the pandemic.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study comparing HRQoL (as measured using the RAND Short Form 36 or SF-36 Health Survey) in randomly selected individuals from three different groups: hospitalized COVID-19 patients, quarantined COVID-19 patients, and controls from the general population in Qatar. We constructed a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to compare the SF-36 scores between the three groups and control for various covariates.

Results: Our sample consisted of 141 COVID-19 inpatients, 99 COVID-19 quarantined patients, and 285 healthy controls. Surprisingly, we found that HRQoL was higher in COVID-19 hospitalized than in COVID-19 non-hospitalized patients than in controls. The main components where COVID-patients scored higher than controls were physical functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. In COVID-19 patients, the female gender, older age, and past psychiatric history were associated with lower HRQoL.

Conclusions: It seems that COVID-19 patient's HRQoL might be better than expected. Our results can be explained by social support from family and friends, easy access to mental health screening and care, and a possible change of perspectives after recovery from COVID-19, resulting in psychological growth and enhanced resilience.
Stigma Levels Toward Psychiatric Patients Among Medical Students—A Worldwide Online Survey Across 65 Countries
Authors: Babicki Mateusz , Małecka Monika , Kowalski Krzysztof , Bogudzińska Bogna , Piotrowski Patryk
Published: December 2021

Background: According to epidemiological data, over 450 million people worldwide suffer from mental disorders, presenting one of the major challenges of modern medicine. In their everyday lives, patients, in addition to fighting the disease itself, often struggle with stigmatization. This phenomenon negatively affects both the diagnostic and therapeutic processes, as well as the patients' everyday functioning. This study aimed to assess stigma attitudes toward psychiatry and psychiatric patients among undergraduate medical students.

Methods: This study used a Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI), which included the standardized items from the Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes (MICA-2) scale to evaluate stigma. The study was disseminated via the internet to students from medical universities from 65 countries worldwide. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The study involved 1,216 students from these 65 countries. Most of the sample were women, and most were medical faculty students and students living in cities with more than 500,000 residents. Taking into consideration Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and Human Development Index (HDI) variables, it can be seen that there was a prevalence of medical students from highly developed countries.

Results: For the whole sample, the mean MICA-2 score was 40.5 points. Women and medical and nursing students showed more positive attitudes toward psychiatric patients. Students from countries with the highest economic development levels also achieved statistically lower MICA-2 scores. Lower score means a more positive attitude.

Conclusion: Stigma toward both psychiatry and psychiatric patients is common among undergraduate medical students. Female students and respondents with a history of mental disorders in countries with high HDI and GDP per capita indices show more favorable attitudes than other medical students. There is a need to further our understanding of the problem of stigmatization, both among the general population and among medical personnel, and to implement and maintain appropriate measures to reduce stigma toward psychiatry.
Expressed Emotion and Attributions in Parents With Schizophrenia
Authors: Gregg Lynsey , Calam Rachel , Drake Richard J. , Wolfenden Lauren
Published: December 2021

We examined expressed emotion (EE) and attributions in parents with schizophrenia and compared them to parents without serious mental illness (SMI) in order to better understand the emotional climate of families in which a parent has schizophrenia. Parenting practices and parental reports of child behavior were also compared between the two groups. The relationship of EE to attributions was examined in each group separately. Relationships between parental mental health, EE, and attributions were explored in the parents with schizophrenia only. The Camberwell Family Interview was used to determine both EE and attributions in 20 parents with schizophrenia and 20 parents without SMI. We found that more parents with schizophrenia were rated as high EE than those without (60 and 35%, respectively) although this was not a statistically significant difference. Parents with schizophrenia demonstrated significantly more hostility and criticism toward their children than those without SMI and made more child-blaming attributions. Blame was associated with increased hostility, less warmth, and fewer positive remarks. Parental warmth was related to greater parenting self-efficacy, less harsh parenting practices, better child behavior, and a more positive parent–child relationship. We conclude that EE and attributions are potential explanatory variables to be considered in the development of preventative and early intervention strategies for families with a parent with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder. Blame and warmth are modifiable factors that could be targeted within family and parenting interventions.
Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Spontaneous Plants on Green Roofs
Authors: Schrieke Dean , Lönnqvist Joel , Blecken Godecke-Tobias , Williams Nicholas S. G. , Farrell Claire
Published: December 2021

Green roofs have the potential to provide socio-ecological services in urban settings that lack vegetation and open space. However, implementation of green roofs is limited by high construction and maintenance costs. Consequently, green roof projects often disproportionately benefit wealthy communities and can further marginalise disadvantaged communities by increasing property values and housing costs. Vegetation cover on green roofs is crucial to their provisioning of socio-ecological services. Evidence suggests that green roof plantings change over time, especially with limited maintenance, and are replaced with spontaneous “weedy” species. This is often perceived as a failure of the original green roof design intent and spontaneous species are usually removed. However, where good coverage is achieved, spontaneous vegetation could provide beneficial services such as stormwater mitigation, habitat provision, and climate regulation. While social norms about “weediness” may limit the desirability of some spontaneous species, research suggests that their acceptability on green roofs increases with coverage. As spontaneous species can establish on green roofs without irrigation and fertiliser, reduced input costs could help facilitate adoption particularly in markets without an established green roof industry. Construction costs may also be reduced in hot and dry climates where deeper substrates are necessary to ensure plant survival, as many spontaneous species are able to colonise shallow substrates and can regenerate from seed. If implemented based on socio-ecological need, green roofs with spontaneous vegetation coverage may apply less pressure to property values and housing costs than conventionally planted green roofs, increasing the resilience of urban communities while limiting gentrification.
Contextual Variables Affect Running Performance in Professional Soccer Players: A Brief Report
Authors: Augusto Diêgo , Brito João , Aquino Rodrigo , Figueiredo Pedro , Eiras Fabio , Tannure Márcio , Veiga Bruno , Vasconcellos Fabrício
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual variables on running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players. Twenty male players from one club participating in the 1st Division of the Brazilian soccer championship were analyzed during 35 matches. Global Positioning System was used to determine total distance (TD) covered, distance covered and actions in high intensity and sprinting, and the number of accelerations, and decelerations. The independent variables used were match location, match outcome, opposition ranking, change of head coach, and distance traveled to play the matches. Total distance was higher in a way than home matches (9,712 vs. 9,533 m; p ≤ 0.05), and losses than draws and wins (9,846 vs. 9,400 vs. 9,551 m; p ≤ 0.05), whereas distance in sprinting was higher in draws than losses (203 vs. 175 m; p ≤ 0.01). Changing the head coach during the season resulted in overall lower distance covered in high intensity, sprinting, high-intensity actions (p ≤ 0.01), and decelerations (p ≤ 0.05). Higher values for distance covered in sprinting and high intensity were found in matches without travel compared to those with long-travel (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, running performance was affected by the location, match outcome, change of head coach, and distance traveled during the season.