bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poliomyelitis
Authors: T John Jacob , Borrow Ray
Published: October 2021

Wild poliovirus (WPV) comprises 3 serotypes (1, 2, 3) which may infect and destroy spinal cord lower motor neurons.

PV is shed via salivary droplets and feces, and it is transmitted person-to-person.

One case of polio occurs following ~200 (WPV type 1) to ~1000 (type 2 or 3) WPV infections. Thus, one case is the tiny “tip of the iceberg” of widespread infection.

Infection induces long-lasting type-specific immunity, protecting from risk of disease when re-infected, but not from re-infection per se.

In low-income countries, polio occurs early in life and immunity plateaus at 5 years of age with almost 100%; in richer countries the age of polio has shifted towards older ages since the 1940s.

While the majority of WPV-infected persons remain asymptomatic a small proportion has short fever with upper respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.

In a few subjects, this first phase may be followed by an acute onset of paralysis of skeletal muscles, due to loss of lower motor neurons from PV infection (=poliomyelitis) with a case-fatality rate of 5%–20%; bulbar involvement increases risk of death, cortical functions (other than emotional, due to physical deformity/disability) are unaffected.

Recurrence of pain and worsening of residual motor power may occur 3–4 decades later ("post-polio syndrome").

With no specific treatment available, prevention with one of 2 basic vaccine types (live = oral polio vaccines (OPV); and inactivated (IPV) whole virus vaccine) is of highest importance.

With IPV, 3 primary doses and one booster protect nearly 100%, whereas 2 priming and 1 booster doses are sufficient, provided the first dose is given at or after 8 weeks of age and second dose again at or after 8 weeks and one booster at least 6 months after the previous dose.

OPV is given orally to induce systemic and gut mucosal immunity, following intestinal infection by vaccination.
In the USA and in most temperate regions one dose induces protective immunity in ~75% of subjects against the 3 virus types and the immunity gap is closed by 2 additional doses.

In tropical/developing countries vaccine efficacy is as low as ~10% for types 1 or 3 and it may take 10-15 doses to induce immunity in >90%.

While there are no safety concerns with IPV, with OPV attenuating mutations may revert, rarely resulting in “vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis” (VAPP), clinically indistinguishable from WPV-caused polio.

VPV can spread and cause VAPP in susceptible contacts. In under-vaccinated communities VPV may circulate, mutate, become WPV-like highly transmissible, and even cause outbreaks of polio. Such virus variants are called circulating Vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs).

In the 2020s, only 2 countries continue to have indigenous transmission of WPV 1.

Transmission of WPV type 2 had been globally interrupted in 1999 and WPV type 3 in 2012.

Nearly all rich countries have abandoned OPV in favor of IPV in order to avoid VAPP.

cVDPV type 2 and cVDPV type 1, in their order of frequency, are now the major causes of polio outbreaks in African and Asian countries
PROBLEMS OF A DAIRY FARMER IN WESTLAND
Authors: Wyatt F.W.
Published: October 2021

OUR FARM is situated in the Hari Hari District, 75 miles south of Greymouth on the right bank of the Poerua River. The farm is part of the original homestead block from a large estate of the original settler who commenced farming in the area about 85 years ago.
SOILS OF WESTLAND
Authors: Gibbs H.S.
Published: October 2021

THE soils of Westland are, in general, a sad-looking lot 'at the present time. Over large areas of the lowlands their native robes of timber trees have been taken away or torn to shreds. Some small areas have acquired a new flimsy garment of pasture or foreign trees, but large areas of flat and undulating terrace lands are a ragged quilt of rushes, ferns, mosses and burnt tree sturnps. Hills previously in tall forests now have a mass of small trees, shrubs and ferns without timber value. If the soils could speak, they would complain that they had been treated like gold or coal (which to a soil is worse than dirt). Gold and coal are .I inert, diminishing resources of only temporary value to Westland. Soil, on the other hand, has living components that give it powers of recuperation so that it can be used over and over again. It need not be a diminishing asset. With assistance from man, soil can increase its natural productivity and maintain this at a certain level indefinitely. Hence, the soils are potentially a far more important asset to Westland than gold or coal. But this is not apparent either to the resident of Westland nor to the visitor. Along the highways or runways they see derelict farms and wonder if the soils are inherently poor or whether the timber trees took all the "good" out of the soil. On the other hand, the abundant growth of unpalatable plants would indicate a potential source of productivity in the soils.
Diagnostic efficiency of miR-21 and miR-34a serum levels in malign and benign prostate diseases
Authors: Dülgeroğlu Yakup , Erden Gönül , Ekici Musa , Yeşilyurt Ahmet , Odabaş Öner , Uçar Fatma , Öztürk Gülfer
Published: October 2021

Objective: In this study aimed to determine the diagnostic efficiency of miR-21 and miR-34a serum levels in the discrimination of benign prostatic hyperplasia, chronic prostatitis, and prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 70 patients (25 benign prostatic hyperplasias, 10 chronic prostatitides, and 35 prostate cancer) who underwent prostate needle biopsy. After obtaining serum under suitable conditions, RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and qRT-PCR analysis were performed using Qiagen brand kits on Rotor-Gene® Q (Qiagen, Germany) device. -∆Ct values ​​were calculated using RNU6 as a reference gene for normalization. -∆Ct values ​​were used in all statistical calculations. Results: It was observed that miR-21 serum levels were upregulated in chronic prostatitis and cancer groups compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001, respectively). The specificity and sensitivity of miR-21 and miR-21/miR-34a combination was calculated as 56% and 86%; 84% and 71% in discriminating benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer groups, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, it has been shown that miR-21 and miR-21/miR-34a combination has diagnostic performance that can be a biomarker candidate in diagnosing prostate cancer. In addition, the presence of a gradual increase in chronic prostatitis and prostate cancer at miR-21 levels compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia suggests that inflammation and cancer transformation processes taking place at the molecular level are also reflected in the circulating microRNA profile. Keywords: Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, MicroRNA, Diagnostic efficiency
The impact of age on urethroplasty outcomes: a match pair analysis
Authors: Pazır Yaşar , Yanaral Fatih , Çağlar Ufuk , Çakmak Sedat , Erbin Akif , Sarılar Ömer , Özgör Faruk
Published: October 2021

Objective: The success of urethroplasty depends on a well-vascularized urethra, and in graft procedures, also on a healthy and well-vascularized graft bed for neovascularization. Elderly patients have an increased comorbid burden that may result in decreased penile and urethral blood flow. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether age is an independent determinant of surgical success in patients undergoing urethroplasty. Material and Methods: The data of male patients who underwent urethroplasty (Excision-primary anastomosis and buccal mucosa graft) between 2015 and 2020 in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Urethroplasty success was defined as no urethral intervention required for at least one year of follow-up. Patients under the age of 60 were matched in a 1: 1 ratio with patients aged 60 and over, according to the length of the stricture and the type of operation. Patient characteristics were compared between the two age groups. Factors affecting success were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Nineteen patients (n= 8 excision-primary anastomosis, n= 11 buccal mucosa graft) aged 60 years and older were matched with those <60 years of age. Mean age and follow-up period were 41.9±12.6 and 67.9±4.8 years (p= 0.001), 27.3±8.7 and 24.1±10.9 months (p= 0.325) for <60 years and ≥60 years old groups, respectively. Presence of iatrogenic etiology (p= 0.026), comorbidity (p= 0.007) and coronary artery disease (p= 0.027) were more common in the group over 60 years of age. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking, history of previous urethral surgery, number of previous direct vision internal urethrotomy procedures, location of stricture, and success rates. Stricture length was the only significant clinical factor predicting success (p= 0.044). Conclusion: Urethroplasty success is affected by the length of the stricture, but not by age. Urethroplasty can be performed with similar success rates in elderly patients after evaluating the length of the stricture. Keywords: Urethral stricture, urethroplasty, age
Current intravesical therapies BCG-failure in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Göğer Yunus Emre , Taşkapu Hakan Hakkı
Published: October 2021

The first-line treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is intravesical Bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG). Despite BCG, alternative treatments are urgently required for recurrent or progressive bladder cancer. Cystectomy is the gold standard treatment in BCG failure in bladder cancer. When cystectomy can not be performed for reasons related to the patient, other treatments should be started. Many clinical studies such as intravesical gemcitabine, taxanes or combination treatment, new therapeutic agents,..etc are critical in determining the next step. Alternative to radical cystectomy, well designed and many new treatment studies are still ongoing. They seem ready for routine clinical practice in the near future. We believe that NMIBC treatment modalities will change in the near future. Keywords: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, BCG-refractory, radical cystectomy, intravesical teratments.
«РВАНЫЕ» НОРМЫ УГОЛОВНОГО КОДЕКСА
Authors: Розовский Б. Г.
Published: October 2021

Уголовное право считается замыкающей отраслью права («Последний довод коро­ля»). На деле многочисленные запреты норм Уголовного кодекса определяют пределы правового регулирования позитивных отраслей права, выстраивая «Великую китайскую стену», зачастую препятствующую реализации прогрессивных начинаний. Предупре­ждение такой опасности должно проходить красной нитью в готовящемся проекте УК Украины. В действующем праве человек зачастую заменен роботом. В противовес этому в уго­ловном праве субъектом ответственности является человек со всеми его биологическими и социальными особенностями. Стандартизация здесь недопустима.
Can Lambs in Pain Identify Medicated Feed?
Authors: Marini Danila , Colditz Ian G. , Lee Caroline
Published: October 2021

Lambs in Australia undergo painful husbandry procedures as part of common husbandry. The magnitude and duration of pain are difficult to assess in lambs. Most currently used methods rely on behavioral expressions and physiological markers that may fail to detect the state of pain an animal experience. This study examined motivation of 12-week-old lambs experiencing chronic pain to self-medicate by consumption of feed containing an analgesic agent as an indicator of pain in lambs. In this study, 36 male Merino lambs were individually penned and acclimated to pelleted feed and two artificial odors: strawberry and banana. Once acclimated to odored feed, lambs were tested for their individual preference for the odors. Lambs were then assigned to one of two groups: Sham—sham handled day 0 and 7 or Ring—Ring castrated day 0 and tail docked day 7. To enable self-medication testing, lambs underwent a conditioning period (day 0–3) followed by the self-medication period (day 7–12). On day 0 lambs were castrated or sham handled, and then offered only medicated feed that contained an odor cue (either strawberry or banana). On day 7, lambs underwent tail-docking or sham handling and were offered both the conditioned medicated feed and non-medicated feed. Amount of each feed consumed was recorded 1 and 12 h after offer each day. Blood samples were taken for cortisol and white blood cell analysis and behavioral observations were recorded for 12 h following treatment. There was no difference in preference for medicated feed between Ring and Sham lambs during the self-medication phase (P= 0.18). Lambs in both groups displayed a significant preference for strawberry cued medicated feed during the self-medicated period when compared to the other testing periods (P= 0.05). Ring lambs displayed more active pain behaviors (mean = 15.1) than Sham (mean = 0.4,P< 0.05). Following castration, Ring lambs had a higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. This study was not able to demonstrate that lambs can self-medicate for a state of pain.
Making it Concrete: Analysing the Role of Concrete Plants’ Locations for Circular City Policy Goals
Authors: Van den Berghe Karel B.J. , Verhagen Teun J.
Published: October 2021

Increasingly, space for remanufacturing is seen as the most valuable resource to achieve circular economy (CE) policy goals, in particular for cities. However, in many cities, industrial urban areas are increasingly subject of – mostly circular designed - residential redevelopment. The proposition of this paper is that these diminishing industrial areas host, at least potentially, essential functions necessary to “close the material loop.” The reason why policy makers neglect the necessity of remanufacturing capacity, is because it is difficult to pinpoint the “ideal” geography of a circular loop. Most (circular) products can be transported limitless, thus their remanufacturing functions can be located around the world. But what if a critical material cannot be transported limitless and has circular potential? Therefore, this paper focusses on concrete for two reasons. First, concrete is by far the most abundant material in urban areas. Second, newly/circular made fluid concrete can only be transported for a limited time and distance. The hypothesis of this paper is that concrete plants are and will become essential for circular cities. Subsequently, we focus on the Dutch city of The Hague and combine a Material Flow Analysis with the locations of the concrete resupply chain. Our results show that potentially The Hague has a 100% circular concrete chain, but the importance of its concrete plant is (implicitly) neglected. We conclude that The Hague is illustrative for the problem of many circular cities that are without (implicitly) taking into account the whole circular resupply chain, jeopardized today a future urban CE.
Functions of the CSB Protein at Topoisomerase 2 Inhibitors-Induced DNA Lesions
Authors: Busatto Franciele Faccio , Mersaoui Sofiane Y. , Sun Yilun , Pommier Yves , Masson Jean-Yves , Saffi Jenifer
Published: October 2021

Topoisomerase 2 (TOP2) inhibitors are drugs widely used in the treatment of different types of cancer. Processing of their induced-lesions create double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the DNA, which is the main toxic mechanism of topoisomerase inhibitors to kill cancer cells. It was established that the Nucleotide Excision Repair pathway respond to TOP2-induced lesions, mainly through the Cockayne Syndrome B (CSB) protein. In this paper, we further define the mechanism and type of lesions induced by TOP2 inhibitors when CSB is abrogated. In the absence of TOP2, but not during pharmacological inhibition, an increase in R-Loops was detected. We also observed that CSB knockdown provokes the accumulation of DSBs induced by TOP2 inhibitors. Consistent with a functional interplay, interaction between CSB and TOP2 occurred after TOP2 inhibition. This was corroborated with in vitro DNA cleavage assays where CSB stimulated the activity of TOP2. Altogether, our results show that TOP2 is stimulated by the CSB protein and prevents the accumulation of R-loops/DSBs linked to genomic instability.
The Rho GTPase Cell Division Cycle 42 Regulates Stereocilia Development in Cochlear Hair Cells
Authors: Du Haibo , Zhou Hao , Sun Yixiao , Zhai Xiaoyan , Chen Zhengjun , Wang Yanfei , Xu Zhigang
Published: October 2021

Stereocilia are actin-based cell protrusions on the apical surface of inner ear hair cells, playing a pivotal role in hearing and balancing sensation. The development and maintenance of stereocilia is tightly regulated and deficits in this process usually lead to hearing or balancing disorders. The Rho GTPase cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. It has been reported to localize in the hair cell stereocilia and play important roles in stereocilia maintenance. In the present work, we utilized hair cell-specific Cdc42 knockout mice and CDC42 inhibitor ML141 to explore the role of CDC42 in stereocilia development. Our data show that stereocilia height and width as well as stereocilia resorption are affected in Cdc42-deficient cochlear hair cells when examined at postnatal day 8 (P8). Moreover, ML141 treatment leads to planar cell polarity (PCP) deficits in neonatal hair cells. We also show that overexpression of a constitutively active mutant CDC42 in cochlear hair cells leads to enhanced stereocilia developmental deficits. In conclusion, the present data suggest that CDC42 plays a pivotal role in regulating hair cell stereocilia development.
Altered Pseudomonas Strategies to Inhibit Surface Aspergillus Colonies
Authors: Sass Gabriele , Nazik Hasan , Chatterjee Paulami , Shrestha Pallabi , Groleau Marie-Christine , Déziel Eric , Stevens David A.
Published: October 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus infections frequently co-localize in lungs of immunocompromised patients and individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The antifungal activity of P. aeruginosa has been described for its filtrates. Pyoverdine and pyocyanin are the principal antifungal P. aeruginosa molecules active against A. fumigatus biofilm metabolism present in iron-limited or iron-replete planktonic P. aeruginosa culture filtrates, respectively. Using various P. aeruginosa laboratory wild-type strains (PA14, PAO1, PAK), we found antifungal activity against Aspergillus colonies on agar. Comparing 36 PA14 and 7 PAO1 mutants, we found that mutants lacking both major siderophores, pyoverdine and pyochelin, display higher antifungal activity on agar than their wild types, while quorum sensing mutants lost antifungal activity. Addition of ferric iron, but not calcium or magnesium, reduced the antifungal effects of P. aeruginosa on agar, whereas iron-poor agar enhanced antifungal effects. Antifungal activity on agar was mediated by PQS and HHQ, via MvfR. Among the MvfR downstream factors, rhamnolipids and elastase were produced in larger quantities by pyoverdine–pyochelin double mutants and showed antifungal activity on agar. In summary, antifungal factors produced by P. aeruginosa on agar differ from those produced by bacteria grown in liquid cultures, are dependent on quorum sensing, and are downregulated by the availability of ferric iron. Rhamnolipids and elastase seem to be major mediators of Pseudomonas’ antifungal activity on a solid surface.
Degradation Comparison of Cyclic and Linear Siloxane Contamination on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Ni-YSZ Anode
Authors: Tian Jiashen , Milcarek Ryan J.
Published: October 2021

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) anode degradation due to different types of siloxane contamination is investigated. A cyclic structure siloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), and a linear structure siloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4), are mixed with H2+N2 as the fuel for SOFCs at 750°C. The electrochemical characterization results after stability experiments suggest that the SOFC contaminated with cyclic siloxane, D4, had higher degradation. Pure YSZ pellets with different surface hydroxylation extents were also tested to investigate the D4/L4 adsorption and deposition process. Postmortem SEM/WDS, XRD and Raman analysis all indicate that cyclic siloxane has more deposition than linear siloxane on the anode. Further analysis demonstrates that high adsorption and low desorption rates of cyclic siloxane on YSZ are linked to the degradation. Besides the silicon deposition, SiC and amorphous carbon deposition were also observed from the XRD and Raman analysis.
Benthic Assemblage Composition of South Atlantic Seamounts
Authors: Bridges Amelia E. H. , Barnes David K. A. , Bell James B. , Ross Rebecca E. , Howell Kerry L.
Published: October 2021

Seamounts and oceanic islands rise from the seafloor and provide suitable habitat for a diverse range of biological assemblages including Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). Whilst they have been the focus of some work globally, there has been little description of the biological and physical environments of seamounts in the South Atlantic Ocean. In this study, we characterized benthic assemblage composition from 13 seamounts and oceanic islands spanning 8–40°S within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Ascension Island, Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha. Drop camera imagery was collected between 170 and 1000 m. All fauna present in images were identified and quantified, and multivariate statistics were used to describe biological assemblages and identify their environmental drivers. Benthic communities of temperate regions (Tristan da Cunha archipelago) were shown to be distinct from those found in the tropics, with latitude and depth identified as key environmental drivers of assemblage composition. Our results are consistent with the current understanding of the biogeography of the South Atlantic, both in terms of the distinction between tropical and temperate regions, and the influence of depth and water mass structure on assemblage distribution. Faunal assemblages are similar to those observed in the North Atlantic in terms of functional groups. VMEs are present within the EEZs of all three territories and are potentially protected from some threats by large marine protected areas (MPAs). Our imagery, data and analyses provide a baseline for south Atlantic seamounts so that future monitoring can establish whether existing protected status is sufficient to conserve both unique biodiversity and considerable potential for vital ecosystem services.
Case Report: A Candida Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Patient Detected Through the Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Cao Xiao-guang , Yu Chuang-wei , Zhou Shu-sheng , Huang Yu , Wang Chun-yan
Published: October 2021

Background: Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are not commonly seen clinically. Clinical diagnosis of fungal infections often depend on the pathogen culture and the clinical features. This method is time-consuming and insensitive, which can lead to misdiagnosis. The authors introduce an adult patient with fungal infections diagnosed by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Case: The patient was a 60-year-old male Chinese who had both hypermyotonia of the lower extremities and fever. The auxiliary examinations such as MRI, CT, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed obvious abnormalities. Because of the difficulties in diagnosis, it was hard to determine the treatment plan. The NGS detected specific sequences of Candida albicans in 3 days. The patient was then treated with liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole. About 3 weeks later, the symptoms of the patient improved significantly and he was discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion: Compared with the routine cultural method, NGS has made a huge advancement in infection diagnosis and targeting antimicrobial therapy for CNS infection.
Short-Term Plasticity Regulates Both Divisive Normalization and Adaptive Responses in Drosophila Olfactory System
Authors: Liu Yuxuan , Li Qianyi , Tang Chao , Qin Shanshan , Tu Yuhai
Published: October 2021

InDrosophila, olfactory information received by olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) is first processed by an incoherent feed forward neural circuit in the antennal lobe (AL) that consists of ORNs (input), inhibitory local neurons (LNs), and projection neurons (PNs). This “early” olfactory information processing has two important characteristics. First, response of a PN to its cognate ORN is normalized by the overall activity of other ORNs, a phenomenon termed “divisive normalization.” Second, PNs respond strongly to the onset of ORN activities, but they adapt to prolonged or continuously varying inputs. Despite the importance of these characteristics for learning and memory, their underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we develop a circuit model for describing the ORN-LN-PN dynamics by including key neuron-neuron interactions such as short-term plasticity (STP) and presynaptic inhibition (PI). By fitting our model to experimental data quantitatively, we show that a strong STP balanced between short-term facilitation (STF) and short-term depression (STD) is responsible for the observed nonlinear divisive normalization inDrosophila. Our circuit model suggests that either STP or PI alone can lead to adaptive response. However, by comparing our model results with experimental data, we find that both STP and PI work together to achieve a strong and robust adaptive response. Our model not only helps reveal the mechanisms underlying two main characteristics of the early olfactory process, it can also be used to predict PN responses to arbitrary time-dependent signals and to infer microscopic properties of the circuit (such as the strengths of STF and STD) from the measured input-output relation. Our circuit model may be useful for understanding the role of STP in other sensory systems.
The Effects of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Functional Brain Network Following Stroke: An Electroencephalography Study
Authors: Ding Qian , Zhang Shunxi , Chen Songbin , Chen Jixiang , Li Xiaotong , Chen Junhui , Peng Yuan , Chen Yujie , Chen Kang , Cai Guiyuan , Xu Guangqing , Lan Yue
Published: October 2021

Objective:Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a special form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which effectively increases cortical excitability and has been widely used as a neural modulation approach in stroke rehabilitation. As effects of iTBS are typically investigated by motor evoked potentials, how iTBS influences functional brain network following stroke remains unclear. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) has been suggested to be a sensitive measure for evaluating effects of rTMS on brain functional activity and network. Here, we used resting-state EEG to investigate the effects of iTBS on functional brain network in stroke survivors.

Methods:We studied thirty stroke survivors (age: 63.1 ± 12.1 years; chronicity: 4.0 ± 3.8 months; UE FMA: 26.6 ± 19.4/66) with upper limb motor dysfunction. Stroke survivors were randomly divided into two groups receiving either Active or Sham iTBS over the ipsilesional primary motor cortex. Resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and immediately after iTBS to assess the effects of iTBS on functional brain network.

Results:Delta and theta bands interhemispheric functional connectivity were significantly increased after Active iTBS (P= 0.038 and 0.011, respectively), but were not significantly changed after Sham iTBS (P= 0.327 and 0.342, respectively). Delta and beta bands global efficiency were also significantly increased after Active iTBS (P= 0.013 and 0.0003, respectively), but not after Sham iTBS (P= 0.586 and 0.954, respectively).

Conclusion:This is the first study that used EEG to investigate the acute neuroplastic changes after iTBS following stroke. Our findings for the first time provide evidence that iTBS modulates brain network functioning in stroke survivors. Acute increase in interhemispheric functional connectivity and global efficiency after iTBS suggest that iTBS has the potential to normalize brain network functioning following stroke, which can be utilized in stroke rehabilitation.
A Multilevel Probabilistic Cerenkov Luminescence Tomography Reconstruction Framework Based on Energy Distribution Density Region Scaling
Authors: Wei Xiao , Guo Hongbo , Yu Jingjing , He Xuelei , Yi Huangjian , Hou Yuqing , He Xiaowei
Published: October 2021

Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) is a promising non-invasive optical imaging method with three-dimensional semiquantitative in vivo imaging capability. However, CLT itself relies on Cerenkov radiation, a low-intensity radiation, making CLT reconstruction more challenging than other imaging modalities. In order to solve the ill-posed inverse problem of CLT imaging, some numerical optimization or regularization methods need to be applied. However, in commonly used methods for solving inverse problems, parameter selection significantly influences the results. Therefore, this paper proposed a probabilistic energy distribution density region scaling (P-EDDRS) framework. In this framework, multiple reconstruction iterations are performed, and the Cerenkov source distribution of each reconstruction is treated as random variables. According to the spatial energy distribution density, the new region of interest (ROI) is solved. The size of the region required for the next operation was determined dynamically by combining the intensity characteristics. In addition, each reconstruction source distribution is given a probability weight value, and the prior probability in the subsequent reconstruction is refreshed. Last, all the reconstruction source distributions are weighted with the corresponding probability weights to get the final Cerenkov source distribution. To evaluate the performance of the P-EDDRS framework in CLT, this article performed numerical simulation, in vivo pseudotumor model mouse experiment, and breast cancer mouse experiment. Experimental results show that this reconstruction framework has better positioning accuracy and shape recovery ability and can optimize the reconstruction effect of multiple algorithms on CLT.
Combination of Dexmedetomidine and Tramadol in Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia Strengthens Sedative Effect in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Authors: Zhang Shu-Yao , Zhao Hui , Xu Chengcheng , Zhang Qiuzhen , Chen Yun , Li Hai-Yan , Zhang Xia-Lan , Zhao Chengkuan , Chen Meini , Yang Dong-Hua
Published: October 2021

Objective: The aim of the present study is to explore the combination of dexmedetomidine (DXM) and tramadol (TMD) on sedative effect in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods: A total of 356 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were randomly divided into three groups: DXM, TMD and DXM + TMD groups. These patients were treated with different doses of DXM, TMD or combination of DXM and TMD by a patient-controlled intravenous injection device. The scores of static pain and dynamic pain, sedation degree, and adverse reaction were recorded. The plasma levels of inflammatory mediators IL-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the serum level of p-p38-MAPK were evaluated.

Results: It was found that administration with DXM 1.0 µg/kg/h + TMD 700 mg and DXM 2.0 µg/kg/h + TMD 600 mg result in stronger sedative effect than single administration with DXM or TMD. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) of patients with PIH were decreased with the combinational treatment of DXM and TMD. Interestingly, the PIH patients injected with DXM 1.0 µg/kg/h + TMD 700 mg and DXM 2.0 µg/kg/h + TMD 600 mg showed stronger sedative effect. In addition, the plasma level of level of IL-10 was increased and CRP decreased. The serum level of p-p38/MAPK was decreased.

Conclusion: Taken together, our study indicates that combination of DXM and TMD effectively lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation through increasing the level of IL-10, reducing CRP and inhibiting p-p38/MAPK in patients with PIH. This study suggests that the combination of DXM and TMD could be an anesthetic choice in the management of PIH.
Spatial Structure and Information Transfer in Visual Networks
Authors: Poel Winnie , Winklmayr Claudia , Romanczuk Pawel
Published: October 2021

In human and animal groups, social interactions often rely on the transmission of information via visual observation of the behavior of others. These visual interactions are governed by the laws of physics and sensory limits. Individuals appear smaller when far away and thus become harder to detect visually, while close by neighbors tend to occlude large areas of the visual field and block out interactions with individuals behind them. Here, we systematically study the effect of a group’s spatial structure, its density as well as polarization and aspect ratio of the physical bodies, on the properties of static visual interaction networks. In such a network individuals are connected if they can see each other as opposed to other interaction models such as metric or topological networks that omit these limitations due to the individual’s physical bodies. We find that structural parameters of the visual networks and especially their dependence on spatial group density are fundamentally different from the two other types. This results in characteristic deviations in information spreading which we study via the dynamics of two generic SIR-type models of social contagion on static visual and metric networks. We expect our work to have implications for the study of animal groups, where it could inform the study of functional benefits of different macroscopic states. It may also be applicable to the construction of robotic swarms communicating via vision or for understanding the spread of panics in human crowds.
Metabolic Flow of C6 Volatile Compounds From LOX-HPL Pathway Based on Airflow During the Post-harvest Process of Oolong Tea
Authors: Zhou Zi-wei , Wu Qing-yang , Ni Zi-xin , Hu Qing-cai , Yang Yun , Zheng Yu-cheng , Bi Wan-jun , Deng Hui-li , Liu Zhen-zhang , Ye Nai-xin , Lai Zhong-xiong , Sun Yun
Published: October 2021

Aroma is an essential quality indicator of oolong tea, a tea derived from the Camellia sinensis L. plant. Carboxylic 6 (C6) acids and their derivative esters are important components of fatty acid (FA)-derived volatiles in oolong tea. However, the formation and regulation mechanism of C6 acid during postharvest processing of oolong tea remains unclear. To gain better insight into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of C6 compounds in oolong tea, a combined analysis of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity, CsADH2 key gene expression, and the FA-derived metabolome during postharvest processing of oolong tea was performed for the first time, complemented by CsHIP (hypoxia-induced protein conserved region) gene expression analysis. Volatile fatty acid derivative (VFAD)-targeted metabolomics analysis using headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPEM-GC-TOF-MS) showed that the (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol content increased after each turnover, while the hexanoic acid content showed the opposite trend. The results further showed that both the ADH activity and CsADH gene expression level in oxygen-deficit-turnover tea leaves (ODT) were higher than those of oxygen-turnover tea leaves (OT). The C6-alcohol-derived ester content of OT was significantly higher than that of ODT, while C6-acid-derived ester content showed the opposite trend. Furthermore, the HIP gene family was screened and analyzed, showing that ODT treatment significantly promoted the upregulation of CsHIG4 and CsHIG6 gene expression. These results showed that the formation mechanism of oolong tea aroma quality is mediated by airflow in the lipoxygenase–hydroperoxide lyase (LOX-HPL) pathway, which provided a theoretical reference for future quality control in the postharvest processing of oolong tea.
Reward-Related Dysfunctions in Children Developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—Roles of Oppositional and Callous-Unemotional Symptoms
Authors: Schloß Susan , Derz Friederike , Schurek Pia , Cosan Alisa Susann , Becker Katja , Pauli-Pott Ursula
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Neurocognitive functions might indicate specific pathways in developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We focus on reward-related dysfunctions and analyze whether reward-related inhibitory control (RRIC), approach motivation, and autonomic reactivity to reward-related stimuli are linked to developing ADHD, while accounting for comorbid symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and callous-unemotional (CU) traits.

Methods: A sample of 198 preschool children (115 boys; age: m = 58, s = 6 months) was re-assessed at age 8 years (m = 101.4, s = 3.6 months). ADHD diagnosis was made by clinical interviews. We measured ODD symptoms and CU traits using a multi-informant approach, RRIC (Snack-Delay task, Gift-Bag task) and approach tendency using neuropsychological tasks, and autonomic reactivity via indices of electrodermal activity (EDA).

Results: Low RRIC and low autonomic reactivity were uniquely associated with ADHD, while longitudinal and cross-sectional links between approach motivation and ADHD were completely explained by comorbid ODD and CU symptoms.

Conclusion: High approach motivation indicated developing ADHD with ODD and CU problems, while low RRIC and low reward-related autonomic reactivity were linked to developing pure ADHD. The results are in line with models on neurocognitive subtypes in externalizing disorders.
An Observational Study of OCD Patients Treated With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Zaccari Vittoria , Gragnani Andrea , Pellegrini Valerio , Caiazzo Tecla , D'Arienzo Maria Chiara , Magno Antonella , Femia Giuseppe , Mancini Francesco
Published: October 2021

Background and Objectives: While the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for general mental health and the increase in anxiety and depression are clear, less is known about the potential effect of the pandemic on OCD. The purpose of this study is to collect new data to monitor the symptomatic status of patients with OCD during the period of emergency due to COVID-19 and to make a comparison between two psychodiagnostic evaluations.

Methods: Eleven OCD patients and their psychotherapists were recruited. All patients had a specific psychodiagnostic assessment for OCD (SCL-90; OCI-R; Y-BOCS self-report) performed between December 2019 and January 2020 (t0), and undertook cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and prevention of response protocol (ERP) before the lockdown. The psychodiagnostic assessment carried out at t0 was re-administered (t1) to all patients, together with a set of qualitative questions collected through an online survey. The respective therapists were asked to document the status of the therapy and the monitoring of symptoms through use of a semi-structured interview (Y-BOCS) and a qualitative interview. Non-parametric analyses were conducted.

Results: Patients reported a significant decrease in OCD symptoms. Data analysis showed a decrease in the scores across t0 and at t1 on the Y-BOCS (SR) total self-report, and on OCD symptoms' severity assessed by means of the OCI-r and SCL-90 r OC subscale, for 11 participants. Relating to the measures detected by psychotherapists, marginally significant improvements and lower scores were found in the Y-BOCS (I). An improvement in symptoms was noticed by 90.9% of the clinical sample; this was confirmed by 45.4% of the therapists, who claimed moderate progress in their patients.

Conclusions: The data collected through standardized measurements at two different times, albeit relative to a small sample, assume relevance from a clinical point of view. In the literature, some studies document the worsening of OCD. However, in many studies, the type of treatment, the detection time, and the intervention period are not well-specified. These results confirm the effectiveness of CBT/ERP as an elective treatment for OCD through a specific intervention procedure.
The Impact of Health Care Reform Since 2009 on the Efficiency of Primary Health Services: A Provincial Panel Data Study in China
Authors: Yan Chaoyang , Liao Hui , Ma Ying , Wang Jing
Published: October 2021

Background: Primary health care (PHC) is an important part of health systems in the world and in China. To improve the efficiency of PHC institutions (PHCIs), many countries have implemented reforms, including China's health care reform since 2009. This study aims to evaluate the impact of this reform on the efficiency of PHCIs from the perspective of the whole health system.

Methods: Data were collected from China Health Statistical Yearbooks and China Statistical Yearbooks published from 2005 to 2019. By taking the number of beds, health technicians and PHCIs as inputs and the proportion of diagnosis, treatment and admission in PHCIs as outputs, Malmquist DEA was used to evaluate the efficiency change of PHCIs, and panel data regression was performed to analyze the impact of the reform and other factors on such efficiency. The interaction between reform and economic level was also estimated.

Results: The MPI in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hunan, and Guangdong improved after the reform. The efficiency improvement in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai is mainly reflected in the growth of TC, whereas the efficiency improvement in Guangdong and Hunan is mainly reflected in the growth of EC. Meanwhile, the EC and TC in Hebei, Heilongjiang, Shandong, and other provinces deteriorated. The deterioration of MPI in Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Jilin was mainly attributed to EC. while the deterioration of MPI in Liaoning, Anhui, and Fujian provinces is mainly attributed to TC. Since 2009, the reform exerted a negative impact on MPI (β = −0.06; P < 0.01), TC (β = −0.048; P < 0.01) and EC (β = −0.03; P < 0.01). And such negative impact was weaker in economically developed areas (β = 0.076; P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Attention should be paid to future reforms: China should continue investing in PHCIs, establish a structurally integrated and functionally complementary delivery system and promote the coordination of reform policies to avoid the adverse impacts of other reform policies on PHCIs.
Impact of Multidisciplinary Team Escalating Approach on Antibiotic Stewardship in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Sadeq Ahmed A. , Shamseddine Jinan M. , Babiker Zahir Osman Eltahir , Nsutebu Emmanuel Fru , Moukarzel Marleine B. , Conway Barbara R. , Hasan Syed Shahzad , Conlon-Bingham Geraldine M. , Aldeyab Mamoon A.
Published: October 2021

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) are an essential strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to measure the impact of an ASP multidisciplinary team (MDT) escalating intervention on improvement of clinical, microbiological, and other measured outcomes in hospitalised adult patients from medical, intensive care, and burns units. The escalating intervention reviewed the patients’ cases in the intervention group through the clinical pharmacists in the wards and escalated complex cases to ID clinical pharmacist and ID physicians when needed, while only special cases required direct infectious disease (ID) physicians review. Both non-intervention and intervention groups were each followed up for six months. The study involved a total of 3000 patients, with 1340 (45%) representing the intervention group who received a total of 5669 interventions. In the intervention group, a significant reduction in length of hospital stay (p < 0.01), readmission (p < 0.01), and mortality rates (p < 0.01) was observed. Antibiotic use of the WHO AWaRe Reserve group decreased in the intervention group (relative rate change = 0.88). Intravenous to oral antibiotic ratio in the medical ward decreased from 4.8 to 4.1. The presented ASP MDT intervention, utilizing an escalating approach, successfully improved several clinical and other measured outcomes, demonstrating the significant contribution of clinical pharmacists atimproving antibiotic use and informing antimicrobial stewardship.
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) in the Peritoneal Fluid Skews M2 Macrophage and Contributes to the Development of Endometriosis
Authors: Ono Yosuke , Kawakita Takako , Yoshino Osamu , Sato Erina , Kano Kuniyuki , Ohba Mai , Okuno Toshiaki , Ito Masami , Koga Kaori , Honda Masako , Furue Akiko , Hiraoka Takehiro , Wada Shinichiro , Iwasa Takeshi , Yokomizo Takehiko , Aoki Junken , Maeda Nagamasa , Unno Nobuya , Osuga Yutaka , Hirata Shuji
Published: October 2021

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), an inflammatory mediator, is abundantly contained in red blood cells and platelets. We hypothesized that the S1P concentration in the peritoneal cavity would increase especially during the menstrual phase due to the reflux of menstrual blood, and investigated the S1P concentration in the human peritoneal fluid (PF) from 14 non-endometriosis and 19 endometriosis patients. Although the relatively small number of samples requires caution in interpreting the results, S1P concentration in the PF during the menstrual phase was predominantly increased compared to the non-menstrual phase, regardless of the presence or absence of endometriosis. During the non-menstrual phase, patients with endometriosis showed a significant increase in S1P concentration compared to controls. In vitro experiments using human intra-peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) showed that S1P stimulation biased them toward an M2MΦ-dominant condition and increased the expression of IL-6 and COX-2. An in vivo study showed that administration of S1P increased the size of the endometriotic-like lesion in a mouse model of endometriosis.
Nonlinear Analysis and Bifurcation Characteristics of Whirl Flutter in Unmanned Aerial Systems
Authors: Quintana Anthony , Vasconcellos Rui , Throneberry Glen , Abdelkefi Abdessattar
Published: October 2021

Aerial drones have improved significantly over the recent decades with stronger and smaller motors, more powerful propellers, and overall optimization of systems. These improvements have consequently increased top speeds and improved a variety of performance aspects, along with introducing new structural challenges, such as whirl flutter. Whirl flutter is an aeroelastic instability that can be affected by structural or aerodynamic nonlinearities. This instability may affect the prediction of potentially dangerous behaviors. In this work, a nonlinear reduced-order model for a nacelle-rotor system, considering quasi-steady aerodynamics, is implemented. First, a parametric study for the linear system is performed to determine the main aerodynamic and structural characteristics that affect the onset of instability. Multiple polynomial nonlinearities in the two degrees of freedom nacelle-rotor model are tested to simulate possible structural nonlinear effects including symmetric cubic hardening nonlinearities for the pitch and yaw degrees of freedom; purely yaw nonlinearity; purely pitch nonlinearity; and a combination of quadratic, cubic, and fifth-order nonlinearities for both degrees of freedom. Results show that the presence of hardening structural nonlinearities introduces limit cycle oscillations to the system in the post-flutter regime. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the inclusion of quadratic nonlinearity introduces asymmetric oscillations and subcritical behavior, where large and potentially dangerous deformations can be reached before the predicted linear flutter speed.