bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Correlation Between Potential “Anti- Cancer” Trace Elements and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in a Chinese Population
Authors: Xue Heng , Qiao Rui , Yan Lailai , Yang Siyu , Liang Yongming , Liu Yaqiong , Xie Qing , Cui Ligang , Cao Bing
Published: August 2021

Backgrounds

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease without clear pathogenesis and effective primary prevention. The “anti-cancer” effects of several trace elements have received increasing attention in recent years. The main purpose of current study is to explore the differences of three potential “anti-cancer” trace elements selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and strontium (Sr) between patients with malignant breast tumors and healthy controls.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study in 45 patients with malignant breast tumors as cases and 95 healthy volunteers as controls from Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China. The serum concentrations of trace elements were evaluated by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results

The cases may have a lower Se levels when compared with controls (cases: 106.22 ng/ml, SD: 20.95 ng/ml; controls: 117.02 ng/ml, IQR: 22.79 ng/ml, p = 0.014). High levels of Se were a protective factor from breast cancer after adjusting the potential confounders of age, BMI, smoking, drinking, and menopause status (OR = 0.395, 95% CI, 0.178, 0.877, p = 0.023). The levels of Sr were lower in cases with high histologic grade when compared to low histologic grade (low histologic grade: 49.83 ng/ml, IQR: 41.35–62.60 ng/ml; high histologic grade: 40.19 ng/ml, IQR: 39.24–47.16 ng/ml, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings herein supported that Se has protective effects to avoid malignant breast tumors and Sr has protective effects to avoid poorly differentiated malignant breast tumors. Exploring “anti-cancer” related trace elements and their associations with breast cancer will assist for the early prevention and intervention for the disease.
FOXM1 Promotes Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Activation of the Linc-ROR/LMO4/AKT/PI3K Axis
Authors: Ma Xiao , Zhang Hong , Li Qian , Schiferle Erik , Qin Yao , Xiao Suifang , Li Tiancheng
Published: August 2021

Background/Aim

Previous literature has implicated the sustained expression of FOXM1 in numerous human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The current study aimed to elucidate the function and regulatory mechanism of FOXM1 in HNSCC.

Methods

Western blot and RT-qPCR methods were performed to evaluate the expression of Linc-ROR, FOXM1, and LMO4 in HNSCC tissue samples and cells. The binding between FOXM1 and Linc-ROR was analyzed using a ChIP assay. Various cellular processes including proliferation and invasion abilities were assessed following alteration of FOXM1, Linc-ROR and LMO4 expression in HNSCC cells. Xenograft mouse models were established to validate the in vitro findings.

Results

Linc-ROR and FOXM1 were highly expressed in HNSCC tissues and cells. FOXM1 operated as a potential transcription factor to bind to the promoter region of Linc-ROR. Linc-ROR and FOXM1 exhibited high expression levels in both the clinical tissue samples as well as the HNSCC cells, which could facilitate the proliferation and invasion of HNSCC cells. Linc-ROR upregulated the expression of LMO4 and promoted activation of the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway, thus stimulating the proliferation and invasion of HNSCC cells. Silencing of Linc-ROR brought about a contrasting effect relative to that seen when FOXM1 was overexpressed in HNSCC in vivo.

Conclusions

Overall, FOXM1 promoted the expression of Linc-ROR and induced the activation of the LMO4-dependent AKT/PI3K signaling pathway, thus facilitating the occurrence and development of HNSCC.
Toward Routine Minimally Invasive Ventricular Septal Defect Closure Via Right Lateral Minithoracotomy
Authors: Aydin Selim , Temur Bahar , Basgoze Serdar , Guzelmeric Fusun , Guvenc Osman , Erek Ersin
Published: August 2021

Background: Improving the surgical results and recent advancement of transcatheter techniques for closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) increased the demand for minimally invasive approaches. In this study, we analyzed the results of the patients who underwent VSD closure with right lateral minithoracotomy (RLMT).

Methods: Between September 2014 and February 2021, 24 patients underwent minimally invasive VSD closure with RLMT. The median age of the patients was 16 months (range, 4-84 months). Fifteen patients (62.5%) were female. The median weight of the patients was 9.75 kg (range, 4.6-30 kg). The types of VSD were perimembranous in 19 patients, subaortic in three patients, inlet in one patient, and subpulmonic in one patient. Five patients had low-lying pulmonary stenosis in addition to VSD.

Results: No perioperative death or major complication occurred during follow-up. All defects were repaired through RLMT. The median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 81 min (range, 44-163 min), and the aortic cross-clamp time was 65 min (range, 33-131 min). The median hospital stay was 6 days (range, 5-21 days). One patient had minimal (2 mm) residual left-to-right shunt. All families were satisfied with the cosmetic results during the follow-up.

Conclusions: The RLMT method is a safe and effective alternative to standard median sternotomy for VSD closure and can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results.
Reliability of Capillary Complete Blood Count in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis
Authors: Wielińska-Wiśniewska Hanna , Nowak Jan K. , Da̧browski Michał , Szydłowska Paula , Szczepanik Mariusz , Cichocka Katarzyna , Krzyżanowska-Jankowska Patrycja , Walkowiak Jarosław
Published: August 2021

Background: To assess the reliability of complete blood count (CBC) in the capillary blood of children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), with a focus on leukocytes.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Complete blood count was compared between the capillary and venous blood in children admitted to a pediatric gastroenterology department with primary diagnosis of AGE (ICD-10 A09, A08.0, A08.2). Capillary blood was obtained in the emergency room and venous blood was sampled in the ward shortly thereafter during peripheral intravenous line placement.

Results: One hundred and forty children were included. The mean (±SD) age and weight of patients were 3.0 ± 2.9 years and 16 ± 9 kg; 26% had leukocytosis. The mean difference between obtaining results of capillary and venous blood tests was 2 ± 1 h. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the identification of leukocytosis using the capillary blood was 0.98 (95% CI 0.96–1.0). The sensitivity and specificity were 86 and 98%, respectively (accuracy 95%). The positive and negative predictive values were 94 and 95%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient revealed high concordance between capillary and venous CBC measurements (leukocyte count 0.94, hemoglobin 0.88, erythrocyte count 0.77, hematocrit 0.79, platelet count 0.90). Matched pairs comparisons revealed marginally higher erythrocytes (difference of medians: 0.2 T/L), hemoglobin (0.3 g/dL), hematocrit (1.0%), and platelets (9 G/L) in the capillary blood.

Conclusion: Capillary CBC is useful in detecting leukocytosis in children with AGE.
The Evolution of AIFA Registries to Support Managed Entry Agreements for Orphan Medicinal Products in Italy
Authors: Xoxi Entela , Facey Karen M , Cicchetti Americo
Published: August 2021

Italy has a well-established prominent system of national registries to support managed entry agreements (MEAs), monitoring innovative medicinal products (MPs) with clinical as well as economic uncertainties to ensure appropriate use and best value for money. The technological architecture of the registries is funded by pharmaceutical companies, but fully governed by the national medicines agency (AIFA). A desktop analysis was undertaken of data over a 15-year timeframe of all AIFA indication-based registries and associated EMA information. The characteristics of registries were evaluated, comparing orphan MPs vs. all MPs exploring cancer and non-cancer indications. OMP (orphan medicinal product) registries’ type vs. AIFA innovation status and EMA approval was reviewed. Of the 283 registries, 182 are appropriateness registries (35.2% relate to OMPs, with an almost equal split of cancer vs. non-cancer for OMPs and MPs), 35 include financial-based agreements [20% OMPs (2 non-cancer, 5 cancer)], and 60 registries are payment by result agreements [23.3% OMPs (4 non-cancer, 10 cancer)]. Most OMPs (53/88) came through the normal regulatory route. With the strengthening of the system for evaluation of innovation, fewer outcomes-based registries have been instigated. AIFA has overcome many of the challenges experienced with MEA through developing an integrated national web-based data collection system: the challenge that remains for AIFA is to move from using the system for individual patient decisions about treatment to reviewing the wealth of data it now holds to optimize healthcare.
LEAP2 Impairs the Capability of the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor to Regulate the Dopamine 2 Receptor Signaling
Authors: Mustafá Emilio R. , Cordisco González Santiago , Damian Marjorie , Cantel Sonia , Denoyelle Severine , Wagner Renaud , Schiöth Helgi B. , Fehrentz Jean-Alain , Banères Jean-Louis , Perelló Mario , Raingo Jesica
Published: August 2021

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) signals in response to ghrelin, but also acts via ligand-independent mechanisms that include either constitutive activation or interaction with other G protein-coupled receptors, such as the dopamine 2 receptor (D2R). A key target of GHSR in neurons is voltage-gated calcium channels type 2.2 (CaV2.2). Recently, the liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) was recognized as a novel GHSR ligand, but the mechanism of action of LEAP2 on GHSR is not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of LEAP2 on the canonical and non-canonical modes of action of GHSR on CaV2.2 function. Using a heterologous expression system and patch-clamp recordings, we found that LEAP2 impairs the reduction of CaV2.2 currents induced by ghrelin-evoked and constitutive GHSR activities, acting as a GHSR antagonist and inverse agonist, respectively. We also found that LEAP2 prevents GHSR from modulating the effects of D2R signaling on CaV2.2 currents, and that the GHSR-binding N-terminal region LEAP2 underlies these effects. Using purified labeled receptors assembled into lipid nanodiscs and Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assessments, we found that the N-terminal region of LEAP2 stabilizes an inactive conformation of GHSR that is dissociated from Gq protein and, consequently, reverses the effect of GHSR on D2R-dependent Gi activation. Thus, our results provide critical molecular insights into the mechanism mediating LEAP2 modulation of GHSR.
Modulatory Effect of 4-(methylthio)butyl Isothiocyanate Isolated From Eruca Sativa Thell. on DMBA Induced Overexpression of Hypoxia and Glycolytic Pathway in Sprague-Dawley Female Rats
Authors: Singh Davinder , Thakur Sharad , Singh Drishtant , Buttar Harpal Singh , Singh Balbir , Arora Saroj
Published: August 2021

4-(methylthio)butyl isothiocyanate (4-MTBITC) is a hydrolytic product from the plantEruca sativaThell. In the present study, we explored the anti-cancer effect of 4-MTBITC against 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) induced breast cancer. Hypoxic conditions were developed using a single dose of 60 mg/kg DMBA. Hepatic and renal parameters were increased along with antioxidants in cancer-bearing rats which were lowered with the treatment of 4-MTBITC. Further, it inhibited the up-regulation of glycolytic enzymes caused by DMBA. The hypoxia pathway was evaluated using RT-PCR and it was found that the 40 mg/kg doses of 4-MTBITC statistically lowered the expression of HIF-1α. Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was one of the major pathways involved in 4-MTBITC-induced cell growth arrest by western blotting. Amino acid profiling serum-free plasma revealed the downregulation of specific amino acids required for vital components of fast-growing cancer cells. 4-MTBITC reduced the levels of serine, arginine, alanine, asparagines, and glutamic acid. Histological examination also showed neoplastic growth following DMBA doses. 4-MTBITC treated rats showed less infiltration and normal physiology. Our findings for the first time demonstrated the potential therapeutic significance of 4-MTBITC on modulation of glycolytic enzymes and hypoxia pathway in female rats.
Taohong Siwu Decoction Regulates Cell Necrosis and Neuroinflammation in the Rat Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model
Authors: Wang Ni , Fei Changyi , Chu Furui , Huang Shi , Pan Lingyu , Peng Daiyin , Duan Xianchun
Published: August 2021

Cell necrosis and neuroinflammation play an important role in brain injury induced by ischemic stroke. Previous studies reported that Taohong Siwu decoction (THSWD)can reduce heart muscle cell necrosis and has anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of THSWD on cell necrosis and neuroinflammation in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups with 12 rats in each group. They were the sham operation group, MCAO model group, and MCAO + THSWD group. We used ELISA to determine the levels of TNF-α, Mcp-1, and IL-1β inflammatory factors in rat serum, qRT‐PCR to detect the expression of TNF‐α, Mcp‐1 and IL‐1β mRNA in rat brain, and immunohistochemistry to detect the number of microglia and neutrophils in rat brain. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of IBA-1 and MPO inflammatory factors and the TNF-α/RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway in the rat brain and protein expression levels. Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of MCP-1, IL-1β, IBA-1, and MPO inflammatory factors and the TNF-α/RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway were significantly upregulated in the MCAO group. Compared with the MCAO group, the expressions of MCP-1, IL-1β, IBA-1, and MPO inflammatory factors and the TNF-α/RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway were significantly downregulated in the MCAO + THSWD group. THSWD can reduce the expression levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, IBA-1, and MPO inflammatory factors as well as the TNF-α/RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway. Meanwhile, it can reduce the necrosis and inflammation of brain cells after cerebral ischemia, so as to protect the brain tissue of rats.
Assessment of Alertness and Cognitive Performance of Closed Circuit Rebreather Divers With the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency Test in Arctic Diving Conditions
Authors: Piispanen Wilhelm W. , Lundell Richard V. , Tuominen Laura J. , Räisänen-Sokolowski Anne K.
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Cold water imposes many risks to the diver. These risks include decompression illness, physical and cognitive impairment, and hypothermia. Cognitive impairment can be estimated using a critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) test, but this method has only been used in a few studies conducted in an open water environment. We studied the effect of the cold and a helium-containing mixed breathing gas on the cognition of closed circuit rebreather (CCR) divers.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-three divers performed an identical dive with controlled trimix gas with a CCR device in an ice-covered quarry. They assessed their thermal comfort at four time points during the dive. In addition, their skin temperature was measured at 5-min intervals throughout the dive. The divers performed the CFFF test before the dive, at target depth, and after the dive.

Results: A statistically significant increase of 111.7% in CFFF values was recorded during the dive compared to the pre-dive values (p < 0.0001). The values returned to the baseline after surfacing. There was a significant drop in the divers’ skin temperature of 0.48°C every 10 min during the dive (p < 0.001). The divers’ subjectively assessed thermal comfort also decreased during the dive (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Our findings showed that neither extreme cold water nor helium-containing mixed breathing gas had any influence on the general CFFF profile described in the previous studies from warmer water and where divers used other breathing gases. We hypothesize that cold-water diving and helium-containing breathing gases do not in these diving conditions cause clinically relevant cerebral impairment. Therefore, we conclude that CCR diving in these conditions is safe from the perspective of alertness and cognitive performance.
Plant Availability of Magnesium in Typical Tea Plantation Soils
Authors: Zhang Qunfeng , Tang Dandan , Yang Xiangde , Geng Saipan , He Ying , Chen Yupei , Yi Xiaoyun , Ni Kang , Liu Meiya , Ruan Jianyun
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims: Magnesium (Mg) fertilizer has been proved to play an important role in improving the yield and quality of tea. However, plant availability of Mg, including its use, efficiency, and quality improvement effects, were highly affected by plant species, soil characteristics (nutritional status, etc.), and Mg status (chemical-available, etc.).

Methods: Tea plants were pot-cultivated in 12 typical tea plantation soils amended with and without Mg fertilizer. Exchangeable Mg (Ex-Mg) concentration in soils was quantitatively extracted using four extraction solutions (Mehlich-3, BaCl2, CaCl2, and NH4OAC). Plant availability of Mg was evaluated by Mg uptake and its use efficiency, as well as its association with quality components in tea plants.

Results: Ex-Mg in soils was extracted most efficiently by Mehlich-3, while Mg concentrations in tea plant tissue were higher correlated with Ex-Mg extracted by CaCl2 than other extraction solutions. Mg fertilizer use efficiency in tea plant varied from 6.08 to 29.56 %, and the effect of Mg application on tea quality improvement and the use efficiency of Mg fertilizer both negatively correlated with total Mg concentration (r = −0.94 and −0.63, respectively) and nitrogen (N) level (r = −0.61 and −0.51, respectively) in soils prior to tea plant cultivation.

Conclusions: CaCl2 could be recommended for plant-available Mg extraction in tea plantation soil, and Mg fertilizer use efficiency could be affected and predicted by total N and Mg status in soils prior to tea plant cultivation, providing a potential theoretical for the guidance of Mg fertilization for tea yield and quality improvement in tea plantation management.
Transcriptome and Coexpression Network Analyses Reveal Hub Genes in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) During Different Stages of Plasmodiophora brassicae Infection
Authors: Yuan Yuxiang , Qin Liuyue , Su Henan , Yang Shuangjuan , Wei Xiaochun , Wang Zhiyong , Zhao Yanyan , Li Lin , Liu Honglei , Tian Baoming , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: August 2021

Clubroot, caused by the soil-borne protist Plasmodiophora brassicae, is one of the most destructive diseases of Chinese cabbage worldwide. However, the clubroot resistance mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, in both clubroot-resistant (DH40R) and clubroot-susceptible (DH199S) Chinese cabbage lines, the primary (root hair infection) and secondary (cortical infection) infection stages started 2 and 5 days after inoculation (dai), respectively. With the extension of the infection time, cortical infection was blocked and complete P. brassica resistance was observed in DH40R, while disease scales of 1, 2, and 3 were observed at 8, 13, and 22 dai in DH199S. Transcriptome analysis at 0, 2, 5, 8, 13, and 22 dai identified 5,750 relative DEGs (rDEGs) between DH40R and DH199S. The results indicated that genes associated with auxin, PR, disease resistance proteins, oxidative stress, and WRKY and MYB transcription factors were involved in clubroot resistance regulation. In addition, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) identified three of the modules whose functions were highly associated with clubroot-resistant, including ten hub genes related to clubroot resistance (ARF2, EDR1, LOX4, NHL3, NHL13, NAC29, two AOP1, EARLI 1, and POD56). These results provide valuable information for better understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of Chinese cabbage clubroot resistance.
Plant and Fungal Genome Editing to Enhance Plant Disease Resistance Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
Authors: Paul Narayan Chandra , Park Sung-Won , Liu Haifeng , Choi Sungyu , Ma Jihyeon , MacCready Joshua S. , Chilvers Martin I. , Sang Hyunkyu
Published: August 2021

Crop production has been substantially reduced by devastating fungal and oomycete pathogens, and these pathogens continue to threaten global food security. Although chemical and cultural controls have been used for crop protection, these involve continuous costs and time and fungicide resistance among plant pathogens has been increasingly reported. The most efficient way to protect crops from plant pathogens is cultivation of disease-resistant cultivars. However, traditional breeding approaches are laborious and time intensive. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been utilized to enhance disease resistance among different crops such as rice, cacao, wheat, tomato, and grape. This system allows for precise genome editing of various organisms via RNA-guided DNA endonuclease activity. Beyond genome editing in crops, editing the genomes of fungal and oomycete pathogens can also provide new strategies for plant disease management. This review focuses on the recent studies of plant disease resistance against fungal and oomycete pathogens using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. For long-term plant disease management, the targeting of multiple plant disease resistance mechanisms with CRISPR/Cas9 and insights gained by probing fungal and oomycete genomes with this system will be powerful approaches.
Visual-Spatial and Verbal Remote Association: An fMRI Study
Authors: Wu Ching-Lin , Chen Hsueh-Chih
Published: August 2021

Although idea connections at verbal and conceptual levels have been explored by remote associates tests, the visual-spatial level is much less researched. This study investigated the visual-spatial ability via Chinese Radical Remote Associates Test (CRRAT), wherein respondents consider the positions of the stimulus and target Chinese radicals. Chinese Compound Remote Associates Test (CCRAT) questions also feature stimuli of a single Chinese character; therefore, it was adopted for comparison to distinguish the roles played by verbal and visual-spatial associations in a remote associative process. Thirty-six adults responded to CRRAT and CCRAT; their brain activities were analyzed. Upon excluding the influence of age, verbal comprehension, and working memory, it was found that the caudate, posterior cingulate cortex, postcentral gyrus, and medial frontal gyrus were activated when the respondents answered CCRAT, but only the caudate showed significant activation when they answered CRRAT. The Chinese radical remote association minus the Chinese compound remote association showed that the middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and precuneus demonstrated significant activation. Therefore, this study demonstrated differences in brain mechanisms between visual-spatial and verbal remote associations.
The Impact of Action Effects on Infants’ Predictive Gaze Shifts for a Non-Human Grasping Action at 7, 11, and 18 Months
Authors: Adam Maurits , Gumbsch Christian , Butz Martin V. , Elsner Birgit
Published: August 2021

During the observation of goal-directed actions, infants usually predict the goal at an earlier age when the agent is familiar (e.g., human hand) compared to unfamiliar (e.g., mechanical claw). These findings implicate a crucial role of the developing agentive self for infants’ processing of others’ action goals. Recent theoretical accounts suggest that predictive gaze behavior relies on an interplay between infants’ agentive experience (top-down processes) and perceptual information about the agent and the action-event (bottom-up information; e.g., agency cues). The present study examined 7-, 11-, and 18-month-old infants’ predictive gaze behavior for a grasping action performed by an unfamiliar tool, depending on infants’ age-related action knowledge about tool-use and the display of the agency cue of producing a salient action effect. The results are in line with the notion of a systematic interplay between experience-based top-down processes and cue-based bottom-up information: Regardless of the salient action effect, predictive gaze shifts did not occur in the 7-month-olds (least experienced age group), but did occur in the 18-month-olds (most experienced age group). In the 11-month-olds, however, predictive gaze shifts occurred only when a salient action effect was presented. This sheds new light on how the developing agentive self, in interplay with available agency cues, supports infants’ action-goal prediction also for observed tool-use actions.
Entrepreneurial Passion Psychology- Based Influencing Factors of New Venture Performance
Authors: Zhao Shouzheng , Zhou Yuqin , Guan Hai , Xu Wenhai
Published: August 2021

Small and medium-sized enterprises have been the driving force of social economy. As the social formation and the rise of many emerging economies, the domestic economic environment changes dramatically, which makes small and medium-sized enterprises face severe challenges. In the face of the fierce competition environment, how to improve the performance of entrepreneurship and gain competitive advantage is a very important topic in the practical management of entrepreneurs. This exploration is carried out with the entrepreneurial passion and risk taking as the antecedent variable, entrepreneurial performance as the outcome variable, and then work engagement as the mediator. With the entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises as the research object, questionnaire method is used to carry out empirical research. The empirical analysis results show that entrepreneurial passion has a significant positive impact on work engagement; risk taking has a significant positive impact on work engagement; work engagement has a significant positive impact on entrepreneurship performance; in addition, work participation plays a mediating role in the process of entrepreneurial passion and risk taking. The results provide academic and practical implications for entrepreneurs.
Eye Movement Abnormalities in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Takahashi Junichi , Hirano Yoji , Miura Kenichiro , Morita Kentaro , Fujimoto Michiko , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Kudo Noriko , Shishido Emiko , Okazaki Kosuke , Shiino Tomoko , Nakao Tomohiro , Kasai Kiyoto , Hashimoto Ryota , Onitsuka Toshiaki
Published: August 2021

Background: Despite their high lifetime prevalence, major depressive disorder (MDD) is often difficult to diagnose, and there is a need for useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of MDD. Eye movements are considered a non-invasive potential biomarker for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. However, eye movement deficits in MDD remain unclear. Thus, we evaluated detailed eye movement measurements to validate its usefulness as a biomarker in MDD.

Methods: Eye movements were recorded from 37 patients with MDD and 400 healthy controls (HCs) using the same system at five University hospitals. We administered free-viewing, fixation stability, and smooth pursuit tests, and obtained 35 eye movement measurements. We performed analyses of covariance with group as an independent variable and age as a covariate. In 4 out of 35 measurements with significant group-by-age interactions, we evaluated aging effects. Discriminant analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were conducted.

Results: In the free-viewing test, scanpath length was significantly shorter in MDD (p = 4.2 × 10−3). In the smooth pursuit test, duration of saccades was significantly shorter and peak saccade velocity was significantly lower in MDD (p = 3.7 × 10−3, p = 3.9 × 10−3, respectively). In the fixation stability test, there were no significant group differences. There were significant group differences in the older cohort, but not in the younger cohort, for the number of fixations, duration of fixation, number of saccades, and fixation density in the free-viewing test. A discriminant analysis using scanpath length in the free-viewing test and peak saccade velocity in the smooth pursuit showed MDD could be distinguished from HCs with 72.1% accuracy. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.76 (standard error = 0.05, p = 1.2 × 10−7, 95% confidence interval = 0.67–0.85).

Conclusion: These results suggest that detailed eye movement tests can assist in differentiating MDD from HCs, especially in older subjects.
Needed: More Reliable Bioeffects Studies at “High Band” 5G Frequencies
Authors: Foster Kenneth R , Vijayalaxmi
Published: August 2021

One major source of controversy related to possible health effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is the large number of reported statistically significant effects of exposure, over the entire RF part of the spectrum and over a wide range of exposure levels, even as health agencies do not find clear evidence for health hazards of exposure at levels within current IEEE and ICNIRP exposure limits. This Perspective considers 31 studies related to genetic damage produced by exposure to RFR at frequencies above 6 GHz, including at millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies. Collectively, the papers report many statistically significant effects related to genetic damage, many at exposure levels below current exposure limits. However, application of five risk of bias (RoB) criteria and other considerations suggest that the studies in many cases are vulnerable to false discovery (nonreplicable results). The authors call for improvements in study design, analysis and reporting in future bioeffects research to provide more reliable information for health agencies and regulatory decision makers. This Perspective is a companion to another Perspective by Mattsson et al. elsewhere in this volume (Mattsson et al., 2021)1.
NSPG: An Efficient Posture Generator Based on Null-Space Alteration and Kinetostatics Constraints
Authors: Rossini Luca , Hoffman Enrico Mingo , Laurenzi Arturo , Tsagarakis Nikos G.
Published: August 2021

Most of the locomotion and contact planners for multi-limbed robots rely on a reduction of the search space to improve the performance of their algorithm. Posture generation plays a fundamental role in these types of planners providing a collision-free, statically stable whole-body posture, projected onto the planned contacts. However, posture generation becomes particularly tedious for complex robots moving in cluttered environments, in which feasibility can be hard to accomplish. In this work, we take advantage of the kinematic structure of a multi-limbed robot to present a posture generator based on hierarchical inverse kinematics and contact force optimization, called the null-space posture generator (NSPG), able to efficiently satisfy the aforementioned requisites in short times. A new configuration of the robot is produced through conservatively altering a given nominal posture exploiting the null-space of the contact manifold, satisfying geometrical and kinetostatics constraints. This is achieved through an adaptive random velocity vector generator that lets the robot explore its workspace. To prove the validity and generality of the proposed method, simulations in multiple scenarios are reported employing different robots: a wheeled-legged quadruped and a biped. Specifically, it is shown that the NSPG is particularly suited in complex cluttered scenarios, in which linear collision avoidance and stability constraints may be inefficient due to the high computational cost. In particular, we show an improvement of performances being our method able to generate twice feasible configurations in the same period. A comparison with previous methods has been carried out collecting the obtained results which highlight the benefits of the NSPG. Finally, experiments with the CENTAURO platform, developed at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, are carried out showing the applicability of the proposed method to a real corridor scenario.
Attention: Your Brain’s Superpower
Authors: Lytchenko Taissa , Seekins Stanimira , Huntamer Stephanie , White Tess , Caplovitz Gideon P. , Mruczek Ryan E. B.
Published: August 2021

Have you ever searched the pages of a Where’s Waldo® book and found it difficult to find him? Your eyes jump around the page scanning for his red-and-white striped shirt, but all you seem to find are other funny characters. Maybe you keep getting distracted by a big green monster that does not look anything like Waldo. After you finally find him, you realize that you looked right at Waldo many times without noticing him. Do not worry! In this article, we explain that this is not because you are a bad detective, but because of the way the brain works when we pay attention.
Reduction of Energy Intensity in Broiler Facilities: Methodology and Strategies
Authors: Baxevanou Catherine , Fidaros Dimitrios , Giannenas Ilias , Bonos Eleftherios , Skoufos Ioannis
Published: August 2021

Broiler facilities consume a lot of energy resulting in natural source depletion and greater greenhouse gas emissions. A way to assess the energy performance of a broiler facility is through an energy audit. In the present paper, an energy protocol for an energy audit is presented covering both phases of data collection and data elaboration. The operational rating phase is analytically and extendedly described while a complete mathematical model is proposed for the asset rating phase. The developed energy audit procedure was applied to poultry chambers located in lowland and mountainous areas of Epirus Greece for chambers of various sizes and technology levels. The energy intensity indices varied from 46 to 89 kWh/m2 of chamber area 0.25–0.48 kWh/kg of produced meat or 0.36–1.3 kWh/bird depending on the chamber technology level (insulation, automation, etc.) and the location where the unit was installed. The biggest energy consumer was heating followed by energy consumption for ventilation and cooling. An advanced technology level can improve energy performance by ~ 27%−31%. Proper insulation (4–7 cm) can offer a reduction of thermal energy consumption between 10 and 35%. In adequately insulated chambers, the basic heat losses are due to ventilation. Further energy savings can be achieved with more precise ventilation control. Automation can offer additional electrical energy saving for cooling and ventilation (15–20%). Energy-efficient lights can offer energy saving up to 5%. The use of photovoltaic (PV) technology is suggested mainly in areas where net-metering holds. The use of wind turbines is feasible only when adequate wind potential is available. Solar thermal energy is recommended in combination with a heat pump if the unit's heating and cooling systems use hot/cold water or air. Finally, the local production of biogas with anaerobic fermentation for producing thermal or electrical energy, or cogenerating both, is a choice that should be studied individually for each farm.
Rapid Detection and Typing of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Serovars Directly From Clinical Samples: Combining FTA® Card Technology With Multiplex PCR
Authors: Stringer Oliver W. , Bossé Janine T. , Lacouture Sonia , Gottschalk Marcelo , Fodor László , Angen Øystein , Velazquez Eduardo , Penny Paul , Lei Liancheng , Langford Paul R. , Li Yanwen
Published: August 2021

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, is highly contagious and responsible for high morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in the swine industry worldwide, but quick serotyping and diagnosis are still not widely available. In this study, we sought to validate the use of Whatman FTA® cards for collection and processing of A. pleuropneumoniae isolates, or porcine lung tissue samples, for direct use in diagnostic multiplex PCRs. We have optimized the processing of 3-mm discs punched from FTA® cards loaded with cultured A. pleuropneumoniae, or imprinted on lesioned regions of lung tissue, with only three distilled water washes before addition into our APP-multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay for rapid, low-cost identification and serotyping. DNA captured on FTA® cards generated the same diagnostic PCR results as DNA extracted using commercial kits for 85 A. pleuropneumoniae clinical isolate cultures and 22 lung samples. Additionally, bacterial DNA bound to FTA® cards was detectable by PCR after 6 months of storage at 37°C. This study provides simple, efficient, rapid, and practical sample processing for detection and molecular serotyping of A. pleuropneumoniae.
Phenotyping and Validation of Root Morphological Traits in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Wang Jidong , Chen Yinglong , Zhang Yongen , Zhang Yongchun , Ai Yuchun , Feng Yupeng , Moody David , Diggle Art , Damon Paul , Rengel Zed
Published: August 2021

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop, but its sustainable production is significantly hampered due to the presence of various edaphic stresses. Understanding the variability in root morphological traits among diverse barley genotypes is critical for selecting those with suitable root traits for breeding new cultivars better adapted to stress environments. Root morphological traits in an early growth stage (30 days after transplanting) in a panel of 189 barley genotypes (mostly advanced breeding lines) were assessed using a semi-hydroponic phenotyping platform followed by a validation experiment of eight genotypes with contrasting root systems in two soils. The phenotyping experiment showed large variation (coefficient of variation values ≥ 0.25) in 16 of 26 measured root and shoot traits. A strong correlation among most of the selected traits was identified. Principal component analysis indicated four principal components (eigenvalues >1) captured 79.5% of the total variation. Root traits, including total root length, root length at various depths, root diameter and root length ratio (top 20 cm vs. lower section), could be considered in the barley breeding programs. Consistent ranking of the selected eight genotypes based on root biomass and root length in both the semi-hydroponic system and the columns with two different soils confirmed root trait performance in different growth environments as well as the reliability of the phenotyping method. This study identified phenotypic variability in root morphological traits in barley genotypes in the early growth stage. The genotypic variability in root traits represents a basis for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and molecular markers, particularly focused on breeding lines with optimal root properties for the efficient acquisition of soil resources and adaptation to drought and other abiotic stresses.
The Evaluation and Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources Collected in Lithuania
Authors: Dostatny Denise F. , Korzeniewska Aleksandra , Bartoszewski Grzegorz , Rawski Ryszard , Kaźmińska Karolina , Gelvonauskis Bronislovas
Published: August 2021

The present work compiles the results of three-year expeditions organized between 2011 and 2013 aimed at plant crop collection in the area of Lithuania, an Eastern European country. Accessions of fruit trees, vegetables, cereals, forage, industrial, fibrous, medical, and spice crops as well as accompanying segetal plants were collected in 5 ethnographic regions of Lithuania. In total, 1010 samples of seeds, bulbs, and plant grafts were obtained. The majority of the collected samples belonged to the Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Alliaceae, and Rosaceae families. The accessions were described and deposited in the long-term storage in Lithuanian and Polish Gene Banks. Almost all collected cucumbers, pumpkins, squashes, and oat plants were morphologically characterized in field experiments. Cucurbita pepo accessions showed high morphological diversity, while limited diversity of cucumber accessions was observed. Oat plants were characterized by high morphological diversity and resistance to diseases present in some of the investigated accessions. Further characterization of collected apple trees and other accessions is underway. Obtaining germplasm in the area of Lithuania fulfills a gap in current plant crop collections. Collected material could be valuable for pre-breeding evaluation and further breeding programs as well as the study of genetic diversity.
Modeling the Impacts of Climate Change on Yields of Various Korean Soybean Sprout Cultivars
Authors: Yoon Chang Yong , Kim Sojung , Cho Jaepil , Kim Sumin
Published: August 2021

Soybean sprout is an important food ingredient in East Asian cuisine. Soybean growth is highly sensitive to temperature and photoperiod. Thus, it is important to determine the optimal base temperature for an accurate yield prediction. The optimal base temperature can be varied by cultivars. In this study, six soybean sprout cultivars that are commonly grown in Korea were planted in South Jeolla province, South Korea between 2003 and 2018. Data on phenology were collected from the field and used to determine the optimal base temperature for each cultivar. As a result, variations of optimal base temperatures of cultivars ranged from 0 °C to 15 °C. In simulation, three plant parameter sets, including Soy15, Soy6, and Soy0, were created. Soy15, Soy6, and Soy0 represented soybean cultivars with base temperatures of 15 °C, 6 °C, and 0 °C, respectively. In simulation results, the values of percent bias were under 15%, indicating that the Agricultural Land Management Alternative with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) could reasonably simulate soybean yields. Among these three cultivars, Soy15 had the smallest yield, while Soy6 had the highest yield. In climate change scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585), both maximum and minimum temperatures were increased by 1–3.3 °C. With increasing temperatures in the future period, grain yields for all cultivars decreased. The yield reduction might be because the high temperature shortened the length of growth period of the soybeans. Among the three cultivars, Soy6 was a promising cultivar that could have a high yield under climate change scenarios.
Estimation of Population-Specific Genetic Parameters Important for Long-Term Optimum Contribution Selection—Case Study on a Dairy Istrian Sheep Breed
Authors: Kasap Ante , Ramljak Jelena , Špehar Marija
Published: August 2021

The Istrian sheep breed has been subjected to selection for dairy traits for more than two decades. However, a detailed study of some important population-specific parameters such as effective population size (Ne) and connectedness between flocks has never been carried out. The aim of the study was to examine the above parameters in dairy Istrian sheep subjected to a national selection program. The Ne was estimated as the mean rate of increase in coancestry, and connectedness was determined using four different statistics. The Ne was estimated at 73 animals with pedigree constraints imposed on 4 equivalent generations and 3 full generations. Analysis of ΔNe (“sliding window approach”) revealed a negative ΔNe indicating a progressive loss of genetic variability (ΔNeNEG≥4 = −6.6, p < 0.01; ΔNeNFG≥3 = −4.9, p > 0.05). The overall connectedness (r¯ ~ 0.0001) was below the acceptable level for unbiased ranking of the animals belonging to different flocks (ri,j  = 0.05). OCS appears to be the best option for the long-term survival (self-sufficiency) of the breed, but genetic links between flocks need to be strengthened to allow unbiased ranking of the animals based on the estimated breeding values.
Biologically Active Extracts from Different Medicinal Plants Tested as Potential Additives against Bee Pathogens
Authors: Pașca Claudia , Matei Ioana Adriana , Diaconeasa Zorița , Rotaru Ancuța , Erler Silvio , Dezmirean Daniel Severus
Published: August 2021

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) perform pollination service for many agricultural crops and contribute to the global economy in agriculture and bee products. However, honey bee health is an ongoing concern, as illustrated by persistent local population decline, caused by some severe bee diseases (e.g., nosemosis, AFB, EFB, chalkbrood). Three natural recipes are in development based on the bioactive compounds of different plants extract (Agastache foeniculum, Artemisia absinthium, Evernia prunastri, Humulus lupulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare and Vaccinium myrtillus), characterised by HPLC-PDA. The antimicrobial activity of these recipes was tested in vitro against Paenibacillus larvae, Paenibacillus alvei, Brevibacillus laterosporus, Enterococcus faecalis, Ascosphaera apis and in vivo against Nosema ceranae. A mix of 20% blueberry, 40% absinthium, 10% oakmoss, 10% oregano, 10% Brewers Gold hops, 5% bay laurel and 5% anise hyssop extract showed the strongest antibacterial and antifungal activity. Combing several highly active plant extracts might be an alternative treatment against bee-disease-associated parasites and pathogens, in particular to replace synthetic antibiotics.
Targeting Pro-Oxidant Iron with Deferoxamine as a Treatment for Ischemic Stroke: Safety and Optimal Dose Selection in a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Millán Mònica , DeGregorio-Rocasolano Núria , Pérez de la Ossa Natàlia , Reverté Sílvia , Costa Joan , Giner Pilar , Silva Yolanda , Sobrino Tomás , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Nombela Florentino , Campos Francisco , Serena Joaquín , Vivancos José , Martí-Sistac Octavi , Cortés Jordi , Dávalos Antoni , Gasull Teresa
Published: August 2021

A role of iron as a target to prevent stroke-induced neurodegeneration has been recently revisited due to new evidence showing that ferroptosis inhibitors are protective in experimental ischemic stroke and might be therapeutic in other neurodegenerative brain pathologies. Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death attributed to an overwhelming lipidic peroxidation due to excessive free iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability and to explore the therapeutic efficacy of the iron chelator and antioxidant deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) in ischemic stroke patients. Administration of placebo or a single DFO bolus followed by a 72 h continuous infusion of three escalating doses was initiated during the tPA infusion, and the impact on blood transferrin iron was determined. Primary endpoint was safety and tolerability, and secondary endpoint was good clinical outcome (clinicalTrials.gov NCT00777140). DFO was found safe as adverse effects were not different between placebo and DFO arms. DFO (40–60 mg/Kg/day) reduced the iron saturation of blood transferrin. A trend to efficacy was observed in patients with moderate-severe ischemic stroke (NIHSS > 7) treated with DFO 40–60 mg/Kg/day. A good outcome was observed at day 90 in 31% of placebo vs. 50–58% of the 40–60 mg/Kg/day DFO-treated patients.