bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional modulation of cortical activity during gum-chewing: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Hasegawa Yoko , Sakuramoto Ayumi , Sakagami Joe , Shiramizu Masako , Suzuki Tatsuya , Tachibana Yoshihisa , Kishimoto Hiromitsu , Ono Yumie , Ono Takahiro
Published: April 2021

Evidence indicates that distinct brain regions are associated with various emotional states. Cortical activity may be modulated by emotional states that are triggered upon chewing with various flavors. We examined cortical activity during chewing with different tastes/odors using multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
Thirty-six right-handed subjects participated in a crossover-design trial. Subjects chewed flavorful (palatable) or less flavorful (unpalatable) gum for 5 minutes. During gum-chewing these subjects experienced positive and negative emotions, respectively. Subjects rated the taste/odor/deliciousness of each gum with a visual analog scale. Bilateral hemodynamic responses in the frontal to parietal lobes, bilateral masseter muscle activation, and heart rate were measured during gum-chewing. Data changes during gum-chewing were evaluated.
Subjects’ ratings of the tastes and odors of each gum differed (p<0.001). Hemodynamic response changes were significantly elevated in the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex during gum-chewing, in comparison to resting. The hemodynamic responses of wide brain regions showed little difference between the gum conditions; however, a difference was detected in the corresponding left frontopolar/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Muscle activation and heart rate were not significantly different between the gum conditions.
Differential processing in the left prefrontal cortex might be responsible for emotional states caused by palatable and unpalatable foods.
Ethnoveterinary Knowledge and Practice Applied to Domestic Animals Raised in the Ukraine Colonization Community of Palmital, Paraná State, South Brazil.
Authors: Burei Sarita Teresinha , Santana Diógenes Adriano Duarte , Lopez Bruna Broch , Sotomaior Cristina Santos , Acra Luiz Antônio , Weber Saulo Henrique , Ollhoff Rudiger Daniel
Published: April 2021

Background: A broad spectrum of medicinal plants are used to treat livestock in rural areas of Brazil. The knowledge brought by the first European colonizers merged with traditional indigenous knowledge to treat domestic animals. With the advance of modern medicine, this knowledge is threatened to disappear. Ethnopharmacological studies in northeastern and the Amazon region of Brazil have been conducted, but influence of east Europeans and ethnopharmacological studies in south Brazil are scarce. To find out which plants are used for what purposes by farmers in the rural area of Ukrainian colonization of Palmital, middle west of Paraná state, Brazil. Methods: A semi-structured interview was applied through a non-random sampling with residents with experience in animal husbandry following the “snowball” method. The collected information regarded local plant names, parts of plants used, mode of preparation, route of administration, domestic species and disease treated. The interviewees were encouraged to show the plants used. Photographs were taken and specimen were collected for the family, genus, species identification and storage. The ethnobotanical methods of the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV) were applied and calculated. Results: 30 women and 20 men reported a total of 45 plant species belonging to 29 families to be used for ethnoveterinary practices. Medicinal plants were used mostly with cattle and goats for 12 different general veterinary uses, with the highest ICF for mastitis and for antiparasitic. Conclusion: A list of native and introduced medicinal plants could be generated. Most plants were used to treat cattle health problems, as the most important livestock species bred in the community. Similar studies with European communities of immigrants in Brazil are unknown and could be a valuable source of information of how cultural blends translate themselves in the use of medicinal plants.
Characterization of the Virome Associated With Haemagogus Mosquitoes in Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: Ali Renee , Jayaraman Jayaraj , Mohammed Azad , Chinnaraja Chinnadurai , Carrington Christine V. F. , Severson David W. , Ramsubhag Adesh
Published: April 2021

Currently, there are increasing concerns about the possibility of a new epidemic due to emerging reports of Mayaro virus (MAYV) fever outbreaks in areas of South and Central America. Haemagogus mosquitoes, the primary sylvan vectors of MAYV are poorly characterized and a better understanding of the mosquito’s viral transmission dynamics and interactions with MAYV and other microorganisms would be important in devising effective control strategies. In this study, a metatranscriptomic based approach was utilized to determine the prevalence of RNA viruses in field-caught mosquitoes morphologically identified as Haemagogus janthinomys from twelve (12) forest locations in Trinidad, West Indies. Known insect specific viruses including the Phasi Chaoren-like and Humaiata- Tubiacanga virus dominated the virome of the mosquitoes throughout sampling locations while other viruses such as the avian leukosis virus, MAYV and several unclassified viruses had a narrower distribution. Additionally, assembled contigs from the Ecclesville location suggests the presence of a unique uncharacterized picorna-like virus. Mapping of RNA sequencing reads to reference partial or complete mitochondrial genomes showed hits against avian and rodent genomes, which putatively add to the growing body of evidence of a potentially wide feeding host-range for the Haemagogus mosquito vector.
Functional Evaluation of KEL As An Oncogenic Gene in The Progression of Acute Erythroleukemia
Authors: Wu Zijuan , Liu Wenjie , Yu Yan , Qiao Chun , Zhu Han , Hong Ming , Zhu Yu , Qian Sixuan , Chen Suning , Wu Depei , Li Jianyong , Jin Hui
Published: April 2021

Background Acute erythroleukemia (AEL) is an infrequent subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with worse prognosis. Though the last decade has seen major advances in the novel features and genomic landscape in AEL, there is still a lack of specific therapeutic targets and effective treatment approaches for this disease. MethodsTCGA database was used to screen out the oncogene with specifically aberrant expression in AEL. Protein array was performed to explore the activated signaling pathways and targets that undergo phosphorylation modulation. A series of functional analyses in cell lines and mice models were performed to investigate the biological significance and clinical relevance of KEL regulation in AEL. CHIP, EMSA and dual-luciferase activity assay were performed to explore the upstream regulation mechanism of KEL.ResultsIn this study, the results showed that KEL promoted cell proliferation and its downregulation reversed drug resistance in AEL cells to JQ1. Our findings suggested that KEL contributed to gain of H3K27 acetylation and promoted erythroid differentiation induced by GATA1. Additionally, GATA1 and TAL1 as co-Transcription factors (TFs) modulated the expression of KEL. Maintaining cell viability and differentiation, KEL also played parts in the immune evasion of tumor cells. ConclusionsOur work expands the current knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms involved in cancer onset and progression, offering promising therapeutic target to broaden the treatment options.
Change in Employment Status in Survivors With Occupational Cancers: A Case Control Study
Authors: Lim Zhu Wei , Wang Chung-Ching , Wu Wei-Te , Chen Wei-liang
Published: April 2021

Background: The change of employment status in cancer survivors is underinvestigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the change in employment status in survivors with occupational cancers at the time of diagnosis until 2 years. Methods: In this study, we included 382 occupational cancer workers. In these 382 workers, 218 workers were insured. Ninety-nine occupational cancer workers in 2004-2015 were included for the change of employment status and salary buckets. The confirmation of change of employment status was retrieved in the Labor Insurance Database’s employment data. Results: The mean age of cancer workers were 51.38 ± 9.1119 years old and the average salary of industry of NTD 30511.6 ± 3980.6. In our results, most cancer survivors are in 46-55-year-old group (40.7%). Salary adjustment are the most change in the employment status in cancer survivors. Conclusion: Change of employment status in cancer survivors are important to decrease the impact of economic burden on society.
Novel Insight Into The Potential Role of AGPAT Gene Family in Triacylglycerols Synthesis in Buffalo
Authors: Ma Xiaoya , Duan Anqin , Lu Xingrong , Sohel Md Mahmodul Hasan , Abdel-Shafy Hamdy , Amin Ahmed , Liang Shasha , Deng Tingxian
Published: April 2021

Background: Acylglycerophosphate acyltransferases (AGPATs) are enzymes known to act on the second acylation step in the Kennedy (de novo) pathway to catalyze the conversion of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to phosphatidic acid (PA). Although AGPATs have been extensively explored by evolution, expression, and functional studies, little is known about the functional characterization of how many members of the AGPAT family are involved in the triacylglycerols (TAG) synthesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the potential functional roles of AGPAT family members in the TAG synthesis and growth of mammary epithelial cells using comparative genomic analysis and RNA interference (RNAi) technology.Results: In the present study, a total of 13 AGPAT genes in buffalo were identified using genome-wide analysis. Among them, 12 AGPAT gene pairs were orthologous between buffalo and cattle. The comparative transcriptomic analysis and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) further showed that both AGPAT1 and AGPAT6 were highly expressed in milk samples of buffalo and cattle during lactation. Notably, knockdown of AGPAT1 or AGPAT6 significantly decreased the TAG content of buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMEC) and bovine mammary epithelial cells (BoMEC) through regulating the mRNA expression levels of several lipogenic genes. Furthermore, the knockdown of AGPAT1 or AGPAT6 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of BuMECs; the qRT-PCR analysis of marker genes associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis supported the same conclusions. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights about the members of AGPAT family on how they regulate the TAG synthesis and growth of mammary epithelial cells in buffalo. These findings will have important implications for understanding the role of AGPAT gene for buffalo milk production performance.
Circulating miR-375 Correlates With Response of Human Individuals to Short-Term Cold Exposure
Authors: Seeliger Claudine , Mengel Laura Aline , Buekens Lise , Mesas-Fernández Alberto , Skurk Thomas , Claussnitzer Melina , Hauner Hans
Published: April 2021

Cold-induced non-shivering thermogenesis (CIT) of the human body is currently discussed as an important contributor to energy metabolism, and miRNAs have recently been reported as key regulators of metabolism. Identifying the link of CIT and circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in a large cohort of human individuals remains elusive to date. Here, we analyzed a set of 158 miRNAs in the serum of 97 female and 72 male healthy individuals before and after cold exposure (CE). Validating the results of a miRNA array, a significant down-regulation of miR-375 was measured in individuals after CIT (P<0.0001). These changes went along with a significant negative correlation between miR‑375 and the supraclavicular skin temperature (P=0.012). Additionally, the regulation of miR-375 was sex-dependent, with female individuals showing a significantly stronger decrease in expression of miR-375 under CIT compared to males. Such findings were already seen under thermoneutral conditions, where females display significant lower miR-375 expression levels (P=0.015). Besides, the lower miR‑375 expression levels were negatively correlated with the amount of visceral fat tissue in the female cohort (P=0.0002). This study identified miR-375 as a potential new sex-dependent marker for cold-induced thermogenesis.
Search of Official Nationwide Database in Japan for Adverse Events Associated with Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapies: Focus on Therapies in Combination with Methotrexate Author
Authors: Inokuma Shigeko
Published: April 2021

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are essential for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy, and many synthetic and biologic drugs are available. DMARDs are frequently prescribed in combination with methotrexate (MTX), as it is the first-line drug. The adverse events (AEs) associated with DMARDs have sometimes unfavorable outcomes. Major AEs, particularly therapies in combination with methotrexate, were investigated in this study. A search of the website of the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for AEs associated with therapies with five DMARDs (MTX, tacrolimus, adalimumab, tocilizumab, and abatacept) reported from 2014 to 2016 was performed. The AEs searched included lymphoproliferative disease (LPD), cytopenia, interstitial pneumonia (IP), infectious pneumonia other than Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) (i-Pn), and PCP. The number of cases of each AE and its ratio to the total number of cases of all AEs associated with each DMARD therapy were examined. Data were compared among AEs and DMARDs. MTX therapy in combination with other DMARDs was examined for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases. On the website, a total of 8874 cases were listed as having AEs associated with therapies with the five DMARDs. For MTX therapy, LPD was the most frequent (1438 cases, 36.4% of all AE cases), followed by cytopenia (10.9%), IP (6.2%), i-Pn (4.1%), and PCP (2.6%). Under therapy with any of the other four DMARDs, i-Pn showed the largest number of cases and the highest ratio (4.2–15.3%); other AEs varied in number and ratio. The proportion of use of MTX in combination with the four DMARDs was highest for PCP (67/71, 94.4%), followed by LPD (50/73, 68.5%), cytopenia (48/73, 65.8%), i-Pn (101/173, 58.4%,), and IP (36/80, 45.0%) (Table 1). In total, including cases reported for MTX therapy, 98.2% (1286/1309) of LPD cases, 88.5% (193/218) of cytopenia cases, 79.8% (174/218) of IP cases, 76.4% (233/305) of i-Pn cases, and 97.6% (165/169) of PCP cases had MTX. In conclusion, LPD was by far the most frequent AE associated with MTX therapy. PCP was strongly associated with the use of MTX in combination with another DMARD. For therapy with any of the other four DMARDs, i-Pn showed the highest ratio.
Pharmacist-Led Intervention on the Inappropriate use of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Pharmacotherapy in Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review
Authors: Xu peipei , Yi Qiusha , Wang Cuitong , Zeng Linan , Olsen Keith M. , zhao Rongsheng , Jiang Mingyan , Xu Ting , Zhang Lingli
Published: April 2021

Purpose To determine the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions on the inappropriate use of SUP pharmacotherapy in ICUs.Methods A systematic review was performed for relevant studies using searched PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and four Chinese databases including Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP from the establishment of databases to 12 March 2020. We conducted a descriptive analysis of participants, the intervention content and delivery, and the effects on inappropriate medication rates.Results From 529 records, 8 studies from 9 articles were included in the narrative synthesis. All studies were cohort studies, and the NOS quality stars ranged between 5 and 7. Only 1 (12.5%) cohort study was regarded as high quality. The time of appropriateness judgment and the criteria of ‘appropriate’ varied from included studies. Pharmacist interventions mainly included clarifying indications for SUP pharmacotherapy, education and awareness campaign, reviewed patients on SUP pharmacotherapy during rounds, and adjustments of drug use. Five (62.5%) studies found a significant intervention effect during hospitalization, while 2 (25%) studies at ICU transfer and 2 (25%) studies at hospital discharge. Four (50%) studies identified the complications related to SUP pharmacotherapy and found no significant difference. Four (50%) studies declared the pharmacist-led interventions were associated with cost savings.Conclusion Pharmacist-led interventions may be associated with a decrease in inappropriate SUP pharmacotherapy rates during hospitalization, at ICU transfer and hospital discharged. Further research is needed to determine whether the latest guidelines are more suitable for the management of SUP pharmacotherapy and whether pharmacist-led intervention is cost-effective.
Effect of Geography and Captivity on Scat Bacterial Communities in the Imperiled Channel Island Fox
Authors: Adams Nicole E , Becker Madeleine A , Edmands Suzanne
Published: April 2021

Background With developing understanding that host-associated microbiota play significant roles in individual health and fitness, taking an interdisciplinary approach combining microbiome research with conservation science is increasingly favored. Here we establish the scat microbiome of the imperiled Channel Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) and look at the effects of geography and captivity on the variation in bacterial communities. Results Using high throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we discovered distinct bacterial communities in each island fox subspecies. Weight, timing of the sample collection, and sex contributed to the geographic patterns. We uncovered significant taxonomic differences and an overall decrease in bacterial diversity in captive versus wild foxes. Conclusions Understanding the drivers of microbial variation in this system provides a valuable lens through which to evaluate the health and conservation of these genetically depauperate foxes. The island-specific bacterial community baselines established in this study can make monitoring island fox health easier and understanding the implications of inter-island translocation clearer. The decrease in bacterial diversity within captive foxes could lead to losses in the functional services normally provided by commensal microbes and suggests that zoos and captive breeding programs would benefit from maintaining microbial diversity.
The Process and Effects of Group Sandplay on the Intervention of the Children’s Problem Behaviour From the Perspective of Mentalization
Authors: Zhao Qi Hui , Chen Kan
Published: April 2021

In this study, we explored the interaction feature among children, and between children and therapists in a group sandplay based on mentalization theory. Six children with behavioural problems are selected and divided into two groups for 10 sandplay therapy sessions lasting for 50 minutes each time. All sandplay videos are coded for behaviour according to grounded theory, and the frequency changes of each behaviour in the early, middle and late stages of the intervention process are compared. The results show that group sandplay based on mentalization can reduce the intervention of the children during sandplay. Empathetic consultation relationship in sandplay based on mentalization theory can improve children’s problem behaviors.
Beclin1 controls caspase-4 inflammsome activation and pyroptosis in myocardial reperfusion-induced microvascular injury
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Lu Hongquan , Dong Shujuan , Nan Wang , Zhao Yu , Wang Limiting , Sun Lin , Lu Di
Published: April 2021

Background Myocardial reperfusion injury is often accompanied by cell death and inflammatory reactions. Recently, pyroptosis is gradually recognized as pivotal role in cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the regulatory role of beclin1 in the control of caspase-4 activation and pyroptosis. The present study confirmed whether beclin1 regulates caspase-4 mediated pyroptosis and thereby protects Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) against injury.Methods TTC and Evan's blue dye, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining were performed in wild mice and transgenic mice with overexpression of beclin-1(BECN1-Tg). CMECs were transfected with a beclin1 lentivirus. The cell cytotoxicity was analyzed by LDH-Cytotoxicity Assay Kit. The protein levels of autophagy protein (Beclin1, P62 and LC3II/LC3I) and caspase-4/GSDMD pathway were determined by western blot. Autophagic vacuoles in cells were monitored with RFP-GFP-LC3 using fluorescence microscope.Results I/R caused caspase-4 activity and gasdermin D expression increase in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of beclin-1 in heart tissue and CMECs suppressed the caspase-4 activity and decreased the levels of gasdermin D; meanwhile beclin1 overexpression also reduced IL-1β levels, promoted autophagy (P62 expression was inhibited while LC3II expression was increased) in the heart and CMECs. Interestingly, beclin1 overexpression increased animal survival and attenuated myocardial infarct size post-myocardial ischemia reperfusion.Conclusions Induction of beclin-1 signaling can be a potential therapeutic target in myocardial reperfusion-induced microvascular injury.
Correlation of antero-dorsal active contact location with weight gain after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation: a case series
Authors: Eguchi Katsuki , Shirai Shinichi , Matsushima Masaaki , Kano Takahiro , Yamazaki Kazuyoshi , Hamauchi Shuji , Sasamori Toru , Hirata Kenji , KItagawa Mayumi , Otsuki Mika , Shiga Tohru , Houkin Kiyohiro , Sasaki Hidenao , Yabe Ichiro
Published: April 2021

Background Weight gain is a frequently reported side effect of subthalamic deep brain stimulation; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The active contact locations influence the clinical outcomes of subthalamic deep brain stimulation, but it is unclear whether weight gain is directly associated with the active contact locations. We aimed to determine whether weight gain is associated with the subthalamic deep brain stimulation active contact locations.Methods We enrolled 14 patients with Parkinson’s disease who underwent bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation between 2013 and 2019. Bodyweight and body mass index were measured before and one year following surgery. The Lead-DBS Matlab toolbox was used to determine the active contact locations based on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography data were also acquired before and one year following surgery, and statistical parametric mapping was used to evaluate changes in brain metabolism. The relationship between weight and active contact locations was evaluated with a Spearman rank test with a corrected p-value < 0.008. We examined which brain regions’ metabolism fluctuation significantly correlated with increased BMI scores and PET data.Results The body mass index increase was 2.03 kg/m2 1 year post-surgery. Weight gain was correlated with anterior and dorsal locations of the left-side active contacts, as well as with lateral locations of the right-side active contacts. Furthermore, weight gain was correlated with increased metabolism in the left-side limbic and associative regions, including the middle temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and orbital gyrus.Conclusions Although the mechanisms underlying weight gain following subthalamic deep brain stimulation are possibly multifactorial, our findings suggest that anterior subthalamic deep brain stimulation alters the activities in the limbic and associative cortical regions, which may then lead to weight gain. Weight gain could be prevented by avoiding stimulation to the anterior part of the subthalamic nucleus.
Brief Bioinformatics characterization of Cotton bZIP transcription factors family from Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium raimondii
Authors: Khanale Vaishali , Bhattacharya Anjanabha , Satpute Rajendra , Char Bharat
Published: April 2021

Cotton is an important commodity in the world economy. In this study we have carried out genome-wide identification and bioinformatics characterization of basic leucine zipper domain proteins (bZIPs) from cultivated cotton species G. hirsutum along with two sub-genome species of allotetraploid cotton, G. arboreum and G. raimondii. A total of 228 bZIP genes of G. hirsutum, 91 bZIP genes of G. arboreum and 86 bZIP genes of G. raimondii were identified from CottonGen database. Cotton bZIP genes were annotated in standard pattern according to their match with Arabidopsis bZIPs. Multiple genes with similar bZIP designations were observed in cotton, linked to the gene duplication. Cotton bZIPs are distributed across all 13 chromosomes with varied density. Phylogenetic characterization of all three cotton species bZIPs classified them into 12 subfamilies, namely A B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and S and further into eight subgroups according to their predicted functional similarities, viz., A1, A2, A3, C1, C2, S1, S2 and S3. Subfamily A and S are having maximum number of bZIP genes, subfamily B, H, J and K are single member families. Cotton bZIP protein functions were predicted from identified motifs and orthologs from varied species. BRLZ domain analysis of G. raimondii bZIPs revealed the presence of conserved basic region motif N-X7-R/K in almost all subfamily members, variants are GrbZIP62 with N-X7-I motif and GrbZIP76 with K-X7-R motif. Leucine heptad repeats motif, are also present in variant numbers from two to nine with leucine or other hydrophobic amino acid at designated position among 12 subfamily members. STRING protein interaction network analysis of G. raimondii bZIPs observed strong interaction between A-D, B-K and C-S subfamily members.
Dementia Management Act and Death Toll by Dementia Drug
Authors: Lee Jong-hoon
Published: April 2021

The Dementia Management Act (DMA) came into effect on August 04, 2011, in South Korea. Medical data on the correlation between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and anti-AD drug (AAD) groups were observed from 2010 to 2019. This study investigated the increase and decrease in deaths and AAD used to treat AD. It is known that psychotropic medicines should not be administered for dementia patients because they increase all-cause mortality. This study demonstrated that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist also increase the death toll when used to treat dementia.
Genome-wide Survey of the GATA Gene Family in Camptothecin-producing Plant Ophiorrhiza Pumila
Authors: Huang Qikai , Shi Min , Wang Can , Hu Jiangning , Kai Guoyin
Published: April 2021

Background: Ophiorrhiza pumila (Rubiaceae) is capable of producing camptothecin (CPT), one monoterpene indole alkaloid extensively employed in the treatment of multiple cancers. Transcription factors (TF) GATA are a group of transcription regulators involved in plant development and metabolism, and show the feature of binding to the GATA motif within the promoters of target genes. However, GATA TFs have not been characterized in O. pumila. Result: In this study, a total of 18 GATA genes classified into four subfamilies were identified, which randomly distributed on 11 chromosomes of O. pumila. Gene replication and homology between O. pumila and other plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Glycine max, Solanum lycopersicum, and Vitis vinifera genomes were analyzed. Tissue expression pattern revealed that OpGATA7, OpGATA12 and OpGATA13 with higher transcript in leaves, which was correlated with ASA, MK, DXS, CMS, and MECS. OpGATA7, OpGATA14 and OpGATA15 showed high expression in roots as most of the CPT biosynthetic pathway genes did, suggesting that these OpGATAs may be potential candidates regulating CPT biosynthesis in O. pumila.Conclusions: Genome-wide survey of the GATA gene family from Ophiorrhiza pumila provided insights into the involvement of GATA transcription factors in CPT biosynthesis
Acircularity and Circularity Indexes of the Foveal Avascular Zone in High Myopia
Authors: Piao Helong , Guo Yue , Zhang Haowei , Sung Mi Sun , Park Sang Woo
Published: April 2021

We explored the association between foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters and high myopia using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). To evaluate the specific influence of high myopia on the FAZ, we divided 106 eyes of 106 patients into quartiles based on the axial length. The upper quartile was then defined as the high myopia group (n = 27), while the lower quartile was the non-high myopia group (n = 26). The FAZ parameters of these two groups were then retrospectively compared to investigate variations in FAZ size and morphology. The mean axial length and spherical equivalent were 23.96 ± 0.94 mm and -2.27 ± 1.58 diopters in the non-high myopia group and 27.42 ± 0.36 mm and -8.12 ± 2.14 diopters in the high myopia group, respectively. The areas of superficial and deep FAZ, perimeters of deep FAZ, major axis lengths of deep FAZ, minor axis lengths of superficial and deep FAZ were significantly larger in eyes with high myopia than in eyes with non-high myopia (P < 0.05). Linear regression analyses showed that no significant correlation was observed between FAZ areas and acircularity and circularity index of FAZ in non-high myopia group, conversely, FAZ areas strongly correlated with acircularity and circularity index of FAZ in high myopia group. We found that An increase in the FAZ area in highly myopic eyes was accompanied by a significant variation in FAZ acircularity and circularity indexes. Further research should address whether these findings are associated with future disease development in highly myopic eyes.
RNA Sequencing of LX-2 Cells Treated with TGF-β1 Identifies Genes Associated with Early Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation
Authors: Carson Jack , Robinson Mark W. , Ramm Grant A. , Gobert Geoffrey N.
Published: April 2021

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are liver-resident myofibroblast precursors. In chronic liver disease, HSC-derived myofibroblasts are responsible for the production of collagen and, as such, are generally associated with diseases characterised by hepatic fibrosis. HSCs undergo a process of "activation" in response to tissue damage or pathogen invasion, thereby assuming roles in extracellular matrix synthesis, wound healing, and pathogen defence. The process of HSC activation and collagen production is most commonly driven by the cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). To investigate the transcriptional impact of TGF-β1 signalling on liver myofibroblasts, RNA sequencing was used to quantitate the biological changes observed in LX-2 cells, an activated human HSC line, following TGF-b1 treatment. In total, 5,258 genes were found to be significantly differentially expressed with a false discovery rate cut-off of < 0.1. The topmost deregulated of these genes included those with known roles in influencing HSC activity, as well as those involved in fibrotic responses in other cell lines and tissues. Interestingly, genes with no currently characterised role in either HSC activation or fibrotic processes were also identified, including CIITA and SERPINB2. Further in silico analysis revealed the prominent signalling pathways downstream of TGF-β1 in LX-2 cells, which will be useful for improving the understanding of how this cytokine influences broader signalling pathways in the activation of HSCs. This work may be of use in the identification of new markers of liver fibrosis and could provide insight into prospective genes or pathways that might be targeted for the amelioration of fibrotic liver disease in the future.
Accuracy of Low-Cost Alternative Facial Scanners: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Bartella Alexander K. , Laser Josefine , Kamal Mohammad , Halama Dirk , Neuhaus Michael , Pausch Niels C. , Zimmerer Rüdiger , Sander Anna K. , Lethaus Bernd
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Three-dimensional facial scan images have been showing an increasingly important role in peri-therapeutic management of oral and maxillofacial and head and neck surgery cases. Face scan images can be open using optical facial scanners utilizing line-laser, stereophotography, structured light modality, or from volumetric data obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The aim of this study is to evaluate, if two low-cost procedures for creating a three-dimensional face scan images are able to produce a sufficient data set for clinical analysis. Materials and methods: 50 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Two test objects with defined dimensions were attached to the forehead and the left cheek. Anthropometric values were first measured manually, and consecutively, face scans were performed with a smart device and manual photogrammetry and compared to the manually measured data sets.Results: Anthropometric distances on average deviated 2.17 mm from the manual measurement (smart device scanning 3.01 mm vs. photogrammetry 1.34 mm), with 7 out of 8 deviations were statistically significant. Of a total of 32 angles, 19 values showed a significant difference to the original 90° angles. The average deviation was 6.5° (smart device scanning 10.1° vs. photogrammetry 2.8°).Conclusion: Manual photogrammetry with a regular photo-camera shows higher accuracy than scanning with smart device. However, the smart device was more intuitive in handling and further technical improvement of the cameras used should be watched carefully.
Genetic Association Analysis Between RNF213 Common Variants and Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis in a Chinese Population
Authors: Li Xi , Wang Junyan , Zhou Xiaoqing , Yu Fang , Feng Xianjing , Liu Zeyu , Huang Qin , Liao Di , Jin Xin , Xia Jian
Published: April 2021

Background: RNF213 is the gene involved in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS). The rare variants of this gene have a significant association with the clinical phenotype of the disease in the East Asian populations. However, the association between the common variants of RNF213 and sICAS has remained unclear. This study investigated the possible association between the common variants of RNF213 and sICAS in the Chinese population. Result: A total of 39 common variants of the RNF213 gene were detected. The chi-squared test revealed two sites (rs8082521 and rs55996424) at which the genotype frequency and the allele frequency were significantly different between the sICAS group and the healthy control group (P-value < 0.05). The haplotype analysis demonstrated that rs55996424 does not have haploids with the other nine SNPs, including rs8082521. Conclusion: The T allele of the RNF213 common mutation rs55996424 increases the risk of sICAS. Compared to females, males are more likely to carry the pathogenic allele.
Primary synchronous ipsilateral renal fibrosarcoma and renal pelvic carcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Jiang Hua , Liu Lulu , Li Ganhong
Published: April 2021

BackgroundRenal fibrosarcoma is a rare tumor, with only a few cases reported so far, and simultaneous occurrence of ipsilateral renal fibrosarcoma and renal pelvic carcinoma in a patient is extraordinarily rare.Case presentationA 66-year-old man admitted to our hospital with right renal percutaneous nephrostomy and recurrent fever. And the patient underwent laparoendoscopic nephrectomy and partial ureterectomy for pyonephrotic nonfunctioning kidneys. Postoperative pathology showed fibrosarcoma of right kidney and carcinoma of the renal pelvis.ConclusionsThis is the first case of simultaneous occurrence of ipsilateral renal fibrosarcoma and renal pelvic carcinoma in a patient. The diagnosis of fibrosarcoma is one of ultimate immunohistologic exclusion, because there are no specific immunologic markers for fibroblasts. The most common primary treatment for localized disease is radical surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy.
High-parameter Cytometry Unmasks Microglial Cell Spatio-temporal Response Kinetics in Severe Neuroinflammatory Disease.
Authors: Spiteri Alanna Gabrielle , Terry Rachel Louise , Wishart Claire Leana , Ashhurst Thomas Myles , Campbell Iain Leslie , Hofer Markus Johannes , King Nicholas Jonathan Cole
Published: April 2021

Background:Differentiating infiltrating myeloid cells from resident microglia in neuroinflammatory disease is challenging, because bone marrow-derived inflammatory monocytes infiltrating the inflamed brain adopt a ‘microglia-like’ phenotype. This precludes the accurate identification of either cell type without genetic manipulation, which is important to understand their temporal contribution to disease and inform effective intervention in its pathogenesis. During West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis, widespread neuronal infection drives substantial CNS infiltration of inflammatory monocytes, causing severe immunopathology and/or death, but the role of microglia in this remains unclear. Methods:Using high-parameter cytometry and dimensionality-reduction, we devised a simple, novel gating strategy to identify microglia and infiltrating myeloid cells under extreme inflammatory conditions. Validating our strategy we 1) blocked the entry of infiltrating myeloid populations from peripheral blood using monoclonal blocking antibodies, 2) adoptively transferred BM-derived monocytes and tracked their phenotypic changes after infiltration and 3) labelled peripheral leukocytes that infiltrate into the brain with an intravenous dye. We demonstrated that myeloid immigrants populated only the identified macrophage gates, while PLX5622 depletion reduced all 4 subsets defined by the microglial gates. Results:Using this novel gating approach, we identified four consistent microglia subsets in the homeostatic and WNV-infected brain. These were P2RY12hiCD86-, P2RY12hiCD86+, and P2RY12loCD86- P2RY12loCD86+. During infection, 2 further populations were identified as inflammatory and microglia-like macrophages, recruited from the bone marrow. Detailed kinetic analysis showed significant increases in the proportions of both P2RY12lo microglia subsets in all anatomical areas, largely at the expense of the P2RY12hiCD86- subset, with the latter undergoing compensatory proliferation, suggesting replenishment of, and differentiation from this subset in response to infection. Microglia altered their morphology early in infection, with all cells adopting temporal and regional disease-specific phenotypes. Late in disease, microglia produced IL-12, downregulated CX3CR1, F4/80 and TMEM119 and underwent apoptosis. Infiltrating macrophages expressed both TMEM119 and P2RY12 de novo, with the microglia-like subset notably exhibiting the highest proportional myeloid population death. Conclusions:Our approach enables detailed kinetic analysis of resident vs infiltrating myeloid cells in a wide range of neuroinflammatory models without non-physiological manipulation. This will more clearly inform potential therapeutic approaches that specifically modulate these cells.
A Mild Causal Relationship between Tea Consumption and Decreased Risk for Obesity in General Population: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study 
Authors: Li Cancan , Niu Mingyun , Guo Zheng , Liu Pengcheng , Zheng Yulu , Liu Di , Yang Song , Wang Wei , Li Yuanmin , Hou Haifeng
Published: April 2021

Background

Tea consumption is considered as a protective factor for obesity. This study aimed to verify the casual association between tea consumption and obesity through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in general population-based datasets.
Methods

The genetic instruments, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with tea consumption habits, were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS): UK Biobank, Nurses’ Health Study, Health Professionals Follow-up Study and Women’s Genome Health Study. The effect of the genetic instruments on obesity was analyzed using UK Biobank dataset (among ~ 500,000 participants). The causal relationship between tea consumption and obesity risk was analyzed by five methods of MR analyses: inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger regression method, weighted median estimator (WME), weighted mode and simple mode.
Results

Ninety-one SNPs were identified as genetic instruments in our study. A significant result was observed in IVW analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.998, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.996 to 1.000, P = 0.049]), which is the commonly used approach of two-sample MR analysis.
Conclusion

Our findings evidenced a mild causal relationship between tea consumption and the decreased risk for obesity. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of tea consumption on obesity-related health problems in detail.
Imaging Generalized Wigner Crystal States in a WSe2/WS2 Moiré Superlattice
Authors: Wang Feng , Li Hongyuan , Li Shaowei , Regan Emma , Wang Danqing , Zhao Wenyu , Kahn Salman , Yumigeta Kentaro , Blei Mark , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Tongay Sefaattin , Zettl Alex , Crommie Michael
Published: April 2021

The Wigner crystal state, first predicted by Eugene Wigner in 19341, has fascinated condensed matter physicists for nearly 90 years2-10. Studies of two-dimensional (2D) electron gases first revealed signatures of the Wigner crystal in electrical transport measurements at high magnetic fields2-4. More recently optical spectroscopy has provided evidence of generalized Wigner crystal states in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) moiré superlattices6-9. Direct observation of the 2D Wigner crystal lattice in real space, however, has remained an outstanding challenge. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in principle has sufficient spatial resolution to image the Wigner crystal, but conventional STM measurements can potentially alter fragile Wigner crystal states in the process of measurement. Here we demonstrate real-space imaging of 2D Wigner crystals in WSe2/WS2 moiré heterostructures using a novel non-invasive STM spectroscopy technique. We employ a graphene sensing layer in close proximity to the WSe2/WS2 moiré superlattice for Wigner crystal imaging, where local STM tunneling current into the graphene sensing layer is modulated by the underlying electron lattice of the Wigner crystal in the WSe2/WS2 heterostructure. Our measurement directly visualizes different lattice configurations associated with Wigner crystal states at fractional electron fillings of n = 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3, where n is the electron number per site. The n=1/3 and n=2/3 Wigner crystals are observed to exhibit a triangle and a honeycomb lattice, respectively, in order to minimize nearest-neighbor occupations. The n = 1/2 state, on the other hand, spontaneously breaks the original C3 symmetry and forms a stripe structure in real space. Our study lays a solid foundation toward the fundamental understanding of rich Wigner crystal states in WSe2/WS2 moiré heterostructures. Furthermore, this new STM technique is generally applicable to imaging novel correlated electron lattices in different van der Waals moiré heterostructures.
Potential of High Dimensional Radiomic Features to Assess Flowing Blood Components in Non-contrast CT Scans
Authors: Mahmoudi Scherwin , Martin Simon S. , Ackermann Jörg , Zhdanovich Yauheniya , Koch Ina , Vogl Thomas J. , Albrecht Moritz H. , Lenga Lukas , Bernatz Simon
Published: April 2021

Background: To assess the potential of radiomic features to quantify components of flowing blood to non-invasively predict moderate-to-severe anemia in non-contrast enhanced CT scans. Methods: One hundred patients (median age, 69 years; range, 19–94 years) who received CT scans of the thoracolumbar spine and blood-testing for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels ± 24h between 08/2018 and 11/2019 were retrospectively included. Intraaortic blood was segmented using a spherical volume of interest with consecutive radiomic analysis. Feature selection was performed applying analysis of correlation and collinearity. The final feature set was obtained to differentiate moderate-to-severe anemia. Random forest machine learning was applied and predictive performance was assessed. A decision-tree was obtained to propose a cut-off value of CT Hounsfield units (HU).Results: High correlation with hemoglobin and hematocrit levels was shown for first-order radiomic features (p<0.001 to p=0.032). The top 3 features showed high correlation to hemoglobin values (p) and minimal collinearity (r) to the top ranked feature Median (p<0.001), Energy (p=0.002, r=0.387), Minimum (p=0.032, r=0.437). Median (p<0.001) and Minimum (p=0.003) differed in moderate-to-severe anemia compared to non-anemic state. Median yielded superiority to the combination of Median and Minimum (p(AUC)=0.015, p(precision)=0.017, p(accuracy)=0.612) in the predictive performance employing random forest analysis. A Median HU value ≤ 36.5 indicated moderate-to-severe anemia (accuracy=0.90, precision=0.80).Conclusions: First-order radiomic features correlate with hemoglobin levels and may be feasible for the prediction of moderate-to-severe anemia. High dimensional radiomic features did not inherit the potential to augment the data in our exemplary use case of flowing blood component assessment.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.
Geochemical features of the distribution of major and trace elements in sediments and soils of the Zarafshon River Valley
Authors: Abdusamadzoda Daler , Abdushukurov Djamshed , Duliu Octavian , Zinicovscaia Inga , Nekhoroshkov Pavel
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this research was to estimate impact of the geochemical features to distribution of major and trace elements in soil and sediments, assess of anthropogenic and natural factors in terrestrial ecosystems of Zarafshon. As well as to answer the common criticism of the water, soil and sediment pollution in Zarafshon. In this way this research will be reasonable substantial information about distribution of major and trace elements in mountains and piedmont regions.
Materials and methods

In view of a planned detailed investigation, and to get more data concerning the geochemistry of sediments and soils along the Zarafshon Valley of Western Tajikistan, as well as to assess of the local environmental situation, the mass fraction of eight major, rock-forming elements together with other 38 trace elements were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. To accomplish this task 116 samples of sediment and an equal number of soils were collected around the Tajik sector of the Zarafshon catchment basin and its main tributaries.
Results and discussion

Both major and trace elements proved a significant similarity between soil and sediments including potentially contaminating elements As, Sb and Hg, whose mass fractions showed in some places to be significantly higher. An analysis of the distribution of major elements oxides as well as of incompatible trace elements Sc, Zr, REE, Th, and U suggested that the analysed soil and sediments have rather a felsic origin. A more careful examination revealed a reduced degree of recycling and for some location, a certain degree of weathering. All these peculiarities could be ascribed to a vast investigated area spread onto a significant diversity of geological formations.
Conclusion

The process of soil weathering of the studied area takes place relatively quick, but mainly it's has a natural character rather. The high content of accumulation of major and trace element in the sediment also related to rock source but only in rare cases is it of an anthropogenic nature. Based on these results, it can be predicted that the seriously environmental threat was not observed in the Zarafshon river valley. The activities of industrial facilities cover only a small part of this region and their impacts on the ecological state of the Zarafshon river valley is very small.