bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcription factor GhWRKY70 from Gossypium hirsutum enhances resistance to Verticillium wilt via the jasmonic acid pathway
Authors: zhang shuling , Dong lijun , Zhang xue , Fu xiaohong , Zhao lin , Wu lizhu , Wang xingfen , Liu jianfeng
Published: September 2022

Background
The transcription factor WRKYs play significant roles in plant growth, development, and defense responses. However, in cotton, the molecular mechanism of most WRKY proteins and their involvement in Verticillium wilt tolerance are not well understood.
Results
GhWRKY70 was greatly up-regulated in cotton by Verticillium dahliae. Subcellar localization suggested that the GhWRKY70 was only located in the nucleus. Transcriptional activation of GhWRKY70 was further demonstrated that the GhWRKY70 functioned as a transcriptional activator. The transgenic Arabidopsis with GhWRKY70 plants exhibited better growth performance, higher lignin content, antioxidant enzyme activities and Jasmonic acid (JA) levels compared to wild type after infection with V. dahliae. In addition, the transgenic Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced expression level of AtAOS1, related JA synthesis gene, further leading to an increase in higher JA accumulation compared to wild type. However, the proportion of disease index (DI) values of the VIGS-treated cotton plants with TRV:WRKY70 plants were also significantly higher than VIGS-treated with TRV:00. Chlorophyll, lignin content and JA level of TRV:WRKY70 plants were significantly lower than that of TRV:00 plants. The GhAOS1 expression and JA abundance in TRV:WRKY70 plants was decreased. The GhWRKY70 protein was confirmed to bind to the W-box element in the promoter region of GhAOS by yeast one-hybrid assay and transient expression.
Conclusions
These results indicate that the GhWRKY70 transcription factor was a positive regulator in Verticillium wilt tolerance of cotton, and may promote production of JA via regulation of GhAOS1 expression.
Depression and Anxiety among nursing students in the post COVID-19 pandemic in Inner Mongolia: An online cross-sectional survey
Authors: Bai Xue , Zhang Qi , Zhang Song , Wei Chengxi , Zhao Honglin
Published: September 2022

Background: COVID-19 pandemic had considerable impacts on each aspect of worldwide, especially psychological disorders that would remain influenced in the post-pandemic era. Nursing students were also influenced by some special factors as facing unprecedented challenges.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological status and explore the independent influencing factors of pandemic-related experiences, feelings, finance and protective behaviors among nursing students in Inner Mongolia Minzu University in post-COVID-19 era.
Design: The online cross-sectional survey.
Settings: Population-based study in China.
Participants: Nursing undergraduate students (I-Ⅲyear).
Methodology: It was conducted by WeChat platform from December 2021 to January 2022. The questionnaire included General demographic characteristics, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Cronbach's alpha, Bartlett's sphericity tests and KMO were tested the reliability and validity of scales. Descriptive analyses were completed by Mean and Standard Deviation. T-tests and ANOVA were conducted to test influencing factors. And general linear regression analyses were performed to identify the significant independent influencing factors of psychological disorders based on statistically significant results of univariate analysis.
Results: 495 effective questionnaires were received. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among participants was 14.7% and 9.1%, respectively. In our study, “parents with chronic illnesses”, “feeling very stressful due to the specialty of major”, “unstable family incomes” and “paying less attention to protective behaviors” had higher anxiety and depressive levels. Besides, “feeling fearful and unknown about the pandemic development” was significantly impacted on depression only.
Conclusion: The findings obtained that depression was more prevalent among Chinese nursing students than anxiety in post-COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to take appropriate measurements to alleviate psychological disorders by financial and family-related supports for medical-related students, in order to better respond to public health emergencies in further.
Effect of Highly Ag-glutinative Staphylococcin Combined with α -Hemihydrate Calcium Sulfate on Tendine-Bone Healing in Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Pei Zhang , Huanyu Li , jun Ni Shi , yi Wang Xu , rui Song Zao , Quan Liu , Kun Zhu
Published: September 2022

Background: To observe the effect of highly ag-glutinative staphylococcin (HAS) combined with α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-CSH) on tendon-bone healing after cruciate ligament reconstruction, and to explore the effect of highly ag-glutinative staphylococcin combined with α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate on anterior cruciate ligament（ACL）reconstruction after ACL reconstruction.
Methods: Fifty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: blank control group, α-CSH group, and HAS+α-CSH group. In the blank control group, only autologous ACL reconstruction was performed. HAS binds to a-calcium sulfate hemihydrate complex. At different time after operation (4, 8, 12 weeks after operation), 6 experimental rabbits in each group were randomly selected to be sacrificed and perform gross histological observation, cytological outcome of tendon-bone interface, protein analysis of synovial fluid, and biomechanical test of knee joint.
Results: HAS+α-CSH can make the tendon-bone interface appear "tide line"-like structure earlier, reduce the production of TGF-α and IL-1β in synovial fluid, increase the area of new bone formation and the maximum tensile load of the reconstructed tendon , maximum load energy and maximum stress result.
Conclusion: The combination of highly ag-glutinative staphylococcin and α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate can promote the tendon-bone healing process after cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Cardiac arrest due to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole induced hyperkalemia – a case report
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Jhawar Nikita , Khosla Atulya Aman , Venegas Carla
Published: September 2022

Background: Prescribing physicians must be aware of drug-drug interactions and exercise caution to prevent life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities. Here, we present a case of hyperkalemia-induced cardiac arrest in a patient treated with lisinopril with underlying chronic kidney disease and a recent course trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. We emphasize the need for awareness and vigilance when reconciling medications to thwart life-threatening consequences of even seemingly benign drug interactions.
Case presentation: A 55-year-old male was brought to the emergency room after being found unresponsive and pulseless for an unknown period due to cardiac arrest. Resuscitative efforts were successful in achieving return of spontaneous circulation after 15 minutes. In the emergency department, he was found to have a potassium level of 6.9. Further history obtained from the medical proxy revealed that the patient recently completed a course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and he had underlying past medical history of chronic kidney disease and hypertension requiring treatment with lisinopril. The patient was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for neuroprognostication after arrest, continuous renal replacement therapy, and pressor support. Workup to investigate other causes of his arrest was unremarkable, leaving drug-induced hyperkalemia as the leading diagnosis made by exclusion.
Conclusions: We underscore the need to recognize drug interactions when prescribing new medications and the potential complications they may have in patients with particular risk factors. In this case, our patient had underlying chronic kidney disease and hypertension requiring management with lisinopril. The addition of TMP-SMX precipitated life-threatening hyperkalemia which caused his cardiac arrest. We underscore the importance of preventing dangerous arrhythmias through detailed medication reconciliations and diligence when prescribing new medications to prevent adverse interactions.
Effectiveness of a single-dose Modified Vaccinia Ankara in Human Monkeypox: an observational study
Authors: Arbel Ronen , Sagy Yael Wolff , Zucker Roy , Arieh Noa Gur , Markovits Hila , Abu-Ahmad Wiessam , Battat Erez , Ramot Noga , Carmeli Guy , Mark-Amir Avner , Wagner-Kolasko Gal , Duskin-Bitan Hadar , Yaron Shlomit , Peretz Alon , Hammerman Ariel , Lavie Gil , Netzer Doron
Published: September 2022

Background
The recent global outbreak of the human monkeypox virus (MPXV) was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) is currently the only FDA-approved vaccine against MPXV that was approved for this indication based on a study in non-human primates. Since there is currently scarce evidence of the efficacy in humans, our objective was to evaluate real-life vaccine effectiveness (VE) after providing one vaccine dose to individuals at risk of MPVX infection.
Methods
The study cohort included all Clalit Health Services (CHS) members eligible for the MVA vaccine as defined by the Israeli Ministry of Health. The study commenced on July 31, 2022, when the MVA vaccination campaign was initiated in CHS, and participants were followed until September 12, 2022. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model with time-dependent covariates was used to estimate the association between vaccination and MPXV infections with adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical risk factors.
Findings
A total of 1,970 subjects met the study eligibility criteria (0.04% of CHS members). Of them, 873 (44%) were vaccinated with MVA and completed at least 25 days of follow-up. 18 infections were confirmed in CHS during the study period, 3 in vaccinated and 15 in unvaccinated status (40.0 versus 6.4 per 100,000 person days). VE was estimated at 79% (95% CI: 24%-94%).
Interpretation
Our results suggest that a single dose of MVA is associated with a significantly lower risk for MPVX infection in high-risk individuals. These findings highlight that urgent MVA vaccination of high-risk individuals may contribute to the containment of the current MPXV outbreak.
“What if I get sick, where shall I go?”: a qualitative investigation of healthcare engagement among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mwaniki Samuel Waweru , Kaberia Peter Mwenda , Mugo Peter Mwangi , Palanee-Phillips Thesla
Published: September 2022

Background Globally, young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) experience a disproportionate burden of disease compared to young men in the general population and older MSM. However, YMSM experience major inequities in access and use of healthcare services. There is a paucity of knowledge on the healthcare engagement experiences of YMSM, including tertiary student MSM (TSMSM) in Kenya. We sought to gain a detailed understanding of TSMSM’s healthcare engagement experiences across public, private, institution-based and MSM-friendly health facilities in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods In September 2021, in-person qualitative in-depths interviews were conducted among 22 TSMSM purposely drawn from among 248 TSMSM who had previously participated in a respondent-driven sampling integrated bio-behavioral survey. Interviews were done in English, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12. Results Participants were 18–24 years old, all identified as cisgender male, three-quarters as gay and a quarter as bisexual. Themes that emerged from the analysis included: TSMSM’s experiences during healthcare seeking in the various clinical settings, priority healthcare needs, desired healthcare provider (HCP) characteristics and the potential role of digital health interventions in improving access and use of healthcare services. Participants relayed experiences of prejudice, stigma and discrimination when seeking services in public and institution-based health facilities, unlike in community pharmacies, private and MSM-friendly health facilities where they felt they were handled equitably. Healthcare needs prioritized by TSMSM centered on issues around sexual and mental health. Participants desired to have HCPs who were empathetic, non-judgmental and knowledgeable about the unique healthcare needs of MSM. Participants highlighted the usefulness of digital media in offering telehealth doctor consultations and health education on subjects such as prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion During engagement with healthcare, TSMSM experience various barriers that may prompt them to postpone or avoid seeking care hence resulting in poor health outcomes. These findings underscore the need for equipping HCPs with knowledge, skills and cultural competencies to enable them offer equitable services to TSMSM. Considerations should also be made for use of digital interventions in reaching TSMSM with the much needed sexual and mental health services.
Spectral evidence of Wigner crystallisation over a one-dimensional moiré superlattice under magnetic fields
Authors: Wang Bing , Wang Jufeng , Wan Lingyun , Du Hongjian , Ma Chuanxu , Tian Mingyang , Li Junyao , Hu Wei , Tan Shijing , Luo Yi , Yang Jinlong , Hou J. G.
Published: September 2022

The advantages of moiré superlattice1,2 in engineering strongly correlated electronic properties have triggered a rising tide on exploration of the fascinating Wigner crystals3 in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures4-8. However, it remains a challenge to investigate one-dimensional (1D) Wigner crystals by constructing quasi-1D moiré superlattice. 1D Wigner crystals were only observed in carbon nanotubes9-12, but the insulating state that strikes at the heart of the strongly-correlated nature is still inaccessible. Here, we demonstrate the robust 1D Wigner crystallisation of dilute electrons over a quasi-1D moiré superlattice with a measured period of 75 nm in the bending Bi(111) film surface, using scanning tunnelling microscopy under magnetic fields in combination with calculations based on the extended Hubbard model13. Our results reveal spectral evidence for the strongly-correlated insulating states of the 1D Wigner crystal and charge density wave (CDW), with distinguishable field-dependent characteristics in the splitting Landau levels. A fairly sharp transition of the CDW into the Wigner crystal appears at the critical magnetic field of about 10.7 T that corresponds to the onset of the non-overlapped cyclotron orbits. Our findings shed light on insightful understanding of the mysterious correlated phenomena in 1D Wigner crystals based on emerging moiré materials.
Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other emerging contaminants in drinking water
Authors: Villanueva Cristina , Cserbik Dora , Redondo-Hasselerharm Paula , Farré Maria , Sanchís Josep , Bartolomé Arantxa , Paraian Alexandra , Herrera Eva , Caixach Josep , Flores Cintia
Published: September 2022

A wide range of chemicals were measured in drinking water and urine samples through targeted and non-target screening (NTS) methods to estimate human exposure. Tap water samples were collected from 42 locations in Barcelona (Spain) in August-October 2020 and 27 May 2021. Additionally, tap water samples filtered with domestic activated carbon filters (AC, N=6) and reverse osmosis (RO, N=5), commercial bottled water (N=10), and urine samples (N=39) were included. A total of 35 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including emerging ether-PFAS, bisphenol A and nonylphenol were analyzed using LC–MS/MS and GC–MS/MS, respectively, and NTS was applied through LC–HRMS. Bisphenol A and nonylphenol were absent in all drinking water samples, 10 PFAS were detected in 69-79% non-filtered tap water, and 5 PFAS were detected in 13% urine samples. PFAS were removed by RO and not by AC filters. NTS tentatively identified pharmaceuticals and other industrial chemicals in drinking water samples.
Mapping Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes, Recombinant Genotypes and Sub- genotypes on the African continent from 1997 to 2021: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kafeero Hussein Mukasa , Ndagire Dorothy , Ocama Ponsiano , Kato Charles Drago , Wampande Eddie , Walusansa Abdul , Kajumbula Henry , Kateete David , Ssenku Jamilu E , Sendagire Hakim
Published: September 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has ten genotypes (A-J) based on the divergence of ≥ 8% in the complete genome. These genotype influence disease prognosis, response to therapy and route of viral transmission. This study aimed at mapping the de novo genotype, sub-genotypes as well as genotype mixtures and correlate them with the immigration trends in order to inform future research about the relative distribution of HBV genotypes from a large sample size. A total of 60 full research articles obtained from reputable electronic data bases which included Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, Willy library, African Journal Online (AJOL) and Google Scholar were analysed for data extraction between February 10th and March 28th 2022. The prevalence of the genotypes, sub-genotypes, recombinant genotypes and I2 statistics for heterogeneity were calculated using MedCalc software version 20.010. The Z-test was used to compare the the relative proportions of the various genotypes by region. The Chi-square test was used for the analysis of the relative prevalence of the emerging genotypes B and C on the African continent by region. In contrast, Fisher’s exact test was used in the analysis of the prevalence of sub-genotypes and genotype mixtures by country. Finally, meta-regression analysis was used for the analysis of the variations in the prevalence of dominant genotype, other genotypes and sub-genotypes/recombinant genotypes over the past 25 years on the continent. Sources of heterogeneity were analysed through meta-regression, and sub-group analysis at 95% CI. A P < 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO), under the registration number CRD42022300220 Overall, genotype E had the highest pooled prevalence significantly higher than all the other genotypes (p < 0.001). By region, genotype A posted the highest pooled prevalence in eastern and southern, E in west Africa and D in north Africa (p < 0.0001). Additionally, genotype B was significantly higher in south Africa and C in east Africa (p < 0.0001). A1 and B/E were the most prevalent sub-genotypes and recombinant genotypes respectively (p < 0.0001). Finally, we observed a significant decrease in the prevalence of genotype E in west Africa over the years (p = 0.049) and a significant increase in the prevalence of sub-genotypes/recombinant genotypes over the years in north Africa (p = 0.036). Historical and recent continental and intercontinental migrations can provide a plausible explanation for the HBV genotype, sub-genotype and recombinant genotype distribution pattern on the African continent.
Efficacy of dexmedetomidine in managing post-embolization pain in children undergoing doxycycline sclerotherapy of lymphatic malformations
Authors: Karnwal Abhishek , Ulloa Morgan , Klein Margaret , Matich Susanne , Zeinati Chadi
Published: September 2022

Purpose:Anesthetic care for children undergoing sclerotherapy for macrocystic lymphatic malformations with doxycycline is challenging, as they experience significant pain that peaks 1-3 hours after the injection. The aim of the study was to determine if dexmedetomidine is a useful adjuvant for the late-peaking post-operative pain experienced by children undergoing image-guided doxycycline sclerotherapy of macrocystic lymphatic malformations.Methods:This study included retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in 136 consecutive image-guided doxycycline sclerotherapies of macrocystic lymphatic malformations. All patients received general anesthesia and were grouped based on whether dexmedetomidine was administered intraoperatively or not, a decision based on individual anesthesiologists’ preference. In addition, patients received intra and postoperative opioids as needed along with a single dose of intravenous ketorolac. The primary outcome of post-operative pain scores along with secondary outcomes of opioid usage, sedation scores and length-of-stay in post anesthesia care unit were compared. Data was analyzed with "R" and outliers excluded based on Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test.Results:Of the 136 procedures, 45 patients received dexmedetomidine with a mean dose of 0.92mcg/kg. The median IQR pain scores for patients who received dexmedetomidine were significantly lower than pain scores for patients who did not received dexmedetomidine in post anesthesia care unit, at admission (0.00 vs. 4.00, p =<0.001), 1 hour post-admission (0.25 vs. 3.33, p=0.006) and 4 hours post-admission (0.00 vs. 0.033, p=0.033). There was no significant difference in median IQR between the groups for intraoperative or postoperative opioid usage. No adverse events attributable to dexmedetomidine were found after individual case review.Conclusion:We found that dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective adjuvant for the late-peaking pain in children undergoing doxycycline sclerotherapy of macrocystic lymphatic malformations.
Conceptions of Adulthood among Chinese Emerging Adults
Authors: Kuang Jin , Zhong Juan , Arnett Jeffrey Jensen , Hall Daniel L. , Chen Erle , Markwart Michaela , Yeung Albert , zou liye
Published: September 2022

With the influence of globalization, Chinese young adults transitioning to adulthood today are cultivated by both traditional Chinese values (e.g., collectivism, Confucian philosophy), as well as Western values (e.g., individualism, independence). The present study aimed to characterize emerging adults’ perception of adulthood in China today in terms of: (1) the criteria for adulthood Chinese emerging adults considered important; (2) the relationships between subjective importance of adulthood status and status as a student or nonstudent; (3) gender; and (4) residency status (rural vs urban). Chinese emerging adults aged 17 to 30 (N=7099; 69% college students; 54% female; 57% with rural residency status) completed a cross-sectional survey between October-November 2021. We found that most Chinese emerging adults feel ambivalent about their adulthood status. The findings suggest that cultural and geographical differences exist between emerging Chinese and Western young adults in their perceptions of entering adulthood. Concerning the self-perceived adulthood status and the subjective importance of criteria, several differences were found among Chinese emerging adults based on gender (male vs female), residency status (rural vs urban) and educational status (student vs non-student).
Early detection of lung cancer in a real-world cohort using a tumor-associated autoantibody blood test combined with imaging
Authors: Liu Zhong , Zhang Feng , Jiang Jianwen , Zhao Chenzhao , Zhu Lu , Liu Chenbing , Li Nan , Qiu Lihong , Shen Chao , Sheng Di , Zeng Qiang
Published: September 2022

Background: Efficient methods of early detection can reduce lung cancer mortality. Tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAABs) can be a valuable tool for lung cancer detection. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential of a panel containing seven TAABs in detection of lung cancer in a population of health examination.
Methods: The serum concentrations of the selective antibodies were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a total of 15,430 subjects was enrolled. The performances of the 7-TAAB panel and LDCT were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each method were compared.
Results: During the 12-month follow-up, 26 subjects were diagnosed with lung cancer. The 7-TAAB panel showed a sensitivity/specificity of 61.5%/88.5%, and its area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.8062, larger than any single TAAB. The sensitivity among stage I patients was 50%. There was no bias for people of different genders and/or at different ages in detection. The panel was with a sensitivity around 60% for lung cancer irrelevant to histological subtype and lesion size. There was a higher diagnosis rate for ground-glass nodules compared with solid ones (83.3% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.0211). The ROC analyses revealed that the detective efficacy of the combined model, consisting of LDCT and the 7-TAAB assay, was significantly better than that of LDCT alone.
Conclusion: Our study proved that the 7-TAAB panel, significantly improving the detective efficacy of LDCT, can be an effective tool in detection of lung cancer in this real-world cohort.
Model projections reveal a recent decrease in a Yellow-legged Gull population after landfill closure
Authors: Delgado Sergio , Tavecchia Giacomo , Herrero Alfredo , Aldalur Asier , Arizaga Juan
Published: September 2022

The food available in open-air landfills, one of the most common Predictable Anthropogenic Food Subsidies (PAFS), can have a profound impact on animal biodiversity. Understanding how and to what extent PAFS affect wildlife is crucial for a sustainable management of resources. Most large gulls behave as opportunistic foragers and constitute a good avian model to analyse the effect of PAFS reduction on animal populations. Using individual data from a Yellow-legged Gull population collected over a 15-year period we estimated survival and reproductive parameters and used them to parameterize an age-structured population model to explore the effects of the local landfill closure. Local survival probability declined with time as a consequence of the progressive closure of the local landfill sites. The top-ranked models included a quadratic function of time, suggesting an acceleration of mortality during the later years. An effect more pronounced in first year birds than in older birds. Population models predict a decrease of the population and confirmed a greater sensitivity of the population growth rate to adult survival probability. Overall, our results suggest that the reduced carrying capacity of the system resulted after landfill closures has caused a population decline which is expect to continue in the near future.
The Underestimated Cost of Delivered Water from Occasionally Operating Water Projects
Authors: Fei Chengcheng , McCarl Bruce A.
Published: September 2022

Many arid areas contain cities that are exhibiting rapid increases in water demand and are considering or developing large, expensive water projects. A number of those projects are expensive to operate and thus are used only under drought with other less costly projects supplying basic needs. But in considering proposed projects, the delivered water cost estimates are typically developed assuming full capacity, year-round operation. This underestimates the cost of water deliveries. In this paper, we examine the magnitude of this underestimate in the context of partially operating desalination possibilities. We find that applying the fixed cost to a plant operating at 10% of capacity can raise the actual delivered water cost by up to 10 times relative to that computed under assumed full operation. Thus, ignoring partial operation biases cost comparisons and may lead cost conscious decision makers to choose more expensive projects. We argue it is desirable to factor in a realistic operation level so as to yield an accurate cost ranking of potential water projects.
Risk Factors for Microcephaly in Children
Authors: Keskindemirci Gonca , Aşkan Öykü Özbörü , Selver Burak , Kayı Alev Bakır , Gökçay Gülbin
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
White matter changes following electroconvulsive therapy for depression: a multicenter ComBat harmonization approach
Authors: BELGE Jean-Baptiste , Mulder Peter , Diermen Linda van , Schrijvers Didier , Sienaert Pascal , Sabbe Bernard , Oudega Mardien , Tendolkar Indira , Dols Annemieke , Eijndhoven Philip van
Published: September 2022

ECT is proposed to exert a therapeutic effect on WM microstructure, but the limited power of previous studies made it difficult to highlight consistent patterns of change in diffusion metrics. We initiated a multicenter analysis and sought to address whether changes in WM microstructure occur following ECT. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data (n = 58) from 4 different sites were harmonized before pooling them by using ComBat, a batch-effect correction tool that removes inter-site technical variability, preserves inter-site biological variability, and maximizes statistical power. Downstream statistical analyses aimed to quantify changes in Fractional Anisotropy (FA), Mean Diffusivity (MD), Radial Diffusivity (RD) and Axial Diffusivity (AD), by employing whole-brain, tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). ECT increased FA in the right splenium of the corpus callosum and the left cortico-spinal tract. AD in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus was raised. Increases in MD and RD could be observed in overlapping white matter structures of both hemispheres. At baseline, responders showed significantly smaller FA values in the left forceps major and smaller AD values in the right uncinate fasciculus compared with non-responders. By harmonizing multicenter data, we demonstrate that ECT modulates altered WM microstructure in important brain circuits that are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Furthermore, responders appear to present a more decreased WM integrity at baseline which could point towards a specific subtype of patients, characterized by a more altered neuroplasticity, who are especially sensitive to the potent neuroplastic effects of ECT.
Semi-Flipped Classroom-based Learning Interventions in a Traditional Curriculum of Oral Medicine: Students’ Perceptions and Teaching Achievements
Authors: Hong Yun , Wu Jiaying , Wu Jie , Xu Huaimin , Li Xiaolan , Lin Zhengmei , Xia Juan
Published: September 2022

Background: In recent years, flipped classes have emerged and become popular in college education. However, they are still not applied comprehensively in medical education owing to the limitations of class time and the lack of objective evaluations of the learning outcomes. This study analysed three educational methods that can be used in oral medicine courses: online education, offline education, and semi-flipped classes.
Methods: We used two surveys to evaluate the three educational methods. In the first survey 46 teachers and 238 undergraduates shared their experience of the live-streaming and traditional offline courses offered in the different oral medicine curricula; we used anonymous questionnaires to evaluate their class experience. In the second survey 94 students shared their experience of the semi-flipped and traditional classrooms. Students (who attended the semi-flipped class) in the experimental group learned about the oral mucosa disease by themselves using an online video course and then participated in offline interaction with teachers. The evaluation of the above educational methods was conducted using the anonymous questionnaires and final exam assessment.
Results: According to the first survey, teachers and students both agreed that the overall teaching experience and learning effectiveness in offline education are superior to those in online education. According to the second survey, students who participated in the semi-flipped classes performed better in the final exam than those who participated in the simple offline classes. Additionally, the survey showed that the new teaching method helped students gain more knowledge and positively influenced their clinical practice.
Conclusions: Compared with the online and offline educational methods, the semi-flipped classrooms showed better results in both the questionnaire and final exam assessment. Hence, the effectiveness of medical education can be improved by adopting a teaching mode that combines online and offline teaching methods. Scientific and logical semi-flipped classroom designs, along with their effective implementation, would eventually make semi-flipped classrooms an important tool for medical education.
Transcriptome and proteome profiling revealed the key genes and pathways involved in the fiber quality formation in brown cotton
Authors: Wang Zhenzhen , Rehman Abdul , Jia Yinhua , Dai Panhong , He Shoupu , Wang Xiaoyang , Li Hongge , Wang Liru , Qayyumd Abdul , Peng Zhen , Du Xiongming
Published: September 2022

Background
Colored cotton is also called eco-cotton because of its natural color fiber. However, the yield and quality of natural colored cotton are generally lower than white cotton. Now, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms involved in biochemical and metabolic pathways and critical genes between fiber quality and pigment synthesis. The present study used a pair of brown cotton near-isogenic lines (brown cotton ‘Z1-61’ and white cotton ‘RT’) to determine the transcriptomic and proteomic data of fiber (ovule) at 0DPA, 10DPA, and 20DPA.
Results
Integration analysis of the two-omics data demonstrated that the differential proteins with the same expression trend in the adjacent developmental stages were significantly and positively correlated with fold change. Enrichment analysis of metabolic pathway revealed that Z1-61, enriched in fiber elongation genes related to a flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism and many more genes (proteins) are up-regulated. Short Time-series Expression Miner analysis inferred that up-regulated genes of Z1-61 were specifically involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, energy, and lipid, suggesting that these pathways play an important role in fiber elongation and pigmentation. We further analyzed the 164 glycosyltransferases genes were predominantly expressed in the early stage of Z1-61 fiber elongation while they were predominantly expressed during the later period of RT fibers elongation. And 15 MYB-bHLH-WD40 triple complex genes and other transcription factor genes such as C2H2 (12), ERF (11), and NAC (7) were also preferentially expressed in Z1-61. Weighted correlation network analysis exhibited that fatty acid synthesis and energy metabolism were the active metabolic pathways in both cotton genotypes during fiber development. The 10 hub genes obtained from the final screening can be considered to play a critical role in the process of fiber pigment deposition while ensuring that fiber quality does not degraded.
Conclusion
This is the first complementary analyses of the transcriptome and proteome related with the quality of brown cotton fiber. Those studies can be understood as better playing a major role in fiber quality enhancement and pigmentation during fiber elongation.
Correlation analysis of risk factors for cervical lymphatic metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Sun Haoying , Wang Xin , Zhao Xueyu , Ma Jinzhu , Liu Ming
Published: September 2022

Objective:To analyse the risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Methods: The clinicopathological data of 2384 PTC patients admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis of PTC were also analysed.
Results: Male (OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.138-2.148, P < 0.001), age ≤55 years old (OR=2.874, 95%CI:1.600-5.161, P < 0.001), tumor lesion > 0.5cm (OR=1.777, 95%CI:1.289-2.448, P<0.001), Multifocal (OR=0.686, 95%CI:0.531- 0.886, P< 0.001) were risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). ROC curve showed that the cutoff value of tumor lesion size for predicting CLNM was 0.855 (sensitivity was 57.9%, specificity was 69%, AUC was 0.269, P < 0.05). The metastatic rate of lateral cervical lymph nodes increased with the increase of tumor diameter. Lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LLNM) was more common in area III (59.4%) and Ⅳ (53.1%) than Ⅴ (9.4%) (P < 0.008). The metastasis rate of area II was 40.6%, and there was no significant difference between the two regions. In this study, a total of 85 PTC patients were tested for BRAF gene, and 79 of them were found to have BRAF gene mutations, with a mutation rate of 93%. BRAF gene mutation is of certain value for the diagnosis of PTC, but there is no statistical significance for the assessment of CLNM (P=0.827).
Conclusion: CLNM in PTC patients is significantly related to male patients age ≤55 years old with tumor lesions > 0.855cm and multiple tumor lesions. Central lymph node dissection (CLND) should be performed actively for those patients. The lateral neck lymph node metastasis should be evaluated in detail before surgery. And areas Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ should be the main focus if they need to be cleaned. Areas I and V were cleaned according to other risk factors of the patients.
Collaborative Cross mice are permissive to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection
Authors: Alugupalli Kishore , Kothari Sudeep , Cravens Matthew , Walker Justin , Dougharty Darren , Dickinson Gregory , Gatto Louis , Wangdi Tamding , Miller Darla , Baumler Andreas , de Villena Fernando Pardo-Manuel , Siracusa Linda
Published: September 2022

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever restricted to humans and does not replicate in commonly used inbred mice. Genetic variation in humans is far greater and more complex than that in a single inbred strain of mice. The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a large panel of recombinant inbred strains which has a wider range of genetic diversity than laboratory inbred mouse strains. We found that the CC003/Unc and CC053/Unc strains are permissive to S. Typhi infection and show histopathological changes characteristic of human typhoid. These CC strains are immunocompetent, and immunization induces antigen-specific responses that can kill S. Typhi in vitro and control S. Typhi in vivo. Our results indicate that CC003/Unc and CC053/Unc strains can help identify the genetic basis for typhoid susceptibility, S. Typhi virulence mechanism(s) in vivo, and serve as a preclinical mammalian model system to identify effective vaccines and therapeutics strategies.
The Differences in Insights of Social-ecological Resilience between Organic Farmers and Extension Agents
Authors: Panpakdee Chaiteera
Published: September 2022

The objective of this research was to compare insights of organic farmers and extension agents regarding social-ecological resilience. To achieve that, forty-seven social-ecological components were used as the base. These components are features that can be applied to build resilience in organic rice production. In 2017, the components were systematically constructed by fifty-three organic farmers in four districts of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, who grouped the four critical properties. The informants were twenty-eight extension agents working in the same districts. They were asked to assign a score to each vital property, and to gauge its significance contributed to building resilience. The scoring values were computed using the normalized method to produce the intensity of the importance of the properties. Next, an analysis of one sample t-test at the level of significance of 0.05 was carried out to compare the two parties’ intensities. The results pointed out three out of the four properties had been homogenous. The difference was only found in the property of ‘Learning to live with change and uncertainty’ due to the organic farmers’ unaltered hindrances, such as living in an aging society. This drawback can be solved by allowing organic farmers to gain access to programs facilitated by extension agents. This collective action motivates organic farmers to engage in those programs since it is designed to meet their needs.
Tooth Root Surface Area Calculation in Cone-Beam CT via Deep Segmentation
Authors: Su Sha , Jia Xueting , Zhan Liping , Fan Xiaochuan , Gao Siyuan , Cai He , Huang Xiaofeng
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. It is important to calculate healthy periodontal membrane area to evaluate the severity of periodontitis. The aim of this study is to develop a computer-assisted system based on convolutional neural network (CNN) to segment and calculate the tooth root surface area (RSA) on cone-beam CT(CBCT).
Methods
We presented a deep learning system to automatically identify the alveolar bone and tooth regions by applying an advanced Mask R-CNN segmentation on clinically dataset of 2000 CBCT images. Twenty-four teeth from 20 patients who required tooth extraction were selected. Before extraction, pre-treatment CBCT images of all the patients were recorded. The RSA of each tooth was calculated by CNN. After extraction, all the teeth were scanned by CBCT again. The RSA of each extracted tooth was calculated by CNN again and also calculated by medical image control system (Mimics version 15.01; Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). RSA of 24 teeth calculated using these two measurement methods were analyzed by the paired t-test (P < 0.05) and Bland-Altman plot consistency analysis.
Results
The paired t-test result showed that there was no statistical difference of RSA of 24 teeth calculated by CNN and Mimics (p > 0.05). The Bland-Altman plot test also showed the good consistency.
Conclusion
We applied Mask R-CNN to segment tooth root and calculate the RSA on CBCT. Such approach presents a novel, fast, automatic and accurate approach to measure the RSA and can be used for estimating the non-extracted teeth.
Hepatitis A virus seroprevalence among children and adolescents in a high-burden HIV setting in urban South Africa
Authors: Du Plessis Nicolette M , Mazanderani Ahmad Haeri , Motaze Nkengafac Villyen , Ngobese Makhosazane , Avenant Theunis
Published: September 2022

Background
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is one of the most important global causes of viral hepatitis. Recent reviews suggested that HAV endemicity in South Africa could be shifting from high to intermediate.
Methods
A hospital-based HAV-seroprevalence study was conducted between February 2018 to December 2019, in Pretoria, South Africa. Systematic sampling was done of children and adolescents (1–15 years) who attended outpatient services. Participants with a known HIV-status and valid HAV-serology results were included.
Results
Of 1220 participants, the median age was 7-years (IQR: 4–11) with 648 (53.11%) male and 572 (46.89%) female. Of 628 (51.48%) HIV-infected participants, most (329, 71.83%) were both immunologically and virologically controlled or with low level viremia (74, 16.16%). Almost three-quarters (894, 73.28%) were living in formal dwellings, and just over half (688, 56.39%) had access to clean water sources inside the house. Increasing age was associated with testing IgG-positive (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.21–1.28), with 19.8% of participants one year of age compared with 86.7% of participants 15-years of age.
Conclusions
This study suggests that South Africa has an intermediate HAV-seroprevalence with rates < 90% by 10-years of age (68.6%). Increased age and informal dwellings are statistically associated with HAV-seropositivity, whilst HIV-status does not significantly influence HAV-seropositivity.
Correlation between physical activity, Sleep Components and Quality: in the Context of Type and Intensity : A Cross-Sectional study among Medical Students
Authors: Mahgoub Ahmed Abdelghyoum , Mustafa Shahenaz Satti
Published: September 2022

Background: Physical activity during the day is composed of different domains, specifically work-related, transportation, and recreation physical activity. We aimed at studying the correlation between energy expenditure and the corresponding metabolic equivalent of task and sleep in the context of the type, intensity and general level of physical activity.
Materials and Methods:a cross-sectional study, participants were n= 273 enrolled from Al-Neelain university faculty of medicine between January and April 2021 we used the global physical activity questionnaire to measure the standard metabolic equivalent of task (MET) for vigorous and moderate work & leisure MET, Transportation MET, and sedentary time. we used the Pittsburgh sleep quality index to assess sleep quality. Daytime sleepiness was assessed with (the Epworth sleepiness scale) and psychological distress was assessed with (the Kessler 10-item questionnaire).
Results: The Mean of Total-MET was (3533.36min/week) predominantly moderated work-MET (33%). Poor sleepers’ percentage was high (62%). Moreover, there was a significant difference between good and poor sleepers in moderate work MET mean (876.36,1334.2 min/week) (P<0.01).respectively. There was a significant difference between categories of activity in sleep duration (P<0.05) being higher for the low activity group(7.2h) than high and moderate categories (6.9h-6.3h) respectively. There were significant positive correlations between moderate work MET and roughly all sleep components namely (sleep latency, sleep disturbances, use of medications, daytime dysfunction) rho=(0.196, 0.182, 0.132, 0.149)(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.05) respectively and sleep quality rho=(. 211 P<0.001). Vigorous leisure MET positively correlated with increased sleep latency rho=(0. 134 P<0.01). Total MET correlated with increased sleep latency, use of medications, and poor sleep quality in general. (0.134, 0.124, 0.133) (P<0.05). Psychological distress significantly correlated with both moderate work MET (0.135)(P<0.05) and increased sleep latency (0.229 P<0.001) severe daytime sleepiness (0.295 P<0.001)and overall poor Sleep quality (0.330 P<0.001).
Conclusions: Our results show that poor sleep quality is primarily influenced by the type and intensity of physical activity. Eliciting a dose-response effect of different domains, being deleterious for work-related physical activity as work MET is of too low intensity or too long duration for maintaining or improving cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular health subsequently imposing its deleterious effect.
STRIP2 motivates non-small cell lung cancer progression by modulating the TMBIM6 stability through IGF2BP3 dependent
Authors: Zhang Xilin , Chen Qiuqiang , He Ying , Shi Qian , Yin Chengyi , Xie Yanping , Yu Huanming , Bao Ying , Tang Chengwu , Dong Zhaohui
Published: September 2022

Background: Striatin interacting protein 2 (STRIP2) is a core component of the striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complexes, which is involved in tumor initiation and progression via the regulation of cell contractile and metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of STRIP2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression remain largely unknown.
Methods: The expressions of STRIP2 and IGF2BP3 in human NSCLC specimens and NSCLC cell lines were detected using quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. The roles and molecular mechanisms of STRIP2 in promoting NSCLC progression were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results: Here, we found that STRIP2 expression was significantly elevated in NSCLC tissues and high STRIP2 expression was associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown of STRIP2 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vitroand in vivo, while STRIP2 overexpression obtained the opposite effect. Mechanistically, P300/CBP-mediated H3K27 acetylation activation in the promoter of STRIP2 induced STRIP2 transcription, which interacted with insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and upregulated IGF2BP3 transcription. In addition, STRIP2-IGF2BP3 axis stimulated m6A modification of TMBIM6 mRNA and enhanced TMBIM6 mRNA stability. Consequently, TMBIM6 involved NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion dependent on STRIP2 and IGF2BP3. In NSCLC patients, high co-expression of STRIP2, IGF2BP3 and TMBIM6 was associated with poor outcomes.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that STRIP2 interacts with IGF2BP3 to regulate TMBIM6 mRNA stability in an m6A-dependent manner and may represent a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.