bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Therapeutic Strategy to Combat HIV-1 Latently Infected Cells With a Combination of Latency-Reversing Agents Containing DAG-Lactone PKC Activators
Authors: Matsuda Kouki , Kobayakawa Takuya , Kariya Ryusho , Tsuchiya Kiyoto , Ryu Shoraku , Tsuji Kohei , Ishii Takahiro , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Okada Seiji , Hamada Akinobu , Mitsuya Hiroaki , Tamamura Hirokazu , Maeda Kenji
Published: March 2021

Advances in antiviral therapy have dramatically improved the therapeutic effects on HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, even with potent combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 latently infected cells cannot be fully eradicated. Latency-reversing agents (LRAs) are considered a potential tool for eliminating such cells; however, recentin vitroandin vivostudies have raised serious concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of the “shock and kill” strategy using LRAs. In the present study, we examined the activity and safety of a panel of protein kinase C (PKC) activators with a diacylglycerol (DAG)-lactone structure that mimics DAG, an endogenous ligand for PKC isozymes. YSE028, a DAG-lactone derivative, reversed HIV-1 latencyin vitrowhen tested using HIV-1 latently infected cells (e.g., ACH2 and J-Lat cells) and primary cells from HIV-1-infected individuals. The activity of YSE028 in reversing HIV-1 latency was synergistically enhanced when combined with JQ1, a bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitor LRA. DAG-lactone PKC activators also induced caspase-mediated apoptosis, specifically in HIV-1 latently infected cells. In addition, these DAG-lactone PKC activators showed minimal toxicityin vitroandin vivo. These data suggest that DAG-lactone PKC activators may serve as potential candidates for combination therapy against HIV-1 latently infected cells, especially when combined with other LRAs with a different mechanism, to minimize side effects and achieve maximum efficacy in various reservoir cells of the whole body.
The Quality of Wheat Bread With Ultrasonicated and Fermented By-Products From Plant Drinks Production
Authors: Bartkiene Elena , Bartkevics Vadims , Pugajeva Iveta , Borisova Anastasija , Zokaityte Egle , Lele Vita , Starkute Vytaute , Zavistanaviciute Paulina , Klupsaite Dovile , Zadeike Daiva , Juodeikiene Grazina
Published: March 2021

During plant-based drinks production a significant amount of valuable by-products (BPs) is obtained. The valorization of BPs is beneficial for both the environment and the food industry. The direct incorporation of the fermented and/or ultrasonicated almond, coconut, and oat drinks production BPs in other food products, such as wheat bread (WB) could lead to the better nutritional value as well as quality of WB. Therefore, in this study, various quantities (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of differently treated [ultrasonicated (37 kHz) or fermented with Lacticaseibacillus casei LUHS210] almond, coconut, and oat drinks preparation BPs were used in wheat bread (WB) formulations. Microbiological and other quality parameters (acidity, color, specific volume, porosity, moisture content, overall acceptability) as well as bread texture hardness during the storage and acrylamide content in the WB were evaluated. Among the fermented samples, 12-h-fermented almond and oat, as well as 24-h-fermented coconut drinks preparation BPs (pH values of 2.94, 2.41, and 4.50, respectively; total enterobacteria and mold/yeast were not found) were selected for WB production. In most cases, the dough and bread quality parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by the BPs used, the treatment of the BPs, and the quantity of the BPs. The highest overall acceptability of the WB prepared with 20% fermented almond drink preparation by-product (AP), 15% fermented oat drink preparation by-product (OP), and 15% ultrasonicated OP was established. After 96 h of storage, the lowest hardness (on average, 1.2 mJ) of the breads prepared with 5% fermented AP, coconut drink preparation by-product (CP), and OP and ultrasonicated CP was found. The lowest content of acrylamide in the WB prepared with OP was found (on average, 14.7 μg/kg). Finally, 15% fermented OP could be safely used for WB preparation because the prepared bread showed high overall acceptability, as well as low acrylamide content.
Astrocytic Propagation of Tau in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Fleeman Rebecca M. , Proctor Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2021

More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the incidence is growing rapidly with our aging population. Numerous therapeutics have failed to make it to the clinic, potentially due to a focus on presumptive pathogenic proteins instead of cell-type-specific signaling mechanisms. The tau propagation hypothesis that inter-neuronal tau transfer drives AD pathology has recently garnered attention, as accumulation of pathological tau in the brain has high clinical significance in correlating with progression of cognitive AD symptoms. However, studies on tau pathology in AD are classically neuron-centric and have greatly overlooked cell-type specific effects of tau internalization, degradation, and propagation. While the contribution of microglia to tau processing and propagation is beginning to be recognized and understood, astrocytes, glial cells in the brain important for maintaining neuronal metabolic, synaptic, trophic, and immune function which can produce, internalize, degrade, and propagate tau are understudied in their ability to affect AD progression through tau pathology. Here, we showcase evidence for whether tau uptake by astrocytes may be beneficial or detrimental to neuronal health and how astrocytes and their immunometabolic functions may be key targets for future successful AD therapies.
Treatment Switching and Discontinuation Over 20 Years in the Big Multiple Sclerosis Data Network
Authors: Hillert Jan , Magyari Melinda , Soelberg Sørensen Per , Butzkueven Helmut , Van Der Welt Anneke , Vukusic Sandra , Trojano Maria , Iaffaldano Pietro , Pellegrini Fabio , Hyde Robert , Stawiarz Leszek , Manouchehrinia Ali , Spelman Tim
Published: March 2021

Background: Although over a dozen disease modifying treatments (DMTs) are available for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment interruption, switching and discontinuation are common challenges. The objective of this study was to describe treatment interruption and discontinuation in the Big MS data network.

Methods: We merged information on 269,822 treatment episodes in 110,326 patients from 1997 to 2016 from five clinical registries in this cohort study. Treatment stop was defined as a clinician recorded DMT end for any reason and included treatment interruptions, switching to alternate DMTs and long-term or permanent discontinuations.

Results: The incidence of DMT stopping cross the full observation period was lowest in FTY (19.7 per 100 person-years (PY) of treatment; 95% CI 19.2–20.1), followed by NAT (22.6/100 PY; 95% CI 22.2–23.0), IFNβ (23.3/100 PY; 95% CI 23.2–23.5). Of the 184,013 observed DMT stops, 159,309 (86.6%) switched to an alternate DMT within 6 months. Reasons for stopping a drug were stable during the observation period with lack of efficacy being the most common reason followed by lack of tolerance and side effects. The proportion of patients continuing on most DMTs were similarly stable until 2014 and 2015 when drop from 83 to 75% was noted.

Conclusions: DMT stopping reasons and rates were mostly stable over time with a slight increase in recent years, with the availability of more DMTs. The overall results suggest that discontinuation of MS DMTs is mostly due to DMT properties and to a lesser extent to risk management and a competitive market.
Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Salvage Radiation for Postoperative Lymph Node Recurrence of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Chi , Ge Xiao-Lin , Huang Chen-Jun , Zhang Shu , Sun Xin-Chen
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in regional lymph nodes (LNs) after surgical section can be treated with salvage resection, radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). RT or CRT is more widely used in clinic. This paper investigates the effects, toxicities and prognostic risk factors of salvage RT or CRT on patients with LN recurrence.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 103 patients receiving salvage RT or CRT for LN recurrence after ESCC resection. In total, 39 patients received RT alone and 64 received concurrent CRT. All the patients received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), administered with a median dose of 62 Gy (range, 50–70 Gy).

Results: The median follow-up time was 44.5 months, and median survival was 22.5 months (5.5–99.5 months). One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 80.6, 37.0, and 25.8%, respectively. One- and 2-year progression free survival (PFS) were 57.3 and 34.0%, respectively. Grade 3 or above toxicity was low (16.5%) and no treatment-related deaths occurred. In univariate analysis of OS, pN0 (p = 0.039), smaller LN volume (≤25 cm3, p = 0.019), combined chemotherapy (p = 0.041) and single LN recurrence (p = 0.001) were associated with prolonged OS. And pT1-2 (p = 0.044), pN0 (p = 0.042), irradiation dose (>60 Gy, p = 0.044), combined chemotherapy (p = 0.019) and single LN recurrence (p = 0.002) were associated with prolonged PFS. In multivariate analysis, the patients with only one recurrent node had a significant better OS (HR = 0.556, 95% CI 0.324–0.956, p = 0.034) and PFS (HR = 0.528, 95% CI 0.339–0.847, p = 0.008).

Conclusions: Salvage RT or CRT for regional LN recurrence is effective and acceptable. Fewer recurrent nodes may indicate a better long-term survival.
Case Report: Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, a Rare Clinical Manifestation of Abernethy Malformation Type II
Authors: He Xue , Zhu Yueling , Fu Haidong , Feng Chunyue , Liu Zhixia , Gu Weizhong , Jin Yanyan , Yang Binbin , Shen Huijun
Published: March 2021

This report describes an 8-year-old male who presented with clinical manifestations including systemic edema, heavy proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, and persistent hypocomplementemia. Arachnoid cysts and focal nodular hyperplasia were also detected. Imaging examination and renal biopsy were performed, and Abernethy malformation type II with immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was considered the diagnosis. Due to the persistence of embryonic vessels, Abernethy malformation is a rare congenital vascular malformation of the splanchnic venous system, which can be classified as type I (end-to-side shunt) and type II (side-to-side shunt). Abernethy malformation with glomerulonephritis remains extremely rare. In the patient described, glomerulonephritis mediated by immune complex with “full-house” positive immunohistochemistry was confirmed on renal biopsy. In addition, he was treated with glucocorticoids and tacrolimus. Whether surgical treatment is necessary should be determined according to the state of the disease in the later stages. The present case reflects the association between the congenital portosystemic shunt and the renal region and, to the authors' knowledge, may be the first report to describe arachnoid cysts as a symptom of Abernethy malformation.
Effectiveness and Safety of Iguratimod in Treating Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pu Jincheng , Wang Xuan , Riaz Farooq , Zhang Tongyangzi , Gao Ronglin , Pan Shengnan , Wu Zhenzhen , Liang Yuanyuan , Zhuang Shuqi , Tang Jianping
Published: March 2021

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of iguratimod (IGU) in treating primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) by meta-analysis.

Methods: Eight databases and two clinical trial websites were searched from conception to August 10, 2020, for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on outcomes of patients with pSS treated with IGU. Revman 5.4 was used for statistical analysis and creating plots.

Results: A total of 1,384 patients with pSS from 19 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results demonstrated that patients treated with IGU + hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) + glucocorticoid (GC) showed significant differences in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) level, platelet (PLT) count, immunoglobulin G (IgG) level, salivary flow rate, Schirmer’s test result, EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and efficacy rate (p ≤ 0.01) compared to patients treated with HCQ + GC. Compared to treatment with HCQ and GC, co-administration of IGU with GC showed significant differences in ESR and RF level (p ≤ 0.01); however, no significant differences were noted in IgG level. Conversely, the IgG level showed a significant improvement in the IGU + HCQ + GC group compared to the HCQ + GC group. The results of safety analysis revealed that seven trials showed no significant differences in adverse events (AEs) between the IGU + HCQ + GC and HCQ + GC groups (p = 0.15). Although no severe AEs were noted, gastrointestinal discomfort was the most common AE in the IGU group. No significant differences in AEs were observed between the IGU + GC and HCQ + GC groups.

Conclusion: IGU improved the clinical symptoms of patients with pSS, including inflammatory indicators (ESR, IgG, and RF levels), PLT count, secretion function of the salivary and lacrimal glands (salivary flow rate and Schirmer’s test result), and disease indexes (ESSDAI and ESSPRI), when co-administered with HCQ + GC therapy without increasing the risks of AEs. Therefore, IGU can be considered as an effective and safe drug for clinical therapy of pSS. Considering the limitations of the present trials, more long-term, multicenter, and high-quality RCTs are required to assess the effectiveness and safety of IGU for treating patients with pSS.
Meteorin-Like Ameliorates β Cell Function by Inhibiting β Cell Apoptosis of and Promoting β Cell Proliferation via Activating the WNT/β-Catenin Pathway
Authors: Hu Wenchao , Wang Rui , Sun Bei
Published: March 2021

Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is a newly discovered myokine. Plasma Metrnl is decreased in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) and correlated with insulin resistance. This study aims to determine the effects of Metrnl on the apoptosis and proliferation of β cell. Mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells were divided into six groups: normal control, low glucose, high glucose, Vehicle, Metrnl, and Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) groups. MIN6 cells in Metrnl group were transfected with recombinant pCDH-Metrnl vector. WNT/β-catenin pathway was inhibited using DKK1. Then the apoptosis of MIN6 cells was detected using flow cytometry and TUNEL labeling. Immunofluorescence of Ki67 or Edu-594 was used to determine the β cell proliferation. db/db mice were confirmed as T2D group. Lentivirus-Metrnl was injected from the caudal vein of db/db mice once every two weeks for two times. High glucose induced the apoptosis of MIN6 cells and elevated expression of caspase 3. In addition, high glucose resulted in reduced β cell proliferation, cell viability, insulin secretion as well as decreased expression of β-catenin and TCF4. Metrnl ameliorated the above effects of high glucose. And the protecting role of Metrnl was inhibited by DKK1. T2D mice showed higher body weight and blood glucose compared with the controls. The β cell apoptosis was increased while the β cell proliferation and WNT/β-catenin pathway were inhibited in T2D mice. Metrnl treatment partly reversed the above changes in T2D mice. Metrnl ameliorates β cell function by inhibiting β cell apoptosis of and promoting β cell proliferation via activating the WNT/β-catenin pathway.
Cohort Studies on Chronic Non-communicable Diseases Treated With Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Li Yiwen , Liu Yanfei , Cui Jing , Zhao Hui , Liu Yue , Huang Luqi
Published: March 2021

Cohort studies investigating the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have considerably accumulated in recent years. To systematically and for the first time present the achievements and dilemmas of cohort studies, strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to search publications from the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for cohort studies on NCDs with TCM since the establishment of these databases. Information on the year of publication, exposure factors, diseases, and outcome indicators was obtained, and a literature quality assessment and bibliometric descriptive analysis were conducted. A total of 182 published articles involving 1,615,106 cases were included. There were 110 non-prospective cohort studies and 72 prospective cohort studies. The diseases involved in the cohort studies were, in the order of the number of published articles, malignant tumors (82 articles, 45.05%), cardiovascular diseases (35 articles, 19.23%), neurological diseases (29 articles, 15.93%), chronic kidney diseases (16 articles, 8.79%), liver cirrhosis (8 articles, 4.40%), diabetes mellitus (8 articles, 4.40%), and chronic respiratory diseases (4 articles, 2.20%). The study participants were mainly from China (177 articles, 97.25%). The number of cohort studies increased significantly in the last 5 years (65 articles, 35.71%), and following the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) literature quality evaluation, the number of articles that received a score of four to five was high (116 articles, 63.73%), and the overall quality needs to be improved. The application of cohort studies in the field of TCM for the prevention and treatment of NCDs has developed rapidly in the past 5 years, focusing on the prevention and treatment of tumors as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the design and implementation of cohort studies still have considerable limitations. To provide more clinical evidence, researcher should actively cooperate with evidence-based methodologists and standardize the implementation of cohort studies.
Hyperballistic Superdiffusion and Explosive Solutions to the Non-Linear Diffusion Equation
Authors: Flekkøy Eirik G. , Hansen Alex , Baldelli Beatrice
Published: March 2021

By means of a particle model that includes interactions only via the local particle concentration, we show that hyperballistic diffusion may result. This is done by findng the exact solution of the corresponding non-linear diffusion equation, as well as by particle simulations. The connection between these levels of description is provided by the Fokker-Planck equation describing the particle dynamics. PACS numbers:
A Feedback Loop Involving MicroRNA-150 and MYB Regulates VEGF Expression in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells After Oxygen Glucose Deprivation
Authors: Zhang Song , Chen Anqi , Chen Xiaolu
Published: March 2021

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in regulating cerebral angiogenesis after stroke. Meanwhile, excessive VEGF expression induces increased microvascular permeability in brain, probably leading to neurological deterioration. Therefore, the appropriate level of VEGF expression is significant to the recovery of brain exposed to stroke. In this work, we demonstrate that microRNA-150 (miR-150) and its predicted target MYB form a negative feedback loop to control the level of post-stroke VEGF expression. Repression of MYB leads to decreased expression of miR-150 in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), thus miR-150 was predicted to be down-regulated by MYB. Moreover, MYB was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-150 by using dual luciferase reporter assay. In our previous work, we have validated VEGF as another direct target of miR-150. Therefore, MYB participates in regulation of VEGF via miR-150 under OGD, forming a feedback loop with miR-150. We also find that high levels of miR-150 inhibitors combined with MYB silence contribute to further enhancement of VEGF expression in BMVECs in response to OGD. These observations suggest that the feedback loop comprised of miR-150 and MYB, which is a pivotal endogenous epigenetic regulation to control the expression levels of VEGF in BMVECs subjected to OGD.
Autonomic Function in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease: From Rest to Exercise
Authors: Sabino-Carvalho Jeann L. , Fisher James P. , Vianna Lauro C.
Published: March 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder classically characterized by symptoms of motor impairment (e.g., tremor and rigidity), but also presenting with important non-motor impairments. There is evidence for the reduced activity of both the parasympathetic and sympathetic limbs of the autonomic nervous system at rest in PD. Moreover, inappropriate autonomic adjustments accompany exercise, which can lead to inadequate hemodynamic responses, the failure to match the metabolic demands of working skeletal muscle and exercise intolerance. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear, but relevant alterations in several discrete central regions (e.g., dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, intermediolateral cell column) have been identified. Herein, we critically evaluate the clinically significant and complex associations between the autonomic dysfunction, fatigue and exercise capacity in PD.
Continuous and Intermittent Artificial Gravity as a Countermeasure to the Cognitive Effects of 60 Days of Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest
Authors: Basner Mathias , Dinges David F. , Howard Kia , Moore Tyler M. , Gur Ruben C. , Mühl Christian , Stahn Alexander C.
Published: March 2021

Environmental and psychological stressors can adversely affect astronaut cognitive performance in space. This study used a 6° head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR) paradigm to simulate some of the physiologic changes induced by microgravity. Twenty-four participants (mean ± SD age 33.3 ± 9.2 years, N = 16 men) spent 60 consecutive days in strict HDBR. They were studied in three groups of eight subjects each. One group served as Control, whereas the other two groups received either a continuous or intermittent artificial gravity (AG) countermeasure of 30 min centrifugation daily (1 g acceleration at the center of mass and 2 g at the feet). Participants performed all 10 tests of NASA’s Cognition battery and a brief alertness and mood survey repeatedly before, during, and after the HDBR period. Test scores were adjusted for practice and stimulus set difficulty effects. A modest but statistically significant slowing across a range of cognitive domains was found in all three groups during HDBR compared to baseline, most consistently for sensorimotor speed, whereas accuracy was unaffected. These changes were observed early during HDBR and did not further worsen or improve with increasing time in HDBR, except for emotion recognition performance. With increasing time spent in HDBR, participants required longer time to decide which facial emotion was expressed. They were also more likely to select categories with negative valence over categories with neutral or positive valence. Except for workload, which was rated lower in the Control group, continuous or intermittent AG did not modify the effect of HDBR on cognitive performance or subjective responses. Participants expressed several negative survey responses during HDBR relative to baseline, and some of the responses further deteriorated during recovery, which highlights the importance of adequate medical and psychological support during extended duration HDBR studies. In conclusion, 60 days of HDBR were associated with moderate cognitive slowing and changes in emotion recognition performance, but these effects were not mitigated by either continuous or intermittent exposure to AG for 30 min daily.
Plant Associated Rhizobacteria for Biocontrol and Plant Growth Enhancement
Authors: Jiao Xiurong , Takishita Yoko , Zhou Guisheng , Smith Donald L.
Published: March 2021

Crop disease remains a major problem to global food production. Excess use of pesticides through chemical disease control measures is a serious problem for sustainable agriculture as we struggle for higher crop productivity. The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a proven environment friendly way of controlling plant disease and increasing crop yield. PGPR suppress diseases by directly synthesizing pathogen-antagonizing compounds, as well as by triggering plant immune responses. It is possible to identify and develop PGPR that both suppress plant disease and more directly stimulate plant growth, bringing dual benefit. A number of PGPR have been registered for commercial use under greenhouse and field conditions and a large number of strains have been identified and proved as effective biocontrol agents (BCAs) under environmentally controlled conditions. However, there are still a number of challenges before registration, large-scale application, and adoption of PGPR for the pest and disease management. Successful BCAs provide strong theoretical and practical support for application of PGPR in greenhouse production, which ensures the feasibility and efficacy of PGPR for commercial horticulture production. This could be pave the way for widespread use of BCAs in agriculture, including under field conditions, to assist with both disease management and climate change conditions.
Maternal and Paternal Representations in Assisted Reproductive Technology and Spontaneous Conceiving Parents: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Paterlini Marcella , Andrei Federica , Neri Erica , Trombini Elena , Santi Sara , Villani Maria Teresa , Aguzzoli Lorenzo , Agostini Francesca
Published: March 2021

Aim of this study was to investigate whether parental mental representations during pregnancy and after delivery differed between parents who conceived after Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART) and spontaneous conceiving (SC) parents. Effects of specific ART variables (previous ART attempts, treatment type and cause of infertility) were also taken into account. Seventeen ART couples and 25 SC couples were recruited at Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (Reggio Emilia, Italy). At both 32 weeks of gestation (T1) and 3 months postpartum (T2) participants completed the Semantic Differential of the IRMAG, a self-report tool which measures specific domains of mental representations pertaining either individual (Child, Self-as-woman/man, and Partner) or parental (Self-as-parent, Own parent) characteristics. Results showed that ART parents had significantly more positive representations of the child compared to SC parents, while the scores at Partner dimension improved from T1 to T2 for SC parents only. With regards to ART history, scores at the Self-as-woman/man dimension were significantly less positive for ICSI than IVF parents and improved substantially from T1 to T2 only in case of mothers with previous ART attempts and of fathers at the first ART cycle. The representation of own parents increased from T1 to T2 in case of infertility diagnosis due to male factors, while a decrease emerged when infertility was due to female factors. Findings suggest the need to investigate parental mental representations after ART, in order to improve the understanding on the transition to parenthood of infertile couples and to target more specific intervention for parenting support.
The Influence of Reading Texts on L2 Reading-to-Write Argumentative Writing
Authors: Qin Jingjing , Liu Yingliang
Published: March 2021

Reading-to-write is an essential skill in academic writing, and reading-writing tasks have been widely adopted in standardized English tests. Much more recent literature on integrated reading-writing tasks has focused on writers’ use of source texts or the validity of integrated writing assessment, while little is known about whether the nature of the types of reading texts has any bearing on integrated reading-writing tasks. This study examines whether the types of reading texts (i.e., similar views or opposing views on a debatable issue) have any influence on second language (L2) students’ argumentative writing in terms of the use of argument elements and its overall quality. Fifty-four Chinese second-year university students majoring in English language teaching were asked to write an argumentative essay after reading texts with either similar views or opposing views. Results show that students reading texts with opposing viewpoints presented more data and higher overall quality of argumentative essays than students reading texts with similar viewpoints, although the latter group presented more counterargument data. Pedagogical implications on teaching argumentative writing are discussed.
“We’re All in the Same Boat” – The Experience of People With Mental Health Conditions and Non-clinical Community Members in Integrated Arts-Based Groups
Authors: Nitzan Aya , Orkibi Hod
Published: March 2021

In recent decades there has been a significant increase in community rehabilitation programs for people with mental health conditions. One such nationwide programs is Amitim in Israel whose mission is to foster the psychosocial rehabilitation of people with mental health conditions in the community. Amitim’s flagship program consists of arts-based groups that integrate participants with mental health conditions and non-clinical community members. To better understand the experiences of participants in these arts-based groups, five focus groups were conducted with participants from 15 integrated arts-based groups. In total, 17 people with mental health conditions and 21 non-clinical community members were interviewed for this qualitative study. Three main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: creation and expression through the arts promote well-being, self-disclosure in a safe space encourages a sense of belonging, and “we are all in the same boat.” The participants underscored the role of creation and expression through the arts in facilitating emotional expression, self-discovery, interpersonal communication, and spiritual elevation. The findings suggest that the facilitators should instill a sense of equality by enabling intergroup acquaintances without labeling participants’ mental health status. Integrated arts-based groups should be accompanied by a mental health professional who can contain and work through complex emotional situations when needed. Arts therapists who specialize in both arts and mental health are particularly suitable for this role. Overall, the interviewees reported that participation in the integrated arts-based groups positively impacted their personal recovery processes by providing a corrective experience of equality as well as enhancing a sense of belonging to the community and social relationships. The participants also reported being empowered by the final artistic event that not only enhanced their sense of visibility, competence, and aspirations for future development in personal, interpersonal, and artistic realms, but also helped to combat both self- and public stigma.
Characteristics of Viral Shedding Time in SARS-CoV-2 Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yan Danying , Zhang Xiaobao , Chen Can , Jiang Daixi , Liu Xiaoxiao , Zhou Yuqing , Huang Chenyang , Zhou Yiyi , Guan Zhou , Ding Cheng , Chen Lu , Lan Lei , Fu Xiaofang , Wu Jie , Li Lanjuan , Yang Shigui
Published: March 2021

Background: The viral shedding time (VST) of SARS-CoV-2 mainly determines its transmission and duration of infectiousness. However, it was heterogeneous in the existing studies. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively summarize the VST of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, CNKI, CSTJ, and Wanfang up to October 25, 2020, for studies that reported VSTs of SARS-CoV-2. Pooled estimates and 95% CIs for the VSTs were calculated using log-transformed data. The VSTs in SARS-CoV-2 infections based on different demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments and specimens were stratified by subgroup analysis.

Results: A total of 35 studies involving 3,385 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean VST was 16.8 days (95% CI: 14.8–19.4, I2 = 99.56%) in SARS-CoV-2 infections. The VST was significantly longer in symptomatic infections (19.7 days, 95% CI: 17.2–22.7, I2 = 99.34%) than in asymptomatic infections (10.9 days, 95% CI: 8.3–14.3, I2 = 98.89%) (P < 0.05). The VST was 23.2 days (95% CI: 19.0–28.4, I2 = 99.24%) in adults, which was significantly longer than that in children (9.9 days, 95% CI: 8.1–12.2, I2 = 85.74%) (P < 0.05). The VST was significantly longer in persons with chronic diseases (24.2 days, 95% CI: 19.2–30.2, I2 = 84.07%) than in those without chronic diseases (11.5 days, 95% CI: 5.3–25.0, I2 = 82.11%) (P < 0.05). Persons receiving corticosteroid treatment (28.3 days, 95% CI: 25.6–31.2, I2 = 0.00%) had a longer VST than those without corticosteroid treatment (16.2 days, 95% CI: 11.5–22.5, I2 = 92.27%) (P = 0.06). The VST was significantly longer in stool specimens (30.3 days, 95% CI: 23.1–39.2, I2 = 92.09%) than in respiratory tract specimens (17.5 days, 95% CI: 14.9–20.6, I2 = 99.67%) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: A longer VST was found in symptomatic infections, infected adults, persons with chronic diseases, and stool specimens.
Application of Seq2Seq Models on Code Correction
Authors: Huang Shan , Zhou Xiao , Chin Sang
Published: March 2021

We apply various seq2seq models on programming language correction tasks on Juliet Test Suite for C/C++ and Java of Software Assurance Reference Datasets and achieve 75% (for C/C++) and 56% (for Java) repair rates on these tasks. We introduce pyramid encoder in these seq2seq models, which significantly increases the computational efficiency and memory efficiency, while achieving similar repair rate to their nonpyramid counterparts. We successfully carry out error type classification task on ITC benchmark examples (with only 685 code instances) using transfer learning with models pretrained on Juliet Test Suite, pointing out a novel way of processing small programming language datasets.
Swarm SLAM: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Kegeleirs Miquel , Grisetti Giorgio , Birattari Mauro
Published: March 2021

A robot swarm is a decentralized system characterized by locality of sensing and communication, self-organization, and redundancy. These characteristics allow robot swarms to achieve scalability, flexibility and fault tolerance, properties that are especially valuable in the context of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), specifically in unknown environments that evolve over time. So far, research in SLAM has mainly focused on single- and centralized multi-robot systems—i.e., non-swarm systems. While these systems can produce accurate maps, they are typically not scalable, cannot easily adapt to unexpected changes in the environment, and are prone to failure in hostile environments. Swarm SLAM is a promising approach to SLAM as it could leverage the decentralized nature of a robot swarm and achieve scalable, flexible and fault-tolerant exploration and mapping. However, at the moment of writing, swarm SLAM is a rather novel idea and the field lacks definitions, frameworks, and results. In this work, we present the concept of swarm SLAM and its constraints, both from a technical and an economical point of view. In particular, we highlight the main challenges of swarm SLAM for gathering, sharing, and retrieving information. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this approach against traditional multi-robot SLAM. We believe that swarm SLAM will be particularly useful to produce abstract maps such as topological or simple semantic maps and to operate under time or cost constraints.
Conservation Policies, Eco-Tourism, and End of Pastoralism in Indian Himalaya?
Authors: Singh Rashmi , Sharma Rishi Kumar , Bhutia Tsering Uden , Bhutia Kinzong , Babu Suresh
Published: March 2021

State-led policies of pastoralist removal from protected areas, following the fortress model of biodiversity conservation, have been a common practice across parts of Asia and Africa. In the Himalayan region of South Asia, restrictive access and removal of pastoralist communities from protected areas have been compensated by the state through “eco”-tourism. In this paper, we critique the current conservation model adopted in the Indian Himalaya, which focuses on a conservation-pastoral eviction-ecotourism coupling. With a focus on pastoralists and pastoral practices, we argue that this model is neither an inclusive engine of development, nor does it always help conservation. Instead, it recreates a landscape favoring the state's interests, produces exclusions, and may also negatively affect both society and ecology. We build on the case of Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) situated in Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya. We used mixed methods and conducted 48 semi-structured interviews, 10 key informant interviews, and two focused group discussion in the four village clusters situated in the vicinity of KNP, West Sikkim. The grazing ban policy and concomitant promotion of tourism caused the end of pastoralism in KNP. It transformed a pastoral cultural landscape into a tourist spot with a transition in livestock from the traditional herds of yak and sheep to the pack animals and non-native hybrid cattle. Locally perceived social impacts of the grazing ban include loss of pastoral culture, economic loss, and the exclusion of the pastoral community from the park. As per the respondents, perceived ecological effects include a decline in vegetation diversity in the high-altitude summer pastures, altered vegetation composition in the winter due to plantation of non-native tree species, and increased incidents of human-wildlife conflict. Rangelands of the Himalaya transcend political boundaries across countries. The conservation model in Himalaya, should henceforth be done with a trans-boundary level planning involving the prime users of high-altitude rangelands, i.e., the pastoralists. The lessons from this study can help design effective future policy interventions in landscapes critical for both pastoralist cultures and wildlife conservation.
Feeding Grazing Dairy Cows With Different Energy Sources on Recovery of Human-Edible Nutrients in Milk and Environmental Impact
Authors: Batistel Fernanda , de Souza Jonas , Vaz Pires Alexandre , Santos Flávio Augusto Portela
Published: March 2021

The use of grazing systems for milk production is widely used globally because it is a lower-cost feeding system. However, under tropical conditions, the energy content of pastures became is a limitation to improve animal performance and efficiency while reducing the environmental impact. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of supplying different dietary sources of energy to lactating dairy cows grazing tropical pastures on the recovery of human-edible (HE) nutrients in milk and the environmental impact. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously. In experiment 1, forty early lactating dairy cows were used in a randomized block design. In experiment 2, four late-lactating rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. All cows had free access to pasture and treatments were applied individually as a concentrate supplement. Treatments were flint corn grain-processing method either as fine ground (FGC) or steam-flaked (SFC) associated with Ca salts of palm fatty acids supplementation either not supplemented (CON) or supplemented (CSPO). We observed that feeding cows with SFC markedly reduced urinary nitrogen excretion by 43%, and improved milk nitrogen efficiency by 17% when compared with FGC. Additionally, we also observed that feeding supplemental fat improved milk nitrogen efficiency by 17% compared with cows receiving CON diets. A tendency for decreased methane (CH4) per unit of milk (−31%), CH4 per unit of milk energy output (−29%), and CH4 per unit of milk protein output (−31%) was observed when CSPO was fed compared with CON. Additionally, SFC diets increased HE recovery of indispensable amino acids by 7–9% when compared with FGC diets, whereas feeding supplemental fat improved HE recovery of indispensable amino acids by 17–19% compared with CON. Altogether, this study increased our understanding of how manipulating energy sources in the dairy cow diet under tropical grazing conditions can benefit HE nutrient recovery and reduce nutrient excretion.
Foods of Oppression
Authors: Price Lisa L. , Cruz-Garcia Gisella S. , Narchi Nemer E.
Published: March 2021

The growing recognition of food justice as an element of food studies inquiry has opened a productive vein that allows for analyzing the effects of oppression on traditional foods of Indigenous peoples. We provide a preliminary classification of food oppression by presenting several different types of foods from a number of cultures: (1) replaced and repressed foods; (2) disempowered and misrepresented foods; and (3) foods of oppression of the dispossessed. Our main argument is that these food types represent different faces of oppression and state power that, regardless of the inherent differences, have permeated diets and imaginaries in various spatial scales and, in doing so, have caused deprivation in local communities, despite being accepted in many cases as traditional food items in oppressed cultures. We conducted a systematic literature review in Scopus focusing on the traditional foods of Indigenous people and elements of oppression and revitalization. The results of our review are discussed in light of what we identify as aspects of culinary oppression. We conclude our paper by sketching the plausible first steps for redemptory solutions based on Indigenous food work aimed at reclaiming basic revalorization and revitalization.
Case Report: Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC Associated With Liver Electrochemotherapy in a Cholangiocarcinoma Patient With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Liver Metastasis Case Report
Authors: Stefano Mauro , Prosperi Enrico , Fugazzola Paola , Benini Beatrice , Bisulli Marcello , Coccolini Federico , Mastronardi Costantino , Palladino Alessandro , Tomasoni Matteo , Agnoletti Vanni , Giampalma Emanuela , Ansaloni Luca
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary tumor of the liver, and the recurrence after hepatic resection (HR), the only curative therapy, is linked with a worse prognosis. Systemic chemotherapy (SC) and liver loco-regional treatments, like trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or radio embolization (TARE), have been employed for the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic metastasis (IM) with benefit on overall survival (OS), but SC has a limited effect on peritoneal metastasis (PM). In the last years, novel treatments like electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycine (BLM) for IM and cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS and HIPEC) for PM have been applied in small series but with encouraging results. We hereby describe the first synchronous application of ECT and CRS and HIPEC for the treatment of a patient with IM and PM from CCA.

Case Description: A 47-year-old male patient with CCA underwent HR followed by adjuvant SC. After 14 months, for the occurrence of IM, the patient underwent a second HR and SC. Nonetheless, a new recurrence occurred and a third attempt of HR was proposed. Due to the intraoperative finding of unresectable IM with PM, no resective procedure was performed and the patient was referred to our center. CRS and HIPEC with cisplatin and mitomycin for PM and ECT with BLM on a bulky metastasis of the hepatic hilum were performed after 38 months from the first HR. The length of hospital stay was 19 days. At the computed tomography (CT) performed 11 days after treatment complete necrosis of the treated IM was detected.

Results: CT scan after 3 and 6 months and magnetic resonance after 9 months were performed. Necrosis of the treated IM nor PM but progression of the residual liver lesions was observed. After 3 months, the patient received SC and underwent TACE after 8 months and TARE after 9 months for the residual liver metastases. At 14 months from CRS and HIPEC, the patient is alive, in good condition, and with stability of the disease.

Conclusions: The association of ECT and CRS and HIPEC could be safe and effective for the treatment of unresectable recurrent intrahepatic CCA with PM.
Cytokine and Haptoglobin Profiles From Shipping Through Sickness and Recovery in Metaphylaxis- or Un-Treated Cattle
Authors: Chitko-McKown Carol G. , Bennett Gary L. , Kuehn Larry A. , DeDonder Keith D. , Apley Michael D. , Harhay Gregory P. , Clawson Michael L. , Workman Aspen M. , White Bradley J. , Larson Robert L. , Capik Sarah F. , Lubbers Brian V.
Published: March 2021

Fifty-six head of cattle, 28 animals with bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), and 28 healthy animals that were matched by treatment, sale barn of origin, day, and interactions among these variables, were identified from a population of 180 animals (60 each purchased at three sale barns located in Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky) enrolled in a study comparing animals receiving metaphylaxis to saline-treated controls. Cattle were transported to a feedlot in KS and assigned to treatment group. Blood samples were collected at Day 0 (at sale barn), Day 1, Day 9, and Day 28 (at KS feedlot), and transported to the US Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE where plasma was harvested and stored at −80°C until assayed for the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and the acute stress protein haptoglobin (HPT). Our objectives were to determine if cytokine and haptoglobin profiles differed between control and metaphylaxis treatment groups over time, and if profiles differed between animals presenting with BRDC and those that remained healthy. There was no difference between the treated animals and their non-treated counterparts for any of the analytes measured. Sale barn of origin tended to affect TNF-α concentration. Differences for all analytes changed over days, and on specific days was associated with state of origin and treatment. The Treatment by Day by Case interaction was significant for HPT. The analyte most associated with BRDC was HPT on D9, possibly indicating that many of the cattle were not exposed to respiratory pathogens prior to entering the feedlot.
The Role of Multi-Actor Engagement for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Kerala, India
Authors: Venugopalan Murale , Bastian Bettina Lynda , Viswanathan P. K.
Published: March 2021

Entrepreneurship has been increasingly promoted as a means to achieve women’s empowerment in the pursuit of gender equal societies by international development organizations, NGO’s as well as national and local governments across the world. Against this, the paper explores the role and influence of multi-actor engagement on successful empowerment of women based on a case study of Kudumbashree program in a regional context of Kerala, in South India. Our objective is to examine the women empowerment outcomes of the Kudumbashree initiatives, implemented within a multi-actor engagement framework supportive of women’s empowerment through capacity building and social inclusion programs. The case study demonstrates ‘how multiple-level engagements help enhance women’s development and support broad sustainable social change, in view of their sensitivity to the embeddedness of women’s agency under specific socio-political and cultural contexts’. We find that Kudumbashree programs, through its multi-actor engagement, strives for an equilibrium between social change through policy and regulatory change (top down) and social change via mobilizing the people (bottom-up). From a policy angle, the key learnings from the successful outcomes of Kudumbashree may be considered for designing rural and urban community development programs with a focus on the multidimensional empowerment as well as social and economic inclusion of women and other marginalized communities.