bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of flexural and physical properties of graphite-filled immiscible polypropylene/epoxy and high-density polyethylene/epoxy blends
Authors: Alo Oluwaseun Ayotunde , Otunniyi Iyiola Olatunji
Published: September 2021

Polypropylene/epoxy/synthetic graphite (PP/EP/SG) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE/EP/SG) composites were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The immiscibility of the polyolefins with epoxy was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that HDPE/EP blend exhibits inferior interfacial adhesion between the component polymers compared to PP/EP blend. Also, the effect of SG content on flexural properties, density, moldability, water absorption, and porosity of the PP/EP/SG and HDPE/EP/SG composites was investigated. For both PP/EP/SG and HDPE/EP/SG composites, flexural modulus, density, and porosity increased with increase in SG content. For PP/EP/SG composites, the water absorption decreased from 0.154% at 30 wt% SG to 0.072% at 70 wt% SG. Further increase in SG content to 80 wt% caused an increase in water absorption. On the other hand, water absorption for HDPE/EP/SG increased with SG content all through. At the same filler loadings, PP/EP/SG composites showed lower density and porosity and performed better in terms of flexural modulus and water absorption compared to HDPE/EP/SG composites.
Book review: Maroona Murmu, Words of Her Own: Women Authors in Nineteenth-Century Bengal
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Debarati
Published: September 2021

Maroona Murmu, Words of Her Own: Women Authors in Nineteenth-Century Bengal. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2020, 439 pages. ₹1,395 (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-19-949800-0.
Book review: Rimple Mehta, Women, Mobility and Incarceration: Love and Recasting of Self Across the Bangladesh–India Border
Authors: Chowdhury Debdatta
Published: September 2021

Rimple Mehta, Women, Mobility and Incarceration: Love and Recasting of Self Across the Bangladesh–India Border (London & New York: Routledge, 2018), ₹557 (Paperback), ₹9,915 (Hardbound).
Weathering a Crisis: A Multi-Level Analysis of Resilience in Young Ventures
Authors: Anwar Ali , Coviello Nicole , Rouziou Maria
Published: September 2021

In the context of the external disruption presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we investigate (1) how individual-level resilience and inter-functional coordination relate to organizational resilience and (2) the link between organizational resilience and firm performance. We view organizational resilience as a resource-based capability and draw on insights regarding psychological capital and relational resources to inform our hypotheses. Our hypotheses are tested with a time-lagged, multi-level study of young technology ventures. The results show that when such firms are resilient, they tend to perform significantly better in a crisis. Further, organizational resilience is positively influenced by the individual resilience of top management team members, as well as inter-functional coordination. We discuss implications for theory and practice and suggest avenues for research on resilience in entrepreneurship.
International Collaboration in Special Education Teacher Preparation
Authors: Brandon Regina R. , Marsh Robbie J. , Cumming Therese M.
Published: September 2021

There is a call for today’s teachers to be globally literate as their student populations become more diverse. Immersive experiences in other countries with international colleagues and students can support the development of global literacy and culturally responsive practice. Preservice special education teachers do not often have opportunities to gain these experiences. The authors use examples of existing international collaborations in special education to illustrate a variety of ways that preservice and in-service teachers can experience international collaboration.
Implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy clinic at VA Maine Healthcare System
Authors: Sargent Whitney , Whalley Adam
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy tend to receive more structured follow-up and closer monitoring than those taking oral chemotherapy. The management of oral chemotherapy at our facility was historically segmented and weighed heavily on veteran self-advocacy. It was hypothesized that routine check-ins with a clinical pharmacy specialist with a scope of practice would allow for a more proactive, supportive approach to care.

Objective

The primary purpose of this quality improvement project is to ascertain the impacts of a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy clinic at the VA Maine Healthcare System. Methods: Starting January 7, 2019, all patients filling an oral medication(s) for cancer treatment were considered for enrollment into the pharmacist-run clinic at the time of medication approval. The pharmacist contacted each patient by phone at patient-specific intervals determined by drug-specific lab monitoring requirements, side effect prevalence, refill due date, and overall patient preference. The total number of interventions was tallied by intervention category. Medication adherence was assessed as a secondary outcome by comparing medication possession ratios preclinic and postclinic implementation.

Results

From January 7, 2019, to January 5, 2020, there were a total of 698 interventions made by the clinical pharmacist. These impacts are a composite of pharmacologic ( n = 141), nonpharmacologic ( n = 115), and surveillance ( n = 442) interventions. Medication possession increased from 92% to 96% ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy clinic allows for a variety of clinically significant interventions and improved monitoring of patients on oral anticancer medication(s). Providing proactive follow-up with a scoped pharmacist improved medication compliance and improved the quality of care for our veterans.
A randomized controlled trial to assess the influence of a picture-based antiemetic medication calendar on medication-taking behavior in adults receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Maximos Mira , Smith Kelly , Harris Venita , McFarlane Thomas , Blay Jonathan , Hahn Karin , Chang Feng
Published: September 2021

Objective

A prospective open-label randomized controlled trial to assess the role of a picture-based medication calendar on adherence to antiemetic regimens for adult patients receiving chemotherapy and assess the effect on other medication taking behaviors as well as patient satisfaction with the tool.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to routine care with or without calendar.

Results

Adherence, stratified by education (university or postgraduate, p = 0.09; grade school, high school or college p = 0.32), was non-significantly different between study arms. At least 70% of intervention arm participants moderately or completely agreed that the calendar helped with medication taking behaviors. There was no statistical difference between study arms for perceived regimen complexity ( p = 0.16). Medication Use and Self Efficacy score (adjusted for age) used to assess perceived self-efficacy with medication taking behaviors were not statistically significant between study arms ( p = 0.09).

Conclusion

The picture-based medication calendar did not statistically affect adherence to scheduled antiemetics among outpatients receiving chemotherapy for solid organ tumor origins. However, participants indicated that the calendar was effective for keeping track of medications, had an easy-to-understand layout, and provided help around when and how to take medications related to the oncology regimen.
How service quality and perceived value affect behavioral intentions of ecolodge guests: The moderating effect of prior visit
Authors: Ban Joowon , Kim Hyoje Jay , Sheehan Ben , Prideaux Bruce
Published: September 2021

Psychographic segmentation is popular within the tourism literature. It is useful in describing a prototypical customer, however psychological attributes are hard to detect at the individual level and by front-line staff. This paper tests the viability of prior visits (first-time vs. repeat visits) as a segmentation strategy, given this information is readily available to tourism operators. We test an interaction effect between prior visits, service quality, and perceived value using the ECOSERV model, a well-established model of ecotourism customer satisfaction. Using a sample of ecolodge guests, we demonstrate that a prior visit attenuates the relationship between perceived value and customer satisfaction. Among repeat guests, perceived value has less impact upon customer satisfaction and intentions to revisit or recommend an ecolodge. Conversely, service quality continues to predict satisfaction for both first-time and repeat guests. The data suggest attracting first-time guests requires appeals to the setting, features and price of an offering. Meanwhile, strategies to maximize repeat guests should emphasize non-monetary qualities of the experience.
Temporal dynamics of nitric oxide wave in early vasculogenesis
Authors: Rajendran Saranya , Sundaresan Lakshmikirupa , Venkatachalam Geege , Rajendran Krithika , Behera Jyotirmaya , Chatterjee Suvro
Published: September 2021

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of angiogenesis. However, NO-mediated regulation of vasculogenesis remains largely unknown. In the present study, we show that the inhibition of NO significantly attenuated endothelial migration, ring formation, and tube formation. The contribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes during early vasculogenesis was assessed by evaluating endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA expression during HH10–HH13 stages of chick embryo development. iNOS but not eNOS was expressed at HH12 and HH13 stages. We hypothesized that vasculogenic events are controlled by NOS-independent reduction of nitrite to NO under hypoxia during the very early phases of development. Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) showed higher expression at HH10 stage, after which a decrease was observed. This observation was in correlation with the nitrite reductase (NR) activity at HH10 stage. We observed a sodium nitrite-induced increase in NO levels at HH10, reaching a gradual decrease at HH13. The possible involvement of a HIF/NF-κB/iNOS signaling pathway in the process of early vasculogenesis is suggested by the inverse relationship observed between nitrite reduction and NOS activation between HH10 and HH13 stages. Further, we detected that NR-mediated NO production was inhibited by several NR inhibitors at the HH10 stage, whereas the inhibitors eventually became less effective at later stages. These findings suggest that the temporal dynamics of the NO source switches from NR to NOS in the extraembryonic area vasculosa, where both nitrite reduction and NOS activity are defined by hypoxia.
Systematic Review on the Mid-Term Outcomes of Elective Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing in Comparison to Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Zoethout Aleksandra C , Hochstenbach Iris , van der Laan Maarten J , de Vries Jean-Paul P.M , Reijnen Michel M.P.J. , Zeebregts Clark J
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) system has been a topic of discussion. Early results were promising but did not deliver on the long-term and the device has been recalled from the market. This study compares literature for EVAS and conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods

A systematic review and analysis was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched and identified the eligible studies. Proportion rates for the outcomes of interest were extracted. Subgroup analyses were performed for EVAS and EVAR.

Results

A total of 12 studies were included (EVAS n = 4, EVAR n = 8) including 10,255 patients (EVAS n = 784, EVAR n = 9441). The longest duration of follow-up was 3.4 years for EVAS and 5.0 years for EVAR studies. Throughout follow-up the overall all-cause mortality rates were 6% for EVAS and 13% for EVAR, and endoleak of any type was described in 10% of EVAS and 17% of EVAR patients. The migration rate >10 mm was 8% for EVAS and 0% for EVAR and aneurysm growth >5 mm was found in 11% of EVAS and 3% of EVAR cases. Total reintervention rate was 13% for EVAS and 7% for EVAR patients. For all analyzed outcome parameters heterogeneity was >50%.

Conclusion

There is a tendency toward lower mortality and overall endoleak rates for EVAS compared to EVAR but with a higher rate of migration, aneurysm growth, and reintervention. Despite lower overall endoleak rates there was a tendency toward less type II and more type I endoleaks after EVAS compared to EVAR. Substantial heterogeneity however limits robust statistical analyses, and is probably caused by significant instructions for use breach in EVAS-treated patients. We call for more high-quality and long-term follow-up studies on both EVAS and EVAR in order to confirm the trends found in this study.
Development, Responsibility, and the Creation of Urban Hazard Risk
Authors: Haney Timothy J.
Published: September 2021

Scholarly attention has recently shifted to the creation and redevelopment of urban hazardscapes. This body of work demonstrates how housing is deployed in close proximity to hazards, and how the attendant risks have been communicated—or not—to potential residents. Utilizing the case of Calgary, Alberta, this article uses interview data collected from flood-impacted residents, and looks at their perceptions of development and risk creation. The analyses focus on how people attribute responsibility for development in flood-prone areas, and their views on future development in these areas. Results reveal that many residents argued for more government regulations preventing new development in floodplains. Moreover, they viewed developers as narrow-interested capitalists who fail to protect public safety and work to conceal risk from the public. Others wished to see large structural mitigation projects—dams, levees, or floodwalls—or insisted that homebuyers be informed of flood risk prior to purchase. The article concludes by addressing the implications for scholarly work in urban sociology, environmental sociology, and the sociology of disaster—all of which grapple with tensions between place-making and risk creation.
Motor Cortical Network Flexibility is Associated With Biomechanical Walking Impairment in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Palmer Jacqueline A. , Kesar Trisha M. , Wolf Steven L. , Borich Michael R.
Published: September 2021

Background: The inability to flexibly modulate motor behavior with changes in task demand or environmental context is a pervasive feature of motor impairment and dysfunctional mobility after stroke. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the reactive and modulatory capacity of lower-limb primary motor cortical (M1) networks using electroencephalography (EEG) measures of cortical activity evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and to evaluate their associations with clinical and biomechanical measures of walking function in chronic stroke. Methods: TMS assessments of motor cortex excitability were performed during rest and active ipsilateral plantarflexion in chronic stroke and age-matched controls. TMS-evoked motor cortical network interactions were quantified with simultaneous EEG as the post-TMS (0–300 ms) beta (15–30 Hz) coherence between electrodes overlying M1 bilaterally. We compared TMS-evoked coherence between groups during rest and active conditions and tested associations with poststroke motor impairment, paretic propulsive gait deficits, and the presence of paretic leg motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Results: Stroke ( n = 14, 66 ± 9 years, F = 4) showed lower TMS-evoked cortical coherence and activity-dependent modulation compared to controls ( n = 9, 68 ± 6 years, F = 3). Blunted reactivity and atypical modulation of TMS-evoked coherence were associated with lower paretic ankle moments for propulsive force generation during walking and absent paretic MEPs. Conclusions: Impaired flexibility of motor cortical networks to react to TMS and modulate during motor activity is distinctly associated with paretic limb biomechanical walking impairment, and may provide useful insight into the neuromechanistic underpinnings of chronic post-stroke mobility deficits.
The coronal plane maximum diameter of deep intracerebral hemorrhage predicts functional outcome more accurately than hematoma volume
Authors: Haider Stefan P , Qureshi Adnan I , Jain Abhi , Tharmaseelan Hishan , Berson Elisa R , Majidi Shahram , Filippi Christopher G , Mak Adrian , Werring David J , Acosta Julian N , Malhotra Ajay , Kim Jennifer A , Sansing Lauren H , Falcone Guido J , Sheth Kevin N , Payabvash Seyedmehdi
Published: September 2021

Background

Among prognostic imaging variables, the hematoma volume on admission computed tomography (CT) has long been considered the strongest predictor of outcome and mortality in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Aims

To examine whether different features of hematoma shape are associated with functional outcome in deep intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods

We analyzed 790 patients from the ATACH-2 trial, and 14 shape features were quantified. We calculated Spearman’s Rho to assess the correlation between shape features and three-month modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to quantify the association between shape features and poor outcome defined as mRS>2 as well as mRS > 3.

Results

Among 14 shape features, the maximum intracerebral hemorrhage diameter in the coronal plane was the strongest predictor of functional outcome, with a maximum coronal diameter >∼3.5 cm indicating higher three-month mRS scores. The maximum coronal diameter versus hematoma volume yielded a Rho of 0.40 versus 0.35 ( p = 0.006), an AUC[mRS>2] of 0.71 versus 0.68 ( p = 0.004), and an AUC[mRS>3] of 0.71 versus 0.69 ( p = 0.029). In multiple regression analysis adjusted for known outcome predictors, the maximum coronal diameter was independently associated with three-month mRS (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A coronal-plane maximum diameter measurement offers greater prognostic value in deep intracerebral hemorrhage than hematoma volume. This simple shape metric may expedite assessment of admission head CTs, offer a potential biomarker for hematoma size eligibility criteria in clinical trials, and may substitute volume in prognostic intracerebral hemorrhage scoring systems.
Rich variety of DA approaches applied in social media research: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Tamássy Réka , Géring Zsuzsanna
Published: September 2021

Social media is an endless source of texts and images about almost everything. Accordingly, the number of analyses based on this source increases daily. Among the numerous methods social media can be analysed by, our attention focusses on discourse analysis (DA). DA is a complex approach which makes it possible to capture not only the linguistic characteristics of given texts, but also their socially constructive and socially constructed features. Therefore, we carried out a systematic examination of the articles at one of the largest academic databases, EBSCO available in 2019 which used DA in social media research. Our investigation studies not only the geographical distribution of this corpus, but the different self-proclaimed DA approaches. Furthermore, we developed a three-level scale in order to capture the methodological complexity of the collected articles. At one end of the scale there are those research papers where discourse appears only as a label for the textual material gathered, without further indication of any DA theories or methodologies. The other end, however, refers to those research projects which applied DA both in their theoretical and methodological frameworks, providing complex discourse analytical investigations of social media texts. This way we were able to demonstrate the wide array of DA perspectives employed in social media research.
Efficacy and tolerability of antiseizure drugs
Authors: Hakami Tahir
Published: September 2021

Drug-resistant epilepsy occurs in 25–30% of patients. Furthermore, treatment with a first-generation antiseizure drug (ASD) fails in 30–40% of individuals because of their intolerable adverse effects. Over the past three decades, 20 newer- (second- and third-)generation ASDs with unique mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic profiles have been introduced into clinical practice. This advent has expanded the therapeutic armamentarium of epilepsy and broadens the choices of ASDs to match the individual patient’s characteristics. In recent years, research has been focused on defining the ASD of choice for different seizure types. In 2017, the International League Against Epilepsy published a new classification for seizure types and epilepsy syndrome. This classification has been of paramount importance to accurately classify the patient’s seizure type(s) and prescribe the ASD that is appropriate. A year later, the American Academy of Neurology published a new guideline for ASD selection in adult and pediatric patients with new-onset and treatment-resistant epilepsy. The guideline primarily relied on studies that compare the first-generation and second-generation ASDs, with limited data for the efficacy of third-generation drugs. While researchers have been called for investigating those drugs in future research, epilepsy specialists may wish to share their personal experiences to support the treatment guidelines. Given the rapid advances in the development of ASDs in recent years and the continuous updates in definitions, classifications, and treatment guidelines for seizure types and epilepsy syndromes, this review aims to present a complete overview of the current state of the literature about the efficacy and tolerability of ASDs and provide guidance to clinicians about selecting appropriate ASDs for initial treatment of epilepsy according to different seizure types and epilepsy syndromes based on the current literature and recent US and UK practical guidelines.
Cardiovascular risk factors and cervical carotid plaque features on CT angiography
Authors: Benson John C , Nardi Valentina , Hunt Christopher H , Lerman Amir , Lanzino Giuseppe , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: September 2021

Background

Little is known about the impact that cardiovascular (CV) risk factors have on the formation of various carotid atherosclerotic plaque features. This study set out to assess the association between CV risk factors and plaque characteristics on computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA).

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was completed of consecutive patients that underwent a carotid endarterectomy and had CTA imaging of the head and neck vasculature. Atherosclerotic plaques of both carotid arteries were evaluated for calcification(s), low-density plaque (LDP) components, ulceration(s), and degree of stenosis. Various clinical CV risk factors were assessed using medical records. Last recorded laboratory levels were dichotomized into categories: total cholesterol <200 or ≥200 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) <130 or ≥130 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein <35 or ≥35 mg/dL, and triglyceride <200 or ≥200 mg/dL.

Results

Of 97 included patients, 62 were male (63.9%); the average age was 72.7 (standard deviation = 9.5). Calcifications were in 95/97 (97.9%) of patients (one or both carotid plaques); LDP components were in 73/97 (75.3%), and ulcerations were in 21/97 (21.6%). Elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL levels were both associated with a higher likelihood of LDP components ( p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no other statistically significant associations between individual plaque features or severity of arterial stenosis and CV risk factors.

Conclusion

In carotid atherosclerotic plaques, LDP components are more frequently present in one or both carotid arteries in patients with elevated total cholesterol and/or LDL levels. Such findings raise the possibility that cholesterol levels may be directly related to the formation of specific high-risk plaque features.
Exploring Intricacies in English Passive Construction Translation in Research Articles’ Abstracts by Arab Author-Translators
Authors: Al Zumor Abdulwahid Qasem
Published: September 2021

Self-translation of academic texts has received little attention thus far in literature, particularly in terms of how cross-linguistic features are rendered into target language. This study undertakes to examine the various linguistic strategies of rendering English passive structures by Arab academics when they translate their research articles’ abstracts (RAAs) into Arabic. Fifty-one English abstracts with their Arabic translations were collected from Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences journals published in different Arab universities. To analyze the collected data, #LancsBox 4.5 Lancaster University corpus tool was used to identify the English passive structures (208 instances) and to analyze some of their Arabic translations. The most interesting finding is that the Arabic linguistic alternatives diverge from the English passive structures and they include the use of Arabic active verbs, Arabic periphrastic constructions, Arabic passive verbs, and Arabic verbal nouns. The results cast a new light on the use of periphrastic structures. While the literature usually refers to the occurrence of this structure in journalistic Arabic, this study provides evidence of its occurrence in academic texts in almost 22% of the corpus. The increasing use of this strategy is a feature of Modern Standard Arabic as discovered in some corpora. The study supported the argument that Arabic does not avoid passive verb forms in academic discourse but expresses them by using stylistically different strategies.
Letters from a Province: Harekrushna Mahtab to Jawaharlal Nehru, 1947–1949
Authors: Ankit Rakesh
Published: September 2021

On 1 November 1947, Harekrushna Mahtab, premier of Orissa, British/independent India’s youngest province, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This was in reply to the first of Nehru’s famous letters to the provincial chiefs. In it, Nehru had expressed his wish to read similarly from them and Mahtab responded in kind. For the next 2 years, Mahtab wrote to Nehru, before leaving Orissa to become a union minister. These letters, present among the Mahtab Papers (NMML, New Delhi), provide an often-downplayed vantage of the province, to view the concerns of the nation contained in Nehru’s letters. Where the latter were meant ‘to educate and exhort’, the former comprised a return catalogue of official information, societal caution, and the Congress Party’s particularities.
Cleavage of talin by calpain promotes platelet-mediated fibrin clot contraction
Authors: Fong Karen P. , Molnar Kathleen S. , Agard Nicholas , Litvinov Rustem I. , Kim Oleg V. , Wells James A. , Weisel John W. , DeGrado William F. , Bennett Joel S.
Published: September 2021

Blood clot contraction is driven by traction forces generated by the platelet cytoskeleton that are transmitted to fibrin fibers via the integrin αIIbβ3. Here we show that clot contraction is impaired by inhibitors of the platelet cytosolic protease calpain. We used subtiligase-mediated labeling of amino termini and mass spectrometry to identify proteolytically cleaved platelet proteins involved in clot contraction. Of 32 calpain-cleaved proteins after TRAP stimulation, 14 were cytoskeletal, most prominently talin and vinculin. A complex of talin and vinculin constitutes a mechanosensitive clutch connecting integrins bound to the extracellular matrix with the actin cytoskeleton. Accordingly, we focused on talin and vinculin. Talin is composed of an N-terminal head domain and a C-terminal rod domain organized into a series of 4- and 5-helix bundles. The bundles contain 11 vinculin binding sites (VBSs), each of which is an α-helix packed into a bundle interior and requiring structural rearrangement to initiate vinculin binding. We detected 8 calpain-mediated cleavages in talin, 2 previously identified in unstructured regions and 6 in α-helical regions in proximity to a VBS. There is evidence in vitro that applying mechanical force across talin enables vinculin binding to the talin rod. However, we found that inhibiting platelet cytoskeletal contraction had no effect on talin cleavage, indicating that talin cleavage by calpain in platelets does not require cytoskeleton-generated tensile force. Therefore, it is likely that calpain acts in the later stages of clot retraction through focal adhesion disassembly.
CD158k and PD-1 expressions define heterogeneous subtypes of Sezary syndrome
Authors: Vergnolle Inès , Douat-Beyries Claudia , Boulinguez Serge , Rieu Jean-Baptiste , Vial Jean-Philippe , Baracou Rolande , Boudot Sylvie , Cazeneuve Aurore , Chaugne Sophie , Durand Martine , Estival Sylvie , Lablanche Nicolas , Nicolau-Travers Marie-Laure , Tournier Emilie , Lamant Laurence , Vergez François
Published: September 2021

Sezary syndrome (SS) is a rare leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Diagnosis mainly depends on flow cytometry, but results are not specific enough to be unequivocal. The difficulty in defining a single marker that could characterize Sezary cells may be the consequence of different pathological subtypes. In this study, we used multivariate flow cytometry analyses. We chose to investigate the expression of classical CD3, CD4, CD7, and CD26 and the new association of 2 markers CD158k and PD-1. We performed lymphocyte computational phenotypic analyses during diagnosis and follow-up of patients with SS to define new SS classes and improve the sensitivity of the diagnosis and the follow-up flow cytometry method. Three classes of SS, defined by different immunophenotypic profiles, CD158k+ SS, CD158k−PD-1+ SS, CD158k and PD-1 double-negative SS, showed different CD8+ and B-cell environments. Such a study could help to diagnose and define biological markers of susceptibility/resistance to treatment, including immunotherapy.
Genomic stability among O3:K6 V. parahaemolyticus pandemic strains isolated between 1996 to 2012 in American countries
Authors: Guerrero Abraham , Gomez-Gil Bruno , Lizarraga-Partida Marcial Leonardo
Published: September 2021

Background

The V. parahaemolyticus pandemic clone, results in the development of gastrointestinal illness in humans. Toxigenic strains of this species are frequently isolated from aquatic habitats and organisms such as mollusks and crustaceans. Reports on the isolation of the pandemic clone started in 1996, when a new O3:K6 clone was identified in Asia, that rapidly spread worldwide, becoming the predominant clone isolated from clinical cases. In this study whole genome sequencing was accomplished with an Illumina MiniSeq platform, upon six novel V. parahaemolyticus strains, that have been isolated in Mexico since 1998 and three representative genomes of strains that were isolated from reported outbreaks in other American countries, and were deposited in the GenBank. These nine genomes were compared against the reference sequence of the O3:K6 pandemic strain (RIMD 2210633), which was isolated in 1996, to determine sequence differences within American isolates and between years of isolation.

Results

The results indicated that strains that were isolated at different times and from different countries, were highly genetically similar, among them as well as to the reference strain RIMD 2210633, indicating a high level of genetic stability among the strains from American countries between 1996 to 2012, without significant genetic changes relative to the reference strain RIMD 2210633, which was isolated in 1996 and was considered to be representative of a novel O3:K6 pandemic strain.

Conclusions

The genomes of V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Mexico and other American countries, presented common characteristics that have been reported for RIMD 2210633 O3:K6 pandemic strain. The major variations that were registered in this study corresponded to genes non associated to virulence factors, which could be the result of adaptations to different environmental conditions. Nevertheless, results do not show a clear pattern with the year or locality where the strains were isolated, which is an indication of a genomic stability of the studied strains.
Spatial variation in gene expression of Tasmanian devil facial tumors despite minimal host transcriptomic response to infection
Authors: Kozakiewicz Christopher P. , Fraik Alexandra K. , Patton Austin H. , Ruiz-Aravena Manuel , Hamilton David G. , Hamede Rodrigo , McCallum Hamish , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Margres Mark J. , Jones Menna E. , Storfer Andrew
Published: September 2021

Background

Transmissible cancers lie at the intersection of oncology and infectious disease, two traditionally divergent fields for which gene expression studies are particularly useful for identifying the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In oncology, transcriptomics studies, which characterize the expression of thousands of genes, have identified processes leading to heterogeneity in cancer phenotypes and individual prognoses. More generally, transcriptomics studies of infectious diseases characterize interactions between host, pathogen, and environment to better predict population-level outcomes. Tasmanian devils have been impacted dramatically by a transmissible cancer (devil facial tumor disease; DFTD) that has led to widespread population declines. Despite initial predictions of extinction, populations have persisted at low levels, due in part to heterogeneity in host responses, particularly between sexes. However, the processes underlying this variation remain unknown.

Results

We sequenced transcriptomes from healthy and DFTD-infected devils, as well as DFTD tumors, to characterize host responses to DFTD infection, identify differing host-tumor molecular interactions between sexes, and investigate the extent to which tumor gene expression varies among host populations. We found minimal variation in gene expression of devil lip tissues, either with respect to DFTD infection status or sex. However, 4088 genes were differentially expressed in tumors among our sampling localities. Pathways that were up- or downregulated in DFTD tumors relative to normal tissues exhibited the same patterns of expression with greater intensity in tumors from localities that experienced DFTD for longer. No mRNA sequence variants were associated with expression variation.

Conclusions

Expression variation among localities may reflect morphological differences in tumors that alter ratios of normal-to-tumor cells within biopsies. Phenotypic variation in tumors may arise from environmental variation or differences in host immune response that were undetectable in lip biopsies, potentially reflecting variation in host-tumor coevolutionary relationships among sites that differ in the time since DFTD arrival.
Helicobacter pylori infection in Iran: demographic, endoscopic and pathological factors
Authors: Hojati Seyedeh Amineh , Kokabpeyk Sara , Yaghoubi Salma , Joukar Farahnaz , Asgharnezhad Mehrnaz , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz
Published: September 2021

Background

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is the most important risk factor for gastritis and peptic ulcer. However, factors other thanH. pyloriare involved in its pathogenesis. In the current study, we aimed to compare the clinical manifestations and endoscopic and histopathological findings of patients with and withoutH. pyloriinfection.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 233 patients with dyspepsia, referred for endoscopy, were examined regarding the presence ofH. pyloriinfection. During anendoscopic exam,5 biopsyspecimenswere takenfrom thestomach. The criteria for the presence ofH. pyloriinfection was the presence and identification of bacteria in pathology. Two groups ofH. pylori-positive andH. pylori-negative patients were compared regarding their demographic, endoscopic, and pathological findings.

Results

Of 233 patients, 154 (66.1%) were non-smokers, 201 (86.3%) were not alcohol users, and 153 (65.7%) used tap water. The most common symptom, reported in 157 (67.4%) patients, was epigastric pain. There was a significant difference between patients with and withoutH. pyloriinfection in terms of the educational status, occupational status, family history of gastrointestinal cancer, and some gastrointestinal symptoms. Also, there was a significant relationship between the endoscopic and pathological findings of patients withH. pylori.

Conclusions

The results of the present study revealed thatH. pyloriinfection was not associated with sex, alcohol consumption, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. The role ofH. pyloriin the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer was clarified. Also, there was a significant difference in the endoscopic and pathological findings of patients withH. pylori.
Analyzing the demographic, spatial, and temporal factors influencing social contact patterns in U.S. and implications for infectious disease spread
Authors: Dorélien Audrey M. , Ramen Aparna , Swanson Isabella , Hill Rachelle
Published: September 2021

Background

Diseases such as COVID-19 are spread through social contact. Reducing social contacts is required to stop disease spread in pandemics for which vaccines have not yet been developed. However, existing data on social contact patterns in the United States (U.S.) is limited.

Method

We use American Time Use Survey data from 2003–2018 to describe and quantify the age-pattern of disease-relevant social contacts. For within-household contacts, we construct age-structured contact duration matrices (who spends time with whom, by age). For both within-household and non-household contacts, we also estimate the mean number and duration of contact by location. We estimate and test for differences in the age-pattern of social contacts based on demographic, temporal, and spatial characteristics.

Results

The mean number and duration of social contacts vary by age. The biggest gender differences in the age-pattern of social contacts are at home and at work; the former appears to be driven by caretaking responsibilities.

Non-Hispanic Blacks have a shorter duration of contact and fewer social contacts than non-Hispanic Whites. This difference is largely driven by fewer and shorter contacts at home. Pre-pandemic, non-Hispanic Blacks have shorter durations of work contacts. Their jobs are more likely to require close physical proximity, so their contacts are riskier than those of non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanics have the highest number of household contacts and are also more likely to work in jobs requiring close physical proximity than non-Hispanic Whites.

With the exceptions of work and school contacts, the duration of social contact is higher on weekends than on weekdays. Seasonal differences in the total duration of social contacts are driven by school-aged respondents who have significantly shorter contacts during the summer months. Contact patterns did not differ by metro status. Age patterns of social contacts were similar across regions.

Conclusion

Social contact patterns differ by age, race and ethnicity, and gender. Other factors besides contact patterns may be driving seasonal variation in disease incidence if school-aged individuals are not an important source of transmission. Pre-pandemic, there were no spatial differences in social contacts, but this finding has likely changed during the pandemic.
Spatial spillover and COVID-19 spread in the U.S.
Authors: Ulimwengu John , Kibonge Aziza
Published: September 2021

Background

This research estimates the effects of vulnerability on the spread of COVID-19 cases across U.S. counties. Vulnerability factors (Socioeconomic Status, Minority Status & Language, Housing type, Transportation, Household Composition & Disability, Epidemiological Factors, Healthcare system Factors, High-risk Environments, and Population density) do not only influence an individual’s likelihood of getting infected but also influence the likelihood of his/her neighbors getting infected. Thus, spatial interactions occurring among individuals are likely to lead to spillover effects which may cause further virus transmission.

Methods

This research uses the COVID-19 community index (CCVI), which defines communities likely vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic and captures the multi-dimensionality of vulnerability. The spatial Durbin model was used to estimate the spillover effects of vulnerability to COVID-19 in U.S. counties, from May 1 to December 15, 2020.

Results

The findings confirm the existence of spatial spillover effects; with indirect effects (from neighboring counties) dominating the direct effects (from county-own vulnerability level). This not only validates social distancing as a strategy to contain the spread of the pandemic but also calls for comprehensive and coordinated approach to fight its effects. By keeping vulnerability factors constant but varying the number of reported infected cases every 2 weeks, we found that marginal effects of vulnerability vary significantly across counties. This might be the reflection of both the changing intensity of the pandemic itself but also the lack of consistency in the measures implemented to combat it.

Conclusion

Overall, the results indicate that high vulnerability in Minority, Epidemiological factors, Healthcare System Factors, and High-Risk Environments in each county and adjacent counties leads to an increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases.
Age-related increase in muscle stiffness is muscle length dependent and associated with muscle force in senior females
Authors: Xu Jingfei , Fu Siu Ngor , Hug François
Published: September 2021

Background

In aging, muscle stiffness is considered as one of the factors associated with the reduction of force generation capability. There have been inconsistent findings on age-related alteration in the passive stiffness of quadriceps muscle in the female adults. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of aging on the shear moduli of the superficial muscle heads of the quadriceps and to explore its relationship with knee extension force.

Methods

Passive shear moduli of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) were measured at rest using shear wave elastography in 20 young and 20 senior female adults. Measurements were repeated at four knee joint positions, that is, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 105° of knee flexion. Maximal isometric voluntary knee extension force was assessed at 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion.

Results

As per our findings, senior adults were determined to have significantly higher passive muscle shear moduli in the RF (by 34% – 68%; allp < 0.05) and the VL muscle heads (by 13%–16%, allp < 0.05) at and beyond 60° of knee flexion. Age-related increase in the VM was evident at 105° knee flexion (by11%,p = 0.020). The RF shear modulus was negatively correlated to the maximal isometric voluntary contraction force measured at 60° (r =  − 0.485,p = 0.030) in senior adults.

Conclusions

Senior female adults had greater passive stiffness at the superficial muscle heads of the quadriceps muscles when measured at long muscle length. Among the senior female adults, the passive stiffness of RF has been determined to have a negative association with the knee extensor force only at 60° knee flexion. No significant association was noted for other angles and muscles.
Neuroligin-1 mediates presynaptic maturation through brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling
Authors: Petkova-Tuffy Andonia , Gödecke Nina , Viotti Julio , Korte Martin , Dresbach Thomas
Published: September 2021

Background

Maturation is a process that allows synapses to acquire full functionality, optimizing their activity to diverse neural circuits, and defects in synaptic maturation may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuroligin-1 (NL1) is a postsynaptic cell adhesion molecule essential for synapse maturation, a role typically attributed to binding to pre-synaptic ligands, the neurexins. However, the pathways underlying the action of NL1 in synaptic maturation are incompletely understood, and some of its previously observed effects seem reminiscent of those described for the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here, we show that maturational increases in active zone stability and synaptic vesicle recycling rely on the joint action of NL1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Results

Applying BDNF to hippocampal neurons in primary cultures or organotypical slice cultures mimicked the effects of overexpressing NL1 on both structural and functional maturation. Overexpressing a NL1 mutant deficient in neurexin binding still induced presynaptic maturation. Like NL1, BDNF increased synaptic vesicle recycling and the augmentation of transmitter release by phorbol esters, both hallmarks of presynaptic maturation. Mimicking the effects of NL1, BDNF also increased the half-life of the active zone marker bassoon at synapses, reflecting increased active zone stability. Overexpressing NL1 increased the expression and synaptic accumulation of BDNF. Inhibiting BDNF signaling pharmacologically or genetically prevented the effects of NL1 on presynaptic maturation. Applying BDNF to NL1-knockout mouse cultures rescued defective presynaptic maturation, indicating that BDNF acts downstream of NL1 and can restore presynaptic maturation at late stages of network development.

Conclusions

Our data introduce BDNF as a novel and essential component in a transsynaptic pathway linking NL1-mediated cell adhesion, neurotrophin action, and presynaptic maturation. Our findings connect synaptic cell adhesion and neurotrophin signaling and may provide a therapeutic approach to neurodevelopmental disorders by targeting synapse maturation.
p113 isoform encoded by CUX1 circular RNA drives tumor progression via facilitating ZRF1/BRD4 transactivation
Authors: Yang Feng , Hu Anpei , Guo Yanhua , Wang Jianqun , Li Dan , Wang Xiaojing , Jin Shikai , Yuan Boling , Cai Shuang , Zhou Yi , Li Qilan , Chen Guo , Gao Haiyang , Zheng Liduan , Tong Qiangsong
Published: September 2021

Background

Metabolic reprogramming sustains tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial malignancy in childhood, while underlying mechanisms and therapeutic approaches still remain elusive.

Methods

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were validated by Sanger sequencing. Co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, and RNA sequencing assays were applied to explore protein interaction and target genes. Gene expression regulation was observed by ChIP, dual-luciferase reporter, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and western blot assays. Gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed to observe the impacts of circRNA-encoded protein and its partners on the lipid metabolism, mitochondrial activity, growth, invasion, and metastasis of NB cells.

Results

A novel 113-amino acid protein (p113) of CUT-like homeobox 1 (CUX1) was identified in NB cells treated by serum deprivation. Further validating studies revealed that nuclear p113 was encoded by circRNA ofCUX1, and promoted the lipid metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial activity, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of NB cells.Mechanistically, p113 interacted with Zuotin-related factor 1 (ZRF1) and bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) to form a transcriptional regulatory complex, and mediated the transactivation of ZRF1/BRD4 in upregulatingALDH3A1,NDUFA1, andNDUFAF5essential for conversion of fatty aldehydes into fatty acids, fatty acid β-oxidation, and mitochondrial complex I activity. Administration of an inhibitory peptide blocking p113-ZRF1 interaction suppressed the tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of NB cells. In clinical NB cases, high expression ofp113,ZRF1, orBRD4was associated with poor survival of patients.

Conclusions

These results indicate that p113 isoform encoded byCUX1circular RNA drives tumor progression via facilitating ZRF1/BRD4 transactivation.