bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide analysis of TCP transcription factor family in sunflower and identification of HaTCP1 involved in the regulation of shoot branching
Authors: Wu Yu , Zhang Jianbin , Li Chaoqun , Deng Xinyi , Wang Tian , Dong Lili
Published: April 2023

Background

Sunflower is an important ornamental plant, which can be used for fresh cut flowers and potted plants. Plant architecture regulation is an important agronomic operation in its cultivation and production. As an important aspect of plant architecture formation, shoot branching has become an important research direction of sunflower.

Results

TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors are essential in regulating various development process. However, the role of TCPs in sunflowers has not yet been studied. This study, 34 HaTCP genes were identified and classified into three subfamilies based on the conservative domain and phylogenetic analysis. Most of the HaTCPs in the same subfamily displayed similar gene and motif structures. Promoter sequence analysis has demonstrated the presence of multiple stress and hormone-related cis-elements in the HaTCP family. Expression patterns of HaTCPs revealed several HaTCP genes expressed highest in buds and could respond to decapitation. Subcellular localization analysis showed that HaTCP1 was located in the nucleus. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and 1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) administration significantly delayed the formation of axillary buds after decapitation, and this suppression was partially accomplished by enhancing the expression of HaTCP1. Furthermore, HaTCP1 overexpressed in Arabidopsis caused a significant decrease in branch number, indicating that HaTCP1 played a key role in negatively regulating sunflower branching.

Conclusions

This study not only provided the systematic analysis for the HaTCP members, including classification, conserved domain and gene structure, expansion pattern of different tissues or after decapitation. But also studied the expression, subcellular localization and function of HaTCP1. These findings could lay a critical foundation for further exploring the functions of HaTCPs.
PlaASDB: a comprehensive database of plant alternative splicing events in response to stress
Authors: Guo Xiaokun , Wang Tianpeng , Jiang Linyang , Qi Huan , Zhang Ziding
Published: April 2023

Background

Alternative splicing (AS) is a co-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of plants in response to environmental stress. However, the role of AS in biotic and abiotic stress responses remains largely unknown. To speed up our understanding of plant AS patterns under different stress responses, development of informative and comprehensive plant AS databases is highly demanded.

Description

In this study, we first collected 3,255 RNA-seq data under biotic and abiotic stresses from two important model plants (Arabidopsis and rice). Then, we conducted AS event detection and gene expression analysis, and established a user-friendly plant AS database termed PlaASDB. By using representative samples from this highly integrated database resource, we compared AS patterns between Arabidopsis and rice under abiotic and biotic stresses, and further investigated the corresponding difference between AS and gene expression. Specifically, we found that differentially spliced genes (DSGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEG) share very limited overlapping under all kinds of stresses, suggesting that gene expression regulation and AS seemed to play independent roles in response to stresses. Compared with gene expression, Arabidopsis and rice were more inclined to have conserved AS patterns under stress conditions.

Conclusion

PlaASDB is a comprehensive plant-specific AS database that mainly integrates the AS and gene expression data of Arabidopsis and rice in stress response. Through large-scale comparative analyses, the global landscape of AS events in Arabidopsis and rice was observed. We believe that PlaASDB could help researchers understand the regulatory mechanisms of AS in plants under stresses more conveniently. PlaASDB is freely accessible at http://zzdlab.com/PlaASDB/ASDB/index.html.
Characteristics of sagittal spinopelvic alignment in patients with Parkinson’s disease presenting with dropped head syndrome: a case series study
Authors: Terashi Hiroo , Endo Kenji , Aizawa Hitoshi
Published: April 2023

Background

Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is a rare specific abnormal posture known to develop in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This case series study aimed to characterize DHS by analyzing the characteristics of sagittal spinopelvic alignment in patients with PD/DHS.

Methods

The study included eight patients with PD/DHS (men = 3, women = 5; mean age, 68.1 ± 6.4 years). Sagittal spinopelvic alignment was evaluated using 10 parameters on whole-spine lateral radiographs.

Results

The time from the onset of PD to that of DHS varied among the patients from 0 to 15.3 years. In three patients, DHS appeared before the diagnosis of PD. The severity of motor symptoms at DHS onset varied from modified Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4 among the patients. Although the spinopelvic parameters differed among PD/DHS individuals, all patients exhibited cervical kyphosis (cervical lordosis < 0˚). In patients with a larger T1 slope and greater thoracic kyphosis, anterocollis tended to be more severe. According to the assessment of the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), half of the patients showed a positive SVA (SVA ≥ 0 mm), whereas the other half showed a negative SVA (SVA < 0 mm).

Conclusion

DHS appeared regardless of the duration or severity of PD. Although all patients with PD/DHS exhibited cervical kyphosis, the C7 plumb line was shifted anteriorly in half of the patients and posteriorly in the other half.
Prevalence of migraine in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mohammadi Payam , Khodamorovati Mahbod , Vafaee Kamran , Hemmati Mahvan , Darvishi Niloufar , Ghasemi Hooman
Published: April 2023

Background

Migraine headaches affect all ages, from childhood to old age. Migraine attacks cause significant changes in the living conditions of the sick person, including a decrease in personal, social, and occupational performance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of migraine in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, the studies associated with the prevalence of migraine using the keywords: migraine, prevalence, and Iran its equivalents in international databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science direct, and Iranian internal information databases, including SID and MagIran, was searched without limit until November 2022. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 2) was used to analyze the data. Due to the high number of studies reviewed in this systematic review, the Begg and Mazumdar test was used at a significance level of 0.1, and the corresponding Funnel plot was used to check publication bias. Also, the I2 test was used to check the heterogeneity in this study.

Results

22 records were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of migraine in the general population of Iran was 15.1% (confidence interval 95%: 10.7–20.9), and in this population, the prevalence of migraine was higher in women than in men. The prevalence of migraine based on The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) 2 criteria was reportedly 16.4% (95% CI: 10.8–24.1), and with ICHD3 criteria, this value was reported as 17.1% (95% CI: 7.7–33.6). Based on a survey of 4571 children, the prevalence of migraine was reported to be 5.2% (95% CI: 1.3–18.7). Also, the prevalence of migraine in adolescents was calculated based on eight studies (n = 8820). Accordingly, 11.2% (95% CI: 5.8–20.4) of adolescents have migraines. Meanwhile, the prevalence of migraine in boys was 8.2% (95% CI: 4.8–13.7), and in girls was 8% (95% CI: 6.2–12.7).

Conclusion

As a result, the prevalence of migraine in Iran, based on population-based studies, was reported as 15.1%. The result showed a higher prevalence of migraine in the general population than in children and adolescents. It was also found that the prevalence of migraine in women is higher than in men.
Disparities in who is asked about their perinatal mental health: an analysis of cross-sectional data from consecutive national maternity surveys
Authors: Harrison Sian , Pilkington Victoria , Li Yangmei , Quigley Maria A. , Alderdice Fiona
Published: April 2023

Background

The perinatal period is a vulnerable time, with one in five women experiencing mental health problems. Antenatal and postnatal appointments are key contact points for identifying women in need of support. Since 2014, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that all women be asked about their mental health at their antenatal booking appointment and early in the postnatal period. The aim of this study was to assess the proportions of women who reported being asked about their mental health during the perinatal period across consecutive national maternity surveys (NMS) in England and to evaluate sociodemographic disparities in who was asked.

Methods

Secondary analysis was performed on cross-sectional data from the NMS in 2014–2020. In each survey, women reported whether they had been asked about their mental health antenatally (during their booking appointment) and postnatally (up to six months after giving birth). The proportions of women in each survey who reported being asked about their mental health were calculated and compared according to key sociodemographic characteristics and across survey years. Logistic regression was conducted to identify disparities in who was asked.

Results

The proportion of women who reported being asked about their mental health antenatally increased from 80.3% (95%CI:79.0–81.5) in 2014 to 83.4% (95%CI:82.1–84.7) in 2020, yet the proportion of women who reported being asked postnatally fell from 88.2% (95%CI:87.1–89.3) in 2014 to 73.7% (95%CI:72.2–75.2) in 2020. Ethnic minority women (aOR range:0.20 ~ 0.67) were less likely to report being asked about their mental health antenatally and postnatally across all surveys compared to White women. Women living in less socioeconomically advantaged areas (aOR range:0.65 ~ 0.75) and women living without or separately from a partner (aOR range:0.61 ~ 0.73) were also less likely to report being asked about their mental health, although there was less consistency in these disparities across the antenatal and postnatal periods and across surveys.

Conclusions

Despite NICE recommendations, many women are still not asked about their mental health during the perinatal period, particularly after giving birth. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to be asked and these disparities have persisted over time.
The effectiveness of an online video-based group schema therapy in improvement of the cognitive emotion regulation strategies in women who have undergone bariatric surgery
Authors: Sobhani Zahra , Hosseini Seyed Vahid , Honarparvaran Nazanin , Khazraei Hajar , Amini Masood , Hedayati Arvin
Published: April 2023

Background

Adaptive cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies toward eating play a very important role in obesity and according to schema therapy, patients with obesity learn that don't respond to their emotional stimuli by eating. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an online video-based group schema therapy in improvement of the CER strategies and body mass index (BMI) in women who had undergone bariatric surgery.

Methods

Forty women who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental. The experimental group received 10 weekly 90-min sessions of group schema therapy, the control group did not receive any intervention at all. Both groups completed the CER strategies questionnaire during pre-test, post-test and follow-up stages, and the data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) through SPSS software (version 20).

Results

Our results indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher adaptive CER strategies (P = 0.0001, F = 31.15) and significantly lower maladaptive CER strategies (P = 0.001, F = 9.42), significantly lower BMI (P = 0.001, F = 23.48), as compared to the control condition, following the group schema therapy after the follow-up stage.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrated that group schema therapy could lead to an increases in adaptive CER strategies and a decrease in maladaptive CER strategies and BMI in women who had undergone bariatric surgery.

Trial registration

IRCT, IRCT20180523039802N2. Registered 5 August 2020, http://www.irct.com/IRCT20180523039802N2.
Bridging the educational gap in terms of digital competences between healthcare institutions’ demands and professionals’ needs
Authors: Navarro-Martínez O. , Igual-García J. , Traver-Salcedo V.
Published: April 2023

Background

Healthcare professionals with insufficient digital competence can be detrimental to patient safety and increase the incidence of errors. In order to guarantee proper care, healthcare organizations should provide opportunities to learn how to use technology, especially for those professionals who have not received training about this topic during their undergraduate studies.

Objective

This exploratory study aimed to conduct surveys among Spanish healthcare professionals to determine whether their organisations had trained them in the use of healthcare technology and the areas where most emphasis was placed.

Methods

1624 Spanish healthcare professionals responded to an ad hoc online survey 7 questions related to the digital skill training offered by the healthcare organisations they work for.

Results

Nurses were the most widely represented group, making up 58.29% of the total, followed by physicians namely 26.49%. Only 20% of the nurses surveyed had received some training from their institution related to healthcare technology. According to the participants’ responses, physicians received significantly more training in this area than nurses. Training related to database searching for research purposes or computer management followed the same trend. Nurses also received less training than physicians in this area. 32% of physicians and nurses paid for their own training if they did not receive any training from institutions.

Conclusions

Nurses receive less training, on topics such as database searching or management, from the healthcare centres and hospitals where they work. Moreover, they also have fewer research and digital skills. Both of these factors may lead to deficits in their care activities, and have adverse effects on patients. Not to mention fewer opportunities for professional progress.
Relationships between depression, self-efficacy, and professional values among Chinese oncology nurses: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Xie Jianfei , Luo Xiaofei , Zhou Yi , Zhang Chun , Li Lijun , Xiao Panpan , Duan Yinglong , Cheng Qinqin , Liu Xiangyu , Cheng Andy SK
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Many factors are related to oncology nurses’ professional values. However, the evidence on the relevance of professional values among oncology nurses in China remains sparse. This study aims to investigate the relationship between depression, self-efficacy, and professional values among Chinese oncology nurses and analyze the mediating effect of self-efficacy on this association.

Methods

It was a multicenter cross-sectional study designed with the STROBE guidelines. An anonymous online questionnaire recruited 2530 oncology nurses from 55 hospitals in six provinces of China between March and June 2021. Measures included self-designed sociodemographic and fully validated instruments. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the associations between depression, self-efficacy, and professional values. Bootstrapping analysis by the PROCESS macro was used to examine the mediating effect of self-efficacy.

Results

The total scores of depression, self-efficacy, and professional values of Chinese oncology nurses were 52.75 ± 12.62, 28.39 ± 6.33, and 101.55 ± 20.43, respectively. About 55.2% of Chinese oncology nurses were depressed. Chinese oncology nurses’ professional values were generally intermediate. Their professional values were negatively related to depression and positively correlated with self-efficacy, while depression was negatively related to self-efficacy. Moreover, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between depression and professional values, accounting for 24.8% of the total effect.

Conclusions

Depression negatively predicts self-efficacy and professional values, and self-efficacy positively predicts professional values. Meanwhile, depression in Chinese oncology nurses has an indirect effect on their professional values through self-efficacy. Nursing managers and oncology nurses themselves should develop strategies aimed at relieving depression and improving self-efficacy to strengthen their positive professional values.
Comparison of nursing diagnostic accuracy when aided by Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems with Clinical Diagnostic Validity and Bayesian Decision Models for psychiatric care plan formulation among nursing students: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Ho Kuei-Fang , Chou Po-Hsiang , Chung Min-Huey
Published: April 2023

Background

The most suitable and reliable inference engines for Clinical Decision Support Systems in nursing clinical practice have rarely been explored.

Purpose

This study examined the effect of Clinical Diagnostic Validity-based and Bayesian Decision-based Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems on the diagnostic accuracy of nursing students during psychiatric or mental health nursing practicums.

Methods

A single-blinded, non-equivalent control group pretest–posttest design was adopted. The participants were 607 nursing students. In the quasi-experimental design, two intervention groups used either a Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support System with the Clinical Diagnostic Validity or a Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support System with the Bayesian Decision inference engine to complete their practicum tasks. Additionally, a control group used the psychiatric care planning system without guidance indicators to support their decision-making. SPSS, version 20.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis. chi-square (χ2) test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Analysis of covariance was done to examine the PPV and sensitivity in the three groups.

Results

Results for the positive predictive value and sensitivity variables indicated that decision-making competency was highest in the Clinical Diagnostic Validity group, followed by the Bayesian and control groups. The Clinical Diagnostic Validity and Bayesian Decision groups significantly outperformed the control group in terms of scores on a 3Q model questionnaire and the modified Technology Acceptance Model 3. In terms of perceived usefulness and behavioral intention, the Clinical Diagnostic Validity group had significantly higher 3Q model and modified Technology Acceptance Model 3 scores than the Bayesian Decision group, which had significantly higher scores than the control group.

Conclusion

Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems can be adopted to provide patient-oriented information and assist nursing student in the rapid management of patient information and formulation of patient-centered care plans.
Prominent epigenetic and transcriptomic changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during and after pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis and controls
Authors: Zenere Alberto , Hellberg Sandra , Papapavlou Lingehed Georgia , Svenvik Maria , Mellergård Johan , Dahle Charlotte , Vrethem Magnus , Raffetseder Johanna , Khademi Mohsen , Olsson Tomas , Blomberg Marie , Jenmalm Maria C. , Altafini Claudio , Gustafsson Mika , Ernerudh Jan
Published: April 2023

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease in which pregnancy leads to a temporary amelioration in disease activity as indicated by the profound decrease in relapses rate during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are implicated in MS pathogenesis as being key regulators of inflammation and brain lesion formation. Although Tcells are prime candidates for the pregnancy-associated improvement of MS, the precise mechanisms are yet unclear, and in particular, a deep characterization of the epigenetic and transcriptomic events that occur in peripheral T cells during pregnancy in MS is lacking.

Methods

Women with MS and healthy controls were longitudinally sampled before, during (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters) and after pregnancy. DNA methylation array and RNA sequencing were performed on paired CD4+ and CD8+ T cells samples. Differential analysis and network-based approaches were used to analyze the global dynamics of epigenetic and transcriptomic changes.

Results

Both DNA methylation and RNA sequencing revealed a prominent regulation, mostly peaking in the 3rd trimester and reversing post-partum, thus mirroring the clinical course with improvement followed by a worsening in disease activity. This rebound pattern was found to represent a general adaptation of the maternal immune system, with only minor differences between MS and controls. By using a network-based approach, we highlighted several genes at the core of this pregnancy-induced regulation, which were found to be enriched for genes and pathways previously reported to be involved in MS. Moreover, these pathways were enriched for in vitro stimulated genes and pregnancy hormones targets.

Conclusion

This study represents, to our knowledge, the first in-depth investigation of the methylation and expression changes in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during pregnancy in MS. Our findings indicate that pregnancy induces profound changes in peripheral T cells, in both MS and healthy controls, which are associated with the modulation of inflammation and MS activity.
Dealing with the heterogeneous presentations of freezing of gait: how reliable are the freezing index and heart rate for freezing detection?
Authors: Cockx Helena , Nonnekes Jorik , Bloem Bastiaan R. , van Wezel Richard , Cameron Ian , Wang Ying
Published: April 2023

Background

Freezing of gait (FOG) is an unpredictable gait arrest that hampers the lives of 40% of people with Parkinson’s disease. Because the symptom is heterogeneous in phenotypical presentation (it can present as trembling/shuffling, or akinesia) and manifests during various circumstances (it can be triggered by e.g. turning, passing doors, and dual-tasking), it is particularly difficult to detect with motion sensors. The freezing index (FI) is one of the most frequently used accelerometer-based methods for FOG detection. However, it might not adequately distinguish FOG from voluntary stops, certainly for the akinetic type of FOG. Interestingly, a previous study showed that heart rate signals could distinguish FOG from stopping and turning movements. This study aimed to investigate for which phenotypes and evoking circumstances the FI and heart rate might provide reliable signals for FOG detection.

Methods

Sixteen people with Parkinson’s disease and daily freezing completed a gait trajectory designed to provoke FOG including turns, narrow passages, starting, and stopping, with and without a cognitive or motor dual-task. We compared the FI and heart rate of 378 FOG events to baseline levels, and to stopping and normal gait events (i.e. turns and narrow passages without FOG) using mixed-effects models. We specifically evaluated the influence of different types of FOG (trembling vs akinesia) and triggering situations (turning vs narrow passages; no dual-task vs cognitive dual-task vs motor dual-task) on both outcome measures.

Results

The FI increased significantly during trembling and akinetic FOG, but increased similarly during stopping and was therefore not significantly different from FOG. In contrast, heart rate change during FOG was for all types and during all triggering situations statistically different from stopping, but not from normal gait events.

Conclusion

When the power in the locomotion band (0.5–3 Hz) decreases, the FI increases and is unable to specify whether a stop is voluntary or involuntary (i.e. trembling or akinetic FOG). In contrast, the heart rate can reveal whether there is the intention to move, thus distinguishing FOG from stopping. We suggest that the combination of a motion sensor and a heart rate monitor may be promising for future FOG detection.
Gegen Qinlian standard decoction alleviated irinotecan-induced diarrhea via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis by network pharmacology prediction and experimental validation combination
Authors: Chen Jiamei , Li Min , Chen Rong , Xu Ziyi , Yang Xiaoqin , Gu Huan , Zhang Lele , Fu Chaomei , Zhang Jinming , Wu Yihan
Published: April 2023

Background

The frequently occurred chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) caused by irinotecan (CPT-11) administration has been the most representative side-effects of CPT-11, resulting in the chemotherapy suspension or failure. Our previous studies indicated that Gegen Qinlian formula exhibited a significant alleviation effect on CPT-11-induced diarrhea. However, referencing to Japanese Kampo medicine, the TCM standard decoction would supply the gap between ancient preparation application and modern industrial production.

Methods

The LC–MS technology combined with network pharmacology was employed to identify the active ingredients and mechanisms of GQD standard decoction for CPT-11-induced diarrhea. The anti-inflammatory activities associated with intestinal barrier function of GQD standard decoction were studied by SN-38 activated NCM460 cells in vitro and CPT-11-induced diarrhea in vivo. Proteins involved in inflammation, mRNA levels, disease severity scores, and histology involved in intestinal inflammation were analysed.

Results

There were 37 active compounds were identified in GQD standard decoction. Network pharmacology analyses indicated that PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were probably the main pathway of GQD standard decoction in CPT-11-induced diarrhea treatment, and PIK3R1, AKT1, NF-κB1 were the core proteins. Moreover, we found that the key proteins and pathway predicted above was verified in vivo and in vitro experiments, and the GQD standard decoction could protect the cellular proliferation in vitro and ameliorate CPT-11-induced diarrhea in mice model.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the molecular mechanism of 37 active ingredients in GQD standard decoction against CPT-11-induced diarrhea. And the core proteins and pathway were validated by experiment. This data establishes the groundwork for particular molecular mechanism of GQD standard decoction active components, and this research can provide a scientific reference for the TCM therapy of CID.
Disulfidptosis: a new target for metabolic cancer therapy
Authors: Zheng Peijie , Zhou Chuntao , Ding Yuemin , Duan Shiwei
Published: April 2023

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer and presents a vulnerability that can be exploited in cancer treatment. Regulated cell death (RCD) plays a crucial role in cancer metabolic therapy. A recent study has identified a new metabolic-related RCD known as disulfidptosis. Preclinical findings suggest that metabolic therapy using glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitors can trigger disulfidptosis and inhibit cancer growth. In this review, we summarize the specific mechanisms underlying disulfidptosis and outline potential future research directions. We also discuss the challenges that may arise in the clinical translation of disulfidptosis research.
Further variation of the adulticide protocol for the treatment of canine heartworm infection: can it be even shorter and cost less?
Authors: Ward Karen Ann , Jacobson Linda Susan , Lacaden Aveline Baldasan , Harrison Kelly Ann
Published: April 2023

Background

This retrospective study evaluated modified three-dose melarsomine treatment protocols in a shelter setting and compared them to the American Heartworm Society (AHS)-recommended protocol.

Methods

As compared with the AHS protocol, the shelter protocols utilized doxycycline 10 mg/kg once daily (SID) or twice daily (BID), and varied the time from initiation of doxycycline (day 1) to the first melarsomine injection (M1). Dogs were retrospectively grouped based on the shelter’s current protocol (M1 on day 14; Group A) and the AHS protocol (M1 on day 60; Group C), allowing a week on either side of the target M1 day. Treatments that fell outside these ranges formed two additional treatment groups (Groups B and D). Respiratory complications were defined as respiratory signs requiring additional treatment, and were statistically compared for Groups A and C. New respiratory signs and gastrointestinal (GI) signs were compared between dogs receiving SID or BID doxycycline.

Results

One hundred fifty-seven dogs with asymptomatic or mild heartworm disease at presentation were included. All dogs survived to discharge. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups A (n = 79) and C (n = 27) for new respiratory signs post-melarsomine (P = 0.73). The time to M1 for 14 dogs that developed new respiratory signs was a median of 19 days, compared with 22 days for 143 dogs without new respiratory signs (P = 0.2). Respiratory complications post-melarsomine were uncommon. New respiratory signs post-melarsomine occurred in 10/109 (9.2%) dogs receiving SID doxycycline and 4/48 (8.3%) dogs receiving BID doxycycline (P > 0.999). GI signs prior to M1 were recorded for 40/109 (36.7%) dogs receiving SID doxycycline and 25/48 (52.1%) receiving BID doxycycline (P = 0.08). Forty-four follow-up antigen test results were available; all tests performed > 3 months after the third melarsomine injection were negative.

Conclusions

This study provided support for initiating melarsomine after 14 days of doxycycline and for a lower doxycycline dose. Shorter and less expensive treatment protocols can increase lifesaving capacity and improve quality of life for shelter dogs by reducing the duration of exercise restriction and length of stay.

Graphical Abstract
Treatment of dogs with Bravecto® (fluralaner) reduces mosquito survival and fecundity
Authors: Evans Christopher Charles , Normile Dorothy , Gamble Sheryl , Guerino Frank , Dzimianski Michael T. , Moorhead Andrew Riddell
Published: April 2023

Background

Mosquitoes serve as the vector of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), which represents a significant and persistent threat to canine health. A reduction in the longevity and/or reproductive success of mosquitoes that take a blood meal from fluralaner-treated dogs may consequently reduce the local transmission of heartworm and prevent new infections. A novel secondary effect of an oral formulation of the ectoparasiticide fluralaner (Bravecto®) against a laboratory strain of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, a potential major vector of canine heartworm, was investigated in this study.

Methods

Six dogs were administered a single dose of fluralaner orally in the form of Bravecto® Chews (at the labeled fluralaner dose of 25 mg/kg body weight), while six control dogs received no treatment. Mosquitoes were fed on blood that was collected from each dog prior to treatment and weekly for 15 weeks post-treatment to assess the continued effects of fluralaner as its serum level decreased. Mosquito fitness was assessed by three parameters: rate of successful blood-feeding, survival, and egg laying.

Results

Successful blood-feeding rate was similar between control and treatment groups. In the fluralaner treatment, mosquito survival was significantly reduced within the first 24 h after blood-feeding, for the first 12 weeks post-treatment of the dogs (efficacy range = 33.2–73.3%). Survival of mosquitoes up until a potentially heartworm-infective timepoint (14 days post-blood-feeding) was significantly reduced in the fluralaner-treated group at several timepoints (1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 weeks post-treatment; efficacy range = 49.4–91.4%), but was less consistently reduced at the other timepoints. Egg laying by mosquitoes was almost completely suppressed for the first 13 weeks following treatment of the dogs with fluralaner (treatment efficacy ≥ 99.8%).

Conclusions

Mosquitoes fed blood from fluralaner-treated dogs experienced a significant reduction in survival and fecundity. These findings support the potential for a reduction in heartworm transmission directly by lethal effects on the vector and indirectly through a reduction of the local vector population when mosquitoes are exposed to animals treated with fluralaner.

Graphical Abstract
Construction of high coverage whole-genome sequencing libraries from single colon crypts without DNA extraction or whole-genome amplification
Authors: Manojlovic Zarko , Wlodarczyk Jordan , Okitsu Cindy , Jin Yuxin , Van Den Berg David , Lieber Michael R. , Hsieh Chih-Lin
Published: April 2023

Objective

Comprehensive and reliable genome-wide variant analysis of a small number of cells has been challenging due to genome coverage bias, PCR over-cycling, and the requirement of expensive technologies. To comprehensively identify genome alterations in single colon crypts that reflect genome heterogeneity of stem cells, we developed a method to construct whole-genome sequencing libraries from single colon crypts without DNA extraction, whole-genome amplification, or increased PCR enrichment cycles.

Results

We present post-alignment statistics of 81 single-crypts (each contains four- to eight-fold less DNA than the requirement of conventional methods) and 16 bulk-tissue libraries to demonstrate the consistent success in obtaining reliable coverage, both in depth (≥ 30X) and breadth (≥ 92% of the genome covered at ≥ 10X depth), of the human genome. These single-crypt libraries are of comparable quality as libraries generated with the conventional method using high quality and quantities of purified DNA. Conceivably, our method can be applied to small biopsy samples from many tissues and can be combined with single cell targeted sequencing to comprehensively profile cancer genomes and their evolution. The broad potential application of this method offers expanded possibilities in cost-effectively examining genome heterogeneity in small numbers of cells at high resolution.
Geographic variation in urinary tract and genital cancers in Iran: a hypothesis involving exposure to solar radiation
Authors: Khanjani Narges , Moradabadi Alireza , Najafi Esmail , Hayati Bagher , Abdollahi Reza
Published: April 2023

Objective

Sunlight and vitamin D intake are considered as essential elements for human health. Insufficient intake of this vitamin is one of the causes of various cancers and some other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between bladder, prostate, cervical and ovarian cancers with solar ultraviolet exposure in Iran. In this ecological study, data from 30 provinces were studied and analyzed by correlation and linear regression tests in SPSS software version 22. Physical activity, gender, human development index, lung cancer and altitude were adjusted at population level.

Results

The incidence of bladder cancer in both sexes was inversely related to ultraviolet radiation, but it was significant only in men. Unlike bladder cancer, the incidence of cervical cancer showed a positive relation with ultraviolet radiation. No relation was found between the incidence of prostate and ovarian cancers with ultraviolet radiation. Among the adjusting variables, the incidence of lung cancer (surrogate for smoking) in women had the highest coefficient in the linear regression model.
Advancing methods in big data capture, integration, classification and liberation
Authors: Zdravevski Eftim , Pires Ivan Miguel
Published: April 2023

This special issue focuses on the importance of advancing research techniques for managing and analyzing data in today’s data-rich landscape. In this editorial, we set the context and invite contributions for a BMC Collection of articles titled ‘Advancing methods in data capture, integration, classification and liberation’. The collection emphasizes the need for efficient ways to standardize, cleanse, integrate, enrich, and liberate data, highlighting recent advancements in research methods and industrial technologies that facilitate this. We invite researchers to submit their best work to the collection and to showcase the latest advancements and additions to research techniques.
Glypican-3 targeted positron emission tomography detects sub-centimeter tumors in a xenograft model of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Labadie Kevin P. , Lehnert Adrienne L. , Kenoyer Aimee L. , Hamlin Donald K. , Ludwig Andrew D. , Utria Alan F. , Daniel Sara K. , Mihailovic Tara N. , Prossnitz Alexander , Orozco Johnnie J. , Li Yawen , Wilbur D. Scott , Miyaoka Robert S. , Park James O.
Published: April 2023

Background

Early intrahepatic recurrence is common after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Insensitive and nonspecific diagnostic imaging contributes to EIR and results in missed treatment opportunities. In addition, novel modalities are needed to identify targets amenable for targeted molecular therapy. In this study, we evaluated a zirconium-89 radiolabeled glypican-3 (GPC3) targeting antibody conjugate (89Zr-αGPC3) for use in positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of small, GPC3+ HCC in an orthotopic murine model. Athymic nu/J mice received hepG2, a GPC3+ human HCC cell line, into the hepatic subcapsular space. Tumor-bearing mice were imaged by PET/computerized tomography (CT) 4 days after tail vein injection of 89Zr-αGPC3. Livers were then excised for the tumors to be identified, measured, bisected, and then serially sectioned at 500 μm increments. Sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for 89Zr-αGPC3-avid tumors were assessed using tumor confirmation on histologic sections as the gold standard.

Results

In tumor-bearing mice, 89Zr-αGPC3 avidly accumulated in the tumor within four hours of injection with ongoing accumulation over time. There was minimal off-target deposition and rapid bloodstream clearance. Thirty-eight of 43 animals had an identifiable tumor on histologic analysis. 89Zr-αGPC3 immuno-PET detected all 38 histologically confirmed tumors with a sensitivity of 100%, with the smallest tumor detected measuring 330 μm in diameter. Tumor-to-liver ratios of 89Zr-αGPC3 uptake were high, creating excellent spatial resolution for ease of tumor detection on PET/CT. Two of five tumors that were observed on PET/CT were not identified on histologic analysis, yielding a specificity of 60%.

Conclusions

89Zr-αGPC3 avidly accumulated in GPC3+ tumors with minimal off-target sequestration. 89Zr-αGPC3 immuno-PET yielded a sensitivity of 100% and detected sub-millimeter tumors. This technology may improve diagnostic sensitivity of small HCC and select GPC3+ tumors for targeted therapy. Human trials are warranted to assess its impact.
Rotating behind security: an enhanced authentication protocol for IoT-enabled devices in distributed cloud computing architecture
Authors: Wu Tsu-Yang , Kong Fangfang , Meng Qian , Kumari Saru , Chen Chien-Ming
Published: April 2023

With the continuous progress of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, IoT devices have gradually penetrated all aspects of life. However, due to rapid data growth, IoT devices with limited memory resources cannot store massive data. Cloud computing is an Internet-centric network that can provide security services and data storage. The combination of IoT devices with cloud computing considerably promotes resource sharing, facilitates users’ access to information at any time, and provides users with corresponding cloud computing services on time. Because the information transmitted through public channels is easily intercepted, tampered with, and eavesdropped on by malicious attackers. As a result, users’ and servers’ private information are disclosed. Numerous scholars have proposed different authentication protocols in this environment to protect the communications between users and servers. Amin et al. devised a smart card based authentication protocol. Unfortunately, Kang et al. demonstrated that their protocol was insecure. Huang et al. discovered Kang et al.’s improvement also has security flaws and then designed a protocol to enhance security. In this paper, we first show that Huang et al.’s protocol cannot resist privileged insider and temporary value disclosure attacks. Afterward, we propose an enhanced protocol based on their protocol. Finally, we use formal/informal security analysis to demonstrate the security of the improved protocol. The comparison results are indicated that our protocol has lower computational and communication costs under the same security level.
Factors associated with physical activity participation among children: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Srivastav Prateek , Vaishali K. , Rajwar Eti , Broadbent Suzanne , Bhat H. Vinod
Published: April 2023

Background

Reduced physical activity (PA) is one of the significant health concerns in adults and children alike. Despite the proven benefits of PA, most children, globally, do not meet the weekly criteria of enough PA to maintain health. The proposed systematic review is the review of the factors and will provide information on the factors associated with PA participation in children.

Methods

The proposed systematic review will be conducted based on the methodology from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We will include observational studies (cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and non-randomized study designs for information on factors associated with PA participation among children. Studies with participants in the age range of 5–18 years, indulging in physical activity of 60 min per day for a minimum of 3 days a week, will be included. Studies including differently abled children, children under medical treatment, and those taking medications for illnesses such as neurological, cardiac, and mental health conditions will be excluded from the review. We will search MEDLINE (via PubMed and Web of Science), Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and PEDro for English language publications published from the inception till October 2022. For additional studies, we will search websites such as the Australian Association for Adolescent Health International Association for Adolescent Health and a reference list of the included publications. Selection of studies, data extraction, and quality assessment of the included studies will be performed in duplicate. Quality assessment of the included studies will be performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (ROB-II) for RCTs, New-Castle Ottawa, for observational studies, and ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias for Non-Randomized studies of Interventions) for non-randomized study designs.

Discussion

The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis will present a summary of the available evidence on factors associated with PA participation in children. The findings of this review will provide new insights into how exercise providers can improve PA participation among children and can also help healthcare workers, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to plan long-term interventions targeting child health.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021270057.
A systematically biosynthetic investigation of lactic acid bacteria reveals diverse antagonistic bacteriocins that potentially shape the human microbiome
Authors: Zhang Dengwei , Zhang Jian , Kalimuthu Shanthini , Liu Jing , Song Zhi-Man , He Bei-bei , Cai Peiyan , Zhong Zheng , Feng Chenchen , Neelakantan Prasanna , Li Yong-Xin
Published: April 2023

Background

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce various bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs), which endow LAB with a protective role for the host. However, the biosynthetic potentials of LAB-derived SMs remain elusive, particularly in their diversity, abundance, and distribution in the human microbiome. Thus, it is still unknown to what extent LAB-derived SMs are involved in microbiome homeostasis.

Results

Here, we systematically investigate the biosynthetic potential of LAB from 31,977 LAB genomes, identifying 130,051 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of 2,849 gene cluster families (GCFs). Most of these GCFs are species-specific or even strain-specific and uncharacterized yet. Analyzing 748 human-associated metagenomes, we gain an insight into the profile of LAB BGCs, which are highly diverse and niche-specific in the human microbiome. We discover that most LAB BGCs may encode bacteriocins with pervasive antagonistic activities predicted by machine learning models, potentially playing protective roles in the human microbiome. Class II bacteriocins, one of the most abundant and diverse LAB SMs, are particularly enriched and predominant in the vaginal microbiome. We utilized metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to guide our discovery of functional class II bacteriocins. Our findings suggest that these antibacterial bacteriocins have the potential to regulate microbial communities in the vagina, thereby contributing to the maintenance of microbiome homeostasis.

Conclusions

Our study systematically investigates LAB biosynthetic potential and their profiles in the human microbiome, linking them to the antagonistic contributions to microbiome homeostasis via omics analysis. These discoveries of the diverse and prevalent antagonistic SMs are expected to stimulate the mechanism study of LAB’s protective roles for the microbiome and host, highlighting the potential of LAB and their bacteriocins as therapeutic alternatives.
Self-dehumanization and other-dehumanization toward students with special educational needs: examining their prevalence, consequences and identifying solutions—a study protocol
Authors: Sin Kuen-Fung , Yang Lan , Ye Frank Tian-Fang
Published: April 2023

Background

Students with special educational needs (SEN) often face dehumanization, which negatively impacts their mental health, daily functioning, and educational outcomes. This study seeks to address the research gap in dehumanization literature by examining the prevalence, dynamics, and consequences of self-dehumanization and other-dehumanization among SEN students. Moreover, by utilizing psychological experiments, the study aims to identify potential intervention strategies and make recommendations to minimize the negative psychological consequences derived from the dual model of dehumanization.

Methods

This two-phase, mixed-methods study incorporates cross-sectional surveys and quasi-experimental designs. Phase 1 investigates the self-dehumanization of SEN students and other-dehumanization from non-SEN peers, teachers, parents, and the public. Phase 2 involves four experimental studies to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions emphasizing human nature and uniqueness in reducing self-dehumanization and other-dehumanization of SEN students, as well as their associated negative consequences.

Discussion

The study fills a research gap by examining dehumanization in SEN students, applying dyadic modeling, and identifying potential solutions to ameliorate dehumanization and its negative consequences. The findings will contribute to the advancement of the dual model of dehumanization, increase public awareness and support for SEN students in inclusive education, and promote changes in school practice and family support. The 24-month study in Hong Kong schools is expected to provide significant insights into inclusive education in school and community settings.