bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMAL1 Regulates the Daily Timing of Colitis
Authors: Taleb Zainab , Carmona-Alcocer Vania , Stokes Kyle , Haireek Marta , Wang Huaqing , Collins Stephen M. , Khan Waliul I. , Karpowicz Phillip
Published: February 2022

Many physiological functions exhibit circadian rhythms: oscillations in biological processes that occur in a 24-hour period. These daily rhythms are maintained through a highly conserved molecular pacemaker known as the circadian clock. Circadian disruption has been proposed to cause increased risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Patients with IBD experience chronic inflammation and impaired regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells. Previous animal-based studies have revealed that colitis models of IBD are more severe in mice without a circadian clock but the timing of colitis, and whether its inflammatory and regenerative processes have daily rhythms, remains poorly characterized. We tested circadian disruption using Bmal1-/- mutant mice that have a non-functional circadian clock and thus no circadian rhythms. Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) was used to induce colitis. The disease activity of colitis was found to exhibit time-dependent variation in Bmal1+/+ control mice but is constant and elevated in Bmal1-/- mutants, who exhibit poor recovery. Histological analyses indicate worsened colitis severity in Bmal1-/- mutant colon, and colon infiltration of immune system cells shows a daily rhythm that is lost in the Bmal1-/- mutant. Similarly, epithelial proliferation in the colon has a daily rhythm in Bmal1+/+ controls but not in Bmal1-/- mutants. Our results support a critical role of a functional circadian clock in the colon which drives 24-hour rhythms in inflammation and healing, and whose disruption impairs colitis recovery. This indicates that weakening circadian rhythms not only worsens colitis, but delays healing and should be taken into account in the management of IBD. Recognition of this is important in the management of IBD patients required to do shift work.
Differential Gene Sets Profiling in Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Sepsis
Authors: Wang Qingliang , Li Xiaojie , Tang Wenting , Guan Xiaoling , Xiong Zhiyong , Zhu Yong , Gong Jiao , Hu Bo
Published: February 2022

Background

The host response to bacterial sepsis is reported to be nonspecific regardless of the causative pathogen. However, newer paradigms indicated that the host response of Gram-negative sepsis may be different from Gram-positive sepsis, and the difference has not been clearly clarified. The current study aimed to explore the difference by identifying the differential gene sets using the genome-wide technique.

Methods

The training dataset GSE6535 and the validation dataset GSE13015 were used for bioinformatics analysis. The distinct gene sets of sepsis with different infections were screened using gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The intersection gene sets based on the two algorithms were confirmed through Venn analysis. Finally, the common gene sets between GSE6535 and GSE13015 were determined by GSEA.

Results

Two immunological gene sets in GSE6535 were identified based on GSVA, which could be used to discriminate sepsis caused by Gram-positive, Gram-negative, or mixed infection. A total of 19 gene sets were obtained in GSE6535 through Venn analysis based on GSVA and GSEA, which revealed the heterogeneity of Gram-negative and Gram-positive sepsis at the molecular level. The result was also verified by analysis of the validation set GSE13015, and 40 common differential gene sets were identified between dataset GSE13015 and dataset GSE6535 by GSEA.

Conclusions

The identified differential gene sets indicated that host response may differ dramatically depending on the inciting organism. The findings offer new insight to investigate the pathophysiology of bacterial sepsis.
Robust Feedback Control for Discrete-Time Systems Based on Iterative LMIs with Polytopic Uncertainty Representations Subject to Stochastic Noise
Authors: Dehnert Robert , Damaszek Michelle , Lerch Sabine , Rauh Andreas , Tibken Bernd
Published: February 2022

This paper deals with the design of linear observer-based state feedback controllers with constant gains for a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems in the form of a quasi-linear representation in presence of stochastic noise. For taking into account nonlinearities in the design of linear observer-based state feedback controllers, a polytopic modeling approach is investigated. An optimization problem is formulated to reduce the sensitivity of the controlled system towards stochastic input, state, and output noise with a predefined covariance. Due to the nonlinearities, the separation principle does not hold, thus, the controller and the observer have to be designed simultaneously. For this purpose, a Lyapunov-based method is used, which provides, in addition to the controller and observer gains, a stability proof for the nonlinear closed loop in a predefined polytopic domain. In general, this leads to nonlinear matrix inequalities. To solve these nonlinear matrix inequalities efficiently, we propose an approach based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with a superposed iteration rule. When using this iterative LMI approach, a minimization task can be solved additionally, which desensitizes the closed loop to stochastic noise. The proposed method additionally enables the consideration of different linear closed loop structures by a unified Lyapunov-based framework. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated and compared with a classical LQG approach for a nonlinear overhead traveling crane.
Individual Differences in the Effects of Physical Activity on Classroom Behaviour
Authors: Heemskerk Christina Hubertina Helena Maria , Sumatic Mirna , Strand Steve , Malmberg Lars-Erik
Published: February 2022

Background: Promoting physical activity (PA) in children is associated with a wide range of desired outcomes. With children increasingly not meeting recommended levels of activity, the school setting offers many opportunities to improve this. Increasing children’s on-task behaviour is of particular importance to teachers, and while it has previously been suggested that PA can improve classroom behaviour, a consensus on the dose-response relationship of PA content, and its interaction with children’s individual differences, is yet to be reached. This study aimed to investigate this relationship more closely and assess the differences between objective and subjective measures of PA intensity.

Method: Data was collected from 76 primary school-aged children (M age = 9.3 years, SD = 0.7 years; 46 females). The PE lesson intervention followed a 3 (intensity: low, medium, high) by 2 (complexity: low, high) within-person design. Children’s task-behaviour was observed pre- and post-the intervention PE lesson during “business as usual” classroom lesson. PA was measured objectively with wrist-worn accelerometer devices for 24 h before the intervention, and subjectively rated on a five-point Likert scale after each intervention lesson.

Results: The results indicated a difference in subjective and objective measures of PA intensity on children’s on-task behaviour. Objective measures positively predicted task-behaviour at moderate to high intensities, whereas subjective ratings were beneficial only at sub-maximal intensity. Findings suggested that boys’ on-task behaviour improved at higher intensities, whereas girls were also responsive to lower intensity lessons. Less active children showed more improvement in on-task behaviour after a range of lessons, whereas more active children only benefited from the highest intensity lessons. Finally, children exhibiting the highest levels of off-task behaviour improved their on-task behaviour after all intervention lessons.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that higher intensities of PA have a generally positive effect on children’s subsequent behaviour, although certain individual characteristics make children more responsive to lower PA intensities. Furthermore, passive off-task behaviours were less prevalent after lower-intensity PA. Thus, individual differences, as well as the target behaviour, are important factors to take into account when designing optimal PE lessons for improving classroom behaviour.
Ecological Drivers of Non-kin Cooperation in the Hymenoptera
Authors: Ostwald Madeleine M. , Haney Brian R. , Fewell Jennifer H.
Published: February 2022

Despite the prominence of kin selection as a framework for understanding the evolution of sociality, many animal groups are comprised of unrelated individuals. These non-kin systems provide valuable models that can illuminate drivers of social evolution beyond indirect fitness benefits. Within the Hymenoptera, whose highly related eusocial groups have long been cornerstones of kin selection theory, groups may form even when indirect fitness benefits for helpers are low or absent. These non-kin groups are widespread and abundant, yet have received relatively little attention. We review the diversity and organization of non-kin sociality across the Hymenoptera, particularly among the communal bees and polygynous ants and wasps. Further, we discuss common drivers of sociality across these groups, with a particular focus on ecological factors. Ecological contexts that favor non-kin sociality include those dominated by resource scarcity or competition, climatic stressors, predation and parasitism, and/or physiological constraints associated with reproduction and resource exploitation. Finally, we situate Hymenopteran non-kin sociality within a broader biological context by extending insights from these systems across diverse taxa, especially the social vertebrates. Non-kin social groups thus provide unique demonstrations of the importance of ecological factors in mediating the evolutionary transition from solitary to group living.
Survival Nomogram for Metastasis Colon Cancer Patients Based on SEER Database
Authors: Tai Qinwen , Xue Wei , Li Mengying , Zhuo Shuli , Zhang Heng , Fang Fa , Zhang Jinhui
Published: February 2022

Introduction: A prediction model for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of metastatic colon cancer (mCC) patients was developed by analyzing important risk factors for the prognosis of mCC patients based on the SEER database.

Method: The characteristic of 10,946 patients diagnosed with mCC between 2010 and 2015 was obtained from the SEER database. The population was randomly divided into a training cohort and an internal validation cohort in a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate cox for independent predictors of mCC prognosis were performed, and nomogram was constructed. The accuracy of the model was verified by calibration curves, ROC curves, and C-index, and the clinical utility of the model was analyzed using decision analysis curves.

Result: Age, primary site, grade, surgery, and other eight factors were significantly associated with the prognosis of mCC patients, and these predictors were included in the construction of the nomogram. The C-index was 0.731 (95% CI 0.725–0.737) and 0.736 (95% CI 0.726–0.746) for the training cohort and the validation set, respectively. The results of the ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) exceeded 0.7 for both the training cohort and the validation set at 1, 3, and 5 years.

Conclusion: The constructed prediction model had an excellent predictive accuracy, which will help clinical decision-making of mCC patients after surgery and individualized treatment.
Blockade of 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptor Attenuates Precipitation of Naloxone-Induced Withdrawal Symptoms in Opioid-Exposed Mice
Authors: Li Bing , Jiang Junyu , Zhou Li , Tao Xinrong , Sun Qixian , Liu Jiaxin , Liu Yang , Pang Gang
Published: February 2022

Heroin dependency has become a global problem and has caused significant clinical and socioeconomic burdens along with devastating medical consequences. Chronic drug exposure alters the expression and functional activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) in the brain. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of 5-HT2ARs reduces cue-induced cocaine craving behaviors. In this study, we explored the influence of 5-HT2ARs on heroin-withdrawal behaviors in mice. Black C57BL/6J mice were given gradually increasing (10–50 mg/kg over 4.5 days) doses of heroin to induce heroin dependency, after which naloxone was given to precipitate withdrawal symptoms. MDL100907, a selective and potent 5-HT2AR antagonist, attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms in these mice. In addition, 5-HT2AR protein levels increased significantly in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), while phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) decreased in the mPFC after heroin exposure. In conclusion, these results suggest that 5-HT2ARs might be involved in the development of opioid dependency and that pharmacological blocking of 5-HT2ARs might be a new therapeutic strategy for heroin dependency.
Phenotypic Profiling of People With Subjective Tinnitus and Without a Clinical Hearing Loss
Authors: Tang Dongmei , Lu Xiaoling , Huang Ruonan , Yu Huiqian , Li Wenyan
Published: February 2022

Our objective was to study the characteristics of patients with subjective tinnitus and normal hearing and to investigate whether the features correlated to different shapes on audiograms. In this retrospective study, 313 patients with subjective tinnitus and clinically normal hearing were enrolled from the tinnitus outpatient department of the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. The following phenotypic variables were collected: age, dominant tinnitus pitch (TP), tinnitus loudness, tinnitus duration, tinnitus severity, sex, education, hearing thresholds, tinnitus position, and tinnitus condition. The dominant TPs of patients with normal hearing were mostly high-pitched, with a mean of 4866.8 ± 2579.6 Hz; thus, we speculated that the condition is related to high-frequency hearing threshold elevations. We further divided the patients into four subgroups based on the matched TP: (i) TP ≤ 500 Hz (n = 34), (ii) 500 Hz < TP ≤ 3,000 Hz (n = 15), (iii) 3,000 Hz < TP ≤ 8,000 Hz (n = 259), and (iv) TP > 8,000 Hz (n = 5). We studied the phenotypic profiling of different audiograms and found that the group with TP of ≤500 Hz had an average “inverted-U” shaped audiogram, and the group with TP between 500 and 3,000 Hz had a slowly ascending slope audiogram below 2,000 Hz, followed by a drastically descending slope audiogram ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 Hz; further, the high-frequency (3,000–8,000 Hz) and ultra-high-frequency (>8,000 Hz) groups had flat curves below 2,000 Hz and steeper slope audiograms over 2,000 Hz. Our findings confirmed a consistency ratio between the distributions of dominant TPs and the frequencies of maximum hearing thresholds in both ears. The dominant TP was positively correlated with the maximum hearing threshold elevation frequency (left ear: r = 0.277, p < 0.05; right ear: r = 0.367, p < 0.001). Hearing threshold elevations, especially in high frequency, might explain the appearance of dominant high-frequency TP in patients without clinically defined hearing loss. This is consistent with the causal role of high-frequency coding in the generation of tinnitus.
“Tricking the Brain” Using Immersive Virtual Reality: Modifying the Self-Perception Over Embodied Avatar Influences Motor Cortical Excitability and Action Initiation
Authors: Buetler Karin A. , Penalver-Andres Joaquin , Özen Özhan , Ferriroli Luca , Müri René M. , Cazzoli Dario , Marchal-Crespo Laura
Published: February 2022

To offer engaging neurorehabilitation training to neurologic patients, motor tasks are often visualized in virtual reality (VR). Recently introduced head-mounted displays (HMDs) allow to realistically mimic the body of the user from a first-person perspective (i.e., avatar) in a highly immersive VR environment. In this immersive environment, users may embody avatars with different body characteristics. Importantly, body characteristics impact how people perform actions. Therefore, alternating body perceptions using immersive VR may be a powerful tool to promote motor activity in neurologic patients. However, the ability of the brain to adapt motor commands based on a perceived modified reality has not yet been fully explored. To fill this gap, we “tricked the brain” using immersive VR and investigated if multisensory feedback modulating the physical properties of an embodied avatar influences motor brain networks and control. Ten healthy participants were immersed in a virtual environment using an HMD, where they saw an avatar from first-person perspective. We slowly transformed the surface of the avatar (i.e., the “skin material”) from human to stone. We enforced this visual change by repetitively touching the real arm of the participant and the arm of the avatar with a (virtual) hammer, while progressively replacing the sound of the hammer against skin with stone hitting sound via loudspeaker. We applied single-pulse transcranial magnetic simulation (TMS) to evaluate changes in motor cortical excitability associated with the illusion. Further, to investigate if the “stone illusion” affected motor control, participants performed a reaching task with the human and stone avatar. Questionnaires assessed the subjectively reported strength of embodiment and illusion. Our results show that participants experienced the “stone arm illusion.” Particularly, they rated their arm as heavier, colder, stiffer, and more insensitive when immersed with the stone than human avatar, without the illusion affecting their experienced feeling of body ownership. Further, the reported illusion strength was associated with enhanced motor cortical excitability and faster movement initiations, indicating that participants may have physically mirrored and compensated for the embodied body characteristics of the stone avatar. Together, immersive VR has the potential to influence motor brain networks by subtly modifying the perception of reality, opening new perspectives for the motor recovery of patients.
Drug Repositioning in Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Rufini Alessandra , Malisan Florence , Condò Ivano , Testi Roberto
Published: February 2022

Friedreich ataxia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by insufficient levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. It is a severely debilitating disease that significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients and reduces their life expectancy, however, an adequate cure is not yet available for patients. Frataxin function, although not thoroughly elucidated, is associated with assembly of iron-sulfur cluster and iron metabolism, therefore insufficient frataxin levels lead to reduced activity of many mitochondrial enzymes involved in the electron transport chain, impaired mitochondrial metabolism, reduced ATP production and inefficient anti-oxidant response. As a consequence, neurons progressively die and patients progressively lose their ability to coordinate movement and perform daily activities. Therapeutic strategies aim at restoring sufficient frataxin levels or at correcting some of the downstream consequences of frataxin deficiency. However, the classical pathways of drug discovery are challenging, require a significant amount of resources and time to reach the final approval, and present a high failure rate. Drug repositioning represents a viable alternative to boost the identification of a therapy, particularly for rare diseases where resources are often limited. In this review we will describe recent efforts aimed at the identification of a therapy for Friedreich ataxia through drug repositioning, and discuss the limitation of such strategies.
State- and Condition-Dependent Modulation of the Hindlimb Locomotor Pattern in Intact and Spinal Cats Across Speeds
Authors: Harnie Jonathan , Audet Johannie , Mari Stephen , Lecomte Charly G. , Merlet Angèle N. , Genois Gabriel , Rybak Ilya A. , Prilutsky Boris I. , Frigon Alain
Published: February 2022

Locomotion after complete spinal cord injury (spinal transection) in animal models is usually evaluated in a hindlimb-only condition with the forelimbs suspended or placed on a stationary platform and compared with quadrupedal locomotion in the intact state. However, because of the quadrupedal nature of movement in these animals, the forelimbs play an important role in modulating the hindlimb pattern. This raises the question: whether changes in the hindlimb pattern after spinal transection are due to the state of the system (intact versus spinal) or because the locomotion is hindlimb-only. We collected kinematic and electromyographic data during locomotion at seven treadmill speeds before and after spinal transection in nine adult cats during quadrupedal and hindlimb-only locomotion in the intact state and hindlimb-only locomotion in the spinal state. We attribute some changes in the hindlimb pattern to the spinal state, such as convergence in stance and swing durations at high speed, improper coordination of ankle and hip joints, a switch in the timing of knee flexor and hip flexor bursts, modulation of burst durations with speed, and incidence of bi-phasic bursts in some muscles. Alternatively, some changes relate to the hindlimb-only nature of the locomotion, such as paw placement relative to the hip at contact, magnitude of knee and ankle yield, burst durations of some muscles and their timing. Overall, we show greater similarity in spatiotemporal and EMG variables between the two hindlimb-only conditions, suggesting that the more appropriate pre-spinal control is hindlimb-only rather than quadrupedal locomotion.
PIM1 and CD79B Mutation Status Impacts the Outcome of Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the CNS
Authors: Zhou Jihao , Zuo Min , Li Lifeng , Li Fang , Ke Peng , Zhou Yangying , Xu Yaping , Gao Xuan , Guan Yanfang , Xia Xuefeng , Yi Xin , Zhang Xinyou , Huang Yuhua
Published: February 2022

Primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS DLBCL) is a rare malignancy with a distinct genetic profile. The clinicopathological significance of the mutation patterns remains unknown. Forty cases of primary CNS DLBCL were subjected to targeted exome sequencing covering 413 genes, including MYD88, CD79B and PIM1. Mutational analysis recognized two groups. The CDP (including CD79B and/or PIM1mutations) group was identified in 27 cases (67.5%), and the non-CDP (without CD79B and PIM1 mutations) group was identified in 13 cases 32.5%). The CDP group tended to occur in older patients (median age 57.0 vs. 48.4 years, p=0.015). Patients in the CDP group had a significantly longer 2-year overall survival (OS) (76% and 40%, p=0.0372) than those in the non-CDP group. Multivariate analysis revealed that age less than 60 years, no MYC and BCL2 double expression, and CDP group were three independent risk factors indicating favorable OS. PyClone analysis revealed the subcloning heterogeneity between the groups. In addition, transcriptional sequencing was successfully performed in 8 cases. A total of 131 genes were significantly differentially expressed between these two groups. The major categories of biological processes that were significantly altered between these two groups related to intracellular metabolism mechanisms. We developed a new molecular classification to divide CNS DLBCL into CDP and non-CDP groups based on CD79B and PIM1 mutational status. Patients with PIM1 and/or CD79B mutations had favorable long-term survival after high-dose methotrexate-based polychemotherapy.
A Mixture of Baicalein, Wogonin, and Oroxylin-A Inhibits EMT in the A549 Cell Line via the PI3K/AKT-TWIST1-Glycolysis Pathway
Authors: Cao Hui-Juan , Zhou Wei , Xian Xiao-Le , Sun Shu-Jun , Ding Pei-Jie , Tian Chun-Yu , Tian Fu-Ling , Jiang Chun-Hua , Fu Ting-Ting , Zhao Shu , Dai Jian-Ye
Published: February 2022

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a worldwide disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate, which is most derived from its metastasis. Some studies show that the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process promotes lung cancer cell migration and invasion, leading to NSCLC metastasis. Total flavonoid aglycones extract (TFAE) isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis was reported to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis. In this study, we found that baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin-A were the active compounds of TFAE. After reconstructing with these three compounds [baicalein (65.8%), wogonin (21.2%), and oroxylin-A (13.0%)], the reconstructed TFAE (reTFAE) inhibited the EMT process of A549 cells. Then, bioinformatic technology was employed to elucidate the potential pharmacodynamic mechanism network of reTFAE. We identified the relationship between reTFAE and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, with TWIST1 as the key protein. LY294002, the inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and knock-down TWIST1 could significantly enhance the efficacy of reTFAE, with increasing expression of epithelial markers and decreasing expression of mesenchymal markers in A549 cells at the same time. Furthermore, stable isotope dimethyl-labeled proteomics technology was conducted to complement the follow-up mechanism that the EMT-inhibition process may be realized through the glycolysis pathway. In conclusion, we claim that TWIST1-targeted flavonoids could provide a new strategy to inhibit EMT progress for the treatment of NSCLC.
Resilience to COVID-19: Socioeconomic Disadvantage Associated With Positive Caregiver–Youth Communication and Youth Preventative Actions
Authors: Marshall Andrew T. , Hackman Daniel A. , Baker Fiona C. , Breslin Florence J. , Brown Sandra A. , Dick Anthony Steven , Gonzalez Marybel R. , Guillaume Mathieu , Kiss Orsolya , Lisdahl Krista M. , McCabe Connor J. , Pelham William E. , Sheth Chandni , Tapert Susan F. , Rinsveld Amandine Van , Wade Natasha E. , Sowell Elizabeth R.
Published: February 2022

Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with larger COVID-19 disease burdens and pandemic-related economic impacts. We utilized the longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study to understand how family- and neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage relate to disease burden, family communication, and preventative responses to the pandemic in over 6,000 youth-caregiver dyads. Data were collected at three timepoints (May–August 2020). Here, we show that both family- and neighborhood-level disadvantage were associated with caregivers' reports of greater family COVID-19 disease burden, less perceived exposure risk, more frequent caregiver-youth conversations about COVID-19 risk/prevention and reassurance, and greater youth preventative behaviors. Families with more socioeconomic disadvantage may be adaptively incorporating more protective strategies to reduce emotional distress and likelihood of COVID-19 infection. The results highlight the importance of caregiver-youth communication and disease-preventative practices for buffering the economic and disease burdens of COVID-19, along with policies and programs that reduce these burdens for families with socioeconomic disadvantage.
Less Social Participation Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults: A Community-Based Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Du Min , Dai Wanwei , Liu Jue , Tao Jing
Published: February 2022

Objective

We aimed to examine the association between social participation and depressive symptoms among Chinese older people aged 65 years or above to supplement limited studies in China on this topic.

Methods

This community-based longitudinal prospective cohort study used the data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS, baseline in 2014 and a follow-up in 2018). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Social participation was assessed using a composite index by considering the frequency for the two types of social activity: organized social activities and informal activities. Pearson's χ2 test was used to correlate the characteristics of participants with social participation or depressive symptoms. Log-binomial regression models were used to assess the association between social participation and the risk of depressive symptoms.

Results

The incidence of depressive symptoms was 28.8% among 2,200 participants in 2018 after a 4-year follow-up. Participants with no social participation (32.6%), organized social activities (30.6%), or informal social activities (31.2%) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. After the adjustment of demographic factors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, and health status, in comparison with older people who often engaged in social participation, organized social activities, and informal social activities, the risk of depressive symptoms was 45% [adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.16–1.82], 42% (aRR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02–2.00), and 29% (aRR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99) higher among older people with no social participation and who never engaged in organized social activities and informal social activities, respectively.

Conclusions

This study showed that the lack of social participation, including organized social activities and informal social activities, was associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms after 4 years among older adults in China. Our findings shed lights into the feasibility of promoting social participation to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms and promote longevity and healthy aging among older adults.
Mapping for Engagement: Setting up a Community Based Participatory Research Project to Reach Underserved Communities at Risk for Hepatitis C in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Giang , Nguyen Le Thao My , Bao An , Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Vu Thi Tuong Vi , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep , Phan Loc , Phan Minh Thai , Lam Ngoc Thuy , Nguyen Thanh An , Nguyen Anh Thuan , Nguyen Nguyen Nhu Trang , Nguyen Thi Lan , Nguyen Thuy Thanh Vy , Nguyen Minh Hieu , Nguyen Minh Thuan , Do Thuy An My , Nguyen Tri Thong , Tran Thi Phung , Pham Hong Son , Tran Thi Ngoc , Hoang Thai Anh , Duong Thi My Hanh , Cooke Graham S. , Chambers Mary , Van Nuil Jennifer Ilo
Published: February 2022

Background

Approximately 1. 07 million people in Vietnam are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To address this epidemic, the South East Asian Research Collaborative in Hepatitis (SEARCH) launched a 600-patient cohort study and two clinical trials, both investigating shortened treatment strategies for chronic HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral drugs. We conducted ethnographic research with a subset of trial participants and found that the majority were aware of HCV infection and its implications and were motivated to seek treatment. However, people who inject drugs (PWID), and other groups at risk for HCV were under-represented, although injecting drug use is associated with high rates of HCV.

Material and Methods

We designed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study to engage in dialogues surrounding HCV and other community-prioritized health issues with underserved groups at risk for HCV in Ho Chi Minh City. The project consists of three phases: situation analysis, CBPR implementation, and dissemination. In this paper, we describe the results of the first phase (i.e., the situation analysis) in which we conducted desk research and organized stakeholder mapping meetings with representatives from local non-government and community-based organizations where we used participatory research methods to identify and analyze key stakeholders working with underserved populations.

Results

Twenty six institutions or groups working with the key underserved populations were identified. Insights about the challenges and dynamics of underserved communities were also gathered. Two working groups made up of representatives from the NGO and CBO level were formed.

Discussion

Using the information provided by local key stakeholders to shape the project has helped us to build solid relationships, give the groups a sense of ownership from the early stages, and made the project more context specific. These steps are not only important preliminary steps for participatory studies but also for other research that takes place within the communities.
Visualizing the Unseen: Illustrating and Documenting Phantom Limb Sensations and Phantom Limb Pain With C.A.L.A.
Authors: Bressler Michael , Merk Joachim , Heinzel Johannes , Butz Martin V. , Daigeler Adrien , Kolbenschlag Jonas , Prahm Cosima
Published: February 2022

Currently, there is neither a standardized mode for the documentation of phantom sensations and phantom limb pain, nor for their visualization as perceived by patients. We have therefore created a tool that allows for both, as well as for the quantification of the patient's visible and invisible body image. A first version provides the principal functions: (1) Adapting a 3D avatar for self-identification of the patient; (2) modeling the shape of the phantom limb; (3) adjusting the position of the phantom limb; (4) drawing pain and cramps directly onto the avatar; and (5) quantifying their respective intensities. Our tool (C.A.L.A.) was evaluated with 33 occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other medical staff. Participants were presented with two cases in which the appearance and the position of the phantom had to be modeled and pain and cramps had to be drawn. The usability of the software was evaluated using the System Usability Scale and its functional range was evaluated using a self-developed questionnaire and semi-structured interview. In addition, our tool was evaluated on 22 patients with limb amputations. For each patient, body image as well as phantom sensation and pain were modeled to evaluate the software's functional scope. The accuracy of the created body image was evaluated using a self-developed questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Additionally, pain sensation was assessed using the SF-McGill Pain Questionnaire. The System Usability Scale reached a level of 81%, indicating high usability. Observing the participants, though, identified several operational difficulties. While the provided functions were considered useful by most participants, the semi-structured interviews revealed the need for an improved pain documentation component. In conclusion, our tool allows for an accurate visualization of phantom limbs and phantom limb sensations. It can be used as both a descriptive and quantitative documentation tool for analyzing and monitoring phantom limbs. Thus, it can help to bridge the gap between the therapist's conception and the patient's perception. Based on the collected requirements, an improved version with extended functionality will be developed.
A Review Into the Effects of Pamidronic Acid and Zoledronic Acid on the Oral Mucosa in Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Authors: Bullock George , Miller Cheryl A. , McKechnie Alasdair , Hearnden Vanessa
Published: February 2022

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a growing problem without an effective treatment, presenting as necrotic bone sections exposed via lesions in the overlying soft tissue. There is currently a lack of clarity on how the factors involved in MRONJ development and progression contribute to disease prognosis and outcomes. Bisphosphonates (BPs), the most common cause of MRONJ, affect bone remodeling, angiogenesis, infection, inflammation and soft tissue toxicity, all of which contribute to MRONJ development. This article reviews the cellular mechanisms through which BPs contribute to MRONJ pathology, with a focus on the effects on cells of the oral mucosa. BPs have been shown to reduce cell viability, reduce proliferation, and increase apoptosis in oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts. BPs have also been demonstrated to reduce epithelial thickness and prevent epithelial formation in three-dimensional tissue engineered models of the oral mucosa. This combination of factors demonstrates how BPs lead to the reduced wound healing seen in MRONJ and begins to uncover the mechanisms through which these effects occur. The evidence presented here supports identification of targets which can be used to develop novel treatment strategies to promote soft tissue wound healing and restore mucosal coverage of exposed bone in MRONJ.
Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention Policies and Their Implementation in Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kassa Melkamu Dugassa , Grace Jeanne Martin
Published: February 2022

Objectives: To synthesize the existing evidence on NCD policy equity, policy practices, and policy implementation gaps to prevent NCDs in African countries.

Methods: Following the PRISMA-Extension for equity-focused review guidelines, the authors systematically searched documentary evidence from seven databases (BMC, CINHAL Plus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) to identify studies conducted and published on African countries between April 2013 and December 31, 2020.

Results: From identified 213 records, 21 studies were included in the final synthesis. Major results showed inadequate studies on NCD policy, unsatisfactory NCD-related policy development, poor policy implementation, lack of policy equity to combat NCDs, and lack of data recorded on NCDs’ prevalence, morbidity, and mortality.

Conclusion: The rigorous WHO-endorsed NCD policies and prevention strategies on the African continent might debar African policymakers and leaders from developing and implementing indigenous NCD-combating strategies. Continent-wide innovative and indigenous NCD-prevention policies and policy equity to effectively prevent, control, and manage NCDs must be developed by African scientists and policymakers.
Autonomous Vehicle Path Planning Based on Driver Characteristics Identification and Improved Artificial Potential Field
Authors: Wang Shaobo , Lin Fen , Wang Tiancheng , Zhao Youqun , Zang Liguo , Deng Yaoji
Published: February 2022

Different driving styles should be considered in path planning for autonomous vehicles that are travelling alongside other traditional vehicles in the same traffic scene. Based on the drivers’ characteristics and artificial potential field (APF), an improved local path planning algorithm is proposed in this paper. A large amount of driver data are collected through tests and classified by the K-means algorithm. A Keras neural network model is trained by using the above data. APF is combined with driver characteristic identification. The distances between the vehicle and obstacle are normalized. The repulsive potential field functions are designed according to different driver characteristics and road boundaries. The designed local path planning method can adapt to different surrounding manual driving vehicles. The proposed human-like decision path planning method is compared with the traditional APF planning method. Simulation tests of an individual driver and various drivers with different characteristics in overtaking scenes are carried out. The simulation results show that the curves of human-like decision-making path planning method are more reasonable than those of the traditional APF path planning method; the proposed method can carry out more effective path planning for autonomous vehicles according to the different driving styles of surrounding manual vehicles.
Fenlong-Ridging Promotes Microbial Activity in Sugarcane: A Soil and Root Metabarcoding Survey
Authors: Duan Mingzheng , Long Yanyan , Fan Hongzeng , Ma Li , Han Shijian , Li Suli , Wei Benhui , Wang Lingqiang
Published: February 2022

Fenlong-ridging (FL) is a recently proposed conservation tillage technology which has dramatic differences to traditional ones. Previous studies have demonstrated in many crops that FL has yield-increasing effects without additional inputs. However, little is known about the role that microbes play in mediating the growth-promoting effects of FL, which restricts its further application and improvement. Here, we characterized variation in the soil and root microbial diversity of sugarcane (GT44) under FL and traditional turn-over plough tillage (CK) by conducting 16S rRNA and ITS metabarcoding surveys. We also measured several phenotypic traits to determine sugarcane yields and analyzed the chemical properties of soil. We found that: (i) plant height (PH) and total biomass weight (TW) of sugarcane plants were 9.1% and 21.7% greater under FL than those under CK, indicating\increased biomass yield of the sugarcane in FL operation; (ii) contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were lower in soil under FL than those under CK, which indicates the utilization of soil nutrients was greater in FL soil; (iii) FL promoted the activity of endophytic microbes in the roots, and these diverse microbial taxa might have an effect on sugarcane yield and soil chemical properties; and (iv) Sphingomonas, Rhizobium, and Paraburkholderia and Talaromyces, Didymella, and Fusarium were the top three most abundant genera of bacteria and fungi, respectively, in soil and root samples. In addition, strains from Rhizobium and Talaromyces were isolated to verify the results of the metabarcoding survey. Overall, our study provides new insights into the role of microbes in mediating the growth-promoting effects of FL. These findings could be used to further improve applications of this novel conservation tillage technology.
Sustainable Growing Media Blends with Woody Green Composts: Optimizing the N Release with Organic Fertilizers and Interaction with Microbial Biomass
Authors: Vandecasteele Bart , Van Loo Koen , Ommeslag Sarah , Vierendeels Siebert , Rooseleer Maxim , Vandaele Elke
Published: February 2022

The aim of the current study was to create a high quality growing medium blend that replaces 70 vol% peat with 40 vol% woody green compost and 30 vol% bark compost and organic fertilizers (i.e., blood meal and chitin), all locally sourced. A range of “woody composts”, i.e., green composts based on feedstock selection with mainly woody material from tree prunings, were produced for this purpose at green compost facilities. First, the woody composts were characterized chemically and biologically, including their microbial biomass and net N release. In comparison with regular green composts or vegetable, fruit and garden (VFG) waste composts, woody composts are more suitable for use in growing media due to their lower pH, EC and inorganic C content; however, the woody compost had a low N mineralization rate. Three types of composts supported a higher microbial biomass than wood fiber or bark compost. The additional mineral N release after 100 days for compost mixed with blood meal was tested for different VFG and green composts. A significantly higher additional net N release was measured for composts with higher initial mineral N concentrations (317 mg Nmin/L) as well as VFG composts (417 mg Nmin/L) than for green composts with a lower initial mineral N concentration (148 mg Nmin/L). In a last step, woody compost, bark compost, wood fiber, coir and peat were mixed in different ratios, resulting in six blends ranging from 100% peat-free to 100% peat. Two batches of woody compost were compared, and the blends were mixed with blood meal or chitin. A strong effect of both the organic fertilizer and the blend composition on the mineral N release was observed, with a clear link between the microbial biomass and the net N release. There was a significant negative correlation between the net change in microbial biomass and the net N release (R = −0.85), which implies that a larger increase in microbial biomass during incubation with the organic fertilizer resulted in less N mineralization. The blends containing woody compost scored better for nitrification activity, as the NH4-N concentrations were lower in these than for the blends without woody compost. For the peat blends, no effect on the microbial biomass was observed after addition of organic fertilizers; mineral N did increase, however. Woody composts have the potential to be used in high vol% in growing media blends, but the blends still need further optimization when supplemented with organic fertilizers.
Determination of the Angle of Repose and Coefficient of Rolling Friction for Wood Pellets
Authors: Madrid Marcos A. , Fuentes José M. , Ayuga Francisco , Gallego Eutiquio
Published: February 2022

The determination of the angle of repose for granular materials is indispensable for their handling and the design of containers and technological processing equipment. On the other hand, computational simulations have become an essential tool to understand the micro-behavior of the granular material and to relate it with the macro-behavior. The experimental determination of the angle of repose has a fundamental role when defining the required parameters to perform realistic simulations. However, there is a lack of a standard that allows the reproducibility of the experiments when using granular materials of equivalent spherical radius greater than 2 mm, such as corn, soybeans, wheat and PLA pellets, among others. In particular, a product of growing importance in the global strategy of decarbonization of the economy is biomass pellets, whose handling operations are one of the main components for the total cost of pellets supplied to the final user. In the present work, with the aim of determining the rolling friction coefficient, the variations in the angle of repose with the drop height for biomass pellets were studied both experimentally and with simulations, and an optimal procedure for its determination was found. Then, a calibration of the coefficient of rolling friction was performed through computational simulations using the discrete element method. The accuracy of the model under different configurations was checked.
Contribution of Governance and Socioeconomic Factors to the P. aeruginosa MDR in Europe
Authors: Riaño-Moreno Julián , Romero-Leiton Jhoana P. , Prieto Kernel
Published: February 2022

This work aims to explain the behavior of the multi-drug resistance (MDR) percentage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe, through multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning validation, using data from the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank. We ran a multidimensional data panel regression analysis and used machine learning techniques to validate a pooling panel data case. The results of our analysis showed that the most important variables explaining the MDR phenomena across European countries are governance variables, such as corruption control and the rule of law. The models proposed in this study showed the complexity of the antibiotic drugs resistance problem. The efforts controlling MDR P. aeruginosa, as a well-known Healthcare-Associated Infection (HCAI), should be focused on solving national governance problems that impact resource distribution, in addition to individual guidelines, such as promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Antioxidants in 2021
Authors:   Antioxidants Editorial Office
Published: February 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]