bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foreground Estimation in Neuronal Images With a Sparse-Smooth Model for Robust Quantification
Authors: Liu Shijie , Huang Qing , Quan Tingwei , Zeng Shaoqun , Li Hongwei
Published: October 2021

3D volume imaging has been regarded as a basic tool to explore the organization and function of the neuronal system. Foreground estimation from neuronal image is essential in the quantification and analysis of neuronal image such as soma counting, neurite tracing and neuron reconstruction. However, the complexity of neuronal structure itself and differences in the imaging procedure, including different optical systems and biological labeling methods, result in various and complex neuronal images, which greatly challenge foreground estimation from neuronal image. In this study, we propose a robust sparse-smooth model (RSSM) to separate the foreground and the background of neuronal image. The model combines the different smoothness levels of the foreground and the background, and the sparsity of the foreground. These prior constraints together contribute to the robustness of foreground estimation from a variety of neuronal images. We demonstrate the proposed RSSM method could promote some best available tools to trace neurites or locate somas from neuronal images with their default parameters, and the quantified results are similar or superior to the results that generated from the original images. The proposed method is proved to be robust in the foreground estimation from different neuronal images, and helps to improve the usability of current quantitative tools on various neuronal images with several applications.
The Effects of Long Duration Spaceflight on Sensorimotor Control and Cognition
Authors: Tays Grant D. , Hupfeld Kathleen E. , McGregor Heather R. , Salazar Ana Paula , De Dios Yiri Eleana , Beltran Nichole E. , Reuter-Lorenz Patricia A. , Kofman Igor S. , Wood Scott J. , Bloomberg Jacob J. , Mulavara Ajitkumar P. , Seidler Rachael D.
Published: October 2021

Astronauts returning from spaceflight typically show transient declines in mobility and balance. Other sensorimotor behaviors and cognitive function have not been investigated as much. Here, we tested whether spaceflight affects performance on various sensorimotor and cognitive tasks during and after missions to the International Space Station (ISS). We obtained mobility (Functional Mobility Test), balance (Sensory Organization Test-5), bimanual coordination (bimanual Purdue Pegboard), cognitive-motor dual-tasking and various other cognitive measures (Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Cube Rotation, Card Rotation, Rod and Frame Test) before, during and after 15 astronauts completed 6 month missions aboard the ISS. We used linear mixed effect models to analyze performance changes due to entering the microgravity environment, behavioral adaptations aboard the ISS and subsequent recovery from microgravity. We observed declines in mobility and balance from pre- to post-flight, suggesting disruption and/or down weighting of vestibular inputs; these behaviors recovered to baseline levels within 30 days post-flight. We also identified bimanual coordination declines from pre- to post-flight and recovery to baseline levels within 30 days post-flight. There were no changes in dual-task performance during or following spaceflight. Cube rotation response time significantly improved from pre- to post-flight, suggestive of practice effects. There was also a trend for better in-flight cube rotation performance on the ISS when crewmembers had their feet in foot loops on the “floor” throughout the task. This suggests that tactile inputs to the foot sole aided orientation. Overall, these results suggest that sensory reweighting due to the microgravity environment of spaceflight affected sensorimotor performance, while cognitive performance was maintained. A shift from exocentric (gravity) spatial references on Earth toward an egocentric spatial reference may also occur aboard the ISS. Upon return to Earth, microgravity adaptions become maladaptive for certain postural tasks, resulting in transient sensorimotor performance declines that recover within 30 days.
Stability Evaluation of Brain Changes in Parkinson's Disease Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Song Chenggang , Zhao Weidong , Jiang Hong , Liu Xiaoju , Duan Yumei , Yu Xiaodong , Yu Xi , Zhang Jian , Kui Jingyue , Liu Chang , Tang Yiqian
Published: October 2021

Structural MRI (sMRI) has been widely used to examine the cerebral changes that occur in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, previous studies have aimed for brain changes at the group level rather than at the individual level. Additionally, previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the changes they identified. It is difficult to identify which brain regions are the true biomarkers of PD. To overcome these two issues, we employed four different feature selection methods [ReliefF, graph-theory, recursive feature elimination (RFE), and stability selection] to obtain a minimal set of relevant features and nonredundant features from gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM). Then, a support vector machine (SVM) was utilized to learn decision models from selected features. Based on machine learning technique, this study has not only extended group level statistical analysis with identifying group difference to individual level with predicting patients with PD from healthy controls (HCs), but also identified most informative brain regions with feature selection methods. Furthermore, we conducted horizontal and vertical analyses to investigate the stability of the identified brain regions. On the one hand, we compared the brain changes found by different feature selection methods and considered these brain regions found by feature selection methods commonly as the potential biomarkers related to PD. On the other hand, we compared these brain changes with previous findings reported by conventional statistical analysis to evaluate their stability. Our experiments have demonstrated that the proposed machine learning techniques achieve satisfactory and robust classification performance. The highest classification performance was 92.24% (specificity), 92.42% (sensitivity), 89.58% (accuracy), and 89.77% (AUC) for GM and 71.93% (specificity), 74.87% (sensitivity), 71.18% (accuracy), and 71.82% (AUC) for WM. Moreover, most brain regions identified by machine learning were consistent with previous findings, which means that these brain regions are related to the pathological brain changes characteristic of PD and can be regarded as potential biomarkers of PD. Besides, we also found the brain abnormality of superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral, SFGdor) and lingual gyrus (LING), which have been confirmed in other studies of PD. This further demonstrates that machine learning models are beneficial for clinicians as a decision support system in diagnosing PD.
Repeated Gait Perturbation Training in Parkinson's Disease and Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hulzinga Femke , de Rond Veerle , Vandendoorent Britt , Gilat Moran , Ginis Pieter , D'Cruz Nicholas , Schlenstedt Christian , Nieuwboer Alice
Published: October 2021

Background: Gait impairments are common in healthy older adults (HOA) and people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), especially when adaptations to the environment are required. Traditional rehabilitation programs do not typically address these adaptive gait demands in contrast to repeated gait perturbation training (RGPT). RGPT is a novel reactive form of gait training with potential for both short and long-term consolidation in HOA and PwPD. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis is to determine whether RGPT is more effective than non-RGPT gait training in improving gait and balance in HOA and PwPD in the short and longer term.

Methods: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA-guidelines and pre-registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020183273). Included studies tested the effects of any form of repeated perturbations during gait in HOA and PwPD on gait speed, step or stride length. Studies using balance scales or sway measures as outcomes were included in a secondary analysis. Effects of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on RGPT were pooled using a meta-analysis of final measures.

Results: Of the 4421 studies, eight studies were deemed eligible for review, of which six could be included in the meta-analysis, totaling 209 participants (159 PwPD and 50 HOA). The studies were all of moderate quality. The meta-analysis revealed no significant effects of RGPT over non-RGPT training on gait performance (SMD = 0.16; 95% CI = −0.18, 0.49; Z = 0.92; P = 0.36). Yet, in some individual studies, favorable effects on gait speed, step length and stride length were observed immediately after the intervention as well as after a retention period. Gait variability and asymmetry, signifying more direct outcomes of gait adaptation, also indicated favorable RGPT effects in some individual studies.

Conclusion: Despite some promising results, the pooled effects of RGPT on gait and balance were not significantly greater as compared to non-RGPT gait training in PwPD and HOA. However, these findings could have been driven by low statistical power. Therefore, the present review points to the imperative to conduct sufficiently powered RCT's to verify the true effects of RGPT on gait and balance in HOA and PwPD.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php? Identifier: CRD42020183273.
Cerebellar Theta Burst Stimulation on Walking Function in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Xie Yun-Juan , Wei Qing-Chuan , Chen Yi , Liao Ling-Yi , Li Bao-Jin , Tan Hui-Xin , Jiang Han-Hong , Guo Qi-Fan , Gao Qiang
Published: October 2021

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the efficacy of cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on the walking function of stroke patients.

Methods: Stroke patients with walking dysfunction aged 25–80 years who had suffered their first unilateral stroke were included. A total of 36 patients [mean (SD) age, 53 (7.93) years; 10 women (28%)] were enrolled in the study. All participants received the same conventional physical therapy, including transfer, balance, and ambulation training, during admission for 50 min per day during 2 weeks (10 sessions). Every session was preceded by 3 min procedure of cerebellar iTBS applyed over the contralesional cerebellum in the intervention group or by a similar sham iTBS in control group. The groups were formed randomly and the baseline characteristics showed no significant difference. The primary outcome measure was Fugl–Meyer Assessment–Lower Extremity scores. Secondary outcomes included walking performance and corticospinal excitability. Measures were performed before the intervention beginning (T0), after the first (T1) and the second (T2) weeks.

Results: The Fugl–Meyer Assessment for lower extremity scores slightly improved with time in both groups with no significant difference between the groups and over the time. The walking performance significantly improved with time and between group. Two-way mixed measures ANOVA showed that there was significant interaction between time and group in comfortable walking time (F2,68 = 6.5242, P = 0.0080, η2partial = 0.276, ε = 0.641), between-group comparisons revealed significant differences at T1 (P = 0.0072) and T2 (P = 0.0133). The statistical analysis of maximum walking time showed that there was significant interaction between time and groups (F2,68 = 5.4354, P = 0.0115, η2partial = 0.198, ε = 0.734). Compared with T0, the differences of maximum walking time between the two groups at T1 (P = 0.0227) and T2 (P = 0.0127) were statistically significant. However, both the Timed up and go test and functional ambulation category scale did not yield significant differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results revealed that applying iTBS over the contralesional cerebellum paired with physical therapy could improve walking performance in patients after stroke, implying that cerebellar iTBS intervention may be a noninvasive strategy to promote walking function in these patients. This study was registered at ChiCTR, number ChiCTR1900026450.
Identifying Type 2 Diabetic Brains by Investigating Disease-Related Structural Changes in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Chen Yuna , Pan Yongsheng , Kang Shangyu , Lu Junshen , Tan Xin , Liang Yi , Lyu Wenjiao , Li Yifan , Huang Haoming , Qin Chunhong , Zhu Zhangzhi , Li Saimei , Qiu Shijun
Published: October 2021

Diabetes with high blood glucose levels may damage the brain nerves and thus increase the risk of dementia. Previous studies have shown that dementia can be reflected in altered brain structure, facilitating computer-aided diagnosis of brain diseases based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-mediated changes in the brain structures have not yet been studied, and only a few studies have focused on the use of brain MRI for automated diagnosis of T2DM. Hence, identifying MRI biomarkers is essential to evaluate the association between changes in brain structure and T2DM as well as cognitive impairment (CI). The present study aims to investigate four methods to extract features from MRI, characterize imaging biomarkers, as well as identify subjects with T2DM and CI.
The Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacological Treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome: Systemic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Du Juncong , Liang Yi , Dai Chengcheng , Zhao Lili , Liu Xi , Tan Changhong , Mo Lijuan , Chen Lifen
Published: October 2021

Although various drugs are currently used for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in clinic, selecting appropriate drugs for patients is difficult. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different drugs. After literature searching and screening, 46 trials, including 10,674 participants are included in this NMA. The pooled results showed that, compared with placebo, only levodopa is inefficient to relieve symptoms of RLS. Cabergoline decreases IRLS scores to the greatest extent among all drugs (MD −11.98, 95% CI −16.19 to −7.78). Additionally, pramipexole is superior to ropinirole in alleviating symptoms of RLS (MD −2.52, 95% CI −4.69 to −0.35). Moreover, iron supplement alleviates RLS symptoms significantly compared with placebo in patient with iron deficiency (MD −5.15, 95% CI −8.99 to −1.31), but not for RLS patients with normal serum ferritin level (MD −2.22, 95% CI −6.99 to 2.56). For primary RLS, these drugs are also effective, while there is insufficient data to analyze drug efficacy in secondary RLS. We analyzed risk of common adverse effects of drugs including nausea, somnolence, fatigue, headache and nasopharyngitis. Alpha-2-delta ligands and DAs are favorable choices for both primary and secondary RLS because of their significant efficacy and good tolerability. Iron supplement can significantly alleviate symptoms of RLS patients with iron deficiency than placebo. We recommend gabapentin, gabapentin enacarbil, and pregabalin for clinicians for first consideration mainly because that they rarely cause augmentation. Oxycodone-naloxone could be considered in patients with severe or very severe RLS who failed in treatment with above drugs.
Automatic Estimation of Interpersonal Engagement During Naturalistic Conversation Using Dyadic Physiological Measurements
Authors: Chatterjee Iman , Goršič Maja , Clapp Joshua D. , Novak Domen
Published: October 2021

Physiological responses of two interacting individuals contain a wealth of information about the dyad: for example, the degree of engagement or trust. However, nearly all studies on dyadic physiological responses have targeted group-level analysis: e.g., correlating physiology and engagement in a large sample. Conversely, this paper presents a study where physiological measurements are combined with machine learning algorithms to dynamically estimate the engagement of individual dyads. Sixteen dyads completed 15-min naturalistic conversations and self-reported their engagement on a visual analog scale every 60 s. Four physiological signals (electrocardiography, skin conductance, respiration, skin temperature) were recorded, and both individual physiological features (e.g., each participant’s heart rate) and synchrony features (indicating degree of physiological similarity between two participants) were extracted. Multiple regression algorithms were used to estimate self-reported engagement based on physiological features using either leave-interval-out crossvalidation (training on 14 60-s intervals from a dyad and testing on the 15th interval from the same dyad) or leave-dyad-out crossvalidation (training on 15 dyads and testing on the 16th). In leave-interval-out crossvalidation, the regression algorithms achieved accuracy similar to a ‘baseline’ estimator that simply took the median engagement of the other 14 intervals. In leave-dyad-out crossvalidation, machine learning achieved a slightly higher accuracy than the baseline estimator and higher accuracy than an independent human observer. Secondary analyses showed that removing synchrony features and personality characteristics from the input dataset negatively impacted estimation accuracy and that engagement estimation error was correlated with personality traits. Results demonstrate the feasibility of dynamically estimating interpersonal engagement during naturalistic conversation using physiological measurements, which has potential applications in both conversation monitoring and conversation enhancement. However, as many of our estimation errors are difficult to contextualize, further work is needed to determine acceptable estimation accuracies.
Oncogenic Integration of Nucleotide Metabolism via Fatty Acid Synthase in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Ravi Dashnamoorthy , Beheshti Afshin , Abermil Nasséra , Lansigan Frederick , Kinlaw William , Matthan Nirupa R. , Mokhtar Maisarah , Passero Frank C. , Puliti Patrick , David Kevin A. , Dolnikowski Gregory G. , Su Xiaoyang , Chen Ying , Bijan Mahboubi , Varshney Rohan R. , Kim Baek , Dave Sandeep S. , Rudolph Michael C. , Evens Andrew M.
Published: October 2021

Metabolic dysfunctions enabling increased nucleotide biosynthesis are necessary for supporting malignant proliferation. Our investigations indicate that upregulation of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and de novo lipogenesis, commonly observed in many cancers, are associated with nucleotide metabolic dysfunction in lymphoma. The results from our experiments showed that ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide pool depletion, suppression of global RNA/DNA synthesis, and cell cycle inhibition occurred in the presence of FASN inhibition. Subsequently, we observed that FASN inhibition caused metabolic blockade in the rate-limiting step of the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (oxPPP) catalyzed by phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGDH). Furthermore, we determined that FASN inhibitor treatment resulted in NADPH accumulation and inhibition of PGDH enzyme activity. NADPH is a cofactor utilized by FASN, also a known allosteric inhibitor of PGDH. Through cell-free enzyme assays consisting of FASN and PGDH, we delineated that the PGDH-catalyzed ribulose-5-phosphate synthesis is enhanced in the presence of FASN and is suppressed by increasing concentrations of NADPH. Additionally, we observed that FASN and PGDH were colocalized in the cytosol. The results from these experiments led us to conclude that NADP–NADPH turnover and the reciprocal stimulation of FASN and PGDH catalysis are involved in promoting oxPPP and nucleotide biosynthesis in lymphoma. Finally, a transcriptomic analysis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n = 624) revealed the increased expression of genes associated with metabolic functions interlinked with oxPPP, while the expression of genes participating in oxPPP remained unaltered. Together we conclude that FASN–PGDH enzymatic interactions are involved in enabling oxPPP and nucleotide metabolic dysfunction in lymphoma tumors.
Silencing of Fused Toes Homolog (FTS) Increases Radiosensitivity to Carbon-Ion Through Downregulation of Notch Signaling in Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: D.S. Prabakaran , Chaturvedi Pankaj Kumar , Shimokawa Takashi , Kim Ki-Hwan , Park Woo-Yoon
Published: October 2021

The effects of Carbon ion radiation (C-ion) alone or in combination with fused toes homolog (FTS) silencing on Notch signaling were investigated in uterine cervical cancer cell lines (ME180 and CaSki). In both cell lines, upon irradiation with C-ion, the expression of Notch signaling molecules (Notch1, 2, 3 and cleaved Notch1), γ-secretase complex molecules and FTS was upregulated dose-dependently (1, 2 and 4 Gy) except Notch1 in ME180 cells where the change in expression was not significant. However, overexpression of these molecules was attenuated upon silencing of FTS. The spheroid formation, expression of stem cell markers (OCT4A, Sox2 and Nanog) and clonogenic cell survival were reduced by the combination as compared to FTS silencing or C-ion irradiation alone. Additionally, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assay revealed interaction and co-localization of FTS with Notch signaling molecules. In conclusion, FTS silencing enhances the radio-sensitivity of the cervical cancer cells to C-ion by downregulating Notch signaling molecules and decreasing the survival of cancer stem cells.
NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy and Therapeutic Perspective in Gliomas
Authors: Pan Changqing , Zhai You , Li Guanzhang , Jiang Tao , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2021

Glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor diagnosed in adults. Current therapies are unable to improve its clinical prognosis, imposing the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. The main reason for the poor prognosis is the great cell heterogeneity of the tumor and its immunosuppressive microenvironment. Development of new therapies that avoid this immune evasion could improve the response to the current treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells are an intriguing candidate for the next wave of therapies because of several unique features that they possess. For example, NK cell-based immunotherapy causes minimal graft-versus-host disease. Cytokine release syndrome is less likely to occur during chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK therapy, and CAR-NK cells can kill targets in a CAR-independent manner. However, NK cell-based therapy in treating glioma faces several difficulties. For example, CAR molecules are not sufficiently well designed so that they will thoroughly release functioning NK cells. Compared to hematological malignancies, the application of many potential NK cell-based therapies in glioma lags far behind. Here, we review several issues of NK cells and propose several strategies that will improve the efficacy of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy in the treatment of glioma.
A Murine Model With JAK2V617F Expression in Both Hematopoietic Cells and Vascular Endothelial Cells Recapitulates the Key Features of Human Myeloproliferative Neoplasm
Authors: Zhang Haotian , Yeware Amar , Lee Sandy , Zhan Huichun
Published: October 2021

The myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are characterized by an expansion of the neoplastic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The acquired kinase mutation JAK2V617F is present in hematopoietic cells in a majority of patients with MPNs. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) carrying the JAK2V617F mutation can also be detected in patients with MPNs. In this study, we show that a murine model with both JAK2V617F-bearing hematopoietic cells and JAK2V617F-bearing vascular ECs recapitulated all the key features of the human MPN disease, which include disease transformation from essential thrombocythemia to myelofibrosis, extramedullary splenic hematopoiesis, and spontaneous cardiovascular complications. We also found that, during aging and MPN disease progression, there was a loss of both HSPC number and HSPC function in the marrow while the neoplastic hematopoiesis was relatively maintained in the spleen, mimicking the advanced phases of human MPN disease. Different vascular niche of the marrow and spleen could contribute to the different JAK2V617F mutant stem cell functions we have observed in this JAK2V617F-positive murine model. These results indicate that the spleen is functionally important for the JAK2V617F mutant neoplastic hematopoiesis during aging and MPN disease progression. Compared to other MPN murine models reported so far, our studies demonstrate that JAK2V617F-bearing vascular ECs play an important role in both the hematologic and cardiovascular abnormalities of MPN.
Targeting Epigenetic Modifiers Can Reduce the Clonogenic Capacities of Sézary Cells
Authors: Chebly Alain , Prochazkova-Carlotti Martina , Idrissi Yamina , Bresson-Bepoldin Laurence , Poglio Sandrine , Farra Chantal , Beylot-Barry Marie , Merlio Jean-Philippe , Tomb Roland , Chevret Edith
Published: October 2021

Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) in which the human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) gene is re-expressed. Current available treatments do not provide long-term response. We previously reported that Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi, romidespin and vorinostat) and a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi, 5-azacytidine) can reduce hTERT expression without altering the methylation level of hTERT promoter. Romidepsin and vorinostat are approved for CTCL treatment, while 5-azacytidine is approved for the treatment of several hematological disorders, but not for CTCL. Here, using the soft agar assay, we analyzed the functional effect of the aforementioned epidrugs on the clonogenic capacities of Sézary cells. Our data revealed that, besides hTERT downregulation, epidrugs’ pressure reduced the proliferative and the tumor formation capacities in Sézary cells in vitro.
Hyperoxia Leads to Transient Endocrine Alterations in the Neonatal Rat During Postnatal Development
Authors: Kowallick Mirjam , Serdar Meray , Markova Boyka , Salveridou Eva , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Führer-Sakel Dagmar , Heuer Heike , Bendix Ivo , Dewan Monia Vanessa
Published: October 2021

Introduction: High oxygen concentrations have been identified as one factor contributing to the pathogenesis of the retinopathia of prematurity, chronic lung disease of the preterm infant and preterm brain injury. Preterm infants also show short- and long-term alterations of the endocrine system. If hyperoxia is one pathogenetic factor has not been investigated yet. With regard to the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants, the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamus-pituitary-somatotropic (HPS) axis are of special interest due to their important role in neurodevelopment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hyperoxia on the endocrine system in the neonatal rat by analyzing the activities of the HPT, HPA and HPS axes, respectively.

Methods: Three-days old Wistar rats were exposed to hyperoxia (oxygen 80%, 48 h). On postnatal day 5 (P5) and P11, transcript levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), proopiomelanocortin and growth hormone (GH) were analyzed in pituitary sections by in situ hybridization. Serologic quantification of TSH and thyroxine (T4), adrenocorticotropic hormone and GH were performed by Multiplex analysis and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Results: At P5, significantly lower GH levels were observed in pituitaries (mRNA) and in sera of rats exposed to hyperoxia. Serum TSH was significantly elevated without changes in T4.

Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating transient endocrine alterations following hyperoxia in the neonatal rat making oxygen a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of endocrine alterations seen in preterm infants. Considering the detrimental multi-organ effects of hyperoxia on the immature organism, a rational use of therapeutic oxygen in the treatrnent of preterm infants is of utmost importance.
Focus on the Narrative Skills of Teenagers With Developmental Language Disorder and High Functioning Autism
Authors: Broc Lucie , Brassart Elise , Bragard Anne , Olive Thierry , Schelstraete Marie-Anne
Published: October 2021

Purpose:Narratives of personal experiences emerge early in language acquisition and are particularly commonly experienced in children’s daily lives. To produce these stories, children need to develop narrative, linguistic, and social-cognitive skills. Research has shown that these skills are impaired in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and high functioning autism (HFA).

Aim:This study aimed to determine whether narrative skills are still impaired in adolescence and to highlight the language similarities and differences between teenagers with DLD and HFA in the production of a narrative of a personal experience.

Method:Ten teenagers with DLD, 10 teenagers with HFA and 10 typically developing (TD) teenagers, matched on chronological age, told a narrative of a personal experience. These stories were analyzed to evaluate narrative skills through coherence (respect of the narrative schema) and cohesion (anaphora and connectors) and social-cognitive skills (affective and cognitive mental states of the characters, and arbitrary vocalizations such as voice noises).

Results:Teenagers with DLD were less compliant with the complication step in the narrative schema than teenagers with HFA or TD. No difference was observed between the three groups of teenagers in terms of cohesion or regarding the positive and negative social-cognitive skills used in narratives.

Conclusion:When producing a narrative of a personal experience, HFA teens do not have difficulties neither with narrative skills and with social-cognitive skills assessed in this paper. In DLD the profile of the teens is not the same: They do not have difficulties with social-cognitive skills and with a part of narrative skills (cohesion), and they have difficulties with the narrative schema.
School Engagement and Context: A Multilevel Analysis of Adolescents in 31 Provincial-Level Regions in China
Authors: Liu Fangqing , Gai Xiaosong , Xu Lili , Wu Xiaojing , Wang Hong
Published: October 2021

According to ecological system theory, both the microsystem environment (home environment) and the more macrolevel environment (provincial environment) influence school engagement in adolescents. This study tests an ecological model of adolescents’ school engagement with 19,084 middle school students across 31 provincial-level regions in China. Multilevel modeling is used to predict adolescents’ school engagement (behavior, emotion, and cognition) at two levels, individual [gender and family socioeconomic status (SES)] and provincial (economy, public cultural facilities, technological industry and education). The school engagement of students varies significantly across provincial-level regions. SES positively affects the school engagement of students. Students benefit from the provincial environment when the economy is booming, public cultural facilities are adequate and education is flourishing. The development of the technology industry fails to boost students’ school engagement. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
A Comparison of Physical Activity Between Home-Based and Centre-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Randomised Controlled Secondary Analysis
Authors: Horton Elizabeth J. , Ruksenaite Justina , Mitchell Katy , Sewell Louise , Newby Christopher , Singh Sally J.
Published: October 2021

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a highly effective intervention for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Physical activity (PA) has been shown to increase after a centre-based programme, yet it is not clear if a home-based programme can offer the same benefit. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of home-based PR compared with the centre-based PR on the PA levels post 7 weeks of PR and 6 months follow-up.

Method: In this study, 51 participants with COPD, of them, 36 (71%) men completed physical activity monitoring with a SenseWear Armband, at three time points (baseline, 7 weeks, and 6 months). The participants were randomly assigned to either centre-based supervised PR (n = 25; 69 ± 6 years; FEV1 55 ± 20% predicted) or home-based PR (n = 26; 68 ± 7 years; FEV1 42 ± 19% predicted) programmes lasting 7 weeks. The home-based programme includes one hospital visit, a self-management manual, and two telephone calls. The PA was measured as step count, time in moderate PA (3–6 metabolic equivalent of tasks [METs]) in bouts of more than 10 min and sedentary time (<2 METs).

Results: Home-based PR increased step count significantly more than the centre-based PR after 7 weeks (mean difference 1,463 steps: 95% CI 280–2,645, p = 0.02). There was no difference in time spent in moderate PA was observed (mean difference 62 min: 95% CI −56 to 248, p = 0.24). Sedentary behaviour was also significantly different between the centre and home-based groups. The home group spent 52 min less time sedentary compared with the centre-based (CI −106 to 2, p = 0.039). However, after 6 months, the step count and time spent in moderate PA returned to baseline in both the groups.

Conclusion: This study provides an important insight into the role of home-based PR which has the potential to be offered as an alternative to the centre-based PR. Understanding who may best respond from the centre or home-based PR warrants further exploration and how to maintain these initial benefits for the long-term.

Trial Registry: ISRCTN: No.: ISRCTN81189044; URL: isrctn.com.
What's Stopping Knowledge Synthesis? A Systematic Review of Recent Practices in Research on Smallholder Diversity
Authors: Gorman Léo , Browne William J. , Woods Christopher J. , Eisler Mark C. , van Wijk Mark T. , Dowsey Andrew W. , Hammond Jim
Published: October 2021

A systematic review of recent publications was conducted to assess the extent to which contemporary micro-level research on smallholders facilitates data re-use and knowledge synthesis. Following PRISMA standards for systematic review, 1,182 articles were identified (published between 2018 and 2020), and 261 articles were selected for review in full. The themes investigated were: (i) data management, including data source, variables collected, granularity, and availability of the data; (ii) the statistical methods used, including analytical approach and reproducibility; and (iii) the interpretation of results, including the scope and objectives of the study, development issues addressed, scale of recommendations made relative to the scale of the sample, and the audience for recommendations. It was observed that household surveys were the most common data source and tended to be representative at the local (community) level. There was little harmonization of the variables collected between studies. Over three quarters of the studies (77%) drew on data which was not in the public domain, 14% published newly open data, and 9% drew on datasets which were already open. Other than descriptive statistics, linear and logistic regression methods were the most common analytical method used (64% of articles). In the vast majority of those articles, regression was used as an explanatory tool, as opposed to a predictive tool. More than half of the articles (59%) made claims or recommendations which extended beyond the coverage of their datasets. In combination these two common practices may lead to erroneous understanding: the tendency to rely upon simple regressions to explain context-specific and complex associations; and the tendency to generalize beyond the remit of the data collected. We make four key recommendations: (1) increased data sharing and variable harmonization would enable data to be re-used between studies; (2) providing detailed meta-data on sampling frames and study-context would enable more powerful meta-analyses; (3) methodological openness and predictive modeling could help test the transferability of approaches; (4) more precise language in study conclusions could help decision makers understand the relevance of findings for policy planning. Following these practices could leverage greater benefits from the substantial investment already made in data collection on smallholder farms.
A Computational Atlas of Tissue-specific Regulatory Networks
Authors: Chen Chixiang , Jiang Libo , Shen Biyi , Wang Ming , Griffin Christopher H. , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Wu Rongling
Published: October 2021

The pattern of how gene co-regulation varies across tissues determines human health. However, inferring tissue-specific regulatory networks and associating them with human phenotypes represent a substantial challenge because multi-tissue projects, including the GTEx, typically contain expression data measured only at one time point from highly heterogeneous donors. Here, we implement an interdisciplinary framework for assembling and programming genomic data from multiple tissues into fully informative gene networks, encapsulated by a complete set of bi-directional, signed, and weighted interactions, from static expression data. This framework can monitor how gene networks change simultaneously across tissues and individuals, infer gene-driven inter-tissue wiring networks, compare and test topological alterations of gene/tissue networks between health states, and predict how regulatory networks evolve across spatiotemporal gradients. Our framework provides a tool to catalogue a comprehensive encyclopedia of mechanistic gene networks that walk medical researchers through tissues in each individual and through individuals for each tissue, facilitating the translation of multi-tissue data into clinical practices.
Same Invasion, Different Routes: Helminth Assemblages May Favor the Invasion Success of the House Mouse in Senegal
Authors: Diagne Christophe , Granjon Laurent , Tatard Caroline , Ribas Alexis , Ndiaye Arame , Kane Mamadou , Niang Youssoupha , Brouat Carine
Published: October 2021

Previous field-based studies have evidenced patterns in gastrointestinal helminth (GIH) assemblages of rodent communities that are consistent with “enemy release” and “spill-back” hypotheses, suggesting a role of parasites in the ongoing invasion success of the exotic house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in Senegal (West Africa). However, these findings came from a single invasion route, thus preventing to ascertain that they did not result from stochastic and/or selective processes that could differ across invasion pathways. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of rodent communities and their GIH assemblages in three distinct zones of Northern Senegal, which corresponded to independent house mouse invasion fronts. Our findings first showed an unexpectedly rapid spread of the house mouse, which reached even remote areas where native species would have been expected to dominate the rodent communities. They also strengthened previous insights suggesting a role of helminths in the invasion success of the house mouse, such as: (i) low infestation rates of invading mice by the exotic nematode Aspiculuris tetraptera at invasion fronts—except in a single zone where the establishment of the house mouse could be older than initially thought, which was consistent with the “enemy release” hypothesis; and (ii) higher infection rates by the local cestode Mathevotaenia symmetrica in native rodents with long co-existence history with invasive mice, bringing support to the “spill-back” hypothesis. Therefore, “enemy release” and “spill-back” mechanisms should be seriously considered when explaining the invasion success of the house mouse—provided further experimental works demonstrate that involved GIHs affect rodent fitness or exert selective pressures. Next steps should also include evolutionary, immunological, and behavioral perspectives to fully capture the complexity, causes and consequences of GIH variations along these invasion routes.
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Estimated by Echocardiography in Dogs With Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension Probability
Authors: Suzuki Ryohei , Yuchi Yunosuke , Kanno Haruka , Saito Takahiro , Teshima Takahiro , Matsumoto Hirotaka , Koyama Hidekazu
Published: October 2021

Post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening complication in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). An increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is associated with post-capillary PH progression. In humans, PVR estimated by echocardiography (PVRecho) enables the non-invasive assessment of PVR in patients with PH. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of PVRecho in dogs with MMVD, PH probability, and right-sided congestive heart failure (R-CHF). Dogs with MMVD and detectable tricuspid valve regurgitation were included in the study. Dogs were classified into three PH probability groups (low/intermediate/high) and according to the presence or absence of R-CHF. All dogs underwent echocardiographic measurements for right ventricular (RV) morphology and function. PVRecho was calculated by two methods using tricuspid valve regurgitation velocity and velocity–time integral of the pulmonary artery flow (PVRecho and PVRecho2). RV size indicators were significantly higher with a higher probability of PH. RV strain and velocity–time integral of the pulmonary artery flow in the high probability group were significantly lower than those in the other groups. Tricuspid valve regurgitation velocity, PVRecho, and PVRecho2 were significantly higher with an increase in PH probability. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between the presence of R-CHF and increased PVRecho2 and end-diastolic RV internal dimension normalized by body weight. PVRecho and PVRecho2 showed significant differences among the PH probability groups. These non-invasive variables may be useful for the diagnosis and stratification of PH and the determination of the presence of R-CHF in dogs with MMVD.
Bacillus velezensis T149-19 and Bacillus safensis T052-76 as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Foot Rot Disease in Sweet Potato
Authors: Mateus Jackeline Rossetti , Dal’Rio Isabella , Jurelevicius Diogo , da Mota Fabio Faria , Marques Joana Montezano , Ramos Rommel Thiago Juca , da Costa da Silva Artur Luiz , Gagliardi Paulo Roberto , Seldin Lucy
Published: October 2021

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) tuberous roots are used for human consumption, animal feed, and many industrial products. However, the crop is susceptible to various pests and diseases, including foot rot disease caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Plenodomus destruens. Biological control of plant pathogens by Bacillus species is widely disseminated in agrosystems, but specific biological control agents against the foot rot disease-causing fungus are not yet available. Our previous studies showed that two Bacillus strains isolated from sweet potato roots—B. safensis T052-76 and B. velezensis T149-19—were able to inhibit P. destruens in vitro, but data from in vivo experiments using simultaneously the fungus and the bacteria were missing. In this study, both strains were shown to protect the plant from the disease and to mitigate the symptoms of foot rot disease in pot experiments. Total fungal community quantification using real-time PCR showed a significant decrease in the number of copies of the ITS gene when the bacteria were inoculated, compared to the control (with the fungus only). To determine the genes encoding antimicrobial substances likely to inhibit the fungus, their genomes were sequenced and annotated. Genes coding for mycosubtilin, bacillaene, macrolactin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, plantazolicin, plipastatin, dificidine, fengycin and surfactin were found in B. velezensis T149-19, while those coding for bacylisin, lichenysin, bacillibactin, fengycin and surfactin were found in B. safensis T052-76. Altogether, the data presented here contribute to advancing the knowledge for the use of these Bacillus strains as biocontrol products in sweet potato.
Textual Backdoor Defense via Poisoned Sample Recognition
Authors: Shao Kun , Zhang Yu , Yang Junan , Liu Hui
Published: October 2021

Deep learning models are vulnerable to backdoor attacks. The success rate of textual backdoor attacks based on data poisoning in existing research is as high as 100%. In order to enhance the natural language processing model’s defense against backdoor attacks, we propose a textual backdoor defense method via poisoned sample recognition. Our method consists of two parts: the first step is to add a controlled noise layer after the model embedding layer, and to train a preliminary model with incomplete or no backdoor embedding, which reduces the effectiveness of poisoned samples. Then, we use the model to initially identify the poisoned samples in the training set so as to narrow the search range of the poisoned samples. The second step uses all the training data to train an infection model embedded in the backdoor, which is used to reclassify the samples selected in the first step, and finally identify the poisoned samples. Through detailed experiments, we have proved that our defense method can effectively defend against a variety of backdoor attacks (character-level, word-level and sentence-level backdoor attacks), and the experimental effect is better than the baseline method. For the BERT model trained by the IMDB dataset, this method can even reduce the success rate of word-level backdoor attacks to 0%.
An Intelligent Approach to Resource Allocation on Heterogeneous Cloud Infrastructures
Authors: Marquez Jack , Mondragon Oscar H. , Gonzalez Juan D.
Published: October 2021

Cloud computing systems are rapidly evolving toward multicloud architectures supported on heterogeneous hardware. Cloud service providers are widely offering different types of storage infrastructures and multi-NUMA architecture servers. Existing cloud resource allocation solutions do not comprehensively consider this heterogeneous infrastructure. In this study, we present a novel approach comprised of a hierarchical framework based on genetic programming to solve problems related to data placement and virtual machine allocation for analytics applications running on heterogeneous hardware with a variety of storage types and nonuniform memory access. Our approach optimizes data placement using the Hadoop File System on heterogeneous storage devices on multicloud systems. It guarantees the efficient allocation of virtual machines on physical machines with multiple NUMA (nonuniform memory access) domains by minimizing contention between workloads. We prove that our solutions for data placement and virtual machine allocation outperform other state-of-the-art approaches.
Daily Physical Activity and Sleep Measured by Wearable Activity Trackers during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Lesson for Preventing Physical Inactivity during Future Pandemics
Authors: Hamasaki Hidetaka
Published: October 2021

Wearable activity trackers are devices that are comfortably worn on the body and are designed to be effective in monitoring daily physical activity and improving physical fitness of the wearer. This review aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on physical activity measured using wearable activity trackers and discuss future perspectives on wearable activity trackers during pandemics. Daily physical activity was significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of strict public health measures, such as total lockdown, can decrease people’s physical activity by 50% or more of that prior to the lockdown. Physical inactivity is significantly associated with several health problems, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancers; therefore, an effective healthcare system to prevent physical inactivity during pandemics should be established. It is essential to create a network between healthcare organizations and wearable activity tracker users to monitor real-time health status and prepare for the future pandemic.