bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hidden blood loss in minimally invasive surgery for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
Authors: Martin-Gorgojo Victor , Girona Sara Burguet , Donat Sonia Muñoz
Published: February 2022

Purpose
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of the spine prevents the collapse of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) with lower complication and bleeding rates than open surgery. However, the possibility of hidden blood loss (HBL) has been recently described. This study aimed to estimate the postoperative impact of HBL in patients undergoing MIS for OVF.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of a series of patients. Those with pathological fractures, using anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, with severe anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] <9 g/dL), who had received a transfusion before surgery, or with hematological disorders were excluded. A descriptive analysis of recorded variables was performed, and total blood volume (TBV), total bleeding (TB), HBL, and Hb drop were calculated. This was followed by a comparative analysis between HBL and the variables of hospital stay and postoperative evolution.
Results
A total of 40 patients were included, eight men and 32 women, with a mean age of 76.6 years. The mean HBL was 682.5 mL. HBL greater than 500 mL was related to a higher probability of torpid postoperative evolution (p = 0.045) and a longer hospital stay (p = 0.067). A higher HBL was observed in surgeries of greater technical complexity and longer surgical time.
Conclusion
Although MIS techniques have shown less intraoperative bleeding than open surgery, HBL should be diagnosed because it is associated with a torpid evolution. The use of a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm may help minimize its impact.
Immediate and 6-Week Effects of Wearing a Knee Sleeve Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Knee Kinematics and Kinetics: A Cross-Over Laboratory and Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Sole Gisela , Lamb Peter , Pataky Todd , Pathak Anupa , Klima Stefan , Navarre Pierre , Hammer Niels
Published: February 2022

BackgroundElastic knee sleeves are often worn following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) but their effects on movement patterns are unclear.AimTo determine the immediate and 6-week effects of wearing a knee sleeve on biomechanics of the knee during a step-down hop task.MethodsUsing a cross-over design, we estimated sagittal plane knee kinematics and kinetics and stance duration during a step-down hop for 31 participants (age 26.0 [SD 6.6] years, 15 women) after ACLR (median 21 months post-surgery) with and without wearing a knee sleeve. In a subsequent randomised clinical trial, participants in the ‘Sleeve Group’ (n=9) then wore the sleeve for 6 weeks at least 1 hour daily, while a ‘Control Group’ (n=9) did not wear the sleeve. We used statistical parametric mapping to compare (1) knee flexion/extension angle and external flexion/extension moment trajectories between three conditions at baseline (uninjured side, unsleeved injured side and sleeved injured side); (2) within-participant changes for knee flexion angles and external flexion/extension moment trajectories from baseline to follow-up between groups. We compared discrete flexion angles and moments, and stance duration between conditions and between groups.ResultsWithout sleeves, knee flexion was lower for the injured than the uninjured sides during mid-stance phase. When wearing the sleeve on the injured side, knee flexion increased during the loading phase of the stance phase. Discrete initial and peak knee flexion angles increased by (mean difference, 95% CIs) 2.7° (1.3, 4.1) and 3.0° (1.2, 4.9), respectively, when wearing the knee sleeve. Knee external flexion moments for the unsleeved injured sides were lower than the uninjured sides for 80% of stance phase, with no change when sleeved. The groups differenced for within-group changes in knee flexion trajectories at follow-up. Discrete knee flexion angles increased for the Control group only. Stance duration decreased by 22% for the Sleeve group from baseline to follow-up (-89 ms; -153, -24) but not for the Controls.ConclusionsApplication of knee sleeves following ACLR is associated with improved knee flexion angles during hop landing training. Longer term (daily) knee sleeve application may help improve hop stance duration, indicating improved hop performance.Trial RegistrationThe trial was prospectively registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12618001083280, 28/06/2018https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375347&isClinicalTrial=False
Resilience of soil nematodes to logging residue inputs following clear-cutting is site-dependent: a case study in rubber plantations on the Ivory Coast
Authors: Aymard KOUAKOU Kouakou , Trap Jean , Diakhaté Sidy , Kolo Yeo , Perron Thibaut , Gay Frédéric
Published: February 2022

Aims The effect of tree plantations on soil biological functions when they replace tropical forests is detrimental. However, the current trend is to repeat tree plantations on the same land after clear-cutting, with a probable strong disturbance of soil functions. We addressed this question in rubber plantations, one of the world’s most important tropical perennial crops, using soil nematode communities as an indicator of soil functioning. We hypothesised that (i) the restitution of logging residues from previous plantations will foster the resilience of the soil nematode community and (ii) this resilience will depend on soil type.Methods An experimental design with different levels of logging residues for the previous rubber plantation and legumes (Pueraria phaseoloides) was set up in two rubber plantations on the Ivory Coast with contrasting soil types. The response of nematodes to clear-cutting was monitored every 6 months over 24 months.Results At both sites, we observed significant decreases in nematode abundance, diversity, taxonomic composition, and ecological nematode index six months after rubber tree logging. At the clay site, practices with logging residues led to higher resilience of the total nematode abundance. The ecological indices (enrichment index) in the sandy site were more resilient with logging residue input than without over time. Conclusions Logging residues and legumes input was the most efficient practice for promoting soil nematode biodiversity and mitigating the negative impact of clear-cutting in rubber monocultures after a 40-year rotation. However, soil type determined both the level of resistance and resilience of the nematode community.
Steps to a Good Night’s Sleep: The Association Between Physical Activity and Sleep in early Adolescence
Authors: Fontanellaz-Castiglione Chiara E. G. , Timmers Tammy T. , Lerch Stefan , Hamman Christoph , Kaess Michael , Tarokh Leila
Published: February 2022

Purpose
Research to date suggests that physical activity is associated with improved sleep, but studies have predominantly relied on self-report measures and have not accounted for school day/free day variability.
Methods
To address these gaps in the literature, the aim of the present study was to describe the number of steps in adolescents using long-term daily actigraphy measurement (5,989 days in total; average of 119 ± 40 days per participant; range = 39–195 days) and examine the association between actigraphically assessed steps and sleep behavior (i.e., total sleep time, bedtime, rise time and sleep efficiency) in a sample of healthy adolescents (N = 50). We use multilevel modeling to disentangle the within subject and between subject effects of physical activity on sleep.
Results
Within a subject more steps on school and free days were associated with later bed times as well as later rise times on school days. On the other hand, comparing between subjects’ effects, steps were associated with lower sleep efficiency on free and school days. No other significant associations were found for the other sleep variables.
Conclusion
Our results obtained through objective and long-term measurement of both sleep and steps challenge previous findings showing a positive effect of physical activity on sleep. We emphasize the importance of the methodology and the separation of within subject from between subject features when examining the relationship between physical activity and sleep.
A multidisciplinary care pathway improves quality of life and pain in patients with fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome: a multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Meier Maartje Ekwia , Hagelstein-Rotman Marlous , de Ven Annenienke C van , Geest Ingrid CM van der , Donker Olav , Pichardo Sarina EC , Muller Petra CE Hissink , Meeren Stijn W Van der , Dorleijn Desirée MJ , Winter Elizabeth M , de Sande Michiel AJ van , Appelman-Dijkstra Natasha M
Published: February 2022

Background: Fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS) may cause pain, impaired ambulation and decreased quality of life (QoL). International guidelines advocate management of FD/MAS in a tertiary multidisciplinary care pathway, but no longitudinal data are available to support this recommendation. This multicenter prospective observational study aimed to evaluate effects of 1 year of treatment in the FD/MAS care pathway in 2 tertiary clinics on QoL and pain, assessed by change in Short Form 36 and Brief Pain Inventory between baseline and follow-up. Patients completing baseline questionnaires <1 year after intake were classified as new referrals, others as under chronic care. Results: 92 patients were included, 61 females (66%). 22 patients (24%) had monostotic disease, 16 (17%) isolated craniofacial FD, 27 (40%) polyostotic FD and 17 (19%) MAS. 26 were new referrals (28%) and 66 chronic patients (72%). Median age at baseline was 47 years (Q1-Q3 36-56). Skeletal burden correlated with baseline Physical Function (rs=-0.281,p=0.007). QoL was in all domains lower compared to the general population. New referrals reported clinically important differences (CID) over time in domains Physical Function (mean 67±SD24 to 74±21, effect size (ES) 0.31, p=0.020), Role Physical (39±41 to 53±43, ES 0.35, p=0.066), Social Functioning (64±24 to 76±23, ES 0.49, p=0.054), and Health Change (39±19 to 53±24, ES 0.76, p=0.016), chronic patients in Physical Function (52±46 to 66±43, ES 0.31, p=0.023) and Emotional Wellbeing (54±27 to 70±15, ES 0.59, p<0.001). New referrals reported a CID of 1 point in maximum pain, average pain and pain interference, chronic patients reported stable scores. Change in pain interference and Role Physical were correlated (rs=-0.472,p<0.001). Patients with limited disease extent improved more than patients with severe disease. Patients receiving FD-related therapy had lower baseline scores than patients not receiving therapy and reported improvements in QoL after 1 year. Yet also patients without FD-related therapy improved in Physical Function. Conclusions: All FD-subtypes may induce pain and reduced QoL. A multidisciplinary care pathway for FD/MAS may improve pain and QoL, mainly in new referrals without MAS comorbidities with low baseline scores. Therefore we recommend referral of patients with all subtypes of FD/MAS to specialized academic centers.
Identification of molecular subtypes and a novel prognostic model of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on a metabolism-associated gene signature
Authors: He Jing , Chen Ziwei , Xue Qingfeng , Sun Pingping , Wang Yuan , Zhu Cindy（Xinyi） , Shi Wenyu
Published: February 2022

Background:Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma in adults. Metabolic reprogramming in tumors is closely related to the immune microenvironment. This study aimed to explore the interactions between metabolism-associated genes (MAGs) and DLBCL prognosis and their potential associations with the immune microenvironment. Methods:Gene expression and clinical data on DLBCL patients were obtained from the GEO database. Metabolism-associated molecular subtypes were identified by consensus clustering. A prognostic risk model containing 14 MAGs was established using Lasso-Cox regression in the GEO training cohort. It was then validated in the GEO internal testing cohort and TCGA external validation cohort. GO, KEGG and GSVA were used to explore the differences in enriched pathways between high- and low-risk groups. ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA analyses were used to assess the immune microenvironment. Finally, WGCNA analysis was used to identify two hub genes among the 14 model MAGs, and they were preliminarily verified in our tissue microarray (TMA) using multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry (mIHC).Results：Consensus clustering divided DLBCL patients into two metabolic subtypes with significant differences in prognosis and the immune microenvironment. Poor prognosis was associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment. A prognostic risk model was constructed based on 14 MAGs and it was used to classify the patients into two risk groups; the high-risk group had poorer prognosis and an immunosuppressive microenvironment characterized by low immune score, low immune status, high abundance of immunosuppressive cells, and high expression of immune checkpoints. Cox regression, ROC curve analysis, and a nomogram indicated that the risk model was an independent prognostic factor and had a better prognostic value than the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. The risk model underwent multiple validations and the verification of the two hub genes in TMA indicated consistent results with the bioinformatics analyses.Conclusions:The molecular subtypes and a risk model based on MAGs proposed in our study are both promising prognostic stratification tools in DLBCL, which may provide novel insights for developing accurate targeted cancer therapies.
Near Infrared Molecular Imaging of Breast Cancer Cell Lines Using a Novel ER Targeted Fluorescent Dye
Authors: Pillai Vinay Jha , Jose Iven
Published: February 2022

Hormone-targeted contrast agents bind with functional groups associated with the physiology of breast cancer leading to improved prognosis. We have synthesized a novel estrogen receptor (ER) targeted near-infrared fluorescent dye referred to as Novel Dye Conjugate (nDC). It is a conjugate of 17β-estradiol with a derivative of indocyanine green dye, bis-1,1-(4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid, sodium salt. Structural and photophysical characterizations of nDC followed with breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA MB 231) stained with novel dye were carried out. The target, MCF-7 cells (ER-positive) showed specific high-affinity binding sites of novel dye onto the nucleus and membrane of ER-positive cells, in contrast, the control, MDA MB 231 (ER-negative) showed only plasma membrane staining. Similar results were obtained when ER expressing cancerous tissues (viz. Non-Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Non-Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, Non-Invasive Adenocarcinoma, and Non-Invasive Medullary Carcinoma) were stained with novel dye. Approximately 70% of breast cancer cases are ER-positive, therefore nDC being ER binding properties can unambiguously improve the specificity and sensitivity of breast cancer imaging.
Associations of head circumference trajectories and growth-sensitive periods during the first two years of life with adolescent cognitive, emotional and behavioral health: A birth cohort in rural western China
Authors: Zhu Zhonghai , Shen Jiali , Zhu Yingze , Wang Liang , Qi Qi , Wang Xueyao , Li Chao , Andegiorgish Amanuel Kidane , Elhoumed Mohamed , Cheng Yue , Dibley Michael J , Zeng Lingxia
Published: February 2022

Purpose The associations of early-life head circumference (HC) with child cognition and emotional and behavioral health among generally healthy population remain unclear. We aimed to examine the associations of early-life HC trajectories with adolescent neurodevelopmental and mental health and to identify HC growth-sensitive period. MethodsWe conducted a prospective, community-based birth cohort in rural western China, and 745 adolescents aged 10-14 years were followed between June to December 2016. We repeatedly assessed child HC for eight times during the first two years of life, and adolescent cognitive and emotional and behavioral outcomes using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Youth Self-Report, respectively. We applied group-based trajectory modeling to identify HC trajectories and used conditional growth to derive sensitive periods. ResultsWe identified five distinct HC trajectories characterized as Start below average-then decrease (7.8% of the sample), Start below average-then increase (6.8%), Start average-then decrease (33.4%), Consistently average (37.9%), and Consistently above average (14.1%). Infants in the trajectory of consistently above average had higher cognitive scores at early adolescence as compared to those from suboptimal trajectories, with adjusted mean differences ranging from -2.84 to -8.99 points. The conditional gains show that the sensitive HC growth period appeared to be between 0-6 months. While we found null associations between HC measures and adolescent emotional and behavioral health.ConclusionsRoutine HC measurements especially during the first 6 months were recommended for monitoring child cognition but for mental health. Integrated prenatal and postnatal interventions should be pursued to promote child development.
Interlocking Directorate and Firm Performance: Distance, Size, and Endogeneity
Authors: Buccellato Tullio , Busin Riccardo , Casarin Roberto , Corò Giancarlo
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThis paper contributes to the literature on interlocking directorates (ID) by providing a new solution to the two inference issues arising in the joint analysis of interlocks and firm performance which are the endogenous nature of ID and sample selection bias due to the exclusion of isolated firms.Method Some key determinants of ID network formation are identified and used to control for endogeneity. The instruments for eigen-centrality and clustering coefficient are based on the features of the degree-neighbors of a firm. The estimated the Mills ratio is used as a regressor in the second stage of the two-stage least square to deal with the sample selection bias. We analyze the impact of the positioning in the network on firms’ performance and inspect how the impact varies across firms of different sizes drawing on information relating to 37,324 firms in the interlocking network which, to our knowledge, is the widest dataset ever used in approaching the study of IDResultsOur results, made robust for endogeneity and sample selection bias, suggest that eigenvector centrality and the clustering coefficient have a positive and significant impact on all the performance measures and that this effect is more pronounced for small firms.ConclusionA new inference framework is provided to assess the impact of the positioning of the firm in the network on its performance while controlling for endogeneity in the network structure. An application of the proposed framework to an original ID dataset provides new empirical results on the firm positing within the ID network.
One of the main culprits of Morchella (Morohellaceae: Morchella) pileus rot disease: Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola
Authors: liang zhen , li linhui
Published: February 2022

We found some diseased fruiting bodies when cultivating Morchella. The infected ascomata were covered by white mycelia mainly on the pileus, and the infection cause the fruiting body to rot and die. A total of 5 fungi were separated from symptomatic tissue. One of them was proved to be pathogenic by Koch’s postulates. The pathogen was identified as Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola based on its morphology and Multi-gene (ITS,β-tubulin and tef1) analysis. This is the first report of pileus rot disease on cultivated Morchella caused by P. trachicarpicola in China, which is of positive significance for the quarantine of cultivated soil of Morchella.
CDMPred: A Tool for Predicting Cancer Driver Mutations with High-Quality Passenger Mutations and Ensemble Learning
Authors: Wang Lihua , Sun Haiyang , Yue Zhenyu , Xia Junfeng , Li Xiaoyan
Published: February 2022

Background
Benchmark datasets are of great importance for model construction and must be representative of the phenomenon being investigated. Currently available computational methods for predicting driver mutations have been trained with positive sample data, typically derived from cancer-related databases such as the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database, whereas negative samples are generally based on statistical methods or putative samples. Obviously, negative samples are not enough for modelling the broad spectrum of passenger mutations that occur.
Results
To address these problems, we constructed a balanced dataset with driver mutations from the COSMIC database and high-quality passenger mutations from the Cancer Passenger Mutation database (dbCPM). We then encoded the features of these mutations. According to feature correlation analysis, we constructed a cancer driver missense mutations predictor (CDMPred) with feature selection via the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifier ensemble learning method. The proposed CDMPred method, with the top 10 features and XGBoost, achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.83 and 0.80 by 10-fold cross-validation of the training and independent test sets, respectively. Moreover, CDMPred outperformed several state-of-the-art mutation prediction methods for cancer-specific and general diseases in terms of AUC and area under the precision-recall curve.
Conclusions
High-quality passenger mutations of training data and ensemble learning are benefit to CDMPred. We expect that CDMPred can serve as a valuable method for prediction of cancer driver mutations which can further lead to deeper understanding on personal therapy.
Discovery of European frogbit (Hydrocharis morus-ranae L.) in Oconto County, Wisconsin: A summary of physical and plant community changes at a Lake Michigan coastal marsh
Authors: Rutherford Ryne Douglas , Hartsock Jeremy , Danz Nicholas
Published: February 2022

Located in Oconto County, Wisconsin, Oconto Marsh #2 is a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program (CWMP) study site that borders the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Plant communities were characterized at Oconto Marsh #2 along three fixed transects in 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2021, a period when Lake Michigan water levels increased by two meters. Transects were placed to intersect with three vegetation zones: submergent, emergent, and wet meadow. Here, we highlight physical landscape changes and the vegetation composition changes that occurred from 2011 to 2021. From satellite imagery, we estimate the vegetated wetland area decreased by 50 percent. High energy wave action and ice scour penetrating farther inland are likely most responsible for causing these changes. Using multivariate ordination and PERMANOVA, we show plant composition in 2011 and 2021 was different from years 2016 and 2017. While invasive Phragmites australis was treated with herbicide in 2014 (herbicide treatment completed by non-CWMP groups), disturbance from progressively increasing water levels has facilitated considerable species turnover since monitoring began. Despite successful treatment of P. australis, the establishment of additional non-native species has caused site-wide mean coefficient of conservatism scores to decline from a calculated score of 4.2 in 2011 to 3.3 in 2021. Of critical importance, we discovered the highly invasive species European frogbit (EFB) (Hydrocharis morus-ranae L) near the research transects in 2021. This is the first documented occurrence of EFB in Wisconsin. The newly discovered EFB range spans 31 km along the general shoreline from Marinette to Oconto, WI.
Glyphosate-Induced Oxidative Stress, Genotoxic Effect and Differential Expression of P53, Bax and Bcl2 in Different Mice Tissues
Authors: Locatelli Claudriana , Zancanaro Vilmair , Bellaver Emyr , Baratto César
Published: February 2022

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in Brazil and worldwide for controlling weeds in various agricultural crops, which raises concern on possible environmental impacts and human health. The present study aimed at assessing the induction of mutagenic changes and oxidative stress in different tissues of animals exposed to glyphosate and Trop®. Male Swiss mice were submitted to gavage treatment with glyphosate and Trop® at the concentrations of 50 and 200 mg/kg for 5 days. After the treatments the animals were euthanized and their bone marrow, liver, lung, and kidney were collected. The bone marrow was used for micronucleus. The liver, lung and kidney were submitted to biochemical analyzes of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase enzyme, total antioxidant, in addition to evaluating the expression of Bax, Bcl2 and p53 proteins, as well as the expression of p53 gene transcription. The animals were weighed before and after the treatments. The results showed a significant weight reduction in the animals treated for 5 days. The occurrence of micronuclei was significant in the bone marrow. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation, besides changes in both, the catalase enzyme and total antioxidant levels were seen in all tissues. There was a decrease in p53 gene and Bax protein expression, and an increase of the Bcl2 protein expression. These results might suggest that the exposure to glyphosate and the consumption of antioxidant defenses can cause oxidative stress. In addition, changes in cellular biomarkers regarding glyphosate and Trop® were similar.
Cu and Ni Co-Sputtered Heteroatomic Thin Film for Enhanced Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection
Authors: Barbee Brianna , Muchharla Baleeswaraiah , Adedeji Adetayo , Karoui Abdennaceur , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Sha Mizaj Shabil , Abdullah Aboubakr M. , Slaughter Gymama , kumar bijandra
Published: February 2022

In this work, we report a wafer-scale and chemical-free fabrication of nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) heteroatomic Cu-Ni thin films using RF magnetron sputtering technique for non-enzymatic glucose sensing application. The as-prepared wafer-scale Cu-Ni thin films exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation with a 1.86 µM detection limit in the range of 0.01 mM to 20 mM range. The Cu-Ni film shows 1.3- and 5.4-times higher glucose oxidation activity in comparison to the Cu and Ni electrodes, respectively. The improved electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effect of the bimetallic catalyst and high density of grain boundaries. The Cu-Ni electrodes also possessed excellent anti-interference characteristics. These results indicate that Cu-Ni heteroatomic thin film can be a potential candidate for the development of non-enzymatic glucose biosensor because of its chemical free synthesis, excellent reproducibility, reusability, and long-term stability.
A Dorsal CA2 to Ventral CA1 Circuit Contributes to Oxytocinergic Modulation of Long-Term Social Recognition Memory
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Chih , Fang Yi-Syuan , Hung Yu-Chieh , Hung Ling-Chien , Hsu Kuei-Sen
Published: February 2022

Social recognition memory (SRM) is the ability to distinguish familiar from novel conspecifics and is crucial for survival and reproductive success across social species. We previously reported that oxytocin (OXT) receptor (OXTR) signaling in the CA2/CA3a of dorsal hippocampus is essential to promote the persistence of long-term SRM, yet how the endogenous OXT system influences CA2 outputs to regulate long-term SRM formation remains unclear. Here, using a transgenic mouse line (Amigo2-Cre) that expresses the Cre recombinase predominantly in CA2 pyramidal neurons, we show that selective ablation of Oxtr in the CA2 (Oxtr−/−) suffices to impair the persistence of long-term SRM but has no effect on sociability and social novelty preference in the three-chamber paradigm test. We find that cell-type specific activation of OXT neurons within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus enhances long-term SRM and this enhancement is blocked by local application of OXTR antagonist L-368,899 into dorsal hippocampal CA2 (dCA2) region. In addition, chemogenetic neuronal silencing in dCA2 demonstrated that neuronal activity is essential for forming long-term SRM. Moreover, chemogenetic terminal-specific inactivation revealed a crucial role for dCA2 outputs to ventral CA1 (vCA1), but not dorsal lateral septum, in long-term SRM. Finally, targeted activation of the dCA2-to-vCA1 circuit effectively ameliorated long-term SRM deficit observed in Oxtr−/− mice. Together, these findings highlight the importance of hippocampal CA2 OXTR signaling in governing the persistence of long-term SRM and identify a hippocampal circuit linking dCA2 to vCA1 necessary for controlling long-term SRM formation.
The Relationship Between Degeneration and Asymmetry of the Lumbar Multifidus and Erector Spinae Muscles in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation with and Without Root Compression
Authors: Yazici Alikemal , Yerlikaya Tuba
Published: February 2022

Background: Determination of muscle pathologies in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and other cases with low back pain is important for the understanding of low back problems and the determination of appropriate treatment methods. The aim of the current study was to compare degeneration and asymmetry of the lumbar musculus multifidus (MF) and lumbar musculus erector spinae (ES) muscles with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with lumbar discopathy with and without radiculopathy. Material and Method: The patients were examined in 2 groups as 56 patients with lumbar discopathy and no radiculopathy (Non-rad group) and 51 patients with lumbar discopathy and radiculopathy (Rad group). On axial MRI slices passing the centre of the disc at L3-S1 level, the asymmetry, CSA, fat infiltration, and total CSA (TCSA=MF+ES) of the MF and ES muscles were measured and compared. Results: No difference was seen between the groups in respect of the CSA values of the right and left MF and left ES, and a significant difference was determined in the right ES CSA (p=0.021). The CSA and TCSA of the MF and ES showed no asymmetry according to the groups. Severe fat infiltration of >50% was determined in the Rad group at a higher rate than in the Non-rad group in the right and left MF and left ES. Fat infiltration was determined to be significantly correlated with age, body mass index, and duration of pain (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.004) and was not correlated with pain severity. Conclusion: The study results showed a correlation between LDH and paraspinal muscle degeneration, while no correlation was determined with asymmetry. It can be considered that severe (>50%) fat infiltration is associated with nerve root compression, originating from the development of more severe degeneration because of the denervation associated with the compression. Therefore, it can be recommended that immediate correction of nerve root compression with appropriate medical treatment methods to stop and correct denervation is applied, and in non-responsive cases, surgical elimination of the pressure.
Perspectives on assistive technology for improving gait performance of children with Cerebral Palsy in daily-life: requirements,needs and wishes
Authors: Bayón Cristina , Hoorn Marleen , Barrientos Antonio , Rocon Eduardo , Trost Joyce P. , Asseldonk Edwin H.F.
Published: February 2022

Background: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are extensively used as a primary management method to assist walking and ambulation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). However, there are certain barriers that hinder their prescription and as well as their use as a mobility device in all kinds of daily-life activities. This research attempts to further understand the existing limitations of current AFOs to promote a better personalization of new design solutions.Methods: Stakeholder (professionals in CP and end-users with CP) perspectives on AFO technology were collected by two online surveys. Respondents evaluated the limitations of current assistive solutions and assessment methods, provided their expectations towards a new AFO design, and analyzed importance of different design features and metrics to enrich the gait performance of these patients in daily-life. Quantitative responses were rated and compared with respect to their perceived importance. Qualitative responses were classified into themes by using content analysis. Results: 130 survey responses from ten countries were analyzed, 94 from professionals and 36 from end-users with CP. The most highly rated design features by both stakeholder groups were the comfort and the ease of putting on and taking off the assistive device. In general, professionals preferred new features to enrich the independence of the patient by improving gait at functional levels. Responses from end-users also considered their social acceptance and participation. Health-care professionals reported a lack of confidence concerning decision-making about AFO prescription. The relation between the type of assistance required to each pathological gait was not straightforward, and they agreed that more information about patients’ day-today walking performance would be beneficial. Conclusion: This research emphasizes the importance of developing new approaches to assess and treat CP gait in daily-life situations. The stakeholders’ needs and criteria reported here may serve as insights for the design of future assistive devices and for the follow-up care of these patients.
Is there decreased activation of deep gray matter structures in multiple sclerosis before cognitive impairment occurs?
Authors: Berghoff Martin , Wagner Bianca , Härig Clara L. , Walter Bertram , Sommer Jens , Sammer Gebhard
Published: February 2022

Cognitive impairments related to changes in the deep gray matter (DGM) and other brain regions occur in up to 70% of patients with multiple sclerosis. Are such brain changes preceded by cognitive decline in patients without clinically evident cognitive impairment? Eighteen participants with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 15 healthy controls took part in this study. Cognitive deficits, depression and fatigue were assessed using the MUSIC test, BDI-II and FSS. FMRI was performed while the participant performed the modified attention network test (ANT). The main analysis concerned the effects of ANT task complexity on the hemodynamic activation of DGMs, including the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus, caudate nucleus, pallidum, and putamen. The individual lesion burden was estimated. The group with RRMS showed decreased activation with increasing task complexity in hippocampus, pallidum, and ACC compared to the control group. The thalamus was involved in both group activations but did not differ between groups. Functional changes in the DGM can be detected in RRMS patients before cognitive deficits appear. The affected DGM regions can best be assigned to the Attention Network for Executive Control. This association could serve as a biological indicator of cognitive impairment in MS.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of Hestina assimilis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) provides sights to the saprophagy in brush-footed butterfly
Authors: zhao lu , Wang Hang , Dan Zhicuo , Xu Sheng-Quan , Guan De-Long
Published: February 2022

Background: While most adult butterflies are nectarivores, some brush-footed species evolved saprophagy. High-quality genomes will provide a backbone for untangling this unique feeding strategy's genetic mechanism and evolutionary history. Results: We assembled a chromosome-level genome for a typical saprophagous butterfly species, Hestina assimilis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). The assembled genome was 423.87 Mb long with the scaffold N50 of 15.84 Mb, and 96.2% scaffolds were anchored onto 30 chromosomes. The BUSCO (version 5.2.2, lineage insecta) completeness was 99.3%. We predicted 16,815 coding genes and found that 46.37% of the genome were repetitive sequences. The populations of H. assimilis increased dramatically after the last interglacial period of the Pleistocene. Comparative genomics analysis showed that H. assimilis clustered with another saprophagous species, Vanessa tameamea, and they diverged from a nectarivorous butterfly species, Heliconius erato, approximately 78.4 million years ago, suggesting that the transition to saprophagy was an ancient evolutionary event. The unique and significantly expanded gene families were relevant to feeding strategies and food intake functions, such as digestion, detoxification, chemoreception, immunity, nerves and development. The expansion events were also involved in processes of acid chemical response and alcohol biosynthesis. Furthermore, we detected 23 odorant-binding protein (OBP) genes-- two key antennal OBP genes, PBP-A and PBP-B, were absent. Conclusions: Our results provided insights into the genetic mechanism of feeding habits as well as provides an important resource for future butterfly genome sequencing projects.
Disorganized speech in autism spectrum disorder: part of the problems in social pragmatic communication and verbal intelligence
Authors: Idris Sakinah , Louwerse Anneke , Ende Jan van der , Hillegers Manon , Haren Neeltje van , Greaves-Lord Kirstin
Published: February 2022

Background & Aims: Disorganized speech (DS) refers to the failure to communicate coherently. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show disorganized speech, such as abrupt topic changes. Disorganized speech can be explained by 1) social pragmatic communication difficulties (SPCD) or 2) social cognition problems (SCP). Methods: We tested whether children with ASD and severe disorganized speech differed from those with mild or no disorganized speech, using parent’s report on SPCD and tested SCP (i.e., Theory of Mind; ToM). A total of 62 children with ASD (aged 7-12 years) were included, 12 with severe disorganized speech, 32 with mild, and 18 with no disorganized speech. The disorganized speech was assessed using the Kiddie-Formal Thought Disorder Rating Scale (KFTDS). SPCD was measured using the parent-reported Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC). SCP was measured using a first-order false-belief task. Results: Children with severely disorganized speech showed significantly more inappropriate initiations and less coherence. No significant group differences were found in the false belief task, even after included verbal IQ as a covariate in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: These findings may contribute to the conceptualization of autistic communication difficulties which may guide intervention optimizations. Implications: Furthermore, we may consider offering children with ASD and disorganized speech interventions that stimulate and train broader social pragmatic communication skills, social cognition, and verbal ability (i.e., conversational skills).
Dynamic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Dogs Responding to β1-Adrenergic Antagonist Treatment
Authors: Chae Hyung-Kyu , Yoon Won-Kyoung , Lee Seunggon , Youn Hwa-Young
Published: February 2022

Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (DLVOTO) is commonly observed in feline patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but it is less frequent in dogs. DLVOTO observed in young dogs often resolves after β1-adrenergic antagonist treatment. However, due to the lack of reported cases and the absence of a control group, it is difficult to determine whether improvements are due to aging-related changes in ventricular architecture or treatment itself. Thus, we report two cases of DLVOTO confirmed via echocardiography. Case 1 was an 8-month-old female Spitz and Case 2 was a 5-month-old female Cocker Spaniel. A prophylactic β1-adrenergic antagonist was prescribed to reduce the outflow gradient, and echocardiographic changes associated with DLVOTO and consequent left ventricular concentric hypertrophy resolved after β1-blocker prescription. This is the first report to discuss echocardiographic changes in relation to changes in β-blocker dose in canine DLVOTO.
Monitoring and Safety System for Underground Coalmines
Authors: Shrawankar Urmila
Published: February 2022

Due to some unfavourable atmosphere in the underground coalmines, it is necessary to prohibit the entry of the workers in to the coalmines. The real-time monitoring system is useful for the primary safety measures. The recent advancements in wireless sensor network leads to advancements in wireless communications. The various sensors at the location sense the environment and provide the recent activities or condition of the underground coalmines. The sensors transmit the acquired data to the base station, primarily the A-D conversion. The sensors can be considered as a node to the base station. Wireless transmission is used to send the data to the user. The designed hardware and the software system is used for identification of the parameters and as per the thresholds the decision of the prohibition of the worker before entry to the mine is decided. The machine learning system is helpful for checking the favourable condition for working in the underground mine. This proposed system will be very helpful to prevent accidents in coalmines.
Brain oscillatory activity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Rubega Maria , Formaggio Emanuela , Bertuccelli Margherita , Marco Roberto , Cantele Francesca , Gottardello Federica , Giuseppe Michela , Masiero Stefano
Published: February 2022

Background: The pathophysiology of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is not yet completely understood, but multi-factorial hypotheses have been proposed including defective central nervous system control of posture, biomechanics alterations and alterations of body schema. AIS could be the expression of a sub-clinical nervous system disorder. The aim of our study was to compare the electroencephalography (EEG) activity in adolescents with AIS and controls, to examine the brain oscillatory changes related to balance control and inquire possibly related body schema representational alterations. Methods: We recorded EEG data and balance data, with arms in both the neutral position and laterally elevated with elbow flexed at 90° (with eyes open and closed), in 14 healthy subjects and in 14 subjects with AIS. A re-adaptation of the Image Marking Procedure (IMP) was used to assess the body schema. Results: Our results revealed no balance control difference between groups; higher EEG alpha relative power over sensorimotor areas ispilateral to the side of the curve and a significant increase of theta relative powers localized over the central areas in AIS participants compared to healthy subjects. The delta body perception index (BPI) score (BPI shoulder minus BPI waist) resulted significantly different between the two groups. The inclinations of the perceived interacromial axes in girls having thoracic principal curve, and bisiliac axes in girls with lumbar principal curve, was opposite to the real inclination. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence of an increased theta activity, a lateralized alpha activity and an altered body schema perception in AIS subjects. Whether these processes are a cause or a consequence of AIS needs to be further investigated.
Ketamine induces delirium-like behavior and interferes with endosomal tau trafficking
Authors: Ren Xinghua , Zhang Siyi , Yang Yongyan , Song Annie , Liang Feng , Zhang Yiying , Dong Yuanlin , Wu Xu , Xie Zhongcong
Published: February 2022

Background
Ketamine is an anesthetic and antidepressant drug. However, whether ketamine can induce neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral deficits remains largely unknown. Delirium is a syndrome of acute brain dysfunction that is very similar to the presentation after ketamine administration. The onset of postoperative delirium in patients is often accompanied by elevated tau in cerebrospinal fluid. And ketamine may affect endosome, the key organelle for tau release from neurons. Therefore, we set out to determine the effects of ketamine on delirium-like behavior in mice and on tau trafficking in cultured cells.
Methods
We used the buried food test, open field test, and Y-maze test in adult mice to assess the occurrence of delirium-like behavior induced by ketamine. Quantified tau in the serum of mice with delirium-like behavior. And used cell fraction methods to determine the effects of ketamine on tau intracellular transfer, extracellular release and endosomes in cultured cells.
Results
Ketamine induced delirium-like behavior and increased tau in mouse serum. Ketamine treatment also led to increased accumulation of endosomes as evidenced by increased endosomal markers Rab5 and Rab7. Moreover, ketamine inhibited endosome maturation, demonstrated by decreased membrane-bound but increased cytoplasm amounts of Rab5 and Rab7. Consequently, ketamine increased tau in the endosomes of cultured cells and the cell culture medium.
Conclusion
These data suggest that ketamine may interfere with intracellular tau trafficking and induce delirium-like behavior, promoting future research regarding neurotoxicity of anesthetics.
Brain Regions Involved in Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in Cluster Headache Patients: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study
Authors: Chen Yun , Xing Xinbo , Qiu Enchao , Dai Wei , Tian Lixia , Dong Zhao , Yu Shengyuan
Published: February 2022

Background:
A limited number of studies have reported on fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in cluster headache (CH). We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) to assess the possible pathogenic role of fALFF in CH.
Methods:
RS-fMRI scans of 23 patients with CH were obtained (11with left-sided headache and 12 with right-sided headache), along with scans of 23 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The RS-fMRI data were analyzed to explore abnormal brain activity in the left CH and right CH patients during the non-painful state of cluster period. fALFF was compared between patients and controls, and correlation analysis between the regional mean fALFF values and clinical characteristics was performed.
Results:
A decrease in fALFF was detected in the left cerebellum, left lentiform nucleus, left frontal lobe, left anterior cingulate, and right postcentral gyrus in the left CH group compared to the controls, while a decrease of fALFF was detected in the right cerebellum, right cingulate gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right inferior parietal lobule, right postcentral gyrus, and left precuneus in the right CH group. No patient had a region with increased fALFF. A moderate correlation was observed between some regional mean fALFF values and the clinical characteristics.
Conclusions:
We deduced that dysfunction in multiple brain areas is involved in the non-painful state of CH during cluster period. Several functional networks are involved, such as the default-mode, cerebellar, and somatomotor networks, suggesting that CH is the result of abnormal functioning in multiple brain functional networks.
Synthesis, Leishmanicidal and anticancer activity of 4-(2-keto-1-benzimidazolinyl) piperidine and 5-chloro-1-(4-piperidyl)-2-benzimidazolinone and their derivatives
Authors: Mallick Tabinda Zarreen , Saify Zafar Saied , Haider Shazia , Ashraf Seema , Saeed Iffat , Begum Nasreen
Published: February 2022

In the current study a series of 4-(2-keto-1-benzimidazolinyl) piperidine have been newly synthesized and activities of 5-chloro-1-(4-piperidyl)-2-benzimidazolinone derivatives that is already reported have been tested and compared. Furthermore synthesized derivatives have been characterized by physical and spectral methods (HR-EIMS, HR-FABMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV, and FT-IR). All the derivatives were tested for leishmanicidal and anticancer activities. Results demonstrated that among all the derivatives compounds 4, 9, and 10 exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells and therefore tested at 10, 50 and 100 µM concentrations. Among all the eleven derivatives eight derivatives were found having leishmanicidal activity. Compounds 3, 4 and 10 exhibited significant activity with IC50 values in range of 7.06 ± 0.17 µg/mL − 84.6 ± 0.6 µg/mL. Furthermore, an attempt was made to develop a preliminary structure-activity relationship. Compound 4 found to be most active with IC50 = 7.06 ± 0.17 µg/mL against leishmaniasis. Compounds 4 and 10 possess both leishmanicidal and anticancer activities. From this study we identified a new class of compounds having potent leishmanicidal activity and anticancer activity.