bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computerized Clinical Decision Support System for Prompting Brief Alcohol Interventions with Treatment Seeking Smokers: A Sex-Based Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Trial
Authors: Minian Nadia , Ivanova Anna , Voci Sabrina , Veldhuizen Scott , Zawertailo Laurie , Baliunas Dolly , Noormohamed Aliya , Giesbrecht Norman , Selby Peter
Published: February 2020

Although brief alcohol intervention can reduce alcohol use for both men and women, health care providers (HCPs) are less likely to discuss alcohol use or deliver brief intervention to women compared to men. This secondary analysis examined whether previously reported outcomes from a cluster randomized trial of a clinical decision support system (CDSS)—prompting delivery of a brief alcohol intervention (an educational alcohol resource) for patients drinking above cancer guidelines—were moderated by patients’ sex. Patients (n = 5702) enrolled in a smoking cessation program at primary care sites across Ontario, Canada, were randomized to either the intervention (CDSS) or control arm (no CDSS). Logistic generalized estimating equations models were fit for the primary and secondary outcome (HCP offer of resource and patient acceptance of resource, respectively). Previously reported results showed no difference between treatment arms in HCP offers of an educational alcohol resource to eligible patients, but there was increased acceptance of the alcohol resource among patients in the intervention arm. The results of this study showed that these CDSS intervention effects were not moderated by sex, and this can help inform the development of a scalable strategy to overcome gender disparities in alcohol intervention seen in other studies.
How to Form Wellbeing Perception and Its Outcomes in the Context of Elderly Tourism: Moderating Role of Tour Guide Services
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Kim Jinkyung Jenny , Lee Jenni Soo-Hee , Sahito Noman
Published: February 2020

Many people travel to improve their wellbeing perception (WBP), and senior tourists in South Korea are no exception in that they hope to enhance their quality of life through tourism. As such, this study explored the significance of WBP in the senior tourism industry in South Korea. The current paper collected samples from 349 senior tourists. Analysis of data indicated that brand prestige contributes to increasing WBP among seniors and improving consumer attitude. In addition, it was found that WBP positively affects both consumer attitude and word-of-mouth (WOM). Lastly, tour guide services moderated the relationship between (1) brand prestige and WBP and (2) consumer attitude and WOM. The current paper then presents theoretical and practical implications of the statistical results.
Melatonin as an Agent for Direct Pulp-Capping Treatment
Authors: Guerrero-Gironés Julia , Alcaina-Lorente Antonia , Ortiz-Ruiz Clara , Ortiz-Ruiz Eduardo , Pecci-Lloret María P. , Rodríguez-Lozano Francisco Javier , Martínez Carlos M. , Ortiz-Ruiz Antonio José
Published: February 2020

Melatonin plays an essential role in the regulation of bone growth. The actions that melatonin exerts on odontoblasts may be similar to its action on osteoblasts. This research aimed to evaluate the pulp response to melatonin used for direct pulp capping to evaluate the antioxidant effect of melatonin administered orally and its influence on dental pulp. Direct pulp capping was performed on the upper molars of Sprague Dawley rats using melatonin or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). The study groups were: MTA; Melatonin; MTA + Melatonin administered orally; and Melatonin + Melatonin administered orally. In the latter two groups, the animals drank water dosed with melatonin ad libitum (10 mg/100 mL). After 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and 5 ml of blood, the kidneys, and the liver were extracted in order to evaluate oxidative stress using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances testing (TBARS). Fragments of the maxilla containing the study molars were prepared for histological evaluation. The degree of pulp inflammation and pulp necrosis, the presence of reparative dentin and dentin bridging the pulp chamber, the presence and regularity of the odontoblastic layer, and the presence of pulp fibrosis were evaluated. No significant differences were found between the four study groups for any of the studied histological variables. The oral administration of melatonin did not modify the local effects of MTA or melatonin on dental pulp, or reduce basal-level oxidative stress. The effect of melatonin on pulp is similar to that of MTA and may be used as an agent for direct pulp capping.
Do Curriculum-Based Social and Emotional Learning Programs in Early Childhood Education and Care Strengthen Teacher Outcomes? A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Blewitt Claire , O’Connor Amanda , Morris Heather , Mousa Aya , Bergmeier Heidi , Nolan Andrea , Jackson Kylie , Barrett Helen , Skouteris Helen
Published: February 2020

There is growing awareness of the benefits of curriculum-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs in Early Childhood Education and Care settings for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. While many SEL programs aim to strengthen teachers’ capacity and capability to foster children’s social and emotional skills, research effort has focused on understanding the impact on child outcomes, with less emphasis on improvement in teaching quality. This systematic literature review examined the effectiveness of universal curriculum-based SEL programs on teacher outcomes. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria, capturing ten distinct SEL interventions. The findings suggest SEL programs may strengthen teaching quality, particularly the provision of responsive and nurturing teacher-child interactions and effective classroom management. Data were insufficient to ascertain whether participation improved teachers’ knowledge, self-efficacy, or social-emotional wellbeing. The potential pathways between SEL intervention, teaching quality and children’s developmental outcomes are discussed.
#Climatechange vs. #Globalwarming: Characterizing Two Competing Climate Discourses on Twitter with Semantic Network and Temporal Analyses
Authors: Shi Wen , Fu Haohuan , Wang Peinan , Chen Changfeng , Xiong Jie
Published: February 2020

Distinct perceptions of the global climate is one of the factors preventing society from achieving consensus or taking collaborative actions on this issue. The public has not even reached an agreement on the naming of the global concern, showing preference for either “climate change” or “global warming”, and few previous studies have addressed these two competing discourses resulting from distinct climate concerns by differently linking numerous climate concepts. Based on the 6,662,478 tweets containing #climatechange or #globalwarming generated between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018, we constructed the semantic networks of the two discourses and examined their evolution over the decade. The findings indicate that climate change demonstrated a more scientific perspective and showed an attempt to condense climate discussions rather than diffuse the topic by frequently addressing sub-topics simultaneously. Global warming triggered more political responses and showed a greater connection with phenomena. Temporal analysis suggests that traditional political discussions were gradually fading in both discourses but more recently started to revive in the form of discourse alliance in the climate change discourse. The associations between global warming and weather abnormalitiessuddenly strengthened around 2012. Climate change is becoming more dominant than global warming in public discussions. Although two discourses have shown more similarities in the rank order of important climate concepts, apparent disagreements continue about how these concepts are associated. These findings lay the groundwork for researchers and communicators to narrow the discrepancy between diverse climate perceptions.
Experience as a Determinant of Declarative and Procedural Knowledge in School Football
Authors: García-Ceberino Juan M. , Gamero María G. , Feu Sebastián , Ibáñez Sergio J.
Published: February 2020

The study of declarative and procedural knowledge makes it possible to ascertain what cognitive processes are like during motor learning. This study aimed to compare, according to the methodology, gender and experience (football practise), and the levels of declarative and procedural knowledge after the implementation of two intervention programmes on school football including one based on the tactics learning and the other on the technique learning. A total of 41 students in the 5th year of primary education from a state school from Spain, distributed in two class groups, participated in the study. Each class group participated in a different intervention programme. The sample of subjects was equal (tactical programme (n = 20) and technical programme (n = 21)). A panel of 13 experts validated both programmes. Levels of knowledge were measured using the Tactical Knowledge Assessment test in football. A descriptive analysis was performed to characterise the sample. Moreover, a t-test for independent samples, a t-test for related samples, and a 2 × 2 ANOVA (analysis of variance) were performed to compare the levels of knowledge between the pre-test and the post-test, according to the methodology, gender, and experience of the students. Results indicate that both intervention programmes induced higher levels of declarative and procedural knowledge in the post-test. Similarly, there were no significant differences with regard to the applied methodology. This fact is due to the heterogeneous character of the class groups with gender and experience showing effects on the levels of knowledge. The boys possessed greater experience and a higher level of knowledge compared to the girls.
Minimal Residual Disease Detection in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Kruse Aaron , Abdel-Azim Nour , Kim Hye Na , Ruan Yongsheng , Phan Valerie , Ogana Heather , Wang William , Lee Rachel , Gang Eun Ji , Khazal Sajad , Kim Yong-Mi
Published: February 2020

Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to a chemotherapy/radiotherapy-surviving leukemia cell population that gives rise to relapse of the disease. The detection of MRD is critical for predicting the outcome and for selecting the intensity of further treatment strategies. The development of various new diagnostic platforms, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), has introduced significant advances in the sensitivity of MRD diagnostics. Here, we review current methods to diagnose MRD through phenotypic marker patterns or differential gene patterns through analysis by flow cytometry (FCM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or NGS. Future advances in clinical procedures will be molded by practical feasibility and patient needs regarding greater diagnostic sensitivity.
Local and Systemic Humoral Response to Autologous Lineage-Negative Cells Intrathecal Administration in ALS Patients
Authors: Baumert Bartłomiej , Sobuś Anna , Gołąb-Janowska Monika , Ulańczyk Zofia , Paczkowska Edyta , Łuczkowska Karolina , Zawiślak Alicja , Milczarek Sławomir , Osękowska Bogumiła , Meller Agnieszka , Machowska-Sempruch Karolina , Wełnicka Agnieszka , Safranow Krzysztof , Nowacki Przemysław , Machaliński Bogusław
Published: February 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. Signaling via neurotrophins (NTs), neuroinflammation, and certain micro-RNAs are believed to play essential role in ALS pathogenesis. Lineage-negative stem/progenitor cells (Lin−) were obtained from bone marrow of 18 ALS patients and administered intrathecally. Clinical assessment was performed using ALS Functional Rating Scale (FRSr) and Norris scale. Protein concentrations were measured in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by multiplex fluorescent bead-based immunoassay. Gene expression in nucleated blood cells was assessed using gene microarray technique. Finally, miRNA expression was analyzed using qPCR in CSF and plasma samples. We observed a significant decrease of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in plasma on the seventh day from the application of cells. Gene array results revealed decreased expression of gene sets responsible for neutrophil activation. Further analysis revealed moderate negative correlation between CRP level in CSF and clinical outcome. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in both plasma and CSF significantly correlated with the favorable clinical outcome. On a micro-RNA level, we observed significant increase of miR-16-5p expression one week after transplantation in both body fluids and significant increase of miR-206 expression in plasma. Administration of Lin− cells may decrease inflammatory response and prevent neurodegeneration. However, these issues require further investigations.
Dual Role of Chondrocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Chicken and the Egg
Authors: Tseng Chia-Chun , Chen Yi-Jen , Chang Wei-An , Tsai Wen-Chan , Ou Tsan-Teng , Wu Cheng-Chin , Sung Wan-Yu , Yen Jeng-Hsien , Kuo Po-Lin
Published: February 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the inflammatory joint diseases that display features of articular cartilage destruction. The underlying disturbance results from immune dysregulation that directly and indirectly influence chondrocyte physiology. In the last years, significant evidence inferred from studies in vitro and in the animal model offered a more holistic vision of chondrocytes in RA. Chondrocytes, despite being one of injured cells in RA, also undergo molecular alterations to actively participate in inflammation and matrix destruction in the human rheumatoid joint. This review covers current knowledge about the specific cellular and biochemical mechanisms that account for the chondrocyte signatures of RA and its potential applications for diagnosis and prognosis in RA.
Root Proteomic Analysis of Two Grapevine Rootstock Genotypes Showing Different Susceptibility to Salt Stress
Authors: Prinsi Bhakti , Failla Osvaldo , Scienza Attilio , Espen Luca
Published: February 2020

Salinity represents a very limiting factor that affects the fertility of agricultural soils. Although grapevine is moderately susceptible to salinity, both natural causes and agricultural practices could worsen the impact of this abiotic stress. A promising possibility to reduce this problem in vineyards is the use of appropriate graft combinations. The responses of grapevine rootstocks to this abiotic stress at the root level still remain poorly investigated. In order to obtain further information on the multifaceted responses induced by salt stress at the biochemical level, in the present work we analyzed the changes that occurred under control and salt conditions in the root proteomes of two grapevine rootstock genotypes, M4 and 101.14. Moreover, we compared the results considering that M4 and 101.14 were previously described to have lower and higher susceptibility to salt stress, respectively. This study highlighted the greater capability of M4 to maintain and adapt energy metabolism (i.e., synthesis of ATP and NAD(P)H) and to sustain the activation of salt-protective mechanisms (i.e., Na sequestration into the vacuole and synthesis of osmoprotectant compounds). Comparitively, in 101.14 the energy metabolism was deeply affected and there was an evident induction of the enzymatic antioxidant system that occurred, pointing to a metabolic scenario typical of a suffering tissue. Overall, this study describes for the first time in grapevine roots some of the more crucial events that characterize positive (M4) or negative (101.14) responses evoked by salt stress conditions.
Liver Iron Retention Estimated from Utilization of Oral and Intravenous Radioiron in Various Anemias and Hemochromatosis in Humans
Authors: van Vuren Annelies J. , van Wijk Richard , van Beers Eduard J. , Marx Joannes J.M.
Published: February 2020

Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis and non-transfusion-dependent hereditary anemia develop predominantly liver iron-overload. We present a unique method allowing quantification of liver iron retention in humans during first-pass of 59Fe-labeled iron through the portal system, using standard ferrokinetic techniques measuring red cell iron uptake after oral and intravenous 59Fe administration. We present data from patients with iron deficiency (ID; N = 47), hereditary hemochromatosis (HH; N = 121) and non-transfusion-dependent hereditary anemia (HA; N = 40). Mean mucosal iron uptake and mucosal iron transfer (±SD) were elevated in patients with HH (59 ± 18%, 80 ± 15% respectively), HA (65 ± 17%, 74 ± 18%) and ID (84 ± 14%, 94 ± 6%) compared to healthy controls (43 ± 19%, 64 ± 18%) (p < 0.05) resulting in increased iron retention after 14 days compared to healthy controls in all groups (p < 0.01). The fraction of retained iron utilized for red cell production was 0.37 ± 0.17 in untreated HA, 0.55 ± 0.20 in untreated HH and 0.99 ± 0.22 in ID (p < 0.01). Interestingly, compared to red blood cell iron utilization after oral iron administration, red blood cell iron utilization was higher after injection of transferrin-bound iron in HA and HH. Liver iron retention was considerably higher in HH and HA compared to ID. We hypothesize that albumin serves as a scavenger of absorbed Fe(II) for delivering albumin-bound Fe(III) to hepatocytes.
Differential Expression of Genes at Panicle Initiation and Grain Filling Stages Implied in Heterosis of Rice Hybrids
Authors: Katara Jawahar Lal , Verma Ram Lakhan , Parida Madhuchhanda , Ngangkham Umakanta , Molla Kutubuddin Ali , Barbadikar Kalyani Makarand , Mukherjee Mitadru , C Parameswaran , Samantaray Sanghamitra , Ravi Nageswara Rao , Singh Onkar Nath , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: February 2020

RNA-Seq technology was used to analyze the transcriptome of two rice hybrids, Ajay (based on wild-abortive (WA)-cytoplasm) and Rajalaxmi (based on Kalinga-cytoplasm), and their respective parents at the panicle initiation (PI) and grain filling (GF) stages. Around 293 and 302 million high quality paired-end reads of Ajay and Rajalaxmi, respectively, were generated and aligned against the Nipponbare reference genome. Transcriptome profiling of Ajay revealed 2814 and 4819 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the PI and GF stages, respectively, as compared to its parents. In the case of Rajalaxmi, 660 and 5264 DEGs were identified at PI and GF stages, respectively. Functionally relevant DEGs were selected for validation through qRT-PCR, which were found to be co-related with the expression patterns to RNA-seq. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated significant DEGs enriched for energy metabolism pathways, such as photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and carbon fixation, at the PI stage, while carbohydrate metabolism-related pathways, such as glycolysis and starch and sucrose metabolism, were significantly involved at the GF stage. Many genes involved in energy metabolism exhibited upregulation at the PI stage, whereas the genes involved in carbohydrate biosynthesis had higher expression at the GF stage. The majority of the DEGs were successfully mapped to know yield related rice quantitative trait loci (QTLs). A set of important transcription factors (TFs) was found to be encoded by the identified DEGs. Our results indicated that a complex interplay of several genes in different pathways contributes to higher yield and vigor in rice hybrids.
Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Profiling of GASA Genes during Different Stages of Seed Development in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Predict Their Involvement in Seed Development
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Yao Jin , Zhang Songlin , Li Xingmei , Zhang Xiuming , Yadav Vivek , Wang Xiping
Published: February 2020

Members of the plant-specific GASA (gibberellic acid-stimulated Arabidopsis) gene family have multiple potential roles in plant growth and development, particularly in flower induction and seed development. However, limited information is available about the functions of these genes in fruit plants, particularly in grapes. We identified 14 GASA genes in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and performed comprehensive bioinformatics and expression analyses. In the bioinformatics analysis, the locations of genes on chromosomes, physiochemical properties of proteins, protein structure, and subcellular positions were described. We evaluated GASA proteins in terms of domain structure, exon-intron distribution, motif arrangements, promoter analysis, phylogenetic, and evolutionary history. According to the results, the GASA domain is conserved in all proteins and the proteins are divided into three well-conserved subgroups. Synteny analysis proposed that segmental and tandem duplication have played a role in the expansion of the GASA gene family in grapes, and duplicated gene pairs have negative selection pressure. Most of the proteins were predicted to be in the extracellular region, chloroplasts, and the vacuole. In silico promoter analysis suggested that the GASA genes may influence different hormone signaling pathways and stress-related mechanisms. Additionally, we performed a comparison of the expression between seedless (Thompson seedless) and seeded (Red globe) cultivars in different plant parts, including the ovule during different stages of development. Furthermore, some genes were differentially expressed in different tissues, signifying their role in grapevine growth and development. Several genes (VvGASA2 and 7) showed different expression levels in later phases of seed development in Red globe and Thompson seedless, suggesting their involvement in seed development. Our study presents the first genome-wide identification and expression profiling of grapevine GASA genes and provides the basis for functional characterization of GASA genes in grapes. We surmise that this information may provide new potential resources for the molecular breeding of grapes.
Small Vessel Disease-Related Dementia: An Invalid Neurovascular Coupling?
Authors: Moretti Rita , Caruso Paola
Published: February 2020

The arteriosclerosis-dependent alteration of brain perfusion is one of the major determinants in small vessel disease, since small vessels have a pivotal role in the brain’s autoregulation. Nevertheless, as far as we know, endothelium distress can potentiate the flow dysregulation and lead to subcortical vascular dementia that is related to small vessel disease (SVD), also being defined as subcortical vascular dementia (sVAD), as well as microglia activation, chronic hypoxia and hypoperfusion, vessel-tone dysregulation, altered astrocytes, and pericytes functioning blood-brain barrier disruption. The molecular basis of this pathology remains controversial. The apparent consequence (or a first event, too) is the macroscopic alteration of the neurovascular coupling. Here, we examined the possible mechanisms that lead a healthy aging process towards subcortical dementia. We remarked that SVD and white matter abnormalities related to age could be accelerated and potentiated by different vascular risk factors. Vascular function changes can be heavily influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, which are, to the best of our knowledge, mostly unknown. Metabolic demands, active neurovascular coupling, correct glymphatic process, and adequate oxidative and inflammatory responses could be bulwarks in defense of the correct aging process; their impairments lead to a potentially catastrophic and non-reversible condition.
Interleukin-27 Gene Delivery Targeting IL-6Rα-Expressing Cells as a Stress Response Therapy
Authors: Figueiredo Neto Manoel , Liu Shengzhi , Salameh Janelle Wes , Yokota Hiroki , Figueiredo Marxa Leão
Published: February 2020

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has shown promise in halting tumor growth and mediating tumor regression in several models, including prostate cancer. We describe our findings on the effects of IL-27 on the gene expression changes of TC2R prostate adenocarcinoma cells. We utilized RNAseq to assess profile differences between empty vector control, vector delivering IL-27 modified at its C-terminus with a non-specific peptide, and IL-27 modified at the C-terminus with a peptide targeting the IL-6-Rα. The targeted IL-27 had higher bioactivity and activity in vivo in a recent study by our group, but the mechanisms underlying this effect had not been characterized in detail at the gene expression level on tumor cells. In the present work, we sought to examine potential mechanisms for targeted IL-27 enhanced activity directly on tumor cells. The targeted IL-27 appeared to modulate several changes that would be consistent with an anti-tumor effect, including upregulation in the Interferon (IFN) and Interferon regulatory factor (IRF), oxidative phosphorylation, Janus kinase/Signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (EIF2) signaling. Of these signaling changes predicted by ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA), the novel form also with the highest significance (-log(Benjamini–Hochberg (B-H)) p-value) was the EIF2 signaling upregulation. We validated this predicted change by assaying for eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), or phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), and caspase-3 levels. We detected an increase in the phosphorylated form of eIF2α and in the cleaved caspase-3 fraction, indicating that the EIF2 signaling pathway was upregulated in these prostate tumor cells following targeted IL-27 gene delivery. This approach of targeting cytokines to enhance their activity against cancer cells is a novel approach to help augment IL-27′s bioactivity and efficacy against prostate tumors and could be extended to other conditions where it could help interfere with the EIF2α pathway and promote caspase-3 activation.
A New and Integral Approach to the Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based upon Its Hydrogen Ion Dynamics
Authors: Harguindey Salvador , Alfarouk Khalid , Polo Orozco Julián , Hardonnière Kévin , Stanciu Daniel , Fais Stefano , Devesa Jesús
Published: February 2020

Despite all efforts, the treatment of breast cancer (BC) cannot be considered to be a success story. The advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not been sufficient at all. Indeed, the accumulated experience clearly indicates that new perspectives and non-main stream approaches are needed to better characterize the etiopathogenesis and treatment of this disease. This contribution deals with how the new pH-centric anticancer paradigm plays a fundamental role in reaching a more integral understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of this multifactorial disease. For the first time, the armamentarium available for the treatment of the different types and phases of BC is approached here from a Unitarian perspective-based upon the hydrogen ion dynamics of cancer. The wide-ranged pH-related molecular, biochemical and metabolic model is able to embrace most of the fields and subfields of breast cancer etiopathogenesis and treatment. This single and integrated approach allows advancing towards a unidirectional, concerted and synergistic program of treatment. Further efforts in this line are likely to first improve the therapeutics of each subtype of this tumor and every individual patient in every phase of the disease.
Recent Advances in Plant Chemical Biology of Jasmonates
Authors: Ueda Minoru , Kaji Takuya , Kozaki Wataru
Published: February 2020

Lipid-derived plant hormone jasmonates are implicated in plant growth, reproductive performance, senescence, secondary metabolite productions, and defense against both necrotrophic pathogens and feeding insects. A major jasmonate is (+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile), which is perceived by the unique COI1-JAZ coreceptor system. Recent advances in plant chemical biology have greatly informed the bioscience of jasmonate, including the development of chemical tools such as the antagonist COR-MO; the agonist NOPh; and newly developed jasmonates, including JA-Ile-macrolactone and 12-OH-JA-Ile. This review article summarizes the current status of plant chemical biology as it pertains to jasmonates, and offers some perspectives for the future.
Influence of Temperature on Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Tables for a Minnesota-Acclimated Population of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys)
Authors: Govindan Byju N. , Hutchison William D.
Published: February 2020

Temperature is a critical single factor influencing insect population dynamics, and is foundational for improving our understanding of the phenology of invasive species adapting to new agroecosystems or in the process of range expansion. An age-stage, two-sex life table was therefore developed to analyze fundamental demographic features such as development, survival, and reproduction of a Minnesota-acclimated population of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), in the north central USA. All salient life history parameters were estimated to better understand the population growth potential of H. halys at the current limit of its northern range in North America. We examined the effect of selected constant temperatures on immature development and survival (15–39 °C), adult reproduction and longevity (17–36 °C) of H. halys in the laboratory. The Minnesota population developed faster and survived at higher rates relative to a population that had previously established in Pennsylvania, USA. Mean generation time for the Minnesota population was minimized at 30 °C, while survival and fecundity were maximized at 27 and 23 °C, respectively. Given these findings, we assessed the effect of temperature on the intrinsic rate of increase ( r m ), the life table parameter that integrates the effects of temperature on development, survival, and reproduction. A Ratkowsky model predicted r m was maximized (0.0899) at 27.5 °C. We discuss the implications of our findings for understanding population growth rates for H. halys in the context of a warming climate, and potential to emerge as a serious crop pest in the Midwest U.S. region.
Inclusion Biogenesis, Methods of Isolation and Clinical Application of Human Cellular Exosomes
Authors: Tschuschke Max , Kocherova Ievgeniia , Bryja Artur , Mozdziak Paul , Angelova Volponi Ana , Janowicz Krzysztof , Sibiak Rafał , Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna , Iżycki Dariusz , Bukowska Dorota , Antosik Paweł , Shibli Jamil , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta , Kempisty Bartosz
Published: February 2020

Exosomes are a heterogenous subpopulation of extracellular vesicles 30–150 nm in range and of endosome-derived origin. We explored the exosome formation through different systems, including the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) and ESCRT-independent system, looking at the mechanisms of release. Different isolation techniques and specificities of exosomes from different tissues and cells are also discussed. Despite more than 30 years of research that followed their definition and indicated their important role in cellular physiology, the exosome biology is still in its infancy with rapidly growing interest. The reasons for the rapid increase in interest with respect to exosome biology is because they provide means of intercellular communication and transmission of macromolecules between cells, with a potential role in the development of diseases. Moreover, they have been investigated as prognostic biomarkers, with a potential for further development as diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The interest grows further with the fact that exosomes were reported as useful vectors for drugs.
Urinary Excretion of N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in Renal Transplant Recipients and Donors
Authors: Deen Carolien P. J. , van der Veen Anna , Gomes-Neto António W. , Geleijnse Johanna M. , Borgonjen-van den Berg Karin J. , Heiner-Fokkema M. Rebecca , Kema Ido P. , Bakker Stephan J. L.
Published: February 2020

N1-methylnicotinamide (N1-MN) and N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2Py) are successive end products of NAD+ catabolism. N1-MN excretion in 24-h urine is the established biomarker of niacin nutritional status, and recently shown to be reduced in renal transplant recipients (RTR). However, it is unclear whether 2Py excretion is increased in this population, and, if so, whether a shift in excretion of N1-MN to 2Py can be attributed to kidney function. Hence, we assessed the 24-h urinary excretion of 2Py and N1-MN in RTR and kidney donors before and after kidney donation, and investigated associations of the urinary ratio of 2Py to N1-MN (2Py/N1-MN) with kidney function, and independent determinants of urinary 2Py/N1-MN in RTR. The urinary excretion of 2Py and N1-MN was measured in a cross-sectional cohort of 660 RTR and 275 healthy kidney donors with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations and determinants of urinary 2Py/N1-MN. Median 2Py excretion was 178.1 (130.3–242.8) μmol/day in RTR, compared to 155.6 (119.6–217.6) μmol/day in kidney donors (p < 0.001). In kidney donors, urinary 2Py/N1-MN increased significantly after kidney donation (4.0 ± 1.4 to 5.2 ± 1.5, respectively; p < 0.001). Smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were identified as independent determinants of urinary 2Py/N1-MN in RTR. In conclusion, the 24-h urinary excretion of 2Py is higher in RTR than in kidney donors, and urinary 2Py/N1-MN increases after kidney donation. As our data furthermore reveal strong associations of urinary 2Py/N1-MN with kidney function, interpretation of both N1-MN and 2Py excretion may be recommended for assessment of niacin nutritional status in conditions of impaired kidney function.
Analysis of Running-Related Injuries: The Vienna Study
Authors: Benca Emir , Listabarth Stephan , Flock Florian K.J. , Pablik Eleonore , Fischer Claudia , Walzer Sonja M. , Dorotka Ronald , Windhager Reinhard , Ziai Pejman
Published: February 2020

Background: This study aimed to provide an extensive and up-to-date analysis of running-related injuries (RRI) and analyze a broad range of contributing factors for a large heterogeneous and non-selected running population from Central Europe. Methods: Anthropometric, training, footwear, anatomic malalignment, and injury data from 196 injured runners were assessed case-controlled and retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate regression models were developed to identify associated factors for specific injury locations and diagnoses. Results: The majority of patients were female (56%). Three most frequently observed malalignments included varus knee alignment, pelvic obliquity, and patellar squinting. The most common injuries were the patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), the iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS), patellar tendinopathy, spinal overload, and ankle instability. A number of contributing factors were identified. Previous injury history was a contributing factor for knee injuries and ITBFS. Lower training load was reported with a higher incidence of PFPS, while a higher training load was positively associated with injuries of the lower leg. Runners with a higher body mass index (BMI) were at a significantly higher risk for lower back injuries. Conclusions: Running-related injuries are multifactorial associated with a combination of variables including personal data, training load, anatomic malalignments, and injury history. They can furthermore result from a lack of experience/training as well as from overuse. Suffering a specific RRI of high risk could be defined based on individual predispositions and help to induce appropriate training balance.
Inhibition of Anaplerosis Attenuated Vascular Proliferation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Valuparampil Varghese Mathews , James Joel , Eccles Cody A , Niihori Maki , Rafikova Olga , Rafikov Ruslan
Published: February 2020

Vascular remodeling is considered a key event in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, mechanisms of gaining the proliferative phenotype by pulmonary vascular cells are still unresolved. Due to well-established pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency in PAH pathogenesis, we hypothesized that the activation of another branch of pyruvate metabolism, anaplerosis, via pyruvate carboxylase (PC) could be a key contributor to the metabolic reprogramming of the vasculature. In sugen/hypoxic PAH rats, vascular proliferation was found to be accompanied by increased activation of Akt signaling, which upregulated membrane Glut4 translocation and caused upregulation of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase-2, and an overall increase in the glycolytic flux. Decreased PDH activity and upregulation of PC shuttled more pyruvate to oxaloacetate. This results in the anaplerotic reprogramming of lung vascular cells and their subsequent proliferation. Treatment of sugen/hypoxia rats with the PC inhibitor, phenylacetic acid 20 mg/kg, starting after one week from disease induction, significantly attenuated right ventricular systolic pressure, Fulton index, and pulmonary vascular cell proliferation. PC inhibition reduced the glycolytic shift by attenuating Akt-signaling, glycolysis, and restored mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation. Our findings suggest that targeting PC mediated anaplerosis is a potential therapeutic intervention for the resolution of vascular remodeling in PAH.
Prevalence of Bacteria of Genus Actinomyces in Persistent Extraradicular Lesions—Systematic Review
Authors: Dioguardi Mario , Crincoli Vito , Laino Luigi , Alovisi Mario , Sovereto Diego , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Troiano Giuseppe
Published: February 2020

Actinomyces are anaerobic, rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria. They are associated with persistent extraradicular endodontic infections, with possible involvement of the soft tissues of the maxillofacial district. Many studies reported conflicting data on the presence of bacteria of the genus Actinomyces in endodontic infections. The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to determine the real prevalence of such bacteria in primary and/or secondary endodontic infections and in cases of persistence with extraradicular involvement. This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA protocol. A search was carried out through the Scopus and PubMed databases of potentially eligible articles through the use of appropriate keywords. The literature research resulted in preliminary 2240 records which, after the elimination of overlaps and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, led to the inclusion of 46 articles focusing on three outcomes (primary outcome: number of teeth with the presence of a persistent extraradicular infection in which the presence of Actinomyces was ascertained; secondary outcome: number of teeth with endodontic infection in which the presence of Actinomyces was assessed; tertiary outcome: difference in the prevalence of bacteria of the genus Actinomyces between primary endodontic infections and secondary endodontic infections). Results of the meta-analysis show how bacteria of the genus Actinomyces are present in primary and secondary intraradicular infections and in those with persistence with a prevalence (ratio between teeth with actinomyces and teeth with infection) ranging from 0.091 up to 0.130 depending on the subgroups analyzed.
Estimation of the Transmission Risk of the 2019-nCoV and Its Implication for Public Health Interventions
Authors: Tang Biao , Wang Xia , Li Qian , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Tang Sanyi , Xiao Yanni , Wu Jianhong
Published: February 2020

Since the emergence of the first cases in Wuhan, China, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection has been quickly spreading out to other provinces and neighboring countries. Estimation of the basic reproduction number by means of mathematical modeling can be helpful for determining the potential and severity of an outbreak and providing critical information for identifying the type of disease interventions and intensity. A deterministic compartmental model was devised based on the clinical progression of the disease, epidemiological status of the individuals, and intervention measures. The estimations based on likelihood and model analysis show that the control reproduction number may be as high as 6.47 (95% CI 5.71–7.23). Sensitivity analyses show that interventions, such as intensive contact tracing followed by quarantine and isolation, can effectively reduce the control reproduction number and transmission risk, with the effect of travel restriction adopted by Wuhan on 2019-nCoV infection in Beijing being almost equivalent to increasing quarantine by a 100 thousand baseline value. It is essential to assess how the expensive, resource-intensive measures implemented by the Chinese authorities can contribute to the prevention and control of the 2019-nCoV infection, and how long they should be maintained. Under the most restrictive measures, the outbreak is expected to peak within two weeks (since 23 January 2020) with a significant low peak value. With travel restriction (no imported exposed individuals to Beijing), the number of infected individuals in seven days will decrease by 91.14% in Beijing, compared with the scenario of no travel restriction.
Extraction Method of Offshore Mariculture Area under Weak Signal based on Multisource Feature Fusion
Authors: Liu Chenxi , Jiang Tao , Zhang Zhen , Sui Baikai , Pan Xinliang , Zhang Linjing , Zhang Jingyu
Published: February 2020

Mariculture is crucial in environmental monitoring and safety assurance of marine environments. Certain mariculture areas are often partially or completely submerged in water, which causes the target signal to be extremely weak and difficult to detect. A method of target recognition and classification based on the convolutional neural network called semantic segmentation can fully consider the space spectrum and context semantic information. Therefore, this study proposes a target extraction method on the basis of multisource feature fusion, such as nNDWI and G/R ratio. In this work, the proposed recognition algorithm is verified under the conditions of uniform distribution of strong, weak, and extremely weak signals. Results show that the G/R feature is superior under the condition of uniform distribution of strong and weak signals. Its mean pixels accuracy is 2.32% higher than RGB (combination of red band, green band, and blue band), and its overall classification accuracy is 98.84%. Under the condition of extremely weak signal, the MPA of the multisource feature method based on the combination of G/R and nNDWI is 10.76% higher than RGB, and the overall classification accuracy is 82.02%. Under this condition, the G/R features highlight the target, and nNDWI suppresses noise. The proposed method can effectively extract the information of weak signal in the marine culture area and provide technical support for marine environmental monitoring and marine safety assurance.
Endolithic Fungal Species Markers for Harshest Conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Coleine Claudia , Pombubpa Nuttapon , Zucconi Laura , Onofri Silvano , Stajich Jason E. , Selbmann Laura
Published: February 2020

The microbial communities that inhabit lithic niches inside sandstone in the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys of life’s limits on Earth. The cryptoendolithic communities survive in these ice-free areas that have the lowest temperatures on Earth coupled with strong thermal fluctuations, extreme aridity, oligotrophy and high levels of solar and UV radiation. In this study, based on DNA metabarcoding, targeting the fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer region 1 (ITS1) and multivariate statistical analyses, we supply the first comprehensive overview onto the fungal diversity and composition of these communities sampled over a broad geographic area of the Antarctic hyper-arid cold desert. Six locations with surfaces that experience variable sun exposure were sampled to compare communities from a common area across a gradient of environmental pressure. The Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) identified were primarily members of the Ascomycota phylum, comprised mostly of the Lecanoromycetes and Dothideomycetes classes. The fungal species Friedmanniomyces endolithicus, endemic to Antarctica, was found to be a marker species to the harshest conditions occurring in the shady, south exposed rock surfaces. Analysis of community composition showed that sun exposure was an environmental property that explained community diversity and structured endolithic colonization.
Short-Term Characterization of Spherical 100Cr6 Steel Samples Using Micro Compression Test
Authors: Sonnenberg Heike , Clausen Brigitte
Published: February 2020

For the establishment of a novel development process of new structural materials, short-term characterization methods capable of testing hundreds of spherical micro samples are needed. This paper introduces a compression test on spherical micro samples as a short-term characterization method to investigate the elastic-plastic deformation behavior. To demonstrate the potential of this newly developed method, the micro compression test is performed with a maximum loading of 300 N on 100Cr6 (AISI 52100 bearing steel) samples, with a diameter of 0.8 mm, in 15 different heat treatment conditions. The austenitizing temperature is varied between 800 and 1150 °C. Tempering of the samples is carried out in a differential scanning calorimetry process with temperatures of 180, 230 and 300 °C. Out of force-displacement curves and stress-strain relations, so-called descriptors (characteristic values) which are sensitive to the applied heat treatment can be extracted. The change of mechanical properties due to heat treatment and the resulting microstructure is presented by the trend of a stress descriptor in dependence of austenitizing and annealing temperature, which can be compared to the trend of the tensile strength as a material property obtained by conventional tensile tests. The trend of the descriptor determined in the compression test on spherical samples indicates the validity of this approach as a short-term characterization method.
Robust Optimization Scheme for Inverse Method for Crystal Plasticity Model Parametrization
Authors: Shahmardani Mahdieh , Vajragupta Napat , Hartmaier Alexander
Published: February 2020

A bottom-up material modeling based on a nonlocal crystal plasticity model requires information of a large set of physical and phenomenological parameters. Because of the many material parameters, it is inherently difficult to determine the nonlocal crystal plasticity parameters. Therefore, a robust method is proposed to parameterize the nonlocal crystal plasticity model of a body-centered cubic (BCC) material by combining a nanoindentation test and inverse analysis. Nanoindentation tests returned the load–displacement curve and surface imprint of the considered sample. The inverse analysis is developed based on trust-region-reflective algorithm, which is the most robust optimization algorithm for the considered non-convex problem. The discrepancy function is defined to minimize both the load–displacement curves and the surface topologies of the considered material under applying varied indentation forces obtained from numerical models and experimental output. The numerical model results based on the identified material properties show good agreement with the experimental output. Finally, a sensitivity analysis performed changing the nonlocal crystal plasticity parameters in a predefined range emphasized that the geometrical factor has the most significant influence on the load–displacement curve and surface imprint parameters.