bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rolipram plays an anti-fibrotic effect in ligamentum flavum fibroblasts by inhibiting the activation of ERK1/2
Authors: Wu Likang , Xu Lei , Chen Yu , Xu Guohua , Guo Qunfeng , Meng Depeng , Fan Jianping , Song Guoqiang , Xu Peng
Published: September 2021

Background

Fibrosis is an important factor and process of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. The expression of phosphodiesterase family (PDE) is related to inflammation and fibrosis. This article studied the expression of PDE in hypertrophic ligamentum flavum fibroblasts and investigated whether inhibition of PDE4 activity can play an anti-fibrotic effect.

Methods

Samples of clinical hypertrophic ligamentum flavum were collected and patients with lumbar disc herniations as a control group. The collagenase digestion method is used to separate fibroblasts. qPCR is used to detect the expression of PDE subtypes, type I collagen (Col I), type III collagen (Col III), fibronectin (FN1) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Recombinant TGF-β1 was used to stimulate fibroblasts to make a fibrotic cell model and treated with Rolipram. The morphology of the cells treated with drugs was observed by Sirius Red staining. Scratch the cells to observe their migration and proliferation. WB detects the expression of the above-mentioned multiple fibrotic proteins after drug treatment. Finally, combined with a variety of signaling pathway drugs, the signaling mechanism was studied.

Results

Multiple PDE subtypes were expressed in ligamentum flavum fibroblasts. The expression of PDE4A and 4B was significantly up-regulated in the hypertrophic group. Using Rolipram to inhibit PDE4 activity, the expression of Col I and TGF-β1 in the hypertrophic group was inhibited. Col I recovered to the level of the control group. TGF-β1 was significantly inhibited, which was lower than the control group. Recombinant TGF-β1 stimulated fibroblasts to increase the expression of Col I/III, FN1 and TGF-β1, which was blocked by Rolipram. Rolipram restored the increased expression of p-ERK1/2 stimulated by TGF-β1.

Conclusion

The expressions of PDE4A and 4B in the hypertrophic ligamentum flavum are increased, suggesting that it is related to the hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum. Rolipram has a good anti-fibrosis effect after inhibiting the activity of PDE4. This is related to blocking the function of TGF-β1, specifically by restoring normal ERK1/2 signal.
Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota against both Candida auris and Candida spp. isolates that cause vulvovaginal candidiasis and are resistant to antifungals
Authors: Paniágua Aline Lorenzoni , Correia Amabel Fernandes , Pereira Lívia Custódio , de Alencar Bruna Maciel , Silva Fabiana Brandão Alves , Almeida Rosane Mansan , de Medeiros Nóbrega Yanna Karla
Published: September 2021

Background

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), the second leading cause of genital infection in women of reproductive age, is caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. Treatment is usually empirical and performed with azoles, which have shown increasing ineffectiveness due to resistance from these species. This therapeutic challenge has led to the search for new treatment strategies. Lactobacillus spp. produce several components with microbicidal effects, such as lactic acid. These species are the main components of a healthy vaginal microbiota and have been used as probiotics. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on both the Candida spp. that cause VVC and on C. auris.

Methods

The microbicidal effects of L. casei Shirota on the main VVC-causing species, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. norvegensis and C. parapsilosis, in addition to C. auris were investigated by counting the Colony-forming Units (CFUs) after cocultivation. The antifungal activity of lactic acid against these Candida strains was assessed using the microtiter broth dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The effects of L. casei Shirota on hyphal and early biofilm formation was measured by optical microscopy.

Results

L. casei Shirota showed inhibitory action against all tested Candida spp., ranging from 66.9 to 95.6% inhibition depending on the species. This inhibition is possibly related to the production of lactic acid, since lactic acid has shown microbicidal action against these same Candida spp. at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, which corresponds to half of the normal physiological concentration. In addition, L. casei Shirota was able to reduce the formation of C. albicans hyphae and early biofilms, showing strong anti-Candida effects.

Conclusions

These results suggest that L. casei Shirota has antifungal activity against the Candida species that cause VVC. L. casei also has microbicidal action against C. auris.
Epigenome-wide association study detects a novel loci associated with central obesity in healthy subjects
Authors: Xie Ting , Gorenjak Vesna , Stathopoulou Maria G. , Dadé Sébastien , Marouli Eirini , Masson Christine , Murray Helena , Lamont John , Fitzgerald Peter , Deloukas Panos , Visvikis-Siest Sophie
Published: September 2021

Background and aims

Central obesity is a condition that poses a significant risk to global health and requires the employment of novel scientific methods for exploration. The objective of this study is to use DNA methylation analysis to detect DNA methylation loci linked to obesity phenotypes,i.e. waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI.

Methods and results

Two-hundred and ten healthy European participants from the STANISLAS Family Study (SFS), comprising 73 nuclear families, were comprehensively assessed for methylation status using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. An epigenome-wide association study was performed, which identified a CpG site cg16170243 located on chromosome 18q21.2 significantly associated with waist circumference, after adjusting for BMI (β = 2.32, SE = 0.41, Padj = 0.048). Cg16170243 corresponds to a 50 bp-length human methylation oligoprobe located within theAC090241.2gene that overlapsST8SIA5gene. No significant association was observed with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (Padj > 0.05).

Conclusions

A novel association between DNA methylation and WC was identified, which is demonstrating that epigenetic mechanisms may have a significant impact on waist circumference ratio in healthy individuals. Further studies are warranted to address the causal effects of this association.
A 2D–3D hybrid convolutional neural network for lung lobe auto-segmentation on standard slice thickness computed tomography of patients receiving radiotherapy
Authors: Gu Hengle , Gan Wutian , Zhang Chenchen , Feng Aihui , Wang Hao , Huang Ying , Chen Hua , Shao Yan , Duan Yanhua , Xu Zhiyong
Published: September 2021

Background

Accurate segmentation of lung lobe on routine computed tomography (CT) images of locally advanced stage lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy can help radiation oncologists to implement lobar-level treatment planning, dose assessment and efficacy prediction. We aim to establish a novel 2D–3D hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) to provide reliable lung lobe auto-segmentation results in the clinical setting.

Methods

We retrospectively collected and evaluated thorax CT scans of 105 locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated at our institution from June 2019 to August 2020. The CT images were acquired with 5 mm slice thickness. Two CNNs were used for lung lobe segmentation, a 3D CNN for extracting 3D contextual information and a 2D CNN for extracting texture information. Contouring quality was evaluated using six quantitative metrics and visual evaluation was performed to assess the clinical acceptability.

Results

For the 35 cases in the test group, Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of all lung lobes contours exceeded 0.75, which met the pass criteria of the segmentation result. Our model achieved high performances with DSC as high as 0.9579, 0.9479, 0.9507, 0.9484, and 0.9003 for left upper lobe (LUL), left lower lobe (LLL), right upper lobe (RUL), right lower lobe (RLL), and right middle lobe (RML), respectively. The proposed model resulted in accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 99.57, 98.23, 99.65 for LUL; 99.6, 96.14, 99.76 for LLL; 99.67, 96.13, 99.81 for RUL; 99.72, 92.38, 99.83 for RML; 99.58, 96.03, 99.78 for RLL, respectively. Clinician's visual assessment showed that 164/175 lobe contours met the requirements for clinical use, only 11 contours need manual correction.

Conclusions

Our 2D–3D hybrid CNN model achieved accurate automatic segmentation of lung lobes on conventional slice-thickness CT of locally advanced lung cancer patients, and has good clinical practicability.
Serum lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 expression levels in glioma patients and their relationship with poor prognosis
Authors: Sun Youlu , Jing Yuesong , Zhang Yuxin
Published: September 2021

Background

lncRNA-CDKN2B antisense RNA 1 (ANRIL) and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) has abnormal expression in many tumors including glioma, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. This study set out to investigate the serum lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 levels in glioma patients and their effects on prognosis.

Methods

We enrolled 142 glioma patients admitted to our hospital from May 2014 to May 2016 into the research group (RG) and 120 healthy subjects receiving concurrent physical examinations into the control group (CG). Fasting peripheral blood (4 mL each) was sampled from subjects from the two groups. Using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 were measured to explore their values in the early diagnosis of glioma. Patients from RG were followed up for 3 years to analyze the influence of lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 on patient prognosis. We purchased glioma cell lines U251 and U87 and grouped them according to the transfection of different plasmids. We conducted CCK8 assay to test cell proliferation, Transwell assay to test cell invasion, the flow cytometry to test cell apoptosis, and Western Blot assay to measure bcl-2 and bax protein levels.

Results

ANRIL and SOX9 were evidently higher in RG than in CG (P<0.01). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that the diagnostic sensitivity of ANRIL combined with SOX9 for glioma was 81.62%, and the specificity was 90.83% (P<0.01). ANRIL and SOX9 were closely related to tumor grade, tumor diameter, distant metastasis, and family history of glioma (P<0.01). In total, 135 patients were successfully followed up (95.07%). Patients with high levels of ANRIL and SOX9 had a markedly poorer prognosis than those with low levels (P<0.05). ANRIL and SOX9 were markedly higher in glioma cell lines (U251 and U87) than in normal brain cells (P<0.01). The proliferation and invasion of U251 cells were notably reduced after the transfection of ANRIL and SOX9 inhibitory sequences (P<0.01), but the apoptosis was notably increased (P<0.01). Bcl-2 expression was markedly increased in lncRNA-ANRIL-inhibitor and SOX9-inhibitor (P<0.01), while bax expression was markedly reduced in lncRNA-ANRIL-inhibitor and SOX9-inhibitor (P<0.01).

Conclusion

lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 levels were higher in glioma patients than in healthy people. High-lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 levels were strongly associated with unfavorable prognosis of patients. The testing of biological behaviors revealed that lncRNA-ANRIL and SOX9 worked as tumor-promoting genes in glioma.
High-risk human papillomavirus detection in self-collected vaginal samples compared with healthcare worker collected cervical samples among women attending gynecology clinics at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: Tiiti Teboho Amelia , Mashishi Tebogo Loraine , Nkwinika Varsetile Varster , Benoy Ina , Selabe Selokela Gloria , Bogers Johannes , Lebelo Ramokone Lisbeth
Published: September 2021

Background

In 2017, the South African National Department of Health (NDoH) Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy was revised. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on self-collected samples may offer improved screening uptake. The objectives of the study were to compare the positivity of high-risk (hr)-HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and hrHPV viral messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) between healthcare worker-collected cervical and self-collected vaginal samples and investigate the accuracy of the applicator-tampon-based self-collected samples in detecting hrHPV DNA and hrHPV mRNA.

Methods

A total of 527 women aged 18 years and older and seeking gynecology services at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, were enrolled. Vaginal samples were self-collected using SelfCerv applicator tampon, followed by cervical samples collected by a healthcare worker using a Cervex Brush® Combi. Both samples were tested with the Abbott m2000 analyzer for 14-hrHPV types and 285 paired samples were tested for hrHPV E6/E7 mRNA using the Aptima HR-HPV mRNA assay. The prevalence of hrHPV DNA and hrHPV E6/E7 mRNA was estimated and the positivity between the two collection methods was compared for the total group as well as per age group.

Results

HrHPV prevalence was 48.0% (95% CI 43.7–52.4) among healthcare worker collected samples and 47.6% (95% CI 43.3–52.0) among self-collected samples. There was no difference in positivity between healthcare worker collection (48.0%) and applicator-tampon-based self-collection, 47.6% (p-value = 0.90). The proportions of hrHPV were equal between the age groups as shown by the McNemar test (p = 0.9036) results for correlated proportions. The prevalence of hrHPV mRNA was 78.6% (95% CI 73.4–83.2) and 58.6% (95% CI 52.6–64.4) for healthcare worker- and self-collection, respectively. The McNemar test for correlated proportions was highly significant (p < 0.0001), indicating that the hrHPV mRNA proportions are not comparable, although this differed between age groups.

Conclusions

Applicator-tampon-based self-collection has a comparable hrHPV DNA positivity rate as healthcare worker collection but different positivity rates for hrHPV mRNA. Self-sampling showed high concordance with healthcare worker-collected sampling for hrHPV DNA detection, especially regarding HPV 16/18 detection. HrHPV DNA was equally detected between the total group as well as per age group. Implementation of self-sampling using an applicator tampon as a primary screening tool may be considered.
Embedding similarities between embryos and circulating tumor cells: fundamentals of abortifacients used for cancer metastasis chemoprevention
Authors: Wang Jie , Yu Xiaobo , Peng Huayi , Lu Yusheng , Li Shuhui , Shi Qing , Liu Jian , Dong Haiyan , Katanaev Vladimir , Jia Lee
Published: September 2021

Background

The global epidemiological studies reported lower cancer risk after long-term use of contraceptives. Our systematic studies demonstrated that abortifacients are effective in preventing cancer metastases induced by circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which abortifacients prevent CTC-based cancer metastases are almost unknown. The present studies were designed to interdisciplinarily explore similarities and differences between embryo implantation and cancer cell adhesion/invasion.

Methods

Biomarker expressions on the seeding embryo JEG-3 and cancer MCF-7 cells, as well as embedding uterine endometrial RL95-2 and vascular endothelial HUVECs cells were examined and compared before and after treatments with 17β-estradiol plus progesterone and abortifacients. Effects of oral metapristone and mifepristone on embryo implantation in normal female mice and adhesion/invasion of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in BALB/C female mice were examined.

Results

Both embryo JEG-3 and cancer MCF-7 cells expressed high sLex, CD47, CAMs, while both endometrial RL95-2 and endothelial HUVECs exhibited high integrins and ICAM-1. Near physiological concentrations of 17β-estradiol plus progesterone promoted migration and invasion of JEG-3 and MCF-7 cells via upregulating integrins and MMPs. Whereas, mifepristone and metapristone significantly inhibited migration and invasion of JEG-3 and MCF-7 cells, and inhibited JEG-3 and MCF-7 adhesion to matrigel, RL95-2 cells and HUVECs, respectively. The inhibitions were realized by downregulating sLex, MMPs in JEG-3 and MCF-7 cells, and downregulating integrins in RL95-2 cells and HUVECs, respectively. Mifepristone and metapristone significantly inhibited both embryo implantation and cancer cell metastasis in mice.

Conclusions

The similarities between the two systems provide fundamentals for abortifacients to intervene CTC adhesion/invasion to the distant metastatic organs. The present studies offer the rationale to repurpose abortifacients for safe and effective cancer metastasis chemoprevention.
Molecular characterization and immune protection of the 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene in Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: Xian Jinwen , Wang Ning , Zhao Pengpeng , Zhang Yanyan , Meng Jimeng , Ma Xun , Guo Xiaola , Wang Zhengrong , Bo Xinwen
Published: September 2021

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious parasitic zoonosis caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The development of an effective vaccine is one of the most promising strategies for controlling CE.

Methods

The E. granulosus 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EgHCDH) gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The distribution of EgHCDH in protoscoleces (PSCs) and adult worms was analyzed using immunofluorescence. The transcript levels of EgHCDH in PSCs and adult worms were analyzed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). The immune protective effects of the rEgHCDH were evaluated.

Results

The 924-bp open reading frame sequence of EgHCDH, which encodes a protein of approximately 34 kDa, was obtained. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that EgHCDH was expressed in both the PSCs and adult worms of E. granulosus. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that EgHCDH was mainly localized in the tegument of PSCs and adult worms. Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by E. granulosus-infected dog sera. Animal challenge experiments demonstrated that dogs immunized with recombinant (r)EgHCDH had significantly higher serum IgG, interferon gamma and interleukin-4 concentrations than the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control group. The rEgHCDH vaccine was able to significantly reduce the number of E. granulosus and inhibit the segmental development of E. granulosus compared to the PBS control group.

Conclusions

The results suggest that rEgHCDH can induce partial immune protection against infection with E. granulosus and could be an effective candidate for the development of new vaccines.

Graphical abstract
A weak solution for a $(p(x),q(x))$-Laplacian elliptic problem with a singular term
Authors: Mahshid MirKeysaan , Razani Abdolrahman
Published: September 2021

Here, we consider the following elliptic problem with variable components: $$ -a(x)\Delta _{p(x)}u - b(x) \Delta _{q(x)}u+ \frac{u \vert u \vert ^{s-2}}{|x|^{s}}= \lambda f(x,u), $$
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with Dirichlet boundary condition in a bounded domain in $\mathbb{R}^{N}$

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with a smooth boundary. By applying the variational method, we prove the existence of at least one nontrivial weak solution to the problem.
Numerical solutions of fractional optimal control with Caputo–Katugampola derivative
Authors: Sweilam N. H. , Nagy A. M. , Al-Ajami T. M.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we present a numerical technique for solving fractional optimal control problems with a fractional derivative called Caputo–Katugampola derivative. This derivative is a generalization of the Caputo fractional derivative. The proposed technique is based on a spectral method using shifted Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind. The Clenshaw and Curtis scheme for the numerical integration and the Rayleigh–Ritz method are used to estimate the state and control variables. Moreover, the error bound of the fractional derivative operator approximation of Caputo–Katugampola is derived. Illustrative examples are provided to show the validity and applicability of the presented technique.
Targeting MYC-enhanced glycolysis for the treatment of small cell lung cancer
Authors: Cargill Kasey R. , Stewart C. Allison , Park Elizabeth M. , Ramkumar Kavya , Gay Carl M. , Cardnell Robert J. , Wang Qi , Diao Lixia , Shen Li , Fan You-Hong , Chan Wai Kin , Lorenzi Philip L. , Oliver Trudy G. , Wang Jing , Byers Lauren A.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The transcription factor MYC is overexpressed in 30% of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tumors and is known to modulate the balance between two major pathways of metabolism: glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. This duality of MYC underscores the importance of further investigation into its role in SCLC metabolism and could lead to insights into metabolic targeting approaches.

Methods

We investigated differences in metabolic pathways in transcriptional and metabolomics datasets based on cMYC expression in patient and cell line samples. Metabolic pathway utilization was evaluated by flow cytometry and Seahorse extracellular flux methodology. Glycolysis inhibition was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using PFK158, a small molecular inhibitor of PFKFB3.

Results

MYC-overexpressing SCLC patient samples and cell lines exhibited increased glycolysis gene expression directly mediated by MYC. Further, MYC-overexpressing cell lines displayed enhanced glycolysis consistent with the Warburg effect, while cell lines with low MYC expression appeared more reliant on oxidative metabolism. Inhibition of glycolysis with PFK158 preferentially attenuated glucose uptake, ATP production, and lactate in MYC-overexpressing cell lines. Treatment with PFK158 in xenografts delayed tumor growth and decreased glycolysis gene expression.

Conclusions

Our study highlights an in-depth characterization of SCLC metabolic programming and presents glycolysis as a targetable mechanism downstream of MYC that could offer therapeutic benefit in a subset of SCLC patients.
Polychrome arhat figures dated from the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) at the Lingyan Temple, Changqing, Shandong, China
Authors: Tong Yongdong , Cai Youzhen , Wang Xuening , Li Zhimin , Nevin Austin , Ma Qinglin
Published: September 2021

Scientific analysis revealed the materials and techniques used in the process of making polychrome sculptures providing a solid foundation for the protection and restoration of the painted statues. In addition, the analyses revealed changes in colour schemes applied to the sculptures can provide the basis for the virtual restoration of the painted statues. In order to carry out scientifically-informed protection and restoration of the Bodhidharma statue from the Lingyan Temple, Changqinq, Shandong, several analytical methods such as optical microscope (OM), Micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-RS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed. Analyses clearly reveal the information including the stratigraphic structure and the composition of pigment. The use of silver foils and golden yellow pyrophyllite mineral to replace gold foils were found in the gilding paint layer in the later repainting after the Song Dynasty. This work reports the coexistence of emerald green (Cu(C2H3O2)2·3Cu(AsO2)2) and the degradation product lavendulan (NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl·5H2O) in large areas of the paint stratigraphy and on the surface confirming that the degradation of emerald green is related to the thickness of the paint layer; in thinner paint layers emerald green is transformed in lavendulan, while thicker layers of contain both lavendulan and emerald green, suggesting an environmental source of chlorides.
Palliative care referral criteria and outcomes in cancer and heart failure: a systematic review of literature
Authors: Fadol Anecita P. , Patel Ashley , Shelton Valerie , Krause Kate J. , Bruera Eduardo , Palaskas Nicolas L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Cardiotoxicity resulting in heart failure (HF) is among the most dreaded complications of cancer therapy and can significantly impact morbidity and mortality. Leading professional societies in cardiology and oncology recommend improved access to hospice and palliative care (PC) for patients with cancer and advanced HF. However, there is a paucity of published literature on the use of PC in cardio-oncology, particularly in patients with HF and a concurrent diagnosis of cancer.

Aims

To identify existing criteria for referral to and early integration of PC in the management of cases of patients with cancer and patients with HF, and to identify assessments of outcomes of PC intervention that overlap between patients with cancer and patients with HF.

Design

Systematic literature review on PC in patients with HF and in patients with cancer.

Data sources

Databases including Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2009 to September 2020.

Results

Sixteen studies of PC in cancer and 14 studies of PC in HF were identified after screening of the 8647 retrieved citations. Cancer and HF share similarities in their patient-reported symptoms, quality of life, symptom burden, social support needs, readmission rates, and mortality.

Conclusion

The literature supports the integration of PC into oncology and cardiology practices, which has shown significant benefit to patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system alike. Incorporating PC in cardio-oncology, particularly in the management of HF in patients with cancer, as early as at diagnosis, will enable patients, family members, and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about various treatments and end-of-life care and provide an opportunity for patients to participate in the decisions about how they will spend their final days.
Evaluation of maxillary first molar rotation during direct miniscrew-supported maxillary canine retraction: a before-and-after study
Authors: AlShazly Reem M. , Almohammad Ahmad F. , ElSayed Hend Salah , EL-Beialy Amr Ragab
Published: September 2021

Background

Extraction of the first premolar followed by canine retraction into the extraction space is a common treatment in orthodontics. Molar rotation occurs when they are used as anchorage units for the canine distalization. The aim of this single-arm clinical trial was to evaluate the maxillary first molar rotation during maxillary canine retraction with elastic power chains and direct miniscrew anchorage.

Results

The mean difference between pre-retraction and post-retraction molar rotation was 1.89° ± 0.6 which was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

The use of miniscrews for direct anchorage can eliminate unwanted rotation of the maxillary first molars during canine retraction.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04887974. Registered on May 6, 2021- Retrospectively registered https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04887974?id=NCT04887974&draw=2&rank=1.
The effect of caregiver key opinion leaders on increasing caregiver demand for evidence-based practices to treat youth anxiety: protocol for a randomized control trial
Authors: Crane Margaret E. , Atkins Marc S. , Becker Sara J. , Purtle Jonathan , Olino Thomas M. , Kendall Philip C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Research has identified cognitive behavioral therapy with exposures (CBT) as an effective treatment for youth anxiety. Despite implementation efforts, few anxious youth receive CBT. Direct-to-consumer marketing offers a different approach to address the unmet need for youth receiving effective treatments. Involving a local caregiver key opinion leader in direct-to-consumer initiatives may be an effective strategy to increase caregiver demand for CBT. Research indicates that key opinion leaders improve health promotion campaigns, but key opinion leaders have not been studied in the context of increasing caregiver demand for evidence-based treatments.

Method

Project CHAT (Caregivers Hearing about Anxiety Treatments) will test the role of key opinion leader participation in conducting outreach presentations to increase caregiver desire to seek CBT for their youth’s anxiety. Caregiver attendees (N = 180) will be cluster randomized by school to receive one of two different approaches for presentations on CBT for youth anxiety. Both approaches will involve community outreach presentations providing information on recognizing youth anxiety, strategies caregivers can use to decrease youth anxiety, and how to seek CBT for youth anxiety. The researcher-only condition will be co-facilitated by two researchers. In the key opinion leader condition, a caregiver key opinion leader from each local community will be involved in tailoring the content of the presentation to the context of the community, co-facilitating the presentation with a researcher, and endorsing strategies in the presentation that they have found to be helpful. In line with the theory of planned behavior, caregiver attendees will complete measures assessing their knowledge of, attitudes towards, perceived subjective norms about, and intention to seek CBT pre- and post-presentation; they will indicate whether they sought CBT for their youth at 3-month follow-up. Results will be analyzed using a mixed method approach to assess the effectiveness of a key opinion leader to increase caregiver demand for CBT.

Discussion

This study will be the first to examine the potential of key opinion leaders to increase caregiver demand for CBT. If proven effective, the use of key opinion leaders could serve as a scalable dissemination strategy to increase the reach of evidence-based treatments.

Trial registration

This trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04929262) on June 18, 2021. At the time of trial registration, pre/post-presentation data had been collected from 17 participants; thus, it was retrospectively registered.
Combination of silver nanoparticles with ineffective antibiotics against extended spectrum beta-lactamases producing isolates at Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt
Authors: Mohammed Asmaa Sabry Abdrabou , Mourad Moustafa Ibrahim , Alsewy Fathy Zakaria , Azzam Nashwa Fawzy Abd El Moez
Published: September 2021

Background

The context and purpose of the study: The spready dissemination of resistance mechanisms among extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing bacterial isolates has increasingly been reported. There is an urgent need to explore the antibacterial property of nontoxic biosafe compounds. This In-vitro experimental study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) alone and in combination with ineffective antibiotics against ESBL producing isolates.

Results

Ciprofloxacin with AgNPs combination had the highest synergistic percentage against 91.43% of ESBL Escherichia coli isolates, and it was additive against 8.57% of them. As regards ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates, AgNPs with cefotaxime were synergistic against 75.00% of them, followed by ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin (62.50%). The least effective combination was ampicillin with AgNPs. The greatest enhancement of activity of the antibiotics was observed at silver minimum inhibitory concentration (MICAg) MICAg/2 and MICAg/4. At lower AgNPs concentrations, enhanced effects were less obvious. AgNPs inhibited the production of beta-lactamase enzymes in 91.43% of E. coli and 75% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Conclusion

AgNPs are a valuable alternative to combat drug resistance, as they had synergistic effects when combined with different ineffective antibiotics against ESBL producing bacteria. AgNPs had lowered MIC values of antibiotics by several folds. Moreover, they inhibited the production of beta-lactamase enzymes.
Chemical profiling and antioxidant activity of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. stem extract, a potential traditional medicinal plant for urinary tract infections
Authors: Sureshkumar Jeyalatchagan , Amalraj Singamoorthy , Murugan Ramar , Tamilselvan Anantharaj , Krupa Jayaraj , Sriramavaratharajan Venkatraman , Gurav Shailendra S. , Ayyanar Muniappan
Published: September 2021

Background

Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (E. ramosissimum) is a widely used traditional medicinal plant to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by ethnic people throughout the world. The utility of the plant in treating urinary-related disorders was evaluated against selected pathogenic bacteria which has major role in causing UTIs. Hence, the present study executed to extract phytochemicals like total phenolics and flavonoids, chemical profiling by GC–MS analysis and to test their antioxidant activity from stem extracts of E. ramosissimum. The extraction process was directed by petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous solvents.

Results

The GC–MS analysis yielded 24 phytoconstituents with linoleic acid, palmitic acid, nonacosane, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, and octacosane as major compounds. Methanolic extract yielded maximum amount of phenolics (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) with 600.02 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g and 631.38 ± 0.69 mg QE/g, respectively. Methanolic extract also exhibited notable free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 123.89 ± 0.73, 150.10 ± 1.02, 146.01 ± 0.54, and 63.73 ± 6.12 µg/mL for DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and O2− assays, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) required to inhibit the growth of tested pathogenic bacteria was observed in aqueous and methanolic extracts with the value being 31.25 µg/mL against R. equi and V. cholerae. As like, methanolic and petroleum ether extracts efficiently inhibited the growth of B. subtilis with the MIC of 31.25 µg/mL.

Conclusion

It was concluded that the notable effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts against the uropathogenic bacteria reported in this study supported the traditional uses of this plant in treating UTIs. The results acquired from this investigation revealed that E. ramosissimum stem extract might be considered as an interesting candidate in the development of antibacterial agent against UTIs coupled with antioxidant properties.
The origin and role of the renal stroma
Authors: Wilson Sean B. , Little Melissa H.
Published: September 2021

The postnatal kidney is predominantly composed of nephron epithelia with the interstitial components representing a small proportion of the final organ, except in the diseased state. This is in stark contrast to the developing organ, which arises from the mesoderm and comprises an expansive stromal population with distinct regional gene expression. In many organs, the identity and ultimate function of an epithelium is tightly regulated by the surrounding stroma during development. However, although the presence of a renal stromal stem cell population has been demonstrated, the focus has been on understanding the process of nephrogenesis whereas the role of distinct stromal components during kidney morphogenesis is less clear. In this Review, we consider what is known about the role of the stroma of the developing kidney in nephrogenesis, where these cells come from as well as their heterogeneity, and reflect on how this information may improve human kidney organoid models.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B targets focal adhesion kinase and paxillin in cell–matrix adhesions
Authors: González Wusener Ana E. , González Ángela , Perez Collado María E. , Maza Melina R. , General Ignacio J. , Arregui Carlos O.
Published: September 2021

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B, also known as PTPN1) is an established regulator of cell-matrix adhesion and motility. However, the nature of substrate targets at adhesion sites remains to be validated. Here, we used bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, in combination with a substrate trapping mutant of PTP1B, to directly examine whether relevant phosphotyrosines on paxillin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK, also known as PTK2) are substrates of the phosphatase in the context of cell-matrix adhesion sites. We found that the formation of catalytic complexes at cell-matrix adhesions requires intact tyrosine residues Y31 and Y118 on paxillin, and the localization of FAK at adhesion sites. Additionally, we found that PTP1B specifically targets Y925 on the focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain of FAK at adhesion sites. Electrostatic analysis indicated that dephosphorylation of this residue promotes the closed conformation of the FAT 4-helix bundle and its interaction with paxillin at adhesion sites.
The Battle of Kalavrye Revisited
Authors: GILMER James Michael
Published: September 2021

Στο άρθρο επανεξετάζονται τα σχετικά με την μάχη της Καλαβρύης (1078), της κρίσιμης αυτής αντιπαράθεσης μεταξὺ Αλεξίου Κομνηνού και Νικηφόρου Βρυεννίου, και προτείνεται μία άλλη ερμηνεία για την εξέλιξή της. Η σύγχρονη βιβλιογραφία βασίζεται στην εξιστόρηση του νεωτέρου Νικηφόρου Βρυεννίου στην Ύλη Ιστορίας, με σύντομες αναφορές στα λίγα σημεία διαφοροποίησης που υπάρχουν στην αφήγηση της Άννας Κομνηνής στην Αλεξιάδα, και η ακρίβειά της θεωρείται δεδομένη. Έχει αγνοηθεί όμως σε μεγάλο βαθμό η λίγο παλαιότερη εκδοχή που παρουσιάζει ο Μιχαήλ Ατταλειάτης. Στο άρθρο επιχειρείται να αποδειχθεί ότι μία βασική λεπτομέρεια που αναφέρεται στην σύγχρονη βιβλιογραφία –η αιφνίδια άφιξη των Τούρκων μισθοφόρων που έγειρε την πλάστιγγα υπέρ του Αλεξίου– βασίζεται στην παράδοση της Ύλης Ιστοριών και της Αλεξιάδας, δεν επαληθεύεται όμως από την Ιστορία του Μιχαήλ Ατταλειάτη. Η αναφορά σε «αιφνίδια άφιξη» των Τούρκων μισθοφόρων οφείλεται σε παρερμηνεία της τακτικής του Αλεξίου: οι Τούρκοι ήσαν εξ αρχής παρόντες στο πεδίο της μάχης.
Review Article: A. RHOBY & N. ZAGKLAS (eds.), Middle and Late Byzantine Poetry: Texts and Contexts [ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΟΣ. Studies in Byzantine History and Civilization 14], Turnhout 2018
Authors: CHRYSSOGELOS Konstantinos
Published: September 2021

Review Article: A. RHOBY & N. ZAGKLAS (eds.), Middle and Late Byzantine Poetry: Texts and Contexts [ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΟS. Studies in Byzantine History and Civilization 14], Turnhout 2018
[2.2.2.2]Paracyclophanetetraenes (PCTs): cyclic structural analogues of poly(p‑phenylene vinylene)s (PPVs)
Authors: Pletzer Matthias , Plasser Felix , Rimmele Martina , Heeney Martin , Glöcklhofer Florian
Published: September 2021

Background: Poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s (PPVs) and [2.2.2.2]paracyclophanetetraene (PCT) are both composed of alternating π-conjugated para-phenylene and vinylene units. However, while the former constitute a class of π-conjugated polymers that has been used in organic electronics for decades, the latter is a macrocycle that only recently revealed its potential for applications such as organic battery electrodes. The cyclic structure endows PCT with unusual properties, and further tuning of these may be required for specific applications. Methods: In this article, we adopt an approach often used for tuning the properties of PPVs, the introduction of alkoxy (or alkylthio) substituents at the phenylene units, for tuning the optoelectronic properties of PCT. The resulting methoxy- and methylthio-substituted PCTs, obtained by Wittig cyclisation reactions, are studied by UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence, and cyclic voltammetry measurements, and investigated computationally using the visualisation of chemical shielding tensors (VIST) method. Results: The measurements show that substitution leads to slight changes in terms of absorption/emission energies and redox potentials while having a pronounced effect on the photoluminescence intensity. The computations show the effect of the substituents on the ring currents and chemical shielding and on the associated local and global (anti)aromaticity of the macrocycles, highlighting the interplay of local and global aromaticity in various electronic states. Conclusions: The study offers interesting insights into the tuneability of the properties of this versatile class of π-conjugated macrocycles.
Natural language processing for aviation safety: extracting knowledge from publicly-available loss of separation reports
Authors: Buselli Irene , Oneto Luca , Dambra Carlo , Verdonk Gallego Christian , García Martínez Miguel , Smoker Anthony , Ike Nnenna , Pejovic Tamara , Ruiz Martino Patricia
Published: September 2021

Background: The air traffic management (ATM) system has historically coped with a global increase in traffic demand ultimately leading to increased operational complexity.

When dealing with the impact of this increasing complexity on system safety it is crucial to automatically analyse the loss of separation (LoS) using tools able to extract meaningful and actionable information from safety reports.

Current research in this field mainly exploits natural language processing (NLP) to categorise the reports, with the limitations that the considered categories need to be manually annotated by experts and that general taxonomies are seldom exploited.

Methods: To address the current gaps, authors propose to perform exploratory data analysis on safety reports combining state-of-the-art techniques like topic modelling and clustering and then to develop an algorithm able to extract the Toolkit for ATM Occurrence Investigation (TOKAI) taxonomy factors from the free-text safety reports based on syntactic analysis.

TOKAI is a general taxonomy developed by EUROCONTROL and intended to become a standard and harmonised approach to future investigations.

Results: Leveraging on the LoS events reported in the public databases of the Comisión de Estudio y Análisis de Notificaciones de Incidentes de Tránsito Aéreo and the United Kingdom Airprox Board, authors show how their proposal is able to automatically extract meaningful and actionable information from safety reports and to classify them according to the TOKAI taxonomy.

The quality of the approach is also indirectly validated by checking the connection between the identified factors and the main contributor of the incidents.

Conclusions: Authors' results are a promising first step toward the full automation of a general analysis of LoS reports supported by results on real world data coming from two different sources.

In the future, authors' proposal could be extended to other taxonomies or tailored to identify factors to be included in the safety taxonomies.
On the transference of the mantids collection (Insecta, Mantodea) from the Entomological Collection of Instituto Butantan to the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Ferraz Bernardo , Souza-Dias Pedro , Virginio Flávia
Published: September 2021

Brazil is one of the most diverse countries in the world, hosting more than 250 known species of mantids (Mantodea). Studying natural history collections is crucial to identify, describe new taxa and solve taxonomic issues, improving the knowledge about the biodiversity. Here we document the transference of the mantids collection from the Entomological Collection of Instituto Butantan (São Paulo, Brazil) to the Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and provide a morphological assessment on the 33 transferred mantids. We recognized 13 genera and 12 species, with diversified distribution in Brazil, although 6 specimens from 4 genera could not be identified at a specific level. The transference of this collection starts a new phase of restructuration and recognition of the Medical Entomology scope of the donor collection, aside from helping the rebuilt of the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional, lost in the 2018 fire, and allowing further researches within the group.
Segurança pública e cidades: perspectivas a partir da Escola de Chicago
Authors: Guimarães Claudio Alberto Gabriel , Branco Thayara Castelo , Santoro Antonio Eduardo
Published: September 2021

Pretende-se com este trabalho, a partir da perspectiva teórica desenvolvida pela Escola Sociológica de Chicago, investigar e resgatar os estudos realizados desde o início do Século XX, que indicam a configuração espacial das cidades como fator inibidor ou potencializador da atividade criminosa, a depender do seu nível de organização social e urbanística. Sequencialmente, a partir de estudos de pesquisadores brasileiros, intenta-se averiguar a pertinência da inter-relação entre desorganização social, desorganização urbana e criminalidade no país, o que leva a seguinte problematização: Existe relação entre espaços da cidade desorganizados social e urbanisticamente e o cometimento de delitos?  Por fim, serão estudadas as previsões legais, a partir da Constituição brasileira, acerca do desenvolvimento de políticas públicas em tal âmbito urbano, como forma de combate à violência apontada pela pesquisa como setorizada social e espacialmente. O método de pesquisa utilizado foi estritamente a pesquisa bibliográfica e, consequentemente, os dados utilizados os que constantes nos trabalhos referidos e que acabaram por apontar como hipótese a plausibilidade na ligação entre desorganização social, desorganização urbana e criminalidade sugerindo, de forma conclusiva mas não exaustiva, a necessidade de implementação de políticas públicas inclusivas, principalmente no âmbito dos Municípios, focadas no combate à violência estrutural e, consequentemente, criminal.
Processos urbanos relacionados: periferização e produção de habitação social no núcleo da região metropolitana de Curitiba
Authors: Fortunato Rafaela Antunes , Lima Cristina Araújo , Gonçalves Livia Priori
Published: September 2021

A produção de habitações de interesse social no Núcleo da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, financiadas com recursos do programa federal Minha Casa, Minha Vida, se encontra intimamente ligada ao processo de periferização, apesar do PMCMV propor a garantia das condições de sustentabilidade urbanística, social e ambiental da população envolvida como seu princípio norteador. Nesse contexto, surge o questionamento: considerando os programas oficiais e focalizando áreas periurbanas, como se encontram as condições de sustentabilidade nos conjuntos habitacionais de interesse social no Núcleo da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba? Tem-se como premissa que a seleção de terrenos periféricos para implantação dos conjuntos habitacionais prejudica as condições de sustentabilidade urbana e ambiental dos mesmos. O método de pesquisa adotado foi o estudo de caso de conjuntos habitacionais localizados nos municípios de Curitiba e Fazenda Rio Grande. Os resultados demonstraram que a falta de utilização dos instrumentos do Estatuto da Cidade, como a demarcação de Zonas Especiais de Interesse Social (ZEIS) juntamente ao Parcelamento e Edificação Compulsórios e ao Imposto Predial e Territorial Urbano (IPTU) Progressivo no Tempo, criou fragilidade ao quesito de qualidade urbana desses conjuntos habitacionais, que acabaram sendo implantados nas bordas dos perímetros urbanos dos municípios, ampliando o processo de periferização.
Percepções espaciais e relações sociais: conexões entre o direito à cidade e o urbanismo tático
Authors: Dias Gomes Julia , Dias Gomes Leticia , Borges Mendes Thiago , Couto Mello Marcia Maria
Published: September 2021

A estrutura física das cidades encontra-se em constante evolução, cada vez mais fluida e aberta a transformações, deixando os núcleos urbanos preparados para responder e organizar as pressões que sofrem pela própria produção do espaço. No que diz respeito à dimensão temporal, o efêmero toma importância sobre como devemos utilizá-lo como uma alternativa para alcançar as transições urbanas, sem que se prenda a apenas uma solução. O estudo se apresenta como uma discussão da temática da ação urbanística tática como elemento intermediário entre o direito à cidade e a cidade cinética. Por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, com caráter exploratório, se constrói um pensamento sobre as mudanças que ocorrem nas cidades ao longo do tempo, o poder de transformação que os indivíduos possuem em planejar e criá-la, trazendo para reflexão a reafirmação do direito à mesma. Dotado de uma lógica “local”, o urbanismo tático ou efêmero, responde às necessidades dos cidadãos vinculados à onde vivem, dinamizando os conceitos do direito à cidade, e tenta aproximar as percepções espaciais com as relações sociais.