bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between White Matter Microstructures and Cognitive Functioning in 8-Year-Old Children: A Track-Weighted Imaging Study
Authors: Raja Rajikha , Na Xiaoxu , Moore Alexandra , Otoo Raymond , Glasier Charles M. , Badger Thomas M. , Ou Xiawei
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Quantitative tractography using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data is widely used in characterizing white matter microstructure throughout childhood, but more studies are still needed to investigate comprehensive brain-behavior relationships between tract-specific white matter measures and multiple cognitive functions in children.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed diffusion-weighted MRI data of 71 healthy 8-year-old children utilizing white matter tract-specific quantitative measures derived from diffusion-weighted MRI tractography based on a novel track-weighted imaging approach. Track density imaging, average path length map and 4 track-weighted diffusion tensor imaging measures including: mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were computed for 63 white matter tracts. The track-weighted imaging measures were then correlated with a comprehensive set of neuropsychological test scores in different cognitive domains including intelligence, language, memory, academic skills, and executive functions to identify tract-specific brain-behavior relationships.

Results

Significant correlations ( P < .05, false discovery rate corrected; r = 0.27-0.57) were found in multiple white matter tracts, with a total of 40 correlations identified between various track-weighted imaging measures including average path length map, track-weighted imaging–fractional anisotropy, and neuropsychological test scores and subscales. Specifically, track-weighted imaging measures indicative of better white matter connectivity and/or microstructural development significantly correlated with higher IQ and better language abilities.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the ability of track-weighted imaging measures in establishing associations between white matter and cognitive functioning in healthy children and can serve as a reference for normal brain/cognition relationships in young school-age children and further aid in identifying imaging biomarkers predictive of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Design based on availability: Generative design and robotic fabrication workflow for non-standardized sheet metal with variable properties
Authors: Moussavi Seyed Mobin , Svatoš-Ražnjević Hana , Körner Axel , Tahouni Yasaman , Menges Achim , Knippers Jan
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the use of a computational design algorithm in combination with robotic fabrication and sensing to augment the design and construction process for non-standardized material. Although reusing reclaimed material can significantly reduce the environmental impact in building construction, current design processes are not set up for this shift in thinking. Contrary to conventional practices, designing within the constraints of available material means that geometry and topology cannot be fully pre-determined. This paper introduces a design methodology for corrugated shell structures from folded sheet metal of variable geometries and properties, in which the design goal adapts to available material. It follows a two-fold approach of digital algorithm development and scanning and physical prototyping for robotic fabrication. The scanned materials database is classified based on object geometry data and material properties; such as thickness, type of metal, and spring-back values for fabrication purposes. Together with a target surface, it is an input for a generative design algorithm consisting of surface generation and optimization. The surface generation tries to approximate the target through a translation of search algorithm results for object placement into a 2D mesh graph which is then linked to 3D particle spring based form-finding. The optimization consists of evaluation of structural, fabrication, and design criteria, with finally user selection. Robotic fabrication included object recognition, metal sheet folding and consideration of different metal spring back behavior. These methods were tested on a single curved arch surface and applied to a double curved cantilever canopy as a final demonstrator. The algorithm results showed a generation of different corrugated shell topologies based on iterated object placement. As a demonstrator, a part of the selected canopy was robotically fabricated from local industrial leftovers.
The Sociotechnical System of Silk Weaving in Bishnupur Region in West Bengal
Authors: Banerjee Abhradip , Chakrabarti Gopalkrishna
Published: March 2022

The article analyses the sociotechnical system of the silk weaving industry in the Bishnupur region of West Bengal through a detailed description of processes and interactions between important technical elements and the human agents within a richly structured environment of silk cloth production. It shows that the various processes of silk cloth production and marketing constitute an ensemble of economic inequalities, skill differentiation and differences in power and prestige. Different groups restructure the hierarchy by participating in the network of silk cloth production in which raw materials are converted into stable or viable products. The article thus provides an overview of how capitalist development is shaping the lives and livelihoods of silk weaving artisans in West Bengal.
Long-term outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment of macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusions
Authors: Corazza Paolo , D’Alterio Francesco Maria , Savastano Maria Cristina , Kabbani Jamil , Duguid Graham , Savastano Alfonso , Younis Saad
Published: March 2022

Purpose

retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is classified as either branch (BRVO) or central (CRVO) RVO. The gold standard treatment for macular oedema (MO) secondary to RVO is intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Our study aimed to compare ranibizumab and aflibercept outcomes over a maximum follow-up of five years.

Methods

this retrospective study assessed treatment-naïve RVO patients. Active disease was treated with three loading injections followed by a pro-re-nata (PRN) regimen of an anti-VEGF agent. Visual outcomes and injection frequency were analyzed, with patients stratified according to RVO subtype, anti-VEGF agent used, baseline vision, and age.

Results

316 CRVO-affected eyes and 467 BRVO-affected eyes were analysed. Visual benefits between different treatments did not significantly differ, except in year 1 in ranibizumab-treated BRVO eyes. However, aflibercept-treated CRVO and BRVO eyes required significantly fewer injections during the follow up period. Furthermore, our results confirm that younger patients achieve better visual outcomes with fewer intravitreal injections. Overall, half of our patients did not require further injections after 1 year from diagnosis.

Conclusion

the results demonstrate that anti-VEGF treatment of RVO benefits vision for up to 5 years. Our findings are the first to suggest that compared to ranibizumab, fewer aflibercept injections may be required over five years follow up. Prospective randomised trials are needed to confirm this, alongside further attention to OCT scan features and the effect of patient demographics on treatment outcomes.
Cenobamate for treatment-resistant focal seizures: current evidence and place in therapy
Authors: Singh Alok
Published: March 2022

Background

Cenobamate is newly approved for partial-onset seizures in adults, albeit the mechanism of its action remain poorly understood.

Methods

 This article aims to review the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cenobamate in treating partial-onset seizures.

Data Collection:

The English language articles were searched in the National Institute of Health clinical trials registry, PubMed, and the Cochrane library between 2010 and June 2021 using the keywords cenobamate, YKP 3089, and seizure, and filter “trial” was applied.

Results:

A total of 31 articles were retrieved. Eventually, two randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trials involving 659 patients were analyzed. Cenobamate has shown significant reduction in seizure frequency compared to placebo. In cenobamate group, a greater number of participants showed ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency, adverse effects, and drug discontinuation compared to placebo. Multiple drug-drug interactions with other anti-seizure drugs were also observed.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of these trials, cenobamate seems to be an attractive option for treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures; however, multiple treatment-related adverse effects and drug-drug interactions are the areas of concern.
Female sexual dysfunction after bariatric surgery in women with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Loh Huai H. , Shahar Mohammad A. , Loh Huai S. , Yee Anne
Published: March 2022

Background and objective:

Obesity is prevalent and has a negative impact on women’s health, including sexual dysfunction. Recent review articles suggest improvement in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and proportion of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women with obesity after bariatric surgery.

Methods:

We pooled data from 16 observational studies involving 953 women. The study outcomes were mean FSFI scores and proportion of FSD before and after bariatric surgery. We also sub-analyzed whether age and duration of follow-up affected these outcomes.

Results:

The mean age of the subjects was 39.4 ± 4.2 years. Body mass index (BMI) showed significant reduction postoperatively ( p < 0.0001). Bariatric surgery led to significant improvement in total FSFI score ( p = 0.0005), and all sexual domains except pain. Bariatric surgery reduced the odds of having FSD by 76% compared with those who did not undergo operation (OR 0.24, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.33, p < 0.0001). Our sub-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the proportion of FSD for patients <40 years of age. The improvement of total FSFI scores and reduction in proportion of FSD remained significant within the first 12 months after surgery. Univariate meta-regression showed that BMI was not a significant covariate for improvement of FSFI scores ( β = 0.395, p = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.884, 0.095).

Conclusions:

Bariatric surgery is shown to improve sexual function scores and prevalence of FSD. This is especially significant among women <40 years of age. This benefit remained significant within the first year after surgery. This appears to be an additional benefit for these patients.
Producing exemplarity: Performance making in a Chinese prison
Authors: Xiaoye Zhang
Published: March 2022

Penal order is closely linked to the broader social order in China and the disciplinary side of its maintenance. This article seeks to demonstrate, through the case of performance making, what order means to the Chinese prison authority, and how prisoners comply with and sometimes defy the system based upon various motivations. Using data from an ethnographic study on performance making in a men's prison during 2015–2018, this study aims to understand how an 'exemplary order' is maintained, and what kinds of compliance and resistance can be found. The findings suggest that “theatre in prisons” is not a Western invention to be borrowed, but a long-established institutional mechanism of order mainetence in China, as participation in prison's activities represents compliance with the regime order. However, compliance is also utilized by the prisoners not only for hedonistic gains but also for gaining social capital, which can have a strong positive influence on their quality of life inside and earlier release. This study will also demonstrate how the Chinese penal order maintenance shares similirities with modes of soft power found in British prisons, as well prisoner-officer collaboration found in other Global South countries, with a twist
Functionally graded cellular cores of sandwich panels fabricated by additive manufacturing
Authors: Garrido Silva B , Alves F , Sardinha M , Reis L , Leite M , Deus A M , Vaz M Fatima
Published: March 2022

Functionally graded cellular materials, which combine cellular materials with a gradient of properties, have been recently investigated as cores of sandwich panels.

The present work aims to evaluate the flexural properties of functionally graded cellular structures with a gradient of cell thickness on configurations recently proposed. The structures hexagonal honeycomb (Hr), lotus (Lt), and hexagonal honeycomb with Plateau borders (Pt) were designed with three different gradients of cell thickness. The parts were manufactured by material extrusion using FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication).

To evaluate the mechanical properties, three-point bending tests were conducted, both experimentally and by numerical modelling, by means of the finite element method. The materials used were polylactic acid (PLA) and aluminum.

Although experimental and numerical results exhibited some deviations, they revealed the same trends. The results showed that the stiffness and the absorbed energy of the graded Hr, Lt and Pt structures, made of PLA, are higher than such values for the regular hexagonal honeycombs. For the same gradient of cell thickness, the lotus structure tends to exhibit the highest stiffness and absorbed energy, while the hexagonal honeycomb arrangement achieves the largest value of strength. Graded aluminum specimens also attain higher values of stiffness, strength and absorbed energy in comparison with non-graded hexagonal honeycomb configurations.

Thus, the use of gradients of cell thickness can promote structures with higher stiffness and absorbed energy, which may compete with the conventional structures of sandwich panel cores.
Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Measures
Authors: Ravi Kristen E. , Rai Abha , Lindsey Savannah
Published: March 2022

Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive public health issue due to its high prevalence and the adverse effects it can have on individuals. Standardized measures can fail to account for within-group differences that are salient among diverse populations. The current review aims to systematically review and organize the psychometric studies of culturally responsive DV measures. The goal of the review is to inform researchers and practitioners about the validity and reliability of the existing measures to facilitate measure selection. Studies were included if they were validation studies of a DV measure, published in English in a peer-reviewed journal, demonstrated cultural responsivity, and provided evidence of validity or reliability. A total of seven studies were identified. Findings from this review showed that most participants were from South Asia or were South Asian immigrants. Some culturally specific tactics included being treated like a servant, eating last, being burned, and in-laws abuse. Most measures included in this review demonstrated compelling evidence of validity and reliability. More research is needed to develop and validate culturally responsive measures with distinctly diverse populations. Valid and reliable culturally responsive measures can be helpful for DV and non-DV service providers to precisely assess DV and provide appropriate services while documenting accurate DV prevalence rates.
LINC01094 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Gastric Cancer and is Correlated With EMT and Macrophage Infiltration
Authors: Ye Yuanchun , Ge Ouyang , Zang Chuanbing , Yu Leina , Eucker Jan , Chen Yuling
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01094 is often upregulated in renal cell carcinoma and glioma; however, its role in gastric cancer remains unclear. Here, we aim to demonstrate the relationship between LINC01094 and gastric cancer. Method: The gene expression (RNASeq) data of 375 patients with localized, locally advanced, and metastatic gastric cancer were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The Kruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics and LINC01094 expression. Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan–Meier method were used to assess prognostic factors of gastric cancer. A nomogram based on Cox multivariate analysis was used to predict the impact of LINC01094 on gastric cancer prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify key LINC01094-associated signaling pathways. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to detect the location of LINC01094 in the tissue, and a competing endogenous (ce)RNA network was constructed to identify LINC01094-related genes. Spearman's rank correlation was used to elucidate the association between LINC01094 expression level and immune cell infiltration level. Result: LINC01094 expression was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and strongly associated with overall survival using univariate Cox regression (hazard ratio [HR]  =  1.476, 95% CI  =  1.060-2.054, P  =  .021) and multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR  =  1.535, 95% CI  =  1.021-2.308, P  =  .039). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of LINC01094 was 0.910. GSEA showed a strong relationship between LINC01094 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. RNA-FISH demonstrated that LINC01094 localized in the cytoplasm. It was closely related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker SNAI2, according to ceRNA ( R  =  0.61, P < .001), and macrophage-related gene FCGR2A. Macrophages were also significantly positively correlated with LINC01094 expression ( R  =  0.747, P < .001). Conclusion: High LINC01094 expression predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer and is correlated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway and macrophage infiltration.
Mortality, seasonal variation, and susceptibility to acute exacerbation of COPD in the pandemic year: a nationwide population study
Authors: Sarc Irena , Lotric Dolinar Alesa , Morgan Tina , Sambt Joze , Ziherl Kristina , Gavric Dalibor , Selb Julij , Rozman Ales , Dosenovic Bonca Petra
Published: March 2022

Background:

Previous studies have suggested that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with a decreased rate of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Data on how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced mortality, seasonality of, and susceptibility to AECOPD in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population is scarce.

Methods:

We conducted a national population-based retrospective study using data from the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia from 2015 to February 2021, with 2015–2019 as the reference. We extracted patient and healthcare data for AECOPD, dividing AECOPD into severe, resulting in hospitalisation, and moderate, requiring outpatient care. The national COPD population was generated based on dispensed prescriptions of inhalation therapies, and moderate AECOPD events were analysed based on dispensed AECOPD medications. We extracted data on all-cause and non-COVID mortality.

Results:

The numbers of severe and moderate AECOPD were reduced by 48% and 34%, respectively, in 2020. In the pandemic year, the seasonality of AECOPD was reversed, with a 1.5-fold higher number of severe AECOPD in summer compared to winter. The proportion of frequent exacerbators (⩾2 AECOPD hospitalisations per year) was reduced by 9% in 2020, with a 30% reduction in repeated severe AECOPD in frequent exacerbators and a 34% reduction in persistent frequent exacerbators (⩾2 AECOPD hospitalisations per year for 2 consecutive years) from 2019. The risk of two or more moderate AECOPD decreased by 43% in 2020. In the multivariate model, pandemic year follow-up was the only independent factor associated with a decreased risk for severe AECOPD (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–0.84; p < 0.0001). In 2020, non-COVID mortality decreased (−15%) and no excessive mortality was observed in the COPD population.

Conclusion:

In the pandemic year, we found decreased susceptibility to AECOPD across severity spectrum of COPD, reversed seasonal distribution of severe AECOPD and decreased non-COVID mortality in the COPD population.
Finding my Way into Resistance
Authors: Pelias Ronald J.
Published: March 2022

The essay presents satiric accounts of the author’s encounters with Trump signage. It shows how political T-shirts, yard signs, and hats can become emotional triggers, often resulting problematic discourse. As a corrective, it calls upon several scholars who offer more productive ways of conversing with those who hold oppositional views. The essay then raises the question of whether the recommended strategies are effective with those who do not act in good faith. The essay ends with a postscript written 2 weeks after the 2020 election.
Phenobarbital-induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and peripheral lymphadenomegaly due to reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in a cat
Authors: Walton-Clark Michelle , Travail Victoria , Best Matthew
Published: March 2022

Case summary

A female neutered domestic longhair cat, aged 1 year and 5 months, presented with lymphadenomegaly and anaemia following therapy with phenobarbital for idiopathic epilepsy. Physical examination revealed pale pink mucous membranes and peripheral lymphadenomegaly. Haematology showed a regenerative anaemia (haematocrit 19.3%, reticulocyte count 118.08 ×109/l), and saline agglutination was positive. Infectious disease screening was negative and lymph node cytology was consistent with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. A diagnosis of phenobarbital-induced reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and immune-mediated anaemia was suspected. Complete resolution of the lymphadenomegaly and anaemia was documented within 4 weeks of phenobarbital discontinuation.

Relevance and novel information

There are limited case reports of phenobarbital-induced haematological changes and lymphadenomegaly; however, the combination has not previously been reported in cats and is similar to the rare but significant syndrome in humans known as ‘anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome’. Anticonvulsant hypersensitivities should be considered as a potentially serious, yet reversible, sequela to phenobarbital treatment that may be mistaken for more severe illness such as neoplasia.
Does Insurance Status Influence Outpatient Flow? Cross-Sectional Comparison of Insured and Uninsured Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Opurum Ndubuisi E. , Kemdirim Chinonye J. , Uduak Abasianam , Hart David , Ogaji Daprim Samuel
Published: March 2022

Background: While patient satisfaction is a core index for the assessment of health quality, waiting time and payment mode in hospitals could influence outpatients’ flow and as well as their level of satisfaction. Objective: This study compared the waiting time of insured and uninsured patients seeking general outpatient care in a tertiary hospital. Methods: A total of 166 insured and 166 uninsured ambulatory adult patients seeking outpatient services were recruited by systematic random sampling and followed through their consultation at the outpatient clinic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Science (version 20.0) at a 5% alpha level and power of 80%. Results: There were more males (54.8%) among the insured and more females (53.0%) among the uninsured, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P = .153). There were significant differences in mean total idle time during outpatient visits (md = 65.7 min; 95% CI: 69.1, 162.8; P < .001) and total time spent (md=106.6 min; 95% CI: 204.8, 211.8; P < .001) in favor of insured patients. The time spent during the consultation was not significantly different (md = 0.8 min; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.7; P = .107). The insured patients were significantly more satisfied with the time spent waiting for nurses’ and doctors’ attention ( P < .001). Conclusion: Significant variations exist in the time spent and level of satisfaction with time spent by insured and uninsured ambulatory patients. Findings call for improving efficiency in patient flow management especially for uninsured patients attending outpatient clinics in public hospitals.
The socio-ecological contradictions of land degradation and coastal agriculture in south India
Authors: Pratheepa C.M. , Raj Rengalakshmi , Sinha Shreya
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the drivers and impacts of degradation of agricultural land in a village in a South Indian coastal delta. Drawing on insights from political economy and political ecology scholarship, it argues that there is a dialectical relation between land degradation and social inequalities, i.e. the biophysical degeneration of land is not only caused by human and environmental factors but it also generates social contradictions which further intensify both land degradation and social inequalities. The paper demonstrates, firstly, that coastal land degradation has been generated in the form of soil salinity through a confluence of the inherent environmental vulnerabilities of the region, forces of commoditization (especially those associated with shrimp aquaculture), existing social hierarchies and state policy. Secondly, it shows that social groups differentiated by caste, class and gender have experienced these changes differently. A small, relatively well-off section of the locally dominant caste landowners has benefitted from shifting from paddy to shrimp aquaculture, which is leading to a further increase in salinisation. Others have to bear the brunt of decreasing productivity of land for crop cultivation, leading them to abandon or reduce cultivation and increase dependence on non-agricultural sources of income, especially through male outmigration. Women's burden of work has increased while their capacity to earn wage-income has declined. Without any concerted state effort to either restore the land or to alleviate the widespread agrarian distress, land degradation has developed into a continuously evolving downward spiral, but one where there will still be some winners and many losers.
CNN-DDI: a learning-based method for predicting drug–drug interactions using convolution neural networks
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Lu Yao , Zang Tianyi
Published: March 2022

Background

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are the reactions between drugs. They are compartmentalized into three types: synergistic, antagonistic and no reaction. As a rapidly developing technology, predicting DDIs-associated events is getting more and more attention and application in drug development and disease diagnosis fields. In this work, we study not only whether the two drugs interact, but also specific interaction types. And we propose a learning-based method using convolution neural networks to learn feature representations and predict DDIs.

Results

In this paper, we proposed a novel algorithm using a CNN architecture, named CNN-DDI, to predict drug–drug interactions. First, we extract feature interactions from drug categories, targets, pathways and enzymes as feature vectors and employ the Jaccard similarity as the measurement of drugs similarity. Then, based on the representation of features, we build a new convolution neural network as the DDIs’ predictor.

Conclusion

The experimental results indicate that drug categories is effective as a new feature type applied to CNN-DDI method. And using multiple features is more informative and more effective than single feature. It can be concluded that CNN-DDI has more superiority than other existing algorithms on task of predicting DDIs.
A multi-network integration approach for measuring disease similarity based on ncRNA regulation and heterogeneous information
Authors: Zhang Ningyi , Zang Tianyi
Published: March 2022

Background

Measuring similarity between complex diseases has significant implications for revealing the pathogenesis of diseases and development in the domain of biomedicine. It has been consentaneous that functional associations between disease-related genes and semantic associations can be applied to calculate disease similarity. Currently, more and more studies have demonstrated the profound involvement of non-coding RNA in the regulation of genome organization and gene expression. Thus, taking ncRNA into account can be useful in measuring disease similarities. However, existing methods ignore the regulation functions of ncRNA in biological process. In this study, we proposed a novel deep-learning method to deduce disease similarity.

Results

In this article, we proposed a novel method, ImpAESim, a framework integrating multiple networks embedding to learn compact feature representations and disease similarity calculation. We first utilize three different disease-related information networks to build up a heterogeneous network, after a network diffusion process, RWR, a compact feature learning model composed of classic Auto Encoder (AE) and improved AE model is proposed to extract constraints and low-dimensional feature representations. We finally obtain an accurate and low-dimensional feature representation of diseases, then we employed the cosine distance as the measurement of disease similarity.

Conclusion

ImpAESim focuses on extracting a low-dimensional vector representation of features based on ncRNA regulation, and gene–gene interaction network. Our method can significantly reduce the calculation bias resulted from the sparse disease associations which are derived from semantic associations.
Transcriptomic characterization of the molecular mechanisms induced by RGMa during skeletal muscle nuclei accretion and hypertrophy
Authors: Copola Aline Gonçalves Lio , dos Santos Íria Gabriela Dias , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Del-Bem Luiz Eduardo Vieira , de Almeida Campos-Junior Paulo Henrique , da Conceição Izabela Mamede Costa Andrade , Nogueira Júlia Meireles , do Carmo Costa Alinne , Silva Gerluza Aparecida Borges , Jorge Erika Cristina
Published: March 2022

Background

The repulsive guidance molecule a (RGMa) is a GPI-anchor axon guidance molecule first found to play important roles during neuronal development. RGMa expression patterns and signaling pathways via Neogenin and/or as BMP coreceptors indicated that this axon guidance molecule could also be working in other processes and diseases, including during myogenesis. Previous works from our research group have consistently shown that RGMa is expressed in skeletal muscle cells and that its overexpression induces both nuclei accretion and hypertrophy in muscle cell lineages. However, the cellular components and molecular mechanisms induced by RGMa during the differentiation of skeletal muscle cells are poorly understood. In this work, the global transcription expression profile of RGMa-treated C2C12 myoblasts during the differentiation stage, obtained by RNA-seq, were reported.

Results

RGMa treatment could modulate the expression pattern of 2,195 transcripts in C2C12 skeletal muscle, with 943 upregulated and 1,252 downregulated. Among them, RGMa interfered with the expression of several RNA types, including categories related to the regulation of RNA splicing and degradation. The data also suggested that nuclei accretion induced by RGMa could be due to their capacity to induce the expression of transcripts related to ‘adherens junsctions’ and ‘extracellular-cell adhesion’, while RGMa effects on muscle hypertrophy might be due to (i) the activation of the mTOR-Akt independent axis and (ii) the regulation of the expression of transcripts related to atrophy. Finally, RGMa induced the expression of transcripts that encode skeletal muscle structural proteins, especially from sarcolemma and also those associated with striated muscle cell differentiation.

Conclusions

These results provide comprehensive knowledge of skeletal muscle transcript changes and pathways in response to RGMa.
RNA-Seq reveals miRNA role in thermogenic regulation in brown adipose tissues of goats
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhu Yuehua , Zhan Siyuan , Zhong Tao , Guo Jiazhong , Cao Jiaxue , Li Li , Zhang Hongping , Wang Linjie
Published: March 2022

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of short non-coding RNA molecules and play important roles in various biological processes. However, knowledge of the expression profiles and function of miRNAs on the regulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis remains largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we found that brown adipose tissue (BAT) existed within the perirenal fat at 1 day after birth (D1) and transferred into white adipose tissue (WAT) at 30 days after birth (D30) by UCP1 protein expression and immunohistochemistry analysis. After that, we performed RNA sequencing on six libraries of goat BAT and WAT. A total of 238 known miRNAs and 1834 goat novel miRNAs were identified. Moreover, 395 differentially expressed miRNAs including 167 up-regulated and 228 down-regulated miRNAs were obtained in BAT. For the known BAT enriched miRNA, 30 miRNAs were enriched in goat BAT but not in mouse BAT. In addition, miR-433 was enriched in goat BAT but not in mouse BAT. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments reveal that miR-433 reduced the lipid accumulation of brown adipocytes and decreased the expression of BAT marker and mitochondrial related genes. However, miR-433 had no effect on lipid accumulation and thermogenesis in white adipocytes. In addition, miR-433 inhibited the expression of MAPK8 by targeting to the 3’UTR of MAPK8 gene. These data demonstrate that miR-433 acts as a negative regulator in controlling brown adipocytes differentiation and thermogenesis.

Conclusion

The present study provides a detailed miRNAs expression landscape in BAT and WAT. Furthermore, we found that miR-433, which was highly expressed on BAT had a negative regulatory function on the thermogenesis and adipogenesis in goat brown adipocytes. This study provides evidence for understanding the role of miRNAs in regulating BAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure in goats.
The effect of daily consumption of probiotic yogurt on liver enzymes, steatosis and fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ebrahimi-Mousavi Sara , Alavian Seyed Moayed , Sohrabpour Amir Ali , Dashti Fatemeh , Djafarian Kurosh , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: March 2022

Background

Given the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, it is necessary to find an easy and cost-effective method in its management and treatment. Probiotics are a group of living microorganisms that might affect NAFLD through the intestinal-liver axis. The present clinical trial aims to examine the effect of probiotic yogurt consumption on liver enzymes, steatosis and liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Methods

Sixty-eight patients with NAFLD will be recruited in this study. After block matching for sex, BMI and age, patients will be randomly assigned to receive 300 g/d probiotic yogurt containing 106 cfu/g of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis strains or 300 g/d plain yogurt daily for 12 weeks and those in the control group would receive similar amounts of plain yogurts. Weight, height, and waist circumference will be measured at study baseline and after the intervention. Biochemical indicators including plasma glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, liver markers (ALT, AST and GGT) will be examined at study baseline and at the end of the trial. Insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity will be determined using the HOMA-IR and QUICKI equation. The degree of steatosis and hepatic fibrosis will also be assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention by the same gastroenterologist using elastography with fibroscan.

Discussion

Probiotics have been suggested as a new strategy in the management of NAFLD. Their effects might be mediated through intestinal microbiota modification and production of short-chain fatty acids. Consumption of probiotic-enriched foods, rather than their supplements, might be a cost-effective method for long-term use in these patients. In case of finding the beneficial effects of probiotic yogurt consumption in the current clinical trial, its inclusion in the dietary plan of NAFLD patients can be recommended.

Trial registration This clinical trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) at 2021-04-19 with code number of IRCT20210201050210N1.
Thrombospondin-2 holds prognostic value and is associated with metastasis and the mismatch repair process in gastric cancer
Authors: Chu Xiao-dong , Lin Zheng-bin , Huang Ting , Ding Hui , Zhang Yi-ran , Zhao Zhan , Huangfu Shu-chen , Qiu Sheng-hui , Guo Yan-guan , Chu Xiao-li , Pan Jing-hua , Pan Yun-long
Published: March 2022

Background

This study aims to investigate thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) expression levels in gastric cancer (GC) and determine the relationship between TSP2 and clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Methods

The online database Gene Expression Profile Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was used to analyse TSP2 mRNA expression levels in GC. The Kaplan–Meier plotter prognostic analysis tool was used to evaluate the influence of TSP2 expression on clinical prognosis in GC patients. TSP2 expression levels were analysed in paraffin-embedded GC samples and adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of GC patients was assessed. Transwell experiments were used to evaluate the effect of TSP2 on HGC27 and AGS cell invasion and migration. The EdU experiment was used to detect the effect of transfection of TSP2 on cell proliferation, and the flow cytometry experiment was used to detect the effect of TSP2 on cell apoptosis and the cell growth cycle. Western blotting (Wb) technology was used to detect MMP, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, AKT, PI3K, and VEGF protein expression in HGC27 cells.

Results

Compared with normal tissues, TSP2 mRNA expression in GC was significantly upregulated and was closely related to the clinical stage of GC. High TSP2 expression significantly affected the OS, FP and PPS of patients with GC. Among these patients, TSP2 expression levels did not affect the prognosis of patients with GC in the N0 subgroup but significantly affected the prognosis of patients with GC in the N (1 + 2 + 3) subgroup. TSP2 protein expression levels were significantly higher in GC tissue compared with normal tissues (P < 0.01). The overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) of patients with high TSP2 expression were lower than those of patients with low TSP2 expression. Cells transfected with the TSP2-silencing sequence exhibited increased apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasion. AKT and PI3K expression in cells was significantly downregulated (P < 0.01). AKT, PI3K and VEGF expression in cells transfected with the TSP2 silencing sequence was significantly reduced. Proliferation, migration, invasion ability, and TSP2 expression levels significantly correlated with mismatch repair genes, such as PMS2, MSH6, MSH2, and MLH1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

TSP2 expression is significantly increased in GC. TSP2 expression is closely related to metastasis and the mismatch repair process in GC patients and affects GC patient prognosis. The mechanism may involve regulating gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration by modulating the VEGF/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. TSP2 is a potential marker and therapeutic target for the prognosis of GC patients.
Development of nomogram models of inflammatory markers based on clinical database to predict prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection
Authors: Mao Shuqi , Yu Xi , Sun Jihan , Yang Yong , Shan Yuying , Sun Jiannan , Mugaanyi Joseph , Fan Rui , Wu Shengdong , Lu Caide
Published: March 2022

Background

Inflammation plays a significant role in tumour development, progression, and metastasis. In this study, we focused on comparing the predictive potential of inflammatory markers for overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and 1- and 2-year RFS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

A total of 360 HCC patients were included in this study. A LASSO regression analysis model was used for data dimensionality reduction and element selection. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for HCC prognosis. Nomogram prediction models were established and decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to determine the clinical utility of the nomogram model.

Results

Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were independent prognostic factors of OS, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) was a common independent prognostic factor among RFS, 1-year RFS, and 2-year RFS. The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) was an independent prognostic factor for 1-year RFS in HCC patients after curative resection. Nomograms established and achieved a better concordance index of 0.772(95% CI: 0.730-0.814), 0.774(95% CI: 0.734-0.815), 0.809(95% CI: 0.766-0.852), and 0.756(95% CI: 0.696-0.816) in predicting OS, RFS, 1-year RFS, and 2-year RFS respectively. The risk scores calculated by nomogram models divided HCC patients into high-, moderate- and low-risk groups (P < 0.05). DCA analysis revealed that the nomogram models could augment net benefits and exhibited a wider range of threshold probabilities in the prediction of HCC prognosis.

Conclusions

The nomograms showed high predictive accuracy for OS, RFS, 1-year RFS, and 2-year RFS in HCC patients after surgical resection. The nomograms could be useful clinical tools to guide a rational and personalized treatment approach and prognosis judgement.
Rethinking walkability and developing a conceptual definition of active living environments to guide research and practice
Authors: Tobin Melissa , Hajna Samantha , Orychock Kassia , Ross Nancy , DeVries Megan , Villeneuve Paul J. , Frank Lawrence D. , McCormack Gavin R. , Wasfi Rania , Steinmetz-Wood Madeleine , Gilliland Jason , Booth Gillian L. , Winters Meghan , Kestens Yan , Manaugh Kevin , Rainham Daniel , Gauvin Lise , Widener Michael J. , Muhajarine Nazeem , Luan Hui , Fuller Daniel
Published: March 2022

Background

Walkability is a popular term used to describe aspects of the built and social environment that have important population-level impacts on physical activity, energy balance, and health. Although the term is widely used by researchers, practitioners, and the general public, and multiple operational definitions and walkability measurement tools exist, there are is no agreed-upon conceptual definition of walkability.

Method

To address this gap, researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland hosted “The Future of Walkability Measures Workshop” in association with researchers from the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) in November 2017. During the workshop, trainees, researchers, and practitioners worked together in small groups to iteratively develop and reach consensus about a conceptual definition and name for walkability. The objective of this paper was to discuss and propose a conceptual definition of walkability and related concepts.

Results

In discussions during the workshop, it became clear that the term walkability leads to a narrow conception of the environmental features associated with health as it inherently focuses on walking. As a result, we suggest that the term Active Living Environments, as has been previously proposed in the literature, are more appropriate. We define Active Living Environments (ALEs) as the emergent natural, built, and social properties of neighbourhoods that promote physical activity and health and allow for equitable access to health-enhancing resources.

Conclusions

We believe that this broader conceptualization allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how built, natural, and social environments can contribute to improved health for all members of the population.
Covert use of reversible contraceptive methods and its association with husband’s egalitarian gender attitude in India
Authors: Vishwakarma Minakshi , Shekhar Chander
Published: March 2022

Background

In a patriarchal society, women often keep their use of contraceptives secret in order to meet their reproductive goals and satisfy their reproductive preferences. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, women’s covert contraceptive use and its association with husband’s gender attitude have not been studied in the Indian settings. The present study estimates the extent of covert modern contraceptive use (CCU) among women and its linkage with husbands’ gender attitudes in India.

Methods

The study is based on fecund and monogamous couples using modern, reversible contraceptive methods. The numbers of such couples were 4,825 and 7,824 in the national family health surveys 2005–06 and 2015–16 respectively. The outcome variable in the study was CCU, while the independent variables were husband’s gender attitude, women’s education, freedom of mobility, freedom to spend money independently, surviving number of children, concordance regarding additional children, couple-level information such as age and educational gap between spouses, and some socioeconomic status (SES) variables. We used latent class analysis to measure the gender attitude and used bivariate descriptive analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression to assess the linkages between husband’s gender attitude and CCU.

Results

This study found that the prevalence of CCU increased from 15% in 2005–06 to 27% in 2015–16. In both the time periods, contraceptive pills were the most preferred covert method, followed by intrauterine device (IUD). The results of the multivariate logistic regression show that women with husbands of moderate and low egalitarian gender attitudes were, respectively, 50% and 40% more likely to hide their contraceptive use than those with husbands of a high gender attitude. Women’s education, wealth index, number of living children, and region of residence were also found to be significantly associated with CCU.

Conclusion

The study reveals that husband’s low egalitarian gender attitude can be a potential barrier between spouses, preventing them from opening up about their fertility preferences and contraceptive needs to each other. A couple-oriented approach to family planning is needed so that both members of a couple can satisfy their fertility desires and preferences eventually.