bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum 8-iso-PGF2α Predicts the Severity and Prognosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zheng Ling , Fei Jun , Feng Chun-Mei , Xu Zheng , Fu Lin , Zhao Hui
Published: March 2021

Background: Many studies have identified the important role of 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF2α) in pulmonary diseases. However, the role of 8-iso-PGF2α in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. Therefore, the main goal was to investigate the correlations of serum 8-iso-PGF2α with the severity and prognosis in CAP patients through a hospital-based retrospective cohort study.

Methods: All 220 patients with CAP were enrolled. Demographic information and clinical data were collected. Levels of 8-iso-PGF2α and inflammatory cytokines were detected in serum using ELISA.

Results: The levels of 8-iso-PGF2α were gradually increased in parallel with the CAP severity scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed a positive association between serum 8-iso-PGF2α and the CAP severity scores. Additionally, serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels were positively correlated with circulating inflammatory cytokines (CRP and TNFα). Serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels were increased in the patients with a longer hospital stay than those with a shorter hospital stay. Additionally, 20 patients died after hospitalization. Dead patients presented a higher serum 8-iso-PGF2α than surviving patients. A subsequent survival analysis revealed that higher serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels positively correlated with the risk of death in patients with CAP.

Conclusions: Serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels on admission are positively associated with the severity of CAP patients. Elevated serum 8-iso-PGF2α on admission prolongs hospital stay and increases the risk of death in patients with CAP, indicating that 8-iso-PGF2α may be involved in the progression of CAP and serve as an early serum prognostic biomarker for CAP.
Serum Metabolomic Analysis of Chronic Drug-Induced Liver Injury With or Without Cirrhosis
Authors: Chen Shuai-shuai , Huang Ying , Guo Yu-ming , Li Shan-shan , Shi Zhuo , Niu Ming , Zou Zheng-sheng , Xiao Xiao-he , Wang Jia-bo
Published: March 2021

Background: Chronic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) occurs in up to 20% of all DILI patients. It presents a chronic pattern with persistent or relapsed episodes and may even progress to cirrhosis. However, its underlying development mechanism is poorly understood.

Aims: To find serum metabolite signatures of chronic DILI with or without cirrhosis, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomics coupled with pattern recognition approaches were used to profile and extract metabolite signatures from 83 chronic DILI patients, including 58 non-cirrhosis (NC) cases, 14 compensated cirrhosis (CC) cases, and 11 decompensated cirrhosis (DC) cases.

Results: Of the 269 annotated metabolites associated with chronic DILI, metabolic fingerprints associated with cirrhosis (including 30 metabolites) and decompensation (including 25 metabolites), were identified. There was a significantly positive correlation between cirrhosis-associated fingerprint (eigenmetabolite) and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) (r = 0.315, P = 0.003). The efficacy of cirrhosis-associated eigenmetabolite coupled with APRI to identify cirrhosis from non-cirrhosis patients was significantly better than APRI alone [area under the curve (AUC) value 0.914 vs. 0.573]. The decompensation-associated fingerprint (eigenmetabolite) can effectively identify the compensation and decompensation periods (AUC value 0.954). The results of the metabolic fingerprint pathway analysis suggest that the blocked tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and intermediary metabolism, excessive accumulation of bile acids, and perturbed amino acid metabolism are potential mechanisms in the occurrence and development of chronic DILI-associated cirrhosis.

Conclusions: The metabolomic fingerprints characterize different stages of chronic DILI progression and deepen the understanding of the metabolic reprogramming mechanism of chronic DILI progression to cirrhosis.
A Novel Small Molecule, LCG-N25, Inhibits Oral Streptococcal Biofilm
Authors: Lyu Xiaoying , Li Chungen , Zhang Jin , Wang Liang , Jiang Qingsong , Shui Yusen , Chen Lan , Luo Youfu , Xu Xin
Published: March 2021

Dental caries is a chronic oral infectious disease caused by cariogenic biofilm adhered on the tooth surface. Our previous study demonstrated that a repurposed natural compound napabucasin (NAP) showed good antimicrobial activity against oral streptococcal biofilms. The current study designed a novel small molecule, namely LCG-N25, using NAP as a lead compound, and aimed to investigate its potential as an antimicrobial agent in the control of dental caries. LCG-N25 was designed and synthesized with reference to the structure of NAP. The minimal inhibitory concentrations and the minimal bactericidal concentrations of LCG-N25 against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii were evaluated by microdilution method. The antimicrobial activity of LCG-N25 was further evaluated by crystal violet staining, colony forming units counting, biofilm metabolism assay, dead/live fluorescent staining, and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of LCG-N25 on the extracellular polysaccharides of biofilms was determined by both anthrone-sulfuric acid method and fluorescent staining. The microbial composition of streptococcal biofilms after LCG-N25 treatment was further visualized and quantified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Besides, the cytotoxicity of LCG-N25 was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and repeated exposure of S. mutans to LCG-N25 treatment was performed to assess if this novel compound could induce drug resistance of this cariogenic bacterium. We found that LCG-N25 exhibited a good antibacterial activity, low-cytotoxicity, and did not induce drug resistance of cariogenic S. mutans. These findings suggest that LCG-N25 may represent a promising antimicrobial agent that can be used as an adjuvant to the management of dental caries.
Pmp Repertoires Influence the Different Infectious Potential of Avian and Mammalian Chlamydia psittaci Strains
Authors: Favaroni Alison , Trinks Alexander , Weber Michael , Hegemann Johannes H. , Schnee Christiane
Published: March 2021

Chlamydia psittaci is the etiological agent of chlamydiosis in birds and can be transmitted to humans, causing severe systemic disease. C. psittaci infects a broad range of hosts; strains are isolated not only from birds but also from mammals, where they seem to have a reduced infectious and zoonotic potential. Comparative analysis of chlamydial genomes revealed the coding sequences of polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) to be highly variable regions. Pmps are characterized as adhesins in C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae and are immunoreactive proteins in several Chlamydia species. Thus, Pmps are considered to be associated with tissue tropism and pathogenicity. C. psittaci harbors 21 Pmps. We hypothesize that the different infectious potential and host tropism of avian and mammalian C. psittaci strains is dependent on differences in their Pmp repertoires. In this study, we experimentally confirmed the different virulence of avian and mammalian strains, by testing the survival rate of infected embryonated eggs and chlamydiae dissemination in the embryos. Further, we investigated the possible involvement of Pmps in host tropism. Analysis of pmp sequences from 10 C. psittaci strains confirmed a high degree of variation, but no correlation with host tropism was identified. However, comparison of Pmp expression profiles from different strains showed that Pmps of the G group are the most variably expressed, also among avian and mammalian strains. To investigate their functions, selected Pmps were recombinantly produced from one avian and one mammalian representative strain and their adhesion abilities and relevance for the infection of C. psittaci strains in avian and mammalian cells were tested. For the first time, we identified Pmp22D, Pmp8G, and OmcB as relevant adhesins, essential during infection of C. psittaci strains in general. Moreover, we propose Pmp17G as a possible key player for host adaptation, as it could only bind to and influence the infection in avian cells, but it had no relevant impact towards infection in mammalian cells. These data support the hypothesis that distinct Pmp repertoires in combination with specific host factors may contribute to host tropism of C. psittaci strains.
A Swollenin From Talaromyces leycettanus JCM12802 Enhances Cellulase Hydrolysis Toward Various Substrates
Authors: Zhang Honghai , Wang Yuan , Brunecky Roman , Yao Bin , Xie Xiangming , Zheng Fei , Luo Huiying
Published: March 2021

Swollenins exist within some fungal species and are candidate accessory proteins for the biodegradation of cellulosic substrates. Here, we describe the identification of a swollenin gene, Tlswo, in Talaromyces leycettanus JCM12802. Tlswo was successfully expressed in both Trichoderma reesei and Pichia pastoris. Assay results indicate that TlSWO is capable of releasing reducing sugars from lichenan, barley β-glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) and laminarin. The specific activity of TlSWO toward lichenan, barley β-glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) and laminarin is 9.0 ± 0.100, 8.9 ± 0.100, 2.3 ± 0.002 and 0.79 ± 0.002 U/mg, respectively. Additionally, TlSWO had disruptive activity on Avicel and a synergistic effect with cellobiohydrolases, increasing the activity on pretreated corn stover by up to 72.2%. The functional diversity of TlSWO broadens its applicability in experimental settings, and indicating that it may be a promising candidate for future industrial applications.
Prenatal Relocation Stress Enhances Resilience Under Challenge in Infant Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Ceniceros Lesly C. , Capitanio John P. , Kinnally Erin L.
Published: March 2021

The prenatal period is a developmental stage of peak sensitivity, during which environmental exposures can program post-natal developmental outcomes. Prenatal stress, in particular, has often been associated with detrimental neurobehavioral outcomes like mood and anxiety disorders. In the present study, we examined the effects of a stressful prenatal maternal experience (maternal relocation during pregnancy) on the post-partum development of offspring in rhesus macaques. To help isolate the effects of prenatal stress from genetic predispositions and post-natal experience, we compared biologically reared infants (infants raised with their biological mothers) with cross-fostered infants (those raised by non-related females in new social groups). We examined the effects of prenatal relocation stress on measures collected at 3–4 months of age during a standardized biobehavioral assessment. Unexpectedly, we found that prenatal stress resulted in a behavioral pattern consistent with resilience rather than anxiety: prenatal stress was linked with greater activity, lower anxiety, and more interaction with novel objects, as well as higher ratings of temperamental confidence during assessment. These effects were observed in infants reared by biological mothers as well as cross-fostered infants, suggesting that the effects of prenatal stress were not attributable to maternal genetics or post-natal factors. Our surprising results suggest that prenatal relocation stress may confer resilience in infant rhesus monkeys.
Quality of Life in SMA Patients Under Treatment With Nusinersen
Authors: Mix Lucas , Winter Benedikt , Wurster Claudia D. , Platen Sophia , Witzel Simon , Uzelac Zeljko , Graf Heiko , Ludolph Albert C. , Lulé Dorothée
Published: March 2021

Background:Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a severe neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. The approval of the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) nusinersen now provides an effective pharmacological approach with the potential to slow down or stop disease progression with a potentially major impact on patients' well-being.

Objective:This study evaluates quality of life (QoL) in pediatric and adult patients over the course of therapy with nusinersen.

Methods:Twenty-six SMA patients treated with nusinersen were evaluated regarding global QoL (gQoL), health-related QoL (HRQoL) and depressiveness. Assessments were conducted three times over the first 6 months of treatment. Applied were different questionnaires: the Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA) for gQoL, the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) for HRQoL in adult patients and the ALS Depression Inventory 12 Items (ADI-12) for depressiveness. The sample was matched with 22 healthy controls.

Results:Despite severe physical restrictions, patients reported high levels of QoL and low levels of depressiveness at study entry. Early disease onset and low levels of physical functioning were associated with better gQoL and lower levels of depressiveness. A significant decrease of gQoL in patients was evident over the course of the study. Still, adult patients reported a significant increase in perceived health.

Conclusions:Our study provides first insight that SMA patients experience a gQoL superior to healthy controls at start of therapy. This might indicate patients' high hopes and expectations toward treatment. gQoL returns to a level similar to that of healthy controls over the course of therapy.
Predicting Vasovagal Responses: A Model-Based and Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Raphan Theodore , Yakushin Sergei B.
Published: March 2021

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) or neurogenically induced fainting has resulted in falls, fractures, and death. Methods to deal with VVS are to use implanted pacemakers or beta blockers. These are often ineffective because the underlying changes in the cardiovascular system that lead to the syncope are incompletely understood and diagnosis of frequent occurrences of VVS is still based on history and a tilt test, in which subjects are passively tilted from a supine position to 20° from the spatial vertical (to a 70° position) on the tilt table and maintained in that orientation for 10–15 min. Recently, is has been shown that vasovagal responses (VVRs), which are characterized by transient drops in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and increased amplitude of low frequency oscillations in BP can be induced by sinusoidal galvanic vestibular stimulation (sGVS) and were similar to the low frequency oscillations that presaged VVS in humans. This transient drop in BP and HR of 25 mmHg and 25 beats per minute (bpm), respectively, were considered to be a VVR. Similar thresholds have been used to identify VVR's in human studies as well. However, this arbitrary threshold of identifying a VVR does not give a clear understanding of the identifying features of a VVR nor what triggers a VVR. In this study, we utilized our model of VVR generation together with a machine learning approach to learn a separating hyperplane between normal and VVR patterns. This methodology is proposed as a technique for more broadly identifying the features that trigger a VVR. If a similar feature identification could be associated with VVRs in humans, it potentially could be utilized to identify onset of a VVS, i.e, fainting, in real time.
Decreased Functional Connectivity of the Primary Visual Cortex and the Correlation With Clinical Features in Patients With Intermittent Exotropia
Authors: He Xueying , Hong Jie , Liu Zhaohui , Wang Qian , Li Ting , Qu Xiaoxia , Fei Nanxi , Li Wei , Fu Jing
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristic alterations of functional connectivity (FC) patterns in the primary visual area (V1) in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and how they relate to clinical features. Twenty-six IXT patients and 21 age-, sex-, handedness-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs-fMRI. We performed FC analyses between bilateral V1 and other brain areas and compared FC strength between two groups. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the FC differences and clinical features. Compared with HCs, patients with IXT showed significantly lower FC of the right V1 with the right calcarine sulcus and right superior occipital gyrus, and the left V1 with right cuneus and right postcentral gyrus. The Newcastle Control Test score was positively correlated with mean FC values between the left inferior parietal lobule and bilateral V1, and between the left supramarginal gyrus and left V1. The duration of IXT was positively correlated with mean FC values between the right inferior occipital gyrus and right V1. Reduced FC between the V1 and various brain regions involved in vision and eye movement processes may be associated with the underlying neural mechanisms of impaired visual function in patients with IXT.
Bringing Together Robotics, Neuroscience, and Psychology: Lessons Learned From an Interdisciplinary Project
Authors: Wudarczyk Olga A. , Kirtay Murat , Kuhlen Anna K. , Abdel Rahman Rasha , Haynes John-Dylan , Hafner Verena V. , Pischedda Doris
Published: March 2021

The diversified methodology and expertise of interdisciplinary research teams provide the opportunity to overcome the limited perspectives of individual disciplines. This is particularly true at the interface of Robotics, Neuroscience, and Psychology as the three fields have quite different perspectives and approaches to offer. Nonetheless, aligning backgrounds and interdisciplinary expectations can present challenges due to varied research cultures and practices. Overcoming these challenges stands at the beginning of each productive collaboration and thus is a mandatory step in cognitive neurorobotics. In this article, we share eight lessons that we learned from our ongoing interdisciplinary project on human-robot and robot-robot interaction in social settings. These lessons provide practical advice for scientists initiating interdisciplinary research endeavors. Our advice can help to avoid early problems and deal with differences between research fields, prepare for and anticipate challenges, align project expectations, and speed up research progress, thus promoting effective interdisciplinary research across Robotics, Neuroscience, and Psychology.
Attenuation of Hippocampal Evoked Potentials in vivo by Activation of GtACR2, an Optogenetic Chloride Channel
Authors: Acharya Anirudh R. , Larsen Lars Emil , Van Lysebettens Wouter , Wadman Wytse Jan , Delbeke Jean , Vonck Kristl , Meurs Alfred , Boon Paul , Raedt Robrecht
Published: March 2021

Aim

GtACR2, a light-activated chloride channel, is an attractive tool for neural inhibition as it can shunt membrane depolarizations. In this study, we assessed the effect of activating GtACR2 on in vivo hippocampal CA1 activity evoked by Schaffer collateral (SC) stimulation.

Methods

Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally injected with 0.5 μL of adeno associated viral vector for induction of GtACR2-mCherry (n = 10, GtACR2 group) or mCherry (n = 4, Sham group) expression in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. Three weeks later, evoked potentials (EPs) were recorded from the CA1 subfield placing an optrode (bipolar recording electrode attached to an optic fiber) at the injection site and a stimulation electrode targeting SCs. Effects of illumination parameters required to activate GtACR2 such as light power densities (LPDs), illumination delays, and light-pulse durations were tested on CA1 EP parameters [population spike (PS) amplitude and field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) slope].

Results

In the GtACR2 group, delivery of a 10 ms light-pulse induced a negative deflection in the local field potential which increased with increasing LPD. When combined with electrical stimulation of the SCs, light-induced activation of GtACR2 had potent inhibitory effects on CA1 EPs. An LPD of 160 mW/mm2 was sufficient to obtain maximal inhibition CA1 EPs. To quantify the duration of the inhibitory effect, a 10 ms light-pulse of 160 mW/mm2 was delivered at increasing delays before the CA1 EPs. Inhibition of EPs was found to last up to 9 ms after the cessation of the light-pulse. Increasing light-pulse durations beyond 10 ms did not result in larger inhibitory effects.

Conclusion

Precisely timed activation of GtACR2 potently blocks evoked activity of CA1 neurons. The strength of inhibition depends on LPD, lasts up to 9 ms after a light-pulse of 10 ms, and is independent of the duration of the light-pulse given.
Employment of Artificial Intelligence Based on Routine Laboratory Results for the Early Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Yan Wei , Shi Hua , He Tao , Chen Jian , Wang Chen , Liao Aijun , Yang Wei , Wang Huihan
Published: March 2021

Objective

In order to enhance the detection rate of multiple myeloma and execute an early and more precise disease management, an artificial intelligence assistant diagnosis system is developed.

Methods

4,187 routine blood and biochemical examination records were collected from Shengjing Hospital affiliated to China Medical University from January 2010 to January 2020, which include 1,741 records of multiple myeloma (MM) and 2,446 records of non-myeloma (infectious diseases, rheumatic immune system diseases, hepatic diseases and renal diseases). The data set was split into training and test subsets with the ratio of 4:1 while connecting hemoglobin, serum creatinine, serum calcium, immunoglobulin (A, G and M), albumin, total protein, and the ratio of albumin to globulin data. An early assistant diagnostic model of MM was established by Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Deep Neural Networks (DNN), and Random Forest (RF). Out team calculated the precision and recall of the system. The performance of the diagnostic model was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

By designing the features properly, the typical machine learning algorithms SVM, DNN, RF and GBDT all performed well. GBDT had the highest precision (92.9%), recall (90.0%) and F1 score (0.915) for the myeloma group. The maximized area under the ROC (AUROC) was calculated, and the results of GBDT (AUC: 0.975; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.963–0.986) outperformed that of SVM, DNN and RF.

Conclusion

The model established by artificial intelligence derived from routine laboratory results can accurately diagnose MM, which can boost the rate of early diagnosis.
An Integrative Model of Plant Gravitropism Linking Statoliths Position and Auxin Transport
Authors: Levernier Nicolas , Pouliquen Olivier , Forterre Yoël
Published: March 2021

Gravity is a major cue for the proper growth and development of plants. The response of plants to gravity implies starch-filled plastids, the statoliths, which sediments at the bottom of the gravisensing cells, the statocytes. Statoliths are assumed to modify the transport of the growth hormone, auxin, by acting on specific auxin transporters, PIN proteins. However, the complete gravitropic signaling pathway from the intracellular signal associated to statoliths to the plant bending is still not well-understood. In this article, we build on recent experimental results showing that statoliths do not act as gravitational force sensor, but as position sensor, to develop a bottom-up theory of plant gravitropism. The main hypothesis of the model is that the presence of statoliths modifies PIN trafficking close to the cell membrane. This basic assumption, coupled with auxin transport and growth in an idealized tissue made of a one-dimensional array of cells, recovers several major features of the gravitropic response of plants. First, the model provides a new interpretation for the response of a plant to a steady stimulus, the so-called sine-law of plant gravitropism. Second, it predicts the existence of a gravity-independent memory process as observed recently in experiments studying the response to transient stimulus. The model suggests that the timescale of this process is associated to PIN turnover, calling for new experimental studies.
The Children's Forgiveness Card Set: Development of a Brief Pictorial Card-Sorting Measure of Children's Emotional Forgiveness
Authors: Kemp Emma , Strelan Peter , Roberts Rachel Margaret , Burns Nicholas R. , Mulvey Kelly Lynn
Published: March 2021

Friendships have important influences on children's well-being and future adjustment, and interpersonal forgiveness has been suggested as a crucial means for children to maintain friendships. However, existing measures of preadolescent children's forgiveness are restricted by developmental limitations to reporting emotional responses via questionnaire and inconsistent interpretations of the term “forgive.” This paper describes development and testing of concurrent and discriminant validity of a pictorial measure of children's emotional forgiveness, the Children's Forgiveness Card Set (CFCS). In Study 1, 148 Australian children aged 8–13 years (M = 10.54, SD = 1.35) responded to a hypothetical transgression in which apology was manipulated and completed the CFCS and extant measures of forgiveness and socially desirable responding. Following an exploratory factor analysis to clarify the structure of the CFCS, the CFCS correlated moderately with other forgiveness measures and did not correlate with socially desirable responding. Apology predicted CFCS responding among older children. In Study 2 an exploratory factor analysis broadly replicated the structure of the CFCS among a sample of N = 198 North American children aged 5–14 years (M = 9.39 years, SD = 1.67). We also fitted an exploratory bi-factor model to the Study 2 data which clarified which cards best measured general forgiveness, or positive or hostile aspects of responding to transgressions. Apology once again predicted the CFCS, this time regardless of age. The CFCS appears a potentially valid measure of children's emotional forgiveness. Potential applications and differences between explicit and latent forgiveness in children are discussed.
Clinical, Biochemical and Genetic Variables Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Using Second-Generation Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sneller Marius H. , de Boer Nini , Everaars Sophie , Schuurmans Max , Guloksuz Sinan , Cahn Wiepke , Luykx Jurjen J.
Published: March 2021

Background:Individuals with severe mental illness experience increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Adverse effects of antipsychotics, including weight gain, may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is associated with increased risks of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of clinical, biochemical and genetic factors associated with MetS among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using second-generation antipsychotics (SGA).

Methods:A literature search was performed in Pubmed and Embase to identify all cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and clinical trials investigating associations with MetS in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using SGAs. We extracted and enumerated clinical, biochemical and genetic factors reported to be associated with MetS. We defined factors associated with MetS as factors being reported as associated with MetS in two or more studies.

Results:58 studies were included in this review (n= 12,123). In total, 62 factors were found to be associated with increased risk of MetS. Thirty one out of 58 studies investigated factors that were reported as associated with MetS in two or more studies. With regard to clinical factors, we found gender, higher age, concomitant use of mood stabilizers, higher baseline and current BMI, earlier SGA exposure, higher dose, longer duration of treatment, psychosis and tobacco smoking to be significantly associated with MetS. Furthermore, the biochemical factors hypo-adiponectinemia, elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher white blood cell (WBC) count were identified as factors associated with MetS. Among pharmacogenetic factors, the rs1414334 C-allele of the HTR2C-gene was associated with MetS in patients using SGA.

Conclusion:In this systematic review investigating clinical, biochemical and genetic factors associated with MetS in patients using SGAs we found that higher age, higher baseline BMI, higher current BMI and male as well as female gender were positively associated with MetS across all antipsychotics. This study may set the stage for the application of clinical, biochemical and genetic factors to predict the risk of developing MetS in patients using SGAs. Future research is needed to determine which patients using SGAs are at risk to develop MetS in clinical practice.
Electronics: The Enemy of Posture and How to Protect Yourself
Authors: Patterson Erica , Brown Emily Katheryn , Ruminski Christine , Miller Tamara Beth
Published: March 2021

The way you sit or stand during everyday activities can have a big impact on your health. Poor posture can make certain muscles weak, can cause pain, and can even make it harder to take a deep breath! Maintaining good posture can be difficult, especially while using handheld electronics, such as cell phones and tablets. Many students like you and even adults, spend several hours every day looking down at a screen to read books, play games, or watch movies. Looking down at a screen can put a lot of stress on the neck muscles, which can lead to pain and other health problems in the future. In this article we describe good and poor posture, and we discuss how electronic devices can affect posture. But do not fear! We also provide tips on how to adjust your posture and stay healthy while using your electronics.
Psicoterapia cognitiva postracionalista y ciclo de vida individual.
Authors: Guidano Vittorio
Published: March 2021

El siguiente texto corresponde a la traducción de una conferencia dictada por Vittorio Guidano, seguida de coloquio, a un grupo de psicoterapeutas y psiquiatras en formación, presentada y transcritapor el Dr. Gianni Cutolo. La traducción intenta mantener el estilo oral,evitando algunas referencias circunstanciales a la situación concreta en que se produjo, que resultarían incomprensibles o farragosas para el lector.
Moldear la arcilla. El proceso de construcción del self y su relación con la psicoterapia.
Authors: M. Crittenden Patricia
Published: March 2021

Los psicoterapeutas cognitivos se interesan por las implicaciones del self y el proceso de construcción del self durante la psicoterapia. Este artículo considera qué tipo de teorías de apego, con su énfasis en los procesos de desarrollo y en la función protectora de las figuras de apego, junto con la información actual de las neurociencias cognitivas, pueda contribuir a una comprensión de los desórdenes psicológicos del self (Guidano, 1995a).
Enfoque postracionalista en un caso de trastorno disociativo de la personalidad
Authors: Maxia Giovanna , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

El siguiente caso clínico fue presentado por Vittorio Guidano como indicativo de la variedad de los cuadros psicopatológicos que puede manifestar una organización de significado de tipo D.A.P. (Disturbi Alimentari Psicogeni: trastornos de la alimentación). Se trata de un paciente que manifestaba trastornos de tipo disociativo. El caso clínico fue transcrito íntegramente, a partir de la grabación de una sesión didáctica que tuvo lugar en Cagliari en mayo de 1993, seguida de una actualización posterior en julio del mismo año. La exposición del caso pone de manifiesto cómo Vittorio Guidano trabajaba en la interfaz crítica entre experiencia inmediata e imagen consciente, aumentando en el paciente las capacidades de decodificación de la experiencia inmediata y haciendo más flexible la imagen consciente.
Un modelo cognitivo del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo.
Authors: Mancini Francesco
Published: March 2021

En este artículo presento un modelo estrictamente cognitivista del TOC. Las obsesiones y compulsiones son actividades orientadas al logro de un fin, que está presente en la mente del sujeto. El fin es la prevención de una culpa por irresponsabilidad, a la que tienen un gran miedo los pacientes obsesivos. En apoyo de esta tesis se presentan diversos tipos de pruebas. Para explicar el carácter egodistónico que suelen tener las obsesiones y compulsiones, se recurre a la presencia de una valoración fuertemente crítica que el paciente hace de su misma actividad obsesiva. A esta valoración se le siguen intentos de contención de la actividad obsesiva que, por diversas razones, son inútiles y a menudo contraproducentes. El exagerado miedo a la culpa por irresponsabilidad encuentra justificación en el papel crucial que tiene, en la definición de la imagen de uno mismo y del self ideal, el hecho de ser una persona responsable, escrupulosa y cuidadosa. A su vez esto depende, presumiblemente, de relaciones precoces caracterizadas por una marcada severidad.
La voz, mitos y ritos: terapia familiar de un problema fóbico obsesivo
Authors: Berardi M. Adelaine , Caltabiano Mario , Chouhy Ana , Fiorillo Maria Luisa , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

A través de la descripción de una familia con problemáticas fóbicas obsesivas, los autores quieren presentar el pensamiento terapéutico que les ha guiado durante el trabajo clínico. Partiendo del presupuesto de que el síntoma fóbico obsesivo se aprende de un padre autorizado, también él con las mismas problemáticas, los autores buscan las relaciones significativas que han llevado a la creación de un mito familiar. El trabajo dentro del marco trigeneracional, hijo-padre-”voz” (mito familiar), construirá el espacio relacional que permitirá luego el proceso de individuación.
Terapia narrativa con niños y adolescentes: ¿de qué están hechos los problemas?
Authors: Gonçalves Miguel , Cuadrado Nicoli Sandra
Published: March 2021

En este artículo discutimos la aplicación del modelo narrativo de White y Epston (1990) con niños y adolescentes. Presentamos este modelo a partir de tres dimensiones centrales: el lenguaje externalizador, el encuadramiento discursivo de los problemas y la identificación y expansión de resultados únicos. Antes de presentar un caso clínico, analizaremos brevemente la posición de este modelo terapéutico con relación a las características de la relación terapéutica y a los procesos de evaluación clínica.
El narcisismo en acción. Un modelo de psicopatología ilustrado por el análisis intensivo de un caso individual
Authors: Dimaggio Giancarlo , Semerari Antonio , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

El narcisismo, como proponen los autores, está caracterizado por: a) un conjunto típico de estados mentales (grandioso, depresivo terrorífico, de transición, de vacío); b) un modelo de disfunciones metacognitivas, en particular la falta de acceso a las emociones y los deseos del sujeto); c) un sentimiento grandioso de no-pertenencia a los grupos y una incapacidad de compartir la experiencia con el otro; d) distorsiones cognitivas de regulación de la autoestima; e) el uso de los valores como modalidad dominante de regulación de las elecciones; f) ciclos interpersonales disfuncionales en los cuales o bien el sujeto tiene dificultades por pedir y recibir ayuda o bien entra en una competición rabiosa. Estos elementos contribuyen, interactuando entre sí, a estabilizar el síndrome a través del tiempo. Presentamos aquí la descripción exhaustiva del caso de una paciente con Trastorno de Personalidad Narcisista, cuya terapia fue enteramente grabada y transcrita. Tras una síntesis de los circuitos de mantenimiento de la psicopatología, presentaremos fragmentos de sesión comentados a fin de ilustrar la teoría expuesta.
El nucleo del trastorno límite de personalidad: una hipotesis integradora
Authors: Liotti Giovanni , Torres i Aixalà Empar
Published: March 2021

El autor considera el trastorno límite de personalidad desde dos perspectivas, la psicoanalítica, con especial referencia a la teoría de Kernberg, y la cognitivo-conductual, inspirada en el trabajo de Linehan. El artículo plantea la posibilidad de integrar ambas perspectivas tanto desde el punto de vista teórico como clínico, basándose en el concepto de desorganización del apego, extraído de los estudios de Bowlby sobre apego en los primeros años de vida del niño y aplicándolo a la comprensión de las características del trastorno límite de personalidad.
Reformulación de los conceptos de resistencia e incumplimiento en la terapia cognitiva
Authors: Davis Dense , Hollon Steven D.
Published: March 2021

A pesar de su éxito general , no todo el mundo responde igual a la terapia cognitiva. Algunos clientes muestran dificultades para llevar a cabo sus tareas y otros parece que ofrecen resistencia. Este artículo considera las estrategias para tratar el incumplimiento pasivo y la resistencia activa dentro de la terapia cognitiva. Generalmente, se argumenta que permanecer dentro del modelo cognitivo facilita el proceso de la terapia –es decir, explorando y trabajando estas creencias y actitudes que fundamentan el incumplimiento y resistencia de la misma forma que se enfocan otras creencias y actitudes problemáticas. También se tienen en cuenta las estrategias para tratar las expectativas poco realistas respecto al ritmo de cambio, los errores de los terapeutas que llevan al incumplimiento y a la resistencia y los casos en los que el modelo terapéutico es simplemente insuficiente.
Resistencia o coherencia: una terapia de integración
Authors: Lloret i Ayter Imma
Published: March 2021

Este artículo pretende describir el proceso de terapia de una cliente depresiva a través de la exploración de su sistema de significados personales. Se cuestiona el concepto de “resistencia” al cambio sustituyéndose por el de coherencia de su sistema de construccion de significados que mantiene el sintoma. El comprender su lógica interna permite poco a poco ir cuestionándolo y haciéndolo más complejo. Se describen toda una serie de estrategias, desde una perspectiva integradora, destinadas a favorecer una construcción más rica y matizada que permitan a la cliente afrontar su vida de una forma mas satisfactoria.
Apego, organización del significado y reciprocidad emocional: una terapia de pareja
Authors: Maurizio  , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

En este artículo se presenta un caso de terapia de pareja desde el Modelo Cognitivo Constructivista Postracionalista, que considero explicativo de una posible aplicación en el ámbito clínico de la teoría del apego. Para esta exposición me remonto a conceptos derivados del trabajo de Patricia Crittenden, Furio Lambruschi y Vittorio Guidano a quienes me remito para una exposición más exhaustiva.
La experiencia transformadora de la terapia narrativa de duelo
Authors: Ochoa de Alda Ochoa de Eguileor Inmaculada
Published: March 2021

En este artículo presentamos un planteamiento constructivista de la temática del duelo, donde resaltan las dificultades que el contexto sociocultural presenta para afrontar una de las transiciones vitales más difíciles que tiene que atravesar el ser humano. La terapia propuesta para ayudar a las personas a seguir viviendo sin el miembro de la familia que ha fallecido tiene en cuenta los aspectos sociales, familiares y personales que inciden en la experiencia de la pérdida. A este respecto el terapeuta ayuda a los clientes -individuos y familias- a generar una narrativa basada en la construcción de un nuevo vínculo con el fallecido que les facilite disponer de opciones para una vida satisfactoria.
El cambio posible, un caso clínico: el hombre de la barca
Authors: Dodet Maurizio
Published: March 2021

El autor describe el proceso psicoterapéutico de un paciente con diagnóstico de Trastorno de Ansiedad con ataques de pánico, a partir de las primeras redefiniciones respecto a la dinámica de descompensación has la reconstrucción de la historia evolutiva. Se coloca el énfasis sobre los procesos de cambio entendidos de acuerdo con el modelo cognitivo-constructivista, como articulaciones de significado personal que representa el núcleo invariante de una Organización del Dominio Emocional.
Median Filter Aided CNN Based Image Denoising: An Ensemble Approach
Authors: Dey Subhrajit , Bhattacharya Rajdeep , Schwenker Friedhelm , Sarkar Ram
Published: March 2021

Image denoising is a challenging research problem that aims to recover noise-free images from those that are contaminated with noise. In this paper, we focus on the denoising of images that are contaminated with additive white Gaussian noise. For this purpose, we propose an ensemble learning model that uses the output of three image denoising models, namely ADNet, IRCNN, and DnCNN, in the ratio of 2:3:6, respectively. The first model (ADNet) consists of Convolutional Neural Networks with attention along with median filter layers after every convolutional layer and a dilation rate of 8. In the case of the second model, it is a feed forward denoising CNN or DnCNN with median filter layers after half of the convolutional layers. For the third model, which is Deep CNN Denoiser Prior or IRCNN, the model contains dilated convolutional layers and median filter layers up to the dilated convolutional layers with a dilation rate of 6. By quantitative analysis, we note that our model performs significantly well when tested on the BSD500 and Set12 datasets.
Methane Emissions from Ruminants in Australia: Mitigation Potential and Applicability of Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Black John L. , Davison Thomas M. , Box Ilona
Published: March 2021

Anthropomorphic greenhouse gases are raising the temperature of the earth and threatening ecosystems. Since 1950 atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased 28%, while methane has increased 70%. Methane, over the first 20 years after release, has 80-times more warming potential as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Enteric methane from microbial fermentation of plant material by ruminants contributes 30% of methane released into the atmosphere, which is more than any other single source. Numerous strategies were reviewed to quantify their methane mitigation potential, their impact on animal productivity and their likelihood of adoption. The supplements, 3-nitrooxypropanol and the seaweed, Asparagopsis, reduced methane emissions by 40+% and 90%, respectively, with increases in animal productivity and small effects on animal health or product quality. Manipulation of the rumen microbial population can potentially provide intergenerational reduction in methane emissions, if treated animals remain isolated. Genetic selection, vaccination, grape marc, nitrate or biochar reduced methane emissions by 10% or less. Best management practices and cattle browsing legumes, Desmanthus or Leucaena species, result in small levels of methane mitigation and improved animal productivity. Feeding large amounts daily of ground wheat reduced methane emissions by around 35% in dairy cows but was not sustained over time.
Different Approaches for Incorporating Bioaccessibility of Inorganics in Human Health Risk Assessment of Contaminated Soils
Authors: Zingaretti Daniela , Baciocchi Renato
Published: March 2021

Ingestion of soil represents one of the critical exposure pathways in the human health risk assessment (HHRA) framework at sites contaminated by inorganic species, especially for residential scenarios. HHRA is typically carried out through starting from the so-called “total concentration”, which is estimated from the fraction of inorganic species extracted from the soil using standardized approaches, i.e., microwave acid extraction. Due to the milder conditions, a smaller portion of the inorganics present in the soil is actually dissolved in the gastro-intestinal tract (bioaccessible fraction), and afterward reaches the bloodstream, exerting an effect on human health (bioavailable fraction). Including bioaccessibility in HHRA could then allow for the achievement of a more realistic assessment than using the total concentration. In this paper, the bioaccessible concentration of different inorganics in soil samples collected from a firing range was estimated by applying two in vitro tests, i.e., the Unified Barge Method (UBM) and the Simple Bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET). Moreover, different options for incorporating bioaccessibility in HHRA for the estimation of the cleanup goals were also applied and discussed. Despite the notable differences in terms of reagents and procedure between the two methods, the obtained results were quite close, with the SBET method providing slightly higher values. The role of the soil particle size distribution on the calculation of the cleanup goals accounting for bioaccessibility is also discussed.
Systematic Literature Review of System Models for Technical System Development
Authors: Schmidt Marvin M. , Zimmermann Thomas C. , Stark Rainer
Published: March 2021

In Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) there is yet no converged terminology. The term ‘system model’ is used in different contexts in literature. In this study we elaborated the definitions and usages of the term ‘system model’, to find a common definition. We analyzed 104 publications in depth for their usage and definition as well as their meta-data e.g., the publication year and publication background to find some common patterns. While the term is gaining more interest in recent years, it is used in a broad range of contexts for both analytical and synthetic use cases. Based on this, three categories of system models have been defined and integrated into a more precise definition.
Unified Performance Analysis of MIMO Mixed RF/FSO Relaying System
Authors: Liang Haodong , Li Yiming , Miao Maoke , Gao Chao , Li Xiaofeng
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the asymmetric dual–hop multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mixed radio frequency (RF)/free space optical (FSO) decode–and–forward (DF) relaying system. This kind of system can utilize two different fading characteristic channels to reduce the possibility of the system falling into deep fading. In addition, each link of the system adopts MIMO technology to mitigate the disadvantages of fading. In this paper, the closed form expressions of the outage probability, bit error rate (BER) and average ergodic capacity are derived. The approximate expression of the system outage probability considering the pointing error is also derived. Additionally, asymptotic performance for diversity order and diversity–multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) of the system is analyzed and discussed, which provides direct theoretical basis for practical engineering design.
Biomonitoring of Air Pollution
Authors: Giordano Simonetta , Spagnuolo Valeria , Capozzi Fiore
Published: March 2021

The World Health Organization reported that air pollution in 2012 caused the death of about 7 million people worldwide (WHO, 2014), confirming air pollution as one of the principal environmental health risks in the world, and indicating its reduction as an urgent mission to save millions of lives [...]
Quantifying Air Pollutant Emission from Agricultural Machinery Using Surveys—A Case Study in Anhui, China
Authors: Ai Yi , Ge Yunshan , Ran Zheng , Li Xueyao , Xu Zhibing , Chen Yangfan , Miao Xifeng , Xu Xiaohong , Mao Hongjun , Shi Zongbo , Jin Taosheng
Published: March 2021

Diesel-powered agricultural machinery (AM) is a significant contributor to air pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). However, the fuel consumption and pollutant emissions from AM remain poorly quantified in many countries due to a lack of accurate activity data and emissions factors. In this study, the fuel consumption and air pollutant emission from AM were estimated using a survey and emission factors from the literature. A case study was conducted using data collected in Anhui, one of the agricultural provinces of China. The annual active hours of AM in Anhui ranged 130 to 175 h. The estimated diesel fuel consumption by AM was 1.45 Tg in 2013, approximately 25% of the total diesel consumption in the province. The air pollutants emitted by AM were 57 Gg of carbon monoxide, 14 Gg of hydrocarbon, 74 Gg of NOx and 5.7 Gg of PM in 2013. The NOx and PM emissions from AM were equivalent to 17% and 22% of total on-road traffic emissions in Anhui. Among nine types of AM considered, rural vehicles are the largest contributors to fuel consumption (31%) and air emissions (33–45%).