bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with obesity: a nationwide study in Sweden
Authors: Lindberg Louise , Hagman Emilia , Danielsson Pernilla , Marcus Claude , Persson Martina
Published: February 2020

Background

Anxiety and depression are more common in children with obesity than in children of normal weight, but it is unclear whether this association is independent of other known risk factors. Interpretation of results from previous studies is hampered by methodological limitations, including self-reported assessment of anxiety, depression, and anthropometry. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity increases the risk of anxiety or depression independently of other risk factors in a large cohort of children and adolescents, using robust measures with regard to exposure and outcome.

Methods

Children aged 6–17 years in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register (BORIS, 2005–2015) were included (n = 12,507) and compared with a matched group (sex, year of birth, and area of residence) from the general population (n = 60,063). The main outcome was a diagnosis of anxiety or depression identified through ICD codes or dispensed prescribed medication within 3 years after the end of obesity treatment. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from Cox proportional models were adjusted for several known confounders.

Results

Obesity remained a significant risk factor for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents after adjusting for Nordic background, neuropsychiatric disorders, family history of anxiety/depression, and socioeconomic status. Girls in the obesity cohort had a 43% higher risk of anxiety and depression compared to girls in the general population (adjusted HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.31–1.57; p < 0.0001). The risk in boys with obesity was similar (adjusted HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.20–1.48; p < 0.0001). In sensitivity analyses, excluding subjects with neuropsychiatric disorders and a family history of anxiety/depression, the estimated risks in individuals with obesity were even higher compared with results from the main analyses (adjusted HR [95% CI]: girls = 1.56 [1.31–1.87], boys = 2.04 [1.64–2.54]).

Conclusions

Results from this study support the hypothesis that obesity per se is associated with risk of both anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
Risk-based scoring and genetic identification for anisakids in frozen fish products from Atlantic FAO areas
Authors: Smaldone Giorgio , Abollo Elvira , Marrone Raffaele , Bernardi Cristian E. M. , Chirollo Claudia , Anastasio Aniello , del Hierro Santiago P.
Published: February 2020

Background

The presence of Anisakis larvae in fish represents a major public health concern. Effective risk management procedures should be applied to prevent heavily infected products from reaching the market. The aim of the study is to provide preliminary data on parasite exposure and risk classification in frozen fish products by applying a risk categorization scheme (site, abundance, density and epidemiology – SADE) and Fish Parasite Rating (FPR) method. Fish and cephalopods samples (N = 771) from 5 different FAO Atlantic areas were examined and categorized after an accurate visual inspection and a chloro-peptic digestion.

Results

In 25 out of 33 fish species parasite larvae were found. 10897 anisakids larvae were collected and identified to genus level. Molva dypterygia, Conger conger, Zeus faber and Aphanopus carbo were shown to be the most highly infected species. SADE and FPR scores were 1 and poor, respectively, for the referred species, because of the disseminated Anisakis infection and commercial rejection.

Conclusion

SADE/FPR method showed high specificity and accuracy. The information provided in this work could be used in early warning systems for the detection of parasites in fishery products and might help fishing industries in establishing management strategies for infected stocks in terms of cost saving decisions.
Chemoresistant ovarian cancer enhances its migration abilities by increasing store-operated Ca2+ entry-mediated turnover of focal adhesions
Authors: Huang Ho-Kai , Lin Yi-Hsin , Chang Heng-Ai , Lai Yi-Shyun , Chen Ying-Chi , Huang Soon-Cen , Chou Cheng-Yang , Chiu Wen-Tai
Published: February 2020

Background

Among gynecological cancers, ovarian carcinoma has the highest mortality rate, and chemoresistance is highly prevalent in this cancer. Therefore, novel strategies are required to improve its poor prognosis. Formation and disassembly of focal adhesions are regulated dynamically during cell migration, which plays an essential role in cancer metastasis. Metastasis is intricately linked with resistance to chemotherapy, but the molecular basis for this link is unknown.

Methods

Transwell migration and wound healing migration assays were used to analyze the migration ability of ovarian cancer cells. Real-time recordings by total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM) were performed to assess the turnover of focal adhesions with fluorescence protein-tagged focal adhesion molecules. SOCE inhibitors were used to verify the effects of SOCE on focal adhesion dynamics, cell migration, and chemoresistance in chemoresistant cells.

Results

We found that mesenchymal-like chemoresistant IGROV1 ovarian cancer cells have higher migration properties because of their rapid regulation of focal adhesion dynamics through FAK, paxillin, vinculin, and talin. Focal adhesions in chemoresistant cells, they were smaller and exhibited strong adhesive force, which caused the cells to migrate rapidly. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) regulates focal adhesion turnover, and cell polarization and migration. Herein, we compared SOCE upregulation in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells to its parental cells. SOCE inhibitors attenuated the assembly and disassembly of focal adhesions significantly. Results of wound healing and transwell assays revealed that SOCE inhibitors decreased chemoresistant cell migration. Additionally, SOCE inhibitors combined with chemotherapeutic drugs could reverse ovarian cancer drug resistance.

Conclusion

Our findings describe the role of SOCE in chemoresistance-mediated focal adhesion turnover, cell migration, and viability. Consequently, SOCE might be a promising therapeutic target in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Graphical abstract
lncRNA-PLACT1 sustains activation of NF-κB pathway through a positive feedback loop with IκBα/E2F1 axis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ren Xiaofan , Chen Changhao , Luo Yuming , Liu Mingyang , Li Yuting , Zheng Shangyou , Ye Huilin , Fu Zhiqiang , Li Min , Li Zhihua , Chen Rufu
Published: February 2020

Background

The activation of NF-κB signaling pathway is regarded as the dominant process that correlates with tumorigenesis. Recently, increasing evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in sustaining the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated.

Methods

The expression and clinical features of PLACT1 were analyzed in a 166-case cohort of PDAC by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The functional role of PLACT1 was evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Chromatin isolation by RNA purification assays were utilized to examine the interaction of PLACT1 with IκBα promoter.

Results

We identified a novel lncRNA-PLACT1, which was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues and correlated with progression and poor survival in PDAC patients. Moreover, PLACT1 promoted the proliferation and invasion of PDAC cells in vitro. Consistently, PLACT1 overexpression fostered the progression of PDAC both in orthotopic and lung metastasis mice models. Mechanistically, PLACT1 suppressed IκBα expression by recruiting hnRNPA1 to IκBα promoter, which led to increased H3K27me3 that decreased the transcriptional level of IκBα. Furthermore, E2F1-mediated overexpression of PLACT1 modulated the progression of PDAC by sustained activation of NF-κB signaling pathway through forming a positive feedback loop with IκBα. Importantly, administration of the NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor significantly suppressed PLACT1-induced sustained activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to reduced tumorigenesis in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that PLACT1 provides a novel epigenetic mechanism involved in constitutive activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and may represent a new therapeutic target of PDAC.
Identifying optimal indicators and purposes of population segmentation through engagement of key stakeholders: a qualitative study
Authors: Yoon Sungwon , Goh Hendra , Kwan Yu Heng , Thumboo Julian , Low Lian Leng
Published: February 2020

Background

Various population segmentation tools have been developed to inform the design of interventions that improve population health. However, there has been little consensus on the core indicators and purposes of population segmentation. The existing frameworks were further limited by their applicability in different practice settings involving stakeholders at all levels. The aim of this study was to generate a comprehensive set of indicators and purposes of population segmentation based on the experience and perspectives of key stakeholders involved in population health.

Methods

We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling with key stakeholders (e.g. government officials, healthcare professionals, social service providers, researchers) involved in population health at three distinct levels (micro, meso, macro) in Singapore. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was undertaken using NVivo 12.

Results

A total of 25 interviews were conducted. Eight core indicators (demographic characteristics, economic characteristics, behavioural characteristics, disease state, functional status, organisation of care, psychosocial factors and service needs of patients) and 21 sub-indicators were identified. Age and financial status were commonly stated as important indicators that could potentially be used for population segmentation across three levels of participants. Six intended purposes for population segmentation included improving health outcomes, planning for resource allocation, optimising healthcare utilisation, enhancing psychosocial and behavioural outcomes, strengthening preventive efforts and driving policy changes. There was consensus that planning for resource allocation and improving health outcomes were considered two of the most important purposes for population segmentation.

Conclusions

Our findings shed light on the need for a more person-centric population segmentation framework that incorporates upstream and holistic indicators to be able to measure population health outcomes and to plan for appropriate resource allocation. Core elements of the framework may apply to other healthcare settings and systems responsible for improving population health.

Trial registration

The study was approved by the SingHealth Institutional Review Board (CIRB Reference number: 2017/2597).
Cytoplasmic PPARγ is a marker of poor prognosis in patients with Cox-1 negative primary breast cancers
Authors: Shao Wanting , Kuhn Christina , Mayr Doris , Ditsch Nina , Kailuwait Magdalena , Wolf Verena , Harbeck Nadia , Mahner Sven , Jeschke Udo , Cavaillès Vincent , Sixou Sophie
Published: February 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the nuclear receptor PPARγ, together with that of the cyclooxygenases Cox-1 and Cox-2, in breast cancer (BC) tissues and to correlate the data with several clinicobiological parameters including patient survival.

Methods

In a well characterized cohort of 308 primary BC, PPARγ, Cox-1 and Cox-2 cytoplasmic and nuclear expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Correlations with clinicopathological and aggressiveness features were analyzed, as well as survival using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

PPARγ was expressed in almost 58% of the samples with a predominant cytoplasmic location. Cox-1 and Cox-2 were exclusively cytoplasmic. Cytoplasmic PPARγ was inversely correlated with nuclear PPARγ and ER expression, but positively with Cox-1, Cox-2, and other high-risk markers of BC, e.g. HER2, CD133, and N-cadherin. Overall survival analysis demonstrated that cytoplasmic PPARγ had a strong correlation with poor survival in the whole cohort, and even stronger in the subgroup of patients with no Cox-1 expression where cytoplasmic PPARγ expression appeared as an independent marker of poor prognosis. In support of this cross-talk between PPARγ and Cox-1, we found that Cox-1 became a marker of good prognosis only when cytoplasmic PPARγ was expressed at high levels.

Conclusion

Altogether, these data suggest that the relative expression of cytoplasmic PPARγ and Cox-1 may play an important role in oncogenesis and could be defined as a potential prognosis marker to identify specific high risk BC subgroups.
Protocol for a parallel economic evaluation of a trial comparing two surgical strategies in severe complicated intra-abdominal sepsis: the COOL-cost study
Authors: Ng-Kamstra Joshua S. , Rennert-May Elissa , McKee Jessica , Lundgren Skyla , Manns Braden , Kirkpatrick Andrew W.
Published: February 2020

Background

The risk of death in severe complicated intra-abdominal sepsis (SCIAS) remains high despite decades of surgical and antimicrobial research. New management strategies are required to improve outcomes. The Closed Or Open after Laparotomy (COOL) trial investigates an open-abdomen (OA) approach with active negative pressure peritoneal therapy. This therapy is hypothesized to better manage peritoneal bacterial contamination, drain inflammatory ascites, and reduce the risk of intra-abdominal hypertension leading to improved survival and decreased complications. The total costs and cost-effectiveness of this therapy (as compared with standard fascial closure) are unknown.

Methods

We propose a parallel cost-utility analysis of this intervention to be conducted alongside the 1-year trial, extrapolating beyond that using decision analysis. Using resource use metrics (e.g., length of stay, re-admissions) from patients at all study sites and microcosting data from patients enrolled in Calgary, Alberta, the mean cost difference between treatment arms will be established from a publicly-funded health care payer perspective. Quality of life will be measured at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively with the Euroqol EQ-5D-5 L and SF-36 surveys. A within-trial analysis will establish cost and utility at 1 year, using a bootstrapping approach to provide confidence intervals around an estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. If neither operative strategy is economically dominant, Markov modeling will be used to extrapolate the cost per quality-adjusted life years gained to 2-, 5-, 10-year, and lifetime horizons. Future costs and benefits will be discounted at 1.5% per annum. A cost-effectiveness acceptability curve will be generated using Monte Carlo simulation. If all trial outcomes are similar, the primary analysis will default to a cost-minimization approach. Subgroup analysis will be carried out for patients with and without septic shock at presentation, and for patients whose initial APACHE II scores are > 20 versus ≤ 20.

Discussion

In addition to an estimate of the clinical effectiveness of an OA approach for SCIAS, an understanding of its cost effectiveness will be required prior to its adoption in any resource-constrained environment. We will estimate this key parameter for use by clinicians and policymakers.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03163095, registered May 22, 2017.
Lysosomal autophagy promotes recovery in rats with acute knee injury through TFEB mediation
Authors: Xia Qingquan , Wu Xuhua , Rong Ke , Zhou Zhenyu , Li Xujun , Fei Teng , Yin Xiaofan
Published: February 2020

Background

To study the role of lysosomal decomposition and elimination of old bone matrix, as well as the mechanism of promoting chondrocyte growth and bone recovery through the perspective of TFEB-mediated lysosomal autophagy.

Methods

Rat models of acute knee injury were designed, and autophagy flow was detected by injection of autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine. Autophagy flow was detected by RFP-GFP-LC3 double fluorescence molecule. The expression of TFEB, DRAM, MAPLC3, and MITF were analyzed by Western blot, and the expression of genes NITF, Bcl2, and TYR in rat cartilage tissues were detected by RT-PCR.

Results

The number of autophagosomes was increasing in the auto group compared with the inhibitor-auto group and normal group. There was a significant difference of LC3 levels in the auto group and inhibitor-auto group compared with the normal control. The expression of TFEB, DRAM, MAPLC3, and MITF proteins by Western blot analysis were significantly increased in the auto group and decreased in the inhibitor-auto group. The expression of NITF, Bcl2, and TYR by RT-PCR determination were higher in the auto group and inhibitor-auto group than the normal group.

Conclusions

Autophagy can inhibit apoptosis, promote chondrocyte growth and bone regeneration, and restore knee joint injury of rats. The main mechanism is to promote the effect of TFEB-mediated lysosomal autophagy.
No raw data, no science: another possible source of the reproducibility crisis
Authors: Miyakawa Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2020

A reproducibility crisis is a situation where many scientific studies cannot be reproduced. Inappropriate practices of science, such as HARKing, p-hacking, and selective reporting of positive results, have been suggested as causes of irreproducibility. In this editorial, I propose that a lack of raw data or data fabrication is another possible cause of irreproducibility.

As an Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Brain, I have handled 180 manuscripts since early 2017 and have made 41 editorial decisions categorized as “Revise before review,” requesting that the authors provide raw data. Surprisingly, among those 41 manuscripts, 21 were withdrawn without providing raw data, indicating that requiring raw data drove away more than half of the manuscripts. I rejected 19 out of the remaining 20 manuscripts because of insufficient raw data. Thus, more than 97% of the 41 manuscripts did not present the raw data supporting their results when requested by an editor, suggesting a possibility that the raw data did not exist from the beginning, at least in some portions of these cases.

Considering that any scientific study should be based on raw data, and that data storage space should no longer be a challenge, journals, in principle, should try to have their authors publicize raw data in a public database or journal site upon the publication of the paper to increase reproducibility of the published results and to increase public trust in science.
Assessing effective interventions to improve trial retention: do they contain behaviour change techniques?
Authors: Duncan Eilidh M. , Bennett Tina , Gillies Katie
Published: February 2020

Background

Clinical trials often struggle to retain the number of participants required to make valid and reliable assessments about the effectiveness of treatments. Several individual randomised comparisons of interventions to improve retention in trials have been shown to be effective. Many of these retention interventions target participants’ behaviour (e.g. returning questionnaires or attending a follow-up visit). Although not designed as such, these interventions can be thought of as behaviour change interventions. By coding the constituent behaviour change components of effective retention interventions, the interventions’ potential ‘active ingredients’ responsible for improvements in retention can be identified and maximised for future gains.

Methods

Studies reporting effective retention interventions were identified from existing meta-analyses in the literature. Published manuscripts and intervention and comparator group material were coded into their behaviour change techniques (BCTs) using the BCT taxonomy version 1. Two authors independently coded materials using a standardised coding manual and discussed any disagreements to reach consensus. Data on study characteristics including host trial context, timing, mode of delivery and dosage of retention intervention were recorded.

Results

Two intervention types were identified as having evidence of improving retention in existing meta-analyses: monetary incentives and electronic prompts. None of the interventions identified from the included studies explicitly stated a theoretical rationale for their development. BCTs were identified in both intervention and comparator groups across both intervention types and there was heterogeneity with regard to their presentation within and across interventions. The BCTs identified in the ‘monetary incentive’ interventions differed to the comparator group. Contrastingly, the BCTs identified in ‘electronic prompts’ interventions were identical in both the control and intervention groups (within studies) and differed only in terms of mode of delivery and dosing.

Conclusions

Attending a measurement visit or returning a questionnaire is a behaviour and trialists should be mindful of this when designing retention interventions. Our work in this area provides some of the first evidence of the impact of implicit use of BCTs in retention interventions and highlights their potential promise for future trials.
“Non-criteria” antiphospholipid antibodies add value to antiphospholipid syndrome diagnoses in a large Chinese cohort
Authors: Liu Tingting , Gu Jieyu , Wan Liyan , Hu Qiongyi , Teng Jialin , Liu Honglei , Cheng Xiaobing , Ye Junna , Su Yutong , Sun Yue , Zhou Jinfeng , Norman Gary L. , Wang Xuefeng , Yang Chengde , Shi Hui
Published: February 2020

Background

Despite expansion in the 2006 Sydney antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria to include IgG/IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein (aβ2GPI) antibodies in addition to IgG/IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LAC), some individuals with clinical features of APS remain seronegative (seronegative APS or SNAPS) and are at risk of recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities. Our aim was to assess the value of “non-criteria” aPL antibodies to detect these SNAPS patients.

Methods

One hundred ninety-two APS patients, 90 SNAPS patients, 193 autoimmune disease controls, and 120 healthy controls were evaluated. Ten antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were tested using commercial kits, including 5 non-criteria aPLs: anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) IgG/IgM, aCL IgA, aβ2GPI IgA, and anti-β2GPI Domain 1 (aβ2GPI-D1) IgG.

Results

Up to 60.9% of the SNAPS and 93.5% of APS patients were detected by at least one non-criteria aPL. aPS/PT IgG had the highest Youden index in classifying APS and SNAPS from controls. aPS/PT IgG and aβ2GPI Domain 1 IgG seem to be the most significant risk factors for thrombotic events and pregnancy morbidity, respectively. aPS/PT IgG/IgM and aβ2GPI-D1 IgG were detected in some SNAPS patients, while IgA isotypes of aCL/aβ2GPI tended to appear together with other biomarkers. The combined analysis showed enhanced diagnostic performance with the inclusion of non-criteria aPLs.

Conclusions

Recognition of SNAPS patients is critical for clinical management and prevention of potential thrombotic and obstetric adverse events. The non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies help to identify a considerable portion (60.9%) of these patients who otherwise may remain untreated and at clinical risk.
Event-based robust stabilization for delayed systems with parameter uncertainties and exogenous disturbances
Authors: Du Yuwei , Li Bing
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the robust stabilization problem is studied for a class of delayed systems with parameter uncertainties and unknown-but-bounded exogenous disturbances. The robust input-to-state practical stability (RISpS) is introduced to characterize the dynamics of the controlled system. An event-triggered strategy is employed to effectively decrease the transmission consumption of the robust controller. The Zeno behavior is also excluded by combining the information of delayed states with parameter uncertainties. The gain matrix and the event-triggered parameters are co-designed by resorting to the feasibility of several matrix inequalities. An example and its simulations are given to illustrate the proposed approach.
Stochastic resonance of fractional-order Langevin equation driven by periodic modulated noise with mass fluctuation
Authors: Yang Shan , Deng Mou , Ren Ruibin
Published: February 2020

The stochastic resonance (SR) of a second-order harmonic oscillator subject to mass fluctuation and periodic modulated noise in viscous media is studied. The mass fluctuation noise is modeled as dichotomous noise and the memory of viscous media is characterized by fractional power kernel function. By using the Shapiro–Loginov formula and Laplace transform, we got the analytical expression of the first moment of the steady-state response and studied the relationship between the system response and the system parameters in the long-time limit. The simulation results show the non-monotonic dependence between the response amplitude and the input signal frequency, noise parameters of the system, etc, which indicates that the bona fide resonance and the generalized SR phenomena appear. Furthermore, the mass fluctuation noise, modulation noise, and the fractional order work together, producing more complex dynamic phenomena than the integral-order system. For example, there is a transition from bimodal resonance to unimodal resonance between the amplitude and the driving frequency under different fractional orders.
FGFR- gene family alterations in low-grade neuroepithelial tumors
Authors: Bale Tejus A.
Published: February 2020

The discovery of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family alterations as drivers of primary brain tumors has generated significant excitement, both as potential therapeutic targets as well as defining hallmarks of histologic entities. However, FGFR alterations among neuroepithelial lesions are not restricted to high or low grade, nor to adult vs. pediatric-type tumors. While it may be tempting to consider FGFR-altered tumors as a unified group, this underlying heterogeneity poses diagnostic and interpretive challenges. Therefore, understanding the underlying biology of tumors harboring specific FGFR alterations is critical. In this review, recent evidence for recurrent FGFR alterations in histologically and biologically low-grade neuroepithelial tumors (LGNTs) is examined (namely FGFR1 tyrosine kinase domain duplication in low grade glioma, FGFR1-TACC1 fusions in extraventricular neurocytoma [EVN], and FGFR2-CTNNA3 fusions in polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young [PLNTY]). Additionally, FGFR alterations with less well-defined prognostic implications are considered (FGFR3-TACC3 fusions, FGFR1 hotspot mutations). Finally, a framework for practical interpretation of FGFR alterations in low grade glial/glioneuronal tumors is proposed.
Head-to-head comparison between digital and analog PET of human and phantom images when optimized for maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio from small lesions
Authors: Salvadori Julien , Odille Freddy , Verger Antoine , Olivier Pierre , Karcher Gilles , Marie Pierre-Yves , Imbert Laetitia
Published: February 2020

Background

Routine PET exams are increasingly performed with reduced injected activities, leading to the use of different image reconstruction parameters than the NEMA parameters, in order to prevent from any deleterious decrease in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and thus, in lesion detectability. This study aimed to provide a global head-to-head comparison between digital (Vereos, Philips®) and analog (Ingenuity TF, Philips®) PET cameras of the trade-off between SNR and contrast through a wide-ranging number of reconstruction iterations, and with a further reconstruction optimization based on the SNR of small lesions.

Methods

Image quality parameters were compared between the two cameras on human and phantom images for a number of OSEM reconstruction iterations ranging from 1 to 10, the number of subsets being fixed at 10, and with the further identification of reconstruction parameters maximizing the SNR of spheres and adenopathies nearing 10 mm in diameter. These reconstructions were additionally obtained with and without time-of-flight (TOF) information (TOF and noTOF images, respectively) for further comparisons.

Results

On both human and phantom TOF images, the compromise between SNR and contrast was consistently more advantageous for digital than analog PET, with the difference being particularly pronounced for the lowest numbers of iterations and the smallest spheres. SNR was maximized with 1 and 2 OSEM iterations for the TOF images from digital and analog PET, respectively, whereas 4 OSEM iterations were required for the corresponding noTOF images from both cameras. On the TOF images obtained with this SNR optimization, digital PET exhibited a 37% to 44% higher SNR as compared with analog PET, depending on sphere size. These relative differences were however much lower for the noTOF images optimized for SNR (− 4 to + 18%), as well as for images reconstructed according to NEMA standards (− 4 to + 12%).

Conclusion

SNR may be dramatically higher for digital PET than for analog PET, especially when optimized for small lesions. This superiority is mostly attributable to enhanced TOF resolution and is significantly underestimated in NEMA-based analyses.
Is Midlife Metabolic Syndrome Associated With Cognitive Function Change? The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
Authors: Kazlauskaite Rasa , Janssen Imke , Wilson Robert S , Appelhans Bradley M , Evans Denis A , Arvanitakis Zoe , El Khoudary Samar R , Kravitz Howard M
Published: February 2020

Context

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects cognitive function in late life, particularly in women. But longitudinal research is scarce on associations of MetS with cognitive function during midlife.

Objective

To determine associations between MetS exposure and cognitive function trajectories in midlife women.

Design and Setting

This is a 17-year prospective, longitudinal study of multiracial/ethnic women in 7 US communities, with annual/biennial assessments.

Participants

Participants were 2149 US women traversing menopause.

Exposure

Exposure consisted of MetS assessments (median 4 assessments over 4 years).

Main Outcome Measures

Main outcome measures were assessments of cognitive function in 3 domains: perceptual speed (symbol digit modalities test, SDMT), episodic memory (East Boston Memory Test, EBMT), and working memory (Digit Span Backward Test, DSB).

Results

By their first cognitive assessment (age 50.7 ± 2.9 years), 29.5% met the criteria for MetS. Women completed a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 6 (IQR 4–7) follow-up cognitive assessments over 11.2 (IQR 9.2–11.5) years. Women with MetS, compared with those without, had a larger 10-year decline in SDMT z-score (estimate –0.087, 95% confidence interval, –0.150 to –0.024; P = 0.007), after adjustment for cognitive testing practice effects, sociodemographics, lifestyle, mood, and menopause factors. As such, MetS accelerated the 10-year loss of perceptual speed by 24%. MetS did not differentially affect the rate of decline in either immediate (P = 0.534) or delayed (P = 0.740) episodic memory or in working memory (P = 0.584).

Conclusions

In midlife women MetS exposure was associated with accelerated decline in perceptual speed, but not episodic or working memory.
Loss of cerebellar function selectively affects intrinsic rhythmicity of eupneic breathing
Authors: Liu Yu , Qi Shuhua , Thomas Fridtjof , Correia Brittany L. , Taylor Angela P. , Sillitoe Roy V. , Heck Detlef H.
Published: February 2020

Respiration is controlled by central pattern generating circuits in the brain stem, whose activity can be modulated by inputs from other brain areas to adapt respiration to autonomic and behavioral demands. The cerebellum is known to be part of the neuronal circuitry activated during respiratory challenges, such as hunger for air, but has not been found to be involved in the control of spontaneous, unobstructed breathing (eupnea). Here we applied a measure of intrinsic rhythmicity, the CV2, which evaluates the similarity of subsequent intervals and is thus sensitive to changes in rhythmicity at the temporal resolution of individual respiratory intervals. The variability of intrinsic respiratory rhythmicity was reduced in a mouse model of cerebellar ataxia compared to their healthy littermates. Irrespective of that difference, the average respiratory rate and the average coefficient of variation (CV) were comparable between healthy and ataxic mice. We argue that these findings are consistent with a proposed role of the cerebellum in modulating the duration of individual respiratory intervals, which could serve to purpose of coordinating respiration with other rhythmic orofacial movements, such as fluid licking and swallowing.
Mouse models for muscular dystrophies: an overview
Authors: van Putten Maaike , Lloyd Erin M. , de Greef Jessica C. , Raz Vered , Willmann Raffaella , Grounds Miranda D.
Published: February 2020

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) encompass a wide variety of inherited disorders that are characterized by loss of muscle tissue associated with a progressive reduction in muscle function. With a cure lacking for MDs, preclinical developments of therapeutic approaches depend on well-characterized animal models that recapitulate the specific pathology in patients. The mouse is the most widely and extensively used model for MDs, and it has played a key role in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MD pathogenesis. This has enabled the development of therapeutic strategies. Owing to advancements in genetic engineering, a wide variety of mouse models are available for the majority of MDs. Here, we summarize the characteristics of the most commonly used mouse models for a subset of highly studied MDs, collated into a table. Together with references to key publications describing these models, this brief but detailed overview would be useful for those interested in, or working with, mouse models of MD.
Exhaustive Exercise Induces Gastrointestinal Syndrome through Reduced ILC3 and IL-22 in Mouse Model
Authors: Hou Pengfei , Zhou Xi , Yu Li , Yao Yu , Zhang Yong , Huang Yujie , Chen Mengtin , Yi Long , Mi Mantian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study was to investigate the mechanism of intestinal physical and immune barriers in the occurrence of high-intensive exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods

An overtraining model of male C57BL/6 mice was established by running-to-exhaustive exercise. Then, the mice were sacrificed, and a series of evaluation indicators, including the routine blood analysis as well as histological examinations, inflammatory factors, ultrastructure observation, and intestinal permeability of the gut, were measured based on this model. The expressions of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α, interferon-γ, and interleukin (IL)-6 as well as the tight junction and adherence junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, and E-cadherin were measured, respectively. Furthermore, the mRNA level of IL-22 and the proportion of ILC3 and IL-22 produced in CD4+ T cells in lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Besides, the liver glycogen and the expressions of sirtuins-3 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a, which were associated with the intestinal metabolism phenotype, were analyzed by Western blotting.

Results

Exhaustive exercise induced a disrupted intestinal barrier integrity, an aggravated intestinal inflammation, increased gut permeability, and the reduced IL-22 mRNA level. Compared with the nonexercise mice, the IL-22 produced in LPL was reduced followed by exhaustive exercise, whereas the proportion of IL-22 produced in CD4+ T cells was still unchanged. Significantly, the proportion of ILC3 in the LPL was decreased obviously, including the NCR+ ILC3. Furthermore, the intestinal metabolism phenotype assessment showed lower liver glycogen and blood glucose as well as higher blood lactic acid and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a, respectively.

Conclusions

The data indicated that the acute high-intensity running-induced gastrointestinal symptom is closely associated with a reduced percentage of ILC3 and IL-22 level in the LPL, possibly due to the glycogen exhaustion and intestinal mucosa hypoperfusion.
Sitting-induced Endothelial Dysfunction Is Prevented in Endurance-trained Individuals
Authors: MORISHIMA TAKUMA , TSUCHIYA YOSUKE , UEDA HISASHI , TSUJI KATSUNORI , OCHI EISUKE
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Prolonged sitting impairs leg endothelial function, which seems to be mediated by a sustained reduction in blood flow-induced shear stress. However, whether regular endurance training is effective in preventing sitting-induced leg endothelial dysfunction remains largely unknown. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that sitting-induced leg endothelial dysfunction is prevented in high endurance-trained individuals.

Methods

The endurance-trained group comprised 10 male collegiate cyclists, and the untrained group comprised nine men with no regular endurance training. Peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) was initially determined in all participants using incremental exercise test (37.9 ± 4.7 mL·min−1·kg−1 in the untrained group versus 60.8 ± 3.6 mL·min−1·kg−1 in the endurance-trained group). At second visit, the popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation (%FMD) was assessed before and after a 3-h sitting period. During the sitting period, the popliteal artery diameter and blood velocity were measured every hour.

Results

The popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate were significantly and similarly reduced during the sitting period in both groups (P < 0.001). In a 3-h sitting, a significant impairment in popliteal artery %FMD was observed in the untrained group (P = 0.003), but it was prevented in the endurance-trained group (P < 0.196).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the present study revealed that sitting-induced leg endothelial dysfunction is preventable in endurance-trained individuals.
A Machine Learning Approach to Assess Injury Risk in Elite Youth Football Players
Authors: ROMMERS NIKKI , RÖSSLER ROLAND , VERHAGEN EVERT , VANDECASTEELE FLORIAN , VERSTOCKT STEVEN , VAEYENS ROEL , LENOIR MATTHIEU , D’HONDT Eva , WITVROUW ERIK
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To assess injury risk in elite-level youth football (soccer) players based on anthropometric, motor coordination and physical performance measures with a machine learning model.

Methods

A total of 734 players in the U10 to U15 age categories (mean age, 11.7 ± 1.7 yr) from seven Belgian youth academies were prospectively followed during one season. Football exposure and occurring injuries were monitored continuously by the academies’ coaching and medical staff, respectively. Preseason anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and sitting height) were taken and test batteries to assess motor coordination and physical fitness (strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and endurance) were performed. Extreme gradient boosting algorithms (XGBoost) were used to predict injury based on the preseason test results. Subsequently, the same approach was used to classify injuries as either overuse or acute.

Results

During the season, half of the players (n = 368) sustained at least one injury. Of the first occurring injuries, 173 were identified as overuse and 195 as acute injuries. The machine learning algorithm was able to identify the injured players in the hold-out test sample with 85% precision, 85% recall (sensitivity) and 85% accuracy (f1 score). Furthermore, injuries could be classified as overuse or acute with 78% precision, 78% recall, and 78% accuracy.

Conclusions

Our machine learning algorithm was able to predict injury and to distinguish overuse from acute injuries with reasonably high accuracy based on preseason measures. Hence, it is a promising approach to assess injury risk among elite-level youth football players. This new knowledge could be applied in the development and improvement of injury risk management strategies to identify youth players with the highest injury risk.
Caffeine Optimizes HIIT Benefits on Obesity-associated Metabolic Adversity in Women
Authors: ALKHATIB AHMAD , HSIEH MIN-JUNG , KUO CHIA-HUA , HOU CHIEN-WEN
Published: February 2020

Purpose

We investigated whether obesity adversities such as excessive body fat, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, metabolic endotoxemia, irregular androgenicity, and reduced cardiorespiratory and anaerobic fitness are ameliorated by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with or without caffeine supplementation in women with obesity.

Methods

Twenty-four women with obesity (Asian cutoff point body mass index ≥ 27 kg·m−2, body fat = 40%) were evenly randomized to caffeine (CAF) and placebo (PLA) trials for an 8-wk HIIT program (10 × 1-min sprints, interspersed by 1-min rest). CAF (3 mg·kg−1·bw−1) and PLA were supplemented before each training session. Body fat was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after training together with assessments of glucose tolerance (oral glucose tolerance test, or OGTT), lipopolysaccharide endotoxins, testosterone, cardiorespiratory, and anaerobic fitness.

Results

Significant interaction between HIIT and CAF was found for OGTT glucose and OGTT insulin levels (P = 0.001 and P = 0.049 respectively). HIIT-alone increased glucose at 90 min (P = 0.049) and OGTT insulin at 60 min (P = 0.038). Conversely, HIIT with CAF decreased OGTT glucose at 120 min (P = 0.024) without affecting OGTT insulin. HIIT-alone induced 28.3% higher OGTT insulin (effect size d = 0.59 for area under the curve) and 14.5% higher OGTT glucose (d = 0.28). Conversely, HIIT with CAF decreased OGTT glucose by 19.1% (d = 0.51 for area under the curve) without changing OGTT insulin. HIIT-alone effects on glycemia and insulinemia were concurrent with a 31% increase in lipopolysaccharide endotoxins (P = 0.07; d = 0.78; confidence interval, 5.7–8.7) in the PLA but not in CAF treatment (P = 0.99; d = 0.003; confidence interval, 6.5–10.6), although endotoxin level remained within the recommended healthy thresholds. Furthermore, either HIIT alone or with CAF reduced body fat percentage (P < 0.001, ANOVA main training effects), increased muscle mass (P = 0.002), reduced testosterone (P = 0.005), and increased cardiorespiratory and anaerobic capacity (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

HIIT induces fat loss and decreases androgenicity in women with obesity. However, its side effects such as endotoxemia and hyperinsulinemia are ameliorated by caffeine supplementation.
Η μάθηση σε μία Τηλε-κοινότητα Διερεύνησης. Από τη Θεωρία της Διαδραστικής Απόστασης στη Θεωρία της Τηλε-εγγύτητας.
Authors: Κανελλόπουλος Αθανάσιος , Κουτσούμπα Μαρία Ι. , Γκιόσος Ιωάννης
Published: February 2020

Η ανάπτυξη της τεχνολογίας και η εφαρμογή ψηφιακών εργαλείων στην εξΑΕ, όπως η τηλεδιάσκεψη, έχει δημιουργήσει προβληματισμούς που σχετίζονται με την ποιότητα της διδασκαλίας και της μάθησης που προσφέρεται σε αυτήν. Προκειμένου να διασφαλιστεί μία επιτυχημένη εκπαιδευτική και μαθησιακή διαδικασία, μέσω τηλεδιάσκεψης, είναι απαραίτητος ο κατάλληλος σχεδιασμός που θα βασίζεται στις αρχές που διέπουν τη μάθηση με τηλεδιάσκεψη. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να διερευνήσει και να αναδείξει τα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά της μάθησης, μέσω τηλεδιάσκεψης, σε μία κοινότητα διερεύνησης διαμέσου των υπαρχουσών θεωριών και μοντέλων μάθησης της εξΑΕ. Η Θεωρία της Διαδραστικής Απόστασης και το Μοντέλο της Κοινότητας Διερεύνησης οριοθετούν ένα συγκεκριμένο παιδαγωγικό πλαίσιο με λειτουργίες και παραμέτρους που μπορούν να οδηγήσουν σε μία επιτυχημένη εξ αποστάσεως ηλεκτρονική εκπαιδευτική εμπειρία. Η Θεωρία της Τηλε-εγγύτητας εξελίσσει το Μοντέλο της Κοινότητας Διερεύνησης σε Μοντέλο Τηλε-κοινότητας Διερεύνησης, αναδεικνύοντας τη σημασία των οπτικοακουστικών σημάτων που εκπέμπονται στην τηλεδιάσκεψη για την καλλιέργεια της αμεσότητας και της οικειότητας των συμμετεχόντων, η οποία και ενισχύει το μαθησιακό αποτέλεσμα. Από τη συζήτηση προκύπτει το συμπέρασμα πως οι θεωρίες και τα μοντέλα της εξΑΕ δεν επαρκούν για να προσδιορίσουν «ολοκληρωμένα» τη μάθηση με τηλεδιάσκεψη, αλλά υπάρχει η ανάγκη διαμόρφωσης ενός νέου θεωρητικού πλαισίου που θα συνθέτει θεωρίες και γνωστικές προσεγγίσεις τόσο από την εξΑΕ όσο και από τη δια ζώσης διδασκαλία.
Η συμβολή των Ανοικτών Εκπαιδευτικών Πόρων στη Διά Βίου Μάθηση: Μελέτη περίπτωσης για τα Κέντρα Επιμόρφωσης και Διά Βίου Μάθησης των ελληνικών ΑΕΙ
Authors: Χριστάκη Σταυρούλα , Κουτσιλέου Σταματίνα Κ. , Αναστασοπούλου Χριστίνα , Μήτρου Νικόλαος
Published: February 2020

Tα τελευταία χρόνια, η αξία της Διά Βίου Μάθησης αναγνωρίζεται καθολικά, σε εθνικό και διεθνές επίπεδο, ως στρατηγική προτεραιότητα και ως όχημα για την αναβάθμιση των δεξιοτήτων των πολιτών και την οικονομική πρόοδο της κοινωνίας. Οι Ανοικτοί Εκπαιδευτικοί Πόροι, εξυπηρετώντας το ιδεώδες της Ανοικτής Εκπαίδευσης, έχουν ήδη διεισδύσει στην επίσημη εκπαίδευση (και στην τριτοβάθμια), ενώ παράλληλα αποτελούν σημαντικό πυλώνα και βασικό συστατικό σε οποιοδήποτε πλαίσιο Διά Βίου Μάθησης. Στην παρούσα εργασία, επιχειρείται μια ανάλυση του περιβάλλοντος της Διά Βίου Μάθησης στη χώρα μας, μέσω σχετικής έρευνας για τα προγράμματα που προσφέρονται από τα Κέντρα Επιμόρφωσης και Διά Βίου Μάθησης των Ανωτάτων Εκπαιδευτικών Ιδρυμάτων (ΑΕΙ). Η εν λόγω έρευνα αφορά ένα δείγμα έξι (6) Κέντρων Διά Βίου Μάθησης των ελληνικών ΑΕΙ, και εξετάζει γνωρίσματα εκπαιδευτών και εκπαιδευόμενων, όπως είναι η εργασιακή κατάσταση και το μορφωτικό υπόβαθρο, καθώς και στοιχεία των προσφερόμενων προγραμμάτων Διά Βίου Μάθησης, όπως, μεταξύ άλλων, τη χρονική διάρκεια, το είδος του χρησιμοποιούμενου εκπαιδευτικού υλικού, τη θεματολογία, το είδος εκπαίδευσης και τη χορήγηση πιστοποίησης. Απώτερος στόχος της μελέτης είναι να αποκαλύψει κοινά χαρακτηριστικά, πρακτικές και οφέλη που προκύπτουν από τη χρήση Ανοικτών Εκπαιδευτικών Πόρων στα προγράμματα Διά Βίου Μάθησης που παρέχονται από την ελληνική τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση.
Αξιολόγηση της διαφοροποίησης των επιδόσεων του μαθητή κατά τη γλωσσική διδασκαλία.
Authors: ΡΟΓΑΡΗ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗΣ
Published: February 2020

Στην παρούσα εργασία αναλύονται εκπαιδευτικά δεδομένα προκειμένου να αξιολογηθούν νέες διδακτικές προσεγγίσεις στο μάθημα της Γλώσσας. Συγκεκριμένα, με τη δημιουργία πειραματικών τάξεων και τάξεων ελέγχου, ερευνώνται οι προϋποθέσεις, οι τρόποι και τα μέσα της συστηματικής λεξιλογικής διδασκαλίας καθώς και οι συνέπειες που έχει αυτή στη γλωσσική ανάπτυξη των παιδιών. Σχεδιάστηκε και πραγματοποιήθηκε, κατά τη διάρκεια δύο σχολικών ετών, ερευνητικός πειραματισμός για τη διδασκαλία του λεξιλογίου σε μαθητές των Ε΄ και ΣΤ΄ τάξεων, αφού δημιουργήθηκαν πειραματικές τάξεις και τάξεις ελέγχου σε δημοτικά σχολεία της ευρύτερης περιφέρειας της Ανατολικής Αττικής. Από τα στοιχεία που συγκεντρώθηκαν και μελετήθηκαν με στατιστική επεξεργασία, προέκυψαν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα για τις προϋποθέσεις και τα μέσα της συστηματικής λεξιλογικής διδασκαλίας καθώς και για τις συνέπειες που έχει αυτή στη γλωσσική ανάπτυξη των παιδιών.