bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D genome organization in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition spectrum
Authors: Pang Qing You , Tan Tuan Zea , Sundararajan Vignesh , Chiu Yi-Chia , Chee Edward Yu Wing , Chung Vin Yee , Choolani Mahesh A. , Huang Ruby Yun-Ju
Published: May 2022

Background

The plasticity along the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) spectrum has been shown to be regulated by various epigenetic repertoires. Emerging evidence of local chromatin conformation changes suggests that regulation of EMT may occur at a higher order of three-dimensional genome level.

Results

We perform Hi-C analysis and combine ChIP-seq data across cancer cell lines representing different EMT states. We demonstrate that the epithelial and mesenchymal genes are regulated distinctively. We find that EMT genes are regulated within their topologically associated domains (TADs), with only a subset of mesenchymal genes being influenced by A/B compartment switches, indicating topological remodeling is required in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. At the TAD level, epithelial and mesenchymal genes are associated with different regulatory trajectories. The epithelial gene-residing TADs are enriched with H3K27me3 marks in the mesenchymal-like states. The mesenchymal gene-residing TADs, which do not show enrichment of H3K27me3 in epithelial-like states, exhibit increased interaction frequencies with regulatory elements in the mesenchymal-like states.

Conclusions

We propose a novel workflow coupling immunofluorescence and dielectrophoresis to unravel EMT heterogeneity at single-cell resolution. The predicted three-dimensional structures of chromosome 10, harboring Vimentin, identify cell clusters of different states. Our results pioneer a novel avenue to decipher the complexities underlying the regulation of EMT and may infer the barriers of plasticity in the 3D genome context.
NT-seq: a chemical-based sequencing method for genomic methylome profiling
Authors: Li Xuwen , Guo Shiyuan , Cui Yan , Zhang Zijian , Luo Xinlong , Angelova Margarita T. , Landweber Laura F. , Wang Yinsheng , Wu Tao P.
Published: May 2022

DNA methylation plays vital roles in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. There are three forms of DNA methylation in prokaryotes:N6-methyladenine (6mA),N4-methylcytosine (4mC), and 5-methylcytosine (5mC). Although many sequencing methods have been developed to sequence specific types of methylation, few technologies can be used for efficiently mapping multiple types of methylation. Here, we present NT-seq for mapping all three types of methylation simultaneously. NT-seq reliably detects all known methylation motifs in two bacterial genomes and can be used for identifying de novo methylation motifs. NT-seq provides a simple and efficient solution for detecting multiple types of DNA methylation.
Physico-analytical studies on some heterocyclic azo dyes and their metal complexes with some transition metals
Authors: El-Seify Fathy A. , Azab Hassan A. , Degedy Fikrea S. , Abdel-Mageed Khalid A. , El-Dossoki Farid I.
Published: May 2022

In this investigation, the azo dyes; 2-(3′-phenyl-5′-pyrazolyl azo) schaffer acid (la) and 2-(3′-phenyl-5′-pyrazolyl azo) resorcinol (Ib); were prepared through diazotizing 3-phenyl-5-aminopyrazole (PAP) and coupling the resulting diazonium salt with Schäffer acid and resorcinol respectively. The prepared azo dyes are characterized using both IR spectra and the elemental analysis (C, H, N and S). The prepared azo dyes are used as chromogenic reagents for the spectrophotometric determination of copper (II), nickel (II), cobalt (II) and zinc (II) ions. The conditional acid dissociation constants of these azo dyes (la and Ib) and the stability constants of its metal ion complexes have been determined by spectro-analytical methods. The effect of pH, time, organic solvent and the foreign ions on the spectrophotometric determination of these ions and their complexes with the azo dyes under study were studied. The stoichiometric ratio (M:L) of the formed complexes was also determined. The molar absorptivity, the Sandell's sensitivity values, the obeyance of Beers law and the stability constants of the formed complexes have been also determined and discussed.
Comprehensive genomic and tumour immune profiling reveals potential therapeutic targets in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Creaney Jenette , Patch Ann-Marie , Addala Venkateswar , Sneddon Sophie A. , Nones Katia , Dick Ian M. , Lee Y. C. Gary , Newell Felicity , Rouse Ebony J. , Naeini Marjan M. , Kondrashova Olga , Lakis Vanessa , Nakas Apostolos , Waller David , Sharkey Annabel , Mukhopadhyay Pamela , Kazakoff Stephen H. , Koufariotis Lambros T. , Davidson Aimee L. , Ramarao-Milne Priya , Holmes Oliver , Xu Qinying , Leonard Conrad , Wood Scott , Grimmond Sean M. , Bueno Raphael , Fennell Dean A. , Pearson John V. , Robinson Bruce W. , Waddell Nicola
Published: May 2022

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor overall survival with few treatment options. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) combined with the immune features of MPM offers the prospect of identifying changes that could inform future clinical trials.

Methods

We analysed somatic mutations from 229 MPM samples, including previously published data and 58 samples that had undergone WGS within this study. This was combined with RNA-seq analysis to characterize the tumour immune environment.

Results

The comprehensive genome analysis identified 12 driver genes, including new candidate genes. Whole genome doubling was a frequent event that correlated with shorter survival. Mutational signature analysis revealed SBS5/40 were dominant in 93% of samples, and defects in homologous recombination repair were infrequent in our cohort. The tumour immune environment contained high M2 macrophage infiltrate linked with MMP2, MMP14, TGFB1 and CCL2 expression, representing an immune suppressive environment. The expression of TGFB1 was associated with overall survival. A small subset of samples (less than 10%) had a higher proportion of CD8 T cells and a high cytolytic score, suggesting a ‘hot’ immune environment independent of the somatic mutations.

Conclusions

We propose accounting for genomic and immune microenvironment status may influence therapeutic planning in the future.
Climate change-induced background tree mortality is exacerbated towards the warm limits of the species ranges
Authors: Taccoen Adrien , Piedallu Christian , Seynave Ingrid , Gégout-Petit Anne , Gégout Jean-Claude
Published: May 2022

Key message

An influence of the recent changes in temperature or rainfall was demonstrated, increasing background tree mortality rates for 2/3 of the 12 studied tree species. Climate change-induced tree mortality was exacerbated towards the warm or dry limits of the species ranges, suggesting in these areas a progressive replacement by more xeric species.

Context

Despite the identification of climate change effects on tree mortality in various biomes, the characterization of species-specific areas of vulnerability remains poorly understood.

Aims

We sought to assess if the effects of temperature and rainfall changes on background tree mortality rates, which did not result from abrupt disturbances, were linked to climate change intensity only, or if they also depended on the tree’s location along climatic gradients.

Methods

We modelled background mortality for 12 of the most common European tree species using 265,056 trees including 4384 dead trees from the French national forest inventory. To explain mortality, we considered variables linked to tree characteristics, stand attributes, logging intensity and site environmental characteristics, and climate change effects.

Results

We found an influence of temperature and rainfall changes on 9 species out of 12. For 8 of them, climate change-induced tree mortality was exacerbated towards the warm or dry limits of the species ranges.

Conclusion

These results highlight that tree mortality varies according to the climate change intensity and the tree location along temperature and rainfall gradients. They strengthen the poleward and upward shifts of trees forecasted from climate envelope models for a large number of European tree species.
Mental health and psychological wellbeing of maritime personnel: a systematic review
Authors: Brooks Samantha K. , Greenberg Neil
Published: May 2022

Background

Seafaring has frequently been reported to be a ‘risky occupation’ in terms of both physical and mental health. Individuals working in seafaring professions are exposed to various stressors in the workplace, including social isolation, exposure to poor physical conditions and long work hours. This systematic review aimed to update previous reviews by collating recent literature (published between 2012 and 2021) on the factors associated with mental health and wellbeing in seafaring personnel.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched in April 2021 for primary peer-reviewed studies on factors associated with the mental health and psychological wellbeing of seafarers or interventions to improve the wellbeing of seafarers, published in English in or after the year 2012. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the data and standardised measures of quality appraisal were used to assess risk of bias.

Results

Sixty-three studies were reviewed. Risk factors for poor mental health among seafarers appear to be younger age; being single; poor physical health; exposure to noise/vibration; feeling unsafe; high job demands; long working hours; night/irregular shifts; poor sleep; poor team cohesion; poor perception of management; poor social support; lack of autonomy; scheduling uncertainties; long duration at sea; and over-commitment.

Conclusions

There are numerous steps that maritime managers could take to improve the wellbeing of their personnel, including increased monitoring of the potential for poor mental health in their staff, increasing crew numbers and provision of education and support.
PROTEUS: an immersive tool for exploring the world of cultural heritage across space and time scales
Authors: Albertini Niccolò , Baldini Jacopo , Dal Pino Andrea , Lazzari Federico , Legnaioli Stefano , Barone Vincenzo
Published: May 2022

In the field of digital humanities, it is increasingly necessary to develop and validate virtual reality tools that are capable of combining various scientific data in a virtualized context providing also access and user friendly consultation of online repositories. This paper reports the main aspects of the implementation of a virtual reality tool integrated with an online repository for storing 3D models, metadata and chemical analyses related to different sectors of digital humanities. The virtual reality software, developed for the Oculus Quest 2 hardware, is called PROTEUS and allows for seamless transition from the macroscopic world of digital humanities to the microscopic world of molecular sciences. The paper illustrates, by means of some case studies, the performances of this innovative tool that permits the researcher to understand and manipulate objects, to test hypotheses and to seek meaningful results, visualising the metadata while changing the parameters of the simulation in a dynamic and interactive way. This represents also a significant step forward in the democratisation of science, thanks to an user-friendly and immersive access to advanced scientific algorithms, which allow the natural perception of structural and topological features of the underlying molecular and supra-molecular systems.

Graphical Abstract
Differential regional perfusion of the human anterior cruciate ligament: quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment
Authors: Lin Kenneth M. , Vermeijden Harmen D. , Klinger Craig E. , Lazaro Lionel E. , Rodeo Scott A. , Dyke Jonathan P. , Helfet David L. , DiFelice Gregory S.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Surgical reconstruction is the current standard for ACL rupture treatment in active individuals. Recently, there is renewed interest in primary repair of proximal ACL tears. Despite this, ACL biology and healing potential are currently not well understood. Vascularity is paramount in ACL healing; however, previous ACL vascularity studies have been limited to qualitative histological and dissection-based techniques. The study objective was to use contrast-enhanced quantitative-MRI to compare relative perfusion of proximal, middle, and distal thirds of the in situ ACL. We hypothesized perfusion would be greatest in the proximal third.

Methods

Fourteen cadaveric knees were studied (8 females, 6 males), age 25–61 years. Superficial femoral, anterior tibial, and posterior tibial arteries were cannulated; without intraarticular dissection. Contrast-enhanced quantitative-MRI was performed using a previously established protocol. ACL regions corresponding to proximal, middle, and distal thirds were identified on sagittal-oblique pre-contrast images. Signal enhancement (normalized to tibial plateau cartilage) was quantified to represent regional perfusion as a percentage of total ACL perfusion. Comparative statistics were computed using repeated measures ANOVA, and pairwise comparisons performed using the Bonferroni method.

Results

Relative perfusion to proximal, middle, and distal ACL zones were 56.0% ±17.4%, 28.2% ±14.6%, and 15.8% ±16.3%, respectively (p = 0.002). Relative perfusion to the proximal third was significantly greater than middle (p = 0.007) and distal (p = 0.001). No statistically relevant difference in relative perfusion was found to middle and distal thirds (p = 0.281). Post-hoc subgroup analysis demonstrated greater proximal perfusion in males (66.9% ± 17.3%) than females (47.8% ± 13.0%), p = 0.036.

Conclusion

Using quantitative-MRI, in situ adult ACL demonstrated greatest relative perfusion to the proximal third, nearly 2 times greater than the middle third and 3 times greater than the distal third. Knowledge of differential ACL vascular supply is important for understanding pathogenesis of ACL injury and the process of biological healing following various forms of surgical treatment.
Strangulated small bowel obstruction caused by isolated obturator nerve and pelvic vessels after pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic surgery: two case reports
Authors: Ideyama Riko , Okuchi Yoshihisa , Kawada Kenji , Itatani Yoshiro , Mizuno Rei , Hida Koya , Obama Kazutaka
Published: May 2022

Background

Although small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a major complication occurring after abdominal surgery, few reports have described strangulated SBO after pelvic lymphadenectomy (PL). This report describes two cases of strangulated SBO caused by a skeletonized obturator nerve and pelvic vessels after laparoscopic PL during gynecologic surgery.

Case presentation

Case 1: A 57-year-old woman with endometrial cancer underwent a laparoscopic semi-radical total hysterectomy with PL. Nine months after the operation, she visited our emergency room complaining about subacute pain spreading in the right groin, right buttock, and dorsal part of the right thigh. She had no abdominal pain. Although her symptoms were not typical, computed tomography (CT) revealed strangulated SBO in the right pelvis. Laparoscopic surgery revealed that the small bowel was ischemic. Then we converted to open surgery. We transected the right obturator nerve and umbilical artery, which constructed an internal hernia orifice in the right pelvis, followed by resection of the ischemic small bowel. Fortunately, during 6-month follow-up, she showed only slight difficulty in walking as a postoperative complication. Case 2: A 62-year-old woman with cervical cancer underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with PL. Six months after the operation, she visited our hospital emergently because of sudden onset of abdominal pain and vomiting. CT showed strangulated SBO. Urgent laparoscopic surgery exhibited the incarcerated small bowel at the right pelvis. Consequently, we converted to open surgery. The terminal ileum was detained into the space constructed by the right umbilical artery. We cut the umbilical artery and performed ileocecal resection. After the surgery, she was discharged with no complication or sequela.

Conclusion

When examining a patient after PL who complains of severe pain or symptoms, one should consider the possibility of PL-related SBO, even if the pain is apparently atypical for SBO.
Gait rehabilitation for foot and ankle impairments in early rheumatoid arthritis: a feasibility study of a new gait rehabilitation programme (GREAT Strides)
Authors: Hendry Gordon J. , Bearne Lindsay , Foster Nadine E. , Godfrey Emma , Hider Samantha , Jolly Lisa , Mason Helen , McConnachie Alex , McInnes Iain B. , Patience Aimie , Sackley Catherine , Sekhon Mandeep , Stanley Bethany , van der Leeden Marike , Williams Anita E. , Woodburn Jim , Steultjens Martijn P. M.
Published: May 2022

Background

Foot impairments in early rheumatoid arthritis are common and lead to progressive deterioration of lower limb function. A gait rehabilitation programme underpinned by psychological techniques to improve adherence, may preserve gait and lower limb function. This study evaluated the feasibility of a novel gait rehabilitation intervention (GREAT Strides) and a future trial.

Methods

This was a mixed methods feasibility study with embedded qualitative components. People with early (< 2 years) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and foot pain were eligible. Intervention acceptability was evaluated using a questionnaire. Adherence was evaluated using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS). Safety was monitored using case report forms. Participants and therapists were interviewed to explore intervention acceptability. Deductive thematic analysis was applied using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. For fidelity, audio recordings of interventions sessions were assessed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) scale. Measurement properties of four candidate primary outcomes, rates of recruitment, attrition, and data completeness were evaluated.

Results

Thirty-five participants (68.6% female) with median age (inter-quartile range [IQR]) 60.1 [49.4–68.4] years and disease duration 9.1 [4.0–16.2] months), were recruited and 23 (65.7%) completed 12-week follow-up. Intervention acceptability was excellent; 21/23 were confident that it could help and would recommend it; 22/23 indicated it made sense to them. Adherence was good, with a median [IQR] EARS score of 17/24 [12.5–22.5]. One serious adverse event that was unrelated to the study was reported. Twelve participants’ and 9 therapists’ interviews confirmed intervention acceptability, identified perceptions of benefit, but also highlighted some barriers to completion. Mean MITI scores for relational (4.38) and technical (4.19) aspects of motivational interviewing demonstrated good fidelity. The Foot Function Index disability subscale performed best in terms of theoretical consistency and was deemed most practical.

Conclusion

GREAT Strides was viewed as acceptable by patients and therapists, and we observed high intervention fidelity, good patient adherence, and no safety concerns. A future trial to test the additional benefit of GREAT Strides to usual care will benefit from amended eligibility criteria, refinement of the intervention and strategies to ensure higher follow-up rates. The Foot Function Index disability subscale was identified as the primary outcome for the future trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN14277030
Trimeric complexes of Antp-TBP with TFIIEβ or Exd modulate transcriptional activity
Authors: Jiménez-Mejía Gustavo , Montalvo-Méndez Rubén , Hernández-Bautista Carolina , Altamirano-Torres Claudia , Vázquez Martha , Zurita Mario , Reséndez-Pérez Diana
Published: May 2022

Background

Hox proteins finely coordinate antero-posterior axis during embryonic development and through their action specific target genes are expressed at the right time and space to determine the embryo body plan. As master transcriptional regulators, Hox proteins recognize DNA through the homeodomain (HD) and interact with a multitude of proteins, including general transcription factors and other cofactors. HD binding specificity increases by protein–protein interactions with a diversity of cofactors that outline the Hox interactome and determine the transcriptional landscape of the selected target genes. All these interactions clearly demonstrate Hox-driven transcriptional regulation, but its precise mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Results

Here we report Antennapedia (Antp) Hox protein–protein interaction with the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and the formation of novel trimeric complexes with TFIIEβ and Extradenticle (Exd), as well as its participation in transcriptional regulation. Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC), we detected the interaction of Antp-TBP and, in combination with Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (BiFC-FRET), the formation of the trimeric complex with TFIIEβ and Exd in living cells. Mutational analysis showed that Antp interacts with TBP through their N-terminal polyglutamine-stretches. The trimeric complexes of Antp-TBP with TFIIEβ and Exd were validated using different Antp mutations to disrupt the trimeric complexes. Interestingly, the trimeric complex Antp-TBP-TFIIEβ significantly increased the transcriptional activity of Antp, whereas Exd diminished its transactivation.

Conclusions

Our findings provide important insights into the Antp interactome with the direct interaction of Antp with TBP and the two new trimeric complexes with TFIIEβ and Exd. These novel interactions open the possibility to analyze promoter function and gene expression to measure transcription factor binding dynamics at target sites throughout the genome.
Approach and solutions to congenital hearing impairment in Cameroon: perspective of hearing professionals
Authors: Choffor-Nchinda Emmanuel , Fokouo Fogha Jean Valentin , Ngo Nyeki Adèle-Rose , Dalil Asmaou Bouba , Meva’a Biouélé Roger Christian , Me-Meke Geschiere Peter
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To bring out the diagnostic attitude of hearing professionals in Cameroon towards congenital hearing impairment (CHI), assess availability of tests, neonatal screening, and create a national map of availability of treatment opportunities.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online-based survey from June to December 2021, concerning ear–nose–throat (ENT) specialists, hearing care professionals, speech therapists and ENT nurses. A Google Forms online questionnaire was used to collect data, filled by eligible professionals involved in hearing care in Cameroon.

Results

A total of 93 professionals working in 31 different health facilities participated. A cumulative percentage of 79.9% of ENTs were found in just two out of 10 regions. Specialists sought by ENTs for assessment of patients with CHI included neurologists/neuro-pediatricians (96.8%), pediatricians (47.6%), other ENTs (34.9%), and psychologists (3.2%). Investigations requested included auditory-evoked brainstem response (ABR; 87.3%), otoacoustic emissions recording (OAE; 71.4%), and tympanometry (66.7%). There were eight OAE and nine ABR machines in the country. Twenty-five (88.6%) out of 31 facilities with otolaryngologists did not carry out systematic neonatal screening. Reasons included unavailability of equipment (21; 84%), and administrative delays (14; 56%). Sixteen (51.6%) facilities had ENTs with additional training in otologic surgery and 11 (35.5%) were equipped to perform ear surgery. Three centers (9.7%) specialized in hearing aid provision and maintenance services. Three hospitals (9.7%) had performed cochlear implantation.

Conclusion

Our results show scarcity and overt unevenness in distribution of specialists, equipment and solutions to CHI in Cameroon. A serious negative health care consequence of this shortage is the unavailability of universal newborn hearing screening and implementation programs.
Evaluation of mindfulness based stress reduction in symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marais Clémentine , Song Yujie , Ferreira Rosanna , Aounti Safa , Duflos Claire , Baptista Grégory , Pers Yves-Marie
Published: May 2022

Background

To evaluate the efficacy for symptomatic knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program versus usual care.

Methods

Randomized, physician-blind, clinical trial in a monocentric prospective pilot study. Adult participants with symptomatic knee or hip OA were randomized into either intervention or control groups. The intervention group completed the MBSR program for a two-and-a-half-hour weekly session for 8 weeks. Usual care management was similar in both groups. All patients were evaluated at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The primary objective was to evaluate the change in WOMAC pain score between baseline and 3 months in the MBSR group compared to usual care group. Secondary objectives were to evaluate changes in pain VAS, WOMAC scores, quality of life (SF-36), HAD scores between baseline and 3/6 months.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled in the study. No differences in the WOMAC pain score between the two groups were observed in the different time points. A similar pattern was found for the other assessment outcomes. However, a significant pain VAS reduction in favor of the MBSR group between baseline and 6 months (− 29.6 ± 26.6 vs − 9.3 ± 27.3; p = 0.03) has been reached.

Conclusions

Our pilot RCT found contrasting results with no benefit on WOMAC pain and function and a delayed but long-term efficacy in pain VAS following a MBSR program in symptomatic knee or hip OA patients. Future studies with larger sample size are mandatory to confirm these preliminary results.

Trial registration The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03644615, 23/08/2018).
A new equation for correlation of clinical and radiological factors affecting multifidus muscle degeneration in magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Libda Nesma Ibrahim , Bessar Ahmed Awad , Fahmy Hadeer , El Sammak Ahmed Abd El Aziz , Tantawy Heba Fathy
Published: May 2022

Background

Multifidus muscle (MF) is one of the back muscles of the spine that is involved in the pathogenesis of low back pain. Its role as a stabilizer of the spine continues to present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The degree of MF degeneration is dependent on multiple clinical and radiological factors. We proposed a new equation to predict MF degeneration based upon clinical and radiological changes in magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

Clinical factors associated with MF degeneration include visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, body mass index, duration of complaint, age of the patients and the presence of sciatica. Other radiological factors include the number of disc pathologies, neural canal stenosis and facet joint arthropathies, by building a module of a univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis for the parameters affecting MF degeneration score as a dependent variable.

Results

Regarding the univariate and multivariate linear regression for factors affecting MF degeneration, the most common factors associated with increased multifidus score were the duration in years and VAS score in the multivariate analysis model with B value equal to 0.184 according to duration in years and equal to 0.287 with VAS score according to 95% confidence interval.

Conclusion

The equation for multifidus score is a helpful method to predict the degree of MF degeneration in relation to clinical variable.
The value of chemical shift imaging and T1-Dixon MRI in evaluation of structural changes in sacroiliac joint in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Allam Mohammad Fouad Abdel-Baki , Isaac Kristen Rafat El-Komos Gerges , Ismail Ahmed Hamed , Ragaee Sara Mahmoud
Published: May 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of dual gradient-echo T1-weighted sequence (in phase and out of phase) and the related Dixon images in evaluation of structural changes observed in sacroiliac joint in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Forty patients with low back pain were included in the study; they underwent T1-Dixon and routine MRI study on the sacroiliac joint in addition to pelvic CT.

Results

This study was carried out on forty patients, 27 (67.5%) males and 13 (32.5%) females, their mean age was 34.93 ± 11.21 years, and mean duration of symptoms was 8.1 ± 7.4 years. The mean Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score ASDAS value was 4.03 ± 0.85 years. The most common structural change was subchondral fat deposition. Dixon MRI was significantly superior to T1WI in simple quantification of the amount of fat with P = 0.036 and excellent inter-rater reliability (96%), P = 0.0001. The number of erosions/backfills detected on Dixon was higher than that detected in T1WI with higher accuracy (97.5%) and excellent inter-rater reliability (95%), P = 0.0001. ASDAS showed significant positive correlation with erosion/backfill (r = 69, P = 0.0001) and with maximal fat deposition detected on Dixon (r = 32, P = 0.044). There were significant difference between the patients having high ASDAS and others having very high ASDAS scores regarding the sub-articular sclerosis (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

3D T1-based Dixon is a helpful imaging technique in proper assessment of different structural changes in sacroiliitis, its integration into routine MR protocol is recommend as it could yield a better depiction of erosive/backfill and fat deposition.
Isotropic radiative transfer as a phase space process: Lorentz covariant Green's functions and first-passage times
Authors: Rossetto Vincent
Published: May 2022

The solutions of the radiative transfer equation, known for the energy density, do not satisfy the fundamental transitivity property for Green's functions expressed by Chapman-Kolmogorov's relation. I show that this property is retrieved by considering the radiance distribution in phase space. Exact solutions are obtained in one and two dimensions as probability density functions of continous-time persistent random walks, the Fokker-Planck equation of which is the radiative transfer equation. The expected property of Lorentz covariance is verified. I also discuss the measured signal from a pulse source in one dimension, which is a first-passage time distribution, and unveil an effective random delay when the pulse is emitted away from the observer.
Chick cranial neural crest cells release extracellular vesicles that are critical for their migration
Authors: Gustafson Callie M. , Roffers-Agarwal Julaine , Gammill Laura S.
Published: May 2022

The content and activity of extracellular vesicles purified from cell culture media or bodily fluids have been studied extensively; however, the physiological relevance of exosomes within normal biological systems is poorly characterized, particularly during development. Although exosomes released by invasive metastatic cells alter migration of neighboring cells in culture, it is unclear whether cancer cells misappropriate exosomes released by healthy differentiated cells or reactivate dormant developmental programs that include exosome cell–cell communication. Using chick cranial neural fold cultures, we show that migratory neural crest cells, a developmentally critical cell type and model for metastasis, release and deposit CD63-positive 30–100 nm particles into the extracellular environment. Neural crest cells contain ceramide-rich multivesicular bodies and produce larger vesicles positive for migrasome markers as well. We conclude that neural crest cells produce extracellular vesicles including exosomes and migrasomes. When Rab27a plasma membrane docking is inhibited, neural crest cells become less polarized and rounded, leading to a loss of directional migration and reduced speed. These results indicate that neural crest cell exosome release is critical for migration.
Research on the Efficient Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Useful Bioactive Polycyclic Compounds
Authors: Nakada Masahisa
Published: May 2022

Useful bioactive polycyclic natural products are important targets in academic research, wherein their mechanisms of action and total syntheses are commonly investigated. In addition, polycyclic compounds that exhibit highly selective biological activities through multipoint recognition are valuable as biochemical reagents and lead compounds for pharmaceuticals. However, when such compounds are difficult to obtain, their supply depends on appropriate chemical preparations. Unfortunately, polycyclic natural products pose difficult synthetic problems, such as the construction of distorted ring structures, contiguous stereogenic centers, and quaternary asymmetric carbon atoms in their fused ring moieties. Moreover, since polycyclic natural products have a large number of bonds, their total syntheses inevitably become multi-step procedures, and when enantioselective total synthesis is required, the number of steps tends to increase, since such routes require the use of commercially available chiral compounds. Hence, their efficient total synthesis is challenging. In our group, we have demonstrated the preparation of chiral synthetic intermediates, especially those bearing a quaternary stereogenic center, through novel asymmetric catalysis procedures, as well as the incorporation of logically designed cascade reactions to reduce the number of transformations. This route can ultimately lead to the efficient enantioselective total syntheses of useful bioactive polycyclic natural products.
Duration of dry and humidified incubation of single-step embryo culture medium and oxygen tension during sham culture do not alter medium composition.
Authors: Cheredath Aswathi , Uppangala Shubhashree , Asampille Gitanjali , Lakshmi R. Vani , Joseph David , Raval Keyur , Gowda G. A. Nagana , Kalthur Guruprasad , Adiga Satish Kumar
Published: May 2022

Background: The extended embryo culture using single-step medium gained popularity in clinical in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, there are concerns about the degradation of unstable medium components and their negative effects on the developing embryos. Further, dry-incubation can increase osmolality, which can in-turn enhance the concentration of constituents of the media and their stability. Hence, this study was conducted to understand the immediate changes in the culture media constituents in relation to clinically comparable situations such as single-step extended embryo culture and use of dry and humidified-incubation in two-different gaseous conditions.

Methods: Commercially available single-step medium was sham-cultured in droplets under oil in two different conditions viz. dry (37°C; 6%CO 2; 5%O 2) and humidified (37°C; 6% CO 2; atmospheric O 2) for 0h, 72h, and 120h intervals. Droplets were subjected to the sensitivity-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based profiling using 800 MHz NMR equipped with a cryogenically cooled micro-coil (1.7mm) probe. NMR profile of the embryo culture medium between the two groups were comprehensively assessed.

Results: A total of ten amino acids and four energy substrates were identified from the culture medium. The medium constituents identified showed a non-significant increase in the dry-incubation group at 72h and then declined at 120h. Humidified incubation had no effects on the level of the identified medium constituents until 120h. No significant differences in the levels of medium constituents identified were observed between the dry and humidified-groups at various time-points tested.

Conclusions: A non-significant variation in the levels of medium constituents observed in the dry-incubation of single-step medium most unlikely to influence a clinical outcome. However, the impact of these subtle changes on the (epi)genetic integrity of the embryos in a clinical set-up to be addressed.
Bacterial and fungal co-infections among ICU COVID-19 hospitalized patients in a Palestinian hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Naseef Hani A. , Mohammad Ula , Al-Shami Nimeh , Sahoury Yousef , Abukhalil Abdallah D. , Dreidi Mutaz , Alsahouri Ibrahim , Farraj Mohammad
Published: May 2022

Background: Diagnosis of co-infections with multiple pathogens among hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients can be jointly challenging and essential for appropriate treatment, shortening hospital stays and preventing antimicrobial resistance. This study proposes to investigate the burden of bacterial and fungal co-infections outcomes on COVID-19 patients. It is a single center cross-sectional study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Beit-Jala hospital in Palestine.

Methods: The study included 321 hospitalized patients admitted to the ICU between June 2020 and March 2021 aged ≥20 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay conducted on a nasopharyngeal swab. The patient's information was gathered using graded data forms from electronic medical reports.

Results: The diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infection was proved through the patient’s clinical presentation and positive blood or sputum culture results. All cases had received empirical antimicrobial therapy before the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and different regimens during the ICU stay. The rate of bacterial co-infection was 51.1%, mainly from gram-negative isolates (Enterobacter species and K.pneumoniae). The rate of fungal co-infection caused by A.fumigatus was 48.9%, and the mortality rate was 8.1%. However, it is unclear if it had been attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental.

Conclusions: Bacterial and fungal co-infection is common among COVID-19 patients at the ICU in Palestine, but it is not obvious if these cases are attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental, because little data is available to compare it with the rates of secondary infection in local ICU departments before the pandemic. Comprehensively, those conclusions present data supporting a conservative antibiotic administration for severely unwell COVID-19 infected patients. Our examination regarding the impacts of employing antifungals to manage COVID-19 patients can work as a successful reference for future COVID-19 therapy.
Case Report: Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy – indirect evaluation of the effect of the duration of stimulation on ocular edema
Authors: Pereira de Godoy Jose Maria , Pereira de Godoy Henrique Jose , Pereira de Godoy Ana Carolina , Guerreiro Godoy Maria de Fatima
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study is to report the indirect evaluation of cervical stimulation considering the effect of the duration of the stimulus on the control of intraocular pressure in a patient with bilateral glaucoma with important ocular edema.  A 47-year-old woman reported the onset of pain and bilateral tearing in the eyes at 35 years of age and was diagnosed with glaucoma. The patient began clinical treatment, but intraocular pressure remained 35 to 40 mmHg even with the use of four eye medications in the form of drops. The patient reported that her vision was always blurred despite the use of the eyedrops. The patient was submitted to the Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy to reduce the edema. The ophthalmologist measured her intraocular pressure every two and three days. We found that the pressure was maintained below 20 mmHg when lymphatic therapy was performed every two days, but intraocular pressure increased and the vision became blurred when therapy was performed every three days. The Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy constitutes a novel lymphatic system stimulation strategy that maintains its effect on intraocular pressure for approximately 48 hours, as demonstrated through an indirect evaluation.
Changes in children’s wellbeing in Bradford during COVID-19: The Born in Bradford COVID-19 longitudinal research study
Authors: Pybus Katie , Kelly Brian , Hou Bo , Ajebon Mildred , McIvor Claire , Bingham Daniel , McEachan Rosemary , Pickett Kate E. , Dickerson Josie
Published: May 2022

Background: Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown measures on child mental wellbeing, but emerging evidence suggests mixed results and there is a dearth of information from ethnically diverse samples. The current study aims to explore the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing using longitudinal data collected from the multi-ethnic Born in Bradford family cohort study.

Methods: Within-child changes in wellbeing were explored using data collected pre-pandemic and again during the first UK lockdown for 500 children aged 7-13 from a range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using self-reported feelings of happiness and sadness. Associations between changes in wellbeing, demographic factors, quality of social relationships and physical activity levels were explored using multinomial logistic regression models.

Results: In this sample, 55% of children reported no change in their wellbeing from pre-pandemic to during the first lockdown (n=264). Children of Pakistani heritage were more than twice as likely to report feeling sad less often than White British children (RRR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.51) during the first lockdown. Those who reported being left out by other children before the pandemic were over three times as likely than those who did not (RRR: 3.72: 1.51, 9.20) to report feeling sad less often during the pandemic. Around a third of children reported feeling happier (n=152, 31.6%), but these changes did not relate to any of the explanatory variables included in this analysis.

Conclusion: Many children in this study reported no changes in their wellbeing during the first UK lockdown compared to before the pandemic and some described improved wellbeing. These findings suggest that children have coped well with the significant changes over the past year, though targeted support, particularly for those children who felt excluded before the pandemic, would be beneficial.
¿Qué pasa si duermes desnudo bajo la luna llena?
Authors: Álvarez-Castañeda Sergio Ticul
Published: May 2022

Los mitos asociados a la fauna silvestre son varios en las diferentes culturas a través del tiempo. Una especie ha sido reiteradamente citada, lo que ocasionó que en el segundo tercio del siglo XX fuera extirpada de varios sitios a través de programas gubernamentales que estaban dirigidos a desaparecerla.
Homeopathic preparations and separation anxiety in dogs: a pilot study
Authors:   University of Santo Amaro Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, Jardim da Imbuias - São Paulo/ sp Brazil High Dilution Science Rua São Paulo, Santa Paula - São Caetano do sul/ sp Brazil, von Ancken Adalberto , Peres Giovani Bravin ,   Paulista University Rua Doutor Bacelar, Vila Clementino – São Paulo/sp Brazil, Coelho Cidéli de Paula ,   University of Santo Amaro Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, Jardim da Imbuias - São Paulo/ sp Brazil High Dilution Science Rua São Paulo, Santa Paula - São Caetano do sul/ sp Brazil
Published: May 2022

Separation Anxiety (SA) is a behavioral syndrome that may affect dogs of different ages and that is characterized by intense clinical signs. Traditional veterinary clinic efforts rely on harmful side effect drugs. Overall, homeopathy handles individual idiosyncrasies and susceptibilities and deal with them using a single medicine through the law of similarity. This study aimed to determine whether individualized homeopathic medicines have a greater effect than placebo for dogs suffering from SA or not, assessing its relation to behavioral settings, cortisol levels, and blood cells count before and after therapy. It also focused on setting a demographic profile of these dogs. Owners filled out a score questionnaire. Twenty-one dogs were recruited and repertorized in accordance to classical homeopathy. A pharmacist was responsible to randomize and dispense verum medicine or placebo. On the 30th day, reappraisal of owners were allowed altering the dispensed medicine. The final assessment occurred on the 60th day. In verum group, destructive behavior analysis had a significant statistical difference intra-group over the trial compared to the placebo group. The mean of cortisol levels in the placebo group was significantly higher on the 60th day of the trial when compared to the verum group, whose levels were sustained over the same period. Although evidenced behavioral improvements could be related to homeopathic preparations, it was not feasible to set any connection between homeopathic interventions, behavioral issues, and plasma components
In vivo detection of plaque erosion by intravascular optical coherence tomography using artificial intelligence
Authors: Sun Haoyue , Zhao Chen , Qin Yuhan , Li Chao , Jia Haibo , Yu Bo , Wang Zhao
Published: May 2022

Plaque erosion is one of the most common underlying mechanisms for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows in vivo diagnosis of plaque erosion. However, challenge remains due to high inter- and intra-observer variability. We developed an artificial intelligence method based on deep learning for fully automated detection of plaque erosion in vivo, which achieved a recall of 0.800 ± 0.175, a precision of 0.734 ± 0.254, and an area under the precision-recall curve (AUC) of 0.707. Our proposed method is in good agreement with physicians, and can help improve the clinical diagnosis of plaque erosion and develop individualized treatment strategies for optimal management of ACS patients.
Decline of suspended particulate matter concentrations in Lake Taihu from 1984 to 2020: observations from Landsat TM and OLI
Authors: Yin Ziyao , Li Junsheng , Liu Yao , Zhang Fangfang , Wang Shenglei , Xie Ya , Gao Min
Published: May 2022

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) affects the optical properties of water, which can be used as a marker of water quality. The water quality of Lake Taihu has changed immensely since the 1980's. However, despite the link between water quality and SPM, long-term systematic studies on SPM have not been conducted in this lake. Here, we used Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-8 OLI data to model changes in the SPM concentration of Lake Taihu from 1984 to 2020. Various models were generated, calibrated, and finally validated usingin situSPM, remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) data, and synchronous satellite data. After comparing various commonly used models, it was found that the exponential model based on band combination [Rrs(red) + Rrs(NIR)/Rrs(green)] had the highest accuracy, with an average unbiased relative error greater than 35%. Subsequently, the SPM products of Lake Taihu during 1984–2020 were generated. Overall, the SPM concentration showed a downward trend over the study period, which might be primarily attributable to a decline in wind speed. These findings may assist in the conservation of Lake Taihu and its associated water resources.