bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Stroke Care in the With-COVID-19 Era: Experience at a Comprehensive Stroke Center in Japan
Authors: Koge Junpei , Shiozawa Masayuki , Toyoda Kazunori
Published: January 2021

Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on stroke healthcare, including the prehospital care system and in-hospital workflow. Japan experienced the outbreak of COVID-19, and the State of Emergency was declared during April 2020 and May 2020. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on a comprehensive stroke center in Japan.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted in our institute between December 2019 and July 2020. The patients who underwent reperfusion therapy (intravenous thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy) were divided into the pre-COVID-19 period (December 2019 to March 2020) and the With-COVID-19 period (April 2020 to July 2020). Study outcomes were the number of stroke admissions in our institute, workflow time metrics, the frequency of modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 at discharge, and brain imaging modalities before reperfusion therapy in patients who underwent reperfusion therapy.

Results: In our institute, the number of stroke admissions decreased during the State of Emergency and then increased after the lifting of the State of Emergency. Among patients who underwent reperfusion therapy (median age, 77 years; female 27%; median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 10), times from hospital arrival to imaging [25 (21–33) min vs. 30 (25–38) min, P = 0.03] and to thrombolysis [38 (31–52) min vs. 51 (37–64) min, P = 0.03] were prolonged compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. There was no significant difference in the frequency of modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 at discharge between the two periods (32 vs. 45%, P = 0.21). The proportion of computed tomography vs. magnetic resonance imaging as an emergency brain imaging tool before reperfusion therapy changed, with computed tomography having become predominant in the With-COVID-19 period.

Conclusions: In our institute, the number of stroke admissions, workflow time metrics, and imaging modalities for reperfusion therapy were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Animal Models of Metabolic Disorders in the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Overview
Authors: de Bem Andreza Fabro , Krolow Rachel , Farias Hémelin Resende , de Rezende Victória Linden , Gelain Daniel Pens , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca , Duarte João Miguel das Neves , de Oliveira Jade
Published: January 2021

The incidence of metabolic disorders, as well as of neurodegenerative diseases—mainly the sporadic forms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease—are increasing worldwide. Notably, obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia have been indicated as early risk factors for sporadic forms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions share a range of molecular and cellular features, including protein aggregation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, all of which contribute to neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Rodent models of obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia exhibit all the hallmarks of these degenerative diseases, and represent an interesting approach to the study of the phenotypic features and pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders. We review the main pathological aspects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as summarized in rodent models of obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.
Seizure Freedom After Epilepsy Surgery and Higher Baseline Cognition May Be Associated With a Negatively Correlated Epilepsy Network in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Neal Elliot G. , Schoenberg Mike R. , Maciver Stephanie , Bezchlibnyk Yarema B. , Vale Fernando L.
Published: January 2021

Background: Brain regions positively correlated with the epileptogenic zone in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy vary in spread across the brain and in the degree of correlation to the temporal lobes, thalamus, and limbic structures, and these parameters have been associated with pre-operative cognitive impairment and seizure freedom after epilepsy surgery, but negatively correlated regions have not been as well studied. We hypothesize that connectivity within a negatively correlated epilepsy network may predict which patients with temporal lobe epilepsy will respond best to surgery.

Methods: Scalp EEG and resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) were collected from 19 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and used to estimate the irritative zone. Using patients’ rsfMRI, the negatively correlated epilepsy network was mapped by determining all the brain voxels that were negatively correlated with the voxels in the epileptogenic zone and the spread and average connectivity within the network was determined.

Results: Pre-operatively, connectivity within the negatively correlated network was inversely related to the spread (diffuseness) of that network and positively associated with higher baseline verbal and logical memory. Pre-operative connectivity within the negatively correlated network was also significantly higher in patients who would go on to be seizure free.

Conclusion: Patients with higher connectivity within brain regions negatively correlated with the epilepsy network had higher baseline memory function, narrower network spread, and were more likely to be seizure free after surgery.
Circular RNAs in Human Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiong , Li Huijun , Lu Yanjun , Cheng Liming
Published: January 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous single-stranded covalently closed RNAs, primarily produced from pre-mRNAs via non-canonical back-splicing. circRNAs are highly conserved, stable, and expressed in tissue- and development-specific pattern. circRNAs play essential roles in physiological process as well as cancer biology. By the advances of deep sequencing and bioinformatics, the number of circRNAs have increased explosively. circRNAs function as miRNA/protein sponge, protein scaffold, protein recruitment, enhancer of protein function, as well as templates for translation involved in the regulation of transcription/splicing, translation, protein degradation, and pri-miRNA processing in human cancers and contributed to the pathogenesis of cancer. Numerous circRNAs may function in diverse manners. In this review, we survey the current understanding of circRNA functions in human cancer including miRNA sponge, circRNA-protein interaction, and circRNA-encoded protein, and summarize available databases for circRNA annotation and functional prediction.
Comprehensively Analyzed Macrophage-Regulated Genes Indicate That PSMA2 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression
Authors: Qi Jingbo , Hu Zhiqiu , Liu Shaoqun , Li Fan , Wang Sheng , Wang Wuqing , Sheng Xia , Feng Li
Published: January 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Here, we identified tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as regulators of genes in CRC. In total, the expressions of 457 genes were dysregulated after TAM coculture; specifically, 344 genes were up-regulated, and 113 genes were down-regulated. Bioinformatic analysis implied that these TAM-related genes were associated with regulation of the processes of macromolecule metabolism, apoptosis, cell death, programmed cell death, and the response to stress. To further uncover the interplay among these proteins, we constructed a PPI network; 15 key regulators were identified in CRC, including VEGFA, FN1, JUN, CDH1, MAPK8, and FOS. Among the identified genes, we focused on PSMA2 and conducted loss-of-function experiments to validate the functions of PSMA2 in CRC. To further determine the mechanism by which PSMA2 affected CRC, we conducted multiple assays in CRC cell lines and tissues. PSMA2 enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Moreover, our data indicated that PSMA2 expression was dramatically increased in stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4 CRC samples. Our data indicated that PSMA2 was one target of miR-132. A miR-132 mimic greatly hindered CRC cell proliferation. In addition, the luciferase assay results revealed that miR-132 directly regulated PSMA2. Moreover, our data indicated that miR-132 expression was greatly decreased in CRC samples, which was associated with longer survival times of CRC patients, implying that miR-132 was a probable biomarker for CRC. Collectively, these data indicate that PSMA2 is a promising target for the therapy of CRC.
Development of LMS and Z Score Growth References for Egyptian Children From Birth Up to 5 Years
Authors: El Shafie Ali M. , El-Gendy Fady M. , Allahony Dalia M. , Hegran Hossam H. , Omar Zein A. , Samir Mohamed A. , Kasemy Zeinab A. , El-Bazzar Ahmed N. , Abd El-Fattah Mohamed A. , Abdel Monsef Amir A. , Kairallah Amir M. , Raafet Hythem M. , Baza Ghada M. , Salah Amany G. , Galab Walaa S. , Alkalash Safa H. , Salama Amal A. , Farag Nagwa A. , Bahbah Wael A.
Published: January 2021

Background: The Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) and Z score methods are important for assessment of growth and nutritional status. In Egypt, there is a lack of this tool for monitoring growth in preschool children.

Objective: To develop LMS and Z score growth references for assessment of growth and nutritional status for Egyptian children from birth up to 5 years.

Methods: A total of 27,537 children [13,888 boys (50.4%) and 13,649 girls (49.6%)] from birth up to 5 years were included in a multistage cross sectional randomized study from different Egyptian geographic districts to create LMS and Z score references for weight, length/height, and body mass index corresponding to age in addition to weight for length/height. Healthy term infants and children, exclusive breast feeding for at least 4 months and not suffering from any chronic diseases were included in this study. Children with dysmorphic features, preterm infants, admitted in neonatal or pediatric intensive care units and having any chronic diseases (hematological, cardiac, hepatic, and renal) were excluded. In addition any health condition that affects child growth including nutritional disorders was also excluded. Un-paired t-test was calculated to compare the means of weight for age, length/height for age, weight for length/height, and BMI for-age z scores of the Egyptian and WHO reference values.

Results: Through detailed tables and graphs, LMS and Z scores for weight for age, length/height for age, weight for length/height, and BMI for age of both sexes were represented. Our findings showed no statistically significant difference between reference charts of WHO and Egyptian Z score charts (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: This study provides the first reference for Egyptian children from birth up to 5 years based on Z score tool for assessment the growth and nutritional status in various clinical conditions and research, also allows comparison with references of other countries.
A New Device for Thoracoscopic Cryoanalgesia in Pectus Excavatum Repair: Preliminary Single Center Experience
Authors: Torre Michele , Mameli Leila , Bonfiglio Rachele , Guerriero Vittorio , Derosas Lucia , Palomba Loredana , Disma Nicola
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Cryoanalgesia has been recently described as alternative technique for immediate and persistent pain treatment after pectus excavatum repair. Cryoanalgesia has the potentiality to reduce analgesic consumption and length of hospitalization. However, cryoanalgesia has not been standardized yet: the previous reports describe different techniques and systems and include only small series. In Europe, no reports on cryoanalgesia for pectus repair have been published so far.

Materials and Methods: This is a prospective single center pilot study performed in adolescents undergoing minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair with a new cryoanalgesia system, using a probe designed specifically for thoracoscopy. This new double lumen probe has the theoretical advantage of freezing only in its tip, so reducing the risk of complications.

Results: Seven patients undergoing pectus excavatum repair were treated with cryoanalgesia performed with the new probe. No complications of cryoanalgesia were reported. Total consumption of morphine during hospital stay was between 0.1 and 0.35 mg/kg, with no side effects reported. Mean time to discharge was 2.4 days. All patients reported a good pain control with a fair need of rescue medications for pain relief during the first week after discharge, and a very good pain control without need of rescue medications during following weeks.

Conclusions: Our pilot study showed that the new cryoanalgesia device is efficacious in terms of pain control, hospital stay and resumption of post-operative activities. The cryoprobe designed allowed an easy and safe maneuver. A prospective trial is needed to better define the risks and benefits of this technique.
Effect of Folic Acid Intake on Infant and Child Allergic Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Zekun , Xing Yan , Yu Xue , Dou Yuqi , Ma Defu
Published: January 2021

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of folic acid supplements on infant and child allergic diseases through systematic review and meta-analysis.

Design: PubMed, The Cochrane Library and references of related articles published before January 1, 2020 were searched.

Setting: Meta-analysis was used to explore the influence of folic acid on skin allergies (eczema, and atopic dermatitis) and respiratory allergies (asthma, wheezing, and allergic rhinitis).

Participants: Data were collected from 15 studies with 244,018 individual participants from five different countries for meta-analysis.

Results: Folic acid was confirmed as a risk factor for allergic diseases in infant and child. The risk of allergic diseases dramatically increased when maternal folic acid intake <400 μg/day (RR = 1.050; 95% CI = 1.027–1.073) during pregnancy. Stratified analyses revealed that the association was significant only for respiratory allergy (RR = 1.067; 95% CI = 1.028–1.108) and pregnant women who only used folic acid supplements (RR = 1.070; 95% CI = 1.030–1.112) and that countries without folic acid fortification (RR = 1.046; 95% CI = 1.026–1.067).

Conclusions: This study suggested that folic acid intake can be a risk factor for allergic diseases, especially respiratory tract allergies among infants and young children. Furthermore, pregnant women should pay attention to supplementation of folic acid from both folic acid supplements and fortified foods with folic acid during pregnancy.
Efficacy of Probiotics as Adjunctive Therapy to Nonsurgical Treatment of Peri-Implant Mucositis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Rui , Hu Huimin , Wang Yan , Lai Wenli , Jian Fan
Published: January 2021

Background: Peri-implant mucositis (PiM) is an inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the dental implant and is the precursor of the destructive inflammatory peri-implantitis. PiM is usually reversible, but difficult to eradicate. Mechanical debridement (MD) is the conventional procedure to treat PiM although not enough to reach a complete resolution. Recently, probiotics have been considered in the treatment of peri-implant disease. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of the probiotic therapy combined with MD compared with MD alone or MD + placebo in patients with PiM.

Methods: A search using electronic databases (MEDLINE, Science Direct databases, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and a manual search were performed up to November 2019 by two reviewers independently of each other. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MD + probiotic vs. MD were included. The quality assessment for all the selected RCTs was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Probing depth reduction was selected as the primary outcome. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for continuous outcomes, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated for dichotomous outcomes, using random effect models. This review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020213625).

Results: Five eligible publications were included in this systematic review and four in the meta-analysis. As regards the implant, the WMD in the probing depth reduction between the test and control group was −0.12 mm [95% CI (−0.38, 0.14), p = 0.38], meaning that the adjunctive probiotic therapy was not improving PiM compared with MD alone or MD + placebo. The meta-analysis also showed no statistically significant results in the secondary outcomes (reduction of full mouth plaque index and full mouth bleeding on probing, absence of bleeding on probing at implant level, and changes in microorganism load and species).

Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the additional use of probiotics did not improve the efficacy of MD in PiM treatment regarding clinical and microbial outcomes, at least in a short-term.
Baicalin Ameliorates Pancreatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Mice with Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Fan Jianwei , Duan Lifang , Wu Nan , Xu Xiaofan , Xin Jiaqi , Jiang Shengnan , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Hong
Published: January 2021

Pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis are typical pathological features in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have been regarded as the core event in the development of pancreatic fibrosis and are considered to be the key target for treatment of CP. Baicalin (C21H18O11), the main chemical composition of Baikal skullcap in the traditional Chinese medicines Dachaihu decoction (DCHD) and Xiaochaihu decoction (XCHD), has shown significant effects in the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis in CP mice; however, whether baicalin can inhibit the activation of PSCs and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, the influence of baicalin on activated PSCs in vitro and in vivo was investigated, and the results showed that Baicalin could significantly ameliorate the degree of pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis, while decreasing the levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), F4/80 (surface markers of mouse macrophages), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1)in the pancreas. Moreover, NF-κB and α-SMA were co-expressed in the pancreas of CP mice. Baicalin treatment markedly reduced the expression of co-location of α-SMA and NF-κB. In vitro, the protein expression levels of transforming growth factor-β receptor 1 (TGF-βR1), phosphorylated TGF-β activated kinase 1 p-TAK 1, and NF-κBp65 in PSCs were all remarkably reduced after treatment with baicalin. In addition, baicalin could inhibit MCP-1 mRNA expression in supernatant of activated PSCs, as well as the excessive migration of macrophages. Taken together, our findings indicated that baicalin could inhibit the TGF-β1/TGF-βR1/TAK1/NF-κB signaling pathway of activated PSCs, reduce the secretion of MCP-1, and further decrease the infiltration of macrophages and inflammation cells of the local microenvironment of the pancreas. Thus, this study provides a reliable experimental basis for baicalin in the prevention and treatment of CP.
Structural Changes in HPRT Gene of V79 Cells After Irradiation With Heavy Ions—Immediate and Delayed Effects
Authors: Bláha Pavel , Koshlan Igor V. , Koshlan Nataliya A. , Bogdanova Yulia V. , Petrova Daria V. , Govorun Raisa D. , Múčka Viliam , Krasavin Evgeny A.
Published: January 2021

The radiobiological effects of accelerated ions with high charge and high energy (HZE) on mammalian cells and their propagation in time are still not sufficiently explained and attract great deal of attention. This work aims to compare the immediate and delayed effects with emphasis on the latter. As shown by our group, the dependence of mutant fraction on expression time after irradiation may have interesting, non-monotonic, character depending on LET (linear energy transfer) of the used heavy ions. We speculate that this phenomenon may occur due to the induced genomic instability. Another area of our research is the study of the DNA structural changes in these mutants induced at different expression times. Chinese hamster V79 cells were irradiated with accelerated ions 11B, 18O, 20Ne, and gamma radiation. The LET was ranging from 0.23 keV/μm of 60Co gamma rays up to 136 keV/μm of 20Ne ions. DNA of unique HPRT mutants was isolated, concentration measured, HPRT exons amplified, and analyzed at several different time points, up to about 40 days, after exposure. Over 1200 HPRT mutants were analyzed for deletions of exons and sorted into three main categories: partial deletion, PD—with deletion of one to eight exons; total deletions, TD—with all nine exons deleted; and no deletions—no change in the HPRT structure observed. In general, the number of samples with partial deletion was increasing with LET of the used radiation, suggesting that higher energy deposition to the cell nucleus is more likely to cause larger structural changes. In the case of total deletions, increase in their number with LET was observed up to LET ∼115 keV/μm followed by a sharp decrease. The samples were also analyzed for the distribution of deletions, in particular exons at various expression times, the so-called mutational patterns. Hypothesis of the mechanisms behind observed phenomena is given, and possible implications for further research are discussed.
Analysis of the Global Banking Network by Random Matrix Theory
Authors: Namaki Ali , Raei Reza , Ardalankia Jamshid , Hedayatifar Leila , Hosseiny Ali , Haven Emmanuel , Jafari G. Reza
Published: January 2021

Since the financial crisis of 2008, the network analysis of financial systems has attracted a lot of attention. In this paper, we analyze the global banking network via the method of Random Matrix Theory. By applying that method on a cross border lending network, it is shown that while the connectivity between different parts of the network has risen and the profile of transactions has diversified, the role of hubs remains important in the weighted perspective. The largest eigenvalue of the transaction matrix as the leading mode of the system shows sharp growth since 2002. As well, it is observed that its growth has diminished since 2008. This indicates that the crisis of 2008 has left a long-lasting footprint on the financial system. Analyzing the mean value of the participation ratio reveals the fact that the role of countries in forming small modes, has increased since 2002. In our final analysis, we provide snapshots of the hubs in the network over time. We observe that the share of countries in total transactions is not equal to their share in shaping the eigenvector of the largest eigenvalue. In 2018 for example, while the United Kingdom leads the share of transactions, it is the United States that has the largest value in the leading eigenvector. The proposed technique in the paper can be useful for analyzing different types of interaction networks between countries.
Quantum Interference Effects in Quantum Dot Molecular With Majorana Bound States
Authors: Chi Feng , Wang Jing , He Tian-Yu , Fu Zhen-Guo , Zhang Ping , Zhang Xiao-Wen , Wang Lihui , Lu Zongliu
Published: January 2021

Non-invasive detection of the Majorana bound state (MBSs), a kind of quasiparticle without charge and mass, is one of the core issues in current condensed matter physics. Here we study in theory the quantum interference effect in parallel-coupled double quantum dots which are connected either by Majorana bound states (MBSs) or regular fermions. We find that the zero-energy conductance develops a sharp peak when the dots are connected by the MBSs, whereas that in the case of the dots are coupled via regular fermions shows a valley. By varying the coupling strength between the dots and the electron reservoirs, the conductance in the two structures changes in different ways. By comparing the properties of the linear conductance in the two systems, the information of the MBSs formed at the two ends of a topological superconductor nanowire then can be inferred. We also find that the MBSs in the present structure also induces the Fano effect, and is favorable in quantum information processing.
Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure of Dipper and Non-dipper Patients With Essential Hypertension: A Mathematical Modeling Approach
Authors: Cortés-Ríos Javiera , Rodriguez-Fernandez Maria
Published: January 2021

Blood pressure in humans presents a circadian variation profile with a morning increase, a small postprandial valley, and a deeper descent during night-time rest. Under certain conditions, the nocturnal decline in blood pressure can be reduced or even reversed (non-dipper), which is related to a significantly worse prognosis than a normal fall pattern (dipper). Despite several advances in recent years, our understanding of blood pressure's temporal structure, its sources and mechanisms is far from complete. In this work, we developed an ordinary differential equation-based mathematical model capable of capturing the circadian rhythm of blood pressure in dipper and non-dipper patients with arterial hypertension. The model was calibrated by means of global optimization, using 24-h data of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, physical activity, heart rate, blood glucose and norepinephrine, obtained from the literature. After fitting the model, the mean of the normalized error for each data point was <0.2%, and confidence intervals indicate that all parameters were identifiable. Sensitivity analysis allowed identifying the most relevant parameters and therefore inferring the most important blood pressure regulatory mechanisms involved in the non-dipper status, namely, increase in sympathetic over parasympathetic nervous tone, lower influence of physical activity on heart rate and greater influence of physical activity and glucose on the systemic vascular resistance. In summary, this model allows explaining the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and deepening the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and interactions integrating the results of previous works.
Integrated Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Etiolation-Induced Metabolic Changes Leading to High Amino Acid Contents in a Light-Sensitive Japanese Albino Tea Cultivar
Authors: Yamashita Hiroto , Kambe Yuka , Ohshio Megumi , Kunihiro Aya , Tanaka Yasuno , Suzuki Toshikazu , Nakamura Yoriyuki , Morita Akio , Ikka Takashi
Published: January 2021

Plant albinism causes the etiolation of leaves because of factors such as deficiency of chloroplasts or chlorophylls. In general, albino tea leaves accumulate higher free amino acid (FAA) contents than do conventional green tea leaves. To explore the metabolic changes of etiolated leaves (EL) in the light-sensitive Japanese albino tea cultivar “Koganemidori,” we performed integrated metabolome and transcriptome analyses by comparing EL with green leaves induced by bud-sport mutation (BM) or shading treatments (S-EL). Comparative omics analyses indicated that etiolation-induced molecular responses were independent of the light environment and were largely influenced by the etiolation itself. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and pathway analyses revealed the downregulation of genes involved in chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis and upregulation of protein degradation-related pathways, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy in EL. Metabolome analysis showed that most quantified FAAs in EL were highly accumulated compared with those in BM and S-EL. Genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, nitrogen assimilation, and the urea cycle, including the drastically downregulated Arginase-1 homolog, which functions in nitrogen excretion for recycling, showed lower expression levels in EL. The high FAA contents in EL might result from the increased FAA pool and nitrogen source contributed by protein degradation, low N consumption, and stagnation of the urea cycle rather than through enhanced amino acid biosynthesis.
Characterization of Maize Near-Isogenic Lines With Enhanced Flavonoid Expression to Be Used as Tools in Diet-Health Complexity
Authors: Wu Binning , Chang Haotian , Marini Rich , Chopra Surinder , Reddivari Lavanya
Published: January 2021

Increasing incidence of chronic diseases in the 21st century has emphasized the importance of developing crops with enhanced nutritional value. Plant-based diets are associated with reduced incidence of many chronic diseases. The growing population and increased food demand have prioritized the development of high-yielding commercial crop varieties at the expense of natural flavors as well as health-benefiting compounds including polyphenols. Flavonoids are a large subfamily of polyphenols abundant in the plant kingdom with known health-promoting effects, making them a promising trait to be re-introduced into elite lines. Given the vast array of flavonoids and the complexity of plant food metabolome interactions, it is difficult to identify with certainty the specific class(es) of flavonoids in the food matrix that are anti-inflammatory. To address this, we have developed four maize near-isogenic lines (NILs); a line that lacked both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes, a second NIL containing phlobaphenes, a third line had anthocyanins, and a fourth line that contained both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes. The phytochemical profiles and the antioxidant potential of the NILs were characterized. The accumulation of anthocyanins and phlobaphenes contributed significantly to antioxidant capacity compared to maize lines that lacked one or both of the compounds (p< 0.05). Pilot study showed that intake of flavonoid-rich maize diets were able to alleviate experimental colitis in mice. These NILs offer novel materials combining anthocyanins and phlobaphenes and can be used as powerful tools to investigate the disease-preventive effects of specific flavonoid compound in diet/feeding experiments.
Multiple Plant Growth-Promotion Traits in Endophytic Bacteria Retrieved in the Vegetative Stage From Passionflower
Authors: Cueva-Yesquén Luis Gabriel , Goulart Marcela Cristina , Attili de Angelis Derlene , Nopper Alves Marcos , Fantinatti-Garboggini Fabiana
Published: January 2021

Bacteria exhibiting beneficial traits like increasing the bioavailability of essential nutrients and modulating hormone levels in plants are known as plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria. The occurrence of this specific group of bacteria in the endophytic environment may reflect the decisive role they play in a particular condition. This study aimed to determine the taxonomical diversity of the culturable bacterial endophytes, isolated in the vegetative stage of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), and assess its potential to promote plant growth by phenotypic and genotypic approaches. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene allowed us to classify 58 bacterial endophytes into nine genera. Bacillus (70.7%) was the most dominant genus, followed by Pseudomonas (8.6%) and Pantoea (6.9%). A few isolates belonged to Rhodococcus and Paenibacillus, whereas the genera Lysinibacillus, Microvirga, Xanthomonas, and Leclercia were represented by only one isolate. The strains were tested for nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole-acetic-acid synthesis, and siderophore production. Moreover, PGP related genes (nifH, ipdC, asb, and AcPho) were detected by PCR-based screening. Most of the isolates (94.8%) displayed a potential for at least one of the PGP traits tested by biochemical assays or PCR-based screening. Nine strains were selected based on results from both approaches and were evaluated for boosting the Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) germination and growth. All tested isolates improved germination in vitro, and the majority (78%) increased growth parameters in vivo. The results suggested that most of culturable bacteria inhabiting P. incarnata in the vegetative stage could be used as probiotics for agricultural systems. Besides, their occurrence may be associated with specific physiological needs typical of this development stage.
Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization Modulates the Yield, Essential Oil and Quality Traits of Wild Marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) in the Western Himalaya
Authors: Walia Swati , Kumar Rakesh
Published: January 2021

Fertilization plays an irreplaceable role in raising crop yields; however, there are issues with unnecessary and blind use of chemical fertilizers, which raise the risk of contamination in the atmosphere. It is hypothesized that fertilization of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) will together improve the essential oil (EO) yield and composition of Tagetes minuta L. Thus, 2 years field experiment were carried out to evaluate the outcomes of N (0, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha–1) and S levels (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha–1) on T. minuta during 2018 and 2019. The growth, biomass, EO content and composition were influenced (P = 0.05) by N and S fertilization. N at 120 kg ha–1 and S at 60 kg ha–1 registered higher biomass (183.89 and 178.90 q ha–1, respectively) and EO yield (102.09 and 88.60 kg ha–1, respectively), than control. Stomatal density reduced significantly with increase of N and S levels, however, density of oil glands substantially increased with S at 40 and 60 kg ha–1. The major component of EO (Z-β-ocimene) significantly increased with 120 kg N ha–1 (42.59%) and 60 kg S ha–1 (42.35%), respectively. Available nutrients in soil and plant tissues substantially increased with N and S fertilization upto 120 and 60 kg ha–1, respectively. The highest nutrient use efficiency traits were recorded at 60 kg N ha–1 and 20 kg S ha–1. It was concluded that 120 kg N ha–1 and 40 kg S ha–1 can be proposed for T. minuta as a result of agronomic responses, which serves as a sustainable means of cropping.
Interaction Between the SNARE SYP121 and the Plasma Membrane Aquaporin PIP2;7 Involves Different Protein Domains
Authors: Laloux Timothée , Matyjaszczyk Irwin , Beaudelot Simon , Hachez Charles , Chaumont François
Published: January 2021

Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are channels facilitating the passive diffusion of water and small solutes. Arabidopsis PIP2;7 trafficking occurs through physical interaction with SNARE proteins including the syntaxin SYP121, a plasma membrane Qa-SNARE involved in membrane fusion. To better understand the interaction mechanism, we aimed at identifying the interaction motifs in SYP121 and PIP2;7 using ratiometric bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays in Nicotiana benthamiana. SYP121 consists of four regions, N, H, Q, and C, and sequential deletions revealed that the C region, containing the transmembrane domain, as well as the H and Q regions, containing the Habc and Qa-SNARE functional domains, interact with PIP2;7. Neither the linker between the Habc and the Qa-SNARE domains nor the H or Q regions alone could fully restore the interaction with PIP2;7, suggesting that the interacting motif depends on the conformation taken by the HQ region. When investigating the interacting motif(s) in PIP2;7, we observed that deletion of the cytosolic N- and/or C- terminus led to a significant decrease in the interaction with SYP121. Shorter deletions revealed that at the N-terminal amino acid residues 18–26 were involved in the interaction. Domain swapping experiments between PIP2;7 and PIP2;6, a PIP isoform that does not interact with SYP121, showed that PIP2;7 N-terminal part up to the loop C was required to restore the full interaction signal, suggesting that, as it is the case for SYP121, the interaction motif(s) in PIP2;7 depend on the protein conformation. Finally, we also showed that PIP2;7 physically interacted with other Arabidopsis SYP1s and SYP121 orthologs.
My Future: Psychodrama and Meditation to Improve Well-Being Through the Elaboration of Traumatic Loss Among Italian High School Students
Authors: Testoni Ines , Ronconi Lucia , Biancalani Gianmarco , Zottino Andrea , Wieser Michael Alexander
Published: January 2021

This study was designed as an action research aimed to help students to elaborate their feelings of traumatic grief, due to a car accident and a suicide of two of their classmates, in an Italian high school. A death education project was realized in order to prevent the Werther effect. The intervention was based on psychodramatic techniques and meditation with Tibetan bells to encourage reflection on the suffering of traumatic loss, the sense of life, and their future. A total of 89 students from four classes (46 in the experimental group: two classes, 43 in the control groups: two classes) participated in the study, among which 82 (45 in the experimental group, 37 in the control group) completed the pre- and post-test survey. The intervention consisted of eight 2-h meetings, during which the themes of death and loss were dealt with through theoretical discussions, dramatization, and meditation. Two other classes which participated in the assessment as a control group did not attend the activities. The following instruments were used: Death Attitude Profile-Revised, which measures individual attitudes toward death; Psychological Well-being Scale, which measures a person’s psychological well-being; Resilience Scale for Adolescents, which measures the construct of resilience in adolescents; Self-Transcendence Scale, which measures self-transcendence; and Testoni Death Representation Scale, which measures the ontological representations of death. The results demonstrated that in the experimental group, there was a reduction in the fear of death and its avoidance, and that the students normalized the representation of death as something natural, thus improving their well-being. It is consequently possible to say that well-being is not simply the absence of suffering and worries, but rather, is rooted in the possibility of thinking of creative solutions to the trauma.
Friendship Importance Around the World: Links to Cultural Factors, Health, and Well-Being
Authors: Lu Peiqi , Oh Jeewon , Leahy Katelin E. , Chopik William J.
Published: January 2021

Prioritizing friendship is associated with many health and well-being benefits. However, to date, there have been relatively few studies that have examined cultural moderators of the link between friendship and important outcomes. In other words, is prioritizing friendships more beneficial in some contexts than others? In the current study, we examined how culture- and country-level factors were associated with the importance people place on friendships and the benefits derived from this importance. The sample comprised of 323,200 participants (M = 40.79 years, SD = 16.09 years) from 99 countries from the World Values Survey. Multilevel analyses revealed that women, people with higher levels of education, and people living in countries that are more economically equal and high in indulgence placed more value on friendships. Prioritizing friendships in life was associated with better health and well-being, but these associations depended on many cultural factors. The findings are discussed in the context of the ways in which friendships can enrich health and well-being across different settings.
The Four Deadly Sins of Implicit Attitude Research
Authors: Sherman Jeffrey W. , Klein Samuel A. W.
Published: January 2021

In this article, we describe four theoretical and methodological problems that have impeded implicit attitude research and the popular understanding of its findings. The problems all revolve around assumptions made about the relationships among measures (indirect vs. versus direct), constructs (implicit vs. explicit attitudes), cognitive processes (e.g., associative vs. propositional), and features of processing (automatic vs. controlled). These assumptions have confused our understandings of exactly what we are measuring, the processes that produce implicit evaluations, the meaning of differences in implicit evaluations across people and contexts, the meaning of changes in implicit evaluations in response to intervention, and how implicit evaluations predict behavior. We describe formal modeling as one means to address these problems, and provide illustrative examples. Clarifying these issues has important implications for our understanding of who has particular implicit evaluations and why, when those evaluations are likely to be particularly problematic, how we might best try to change them, and what interventions are best suited to minimize the effects of implicit evaluations on behavior.
The Italian Version of the Test Your Memory (TYM-I): A Tool to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Clinical Setting
Authors: Barulli Maria Rosaria , Piccininni Marco , Brugnolo Andrea , Musarò Cinzia , Di Dio Cristina , Capozzo Rosa , Tortelli Rosanna , Lucca Ugo , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: January 2021

The Test Your Memory (TYM) is a brief self-administered, cognitive screening test, currently used in several settings. It requires minimal administrator supervision and the computation of the final test score takes approximately 2 min. We assessed the discrimination ability of the Italian version of the TYM (TYM-I) in detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in clinical setting. TYM-I was administered to 94 MCI patients and 134 healthy controls. The clinical diagnosis of MCI was considered as the gold standard. An extended formal neuropsychological test battery was used to define MCI subtypes. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to find the optimal cut-off and measure discrimination ability of TYM-I in detecting MCI. TYM-I had a similar area under the curve (AUC = 0.85) point estimate as Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (AUC = 0.83). A TYM-I score lower or equal to 36 was found to be optimal cut off to detect MCI. The TYM-I showed the highest discrimination ability among individuals aged more than 70 and high educational level (AUC = 0.89). The amnestic MCI subtype patients, compared to non-amnestic MCI patients, had worse performance in recall, orientation and visuospatial abilities TYM-I subscores. The TYM-I is a valid screening test in detecting cognitive dysfunction, easily carried out in clinical practice. The TYM-I subscores may allow to identify amnestic and non-amnestic MCI subtypes.
Determination of Factors Affecting Dengue Occurrence in Representative Areas of China: A Principal Component Regression Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Liu Keke , Yue Yujuan , Wu Haixia , Yang Shu , Guo Yuhong , Ren Dongsheng , Zhao Ning , Yang Jun , Liu Qiyong
Published: January 2021

Background: Determination of the key factors affecting dengue occurrence is of significant importance for the successful response to its outbreak. Yunnan and Guangdong Provinces in China are hotspots of dengue outbreak during recent years. However, few studies focused on the drive of multi-dimensional factors on dengue occurrence failing to consider the possible multicollinearity of the studied factors, which may bias the results.

Methods: In this study, multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to explore the effect of multicollinearity among dengue occurrences and related natural and social factors. A principal component regression (PCR) analysis was utilized to determine the key dengue-driven factors in Guangzhou city of Guangdong Province and Xishuangbanna prefecture of Yunnan Province, respectively.

Results: The effect of multicollinearity existed in both Guangzhou city and Xishuangbanna prefecture, respectively. PCR model revealed that the top three contributing factors to dengue occurrence in Guangzhou were Breteau Index (BI) (positive correlation), the number of imported dengue cases lagged by 1 month (positive correlation), and monthly average of maximum temperature lagged by 1 month (negative correlation). In contrast, the top three factors contributing to dengue occurrence in Xishuangbanna included monthly average of minimum temperature lagged by 1 month (positive correlation), monthly average of maximum temperature (positive correlation), monthly average of relative humidity (positive correlation), respectively.

Conclusion: Meteorological factors presented stronger impacts on dengue occurrence in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, while BI and the number of imported cases lagged by 1 month played important roles on dengue transmission in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Our findings could help to facilitate the formulation of tailored dengue response mechanism in representative areas of China in the future.
Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mass Screening Experience in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Anas A. , Alahdal Hadil M. , Alotaibi Reem M. , Sonbol Hana S. , Almaghrabi Rana H. , Alsofayan Yousef M. , Althunayyan Saqer M. , Alsaif Faisal A. , Almudarra Sami S. , Alabdulkareem Khaled I. , Assiri Abdullah M. , Jokhdar Hani A.
Published: January 2021

A highly accelerating number of people around the world have been infected with novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mass screening programs were suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus. On 16 April 2020, a COVID-19 mass screening program was initiated in Saudi Arabia in multiple phases. This study aims to analyze the number of detected COVID-19 cases, their demographic data, and regions most affected in the initial two phases of these mass screening programs. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among the high-risk population as part of the COVID-19 mass screening program across all regions in Saudi Arabia during April and May 2020. A Chi-square-test was used to determine the associations between positive cases and various demographic variables. Out of 71,854 screened individuals, 13.50% (n = 9701) were COVID-19 positive, of which 83.27% (n = 59,835) were males. Among positive cases, in the 30–39 years age group, 6.36% were in the active phase, and 2.19% were in the community phase. Based on our experience, launching mass screening programs is crucial for early case detection, isolation, and pattern recognition for immediate public interventions.
Physical Activity Drops During Summer Holidays for 6- to 9-Year-Old Children
Authors: Volmut Tadeja , Pišot Rado , Planinšec Jurij , Šimunič Boštjan
Published: January 2021

Regular physical activity (PA) reduces the health risk of childhood obesity and associated chronic diseases as well as mental health problems. Since PA declines as children age as well with future generations it is of highest importance to intervene in school and out-of-school settings. Out-of-school periods affect children's PA as it is mainly left to the interest and motivation of their parents. We compared accelerometer-based PA patterns in 93 6- to 9-year old children assessed four times: before (May/June), during (August), and after (September) summer holidays and at a 1-year follow up (May/June). Before summer holidays children were assessed also for anthropometry and motor tests. During summer holidays overall PA decreased by 18% (p < 0.001), physical inactivity increased by 5.5% (p < 0.001), moderate PA decreased by 53% (p < 0.001) and moderate to vigorous PA decreased by 45% (p < 0.001) when compared to before summer holidays. Furthermore, overall PA remained diminished also after summer holidays by 8.8% (p = 0.001) but recovered to baseline values at 1-year follow up. About 30% of overall PA and moderate to vigorous PA decrease during summer holidays could be explained by children's fitness level as a greater decrease was found in children with better results in standing long jump and 300-meter running time. Our finding detects an alarming summer holiday decrease in children PA that should not be neglected in future studies and intervention designs.