bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mural Cell-Specific Deletion of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3 in the Brain Induces Cerebral Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Wang Kang , Zhang Haifeng , He Yun , Jiang Quan , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Park In-Hyun , Pober Jordan S. , Min Wang , Zhou Huanjiao Jenny
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), consisting of dilated capillary channels formed by a single layer of endothelial cells lacking surrounding mural cells. It is unclear why CCM lesions are primarily confined to brain vasculature, although the 3 CCM-associated genes (
CCM1
,
CCM2
, and
CCM3
) are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues. We aimed to determine the role of
CCM
gene in brain mural cell in CCM pathogenesis.

Approach and Results:

SM22α
-Cre was used to drive a specific deletion of
Ccm3
in mural cells, including pericytes and smooth muscle cells (Ccm3smKO). Ccm3smKO mice developed CCM lesions in the brain with onset at neonatal stages. One-third of Ccm3smKO mice survived upto 6 weeks of age, exhibiting seizures, and severe brain hemorrhage. The early CCM lesions in Ccm3smKO neonates were loosely wrapped by mural cells, and adult Ccm3smKO mice had clustered and enlarged capillary channels (caverns) formed by a single layer of endothelium lacking mural cell coverage. Importantly, CCM lesions throughout the entire brain in Ccm3smKO mice, which more accurately mimicked human disease than the current endothelial cell-specific
CCM3
deletion models. Mechanistically,
CCM3
loss in brain pericytes dramatically increased paxillin stability and focal adhesion formation, enhancing ITG-β1 (integrin β1) activity and extracellular matrix adhesion but reducing cell migration and endothelial cell-pericyte associations. Moreover, CCM3-wild type, but not a paxillin-binding defective mutant, rescued the phenotypes in CCM3-deficient pericytes.

Conclusions:

Our data demonstrate for the first time that deletion of a
CCM
gene in the brain mural cell induces CCM pathogenesis.
Constituents and Practical Impacts on Civic Engagement of Associations in Contemporary China
Authors: Ji Yingying
Published: July 2020

The analysis in this paper reveals that on the individual level, the institutional framework continues to exert a profound impact on social organizations’ forms and civic engagement in China. The CGSS2012-based analysis leads to the following findings. For a start, political party members and danwei employees demonstrate a higher degree of social organizational involvement and civic engagement. In the meanwhile, the party members’ role in promoting civic engagement is achieved to some extent through mediating effect of social organizations. Next, various types of social organizations have significantly increased civic engagement on a practical level. Finally, income plays a large role to increase the individuals’ organizational involvement, albeit with no obvious influence on civic engagement in practice. These findings are significant in the following ways. First, from an empirical perspective, the current institutional design for social organizations to participate in social governance has delivered the expected results. Second, it confirmed the existence of activists with distinct features in social life as well as the integration of multiple governing networks in social space at grassroots level. Third, in theory, this paper noted that apart from institutional environment of technical governance by bureaucratic government, institutional framework constitutes an important institutional foundation for the development of social organizations, giving rise to the need of further discussions about the interaction mechanism between political parties and society.
New records of Collembola from marine littoral sand of Hainan Island, China, with description of a new Oudemansia species (Neanuridae: Pseudachorutinae)
Authors: PALACIOS-VARGAS JOSÉ G. , BU YUN
Published: July 2020

One new species of springtail, Oudemansia chenorum sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Pseudanurida sawayai Schuster, 1965 is reported from Hainan Island for the first time. An identification key for the species of Oudemansia Schött, 1893 is provided and remarks are made on its peculiar morphology as well as that of close related genera. The presence of pseudocelli is further confirmed on members of the genus Oudemansia.
An unusually sculptured new species of Phreatodrobia Hershler & Longley (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Cochliopidae) from central Texas
Authors: ALVEAR DOMINIQUE , DIAZ PETER H. , GIBSON J. RANDY , JONES MARY , PEREZ KATHRYN E.
Published: July 2020

There are eight described species in Phreatodrobia, minute, phreatic (subterranean aquatic) snails, all stygobitic and endemic to the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System of Texas. Two species were described from river drift (Pilsbry & Ferriss 1906) and the others more recently by sampling the water flowing from wells or springs (Hershler & Longley 1986b; Hershler & Longley 1987). Recent sampling from spring orifices and the hyporheic zone of streams have extended the known ranges of the phreatic snails of the region and encountered unknown snails (Alvear et al. 2020). Here we describe Phreatodrobia spica n. sp., a rarely encountered species with a large range of about 400 km (Figure 1). We find P. spica in samples with a diverse assemblage of phreatic animals including other species of Phreatodrobia, isopods, amphipods, coleopterans, and mites. Phreatodrobia spica is distinguished from congeners using morphological and molecular evidence and is characterized by an elevated, trochiform shell with unique sculpture that include spikes and pustules. It has an open umbilicus and a complete, reflected lip that is sometimes appressed to the body whorl.
Dysregulation of the OGF–OGFr pathway correlates with elevated serum OGF and ocular surface complications in the diabetic rat
Authors: Zagon Ian S , Sassani Joseph W , Purushothaman Indira , McLaughlin Patricia J
Published: July 2020

Diabetes often presents with ocular surface complications including dry eye, keratopathy, and altered sensitivity, along with systemic disorders. A common theme associated with corneal surface defects is decreased cellular proliferation. The opioid growth factor (OGF)–OGF receptor (OGFr) regulatory axis maintains epithelial homeostasis and can be modulated by naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, to block OGF–OGFr interaction and increase cellular replication. Complete blockade using naltrexone accelerates cell proliferation, increases the rate of re-epithelialization in corneal surface abrasions, reverses dry eye, and restores corneal surface sensitivity in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Data on the efficacy of naltrexone in these models suggest that the OGF–OGFr axis is dysregulated in diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the OGF–OGFr axis by assessing serum and tissue levels of OGF and OGFr during the development of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia and postulated a mechanism of action. We correlated the dysregulation of the OGF–OGFr axis with the onset and magnitude of corneal surface complications (e.g. tear fluid production, corneal surface sensitivity) in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Serum levels of OGF increased in both uncontrolled T1D and insulin-controlled (T1D-INS) male rats within four weeks of streptozotocin injection. Serum OGFr levels were significantly reduced in diabetic rats on weeks 3 and 8 post streptozotocin. Tear production was significantly reduced, and corneal sensitivity measurements were abnormal in both T1D and T1D-INS animals within four weeks of streptozotocin. Corneal re-epithelialization was delayed in T1D rats, but not in T1D-INS animals; however, expression levels of the inhibitory growth factor OGF and its receptor, OGFr, were elevated in the corneal epithelium more than 2-fold in both diabetic groups. These data demonstrate for the first time that dysregulation of the OGF–OGFr axis in the diabetic cornea is associated with the onset and magnitude of ocular surface complications.

Impact statement

This research extends our knowledge about the presence and role of the OGF–OGFr regulatory axis in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and demonstrates specific targets within the pathway that are dysregulated. Serum levels of OGF, an inhibitory growth factor, are significantly elevated in male T1D rats, and OGFr serum values are increased in T1D. The onset of elevated OGF corresponds to the onset of ocular surface complications including dry eye, delayed corneal epithelial repair, and abnormal corneal surface sensitivity in T1D. Systemic insulin does not protect against elevated OGF levels or the onset of dry eye and sensitivity. These data are the first to associate some ocular surface defects in T1D with alterations in the OGF–OGFr pathway.
Hybrid phenotype mining method for investigating off-target protein and underlying side effects of anti-tumor immunotherapy
Authors: Zheng Yuyu , Meng Xiangyu , Zweigenbaum Pierre , Chen Lingling , Xia Jingbo
Published: July 2020

Background

It is of utmost importance to investigate novel therapies for cancer, as it is a major cause of death. In recent years, immunotherapies, especially those against immune checkpoints, have been developed and brought significant improvement in cancer management. However, on the other hand, immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) by monoclonal antiboties may cause common and severe adverse reactions (ADRs), the cause of which remains largely undetermined. We hypothesize that ICB-agents may induce adverse reactions through off-target protein interactions, similar to the ADR-causing off-target effects of small molecules. In this study, we propose a hybrid phenotype mining approach which integrates molecular level information and provides new mechanistic insights for ICB-associated ADRs.

Methods

We trained a conditional random fields model on the TAC 2017 benchmark training data, then used it to extract all drug-centric phenotypes for the five anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs from the drug labels of the DailyMed database. Proteins with structure similar to the drugs were obtained by using BlastP, and the gene targets of drugs were obtained from the STRING database. The target-centric phenotypes were extracted from the human phenotype ontology database. Finally, a screening module was designed to investigate off-target proteins, by making use of gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis.

Results

Eventually, through the cross-analysis of the drug and target gene phenotypes, the off-target effect caused by the mutation of gene BTK was found, and the candidate side-effect off-target site was analyzed.

Conclusions

This research provided a hybrid method of biomedical natural language processing and bioinformatics to investigate the off-target-based mechanism of ICB treatment. The method can also be applied for the investigation of ADRs related to other large molecule drugs.
Prediction of blood culture outcome using hybrid neural network model based on electronic health records
Authors: Cheng Ming , Zhao Xiaolei , Ding Xianfei , Gao Jianbo , Xiong Shufeng , Ren Yafeng
Published: July 2020

Background

Blood cultures are often performed to detect patients who has a serious illness without infections and patients with bloodstream infections. Early positive blood culture prediction is important, as bloodstream infections may cause inflammation of the body, even organ failure or death. However, existing work mainly adopts statistical models with laboratory indicators, and fails to make full use of textual description information from EHRs.

Methods

We study the problem of positive blood culture prediction by using neural network model. Specifically, we first construct dataset from raw EHRs. Then we propose a hybrid neural network which incorporates attention based Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory and Autoencoder networks to fully capture the information in EHRs.

Results

In order to evaluate the proposed method, we constructe a dataset which consists of totally 5963 patients who had one or more blood cultures tests during hospitalization. Experimental results show that the proposed neural model gets 91.23% F-measure for this task.

Conclusions

The comparison results of different models demonstrated the effectiveness of our model. The proposed model outperformed traditional statistical models.
Consumer health information needs in China – a case study of depression based on a Social Q&A community
Authors: Zhao Wang , Lu Peixin , Yu Siwei , Lu Long
Published: July 2020

Background

The social Q&A community quickly becomes a popular platform for consumers to find health information because of its convenience and interactivity.

Methods

Based on the 10,861 depression questions collected in the Zhihu, the largest Q&A platform in China, we divided the healthy information needs description into nine categories with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). We also divided the healthy information needs type into Physiological, affective and cognitive needs based on the Wilson model.

Results

The results show that the largest categories are depression symptom and social activities while the less concerned health information is prevention and medical insurance. More attention is paid to cognitive needs. We also find there is no strong correlation between attention and needs type.

Conclusions

The purpose of this paper is to refine the consumer health information needs types to better understand the consumer health information characteristic in China.
The psychosis analysis in real-world on a cohort of large-scale patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Tan Wenyan , Lin Haicheng , Lei Baoxin , Ou Aihua , He Zehui , Yang Ning , Jia Fujun , Weng Heng , Hao Tianyong
Published: July 2020

Background

With China experiencing unprecedented economic development and social change over the past three decades, Chinese policy makers and health care professionals have come to view mental health as an important outcome to monitor. Our study conducted an epidemiological study of psychosis in Guangdong province, with 20 million real-world follow-up records in the last decade.

Methods

Data was collected from Guangdong mental health information platform from 2010 to 2019, which had standardized disease registration and follow-up management for nearly 600,000 patients with six categories of mental diseases and 400,000 patients with schizophrenia. We conducted clinical staging for the disease course of the patients and divided the data with various factors into different stages of disease. Quantitative analysis was utilized to investigate the high relevant indicators to the disease. The results were projected on geography map for regional distribution analysis.

Results

The majority cases of mental disease incidence were between the age of 15 and 29, while the peak age for both male and female was between 20 to 24 years old. The disease course with the largest number of patients’ cases was between 5 to 10 years. The therapeutic effect of patients gradually decreased with the development of disease course, while the risk increased with the disease course. The analysis of influencing factors showed that poor economic conditions incurred higher risk scores, and good medication adherence was effective in improving treatment outcomes. In addition, receiving good education contributed to the reduction of the risk of schizophrenia and the improvement of the efficiency of early treatment. Through the analysis of regional distribution of schizophrenia disease, developed economic conditions and favorable resource conditions could promote the reduction of disease risk, while in economically backward regions, it often accompanied with lower therapeutic effect and higher disease risk.

Conclusions

Certain demographic factors had a relatively prominent impact on the therapeutic effect and risk of schizophrenia, such as high-quality medication adherence. Therapeutic effect and risk were highly correlated. Backward economic conditions often associated with poor efficacy and higher risk assessment, and the developed economy and better medical resource are beneficial for the treatment of psychotic.
SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in an asymptomatic cancer cohort - results and consequences for clinical routine
Authors: Marschner Sebastian , Corradini Stefanie , Rauch Josefine , Zacharias Richard , Sujic Ana , Mayerle Julia , Petru Raluca , Grabein Béatrice , Keppler Oliver T. , Boelke Edwin , Belka Claus , Niyazi Maximilian
Published: July 2020

Background

Starting in December 2019, the current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) confronts the world with an unprecedented challenge. With no vaccine or drug being currently available to control the pandemic spread, prevention and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) testing becomes a crucial pillar of medical systems. Aim of the present study was to report on the first results of the measures taken in a large German Department of Radiation Oncology, including PCR testing of asymptomatic cancer patients.

Methods

Pandemic-adapted hygiene regulations and prevention measures for patients and staff were implemented. A visiting ban on both wards was implemented from the beginning and medical staff and patients were required to wear face masks at all times. The waiting rooms were rearranged to ensure distance between patients of at least 1.5 m. Clinical follow up was mainly done by telephone and all patients had to complete a questionnaire regarding symptoms and contacts with COVID-19 patients before entering our department. Educational documents were created for patients to raise awareness of symptoms and avoidance strategies for interactions with other people. Indications for therapy and fractionation schemes were adapted when possible. In a subsequent step, all new asymptomatic patients were tested via nasopharyngeal swab at our screening station shortly before their simulation CT.

Results

All these measures and implementations have been well accepted semiquantitatively measured by the consent received from patients and staff. Regarding the PCR testing, only 1 out of 139 asymptomatic patients of our cohort so far tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, reflecting a prevalence of 0.72% in this cancer patient population. Up to this point no staff members was tested positive. The start of the treatment for the PCR-positive patient was deferred for 2 weeks.

Conclusion

Due to the pandemic-adapted implementations, our department seems well prepared during this crisis. The initial screening helps to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in order to protect other patients and our staff from infection and the observed PCR prevalence is in line with comparable studies. A regular PCR testing (e.g. twice a week) of all patients and staff would in principle be desirable but is limited due to testing capacities at present.
Factors predicting symptoms of somatization, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-rated mental and physical health among recently arrived refugees in Germany
Authors: Nesterko Yuriy , Jäckle David , Friedrich Michael , Holzapfel Laura , Glaesmer Heide
Published: July 2020

Background

There is a large body of research indicating increased prevalence rates of mental disorders among refugees. However, the vast majority of the evidence available on risk factors for mental disorders among refugees focuses on post-migration stressors and was collected in surveys that were conducted months and sometimes years after the participants had resettled.

Objective

In the present study, we analyze socio-demographic and flight-related characteristics as predictors for symptoms of somatization, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as self-rated mental and physical health in recently arrived refugees (up to 4 weeks after arrival) in Germany.

Methods

The study was conducted in a reception facility for asylum-seekers in Leipzig, Germany. A total of 1316 adult individuals arrived at the facility during the survey period; 502 took part in the study. The questionnaire (self-administrated) included socio-demographic and flight-related questions as well as standardized instruments for assessing PTSD (PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (HSCL-10) and somatization (SSS-8). Linear regression models were conducted to predict symptoms of different mental disorders as well as self-rated mental and physical health.

Results

Lack of information about family members and subjective need for health care were found to be significantly associated with symptoms of depression, somatization, anxiety, and PTSD. Better self-rated mental health was significantly associated with partnership, childlessness, lower number of traumatic events, and having information about family left behind. No associations were found between flight-related factors and symptom burden.

Conclusions

The results provide initial methodologically robust insights for research and health care services, which should aid in better identifying newly arrived refugees in need of psychosocial care. Furthermore, the results might help answering the question of how to provide health care for highly vulnerable groups within refugee populations regardless their residential status.
Transcriptional responses in Parascaris univalens after in vitro exposure to ivermectin, pyrantel citrate and thiabendazole
Authors: Martin Frida , Dube Faruk , Karlsson Lindsjö Oskar , Eydal Matthías , Höglund Johan , Bergström Tomas F. , Tydén Eva
Published: July 2020

Background

Parascaris univalensis a pathogenic parasite of foals and yearlings worldwide. In recent years,Parascarisspp. worms have developed resistance to several of the commonly used anthelmintics, though currently the mechanisms behind this development are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the transcriptional responses in adultP. univalensworms afterin vitroexposure to different concentrations of three anthelmintic drugs, focusing on drug targets and drug metabolising pathways.

Methods

Adult worms were collected from the intestines of two foals at slaughter. The foals were naturally infected and had never been treated with anthelmintics. Worms were incubated in cell culture media containing different concentrations of either ivermectin (10−9 M, 10−11 M, 10−13 M), pyrantel citrate (10−6 M, 10−8 M, 10−10 M), thiabendazole (10−5 M, 10−7 M, 10−9 M) or without anthelmintics (control) at 37 °C for 24 h. After incubation, the viability of the worms was assessed and RNA extracted from the anterior region of 36 worms and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system.

Results

All worms were alive at the end of the incubation but showed varying degrees of viability depending on the drug and concentration used. Differential expression (Padj < 0.05 and log2 fold change ≥ 1 or ≤ − 1) analysis showed similarities and differences in the transcriptional response after exposure to the different drug classes. Candidate genes upregulated or downregulated in drug exposed worms include members of the phase I metabolic pathway short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily (SDR), flavin containing monooxygenase superfamily (FMO) and cytochrome P450-family (CYP), as well as members of the membrane transporters major facilitator superfamily (MFS) and solute carrier superfamily (SLC). Generally, different targets of the anthelmintics used were found to be upregulated and downregulated in an unspecific pattern after drug exposure, apart from the GABA receptor subunitlgc-37, which was upregulated only in worms exposed to 10−9 M of ivermectin.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first time the expression of lgc-37 and members of the FMO, SDR, MFS and SLC superfamilies have been described inP. univalensand future work should be focused on characterising these candidate genes to further explore their potential involvement in drug metabolism and anthelmintic resistance.
An interpersonal nutrition campaign and maternal knowledge and childhood feeding practices: a case study from mothers in rural Indonesia
Authors: Starkweather Cecily , Guarino Ayla , Bennion Natalie , Cottam Malynne , McGhie Josie , Dearden Kirk A. , Santika Otte , Jusril Hafizah , Hall Cougar , Crookston Benjamin T. , Linehan Mary , Torres Scott , Bennett Cudjoe , West Joshua H.
Published: July 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which a national nutrition communication campaign (NNCC) intervention providing interpersonal communication (IPC) was associated with improved knowledge and behaviors related to feeding practices among mothers with children under two years of age in rural Indonesia.

Methods

Data came from a follow-up, cross-sectional survey of 1734 mothers. Key outcomes of interest were minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet, as defined by the World Health Organization. Associations between exposure to the NNCC intervention and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) knowledge and behaviors were analyzed using adjusted linear and logistic regression, controlling for age, education, and income.

Results

A total of 525 mothers reported exposure to IPC interventions (30.3%). Participation in IPC was associated with increased knowledge of feeding practices (p < .0001). Separately, knowledge of feeding practices was related to achieving recommended behavioral practices of minimum meal frequency (p = 0.019), dietary diversity (p = 0.013), adequate diet (p < .001).

Conclusion

These findings underscore the value of increasing maternal knowledge of IYCF practices through IPC interventions as a way to improve behavioral practices and address stunting in rural Indonesia.
Internet addiction and associated factors among medical and allied health sciences students in northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mboya Innocent B. , Leyaro Beatrice John , Kongo Alberto , Mkombe Charles , Kyando Eliah , George Johnston
Published: July 2020

Background

Internet addiction is one of the fast-growing addictive behaviors and is a significant public health problem affecting a large number of people worldwide. Excessive use of the internet among university students increases their risk of internet addiction and related negative consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with internet addiction among medical and allied health sciences students in northern Tanzania.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) from May to June 2018. A total of 500 consenting undergraduate students were sampled using the Simple Random Sampling technique proportional to the size of each class and a self-administered questionnaire used to collect data. Internet addiction was measured using a 20-item internet addiction test (IAT-20). Generalized linear model with Poisson family and log link function was used to estimate prevalence ratio (PR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with internet addiction.

Results

The prevalence of internet addiction was 31%. Undergraduate students using the internet at the college were less likely to be addicted to internet (PR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.23, 0.86,p = 0.02) compared to those using both at the hostel/home and college. Higher prevalence of internet addiction was among those who used internet for a long time, i.e., 5 h or more per day (PR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.30, 2.63,p = 0.001) and for social networking (PR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.17, 2.31,p = 0.004) compared to those who used for less than 5 h per day and academic purposes, respectively.

Conclusions

Thirty-one percent of undergraduate students in northern Tanzania were addicted to the internet. Internet addiction was associated with using the internet at the college, a long time using the internet per day, and social networking. The college administration should put effort into improving the accessibility, reliability, and regulation of college internet services to promote learning and academic productivity. We also recommend awareness creation intervention about the harmful consequences of excessive internet use in this population. More studies are needed to determine the burden of mental, psychological, and social problems associated with internet addiction in high-risk populations, and associated consequences.
Complex I reductions in the nucleus basalis of Meynert in Lewy body dementia: the role of Lewy bodies
Authors: Hatton Christopher , Reeve Amy , Lax Nichola Zoe , Blain Alasdair , Ng Yi Shiau , El-Agnaf Omar , Attems Johannes , Taylor John-Paul , Turnbull Doug , Erskine Daniel
Published: July 2020

Neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) are vulnerable to Lewy body formation and neuronal loss, which is thought to underlie cognitive dysfunction in Lewy body dementia (LBD). There is continued debate about whether Lewy bodies exert a neurodegenerative effect by affecting mitochondria, or whether they represent a protective mechanism. Therefore, the present study sought to determine whether the nbM is subject to mitochondrial dysfunctional in LBD and the association of Lewy body formation with such changes. Post-mortem nbM tissue was stained for Complex I or IV and quantitated relative to porin with immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy of individual cells from LBD (303 neurons, 8 cases), control (362 neurons, 8 cases) and asymptomatic incidental LBD (iLBD) cases (99 neurons, 2 cases). Additionally, α-synuclein, tau and amyloid-β pathology were analysed using quantitative immunohistochemistry, and respiratory chain markers were compared in cells with Lewy bodies (N = 134) and unaffected cells (N = 272). The expression of Complex I normalised to mitochondrial mass was significantly lower in LBD compared to control and iLBD cases and this was unrelated to local neuropathological burdens but trended toward a relationship with neuronal loss. Furthermore, Complex I expression was higher in cells with Lewy bodies compared to adjacent cells without α-synuclein aggregates. These findings suggest that Complex I deficits in the nbM occur in symptomatic LBD cases and may relate to neuronal loss, but that contrary to the view that Lewy body formation underlies neuronal dysfunction and damage in LBD, Lewy bodies are associated with higher Complex I expression than neurons without Lewy bodies. One could speculate that Lewy bodies may provide a mechanism to encapsulate damaged mitochondria and/or α-synuclein oligomers, thus protecting neurons from their cytotoxic effects.
OsamorSoft: clustering index for comparison and quality validation in high throughput dataset
Authors: Osamor Ifeoma Patricia , Osamor Victor Chukwudi
Published: July 2020

The existence of some differences in the results obtained from varying clustering k-means algorithms necessitated the need for a simplified approach in validation of cluster quality obtained. This is partly because of differences in the way the algorithms select their first seed or centroid either randomly, sequentially or some other principles influences which tend to influence the final result outcome. Popular external cluster quality validation and comparison models require the computation of varying clustering indexes such as Rand, Jaccard, Fowlkes and Mallows, Morey and Agresti Adjusted Rand Index (ARIMA) and Hubert and Arabie Adjusted Rand Index (ARIHA). In literature, Hubert and Arabie Adjusted Rand Index (ARIHA) has been adjudged as a good measure of cluster validity. Based on ARIHA as a popular clustering quality index, we developed OsamorSoft which constitutes DNA_Omatrix and OsamorSpreadSheet as a tool for cluster quality validation in high throughput analysis. The proposed method will help to bridge the yawning gap created by lesser number of friendly tools available to externally evaluate the ever-increasing number of clustering algorithms. Our implementation was tested alongside with clusters created with four k-means algorithms using malaria microarray data. Furthermore, our results evolved a compact 4-stage OsamorSpreadSheet statistics that our easy-to-use GUI java and spreadsheet-based tool of OsamorSoft uses for cluster quality comparison. It is recommended that a framework be evolved to facilitate the simplified integration and automation of several other cluster validity indexes for comparative analysis of big data problems.
Tackling the blind spot of poor-quality medicines in Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Orubu E. S. F. , Ching C. , Zaman M. H. , Wirtz V. J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is challenged by the prevalence of poor-quality medicines, those that either do not meet required specifications (substandard) or are outrightly fraudulent (falsified), especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, LMICs. Whereas poor-quality medicines are a significant burden in these countries, medicine quality still remains a neglected component of UHC programs. This article describes key barriers to quality medicines and presents five select approaches leveraging the scale-up of UHC for medicine quality assurance.

Main body

Barriers to medicine quality assurance, while numerous, are described in five key inter-related domains as: low political priority, weak regulatory systems capacity, poor access to accredited facilities and licensed outlets, medicine manufacturing and other supply-chain challenges, and lack of public awareness. Five select approaches for leveraging the scale-up of UHC for medicine quality assurance in LMICs are (1): political commitment (2) strengthening the capacity of regulatory authorities and investment in detection technologies as part of national security (3); licensing of medicines outlets and expanding pharmacovigilance (4); strengthening the supply-chain; and (5) public awareness and participation.

Conclusions

Unchecked, poor-quality medicines can jeopardize UHC. National governments in LMICs need to prioritize medicine quality assurance through enforcing policies, regulatory strengthening and investments in technologies. Healthcare facilities and insurance schemes under UHC also play critical roles through incorporating medicine quality assurance into procurement practices and by promoting awareness among beneficiaries. Tackling medicine quality with a committed systems approach will enhance progress towards UHC implementation.
Phyto-therapeutic potential of stem bark of the wonder tree, Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce in LPS-induced mouse model: An Anti-Inflammatory Study
Authors: Sharma Veena , Sharma Preeti
Published: July 2020

Background

Therapeutic potential of Prosopis cineraria has been extensively explored by many eminent researchers against various serious diseases but its activity against Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) is obscure. Therefore, present experimental investigation was conducted to unravel and analyze the anti-inflammatory potential of hydro-ethanol extract of Prosopis cineraria against LPS-induced inflammation in Swiss albino male mice.

Methods

Swiss Albino male mice were intoxicated (intra-peritoneal) with LPS (2 mg/kg body weight) and further treated with low and high dose (i.e. 100 mg/kg body weight and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively) of hydro-ethanol extract of stem-bark of Prosopis cineraria. The levels of cytokines (TNF-α, Prostaglandins E2, IL-6, NF-κBp65, IFN-γ and IL-10) were determined in liver homogenate. Nitric oxide generated due to LPS-induced toxicity was estimated by using Griess reagent.

Results

The results demonstrated that the plant extract suppressed the over-expression and altered levels of cytokines due to LPS intoxication and restored the levels of TNF-α, NF-κB, NO, IL-6, IFN- γ, Prostaglandin E2 and IL-10.

Conclusion

The present research work unravelled the alleviating potential of Prosopis cineraria against LPS-induced inflammation by modulating the expression of cytokines.
Tissue-resident lymphocytes: weaponized sentinels at barrier surfaces
Authors: Belz Gabrielle T. , Denman Renae , Seillet Cyril , Jacquelot Nicolas
Published: July 2020

Tissue-resident immune cells stably localize in tissues largely independent of the circulatory system. While initial studies have focused on the recognition of CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (CD8 TRM) cells, it is now clear that numerous cell types such as CD4+ T cells, gd T cells, innate lymphoid cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells form stable populations in tissues. They are enriched at the barrier surfaces and within non-lymphoid compartments. They provide an extensive immune network capable of sensing local perturbations of the body’s homeostasis. This positioning enables immune cells to positively influence immune protection against infection and cancer but paradoxically also augment autoimmunity, allergy and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we highlight the recent studies across multiple lymphoid immune cell types that have emerged on this research topic and extend our understanding of this important cellular network. In addition, we highlight the areas that remain gaps in our knowledge of the regulation of these cells and how a deeper understanding may result in new ways to ‘target’ these cells to influence disease outcome and treatments.
Ustrojowe uwarunkowania funkcjonowania partii politycznych we Francji i ich konsekwencje dla sceny politycznej
Authors: Pacześniak Anna
Published: July 2020

Systemic Conditions of Functioning of Political Parties in France and Their Consequences for the Political Scenario he aim of the article is to discuss the framework of the semi-presidential system of government, which directly or indirectly affects the functioning of political parties and the format of the French party system. These factors include a strong and active presidency, the hierarchical dualism of executive power, the institution of referendum, the majority electoral law and the weak systemic position of the parliament. The author points out that although the entry into force of the Constitution of the Fifth French Republic in 1958 significantly reshaped the position and role of political parties, institutional factors were not conducive for their functioning. Political parties reacted with active political strategies and managed to consolidate their systemic position, and voter behaviour confirmed that deep-rooted political cleavages are still important in the contemporary political scenario.
Rama konfliktu w opisie mediów masowych i polityki w okresie polskiej kampanii parlamentarnej 2015 w wybranych tygodnikach opinii
Authors: Brzoza-Kolorz Katarzyna
Published: July 2020

Conflict Frame in the Description of Mass Media and Politics during the Polish Parliamentary Campaign 2015 in Selected Opinion Weekly

The article presents the results of the content analysis of selected copies from four opinion weekly publications, namely “Polityka”, “Wprost”, “Newsweek Polska”, and “Do Rzeczy”, published during the Polish parliamentary campaign in 2015. The aim of the analysis was to show how the editors build the conflict frame by describing the relationship between mass media and politics and what elements are utilized to construct the analytical frame.
Tunable SIM: observation at varying spatiotemporal resolutions across the FOV
Authors: Woo Taeseong , Jung Su Hyun , Ahn Cheolwoo , Hwang Byungjae , Kim Hyunggee , Kang Joo H. , Park Jung-Hoon
Published: July 2020

To date, imaging systems have generally been designed to provide an
even spatiotemporal resolution across the field of view (FOV).
However, this becomes a fundamental limitation when we aim to
simultaneously observe varying dynamics at different parts of the FOV.
In conventional imaging systems, to capture fast dynamics occurring at
only a small portion of the FOV, the entire imaging system’s
sampling rate must be increased. This is a major problem if different
parts of the FOV must rather be imaged at high spatial resolutions
beyond the diffraction limit and require a sacrifice in temporal
resolution. To answer this unmet challenge, we propose tunable SIM,
which enables adaptive modulation of spatiotemporally varying
structured illumination across different parts of the FOV. Using
tunable SIM, we exploit the varying and designable spatiotemporal
resolution to demonstrate simultaneous measurements of
subdiffraction-limited changes in the actin fine structure of
U87MG-EGFP-CD9 cells and the fast viscous flow inducing these
structural changes.
Broadcasting achievements: Social media practices of Swedish parties in-between elections through the lens of direct representation
Authors: Svensson Jakob , Russmann Uta , Cezayirlioğlu Andaç Baran
Published: July 2020

Inspired by Coleman’s call for a more ‘direct representation’, we address two neglected issues within the field of social media and political communication. We study a non-election period in Sweden (two randomly selected weeks in early 2016) and conduct a cross-platform comparison. The article is based on content analyses of the four prominent social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. We seek to answer the following questions: do parties use social media platforms in-between elections? If so, for what purposes? Do parties use social media to interact in a direct manner with citizens? We focus on three different Swedish parties: the Social Democrats (incumbent), the Feminist Initiative (underdog) and the Sweden Democrats (populist right-wing). Our findings suggest a bleak direct representation in-between elections. Parties are more active on social media platforms during election campaigns. Twitter is the preferred platform, especially by the incumbent party for broadcasting achievements.
Hidrogeoquímica como ferramenta para o reconhecimento de aquíferos em lacunas de perfis litológicos de poços tubulares
Authors: Vieira Luisa Costa Martins , Velasquez Leila Nunes Menegasse , Borba Ricardo Perobelli
Published: July 2020

A área estudada, situada 30 km a norte de Belo Horizonte, engloba toda Área de Proteção Ambiental Carste de Lagoa Santa e arredores, perfazendo 505 km². Os aquíferos cárstico-fissurais, desenvolvidos nas rochas carbonáticas dos membros inferior (impuro) e superior (puro) da Formação Sete Lagoas - Pedro Leopoldo e Lagoa Santa, respectivamente, são mais explorados, seguidos dos fissurais em metapelitos da Formação Serra de Santa Helena, granitos do embasamento do Complexo Belo Horizonte, e granulares de cobertura. Apesar do grande número de poços tubulares operantes, ocorre grande precariedade de descrição litológica nos perfis desses poços, comprometendo sua utilização. Visando ladear esse problema, segundo resultados hidroquímicos obtidos e dados litológicos disponíveis, classificou-se, por unidades aquíferas, 21 amostras de água sub-superficial, e 85 de circulação profunda. A divisão foi avaliada por diagramas de Piper e Stiff e tratamento estatístico dos dados, incluindo Boxplots e análise de Cluster. A classificação mostrou-se eficaz, especialmente na separação das unidades silicáticas e carbonáticas. A distinção entre as duas unidades carbonáticas pode ser ampliada com análises complementares.
Submucosal Tunneling Endoscopic Resection for the Management of Heterotopic Pancreas With Cystic Degeneration
Authors: Almazan Erik , Runge Thomas , Li Qing Kay , Ngamruengphong Saowanee
Published: July 2020

Heterotopic pancreas is pancreatic tissue present outside of the normal location of the pancreas. In the presence of cystic degeneration, heterotopic pancreas is clinically significant because of the symptoms it causes and its physical resemblance to cancerous growth. A diagnosis of heterotopic pancreas is achieved with the aid of various endoscopic techniques for tissue removal. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection has proven successful for the resection of gastric subepithelial masses. We present a 53-year-old woman undergoing submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for the resection of a subepithelial gastric cyst caused by heterotopic pancreas with cystic degeneration.
A A luta dos povos originários por reconhecimento
Authors: Andrade de Miranda Sandro Ari , Neves Meneses Michele
Published: July 2020

O reconhecimento social e jurídico de direitos e garantias é parte do processo de avanço civilizatório das sociedades contemporâneas e uma forma de combater as desigualdades sociais. A principal estratégia adotada pelos agentes coletivos que buscam a sua afirmação é a construção de estratégias discursivas na esfera pública, o que inclui a articulação identitária de grupos subalternizados na narrativa histórica de seus países. A luta por reconhecimento dos povos originários faz parte deste processo de luta discursiva, com ênfase na proteção da sua cultura e território. Submetidos a um modelo de organização social excludente desde o início da colonização, desde meados da década de 1970 passaram a ter seus direitos reconhecidos formalmente no universo jurídico, em especial pela aproximação do discurso ambientalista e pela internacionalização das suas pautas. Entretanto, a predominância de práticas de racismo ambiental ainda prejudica o avanço material deste reconhecimento.
O silenciamento (do) político de Julian Assange na mídia nacional
Authors: Barbosa Carlos Eduardo , Carneiro Thiago César da Costa
Published: July 2020

Após sete anos em asilo político na embaixada do Equador, em Londres, Julian Assange – fundador do WikiLeaks – foi preso no dia 11 de abril de 2019. Acusado como criminoso desde 2010, o ativista estamparia mais uma vez os jornais de todo o mundo. Dessa forma, propomos uma análise discursiva das matérias referentes ao dia de sua prisão no meio jornalístico nacional, explorando questões como o silenciamento e as formações imaginárias acerca da figura de Assange. O que percebemos é o silenciamento (do) político no discurso midiático, (re)configurando a imagem do capital e do político. Para tanto, usamos da Análise do Discurso pecheuxtiana, na qual o discurso é entendido como “efeito de sentido entre interlocutores” (PÊCHEUX, 2014). Mobilizamos, ainda, as noções de silenciamento (ORLANDI, 2007), formações imaginárias (PÊCHEUX, 2014) e a representação do político (CORTEN, 1999; CAZARIN, 2004), buscando compreender o espaço virtual e o capital como reguladores de sentidos.