bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Mesoscale Eddies of Eastern Upwelling Origins in the Atlantic Ocean and Their Role in Offshore Transport
Authors: Ioannou Artemis , Speich Sabrina , Laxenaire Remi
Published: June 2022

Motivated by the recurrent formation of eddies in the eastern upwelling areas, we examine cross-basin connectivity that is promoted by coherent, long-lived and long-propagating mesoscale eddies in the Atlantic Ocean. By applying the TOEddies detection and tracking algorithm to daily satellite observations (AVISO/DUACS) of Absolute Dynamic Topography (ADT), we characterize mesoscale eddy activity and variability in the North and South Atlantic. This method provides a robust eddy-network reconstruction, enabling the tracking of eddies formed in the Atlantic eastern upwelling systems together with any merging and splitting events they undergo during their lifetime as long as they remain detectable in the altimetry field. We show that during the years of observations, mesoscale eddies are long-lived coherent structures that can ensure oceanic connectivity between the eastern and the western boundaries, as a result of complex inter-eddy interactions. Moreover, alignment of South Atlantic eddies of eastern boundary origins with available Argo floats achieves a mean cross-basin connectivity signal from both anticyclonic and cyc5lonic eddies which is particularly evident at depth, along thermocline isopycnal layers of γn = 26 - 27 kg m–3. We explore two individual cyclonic eddy trajectories from in-situ measurements gathered by different Argo profiling floats trapped inside the eddy cores. Our results support the hypothesis that mesoscale eddies sustain and transport water masses while subducting during their westward propagation.
Capacity for Cellular Osmoregulation Defines Critical Salinity of Marine Invertebrates at Low Salinity
Authors: Podbielski Imke , Hiebenthal Claas , Hajati Mithra-Christin , Bock Christian , Bleich Markus , Melzner Frank
Published: June 2022

Low-salinity stress can severely affect the fitness of marine organisms. As desalination has been predicted for many coastal areas with ongoing climate change, it is crucial to gain more insight in mechanisms that constrain salinity acclimation ability. Low-salinity induced depletion of the organic osmolyte pool has been suggested to set a critical boundary in osmoconforming marine invertebrates. Whether inorganic ions also play a persistent role during low-salinity acclimation processes is currently inconclusive. We investigated the salinity tolerance of six marine invertebrate species following a four-week acclimation period around their low-salinity tolerance threshold. To obtain complete osmolyte budgets, we quantified organic and inorganic osmolytes and determined fitness proxies. Our experiments corroborated the importance of the organic osmolyte pool during low-salinity acclimation. Methylamines constituted a large portion of the organic osmolyte pool in molluscs, whereas echinoderms exclusively utilized free amino acids. Inorganic osmolytes were involved in long-term cellular osmoregulation in most species, thus are not just modulated with acute salinity stress. The organic osmolyte pool was not depleted at low salinities, whilst fitness was severely impacted. Instead, organic and inorganic osmolytes often stabilized at low-salinity. These findings suggest that low-salinity acclimation capacity cannot be simply predicted from organic osmolyte pool size. Rather, multiple parameters (i.e. osmolyte pools, net growth, water content and survival) are necessary to establish critical salinity ranges. However, a quantitative knowledge of cellular osmolyte systems is key to understand the evolution of euryhalinity and to characterize targets of selection during rapid adaptation to ongoing desalination.
Optimal Frailty Dimensions for Assessing Frailty and Predicting Chemotherapy Adverse Events in Older Taiwanese Cancer Patients
Authors: Ho Ya-Wen , Chen Shih-Ying , Hung Yu-Shin , Lin Shinn-Yn , Chou Wen-Chi
Published: June 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different frailty dimensions on frailty prevalence in older Taiwanese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and to analyze the dimensions that should be included in frailty assessment for effectively predicting serious adverse events, unexpected hospitalizations, and emergency department visits.

Materials and Methods

This study prospectively enrolled 234 cancer patients with solid cancer or lymphoma and aged 65 years or older who later received chemotherapy at a medical center in Taiwan from September 2016 to November 2018. First, all patients were subjected to a frailty assessment on eight frailty dimensions within 1 week before their first chemotherapy treatment. The effects of different dimensions on frailty were analyzed using a Poisson regression model. Second, after sequentially excluding one, two, and three dimensions with the lowest effects, frailty was sequentially assessed in the remaining seven, six, and five dimensions for comparison of chemotherapy-related adverse events.

Results

Nutritional status, comorbidity, history of falls, cognitive status, and polypharmacy were the top five important dimensions of frailty in older Taiwanese cancer patients. Regardless of the number (five to eight) of dimensions used for frailty assessment, frail patients had higher rates of serious adverse events, unexpected hospitalizations, and emergency room visits than non-frail patients during chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Frailty assessment in older Taiwanese cancer patients should be based on at least five dimensions to accurately identify those at high risk of serious adverse events during chemotherapy. It is expected that the present findings may be used to design a frailty scale for older Taiwanese in the future.
Case Report: Early Recognition, Treatment, and Occupational Safety Protection are Crucial for Methanol Toxicity
Authors: Wu Xiaomei , Gu Meifeng , Wang Wei , Zhang Hainan , Tang Zhenchu
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite significant progress in treating methanol poisoning, the lack of training, hazard communication, and occupational safety protection education contributes to the risk of occupational exposure and methanol toxicity. In addition, early diagnosis and timely medical care are essential to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality, yet it remains a challenging procedure.

Case Report

A 35-year-old man working in a fireworks factory came to our emergency department with acute mental change and progressive disturbance of consciousness. The patient's vital signs were stable, and he presented with enlargement of both pupils with a weak reaction to light. Head computed tomography showed low signal intensities in the bilateral basal ganglia. He was admitted to the neurologic intensive care unit, where additional laboratory workup showed high anion-gap metabolic acidosis. Methanol poisoning was thus considered. Before being treated with sodium bicarbonate infusion, hemodialysis, folate, and high-dose vitamin B, the blood and urine samples were collected for toxicity tests, which turned out to be methanol poisoning. After 8 hours of hemodialysis, the patient's consciousness recovered, but he complained of a complete loss of vision in both eyes. Brain and optic nerve magnetic resonance images showed bilateral symmetric putamen lesions and optic neuropathy. Ophthalmic tests indicated visual pathway impairment and optic disc swelling but no fluorescein leakage. The right eye's vision was partially restored on the third day, but he could only count fingers at 20 cm. Unfortunately, his eyesight ceased to improve during the 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will improve the prognosis of methanol poisoning in terms of vision and patient survival. Awareness and supervision of commercial alcohol use are indispensable for similar industrial processes.
Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence Determinants of Group B Streptococcus in an Australian Setting
Authors: Jones Sandra , Newton Peter , Payne Matthew , Furfaro Lucy
Published: June 2022

Streptococcus agalactiae [group B Streptococcus (GBS)] is a major neonatal pathogen and also causes invasive disease in non-pregnant adults. One hundred GBS isolates (n = 50 invasive disease and n = 50 colonizing pregnant women) were characterized using capsular serotyping by latex agglutination, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, 32% were resistant to clindamycin. Of these, two isolates had reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC 0.75 mg/L) and were found to have unique alleles at pbp2X and pbp1A. Capsular serotypes Ia (18%), III (18%), Ib (14%), V (12%), and VI (11%) were most common and comparison of latex agglutination and capsular genotyping by WGS showed 71% agreement. Less common capsular genotypes VI–VIII represented 15% of isolates, indicating that a significant proportion may not be targeted by the proposed pentavalent or hexavalent vaccines under development. WGS is a useful aid in GBS surveillance and shows correlation to phenotypic serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility data.
Hurricane Harvey Impacts on Water Quality and Microbial Communities in Houston, TX Waterbodies
Authors: LaMontagne Michael G. , Zhang Yan , Guillen George J. , Gentry Terry J. , Allen Michael S.
Published: June 2022

Extreme weather events can temporarily alter the structure of coastal systems and generate floodwaters that are contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria (FIB); however, every coastal system is unique, so identification of trends and commonalities in these episodic events is challenging. To improve our understanding of the resilience of coastal systems to the disturbance of extreme weather events, we monitored water quality, FIB at three stations within Clear Lake, an estuary between Houston and Galveston, and three stations in bayous that feed into the estuary. Water samples were collected immediately before and after Hurricane Harvey (HH) and then throughout the fall of 2017. FIB levels were monitored by culturingE. coliandEnterococci.Microbial community structure was profiled by high throughput sequencing of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. Water quality and FIB data were also compared to historical data for these water body segments. Before HH, salinity within Clear Lake ranged from 9 to 11 practical salinity units (PSU). Immediately after the storm, salinity dropped to < 1 PSU and then gradually increased to historical levels over 2 months. Dissolved inorganic nutrient levels were also relatively low immediately after HH and returned, within a couple of months, to historical levels. FIB levels were elevated immediately after the storm; however, after 1 week,E. colilevels had decreased to what would be acceptable levels for freshwater.Enterococcilevels collected several weeks after the storm were within the range of historical levels. Microbial community structure shifted from a system dominated byCyanobacteriasp. before HH to a system dominated byProteobacteriaandBacteroidetesimmediately after. Several sequences observed only in floodwater showed similarity to sequences previously reported for samples collected following Hurricane Irene. These changes in beta diversity corresponded to salinity and nitrate/nitrite concentrations. Differential abundance analysis of metabolic pathways, predicted from 16S sequences, suggested that pathways associated with virulence and antibiotic resistance were elevated in floodwater. Overall, these results suggest that floodwater generated from these extreme events may have high levels of fecal contamination, antibiotic resistant bacteria and bacteria rarely observed in other systems.
Meta-Analysis for the Global Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens Exhibiting Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Tao Qian , Wu Qian , Zhang Zhaohuan , Liu Jing , Tian Cuifang , Huang Zhenhua , Malakar Pradeep K. , Pan Yingjie , Zhao Yong
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) foodborne bacteria causing bacterial infections pose a serious threat to human health. In addition, the ability of some of these bacteria to form biofilms increases the threat level as treatment options may become compromised. The extent of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation among foodborne pathogens remain uncertain globally due to the lack of systematic reviews. We performed a meta-analysis on the global prevalence of foodborne pathogens exhibiting antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation using the methodology of a Cochrane review by accessing data from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, and Web of Science databases between 2010 and 2020. A random effects model of dichotomous variables consisting of antibiotic class, sample source, and foodborne pathogens was completed using data from 332 studies in 36 countries. The results indicated AMR foodborne pathogens has become a worrisome global issue. The prevalence of AMR foodborne pathogens in food samples was greater than 10% and these foodborne pathogens were most resistant to β-lactamase antibiotics with Bacillus cereus being most resistant (94%). The prevalence of AMR foodborne pathogens in human clinical specimens was greater than 19%, and the resistance of these pathogens to the antibiotic class used in this research was high. Independently, the overall biofilm formation rate of foodborne pathogenic bacteria was 90% (95% CI, 68%–96%) and a direct linear relationship between biofilm formation ability and antibiotic resistance was not established. Future investigations should document both AMR and biofilm formation of the foodborne pathogen isolated in samples. The additional information could lead to alternative strategies to reduce the burden cause by AMR foodborne pathogens.
The Diversity and Function of Soil Bacteria and Fungi Under Altered Nitrogen and Rainfall Patterns in a Temperate Steppe
Authors: Yu Yang , Liu Lu , Zhao Jianing , Wang Shuchen , Zhou Yijun , Xiao Chunwang
Published: June 2022

The response of soil microorganisms to altered nitrogen (N) and rainfall patterns plays an important role in understanding ecosystem carbon and nitrogen cycling processes under global change. Previous studies have separately focused on the effects of N addition and rainfall on soil microbial diversity and community composition. However, the combined and interactive impact of N addition and rainfall on soil microbial diversity and function mediated by plant and soil processes have been poorly investigated for grassland ecosystems. Here, we conducted a field experiment with simulated N addition (N addition: 10 g N m–2yr–1) and altered rainfall pattern [control, rainfall reduction (compared to control –50%); rainfall addition (compared to control + 50%)] to study their interactive effects on soil microbial diversity and function in a temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia. Our results showed that N addition and rainfall addition significantly increased soil bacterial diversity, and the bacterial diversity was positively correlated with soil microbial biomass nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, and Stipa krylovii root exudate C:N ratio, Allium polyrhizum root exudate C and N, and A. polyrhizum root exudate C:N ratio. N addition and rainfall reduction significantly reduced fungal diversity, which correlated closely with soil microbial biomass carbon and the C:N ratio of A. polyrhizum root exudates. Bacteria were mainly eutrophic r-strategists, and the responses of bacterial function guilds to the interaction between N addition and rainfall pattern were not significant. However, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), in the functional classification of fungi, were significantly reduced under the condition of N addition and rainfall reduction, and the absolute abundance of the phylum Glomeromycota increased under rainfall addition, suggesting that AMFs are sensitive to altered N and rainfall patterns over short timescales (1 year). Collectively, our results have important implications for understanding the plant–soil–microbe system of grasslands under climate change.
Transfer of Nitrogen and Phosphorus From Cattle Manure to Soil and Oats Under Simulative Cattle Manure Deposition
Authors: Zhao Chengzhen , Hu Juan , Li Qiang , Fang Yi , Liu Di , Liu Ziguang , Zhong Rongzhen
Published: June 2022

Simulated cattle manure deposition was used to estimate nutrient transfer to soil and oats and to investigate changes in microbial community composition and functional groups in oat rhizospheres. Nutrient absorption and return efficiency were calculated as a series of standard calculation formulas, and total nutrient transfer efficiency was nutrient absorption efficiency plus nutrient return efficiency. In total, 74.83% of nitrogen (N) and 59.30% of phosphorus (P) in cattle manure were transferred to soil and oats, with 11.79% of N and 7.89% of P in cattle manure absorbed by oats, and the remainder sequestered in the soil for 80 days after sowing. Cattle manure increased oat root length, surface, and volume under 0.2 mm diameter, and improved relative abundance of the microbiome known to be beneficial. In response to cattle manure, several bacteria known to be beneficial, such as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes at phyla the level and Pseudoxanthomonas, Pseudomonas, and Sphingomonas at the genus level, were positively related to oat biomass and nutrient accumulation. For fungal communities, the relative abundance of Ascomycota is the predominant phylum, which varied in a larger range in the control treatment (81.0–63.3%) than the cattle manure deposition treatment (37.0–42.9%) as plant growing days extend. The relevant abundance of Basidiomycota known as decomposer was higher in cattle manure deposition treatment compared to that in control treatment at 15 days after sowing. More importantly, cattle manure deposition inhibited trophic mode within pathotroph like Alternaria and Fusarium fungal genus and promoted saprotroph and symbiotroph.
Environmental Factors Shaping the Diversity and Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Indoor and Outdoor Culturable Airborne Fungal Communities in Tianjin University Campus, Tianjin, China
Authors: Yuan Chaonan , Wang Xiao , Pecoraro Lorenzo
Published: June 2022

Airborne fungi have significant influence on air quality and may pose adverse effects on human health due to their allergenic and pathogenic effect. We carried out a 1-year survey on the airborne fungal diversity and concentration of indoor and outdoor environments, within the Tianjin University campus. Airborne fungi were sampled using an HAS-100B air sampler. Isolated fungal strains were identified based on morphological and molecular analysis. A total of 641 fungal strains belonging to 173 species and 74 genera were identified in this study. The dominant fungal genera were Cladosporium (29.49%), Alternaria (25.9%), and Epicoccum (6.24%), while the most frequently occurring species were A. alternata (15.44%), C. cladosporioides (11.86%), and E. nigrum (5.77%). The mean fungal concentration at different sites ranged from 0 to 420 CFU/m3, which is lower than the permissive standard level. There was a seasonal variation in the airborne fungal community, while temperature and relative humidity were positively correlated with the fungal concentration and diversity at almost all the sites. Higher fungal diversity was recorded in peak period of human traffic at the two canteens, whereas the two dormitories showed higher fungal diversity in off-peak period. Our study provides the first report on the diversity and concentration of airborne fungal species within different Tianjin University campus environments and clarifies the role played by environmental factors on the analyzed fungal community. Our results may represent valuable information for air quality monitoring and microbial pollution control in densely populated human living environments.
The Game Analysis of Information Sharing for Supply Chain Enterprises in the Blockchain
Authors: Tang Qian , Zhang Zeng , Yuan Zhonglei , Li Zhen
Published: June 2022

The problems of additional inventory costs and inaccurate demand estimation caused by information asymmetry has severely damaged the profits of all participants and restricted the overall development of the supply chain. New technologies and ideas are urgently needed to solve these problems. The blockchain technology is widely accepted as a disruptive technology and a powerful tool to resolve information asymmetry with its advantage in decentralization, transparency, traceability, confidentiality, immutability, etc. The introduction of blockchain into the information system will effectively promote supply chain collaboration by facilitating information sharing among enterprises at various nodes. The paper builds a consortium chain model suitable for supply chain information sharing, uses evolutionary game theory to analyze the strategy changes and influencing factors in the information sharing choices of supply chain participants, and finally verifies the correctness of the results through MATLAB simulation.
Automated Classification of Mild Cognitive Impairment by Machine Learning With Hippocampus-Related White Matter Network
Authors: Zhou Yu , Si Xiaopeng , Chao Yi-Ping , Chen Yuanyuan , Lin Ching-Po , Li Sicheng , Zhang Xingjian , Sun Yulin , Ming Dong , Li Qiang
Published: June 2022

Background

Detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential to screen high risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, subtle changes during MCI make it challenging to classify in machine learning. The previous pathological analysis pointed out that the hippocampus is the critical hub for the white matter (WM) network of MCI. Damage to the white matter pathways around the hippocampus is the main cause of memory decline in MCI. Therefore, it is vital to biologically extract features from the WM network driven by hippocampus-related regions to improve classification performance.

Methods

Our study proposes a method for feature extraction of the whole-brain WM network. First, 42 MCI and 54 normal control (NC) subjects were recruited using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and T1-weighted (T1w) imaging. Second, mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated from DTI, and the whole-brain WM networks were obtained. Third, regions of interest (ROIs) with significant functional connectivity to the hippocampus were selected for feature extraction, and the hippocampus (HIP)-related WM networks were obtained. Furthermore, the rank sum test with Bonferroni correction was used to retain significantly different connectivity between MCI and NC, and significant HIP-related WM networks were obtained. Finally, the classification performances of these three WM networks were compared to select the optimal feature and classifier.

Results

(1) For the features, the whole-brain WM network, HIP-related WM network, and significant HIP-related WM network are significantly improved in turn. Also, the accuracy of MD networks as features is better than FA. (2) For the classification algorithm, the support vector machine (SVM) classifier with radial basis function, taking the significant HIP-related WM network in MD as a feature, has the optimal classification performance (accuracy = 89.4%, AUC = 0.954). (3) For the pathologic mechanism, the hippocampus and thalamus are crucial hubs of the WM network for MCI.

Conclusion

Feature extraction from the WM network driven by hippocampus-related regions provides an effective method for the early diagnosis of AD.
Association of Visual, Hearing, and Dual Sensory Impairment With Incident Dementia
Authors: Hu Wenyi , Wang Yueye , Wang Wei , Zhang Xinyu , Shang Xianwen , Liao Huan , Chen Yifan , Huang Yu , Zhang Xueli , Tang Shulin , Yu Honghua , Yang Xiaohong , He Mingguang , Zhu Zhuoting
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The relationship between sensory impairments and the risk of dementia is inconclusive. We aim to investigate the association of visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), and dual sensory impairment (DSI) with incident dementia.

Methods

The UK Biobank study recruited more than 500,000 participants aged 40–69 years across the United Kingdom. Participants with available visual acuity (VA) measurements and speech-reception-threshold (SRT) information and free of dementia at the baseline assessment were included in the analysis. VI was defined as VA worse than 0.3 LogMAR units and HI were defined as an SRT of −5.5 dB or over. DSI was defined as the presence of both VI and HI. Incident dementia was identified through linked data to primary care or hospital admission records and death registries. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the association of VI, HI, and DSI with incident dementia.

Results

Among 113,511 participants (mean age: 56.8 ± 8.09 years, female: 54.4%), a total number of 1,135 (1.00%) cases of incident dementia were identified during a median follow up period of 11.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 10.9–11.4 years]. The incidence of dementia showed significant differences among the non-sensory impairment (NSI) group, VI-only group, HI-only group, and DSI group (p < 0.001). After adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, health, and genetic factors, isolated VI (HR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.06–2.12, p = 0.023), isolated HI (HR = 1.42, 95% CI:1.20–1.69, p < 0.001), and DSI (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.10–3.00, p = 0.020) were independently associated with higher risks of incident dementia.

Conclusions

Visual, hearing, and dual sensory impairments were associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, suggesting that visual and hearing impairments are modifiable risk factors that can be targeted to prevent dementia.
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Neuroimaging Features, Biochemical Markers, Influencing Factors, Pathological Mechanism and Treatment
Authors: Ren Beida , Tan Ling , Song Yuebo , Li Danxi , Xue Bingjie , Lai Xinxing , Gao Ying
Published: June 2022

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is the most common chronic vascular disease involving the whole brain. Great progress has been made in clinical imaging, pathological mechanism, and treatment of CSVD, but many problems remain. Clarifying the current research dilemmas and future development direction of CSVD can provide new ideas for both basic and clinical research. In this review, the risk factors, biological markers, pathological mechanisms, and the treatment of CSVD will be systematically illustrated to provide the current research status of CSVD. The future development direction of CSVD will be elucidated by summarizing the research difficulties.
Balloon Angioplasty vs. Stenting for Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis
Authors: Sun Yaxuan , Li Xihua , Ding Yongxia , Han Bin , Wang Jing , Meng Kun , Han Yan
Published: June 2022

Aims

We performed a meta-analysis to indirectly compare the treatment effectiveness of balloon angioplasty and stenting for patients with intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods

Literature searches were performed in well-known databases to identify eligible studies published before January 04, 2021. The incidence of restenosis, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, death, and dissection after balloon angioplasty or stenting were pooled. An indirect comparison of balloon angioplasty vs. stenting was performed, and the ratios of incidence (RIs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model.

Results

120 studies that recruited 10,107 patients with intracranial arterial stenosis were included. The pooled incidence of restenosis after balloon angioplasty and stenting were 13% (95%CI: 8-17%) and 11% (95%CI: 9-13%), respectively, with no significant difference between them (RI: 1.18; 95%CI: 0.78–1.80; P = 0.435). Moreover, the pooled incidence of TIA after balloon angioplasty and stenting was 3% (95%CI: 0–6%) and 4% (95%CI: 3%-5%), and no significant difference was observed (RI: 0.75; 95%CI: 0.01–58.53; P = 0.897). The pooled incidence of stroke after balloon angioplasty and stenting was 7% (95%CI: 5–9%) and 8% (95%CI: 7–9%), respectively, and the difference between groups was found to be statistically insignificant (RI: 0.88; 95%CI: 0.64–1.20; P = 0.413). Additionally, the pooled incidence of death after balloon angioplasty and stenting was 2% (95%CI: 1–4%) and 2% (95%CI: 1–2%), with no significant difference between groups (RI: 1.00; 95%CI: 0.44–2.27; P = 1.000). Finally, the pooled incidence of dissection after balloon angioplasty and stenting was 13% (95%CI: 5–22%) and 3% (95%CI: 2–5%), respectively, and balloon angioplasty was associated with a higher risk of dissection than that with stenting for patients with intracranial arterial stenosis (RI: 4.33; 95%CI: 1.81–10.35; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

This study found that the treatment effectiveness of balloon angioplasty and stenting were similar for patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.
Detection of Vascular Notch3 Deposits in Unfixed Frozen Skin Biopsy Sample in CADASIL
Authors: Ueda Akihiko , Nakajima Makoto , Misumi Yohei , Nakahara Keiichi , Shinriki Satoru , Tasaki Masayoshi , Matsui Hirotaka , Ueda Mitsuharu
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of immunohistochemical staining of vascular Notch3 deposits in biopsied unfixed frozen skin samples from patients with suspected cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). We analyzed vascular Notch3 deposits in unfixed frozen skin biopsy samples obtained from 43 patients with suspected CADASIL by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against the extracellular domain (ECD) of Notch3. We also sequenced the NOTCH3 gene in all patients, as well as evaluated their symptoms and neuroimages. We found granular Notch3 ECD deposits in the vessel walls of unfixed frozen skin biopsy samples in 10 of the 43 suspected patients with CADASIL. All 10 cases with skin Notch3 ECD deposits also carried reported pathogenic variants in the NOTCH3 gene associated with CADASIL. NOTCH3 variants of unknown significance were found in the other four patients without vascular Notch3 ECD or granular osmiophilic material deposits in biopsied skin samples. The remaining 29 cases without vascular Notch3 ECD deposits did not have variants in the NOTCH3 gene. Immunohistochemical evaluation of vascular Notch3 ECD deposits in unfixed frozen biopsied skin samples may be useful for detecting Notch3 deposits in CADASIL.
Analysis of Side Effects Following Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With DMTs in Poland
Authors: Czarnowska Agata , Tarasiuk Joanna , Zajkowska Olga , Wnuk Marcin , Marona Monika , Nowak Klaudia , Słowik Agnieszka , Jamroz-Wiśniewska Anna , Rejdak Konrad , Lech Beata , Popiel Małgorzata , Rościszewska-Żukowska Iwona , Perenc Adam , Bartosik-Psujek Halina , Świderek-Matysiak Mariola , Siger Małgorzata , Ciach Agnieszka , Walczak Agata , Jurewicz Anna , Stasiołek Mariusz , Kania Karolina , Dyczkowska Klara , Kalinowska-Łyszczarz Alicja , Galus Weronika , Walawska-Hrycek Anna , Krzystanek Ewa , Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna , Ubysz Jakub , Pokryszko-Dragan Anna , Kapica-Topczewska Katarzyna , Chorąży Monika , Bazylewicz Marcin , Mirończuk Anna , Kulikowska Joanna , Kochanowicz Jan , Białek Marta , Stolarz Małgorzata , Kubicka-Bączyk Katarzyna , Niedziela Natalia , Warmus Paweł , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika , Podlecka-Piçtowska Aleksandra , Nojszewska Monika , Zakrzewska-Pniewska Beata , Jasińska Elżbieta , Zaborski Jacek , Milewska-Jȩdrzejczak Marta , Zwiernik Jacek , Zwiernik Beata , Potemkowski Andrzej , Brola Waldemar , Kułakowska Alina
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives

Since vaccination against COVID-19 is available for over a year and the population of immunized individuals with autoimmune disorders is higher than several months before, an evaluation of safety and registered adverse events can be made. We conducted a large study of side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with multiple (MS) sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and analyzed factors predisposing for particular adverse events.

Methods

We gathered data of individuals with MS treated with DMTs from 19 Polish MS Centers, who reported at least one adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. The information was obtained by neurologists using a questionnaire. The same questionnaire was used at all MS Centers. To assess the relevance of reported adverse events, we used Fisher's exact test, t-test, and U-Menn-Whutney test.

Results

A total of 1,668 patients with MS and reports of adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination were finally included in the study. Besides one case marked as “red flag”, all adverse events were classified as mild. Pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event, with a greater frequency after the first dose. Pain at the injection site was significantly more frequent after the first dose among individuals with a lower disability (EDSS ≤2). The reported adverse events following immunization did not differ over sex. According to age, pain at the injection site was more common among individuals between 30 and 40 years old, only after the first vaccination dose. None of the DMTs predisposed for particular side effects.

Conclusions

According to our findings, vaccination against COVID-19 among patients with MS treated with DMTs is safe. Our study can contribute to reducing hesitancy toward vaccination among patients with MS.
Organismic Memristive Structures With Variable Functionality for Neuroelectronics
Authors: Andreeva Natalia V. , Ryndin Eugeny A. , Mazing Dmitriy S. , Vilkov Oleg Y. , Luchinin Victor V.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we report an approach to design nanolayered memristive compositions based on TiO2/Al2O3 bilayer structures with analog non-volatile and volatile tuning of the resistance. The structure of the TiO2 layer drives the physical mechanism underlying the non-volatile resistance switching, which can be changed from electronic to ionic, enabling the synaptic behavior emulation. The presence of the anatase phase in the amorphous TiO2 layer induces the resistive switching mechanism due to electronic processes. In this case, the switching of the resistance within the range of seven orders of magnitude is experimentally observed. In the bilayer with amorphous titanium dioxide, the participation of ionic processes in the switching mechanism results in narrowing the tuning range down to 2–3 orders of magnitude and increasing the operating voltages. In this way, a combination of TiO2/Al2O3 bilayers with inert electrodes enables synaptic behavior emulation, while active electrodes induce the neuronal behavior caused by cation density variation in the active Al2O3 layer of the structure. We consider that the proposed approach could help to explore the memristive capabilities of nanolayered compositions in a more functional way, enabling implementation of artificial neural network algorithms at the material level and simplifying neuromorphic layouts, while maintaining all benefits of neuromorphic architectures.
Angiographic Characteristics of Cerebral Perfusion and Hemodynamics of the Bridging Artery After Surgical Treatment of Unilateral Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Zhang Kun , Ren Wei , Sun Yu-Xue , Wang Xin-Jun , Li Chao-Yue , Wang Zi-Liang , Li Tian-Xiao , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To investigate the characteristics of cerebral perfusion and hemodynamics of bypass grafting in the treatment of moyamoya disease (MMD) using the iFlow color-coded flow map in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging–perfusion-weighted imaging (MRI–PWI) and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis.

Materials and Methods

Patients with MMD treated with bypass grafting who had undergone MRI PWI and digital subtraction angiography for iFlow color-coded map was retrospectively enrolled and CFD was performed for calculating the hemodynamic stresses around the bypass grafting.

Results

Forty-five patients with unilateral MMD treated with bypass surgery were enrolled. The bypass surgery was successful in all patients, with no severe neurological complications during the periprocedural period. Followed up for 4–12 months (median 5.5), the neurological function was good in all patients. The cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time to peak (TTP) were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in the middle cerebral artery distribution area on the surgical side before and after vascular bypass, and the difference of TTP (s) measured from the proximal bifurcation of common carotid artery to the confluence of sinus was also significant (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation existed in the perfusion parameters between the iFlow blood perfusion and the MRI–PWI perfusion, with r-value for TTP of 0.765 (p < 0.01). The iFlow color-coded blood flow map showed warm color changes on the diseased side, similar to those on the contralateral side. In CFD analysis, the hemodynamic stresses were all improved, in and around the bypass grafting and distal vessels, which were beneficial to blood flow entering distal arterial branches.

Conclusion

The iFlow color-coded flow map can be used to analyze cerebral perfusion after bypass grafting for MMD, similar to MRI–PWI, and CFD can be used to analyze the hemodynamics after bypass grafting, revealing improved hemodynamics to promote blood flow entering distal arteries.
Single Subcutaneous Injection of Lysophosphatidyl-Choline Evokes ASIC3-Dependent Increases of Spinal Dorsal Horn Neuron Activity
Authors: Pidoux Ludivine , Delanoe Kevin , Barbier Julie , Marchand Fabien , Lingueglia Eric , Deval Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

Lysophosphatidyl-choline (LPC), a member of the phospholipid family, is an emerging player in pain. It is known to modulate different pain-related ion channels, including Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 (ASIC3), a cationic channel mainly expressed in peripheral sensory neurons. LPC potentiates ASIC3 current evoked by mild acidifications, but can also activate the channel at physiological pH. Very recently, LPC has been associated to chronic pain in patients suffering from fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis. Accordingly, repetitive injections of LPC within mouse muscle or joint generate both persistent pain-like and anxiety-like behaviors in an ASIC3-dependent manner. LPC has also been reported to generate acute pain behaviors when injected intraplantarly in rodents. Here, we explore the mechanism of action of a single cutaneous injection of LPC by studying its effects on spinal dorsal horn neurons. We combine pharmacological, molecular and functional approaches including in vitro patch clamp recordings and in vivo recordings of spinal neuronal activity. We show that a single cutaneous injection of LPC exclusively affects the nociceptive pathway, inducing an ASIC3-dependent sensitization of nociceptive fibers that leads to hyperexcitabilities of both high threshold (HT) and wide dynamic range (WDR) spinal neurons. ASIC3 is involved in LPC-induced increase of WDR neuron’s windup as well as in WDR and HT neuron’s mechanical hypersensitivity, and it participates, together with TRPV1, to HT neuron’s thermal hypersensitivity. The nociceptive input induced by a single LPC cutaneous rather induces short-term sensitization, contrary to previously described injections in muscle and joint. If the effects of peripheral LPC on nociceptive pathways appear to mainly depend on peripheral ASIC3 channels, their consequences on pain may also depend on the tissue injected. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the nociceptive signaling pathway activated by peripheral LPC via ASIC3 channels, which is an important step regarding the ASIC3-dependent roles of this phospholipid in acute and chronic pain conditions.
Efficacy of Glutamine in Treating Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Shi , Zhao Zhenjie , Li Xin , Chen Zhou , Jiang Wenkai , Zhou Wence
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients is closely related to early nutritional support. It is well-established that changes in glutamine (Gln), an important amino acid and nutritional supplement, can reflect disease severity. However, no consensus has been reached on the role of Gln nutrition therapy for SAP patients. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and evaluate the advantages of Gln supplementation in SAP.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, the Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases (CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, and VIP) were systematically searched for eligible studies that included glutamine supplementation in SAP patients from inception to October 31 2021, excluding non-SAP studies. Primary outcome measures included mortality, APACHE II score, complications, and length of hospital stay. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021288371) and was conducted using Review Manager and Stata softwares.

Results

This meta-analysis included 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 1,201 patients. Six primary outcomes and six secondary outcomes were analyzed. For the primary outcomes, Gln supplementation was associated with lower mortality (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21–0.69, P = 0.001), total hospital stay (MD = −3.41, 95% CI: −4.93 to −1.88, P < 0.0001) and complications (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31–0.66, P < 0.0001) compared with conventional nutrition. Further subgroup analysis found that parenteral glutamine was more effective in reducing mortality. In terms of secondary outcomes, Gln supplementation helped restore liver, kidney and immune function, with significantly increased serum albumin (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.74–1.31, P < 0.00001) and IgG levels (MD = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.82–1.67, P < 0.00001), and decreased serum creatinine (Scr) (MD = −12.60, 95% CI: −21.97 to −3.24, P = 0.008), and inflammatory indicators such as C-reaction protein (CRP) (SMD = −1.67, 95% CI: −2.43 to −0.90, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Although Gln supplementation is not routinely recommended, it is beneficial for SAP patients. Indeed, glutamine nutrition has little effect on some indicator outcomes but contributes to improving the prognosis of this patient population.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (york.ac.uk). Unique Identifier: CRD42021288371.
The Association Between Family Environment and Adolescent Alcohol Drinking Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study of Six Chinese Cities
Authors: Chi Ruixin , Lu Shijun , Zhang Na , Zhang Man , Guo Kaiwei , Du Songming , Guo Jing , Hu Xiaoqi , Ma Guansheng
Published: June 2022

Objective

Adolescents' alcohol consumption has lifetime adverse physical and mental health effects. Family environment factors have a significant influence in shaping adolescents' beliefs and habits. We conducted the multicenter cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the association between family environment factors and adolescent drinking behavior in China.

Methods

The study investigated 27,762 middle school students from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinan, Chengdu, and Harbin. A logistic regression model was used to explore the association between family environmental factors and adolescent drinking behavior. Participants were asked to self-report previous experiences of drinking and getting drunk to access their drinking status. Factors of family environment related to alcohol consumption included: parents' educational level, family economic status, family composition, the number of times parents drank alcohol in the past 30 days, and parents' attitudes toward their drinking behavior. The logistic regression model was used to adjust the demographic confounders, including gender, age, city, location, and smoking status, and to explore the association between family environmental factors and adolescent alcohol drinking behaviors.

Results

Compared with students whose parents prohibited drinking, students who were approved drinking were more likely to drink in this year (OR = 16.544, 95%CI:15.265–17.929, P < 0.001; Full adjustment: OR = 13.111, 95% CI: 12.031–14.288, P < 0.001), drink in this month (OR = 7.791, 95% CI: 7.077–8.565, P < 0.001; Full adjustment: OR = 6.010, 95% CI: 5.439–6.641, P < 0.001). In addition, Low family economic status, not living with the mother, parents' ambivalent attitudes toward their children's drinking and parental drinking were risk factors for drinking among middle school students.

Conclusion

The family environment, especially parents' attitudes, is associated with students' drinking and drunken behavior. Mobilizing the power of parents may play a positive role in the effective prevention and control of adolescent drinking.
Association Between Dietary Intakes and Plaque Vulnerability Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Mediation Analysis of Inflammatory Factors
Authors: Li Ling , Zhao Zhenjuan , Wang Yini , Gao Xueqin , Liu Guojie , Yu Bo , Lin Ping
Published: June 2022

Although studies have proven that diet has a critical role in preventing or delaying atherosclerosis and is far simpler to adjust and adhere to than other risk factors, the underlying mechanisms behind this effect remain not well comprehended. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of inflammatory factors on the connection between dietary ingestion and coronary plaque fragility as measured via optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This research eventually comprised 194 participants with CHD who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) was utilized to investigate dietary consumption status, serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and OCT was employed to identify the plaque susceptibility of causative lesions in the body. Following correction for statistically meaningful possible confounders in univariate analysis, quartiles of soy and nuts, fruits and vitamin C were negatively associated with coronary plaque vulnerability. Conversely, the upper quartile group of sodium intake had 2.98 times the risk of developing vulnerable plaques compared with the most minimal quartile group. Meanwhile, we observed an inverse dose–response connection between vitamin C consumption and inflammatory biomarkers as well as plaque vulnerability. More importantly, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significant mediators of the connection between vitamin C and plaque vulnerability, suggesting that vitamin C may inhibit the atherosclerotic inflammatory process by decreasing the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, thereby reducing the risk of vulnerable plaques. These new findings provide crucial clues to identify anti-inflammatory dietary components as effective therapeutic approaches in the management of CHD, while also providing some insights into their mechanisms of action.