bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells are verified to be potential seed candidates for bio-root regeneration in three-dimensional culture
Authors: Yuan Yu , Zhang Xiaonan , Zhan Yuzhen , Tang Song , Deng Pingmeng , Wang Zhenxiang , Li Jie
Published: June 2022

Background

Bio-root regeneration is a promising treatment for tooth loss. It has been reported that dental-derived stem cells are effective seed cells for bio-root construction, but further applications are limited by their few sources. Human adipose tissues have a wide range of sources and numerous studies have confirmed the ability of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) in regenerative medicine. In the current study, the odontogenic capacities of ASCs were compared with dental-derived stem cells including dental follicle cells (DFCs), and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs).

Methods

The biological characteristics of ASCs, DFCs, and SHEDs were explored in vitro. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures were compared in vitro. Odontogenic characteristics of porcine-treated dentin matrix (pTDM) induced cells under a 3D microenvironment in vitro were compared. The complexes (cell/pTDM) were transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice to verify regenerative potential. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to explore molecular mechanisms of different seed cells in bio-root regeneration.

Results

3D culture was more efficient in constructing bio-root complexes. ASCs exhibited good biological characteristics similar to dental-derived stem cells in vitro. Besides, pTDM induced ASCs presented odontogenic ability similar to dental-derived stem cells. Furthermore, 3D cultured ASCs/pTDM complex promoted regeneration of dentin-like, pulp-like, and periodontal fiber-like tissues in vivo. Analysis indicated that PI3K-Akt, VEGF signaling pathways may play key roles in the process of inducing ASCs odontogenic differentiation by pTDM.

Conclusions

ASCs are potential seed cells for pTDM-induced bio-root regeneration, providing a basis for further research and application.

Graphical Abstract
Phosphatized adductor muscle remains in a Cenomanian limid bivalve from Villers-sur-Mer (France)
Authors: Klug Christian , Hüne Liane , Roth Rosemarie , Hautmann Michael
Published: June 2022

Soft-tissue preservation in molluscs is generally rare, particularly in bivalves and gastropods. Here, we report a three-dimensionally preserved specimen of the limid Acesta clypeiformis from the Cenomanian of France that shows preservation of organic structures of the adductor muscles. Examination under UV-light revealed likely phosphatisation of organic remains, which was corroborated by EDX-analyses. We suggest that the parts of the adductor muscles that are very close to the attachment are particularly resistant to decay and thus may be preserved even under taphonomic conditions usually not favouring soft-tissue fossilisation.
Metabolic phenotyping of hand automatisms in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Mo Jiajie , Wang Yao , Zhang Jianguo , Cai Lixin , Liu Qingzhu , Hu Wenhan , Sang Lin , Zhang Chao , Wang Xiu , Shao Xiaoqiu , Zhang Kai
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Hand automatisms (HA) are common clinical manifestations in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the location of the symptomatogenic zone (EZ) in HA as well as the networks involved, are still unclear. To have a better understanding of HA underlying mechanisms, we analyzed images from interictal [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE).

Methods

We retrospectively recruited 79 mTLE patients and 18 healthy people that substituted the control group for the analysis. All patients underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and were seizure-free. Based on the semiology of the HA occurrence, the patients were divided into three subgroups: patients with unilateral HA (Uni-HA), with bilateral HA (Bil-HA) and without HA (None-HA). We performed the intergroup comparison analysis of the interictal FDG-PET images and compared the functional connectivity within metabolic communities.

Results

Our analysis showed that the metabolic patterns varied among the different groups. The Uni-HA subgroup had significant differences in the extratemporal lobe brain areas, mostly in the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (SMA) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC) when compared to the healthy control group. The Bil-HA subgroup demonstrated that the bilateral SMA and MCC areas were differentially affected, whereas in the None-HA subgroup the differences were evident in limited brain areas. The metabolic network involving HA showed a constrained network embedding the SMA and MCC brain regions. Furthermore, the increased metabolic synchronization between SMA and MCC was significantly correlated with HA.

Conclusion

The metabolic pattern of HA was most conspicuous in SMA and MCC brain regions. Increased metabolic synchronization within SMA and MCC was considered as the major EZ of HA.
FANCC deficiency mediates microglial pyroptosis and secondary neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord contusion
Authors: Xia Mingjie , Li Xinyu , Ye Suhui , Zhang Qinyang , Zhao Tianyu , Li Rulin , Zhang Yanan , Xian Minghan , Li Tianqi , Li Haijun , Hong Xin , Zheng Shengnai , Qian Zhanyang , Yang Lei
Published: June 2022

Background

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neuroinflammation results in secondary neurological destruction and functional disorder. Previous findings showed that microglial pyroptosis plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation. Thus, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the mechanisms associated with post-SCI microglial pyroptosis. The Fanconi Anemia Group C complementation group gene (FANCC) has been previously reported to have an anti-inflammation effect; however, whether it can regulate microglial pyroptosis remains unknown. Therefore, we probed the mechanism associated with FANCC-mediated microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo in SCI mice.

Methods

Microglial pyroptosis was assessed by western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF), whereas microglial-induced neuroinflammation was evaluated by WB, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and IF. Besides, flow cytometry, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining and WB were employed to examine the level of neuronal apoptosis. Morphological changes in neurons were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Finally, locomotor function rehabilitation was analyzed using the Basso Mouse Scale and Louisville Swim Scale.

Results

Overexpression of FANCC suppressed microglial pyroptosis via inhibiting p38/NLRP3 expression, which in turn reduced neuronal apoptosis. By contrast, knockdown of FANCC increased the degree of neuronal apoptosis by aggravating microglial pyroptosis. Besides, increased glial scar formation, severe myelin sheath destruction and poor axon outgrowth were observed in the mice transfected with short hairpin RNA of FANCC post SCI, which caused reduced locomotor function recovery.

Conclusions

Taken together, a previously unknown role of FANCC was identified in SCI, where its deficiency led to microglia pyroptosis, neuronal apoptosis and neurological damage. Mechanistically, FANCC mediated microglia pyroptosis and the inflammatory response via regulating the p38/NLRP3 pathway.
A coherent accumulation detection method based on SA-DPT for highly manoeuvring targets
Authors: Pang Cunsuo , Hou Huiling , Guo Hualing
Published: June 2022

The emergence of highly manoeuvrable weak targets has led to serious degradation or even failure of traditional radar detection. In this paper, a coherent accumulation algorithm based on a combination of a scaling algorithm (SA) and a discrete polynomial-phase transform (DPT) is proposed, and the calculation burden and detection performance were evaluated. The algorithm first performs fewer speed parameter compensations based on an SA for the transmitted signal and selects the effective delay range of the target signal. Second, for the extracted echo signal, the DPT algorithm is used to estimate the target speed and acceleration. The proposed algorithm analyses the influence of the time delay range, the compensation speed and the delay unit on the detection performance and provides the improvement degree of the output SNR and the amount of complex multiplication. Finally, the experimental data verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in terms of accumulation gain and parameter estimation. This method is for suboptimal estimation and requires much less computation than joint search methods, but it performs better than cross-correlation methods.
An improved secure designated server public key searchable encryption scheme with multi-ciphertext indistinguishability
Authors: Guo Junling , Han Lidong , Yang Guang , Liu Xuejiao , Tian Chengliang
Published: June 2022

In the cloud, users prefer to store their sensitive data in encrypted form. Searching keywords over encrypted data without loss of data confidentiality is an important issue. In 2004, Boneh et al. proposed the first public-key searchable encryption scheme which allows users to search by the private key. However, most existing public-key searchable encryption schemes are vulnerable to keyword guessing attack and can not satisfy multi-ciphertext indistinguishability. In this paper, we construct a secure designated server public-key searchable encryption based on Diffie-Hellman problem. Our security analysis shows that our proposed scheme can resist against keyword guessing attack and provide multi-ciphertext indistinguishability for any adversity. Furthermore, the proposed scheme can achieve multi-trapdoor privacy for external attackers. Moreover, the simulation results between our scheme and previous schemes demonstrate our new scheme is suitable for practical application.
Attribute reduction based scheduling algorithm with enhanced hybrid genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization for optimal device selection
Authors: Nwogbaga Nweso Emmanuel , Latip Rohaya , Affendey Lilly Suriani , Rahiman Amir Rizaan Abdul
Published: June 2022

The applications of the Internet of Things in different areas and the resources that demand these applications are on the increase. However, the limitations of the IoT devices such as processing capability, storage, and energy are challenging. Computational offloading is introduced to ameliorate the limitations of mobile devices. Offloading heavy data size to a remote node introduces the problem of additional delay due to transmission. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed Dynamic tasks scheduling algorithm based on attribute reduction with an enhanced hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization for optimal device selection. The proposed method uses a rank accuracy estimation model to decide the rank-1 value to be applied for the decomposition. Then canonical Polyadic decomposition-based attribute reduction is applied to the offload-able task to reduce the data size. Enhance hybrid genetic algorithm and particle Swarm optimization are developed to select the optimal device in either fog or cloud. The proposed algorithm improved the response time, delay, number of offloaded tasks, throughput, and energy consumption of the IoT requests. The simulation is implemented with iFogSim and java programming language. The proposed method can be applied in smart cities, monitoring, health delivery, augmented reality, and gaming among others.
Pediatric lumbar disc herniation: a report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Wang Yi , Xu Yan , Tian Guogang , Dai Guogang
Published: June 2022

Background

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is not a common condition in children. Most reports on pediatric LDH concern the outcomes of surgeries performed in children in whom nonsurgical treatment failed while the outcome of nonsurgical treatment of LDH in children was rarely reported.

Cases presentation

Case 1: a 10-year-old girl presented with back pain and sciatica in her left leg for over 3 months. The physical examination revealed exacerbation of back pain by waist extension or flexion, and a positive Lasegue’s sign was revealed in her left leg. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lumbar disc herniation at the L5/S1 level. She was diagnosed with LDH. After receiving nonsurgical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for 30 days, the girl had mild low back pain and sciatica and the symptoms had resolved completely at the 3-month follow-up. There was no recurrence within the following 2 years. MRI performed 30 months later revealed that the herniated disc did not shrink significantly. However, she was totally asymptomatic at the follow-up performed 30 months later. Case 2: a 13-year-old boy presented with sciatica in his left leg for over 3 months. The physical examination revealed that Lasegue’s sign was positive in the left leg, the level of muscle strength in the left ankle plantar flexors was grade 4. MRI revealed a lumbar disc herniation at the L5/S1 level. He was diagnosed with LDH. The boy underwent 2 weeks of TCM treatment, and exhibited a favorable outcome: only mild pain was noticed in his left buttocks after walking for more than 15 min. He was asymptomatic at the 3-month follow-up and there was no recurrence within the next 3 years. MRI scan performed at 40 months later showed no significant resorption of the herniated disc. However, he was totally asymptomatic at the follow-up performed 40 months later.

Conclusions

For the nonsurgical treatment of pediatric LDH, resorption of herniated discs is not necessary for favorable long-term outcomes, and children with symptomatic LDH may become asymptomatic without resorption.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a better predictor of post-thrombolytic functional outcome in patients with previous antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Li Tan , Yu Qiannan , Wang Yiqing , Cai Xiuying , Kong Yan , Zhao Hongru , Diao Shanshan , Qin Yiren , Fang Qi
Published: June 2022

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important biomarker of inflammation and plays a pivotal role in predicting the clinical prognosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the mechanism of inflammation influencing the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke are unknown.

Aims

We aim to investigate the association between hsCRP and mRS in 194 eligible patients by therapy-stratified analyses.

Methods

The modification effects of antiplatelet therapy on the association between mRS and different exposure variables were analyzed. The retained variables were analyzed in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to discriminate patients with poor outcome.

Results

hsCRP was positively correlated with mRS in therapy-stratified analyses. There was a statistical modification effect of antiplatelet therapy on the association of hsCRP and mRS (P for interaction = 0.0101). The discriminative effect of poor outcome was further verified by ROC curve analyses (AUCwith from 0.758 to 0.872, AUCwithout from 0.709 to 0.713).

Conclusions

hsCRP is correlated with the clinical outcome of patients treated with IVrt-PA, and may be a better predictor of post-thrombolytic functional outcome in patients with previous antiplatelet therapy than in non-used patients.
Transfer RNA-derived small RNA: an emerging small non-coding RNA with key roles in cancer
Authors: Gu Xinliang , Zhang Yu , Qin Xinyue , Ma Shuo , Huang Yuejiao , Ju Shaoqing
Published: June 2022

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) promote protein translation by binding to the corresponding amino acids and transporting them to the ribosome, which is essential in protein translation. tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are derived fragments of tRNAs that are cleaved explicitly under certain conditions. An increasing amount of research has demonstrated that tsRNAs have biological functions rather than just being degradation products. tsRNAs can exert functions such as regulating gene expression to influence cancer progression. Their dysregulation is closely associated with various cancers and can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer. This review summarizes the generation, classification, and biological functions of tsRNAs, and highlights the roles of tsRNAs in different cancers and their applications as tumor markers.
Pembrolizumab activity in patients with Fanconi anemia repair pathway competent and deficient tumors
Authors: Villalona-Calero Miguel A. , Diaz John P. , Duan Wenrui , Diaz Zuanel , Schroeder Eric D. , Aparo Santiago , Gatcliffe Troy , Albrecht Federico , Venkatappa Siddhartha , Guardiola Victor , Garrido Sara , Rubens Muni , DeZarraga Fernando , Vuong Hao
Published: June 2022

Background

Given the observed antitumor activity of immune-checkpoint-inhibitors in patients with mismatch-repair deficient (MSI-H) tumors, we hypothesized that deficiency in homologous-recombination-repair (HRR) can also influence susceptibility.

Methods

Patients with disease progression on standard of care and for whom pembrolizumab had no FDA approved indication received pembrolizumab. Patients with MSI-H tumors were excluded. Objectives included immune-related objective response rate (iORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and 20-weeks-PFS. Pembrolizumab was given every 3 weeks and scans performed every six. We evaluated a triple-stain (FANCD2foci/DAPI/Ki67) functional assay of the Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway: FATSI, in treated patients’ archived tumors. The two-stage sample size of 20/39 patients evaluated an expected iORR≥20% in the whole population vs. the null hypothesis of an iORR≤5%, based on an assumed iORR≥40% in patients with functional FA deficiency, and < 10% in patients with intact HRR. An expansion cohort of MSI stable endometrial cancer (MS-EC) followed. Exploratory stool microbiome analyses in selected patients were performed.

Results

Fifty-two patients (45F,7M;50-evaluable) were enrolled. For the 39 in the two-stage cohort, response evaluation showed 2CR,5PR,11SD,21PD (iORR-18%). FATSI tumor analyses showed 29 competent (+) and 10 deficient (−). 2PR,9SD,17PD,1NE occurred among the FATSI+ (iORR-7%) and 2CR,3PR,2SD,3PD among the FATSI(−) patients (iORR-50%). mPFS and 20w-PFS were 43 days and 21% in FATSI+, versus 202 days and 70% in FATSI(−) patients. One PR occurred in the MS-EC expansion cohort.

Conclusions

Pembrolizumab has meaningful antitumor activity in malignancies with no current FDA approved indications and FA functional deficiency. The results support further evaluation of FATSI as a discriminatory biomarker for population-selected studies.
CK2 alpha prime and alpha-synuclein pathogenic functional interaction mediates synaptic dysregulation in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Yu Dahyun , Zarate Nicole , White Angel , Coates De’jah , Tsai Wei , Nanclares Carmen , Cuccu Francesco , Yue Johnny S. , Brown Taylor G. , Mansky Rachel H. , Jiang Kevin , Kim Hyuck , Nichols-Meade Tessa , Larson Sarah N. , Gundry Katherine , Zhang Ying , Tomas-Zapico Cristina , Lucas Jose J. , Benneyworth Michael , Öz Gülin , Cvetanovic Marija , Araque Alfonso , Gomez-Pastor Rocio
Published: June 2022

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene for which no therapies are available. HTT mutation causes protein misfolding and aggregation, preferentially affecting medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the basal ganglia. Transcriptional perturbations in synaptic genes and neuroinflammation are key processes that precede MSN dysfunction and motor symptom onset. Understanding the interplay between these processes is crucial to develop effective therapeutic strategies to treat HD. We investigated the role of protein kinase CK2α’, a kinase upregulated in MSNs in HD and previously associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), in the regulation of neuroinflammation and synaptic function in HD. We used the heterozygous knock-in zQ175 HD mouse model and compared that to zQ175 mice lacking one allele of CK2α’ (zQ175:CK2α’(±)). CK2α’ haploinsufficiency in zQ175 mice resulted in decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, HTT aggregation, astrogliosis and transcriptional alterations of synaptic genes related to glutamatergic signaling. zQ175:CK2α’(±) mice also presented increased frequency of striatal miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), an indicator of synaptic activity, and improved motor coordination compared to zQ175 mice. Neuropathological and phenotypic changes mediated by CK2α’ were connected to alpha-synuclein (α-syn) dysregulation and correlated with differences in α-syn serine 129 phosphorylation (pS129-α-syn), a post-translational modification involved in α-synucleinopathy and shown to be regulated by CK2 in PD. pS129-α-syn was increased in the nuclei of MSNs in zQ175 mice and in the striatum of patients with HD, and it decreased in zQ175:CK2α’(±) mice. Collectively, our data established a novel connection between CK2α’, neuroinflammation and synaptic gene dysregulation with synucleinopathy in HD and suggested common molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration between HD and PD. Our results also support CK2α’ inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy to modulate neuronal function and neuroprotection in HD.
Genome-level analysis of BpR2R3-MYB family genes transcribed in seedlings of Betula platyphylla and BpR2R3-MYB15 enhanced flavonoid production
Authors: Liu Huimin , Yu Zhongyang , Fan Guizhi , Zheng Baojiang
Published: June 2022

Background

Flavonoids have a wide range of biological activities in plant development, stress resistance and human health, etc. R2R3-MYBs are one of the key elements in regulation of flavonoid production, but their functional importance in Betula platyphylla remains elusive.

Methods

The full-length transcriptome data of 30-day-old seedlings of Betula platyphylla were used to identify BpR2R3-MYB family genes, and their gene structure, chromosome distribution and syntenic relationships were predicted by bioinformatics methods. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation was used to verify the function of BpR2R3-pMYB15 in flavonoid production.

Results

44 BpR2R3-MYB family genes expressed in seedlings of Betula platyphylla were identified and found to be unevenly distributed in 11 chromosomes. Among them, 90.90% of the BpR2R3-MYBs had introns, and only four genes had no introns. Five gene pairs with segment duplication were found, and their Ka/Ks ratios were less than 1. Thirty orthologs between Betula platyphylla and Arabidopsis thaliana and 68 orthologs between Betula platyphylla and Populus trichocarpa were detected. Five BpR2R3-MYBs were clustered with R2R3-MYB genes related to flavonoid synthesis, and BpR2R3-pMYB15 had the highest correlation coefficients between the value of gene expression and flavonoid content. BpR2R3-pMYB15 was cloned, and its transient overexpression obtained using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation positively regulated flavonoid production.

Conclusion

This work enriches the collection of R2R3-MYBs related to flavonoid production in seedlings of Betula platyphylla.

Graphical Abstract
Using ensemble quantitative precipitation forecast for rainfall-induced shallow landslide predictions
Authors: Ho Jui-Yi , Liu Che-Hsin , Chen Wei-Bo , Chang Chih-Hsin , Lee Kwan Tun
Published: June 2022

Heavy rainfall brought by typhoons has been recognised as a major trigger of landslides in Taiwan. On average, 3.75 typhoons strike the island every year, and cause large amounts of shallow landslides and debris flow in mountainous region. Because landslide occurrence strongly corresponds to the storm dynamics, a reliable typhoon forecast is therefore essential to landslide hazard management in Taiwan. Given early warnings with sufficient lead time, rainfall-induced shallow landslide forecasting can help people prepare disaster prevention measures. To account for inherent weather uncertainties, this study adopted an ensemble forecasting model for executing precipitation forecasts, instead of using a single-model output. A shallow landslide prediction model based on the infinite slope model and TOPMODEL was developed. Considering the detailed topographic characteristics of a catchment, the proposed model can estimate the change in saturated water table during rainstorms and then link with the slope-instability analysis to clarify whether shallow landslides can occur in the catchment.

Two areas vulnerable to landslide in Taiwan were collected to test the applicability of the model for landslide prediction. Hydrological data and landslide records derived from 15 typhoons events were used to verify the applicability of the model. Three indices, namely the probability of detection (POD), false alarm ratio (FAR), and threat score (TS), were used to assess the performance of the model. The results indicated that for landslide prediction through the proposed model, the POD was higher than 0.73, FAR was lower than 0.33, and TS was higher than 0.53. The proposed model has potential for application in landslide early warning systems to reduce loss of life and property.
Depth profile of frictional properties in the inner Nankai accretionary prism using cuttings from IODP Site C0002
Authors: Fujioka Riho , Katayama Ikuo , Kitamura Manami , Okuda Hanaya , Hirose Takehiro
Published: June 2022

We conduct frictional experiments using cuttings collected at Nankai Trough IODP Site C0002 over 980.5–3262.5 mbsf (meters below seafloor) depth interval to better understand the frictional properties through the accretionary prism. The experiments are conducted at the in situ effective normal stresses (9–37 MPa) under brine-saturated conditions, and the slip velocity is abruptly changed in a stepwise manner to either of 0.3, 3, or 33 µm/s after the steady-state friction is reached. The friction coefficient (μ) of the cuttings samples ranges from 0.45 to 0.60, with a slight increase in μ with increasing depth, related to decreasing smectite content. The velocity dependence of friction (a − b) is positive at all depths and ranges from 0.001 to 0.006, which indicates a velocity-strengthening behavior; these values are consistent with relatively homogeneous deformation microstructures. The critical slip distance (Dc) ranges from 0.5 to 123 μm, with relatively large values obtained for the smectite-rich samples. The changes in both the friction coefficient and rate- and state-friction parameters are likely associated with mineralogical change and consolidation with increasing depth. Although all of the cuttings samples collected from Site C0002 exhibit a velocity-strengthening behavior, a slight decreasing trend in a − b with increasing depth indicates either a nearly neutral velocity dependence or a possible transition to velocity-weakening behavior at greater depths, which may be attributed to the occurrence of slow earthquakes in the Nankai accretionary prism.
Seismicity distribution in the Tonankai and Nankai seismogenic zones and its spatiotemporal relationship with interplate coupling and slow earthquakes
Authors: Yamamoto Yojiro , Yada Shuichiro , Ariyoshi Keisuke , Hori Takane , Takahashi Narumi
Published: June 2022

We conducted seismic tomography to estimate the seismic velocity structure and to evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of interplate earthquakes of the Kii Peninsula, central Honshu, Japan, where the Tonankai and Nankai megathrusts are located. Microearthquakes were quantitatively detected by using the data from a cable-type seafloor seismic observation network, completed in 2015. Our velocity model was consistent with the previous 2-D active-source surveys, which reported the areal extent of key structures: a high-velocity zone beneath Cape Shionomisaki, a subducted seamount off Cape Muroto, and the subducted Paleo-Zenith Ridge. The absence of any other subducted seamount with the same or larger spatial scale, than the identified key structures, was confirmed. Our velocity model also revealed that there was not a simple relationship between areas of large coseismic slip or strong interplate coupling and areas of high velocity in the overriding plate. Relocated hypocenters widely ranged from the upper plate to within the slab, while the most active region was attributed to the oceanic crust in the aftershock region of 2004 off-Kii earthquake. Compared with the results from the land-based observation network, the accuracy of the focal depth estimation was substantially improved. Furthermore, we identified the seismic activity in the vicinity of the plate boundary and determined 14 locations for interplate seismicity areas. They were primarily distributed in the range of seismogenic zone temperature (150–350 °C) along the plate boundary and were located outside of the strong interplate coupling zone. Several active areas of interplate earthquakes exhibited clustered activity during the periods of slow-slip events, observed and accompanied with shallow very-low-frequency earthquakes. Thus, regular interplate microearthquakes became active at the plate boundary in the conjunction with slow slip. In summary, as regular earthquakes provide a more accurate source location than slow earthquakes and can detect events of smaller magnitude, monitoring such interplate earthquakes may reveal spatiotemporal variations in the stick–slip conditions on the plate boundary.
Effects of Different Long-Term Exercise Modalities on Tissue Stiffness
Authors: Thomas Ewan , Ficarra Salvatore , Nakamura Masatoshi , Paoli Antonio , Bellafiore Marianna , Palma Antonio , Bianco Antonino
Published: June 2022

Stiffness is a fundamental property of living tissues, which may be modified by pathologies or traumatic events but also by nutritional, pharmacological and exercise interventions. This review aimed to understand if specific forms of exercise are able to determine specific forms of tissue stiffness adaptations. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify manuscripts addressing adaptations of tissue stiffness as a consequence of long-term exercise. Muscular, connective, peripheral nerve and arterial stiffness were considered for the purpose of this review. Resistance training, aerobic training, plyometric training and stretching were retrieved as exercise modalities responsible for tissue stiffness adaptations. Differences were observed related to each specific modality. When exercise was applied to pathological cohorts (i.e. tendinopathy or hypertension), stiffness changed towards a physiological condition. Exercise interventions are able to determine tissue stiffness adaptations. These should be considered for specific exercise prescriptions. Future studies should concentrate on identifying the effects of exercise on the stiffness of specific tissues in a broader spectrum of pathological populations, in which a tendency for increased stiffness is observed.
Determinants of grandparent–grandchild digital contact in Italy
Authors: Arpino Bruno , Meli Eleonora , Pasqualini Marta , Tomassini Cecilia , Cisotto Elisa
Published: June 2022

The broad definition of intergenerational contact includes not only meeting face-to-face, but also the important element of communication at a distance, such as via telephone. With the pervasion of the Internet and electronic devices, digital contact has become another increasingly important option. We examined digital contact between grandparents and grandchildren in comparison with traditional forms of contact (i.e. face-to-face and by telephone) using Italian data from the 2016 Families, Social Subjects and life cycle (FSS) survey. We found that grandparents belonging to younger cohorts, those with higher education, those who lived in urban areas and those in better health were more likely to maintain digital contact with their grandchildren. Results also show that digital contact tends to compensate for a lack of (frequent) face-to-face contact, and to cumulate with telephone contact. Our results have significant implications for the current and future development of intergenerational relationships as they suggest an increasing role of digital contact for distant geographical situations. Against the background of persisting inequalities in the access and the use of the Internet, our findings emphasise the need to improve digital network connectivity and user skills, particularly among specific sub-groups of the population.
Impact of active and latent concerns about COVID-19 on attention
Authors: Sisk Caitlin A. , Toh Yi Ni , Jun Jihyang , Remington Roger W. , Lee Vanessa G.
Published: June 2022

The interactions between emotion and attention are complex due to the multifaceted nature of attention. Adding to this complexity, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the emotional landscape, broadly heightening health and financial concerns. Can the heightened concerns about COVID-19 impair one or more of the components of attention? To explore the connection between heightened concerns about COVID-19 and attention, in a preregistered study, we collected survey responses from 234 participants assessing levels of concerns surrounding COVID-19, followed by four psychophysics tasks hypothesized to tap into different aspects of attention: visual search, working memory, sustained attention, and cognitive control. We also measured task-unrelated thoughts. Results showed that task-unrelated thoughts, but not survey reports of concern levels, negatively correlated with sustained attention and cognitive control, while visual search and working memory remained robust to task-unrelated thoughts and survey-indicated concern levels. As a whole, these findings suggest that being concerned about COVID-19 does not interfere with cognitive function unless the concerns are active in the form of task-unrelated thoughts.
Emotion identification and mentalization in non-psychotic first-degree relatives of young adult patients with schizophrenia disorder
Authors: El Ray Lamis A. , Fathy Heba , Mattar Yomna , Badie Taher Dina
Published: June 2022

Background

Social cognition is a multi-factorial construct defined as the ability to process social information for adaptive functioning. A large body of evidence acknowledges deficits in social cognition as important features in schizophrenia and that such impairment represent a trait deficit. The aim of this study is to assess two social cognitive functions (emotional identification and mentalization) in young non-psychotic first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia; and to compare their performance with that of young patients with schizophrenia as well as with young healthy controls. This a comparative, cross-sectional study including 30 young patients with age range 15–25 with schizophrenia disorder, Thirty young non-psychotic siblings of the patients and 30 young healthy subjects. The patients were subjected to PANNNS to assess severity of psychotic symptoms. Selected tests for assessment of basic cognitive abilities and social cognitive functions (using Reading Mind in the Eye Test, Emotion Identification Test and Emotional Intelligence scale) were used for the three groups.

Results

the relatives group show better performance than the patients groups and worse performance than the control group in subtests of basic cognition and social cognition functions using Reading Mind in the Eye Test and Ekman, in addition, there was negative correlation between severity of negative psychotic features and facial emotional identification as measured by Ekman.

Conclusion

Youth who are first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients show social cognitive deficits, supporting the hypothesis of the role of social cognition impairment as endophenotypic trait in schizophrenia disorder.
A case presentation of unilateral cavernous sinus inflammation due to monostotic fibrous dysplasia
Authors: Gozgec Elif , Ogul Hayri
Published: June 2022

Background

Craniofacial monostotic fibrous dysplasia is a rare and usually incidental bone pathology. CT comes to the fore in the diagnosis of monostotic fibrous dysplasia and MRI is used to show its relationship to the neighboring structures. Cavernous sinus inflammation may occur due to infectious and inflammatory causes. Inflammation of unknown cause is called Tolosa–Hunt syndrome.

Case presentation

In this case report, we presented cavernous sinus inflammation accompanying fibrous dysplasia in a 35-year-old female patient, which was seen for the first time in the literature.

Conclusions

The contrast-enhanced MR images are very important for the diagnosis and follow-up of the patient, in the rare presence of association we have shown in this case.
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) masquerading as CNS demyelination
Authors: Rackimuthu Sudhan , Ahmed Safwan , Ishwara Pawan Raj Pulu , Richie Anto J. , Colaco K. Vimala Christina
Published: June 2022

Background

CADASIL is the most common single-gene disorder causing ischemic stroke. CADASIL has been linked to mutations in NOTCH3 gene, due to heterozygous missense mutations. The disease is of insidious onset, presenting with initial clinical features in third and fourth decade of life. However, it is now being increasingly acknowledged that individual clinical presentation, age, time of onset as well as disease severity are quite varied among patients with CADASIL most likely leading to under- or mis-diagnosis. The authors thereby report a genetically confirmed case of CADASIL with atypical clinical course and findings.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old woman presented with complaints of episodic headache, relapsing–remitting neurological illness, progressive cognitive impairment, and acute-onset loss of speech and ambulation. She was earlier being treated as a case of CNS demyelination for 10 years. On examination, vital parameters were within normal limits. Neurological examination revealed that the patient was drowsy, not verbalizing, not obeying commands, with movement of all four limbs on painful stimuli, hypertonia of all limbs, grade 3 + deep tendon reflexes, bilateral striatal toe and extensor plantar response. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed involvement of anterior temporal lobe and external capsule along with multiple acute infarcts. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was found to be normal. Exome sequencing revealed heterozygous missense mutation in exon 2 of NOTCH3 gene. A definite diagnosis of CADASIL was made and patient was started on fluoxetine and aspirin, following which there was significant improvement over 4–6 weeks. Patient is able to carry out daily activities independently although continues to have mild persistent cognitive impairment with excessive talking and over familiarity.

Conclusions

As CADASIL has a relapsing and partially remitting course with frequently observed varied clinical presentation, patients may receive treatment for demyelination which may not be necessary. Hence, detailed family history along with knowledge of characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings seen in CADASIL can help discern the diagnosis.
Potential role of chitosan, PLGA and iron oxide nanoparticles in Parkinson’s disease therapy
Authors: Mousa Ahmed Hafez , Mohammad Salwa Agha
Published: June 2022

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating disease that alters an individual's functionality. Parkinsonism is a complex symptom consisting of numerous motor and non-motor features, and although several disorders are responsible, PD remains the most important. Several theories have been proposed for the characteristic pathological changes, the most important of which is the loss of dopaminergic neurons associated with a reduced ability to perform voluntary movements. Many drugs have been developed over the years to treat the condition and prevent its progression, but drug delivery is still a challenge due to the blood–brain barrier, which prevents the passage of drugs into the central nervous system. However, with the advances in nanotechnology in the medical field, there is growing hope of overcoming this challenge.

Our review highlights the potential role of three commonly studied nanoparticles in laboratory-induced animal models of PD: chitosan, PLGA, and iron oxide nanoparticles as potential PD therapy in humans.
Effect of Letrozole on hippocampal Let-7 microRNAs and their correlation with working memory and phosphorylated Tau protein in an Alzheimer's disease-like rat model
Authors: Moustafa Nada Alaa , El-Sayed Mohammed Abdelhamed , Abdallah Somia Hassan , Hazem Noha Mohamed , Aidaros Magdy Abdelhamed , Abdelmoety Doaa Attia
Published: June 2022

Background

Let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs) may contribute to neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), but, they were not investigated in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD. Letrozole increases the expression of Let-7 in cell lines, with conflicting evidence regarding its effects on memory. This study examined Let-7 miRNAs in STZ-induced AD, their correlation with memory and hyperphosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) and the effects of Letrozole on them.

Methods

Seven groups of adult Sprague Dawley rats were used: Negative control, Letrozole, Letrozole Vehicle, STZ (with AD induced by intracerebroventricular injection of STZ in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF)), CSF Control, STZ + Letrozole (STZ-L), and CSF + Letrozole Vehicle. Alternation percentage in T-maze was used as a measure of working memory. Let-7a, b and e and p-Tau levels in the hippocampus were estimated using quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

Results

Significant decreases in alternation percentage and increase in p-Tau concentration were found in the STZ, Letrozole and STZ-L groups. Expression levels of all studied microRNAs were significantly elevated in the Letrozole and the STZ-L groups, with no difference between the two, suggesting that this elevation might be linked to Letrozole administration. Negative correlations were found between alternation percentage and the levels of all studied microRNAs, while positive ones were found between p-Tau concentration and the levels of studied microRNAs.

Conclusions

This study shows changes in the expression of Let-7a, b and e miRNAs in association with Letrozole administration, and correlations between the expression of the studied Let-7 miRNAs and both the status of working memory and the hippocampal p-Tau levels. These findings might support the theory suggesting that Letrozole aggravates pre-existing lesions. They also add to the possibility of Let-7’s neurotoxicity.
Anesthetic management of a patient with chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia syndrome planned for above knee amputation
Authors: Arikrishnan Thirumurugan , Chakravarthy Deepak , Kuberan Aswini , Srinivasan Suganya
Published: June 2022

Background

Chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia syndrome is a rare disorder causing involuntary movements in both upper and lower limbs. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia causes neurotransmitter derangements in basal ganglia resulting in involuntary movements. These cases pose different challenges to anaesthesiologist in both general and regional anaesthesia.

Case presentation

Here, we discuss a case of chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia syndrome with lower limb gangrene posted for knee amputation done under spinal anaesthesia. Our patient had recurrent choreiform movements due to non-compliance to diabetic medications. Strict glycemic control always aids in reduction of choreiform movements along with improved wound healing.

Conclusions

Tight glycemic control and good anesthetic plan in perioperative period can reduce morbidity in patients affected with chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia syndrome.
Grounding implementation science in health equity for cancer prevention and control
Authors: Adsul Prajakta , Chambers David , Brandt Heather M. , Fernandez Maria E. , Ramanadhan Shoba , Torres Essie , Leeman Jennifer , Baquero Barbara , Fleischer Linda , Escoffery Cam , Emmons Karen , Soler Montserrat , Oh April , Korn Ariella R. , Wheeler Stephanie , Shelton Rachel C.
Published: June 2022

Background

The past decade of research has seen theoretical and methodological advances in both implementation science and health equity research, opening a window of opportunity for facilitating and accelerating cross-disciplinary exchanges across these fields that have largely operated in siloes. In 2019 and 2020, the National Cancer Institute’s Consortium for Cancer Implementation Science convened an action group focused on ‘health equity and context’ to identify opportunities to advance implementation science. In this paper, we present a narrative review and synthesis of the relevant literature at the intersection of health equity and implementation science, highlight identified opportunities (i.e., public goods) by the action group for advancing implementation science in cancer prevention and control, and integrate the two by providing key recommendations for future directions.

Discussion

In the review and synthesis of the literature, we highlight recent advances in implementation science, relevant to promoting health equity (e.g., theories/models/frameworks, adaptations, implementation strategies, study designs, implementation determinants, and outcomes). We acknowledge the contributions from the broader field of health equity research and discuss opportunities for integration and synergy with implementation science, which include (1) articulating an explicit focus on health equity for conducting and reviewing implementation science; (2) promoting an explicit focus on health equity in the theories, models, and frameworks guiding implementation science; and (3) identifying methods for understanding and documenting influences on the context of implementation that incorporate a focus on equity.

To advance the science of implementation with a focus on health equity, we reflect on the essential groundwork needed to promote bi-directional learning between the fields of implementation science and health equity research and recommend (1) building capacity among researchers and research institutions for health equity-focused and community-engaged implementation science; (2) incorporating health equity considerations across all key implementation focus areas (e.g., adaptations, implementation strategies, study design, determinants, and outcomes); and (3) continuing a focus on transdisciplinary opportunities in health equity research and implementation science. We believe that these recommendations can help advance implementation science by incorporating an explicit focus on health equity in the context of cancer prevention and control and beyond.