bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and antibody response trajectories in adults: a cohort study in Catalonia
Authors: Karachaliou Marianna , Moncunill Gemma , Espinosa Ana , Castaño-Vinyals Gemma , Rubio Rocío , Vidal Marta , Jiménez Alfons , Prados Esther , Carreras Anna , Cortés Beatriz , Blay Natàlia , Bañuls Marc , Pleguezuelos Vanessa , Melero Natalia Rodrigo , Serra Pau , Parras Daniel , Izquierdo Luis , Santamaría Pere , Carolis Carlo , Papantoniou Kyriaki , Goldberg Ximena , Aguilar Ruth , Garcia-Aymerich Judith , de Cid Rafael , Kogevinas Manolis , Dobaño Carlota
Published: September 2022

Background

Heterogeneity of the population in relation to infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and host characteristics is likely reflected in the underlying SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses.

Methods

We measured IgM, IgA, and IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid antigens in 1076 adults of a cohort study in Catalonia between June and November 2020 and a second time between May and July 2021. Questionnaire data and electronic health records on vaccination and COVID-19 testing were available in both periods. Data on several lifestyle, health-related, and sociodemographic characteristics were also available.

Results

Antibody seroreversion occurred in 35.8% of the 64 participants non-vaccinated and infected almost a year ago and was related to asymptomatic infection, age above 60 years, and smoking. Moreover, the analysis on kinetics revealed that among all responses, IgG RBD, IgA RBD, and IgG S2 decreased less within 1 year after infection. Among vaccinated, 2.1% did not present antibodies at the time of testing and approximately 1% had breakthrough infections post-vaccination. In the post-vaccination era, IgM responses and those against nucleoprotein were much less prevalent. In previously infected individuals, vaccination boosted the immune response and there was a slight but statistically significant increase in responses after a 2nd compared to the 1st dose. Infected vaccinated participants had superior antibody levels across time compared to naïve-vaccinated people. mRNA vaccines and, particularly the Spikevax, induced higher antibodies after 1st and 2nd doses compared to Vaxzevria or Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. In multivariable regression analyses, antibody responses after vaccination were predicted by the type of vaccine, infection age, sex, smoking, and mental and cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions

Our data support that infected people would benefit from vaccination. Results also indicate that hybrid immunity results in superior antibody responses and infection-naïve people would need a booster dose earlier than previously infected people. Mental diseases are associated with less efficient responses to vaccination.
Three-years misdiagnosis of Niemann Pick disease type B with novel mutations in SMPD1 gene as Budd-Chiari syndrome
Authors: Zhou Zhe-wen , Wang Shou-hao , Xu Cheng-an , Wu Wen-hao , Hui Tian-chen , Yin Qiao-qiao , Zheng Wei , Pan Hong-ying
Published: September 2022

Background

The chronic visceral subtype of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency, commonly known as Niemann Pick disease type B (NPDB), is a relatively rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that is caused by mutations in the SMPD1 gene. NPDB with sea-blue histiocytes (SBH) clinically mimics Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), as it lacks specific clinical characteristics. This makes its diagnosis difficult.

Case presentation

Here, we report a case of NPDB with SBH that was misdiagnosed as BCS for three years. A 20-year-old female with abdominal distension, hepatosplenomegaly, and haematological anomalies was initially diagnosed with BCS based on her imaging finding of a thin hepatic vein and rapid blood flow at the confluence of the hepatic vein and inferior vena cava. Her bone marrow cytology found sea-blue histiocytes. Liver biopsy showed foamy cytoplasm in hepatocytes surrounded by numerous Kupffer cells. Sequencing analysis of the SMPD1 gene led to the finding of two missense mutations in the heterozygous state: C.829 T > C (p.Trp277Arg) in exon 2 (novel) and c.1805G > A (p.Arg602His) in exon 6 (already described). These findings established the diagnosis of NPDB.

Conclusion

The patient presented with hepatosplenomegaly, haematological anomalies, and dyslipidaemia. Thus, NPDB should be considered following the exclusion of related diseases. The diagnosis of NPDB was suspected by clinical symptoms and routine laboratory tests and was confirmed by liver biopsy and gene sequencing. The novel mutation c.829 T > C in exon 2 of the SMPD1 gene has never been reported and needs to be further investigated.
Association between triglyceride glucose index, coronary artery calcification and multivessel coronary disease in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Huang Xianwei , Fu Caihua , Sheng Qiping , Liu Ping
Published: September 2022

Background

Multivessel coronary disease (MVCD) is the common type of coronary artery disease in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been confirmed the strong predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Several studies have validated that triglyceride glucose (TyG) index can reflect the degree of coronary calcification or predict MACEs. However, no evidence to date has elucidated and compared the predictive intensity of TyG index or/and coronary artery calcification score (CACS) on multi-vascular disease and MACEs in ACS patients.

Methods

A total of 935 patients, diagnosed with ACS and experienced coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) from August 2015 to March 2022 in the Second Hospital of Shandong University, were selected for retrospective analysis. The subjects were divided into TyG index quartile 1–4 groups (Q1-Q4 groups), non-multivessel coronary disease (non-MVCD) and multivessel coronary disease (MVCD) groups, respectively. The general data, past medical or medication history, laboratory indicators, cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, CACS, and TyG indexes were respectively compared among these groups. The ROC curve preliminarily calculated and analyzed the diagnostic value of TyG index, CACS, and the combination of the two indicators for MVCD. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis discriminated the independent hazard factors for forecasting MVCD.

Results

Compared with the lower TyG index and non-MVCD groups, the higher TyG index and MVCD groups had higher values of age, smoking history, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, and CACS, but lower values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) (all P < 0.01). Coronary artery calcification is more common in the left anterior descending artery. Compared with non-MVCD, each unit increase in TyG index was associated with a 1.213-fold increased risk of MVCD. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders indicated that TyG index is an independent risk factor for MVCD. With the increase of TyG index, the incidence of MACEs, apart from all-cause death, cardiac death, unexpected re-hospitalization of heart failure, recurrent ACS or unplanned revascularization, and non-fatal stroke in coronary artery increased (P log-rank < 0.001).

Conclusion

TyG index could completely substitute for CACS as a reliable, practical, and independent indicator for predicting the severity and prognosis of MVCD in patients with ACS.
HGF-mediated elevation of ETV1 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through upregulating PTK2 and c-MET
Authors: Zhang Tongyue , Wang Yijun , Xie Meng , Ji Xiaoyu , Luo Xiangyuan , Chen Xiaoping , Zhang Bixiang , Liu Danfei , Feng Yangyang , Sun Mengyu , Huang Wenjie , Xia Limin
Published: September 2022

Background

Metastasis is a major determinant of death in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Dissecting key molecular mediators that promote this malignant feature may help yield novel therapeutic insights. Here, we investigated the role of E-twenty-six transformation-specific variant 1 (ETV1), a member of the E-twenty-six transformation-specific (ETS) family, in HCC metastasis. 

Methods

The clinical significance of ETV1 and its target genes in two independent cohorts of HCC patients who underwent curative resection were assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were used to detect the transcriptional regulation of target gene promoters by ETV1. The effect of ETV1 on invasiveness and metastasis of HCC were detected by transwell assays and the orthotopically metastatic model.

Results

ETV1 expression was frequently elevated in human HCC specimens. Increased ETV1 expression was associated with the malignant biological characteristics and poor prognosis of HCC patients. ETV1 facilitated invasion and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ETV1 promoted HCC metastasis via upregulating metastasis-related genes, including protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) and MET. Down-regulated the expression of PTK2 or tyrosine protein kinase Met (c-MET) decreased ETV1-mediated HCC metastasis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) upregulated ETV1 expression through activating c-MET-ERK1/2-ELK1 pathway. Notably, in two independent cohorts, patients with positive coexpression of ETV1/PTK2 or ETV1/c-MET had worse prognosis. Furthermore, the combination of PTK2 inhibitor defactinib and c-MET inhibitor capmatinib significantly suppressed HCC metastasis induced by ETV1.

Conclusion

This study uncovers functional and prognostic roles for ETV1 in HCC and exposes a positive feedback loop of HGF-ERK1/2-ETV1-c-MET. Targeting this pathway may provide a potential therapeutic intervention for ETV1-overexpressing HCC.
Non-coding RNAs and epithelial mesenchymal transition in cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications
Authors: Khanbabaei Hashem , Ebrahimi Saeedeh , García-Rodríguez Juan Luis , Ghasemi Zahra , Pourghadamyari Hossein , Mohammadi Milad , Kristensen Lasse Sommer
Published: September 2022

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic development during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms confer malignant features to carcinoma cells such as dissemination throughout the organism and resistance to anticancer treatments. During the past decades, an entire class of molecules, called non-coding RNA (ncRNA), has been characterized as a key regulator of almost every cellular process, including EMT. Like protein-coding genes, ncRNAs can be deregulated in cancer, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The various forms of ncRNAs, including microRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, transfer RNA-derived RNA fragments, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs can orchestrate the complex regulatory networks of EMT at multiple levels. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying ncRNAs in EMT can provide fundamental insights into cancer metastasis and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches. In this review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of ncRNAs in EMT and provide an overview of recent ncRNA applications in the clinic.
Ovarian neoplasia in adolescence: a retrospective chart review of girls with neoplastic ovarian tumors in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlDakhil Lateefa , Aljuhaimi Asma , AlKhattabi Mashael , Alobaid Saleh , Mattar Rafif E. , Alobaid Abdulaziz
Published: September 2022

Background

Ovarian neoplasia in children and adolescents is a rare tumor. The diagnosis and management of such tumors is often difficult and delayed due to non-specific symptoms and low suspicion. Surgical management that preserves fertility and ovarian function should be the goal.

Objective

This study aimed to review the clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, and management of Saudi Arabian adolescents.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on adolescent girls aged 19 or less admitted to tow referral hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, diagnosed with adnexal mass over an 8 years’ period; patients who were older than 19 were excluded.

The data collected from patients’ charts included age, presenting symptoms, radiologic findings, type of surgery, specialist who performed the surgery, and histopathology of the tumors.

We classified patients according to age using the three WHO developmental stages: early adolescence (10–13 years old), middle adolescence (14–16 years old), and late adolescence (16–17 years old).

The statistical study used SPSS version 18.0 to determine the data’s frequency, distributions, and means (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).

Results

We analyzed 164 patients, between 10 and 19 years old, admitted to two hospitals between 2009 and 2017. We found that 85% of these patients underwent surgery for adnexal mass removal, and 90.2% were symptomatic or emergency cases. The majority of our patients were post-menarche (96.95%), and were between the ages of 14 and 19. The most common surgical procedure for tumor removal was laparoscopic cystectomy (74.4%).

An adnexal mass with a solid component on ultrasound is the most commonly found indicator of malignancy. The majority of tumors were benign (32.3%). Germ cell tumors were the most common (68.7%) malignant tumor, and yolk sac tumors were the most common subgroup of germ cell tumors. When managed by a gynecologist, surgical intervention can be a successful method of preserving fertility.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that the majority of neoplastic ovarian tumors in children and adolescents are benign, and surgical intervention can be used to maintain fertility, especially when managed by a gynecologist. This is one of the largest reported series and the first from our area.
Identification and validation of a gene-based signature reveals SLC25A10 as a novel prognostic indicator for patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Qi-jia , Wang Juan , Jiang Jing , Lin Bing
Published: September 2022

Background

Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological cancer with poor prognosis and poses a serious threat to woman life and health. In this study, we aimed to establish a prognostic signature for the risk assessment of ovarian cancer.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used as the training set and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) dataset was set as an independent external validation. A multi-stage screening strategy was used to determine the prognostic features of ovarian cancer with R software. The relationship between the prognosis of ovarian cancer and the expression level of SLC25A10 was selected for further analysis.

Results

A total of 16 prognosis-associated genes were screened to construct the risk score signature. Survival analysis showed that patients in the high-risk score group had a poor prognosis compared to the low-risk group. Accuracy of this prognostic signature was confirmed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA), and validated with ICGC cohort. This signature was identified as an independent factor for predicting overall survival (OS). Nomogram constructed by multiple clinical parameters showed excellent performance for OS prediction. Finally, it’s found that patients with low expression of SLC25A10 generally had poor survival and higher resistance to most chemotherapeutic drugs.

Conclusions

In sum, we developed a 16-gene prognostic signature, which could serve as a promising tool for the prognostic prediction of ovarian cancer, and the expression level of SLC25A10 was tightly associated with OS of the patients.
DNA methylation and aeroallergen sensitization: The chicken or the egg?
Authors: Kilanowski Anna , Merid Simon Kebede , Abrishamcar Sarina , Feil Dakotah , Thiering Elisabeth , Waldenberger Melanie , Melén Erik , Peters Annette , Standl Marie , Hüls Anke
Published: September 2022

Background

DNA methylation (DNAm) is considered a plausible pathway through which genetic and environmental factors may influence the development of allergies. However, causality has yet to be determined as it is unknown whether DNAm is rather a cause or consequence of allergic sensitization. Here, we investigated the direction of the observed associations between well-known environmental and genetic determinants of allergy, DNAm, and aeroallergen sensitization using a combination of high-dimensional and causal mediation analyses.

Methods

Using prospectively collected data from the German LISA birth cohort from two time windows (6–10 years:N = 234; 10–15 years:N = 167), we tested whether DNAm is a cause or a consequence of aeroallergen sensitization (specific immunoglobulin E > 0.35kU/l) by conducting mediation analyses for both effect directions using maternal smoking during pregnancy, family history of allergies, and a polygenic risk score (PRS) for any allergic disease as exposure variables. We evaluated individual CpG sites (EPIC BeadChip) and allergy-related methylation risk scores (MRS) as potential mediators in the mediation analyses. We applied three high-dimensional mediation approaches (HIMA, DACT, gHMA) and validated results using causal mediation analyses. A replication of results was attempted in the Swedish BAMSE cohort.

Results

Using high-dimensional methods, we identified five CpGs as mediators of prenatal exposures to sensitization with significant (adjustedp < 0.05) indirect effects in the causal mediation analysis (maternal smoking: two CpGs, family history: one, PRS: two). None of these CpGs could be replicated in BAMSE. The effect of family history on allergy-related MRS was significantly mediated by aeroallergen sensitization (proportions mediated: 33.7–49.6%), suggesting changes in DNAm occurred post-sensitization.

Conclusion

The results indicate that DNAm may be a cause or consequence of aeroallergen sensitization depending on genomic location. Allergy-related MRS, identified as a potential cause of sensitization, can be considered as a cross-sectional biomarker of disease. Differential DNAm in individual CpGs, identified as mediators of the development of sensitization, could be used as clinical predictors of disease development.
MRI outcome evaluation in patients with IB2 and IIA2 squamous cervical cancer stages: preliminary results
Authors: Song Qingling , Pang Huiting , Tong Rui , Zhu Yanmei , Luo Yahong , Yu Tao , Liu Fan , Dong Yue
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) followed by radical hysterectomy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in stage IB2 and IIA2 squamous cervical cancer (SCC) and investigate the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in outcome evaluation of different treatment strategies in the patients.

Methods

A total of 149 patients with IB2 and IIA2 SCC who underwent pretreatment MRI and DWI scan were included. Patients were treated with NAT + RH or CCRT. Clinical indices and pathological factors were recorded. The imaging indices were measured including tumor size and tumor ADC values. Intraclass correlation coefficient was employed to evaluate the consistency of the indices measured by two observers. ROC curves were used to evaluate the cutoff values of clinical and imaging indices. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze the independent factors of disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

The median follow-up period was 42.3 months. SCC-Ag, ADCmax and ADCmin were independent factors for DFS in the entire cohort. SCC-Ag, ADCmin and vascular invasion were independent factors for DFS in NAT + RH group. ADCmax and ADCmin were independent factors for DFS in CCRT group. ADCmin was the strongest independent factor for DFS in NAT + RH group, while ADCmax was that in CCRT group.

Conclusion

The NAT + RH patients had similar DFS to that of CCRT in IB2 and IIA2 SCC, which could be a potential feasible alternative treatment. ADCmin and ADCmax were more valuable in evaluating the outcome of patients who underwent NAT + RH or CCRT, respectively.
Retinoic acid delays initial photoreceptor differentiation and results in a highly structured mature retinal organoid
Authors: Sanjurjo-Soriano Carla , Erkilic Nejla , Damodar Krishna , Boukhaddaoui Hassan , Diakatou Michalitsa , Garita-Hernandez Marcela , Mamaeva Daria , Dubois Gregor , Jazouli Zhour , Jimenez-Medina Carla , Goureau Olivier , Meunier Isabelle , Kalatzis Vasiliki
Published: September 2022

Background

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids are a valuable tool for disease modelling and therapeutic development. Many efforts have been made over the last decade to optimise protocols for the generation of organoids that correctly mimic the human retina. Most protocols use common media supplements; however, protocol-dependent variability impacts data interpretation. To date, the lack of a systematic comparison of a given protocol with or without supplements makes it difficult to determine how they influence the differentiation process and morphology of the retinal organoids.

Methods

A 2D-3D differentiation method was used to generate retinal organoids, which were cultured with or without the most commonly used media supplements, notably retinoic acid. Gene expression was assayed using qPCR analysis, protein expression using immunofluorescence studies, ultrastructure using electron microscopy and 3D morphology using confocal and biphoton microscopy of whole organoids.

Results

Retinoic acid delayed the initial stages of differentiation by modulating photoreceptor gene expression. At later stages, the presence of retinoic acid led to the generation of mature retinal organoids with a well-structured stratified photoreceptor layer containing a predominant rod population. By contrast, the absence of retinoic acid led to cone-rich organoids with a less organised and non-stratified photoreceptor layer.

Conclusions

This study proves the importance of supplemented media for culturing retinal organoids. More importantly, we demonstrate for the first time that the role of retinoic acid goes beyond inducing a rod cell fate to enhancing the organisation of the photoreceptor layer of the mature organoid.
TGF-β2 enhances expression of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell paracrine factors with known associations to tendon healing
Authors: Koch Drew W. , Schnabel Lauren V. , Ellis Ilene M. , Bates Rowan E. , Berglund Alix K.
Published: September 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete paracrine factors and extracellular matrix proteins that contribute to their ability to support tissue healing and regeneration. Both the transcriptome and the secretome of MSCs can be altered by treating the cells with cytokines, but neither have been thoroughly investigated following treatment with the specific cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2.

Methods

RNA-sequencing and western blotting were used to compare gene and protein expression between untreated and TGF-β2-treated equine bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). A co-culture system was utilized to compare equine tenocyte migration during co-culture with untreated and TGF-β2-treated BM-MSCs.

Results

TGF-β2 treatment significantly upregulated gene expression of collagens, extracellular matrix molecules, and growth factors. Protein expression of collagen type I and tenascin-C was also confirmed to be upregulated in TGF-β2-treated BM-MSCs compared to untreated BM-MSCs. Both untreated and TGF-β2-treated BM-MSCs increased tenocyte migration in vitro.

Conclusions

Treating equine BM-MSCs with TGF-β2 significantly increases production of paracrine factors and extracellular matrix molecules important for tendon healing and promotes the migration of tenocytes in vitro.
Super-enhancer-associated INSM2 regulates lipid metabolism by modulating mTOR signaling pathway in neuroblastoma
Authors: Cao Haibo , Zhuo Ran , Zhang Zimu , Wang Jianwei , Tao Yanfang , Yang Randong , Guo Xinyi , Chen Yanling , Jia Siqi , Yao Ye , Yang Pengcheng , Yu Juanjuan , Jiao Wanyan , Li Xiaolu , Fang Fang , Xie Yi , Li Gen , Wu Di , Wang Hairong , Feng Chenxi , Xu Yunyun , Li Zhiheng , Pan Jian , Wang Jian
Published: September 2022

Background

Abnormal lipid metabolism is one of the most prominent metabolic changes in cancer. Studies have shown that lipid metabolism also plays an important role in neuroblastoma. We recently discovered that the insulinoma-associated 2 gene (INSM2) could regulate lipid metabolism in neuroblastoma (NB) and is improperly controlled by super enhancers, a mammalian genome region that has been shown to control the expression of NB cell identity genes. However, the specific molecular pathways by which INSM2 leads to NB disease development are unknown.

Results

We identified INSM2 as a gene regulated by super enhancers in NB. In addition, INSM2 expression levels were significantly upregulated in NB and correlated with poor prognosis in patients. We found that INSM2 drives the growth of NB cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. Knocking down INSM2 inhibited fatty acid metabolism in NB cells. Mechanistically, INSM2 regulates the expression of SREBP1 by regulating the mTOR signaling pathway, which in turn affects lipid metabolism, thereby mediating the occurrence and development of neuroblastoma.

Conclusion

INSM2 as a super-enhancer-associated gene could regulates lipid metabolism by modulating mTOR signaling pathway in neuroblastoma.
Formal mindfulness practice predicts reductions in PTSD symptom severity following a mindfulness-based intervention for women with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder
Authors: Somohano Vanessa C. , Kaplan Josh , Newman Aurora G. , O’Neil Maya , Lovejoy Travis
Published: September 2022

Background

Women with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) experience systemic barriers that place them in danger of poorer treatment outcomes. Some mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated efficacy in reducing PTSD and SUD symptoms. Mindfulness practice is a core component of MBIs, thought to elicit and maintain positive behavioral change; however, no research to our knowledge has assessed the role of mindfulness practice on sustained treatment gains among women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD. Such research is necessary to better inform MBIs for dually diagnosed women.

Methods

This secondary analysis assessed whether post-intervention formal and informal mindfulness practice predicted reductions in PTSD symptoms and substance craving 6 months following an 8-session mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention for women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD (N = 23). Data were derived from a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a trauma-integrated mindfulness-based relapse prevention program for women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD.

Results

Greater duration of formal mindfulness practice (i.e., minutes per practice) predicted reduced total PTSD symptoms ($$\upbeta$$
β
 = − .670, p < .00), trauma-related avoidance ($$\upbeta$$
β
 = − .564, p = .01), arousal and reactivity ($$\upbeta$$
β
 = − .530, p = .02), and negative cognitions and mood ($$\upbeta$$
β
 = − .780, p < .01) six months following treatment. Informal practice did not predict any outcomes.

Conclusions

This research highlights the potential role of formal mindfulness practice in sustaining reductions in PTSD symptoms over time among women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD. Further study of strategies to promote ongoing formal mindfulness practice in this population following a MBI are warranted.

Trial registration The parent trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03505749).
High prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: de Castro Geison Luiz Costa , da Silva Graça Amoras Ednelza , Araújo Mauro Sérgio , da Silva Conde Simone Regina Souza , Bichara Carlos David Araújo , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: September 2022

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health concern due to its high prevalence and mortality rate. In chronic infection, HCV may induce autoimmune responses through the production of autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies (ANA).

Methods

We assessed the presence of ANA by indirect immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cells in 89 patients with chronic hepatitis C. We also collected data on epidemiological variables; clinical characteristics; and biochemical, hematological, molecular, and histopathological information from the patients to assess the impact of the presence of ANA in those patients.

Results

The prevalence of ANA in the patients was 20.2%, which was significantly higher than that found in healthy controls (2%). However, there was no association of this marker with epidemiological, clinical-laboratory, molecular or histopathological characteristics of hepatitis C, although a slightly higher prevalence of ANA was detected in women and in patients infected with subgenotype 1a. In a specific analysis, chronic HCV patients with the “rods and rings” cytoplasmic pattern had higher degrees of hepatic fibrosis than did ANA-negative patients.

Conclusions

The results confirm a greater predisposition to the presence of ANA in patients with HCV, which may be associated with a worse prognosis, especially in the presence of the “rods and rings” cytoplasmic pattern.
Effect of explant type (leaf, stem) and 2,4-D concentration on callus induction: influence of elicitor type (biotic, abiotic), elicitor concentration and elicitation time on biomass growth rate and costunolide biosynthesis in gazania (Gazania rigens) cell suspension cultures
Authors: Mahood Huda E. , Sarropoulou Virginia , Tzatzani Thiresia-Teresa
Published: September 2022

Gazania rigens(L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant with high ornamental potential and use in landscaping. The therapeutic potential of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) as plant natural products for pharmaceutical development has gained extensive interest with costunolide (chemical name: 6E,10E,11aR-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-2-one) used as a popular herbal remedy due to its anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-allergic, and anti-diabetic activities, among others. In the present study, two explant types (leaf, stem) and four 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L) were tested for callusing potential. The results showed that stem explants treated with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D exhibited higher callus induction percentage (90%) followed by leaf explants (80%) with 1 mg/L 2,4-D, after a 4-week period. Cell suspension cultures were established from friable callus obtained from stem explants following a sigmoid pattern of growth curve with a maximum fresh weight at 20 days of subculture and a minimum one at 5 days of subculture. In the following stage, the effects of elicitation of cell suspension cultures with either yeast extract (YE) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA), each applied in five concentrations (0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L) on cell growth (fresh and dry biomass) and costunolide accumulation were tested. After 20 days of culture, YE or MeJA suppressed cell growth as compared to the non-elicited cells, while costunolide accumulation was better enhanced under the effect of 150 mg/L MeJA followed by 200 mg/L YE, respectively. In the subsequent experiment conducted, the optimal concentration of the two elicitors (200 mg/L YE, 150 mg/L MeJA) was selected to investigate further elicitation time (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days). The results revealed that YE biotic elicitation stimulated cell growth and costunolide production, being maximum on day 20 for fresh biomass, on day 5 for dry biomass and on day 15 for the bioactive compound. Accordingly, cell growth parameters were maximized under the effect of abiotic elicitation with MeJA for 15 days, while highest costunolide content was achieved after 10 days. Overall, MeJA served as a better elicitor type than YE for biomass and costunolide production. Irrespective of elicitor type, elicitor concentration and elicitation time, maximal response was obtained with 150 mg/L MeJA for 10 days regarding costunolide accumulation (18.47 ppm) and 15 days for cell growth (fresh weight: 954 mg and dry weight: 76.3 mg). The application of elicitors can lead the large quantity of costunolide to encounter extensive range demand through marketable production without endangering ofG. rigens.

Graphical Abstract
Flavonoid profile and antioxidant properties of Algerian common yew (Taxus baccata L.)
Authors: Bekhouche Mohamed , Benyammi Roukia , Slaoui Majda Khelifi , Krimat Soumia , Paris Cedric , Khelifi Lakhdar , Morsli Abdelkader
Published: September 2022

Background

In humans, various diseases are associated with the accumulation of free radicals. The antioxidants can scavenge free radicals and reduce their impact; thus, the search for effective natural antioxidants of plant origin is indispensable. The present study aims to determine, for the first time, the flavonoid compounds profile and to investigate the free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract of Taxus baccata L. from Algeria.

Methods

The determination of the flavonoid compound profile of the methanolic extract of Taxus baccata L. was established using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS/MS). The total flavonoid content (TFC) was performed according to the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, while the free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities were carried out using three methods, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, 2,2'-azino-bis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) Assay.

Results

A total of 26 compounds including flavon-3-ols, flavanonols, flavones, flavonols and bioflavonoids were characterized and identifiedusing HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS/MS analysis, five were reported for the first time such as taxifolin, apigenin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside and robustaflavone. The plant extract exhibited high total flavonoid content (TFC = 204.26 ± 6.02 mg RE/g dry extract) which corresponded to its strong radical scavenging activities [(DPPH IC50 = 35.31 ± 0.29 µg/ml and ABTS IC50 = 8.27 ± 0.52 µg/ml)] as compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHT [(DPPH IC50 = 78.96 ± 5.70 µg/ml and ABTS IC50 = 13.56 ± 0.06 µg/ml)]. However, the methanolic extract of T. baccata showed the lowest ferric reducing ability as compared to the positive controls (BHT, BHA, ascorbic acid, trolox and quercetin).

Conclusion

Our results imply that the Taxus Baccata L. might be a potential source for the isolation of natural antioxidant compounds.
An artificial neural network model based on autophagy-related genes in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wu Jinting , Yang Wenxian , Li Huihui
Published: September 2022

Background

Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a multisystemic, life-threatening autoimmune disease. Compared to adults, SLE in childhood is more active, can cause multisystem involvement including renal, neurological and hematological, and can cause cumulative damage across systems more rapidly. Autophagy, one of the core functions of cells, is involved in almost every process of the immune response and has been shown to be associated with many autoimmune diseases, being a key factor in the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity. Autophagy influences the onset, progression and severity of SLE. This paper identifies new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood SLE based on an artificial neural network of autophagy-related genes.

Methods

We downloaded dataset GSE100163 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and used Protein–protein Interaction Network (PPI) and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) to screen the signature genes of autophagy-related genes in cSLE. A new artificial neural network model for cSLE diagnosis was constructed using the signature genes. The predictive efficiency of the model was also validated using the dataset GSE65391. Finally, "CIBERSORT" was used to calculate the infiltration of immune cells in cSLE and to analyze the relationship between the signature genes and the infiltration of immune cells.

Results

We identified 37 autophagy-related genes that differed in cSLE and normal samples, and finally obtained the seven most relevant signature genes for cSLE (DDIT3, GNB2L1, CTSD, HSPA8, ULK1, DNAJB1, CANX) by PPI and LASOO regression screening, and constructed an artificial neural network diagnostic model for cSLE. Using this model, we plotted the ROC curves for the training and validation group diagnoses with the area under the curve of 0.976 and 0.783, respectively. Finally, we performed immunoassays on cSLE samples, and the results showed that Plasma cells, Macrophages M0, Dendritic cells activated and Neutrophils were significantly infiltrated in cSLE.

Conclusion

We constructed an artificial neural network diagnostic model of seven autophagy-related genes that can be used for the diagnosis of cSLE. Meanwhile, the characteristic genes affect the immune infiltration of cSLE, which may provide new perspectives for the exploration of cSLE treatment and related mechanisms.
A Vision for University Biology Education for Non-science Majors
Authors: Gormally Cara , Heil Austin
Published: September 2022

College biology education must prepare future college graduates to be engaged, science-literate citizens. This is especially important, because the vast majority of college students (82%) are non-science majors. This essay identifies aspects of science education critical for preparing science-literate non-science majors.
X-Linked Hypophosphatemia, Not Only a Skeletal Disease But Also a Chronic Inflammatory State
Authors: Méaux Marie-Noëlle , Alioli Candide , Linglart Agnès , Lemoine Sandrine , Vignot Emmanuelle , Bertholet-Thomas Aurélia , Peyruchaud Olivier , Flammier Sacha , Machuca-Gayet Irma , Bacchetta Justine
Published: September 2022

Context

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare genetic disease caused by a primary excess of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). FGF23 has been associated with inflammation and impaired osteoclastogenesis, but these pathways have not been investigated in XLH.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate whether XLH patients display peculiar inflammatory profile and increased osteoclastic activity.

Methods

We performed a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study analyzing transcript expression of 8 inflammatory markers (Il6, Il8, Il1β, CXCL1, CCL2, CXCR3, Il1R, Il6R) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) purified from total blood samples extracted from patients and healthy control individuals. The effect of native/active vitamin D on osteoclast formation was also assessed in vitro from XLH patients’ PBMCs.

Results

In total, 28 XLH patients (17 children, among them 6 undergoing standard of care [SOC] and 11 burosumab therapy) and 19 controls were enrolled. Expression of most inflammatory markers was significantly increased in PBMCs from XLH patients compared to controls. No differences were observed between the burosumab and SOC subgroups. Osteoclast formation was significantly impaired in XLH patients. XLH mature osteoclasts displayed higher levels of inflammatory markers, being however lower in cells derived from the burosumab subgroup (as opposed to SOC).

Conclusion

We describe for the first time a peculiar inflammatory profile in XLH. Since XLH patients have a propensity to develop arterial hypertension, obesity, and enthesopathies, and because inflammation can worsen these clinical outcomes, we hypothesize that inflammation may play a critical role in these extraskeletal complications of XLH.
The Strength of Parent–Adult Child Ties in Biological Families and Stepfamilies: Evidence From Time Diaries From Older Adults
Authors: Schoeni Robert F. , Freedman Vicki A. , Cornman Jennifer C. , Seltzer Judith A.
Published: September 2022

We examine older partnered parents' time spent with adult children in biological and step families, treating time together as an indication of relationship strength. Using a unique national sample of U.S. time diaries from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we investigate time with all adult children combined and with each adult child. We find that time together depends on family structure and parent–adult child dyadic relationship type embedded in family structure. In analyses of all adult children combined, an older parent is more likely to spend time with adult children in biological families than in stepfamilies only when there is no shared biological child in the stepfamily. In dyadic analyses, a parent's tie with an adult child who is a biological child of both partners is stronger in stepfamilies than in biological families. Moreover, among stepfamilies, ties are not uniformly stronger with biological children relative to stepchildren; differences emerge only in more complex families when each partner has biological children from previous relationships. Our findings challenge the view that ties with older parents are always weaker with stepchildren in stepfamilies and point to the importance of considering parent–child relationships in the broader family context.
The Postclassical Chronotope: A Narratological Inquiry
Authors: Lanser Susan S. , Rimmon-Kenan Shlomith
Published: September 2022

As a thought experiment, this article conjoins the approaches of two theorists with very different worldviews, Mikhail Bakhtin and Gérard Genette, in the hope of generating a model for a “postclassical chronotope” within the framework of a situated narratology. Our exploration begins with a juxtaposition of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway (1925), confined to one day but structured through the characters’ movements in space, with Amor Towles's A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), restricted to a single location but encompassing thirty-two years of time. To enrich the historical and ideological dimensions of the time-space relations, we extend our experiment to three other English-language novels that span two centuries: Jane Austen's Persuasion (1818), Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), and Mohsin Hamid's Exit West (2017). Although the authors’ choice of novels was almost arbitrary, the insights the exploration has yielded suggest that the “postclassical chronotope” warrants further research.
United We ’Gram: Scrolling through the Assimilated Aesthetics of Instapoetry
Authors: Knox JuEunhae
Published: September 2022

The phrase “Do it for the ’gram” has become extremely popular among the tech-savvy Generation Z, born in the 1990s and early 2000s and raised on social media. An escalation of the now long-established selfie, this colloquialism refers to the behavior of doing something specifically for the sake of posting a picture on Instagram. Publishing polished pictures for the sake of popularity does not merely apply to activities like brewing kombucha or practicing yoga, however, but in posting inspirational micro-poems. The extremely visual short-form genre of Instapoetry boasts 14.2 million posts to #poetsofinstagram alone, yet this so-called fidget-spinner literature has received little scholarly attention. While some magazines have featured the well-known Rupi Kaur, no academic work to date has extensively analyzed the aesthetics and cultural antecedents of Instapoetry. This article combines quantitatively collected data of common trends with in-depth analysis of case studies featured in Instagram's “Top 9” to show how the material and linguistic features of Instapoetry are in fact shaped and assimilated by their digital platform. By manually analyzing Instapoets’ practices in writing, stylization, and promotion, the author demonstrates that the sheer volume and rapidity of content production in turn encourages posts that are not only visually appealing but also immediately recognizable as Instapoems. Conforming to generic trends while simultaneously claiming genuineness and autonomy is a crucial method of increasing followers in a culture in which rapid swiping instantly consumes and buries masses of content. Examining the constant evolution of algorithmic “gatekeepers” and the pressures of the creative economy also contextualizes the challenges ingrained in creating “authentic” discourse on this heteronomous visual platform.
Political Partisanship, Trust, and Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccines in Indonesia
Authors: Halimatusa'diyah Iim , Durriyah Tati Lathipatud
Published: September 2022

Context: This study examines the extent to which political partisanship—measured as support for either the incumbent candidate for Indonesia's presidency, Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi), or for Jokowi's challenger, Prabowo—affects individuals' risk perception of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal as well as beliefs about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods: The authors performed multinomial logistic and ordinary least squares regression analyses on a nationally representative sample of a national survey on public trust in COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations that was conducted in December 2020.

Findings: Individuals who voted for Prabowo in the 2019 presidential election were more likely to have a lower level of willingness and a higher level of hesitancy to get the COVID-19 vaccine than those who cast their ballot for Jokowi as the Indonesian president.

Conclusions: Political partisanship does matter in shaping individuals' hesitancy or refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia. The effect of partisanship is also significant in shaping individuals' trust in the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is not significantly associated with individuals' risk perceptions.
Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad, Volume II, Orisa
Authors: Stewart Dianne M.
Published: September 2022

Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad is an expansive two-volume examination of social imaginaries concerning Obeah and Yoruba-Orisa from colonialism to the present. Analyzing their entangled histories and systems of devotion, Tracey E. Hucks and Dianne M. Stewart articulate how these religions were criminalized during slavery and colonialism yet still demonstrated autonomous modes of expression and self-defense. In Volume II, Orisa, Stewart scrutinizes the West African heritage and religious imagination of Yoruba-Orisa devotees in Trinidad from the mid-nineteenth century to the present and explores their meaning-making traditions in the wake of slavery and colonialism. She investigates the pivotal periods of nineteenth-century liberated African resettlement, the twentieth-century Black Power movement, and subsequent campaigns for the civil right to religious freedom in Trinidad. Disrupting syncretism frameworks, Stewart probes the salience of Africa as a religious symbol and the prominence of Africana nations and religious nationalisms in projects of black belonging and identity formation, including those of Orisa mothers. Contributing to global womanist thought and activism, Yoruba-Orisa spiritual mothers disclose the fullness of the black religious imagination’s affective, hermeneutic, and political capacities.