bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting the Host Response: Can We Manipulate Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity to Improve Influenza Virus Infection Outcomes?
Authors: Pedrina Jess , Stambas John
Published: July 2021

Each year, hundreds of thousands of individuals succumb to influenza virus infection and its associated complications. Several preventative and therapeutic options may be applied in order to preserve life. These traditional approaches include administration of seasonal influenza vaccines, pharmacological interventions in the form of antiviral drug therapy and supportive clinical approaches including mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. While these measures have shown varying degrees of success, antiviral therapies and vaccination are constrained due to ongoing antigenic drift. Moreover, clinical approaches can also be associated with complications and drawbacks. These factors have led to the exploration and development of more sophisticated and nuanced therapeutic approaches involving host proteins. Advances in immunotherapy in the cancer field or administration of steroids following virus infection have highlighted the therapeutic potential of targeting host immune responses. We have now reached a point where we can consider the contribution of other “non-traditional” host components such as the extracellular matrix in immunity. Herein, we will review current, established therapeutic interventions and consider novel therapeutic approaches involving the extracellular matrix.
Measurement of Cortical Atrophy and Its Correlation to Memory Impairment in Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Based on VBM-DARTEL
Authors: Wang Peijiong , Cai Husule , Luo Rutao , Zhang Zihao , Zhang Dong , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2021

Objective

Severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS) can lead to atrophy of gray matter (GM) and memory impairment; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Thus, we aimed to identify memory impairment and GM atrophy and explore the possible correlation between them in patients with asymptomatic severe CAS.

Methods

Twenty-four patients with asymptomatic severe CAS and 10 healthy controls completed the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and clinical memory scale (CMS) and underwent 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Field intensity inhomogeneities were corrected. Images were processed using VBM8, and GM images were flipped. First, 11 flipped and 10 non-flipped images of patients with unilateral CAS and 5 flipped and 5 non-flipped images of controls were pre-processed using DARTEL algorithm and analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Second, flipped and non-flipped images of unilateral patients were similarly pre-processed and analyzed using the paired t-test. Third, pre-processed non-flipped GM images and CMS scores of 24 patients were analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Nuisance variables were corrected accordingly.

Results

Basic information was well matched between patients and controls. MMSE scores of patients were in the normal range; however, memory function was significantly reduced (all P < 0.05). GM volumes of patients were significantly reduced in the anterior circulation regions. The stenosis-side hemispheres showed greater atrophy. GM volumes of the left pars opercularis, pars triangularis, and middle frontal gyrus were strongly positively correlated with the total scores of CMS (all r > 0.7, P = 0.001). Additionally, the left middle frontal gyrus was strongly positively correlated with associative memory (r = 0.853, P = 0.001). The left pars opercularis was moderately positively correlated with semantic memory (r = 0.695, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with asymptomatic CAS suffer from memory impairment. Bilateral anterior circulation regions showed extensive atrophy. The hemisphere with stenosis showed severer atrophy. Memory impairment in patients may be related to atrophy of the left frontal gyrus and atrophy of different regions may result in different memory impairments.
Factors Underlying Individual Differences in Speech-Recognition Threshold (SRT) in Noise Among Older Adults
Authors: Humes Larry E.
Published: July 2021

Many older adults have difficulty understanding speech in noisy backgrounds. In this study, we examined peripheral auditory, higher-level auditory, and cognitive factors that may contribute to such difficulties. A convenience sample of 137 volunteer older adults, 90 women, and 47 men, ranging in age from 47 to 94 years (M = 69.2 and SD = 10.1 years) completed a large battery of tests. Auditory tests included measures of pure-tone threshold, clinical and psychophysical, as well as two measures of gap-detection threshold and four measures of temporal-order identification. The latter included two monaural and two dichotic listening conditions. In addition, cognition was assessed using the complete Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd Edition (WAIS-III). Two monaural measures of speech-recognition threshold (SRT) in noise, the QuickSIN, and the WIN, were obtained from each ear at relatively high presentation levels of 93 or 103 dB SPL to minimize audibility concerns. Group data, both aggregate and by age decade, were evaluated initially to allow comparison to data in the literature. Next, following the application of principal-components factor analysis for data reduction, individual differences in speech-recognition-in-noise performance were examined using multiple-linear-regression analyses. Excellent fits were obtained, accounting for 60–77% of the total variance, with most accounted for by the audibility of the speech and noise stimuli and the severity of hearing loss with the balance primarily associated with cognitive function.
Evidence for a Specific Association Between Sustained Attention and Gait Speed in Middle-to-Older-Aged Adults
Authors: Park Hannah , Aul Courtney , DeGutis Joseph , Lo On-Yee , Poole Victoria N. , McGlinchey Regina , Bean Jonathan F. , Leritz Elizabeth , Esterman Michael
Published: July 2021

Although cognitive decline has previously been associated with mobility limitations and frailty, the relationship between sustained attention and gait speed is incompletely characterized. To better quantify the specificity of the sustained attention and gait speed association, we examined the extent to which this relationship is unique rather than accounted for by executive functioning and physical health characteristics. 58 middle-to-older-aged community-dwelling adults without overt evidence of cognitive impairment (45–90 years old; 21 females) participated in the study. Each participant completed a 4-meter gait speed assessment and validated neuropsychological tests to examine various domains of executive functioning including working memory (i.e., Digit Span), inhibitory control (i.e., D-KEFS Color-Word Interference), and task switching (i.e., D-KEFS Number/Letter Switching). Multiple physical and vascular risk factors were also evaluated. Sustained attention was assessed using the gradual onset continuous performance task (gradCPT), a well-validated go/no-go sustained attention task. A series of linear regression models were used to examine how different aspects of cognition, including sustained attention and traditional measures of executive functioning, related to gait speed while controlling for a variety of physical and vascular risk factors. Among all predictors, gradCPT accuracy explained the most variance in gait speed (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001) and was the only significant predictor (β = 0.35, p = 0.01) when accounting for executive functioning and other physical and vascular risk factors. The present results indicate that sustained attention may be uniquely sensitive and mechanistically linked to mobility limitations in middle-to-older adults.
Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Activity-Regulated Dendritic Plasticity Through NADPH Oxidase and Aquaporin Regulation
Authors: Dhawan Serene , Myers Philip , Bailey David M. D. , Ostrovsky Aaron D. , Evers Jan Felix , Landgraf Matthias
Published: July 2021

Neurons utilize plasticity of dendritic arbors as part of a larger suite of adaptive plasticity mechanisms. This explicitly manifests with motoneurons in the Drosophila embryo and larva, where dendritic arbors are exclusively postsynaptic and are used as homeostatic devices, compensating for changes in synaptic input through adapting their growth and connectivity. We recently identified reactive oxygen species (ROS) as novel plasticity signals instrumental in this form of dendritic adjustment. ROS correlate with levels of neuronal activity and negatively regulate dendritic arbor size. Here, we investigated NADPH oxidases as potential sources of such activity-regulated ROS and implicate Dual Oxidase (but not Nox), which generates hydrogen peroxide extracellularly. We further show that the aquaporins Bib and Drip, but not Prip, are required for activity-regulated ROS-mediated adjustments of dendritic arbor size in motoneurons. These results suggest a model whereby neuronal activity leads to activation of the NADPH oxidase Dual Oxidase, which generates hydrogen peroxide at the extracellular face; aquaporins might then act as conduits that are necessary for these extracellular ROS to be channeled back into the cell where they negatively regulate dendritic arbor size.
A Spanish Neuropsychological Battery Discriminates Between the Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia in a Colombian Sample
Authors: Velilla Lina , Hernández Jonathan , Giraldo-Chica Margarita , Guzmán-Vélez Edmarie , Quiroz Yakeel , Lopera Francisco
Published: July 2021

The differential diagnosis among the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia FTD (bvFTD) and the linguist one primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is challenging. Presentations of dementia type or variants dominated by personality change or aphasia are frequently misinterpreted as psychiatric illness, stroke, or other conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify cognitive tests that can distinguish the distinct FTD variants to reduce misdiagnosis and best tailor interventions. We aim to examine the discriminative capacity of the most frequently used cognitive tests in their Spanish version for the context of dementia evaluation as well as the qualitative aspects of the neuropsychological performance such as the frequency and type of errors, perseverations, and false positives that can best discriminate between bvFTD and PPA. We also described mood and behavioral profiles of participants with mild to moderate probable bvFTD and PPA. A total of 55 subjects were included in this cross-sectional study: 20 with PPA and 35 with bvFTD. All participants underwent standard dementia screening that included a medical history and physical examination, brain MRI, a semistructured caregiver interview, and neuropsychological testing. We found that bvFTD patients had worse performance in executive function tests, and the PPA presented with the lower performance in language tests and the global score of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). After running the linear discriminant model, we found three functions of cognitive test and subtests combination and three functions made by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) language subtest and performance errors that predicted group belonging. Those functions were more capable to classify bvFTD cases rather than PPA. In conclusion, our study supports that the combination of an individual test of executive function and language, MoCA's subtest, and performance errors as well have good accuracy to discriminate between bvFTD and PPA.
Functional Brain Connectivity During Narrative Processing Relates to Transportation and Story Influence
Authors: Vaccaro Anthony G. , Scott Brandon , Gimbel Sarah I. , Kaplan Jonas T.
Published: July 2021

Engaging with narratives involves a complex array of cognitive and affective processes. These processes make stories persuasive in ways that standard arguments are not, though the underlying reasons for this remain unclear. Transportation theory proposes a potential explanation for this: narratives are processed in a way which makes individuals feel immersed in the world of a story, which in turn leads people to resonate emotionally with the events of the story. Recent fMRI studies have shown that the posterior medial cortex (PMC) and anterior insula (AI) play important roles in understanding the meaning of stories and experiencing the feelings they produce. In this study, we aimed to explore the AI’s and PMC’s role in narrative processing by measuring their functional connectivity with the rest of the brain during story listening, and how connectivity changes as a function of narrative transportation and the persuasiveness of the story. We analyzed data from 36 right-handed subjects who listened to two stories, obtained from podcasts, inside the fMRI scanner. After the scan, subjects were asked a series of questions, including a measure of how transported into the story they felt, how likely they would be to donate to causes related to the messages of the stories. We used searchlight multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to classify functional connectivity maps using seeds in both the AI and PMC and to compare these maps between participants who differed in transportation and prosocial intention. We found that connectivity to various regions successfully distinguished between high and low ratings on each of these behavioral measures with accuracies over 75%. However, only one pattern of connectivity was consistent across both stories: PMC-inferior frontal gyrus connectivity successfully distinguished high and low ratings of narrative transportation in both stories. All other findings were not consistent across stories. Instead, we found that patterns of connectivity may relate more to the specific content of the story rather than to a universal way in which narratives are processed.
Longitudinal Rehabilitation of Binocular Function in Adolescent Intermittent Exotropia After Successful Corrective Surgery
Authors: Peng Tingting , Xu Meiping , Zheng Fuhao , Zhang Junxiao , Chen Shuang , Lou Jiangtao , Wang Chunxiao , Wang Yuwen , Yu Xinping
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To study the longitudinal rehabilitation of binocular visual function in adolescent intermittent exotropia (IXT) after successful surgery and compare the results with those of a normal population. The role of binocular function in ocular alignment stability was also evaluated postoperatively.

Methods

In this prospective study, 30 adolescents with IXT successfully corrected after 1 month were followed for 12 months, and 30 children with normal vision were enrolled as controls. Stereopsis, the fusional vergence amplitude, sensory fusion, and accommodative flexibility were measured to assess binocular function at baseline and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The controls were tested once when they were enrolled in the study.

Results

The deviation was −32.00 ± 8.60 prism diopters (PD) at distance fixation and −36.0 ± 9.10 PD at near fixation preoperatively with an average correction of 28.53 ± 3.79 PD and 30.67 ± 1.34 PD at 1 month postoperatively. Distance stereoacuity and near stereoacuity improved from 1 to 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.025 and p = 0.041, respectively). Compared with the controls, the fusional convergence reserve at distance (p = 0.025) and near (p = 0.033) fixations and fusion reserve ratio at distance (p = 0.000) and near (p = 0.000) fixations remained subnormal, whereas sensory fusion (p = 0.237), distance stereopsis (p = 0.120), and the fusional divergence amplitude at a distance (p = 0.168) were normal. However, no significant correlations were found between binocular functions at 1 month postoperatively and the postoperative drift.

Conclusion

Binocular function significantly improved from before to after successful corrective surgery and continued to improve from 1 to 12 months postoperatively in adolescents with IXT. No significant correlations were found between binocular functions at 1 month postoperatively and ocular alignment stability.
Reducing Auditory Nerve Excitability by Acute Antagonism of Ca2+-Permeable AMPA Receptors
Authors: Walia Amit , Lee Choongheon , Hartsock Jared , Goodman Shawn S. , Dolle Roland , Salt Alec N. , Lichtenhan Jeffery T. , Rutherford Mark A.
Published: July 2021

Hearing depends on glutamatergic synaptic transmission mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs). AMPARs are tetramers, where inclusion of the GluA2 subunit reduces overall channel conductance and Ca2+ permeability. Cochlear afferent synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) contain the AMPAR subunits GluA2, 3, and 4. However, the tetrameric complement of cochlear AMPAR subunits is not known. It was recently shown in mice that chronic intracochlear delivery of IEM-1460, an antagonist selective for GluA2-lacking AMPARs [also known as Ca2+-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs)], before, during, and after acoustic overexposure prevented both the trauma to ANF synapses and the ensuing reduction of cochlear nerve activity in response to sound. Surprisingly, baseline measurements of cochlear function before exposure were unaffected by chronic intracochlear delivery of IEM-1460. This suggested that cochlear afferent synapses contain GluA2-lacking CP-AMPARs alongside GluA2-containing Ca2+-impermeable AMPA receptors (CI-AMPARs), and that the former can be antagonized for protection while the latter remain conductive. Here, we investigated hearing function in the guinea pig during acute local or systemic delivery of CP-AMPAR antagonists. Acute intracochlear delivery of IEM-1460 or systemic delivery of IEM-1460 or IEM-1925 reduced the amplitude of the ANF compound action potential (CAP) significantly, for all tone levels and frequencies, by > 50% without affecting CAP thresholds or distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Following systemic dosing, IEM-1460 levels in cochlear perilymph were ~ 30% of blood levels, on average, consistent with pharmacokinetic properties predicting permeation of the compounds into the brain and ear. Both compounds were metabolically stable with half-lives >5 h in vitro, and elimination half-lives in vivo of 118 min (IEM-1460) and 68 min (IEM-1925). Heart rate monitoring and off-target binding assays suggest an enhanced safety profile for IEM-1925 over IEM-1460. Compound potency on CAP reduction (IC50 ~ 73 μM IEM-1460) was consistent with a mixture of GluA2-lacking and GluA2-containing AMPARs. These data strongly imply that cochlear afferent synapses of the guinea pig contain GluA2-lacking CP-AMPARs. We propose these CP-AMPARs may be acutely antagonized with systemic dosing, to protect from glutamate excitotoxicity, while transmission at GluA2-containing AMPARs persists to mediate hearing during the protection.
The Impact of Small Time Delays on the Onset of Oscillations and Synchrony in Brain Networks
Authors: Al-Darabsah Isam , Chen Liang , Nicola Wilten , Campbell Sue Ann
Published: July 2021

The human brain constitutes one of the most advanced networks produced by nature, consisting of billions of neurons communicating with each other. However, this communication is not in real-time, with different communication or time-delays occurring between neurons in different brain areas. Here, we investigate the impacts of these delays by modeling large interacting neural circuits as neural-field systems which model the bulk activity of populations of neurons. By using a Master Stability Function analysis combined with numerical simulations, we find that delays (1) may actually stabilize brain dynamics by temporarily preventing the onset to oscillatory and pathologically synchronized dynamics and (2) may enhance or diminish synchronization depending on the underlying eigenvalue spectrum of the connectivity matrix. Real eigenvalues with large magnitudes result in increased synchronizability while complex eigenvalues with large magnitudes and positive real parts yield a decrease in synchronizability in the delay vs. instantaneously coupled case. This result applies to networks with fixed, constant delays, and was robust to networks with heterogeneous delays. In the case of real brain networks, where the eigenvalues are predominantly real, owing to the nearly symmetric nature of these weight matrices, biologically plausible, small delays, are likely to increase synchronization, rather than decreasing it.
Fundamental and Essential Knowledge for Pathologists Engaged in the Research and Practice of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Kubo Terufumi , Shinkawa Tomoyo , Kikuchi Yasuhiro , Murata Kenji , Kanaseki Takayuki , Tsukahara Tomohide , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Torigoe Toshihiko
Published: July 2021

Extensive research over 100 years has demonstrated that tumors can be eliminated by the autologous immune system. Without doubt, immunotherapy is now a standard treatment along with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, the field of cancer immunotherapy is continuing to develop. The current challenges for the use of immunotherapy are to enhance its clinical efficacy, reduce side effects, and develop predictive biomarkers. Given that histopathological analysis provides molecular and morphological information on humans in vivo, its importance will continue to grow. This review article outlines the basic knowledge that is essential for the research and daily practice of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapy from the perspective of histopathology.
Treatment of Central Nervous System Relapse in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia by Venetoclax: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Xuzhao , Chen Jinliang , Wang Weiqin , Li Xian , Tan Yanbin , Zhang Xiaohong , Qian Wenbin
Published: July 2021

Extramedullary relapse of acute promyelocytic leukemia is a rare phenomenon and is associated with a poor prognosis, with the central nervous system being the most common site of relapse. The current treatments are still limited. Venetoclax, a selective inhibitor of BCL2, is a small molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier and shows a potential efficacy in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with central nervous system involvement. Although venetoclax has also been used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in recent years, there are no reports of its use in the treatment of central nervous system relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Here, we report a case of central nervous system relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia that achieved complete remission after oral treatment with venetoclax. The presence of venetoclax in the patient’s CSF was confirmed by testing CSF and plasma by mass spectrometry. The concentration of venetoclax in CSF was approximately 1/300 of that in plasma trough concentration. The treatment experience in this case demonstrates the potential ability of venetoclax to treat of central nervous system relapse/involvement in acute promyelocytic leukemia, thus providing a new treatment option for this kind of patient.
Application of Carbon Ion and Its Sensitizing Agent in Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Chen Xiaojun , Li Guangfei , Han Xiao , Gao Tianxin , Liu Weifeng , Tang Xiaoying
Published: July 2021

Carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) is the most advanced radiation therapy (RT) available and offers new opportunities to improve cancer treatment and research. CIRT has a unique physical and biological advantage that allow them to kill tumor cells more accurately and intensively. So far, CIRT has been used in almost all types of malignant tumors, and showed good feasibility, safety and acceptable toxicity, indicating that CIRT has a wide range of development and application prospects. In addition, in order to improve the biological effect of CIRT, scientists are also trying to investigate related sensitizing agents to enhance the killing ability of tumor cells, which has attracted extensive attention. In this review, we tried to systematically review the rationale, advantages and problems, the clinical applications and the sensitizing agents of the CIRT. At the same time, the prospects of the CIRT in were prospected. We hope that this review will help researchers interested in CIRT, sensitizing agents, and radiotherapy to understand their magic more systematically and faster, and provide data reference and support for bioanalysis, clinical medicine, radiotherapy, heavy ion therapy, and nanoparticle diagnostics.
Serum Biomarker Panel for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Mehta Shreya , Bhimani Nazim , Gill Anthony J. , Samra Jaswinder S. , Sahni Sumit , Mittal Anubhav
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have late diagnosis which results in poor prognosis. Currently, surgical resection is the only option for curative intent. Identifying high-risk features for patients with aggressive PDAC is essential for accurate diagnosis, prognostication, and personalised care due to the disease burden and risk of recurrence despite surgical resection. A panel of three biomarkers identified in tumour tissue (S100A4, Ca125 and Mesothelin) have shown an association with poor prognosis and overall survival. The diagnostic and prognostic value of the serum concentration of this particular biomarker panel for patients with PDAC has not been previously studied.

Methods

Retrospectively collected blood samples of PDAC patients (n =120) and healthy controls (n =80) were evaluated for the serum concentration of select biomarkers – S100A4, S100A2, Ca-125, Ca 19-9 and mesothelin. Statistical analyses were performed for diagnostic and prognostic correlation.

Results

A panel of four biomarkers (S100A2, S100A4, Ca-125 and Ca 19-9) achieved high diagnostic potential (AUROC 0.913). Three biomarkers (S100A4, Ca-125 and Ca 19-9) correlated with poor overall survival in a univariable model (p < 0.05). PDAC patients with abnormal levels of 2 or more biomarkers in their serum demonstrated significantly lower survival compared to patients with abnormal levels of one or less biomarker (p < 0.05).

Conclusion and Impact

The identified biomarker panels have shown the potential to diagnose PDAC patients and stratify patients based on their prognostic outcomes. If independently validated, this may lead to the development of a diagnostic and prognosticating blood test for PDAC.
Electromagnetic Field Exposure in Kindergarten Children: Responsive Health Risk Concern
Authors: Acharya Shiva Raj , Shin Yong Chul , Moon Deog Hwan , Pahari Sandip
Published: July 2021

Long-term exposure to physical agents can be detrimental to children due to their vulnerability. This study aimed to assess and compare the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure level around the kindergartens from the underground transmission line (UGTL). We investigated randomly selected 24 kindergartens based on the location of the UGTL. The EMF emission levels were measured using an EMDEX II (Electric and Magnetic Digital Exposure Meter). The maximum mean value of the EMF emission level was 13.5 mG around the kindergartens and 17.7 mG from the point of UGTL to kindergartens. EMF emission level around the kindergartens was significantly associated with the location of the UGTL (t = −7.35, P < 0.001). These estimates are not trivial, as long-term exposure to EMF among kindergarten children can lead to different health problems. Routine monitoring of EMF emission levels is recommended including the awareness of EMF exposure to public citizens.
Fulminant Infective Endocarditis Due to Kingella Kingae and Several Complications in a 6-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report
Authors: Joye Raphael , Ceroni Dimitri , Beghetti Maurice , Aggoun Yacine , Sologashvili Tornike
Published: July 2021

Kingella kingaeis a gram-negative coccobacillus belonging to the HACEK group (Haemophilusspecies,Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, andKingellaspecies) and is a common oropharyngeal colonizer of healthy young children. Osteoarticular infection is the most commonly reported invasiveKingella kingaeinfection in children, usually presenting a mild clinical picture. However, it can also cause severe invasive infections, especially infective endocarditis, with a high complication rate. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl, with no past medical history, who presented with fulminant infective endocarditis due toKingella kingae. She received emergency venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, rapidly underwent cardiac surgery, and was then treated using ceftriaxone for 4 weeks as recommended by the American Heart Association. The patient's postoperative course was marked by a cerebral ischemic stroke consistent with septic embolism. She also presented with a para-aortic pseudoaneurysm that required a secondary surgical procedure, with a good postoperative result. This report illustrates a case of fulminant infective endocarditis due toKingella kingaeand responsible for two major complications. We also describe the preventive valve surgery performed to ensure the preservation of valve function and its capacity for growth.
Natural Compounds: A Potential Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease?
Authors: Yan Junbin , Nie Yunmeng , Luo Minmin , Chen Zhiyun , He Beihui
Published: July 2021

Excessive alcohol intake is a direct cause of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD usually manifests as fatty liver in the initial stage and then develops into alcoholic hepatitis (ASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis. Severe alcoholism induces extensive hepatocyte death, liver failure, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, there are few effective clinical means to treat ALD, except for abstinence. Natural compounds are a class of compounds extracted from herbs with an explicit chemical structure. Several natural compounds, such as silymarin, quercetin, hesperidin, and berberine, have been shown to have curative effects on ALD without side effects. In this review, we pay particular attention to natural compounds and developing clinical drugs based on natural compounds for ALD, with the aim of providing a potential treatment for ALD.
Using Machine Learning to Characterize Atrial Fibrotic Substrate From Intracardiac Signals With a Hybrid in silico and in vivo Dataset
Authors: Sánchez Jorge , Luongo Giorgio , Nothstein Mark , Unger Laura A. , Saiz Javier , Trenor Beatriz , Luik Armin , Dössel Olaf , Loewe Axel
Published: July 2021

In patients with atrial fibrillation, intracardiac electrogram signal amplitude is known to decrease with increased structural tissue remodeling, referred to as fibrosis. In addition to the isolation of the pulmonary veins, fibrotic sites are considered a suitable target for catheter ablation. However, it remains an open challenge to find fibrotic areas and to differentiate their density and transmurality. This study aims to identify the volume fraction and transmurality of fibrosis in the atrial substrate. Simulated cardiac electrograms, combined with a generalized model of clinical noise, reproduce clinically measured signals. Our hybrid dataset approach combines in silico and clinical electrograms to train a decision tree classifier to characterize the fibrotic atrial substrate. This approach captures different in vivo dynamics of the electrical propagation reflected on healthy electrogram morphology and synergistically combines it with synthetic fibrotic electrograms from in silico experiments. The machine learning algorithm was tested on five patients and compared against clinical voltage maps as a proof of concept, distinguishing non-fibrotic from fibrotic tissue and characterizing the patient's fibrotic tissue in terms of density and transmurality. The proposed approach can be used to overcome a single voltage cut-off value to identify fibrotic tissue and guide ablation targeting fibrotic areas.
Relationship Between Sarcopenia, Obesity, Osteoporosis, and Cardiometabolic Health Conditions and Physical Activity Levels in Korean Older Adults
Authors: Park Hun-Young , Jung Won-Sang , Kim Sung-Woo , Lim Kiwon
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to analyze the status of sarcopenia, obesity, osteoporosis, and cardiometabolic disease according to the level of physical activity (PA) among elderly people in Korea. Among the data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (2008–2011), we analyzed the data of a total of 3,573 Korean elderly people over 65 years of age who were surveyed for dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and PA. Higher levels of PA were associated with a lower prevalence of cardiometabolic disease (χ2 = 33.865, p < 0.001), osteoporosis (χ2 = 94.198, p < 0.001), sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity (χ2 = 71.828, p < 0.001). Above moderate-active PA was associated with lower body weight (p < 0.001), body fat mass (p < 0.001), and percent body fat (p < 0.001), and higher free-fat mass (p < 0.001) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) (p < 0.001) than in low-active PA. In addition, when high-active is the risk factors of cardiometabolic were lower in waist circumference (p = 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.015), and triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.001) than low- and moderate-active PA, and higher in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases was significantly decreased in high-active PA (odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–0.71); waist circumference (OR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.73–0.99; OR 0.59, 95% CI, 0.50–0.70) and HDL-C (OR 0.76, 95% CI, 0.65–0.88; OR 0.56, 95% CI, 0.47–0.67) significantly improved in moderate- and high-active PA, respectively, and TG (0.67 95% CI, 0.55–0.80) significantly improved in high-active PA. Osteoporosis (OR 0.62, 95% CI, 0.53–0.74; OR 0.46, 95% CI, 0.38–0.55) and sarcopenia (OR 0.77, 95% CI, 0.60–0.98; OR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.57–0.93) were significantly improved in moderate- and high-active PA, respectively. The incidence of obesity (OR 0.47, 95% CI, 0.39–0.57) and sarcopenic obesity (OR 0.47, 95% CI, 0.30–0.75) were significantly decreased in high-active PA. Therefore, we verified a lower prevalence of sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity, and cardiac metabolic disease in Korean elderly with more active PA. This suggests that more active PA maybe reduce the prevalence of sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity, and cardiometabolic diseases in older adults.
High-Intensity Static Stretching in Quadriceps Is Affected More by Its Intensity Than Its Duration
Authors: Takeuchi Kosuke , Sato Shigeru , Kiyono Ryosuke , Yahata Kaoru , Murakami Yuta , Sanuki Futaba , Yoshida Riku , Nakamura Masatoshi
Published: July 2021

A previous study reported that 3-min of high-intensity static stretching at an intensity of 120% of range of motion (ROM) did not change the muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris, because of the overly high stress of the stretching. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of high-intensity static stretching of a shorter duration or lower intensity on the flexibility of the rectus femoris than that of the previous study. Two experiments were conducted (Experiment 1 and 2). In Experiment 1, eleven healthy men underwent static stretching at the intensity of 120% of ROM for two different durations (1 and 3 min). In Experiment 2, fifteen healthy men underwent 3-min of static stretching at the intensity of 110% of ROM. The shear elastic modulus of the quadriceps were measured. In Experiment 1, ROM increased in both interventions (p < 0.01), but the shear elastic modulus of the rectus femoris was not changed. In Experiment 2, ROM significantly increased (p < 0.01), and the shear elastic modulus of the rectus femoris significantly decreased (p < 0.05). It was suggested that the stretching intensity (110%) is more important than stretching duration to decrease the muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris.
Spatial and Temporal Variations in Pigment and Species Compositions of Snow Algae on Mt. Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Nakashima Tomomi , Uetake Jun , Segawa Takahiro , Procházková Lenka , Tsushima Akane , Takeuchi Nozomu
Published: July 2021

Snow algae are photosynthetic microbes that inhabit the melting snow surface in alpine and polar regions. We analyzed the pigment and species composition of colored snow collected on Mt. Tateyama in Japan during the melting seasons of 2015 and 2016. High-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of the pigments extracted from the colored snow showed that their composition varied within the study area and were classified into four types: Type A (astaxanthin-monoester dominant), Type B (medium astaxanthin-monoester content), Type C (abundant primary carotenoids and free-astaxanthin), and Type D (abundant primary carotenoids and astaxanthin diesters). Types A and B were most commonly observed in the study area, whereas Types C and D appeared only at specific sites. Analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene revealed six major amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of snow algae, belonging to the Sanguina, Chloromonas, and Chlainomonas groups. The relative abundance of the algal ASVs showed that Sanguina was dominant (>48%) in both Types A and B, suggesting that the difference in astaxanthin abundance between the two types was caused by the production of pigments in the algal cells. The algal community structures of Types C and D differed from those of Types A and B, indicating that the primary carotenoids and astaxanthin diesters were derived from certain algal species in these types. Therefore, astaxanthin-rich Sanguina algae mostly induced the red snow that appeared widely in this alpine area; however, they were partially dominated by Chloromonas or Chlainomonas algae, causing different pigment compositions.
Metabolomics Analyses Provide Insights Into Nutritional Value and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Halophyte Halogeton glomeratus
Authors: Wang Juncheng , Yang Ke , Yao Lirong , Ma Zengke , Li Chengdao , Si Erjing , Li Baochun , Meng Yaxiong , Ma Xiaole , Shang Xunwu , Wang Huajun
Published: July 2021

Halogeton glomeratus is a succulent annual herbaceous halophyte belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family, has attracted wide attention as a promising candidate for phytoremediation and as an oilseed crop and noodle-improver. More importantly, H. glomeratus has important medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there are few comprehensive studies on the nutrients, particularly secondary metabolites. Here, we adopted untargeted metabolomics to compare the differences in metabolites of different tissues (root, stem, leaf, and seed) and identify the compounds related to pharmacological effects and response to abiotic stress in H. glomeratus. A total of 2,152 metabolites were identified, and the metabolic profiles of root, stem, leaf, and seed samples were clearly separated. More than 50% of the metabolites showed significant differences among root, stem, leaf, and seed. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites suggested an extensive alteration in the metabolome among the different organs. Furthermore, the identified metabolites related to pharmacological effects and response to abiotic stress included flavones, flavonols, flavandiols, glucosinolates, isoquinolines, pyridines, indoles, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and ATP-binding cassette transporters. These metabolites have application in treating human cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and heart disease, induce sleeping and have nutritive value. In plants, they are related to osmotic adjustment, alleviating cell damage, adjusting membrane lipid action and avoiding toxins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first metabolomics-based report to overview the metabolite compounds in H. glomeratus and provide a reference for future development and utilization of H. glomeratus.
I Feel Like I Am Flying and Full of Life: Contemporary Dance for Parkinson’s Patients
Authors: Bar Anat , Czamanski-Cohen Johanna , Federman Judith Dita
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms which are strongly associated with patients’ quality of life, affecting social skills and support. It strikes not only the motor abilities but may harm cognitive and emotional functioning. For the past 15 years, contemporary dance has been employed as an intervention to help people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease cope physically and mentally by way of motor, vestibular, and sensory stimulation as well as social interaction. In this study we aimed to examine psychological flexibility, creative self-efficacy and quality of life of Parkinson’s patients participating in contemporary dance sessions. To obtain this goal we conducted a cross-sectional comparative study of 50 Parkinson’s patients aged 50–87 years, half of which had been participating for at least 3 months once a week, in contemporary dance classes, and the matched controls participated in a verbal support group. Study participants completed questionnaires after participating in a dance class (Intervention) or in a support group (control). Participants in the intervention group were also asked to answer three open-ended questions that examined the experience of participating in contemporary dance classes. We found that psychological flexibility and quality of life were significantly higher in the dance class participants. Participants reported positive changes that occur in their overall feeling and quality of life following their participation in dance classes. Since PD patients’ experiences are deeply embedded in the body, it is significant to explore the use of movement in treatment. The importance of the study is in its potential to highlight the relationship between psychological flexibility and quality of life and to increase awareness of clinicians treating Parkinson’s patients to the importance of incorporating dance as an inherent part of a multidisciplinary team effort.
The Emergence of Creative Leaders Within Social Networks: The Case of Andy Warhol in the Art World of New York
Authors: Samdanis Marios , Lee Soo Hee
Published: July 2021

The creative leadership literature has identified personality traits, skills, states, and behaviours which are effective within creative contexts and organisations, but it is yet to address how creative leaders emerge from social networks. This conceptual paper delineates the processes of creative leader emergence within the context of contemporary visual arts. Using a relational view of creative leader emergence, this paper incorporates the leader emergence processes of achievement and ascription, and then adjusts them to the context of the art world. We argue that both competence and identity contribute to the status construction of creative leaders by enabling their emergence within social networks. In addition to the processes of leader prototypicality through which leaders emerge within groups, we also identify processes of leader atypicality through which creative leaders emerge within network structures. Finally, our conceptual analysis is illustrated by the case of Pop artist Andy Warhol, focusing on his emergence as a creative leader within the art world of New York and his art studio, the factory.
Validation of the Writing Strategies Questionnaire in the Context of Primary Education: A Multidimensional Measurement Model
Authors: Arias-Gundín Olga , Real Sara , Rijlaarsdam Gert , López Paula
Published: July 2021

Research has shown that writers seem to follow different writing strategies to juggle the high cognitive demands of writing. The use of writing strategies seems to be an important cognitive writing-related variable which has an influence on students' writing behavior during writing and, therefore, on the quality of their compositions. Several studies have tried to assess students' writing preferences toward the use of different writing strategies in University or high-school students, while research in primary education is practically non-existent. The present study, therefore, focused on the validation of the Spanish Writing Strategies Questionnaire (WSQ-SP), aimed to measure upper-primary students' preference for the use of different writing strategies, through a multidimensional model. The sample comprised 651 Spanish upper-primary students. Questionnaire data was explored by means of exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis. Through exploratory factor analysis four factors were identified, labeled thinking, planning, revising, and monitoring, which represent different writing strategies. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the adequacy of the four-factor model, with a sustainable model composed of the four factors originally identified. Based on the analysis, the final questionnaire was composed of 16 items. According to the results, the Spanish version of the Writing Strategies Questionnaire (WSQ-SP) for upper-primary students has been shown to be a valid and reliable instrument, which can be easily applied in the educational context to explore upper-primary students' writing strategies.
Violent Behavior Prior to Admission Is Not a Factor in Further Prolonged Length of Stay: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Japanese Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: Kinoshita Hidetoshi , Kuroki Noriomi , Okada Takayuki
Published: July 2021

Background: This study assessed the hypothesis that violent behavior prior to admission prolongs psychiatric hospitalization and evaluated the likelihood of hospital discharge to a community care setting based on demographic and clinical factors, with an emphasis on violent behavior.

Methods: We retrospectively selected 362 patients who were involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Japan from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2017, stayed longer than planned, and underwent review by a multidisciplinary team. We assessed (a) education and marital status and history of substance abuse, (b) the presence/absence and type of violent behavior that led to hospital admission, and (c) the discharge criteria. We divided the subjects into groups according to whether they had demonstrated violent behavior prior to admission and compared demographic and clinical variables between the groups using bivariate analysis. We also analyzed data using the Cox proportional hazard model, defining discharge to the community as the outcome. Age, sex, and variables that were significant at a level of P < 0.05 based on Cox univariate analysis were included in the multivariate models using the forced entry method.

Results: The Violent group included 94 patients (26%). There were no significant between-group differences in age, sex, educational background, marital history, career history, or the history of substance abuse. However, hospitalization was significantly longer in the Non-violent group. The Cox proportional multivariate hazard ratios revealed that violent behavior prior to admission resulted in a higher probability of hospital discharge.

Conclusion: Violent behavior prior to admission did not significantly contribute to prolonged hospitalization in patients who deviated from the treatment plan and had exceeded the planned hospitalization duration. Our findings recommend caution when using violence and impulsiveness observed during the acute stage to predict the difficulty of long-term treatment.