bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet Gaming Disorder: A Preliminary Exploration of Cultural Orientation Profiles
Authors: Stavropoulos Vasileios , Frost Tyler Michael John , Brown Taylor , Gill Peter , Kannis Lee Dymand
Published: February 2021

Background

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) involves excessive use of Internet games to the extent that one’s everyday life is compromised. It has been suggested that IGD symptoms are dependent on a person’s cultural orientation. However, the range of potential cultural orientation effects on IGD presentations remains largely unknown. The current study aims to further understanding of the role of cultural orientation in IGD, allowing us to develop more culturally responsive and gamer centred IGD prevention and intervention strategies.
Methods

One thousand and thirty-two participants with internet gaming experience were measured for IGD symptom’s severity using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and cultural orientation behaviours via the Individualism & Collectivism Scale (ICS). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) and T-Tests were performed in relation to their responses.
Results

Upon inspection of the LCA output, two cultural profiles of internet gamers were identified. These included the Collectivism Aversive gamers (CA; 11%) and the Collectivism Neutral gamers (CN; 89%). The CA gamers displayed significantly higher IGD behaviours overall, and, were higher in preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, relapse, deception, escapism/mood modification, and functional impairment compared to CN gamers. There were no differences between CA and CN gamers in loss of interest and conflicts with others.
Conclusions

The findings suggest that cultural orientation can influence the presentation of IGD. Specifically, those who are less collectivist or less influenced by social groups display greater IGD symptoms and present a profile that requires a different intervention from gamers who are more collectivistic. Researchers and clinicians should emphasize the value of belonging in a collective and experiencing equality with others in relation to mental health and gaming patterns.
Multi-Objective Clustering Protocol for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: purkar san Vish , Deshpande Rajkumar S
Published: February 2021

As we know the capabilities of communication system seems to be extended to greater level with the integration of wireless sensor network (WSN).Seamless control of real time application is been possible. But, an energy constraint of sensor node limits the lifecycle of the activity. Thus, it is necessary to utilize the available energy efficiently to prolong the lifetime of sensory system. Secondly by adding Heterogeneity in WSN and by controlling the communication activity it is possible to extend the lifetime of the network multifold. Thus, it is possible to improve energy efficiency of WSN without constraints of deployments, responsibility and heterogeneity level. So, design perceptive based on multilevel clustering scheme for varied objectives is the better choice for proposed scheme. As clustering scheme reduces internal traffic, efforts of communication and improve the load balancing over the network. Here, we propose Multi-objective (MO)clustering protocol for Heterogeneous WSN to enhance the energy efficiency of deployed network. We hereby found that proposed scheme work better for varied deployment condition and for various performance parameters. Simulation results of proposed design outperform the well-known published protocols by more than 1.97 times.
Characterization of B-cell Receptor Heavy Chain Complementarity-determining Region 3 Repertoire Based on the Differences of Symbiotic Microorganisms in the Gut of Mice
Authors: Li Jun , Pan Yurong , Ma Qingqing , Ma Long , Shi Bin , Wang Xiaomei , He Xiaoyan , Yao Xinsheng
Published: February 2021

Background

Colonization of gut microorganism is related to maturation of B cells in peripheral immune organs. This study aims to investigate the effect of intestinal microflora in Germ-free (GF), Specific Pathogen-free (SPF) and Clean (CL) BALB/C mice to small intestine total B-cell and memory B-cell receptor (BCR) complementary-determining region 3 (CDR3) repertoire.
Results

The composition and characteristics of intestinal microflora were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Genomic DNA extracted from small intestine tissue and memory B-cells of GF, SPF and CL mice were conducted via high-throughput DNA sequencing methods. As expected, significant differences of gut microflora diversity were observed in the three mice groups. CL group showed the most diversity, followed by SPF group, and GF group had the lowest diversity. Moreover, anormogenesis of intestinal lymphoid tissue were observed in GF mice. Diversity of the BCR heavy chain CDR3 repertoire in memory B cells were significant difference among three groups, but not in total B cells. The nucleotide polymorphism, usage frequency of gene segments (V, D, J, V–J gene segments) and amino acid of total B cells and memory B cells CDR3 were comparable among three mice groups, and there was significant difference between CL and GF mice groups.
Conclusions

The results of this study advocate that the colonization of intestinal microorganisms affect the diversity of B cells CDR3 repertoire. Elucidating mechanism of microbiome participated in the function of intestinal mucosal immune system may have positive effects on human health, and it requires further investigation.
Structure, Electrical and Optical Properties of ITO Thin Films and Their influence on Performance of CdS/CdTe Thin-Film Solar Cells
Authors: Ahmed Moustafa , Bakry Ahmed , Shaaban Essam R , Dalir Hamed
Published: February 2021

ITO was prepared by mixing gradient In2O3 and SnO2 powders using solid phase reaction manner. Using electron beam gun tool, ITO films with varied thicknesses were fabricated. The structure, electrical and optical parameters of the prepared films were studied. XRD patterns were used to establish the micro-structural parameters (lattice strain and crystallite size). The SEM shows improvement of grain size with the increase of the film thickness. The electrical parameters of ITO films were measured by means of the standard four-point probe method. It was found that when the film thickness increases from 75 nm to 375 nm, the resistivity decreases to lower value of 1.65×10-4 Ω.cm and slightly increases to 1.93 ×10-4 Ω.cm at thickness of 375 nm. The ITO films with lower electrical properties are appropriate for high-efficiency CdTe solar cells. In terms of spectral ellipsomeric, three optical layer models (adhesive layer of the substrate/B-spline layer of ITO film/surface roughness layer) were applied to estimate the film thickness with high accuracy. The absorption coefficient and energy gap were calculated from the transmission and reflection spectra in the strong absorption region. As the film thickness increases, the optical energy gap was found to increase from 3.56 eV to 3.69 eV. In terms of Hall-effect measurements, both carrier concentration and hall mobility were determined. In addition, influences of ITO layers with various thicknesses on the performance of CdS/CdTe solar cells were checked. When the ITO window layer thickness is 325 nm, Jsc = 17 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.82 V, and FF = 57.4%, the calculated highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) is 8.6%.
Network Pharmacology-Based Approach to Investigate the Mechanisms of Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction in the Treatment of Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Pei Bei , Wen Zi'ang , Zheng Yanmin , Li Xuejun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction, which has shown promising treatment in gastric carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinoma (GC) have not been systematically revealed yet. In this work, a network pharmacology research was conducted to analyze mechanisms of Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction, aiming to provide a basis for the development and application of new drugs in treatment of GC.
Methods

In this study, a network pharmacology approach was used to predict targets, construct network maps and analyze relevant signaling pathways. We discovered active chemical ingredients and their targets in the Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction by the TCMSP and ADME database. Then we found main targets of GC by GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org), OMIM (http://www.omim.org) and DRUGBANK (https://go.drugbank.com) databases. According to the information of ingredients and GC, a PPI network was performed by the String (https://string-db.org) database. And a targets-pathways interaction network was constructed by Cytoscape (version 3.7.2), a bioinformatics software used for data visualization and integration.
Results

Our result indicated that the main active ingredients of Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction in treating GC are Isorhamnetin, Kaempferol, Quercetin and Luteolin, and main active targets are CASP-3, MAPK1, MYC, AKT1, P53. We found the mechanism of Piwei-Peiyuan Decoction for treating GC is mainly to regulate PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, HIF-1α signaling pathway to inhibit cell proliferation, promote apoptosis and then exert anti-cancer effects.
Conclusion

This study preliminarily analyzed the multi-component, multi-target and multi-path mechanism of Peiwei-Peiyuan Decoction in the treatment of gastric carcinoma, providing a theoretical basis for its clinical application.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase Pb uptake of colonized and non-colonized Medicago truncatula root and deliver extra Pb to colonized root
Authors: Zhang Haoqiang , Ren Wei , Zheng Yaru , Zhao Fei , Tang Ming
Published: February 2021

Aims
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiosis with terrestrial plants and improve lead (Pb) tolerance of host plants. The AM plants accumulate more Pb in root than their non-mycorrhizal counterparts. However, the direct contribution of the mycorrhizal pathway to host plant Pb uptake was less reported.
Methods
In this study, the AM fungi colonized and non-colonized root of Medicago truncatula was separated by a split-root system, and their differences in responding to Pb application was compared.
Results
Inoculation of Rhizophagus irregularis increased shoot biomass accumulation and transpiration, and decreased both colonized and non-colonized root biomass accumulation. Application of Pb in the non-colonized root compartment increased the colonization rate of R. irregularis and up-regulated the relative expressions of MtPT4 and MtBCP1 in the colonized root compartment. Inoculation of R. irregularis increased the Pb uptake in both colonized and non-colonized plant root, while R. irregularis transferred Pb to the colonized root. The Pb transferred through the mycorrhizal pathway had low mobility move from root to shoot, and might be sequestrated and compartmented by R. irregularis.
Conclusions
The Pb uptake of plant root might follow water flow that facilitated by the aquaporin MtPIP2. The quantification of Pb transfer via mycorrhizal pathway and the involvement of MtPIP2 deserve further study.
Clinicopathological Features and Gene Mutation Analysis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Series of 58 Patients
Authors: cheng hao , Qiu Tian , Shi Su-sheng
Published: February 2021

【Background】In gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), mutually exclusive gain-of-function mutations of KIT and PDGFRA are associated with different mutation-dependent clinical behavior. The study aims to analyze the characteristics of the clinicopathology and genotypes in GISTs in China.【Methods】All adult patients with GIST located in the stomach or small intestine who underwent surgical resections in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2009 to January 2019 without prior Imatinib(Glivec) treatment were included. Specimens were collected for histopathological examination, and mutations in c-kit and PDGFRα genes were analyzed by PCR and the next generation sequencing(NGS). The clinicopathological characteristics of each gene were also analyzed.【Results】A total of 58 GIST patients was included in the study. Among the genotypes, there were 51(87.9%) c-kit mutations, five(8.6%) PDGFRα mutations, and two(3.4%) wild-type mutations. Among the cell types, there were 40 cases(69.0%) of spindle cell type, three cases(5.2%) of epithelioid cell type, and three cases(5.2%) of mixed cell type. Among the four mutant forms of c-kit exon-11, the most common were point mutation in 16 cases(38.1%), deletion mutation in 13 cases(31.0%), insertion mutation in four cases(9.5%), and mixed mutation in nine cases(21.4%). According to the National Institutes of Health(NIH) risk grade, there were three cases(5.2%) with very-low risk, nine cases(15.5%) with low risk, 19 cases(32.8%) with medium risk, and 23 cases(39.7%) with high risk. There were significant differences in cell types among different gene types(P = 0.022) and significant differences in tumor risk among different mutant forms of c-kit gene exon-11(P = 0.039).【Conclusion】In c-kit mutations, spindle cell type was significantly more than epithelioid cell type and mixed cell type. In PDGFRα mutations, spindle cell type and mixed cell type were prevalent. In wild type, spindle cell type and epithelioid cell type were significantly common. A high risk of deletion mutation and mixed mutation is expected in the c-kit exon-11 mutation form, while the intermediate risk of point and insertion mutations are common.
Academic training of authors publishing in high-impact epidemiology and clinical journals
Authors: Sullivan Amanda , Murray Eleanor , Corlin Laura
Published: February 2021

Background: To match medical education requirements to the professional goals of clinician-scholars, quantitative descriptions of the disciplinary training of research teams publishing in top-tier clinical and epidemiological journals are needed. The objective was to assess whether academic training and teamwork of authors publishing original research in top-tier journals varied by year of publication (2000/2010/2020), type of journal (epidemiological/general clinical/specialty clinical), gender of the corresponding author, and time since the corresponding author completed formal training relative to the article publication date (<5/≥5 years).Methods: The authors invited the corresponding author of 1240 original research articles published in three volumes of 15 top-tier journals to participate in an online survey. Participants reported demographic information and academic training history, co-authors’ training history, and confidence in their own and their co-authors’ ability to apply epidemiological and biostatistical concepts. Using linear regression, logistic regression, and chi-squared tests, the authors examined bivariate trends in training history and confidence by publication type, publication year, gender, and time between training and publication.Results: The response rate was 8.3% (n=103). Year of publication, type of journal, gender, and recency of training were not significantly associated with interdisciplinary team composition, whether a co-author with epidemiological or biostatistical training was involved in any research stage (design/analysis/interpretation/reporting), or with participants’ confidence in their own or their co-authors epidemiological or biostatistical expertise (p>0.05 for each bivariate comparison). Exceptions were: (1) participants with more recent epidemiological training all had co-author(s) with epidemiological training who contributed to the design and interpretation of the research; and (2) participants who published in 2020 were more likely to report being extremely confident in their epidemiological abilities. Conclusions: This study was the first to quantify interdisciplinary training among research teams publishing in epidemiological and clinical journals. Researchers viewed training that prepares clinician-scholars for collaboration with epidemiologists and biostatisticians favorably.
Attributing Minds to Triangles: Kinematics and Observer-Animator Kinematic Similarity predict Mental State Attribution in the Animations Task
Authors: Schuster Bianca A. , Fraser Dagmar S. , Bosch Jasper J. F. van den , Sowden Sophie , Gordon Andrew S. , Huh Dongsung , Cook Jennifer L.
Published: February 2021

The ability to ascribe mental states, such as beliefs or desires to oneself and other individuals forms an integral part of everyday social interaction. One task that has been extensively used to test mental state attribution in a variety of clinical populations is the animations task, where participants are asked to infer mental states from short videos of interacting triangles. In this task, individuals with clinical conditions such as autism spectrum disorders typically offer fewer and less appropriate mental state descriptions than controls, however little is currently known about why they show these difficulties. Previous studies have hinted at the similarity between an observer’s and the triangles’ movements as a key factor for the successful interpretation of these animations. In this study we present a novel adaptation of the animations task, suitable to track and compare animation generator and -observer kinematics. Using this task and a population-derived stimulus database, we demonstrate that an animation’s kinematics and kinematic similarity between observer and generator are integral for the correct identification of that animation. Our results shed light on why some clinical populations show difficulties in this task and highlight the role of participants’ own movement and specific perceptual properties of the stimuli.
Unexpected Morphological Diversity in New Zealand’s Large Diplodactylidae Geckos
Authors: Scarsbrook Lachie , Sherratt Emma , Hitchmough Rod , Fordyce R. Ewan , Rawlence Nicolas J.
Published: February 2021

Prehistoric anthropogenically-mediated extinctions have impacted global biodiversity; however effects on herpetofauna are poorly-documented. New Zealand’s Diplodactylidae geckos exhibit high species-level diversity, largely independent of discernible osteological changes (cryptic). Consequently, taxonomic affinities of isolated skeletal elements (fossils) are primarily determined by relative size, particularly in the identification of Hoplodactylus duvaucelii; New Zealand’s largest extant gecko species. Here, three-dimensional geometric morphometrics of maxillae (a common fossilized element) was used to determine whether consistent shape and size differences exist between genera, and if cryptic extinctions have occurred in ‘Hoplodactylus cf. duvaucelii’. Sampling included 13 Diplodactylidae species from five genera, and 11 Holocene ‘H. cf. duvaucelii’ subfossil individuals. We found phylogenetic history was the most important predictor of maxilla morphology among extant Diplodactylidae genera. Relative size comparisons could only differentiate Hoplodactylus from other genera, with the remaining genera exhibiting variable degrees of overlap. Six subfossils were positively identified as H. duvaucelii, confirming their proposed Holocene distribution throughout New Zealand. Conversely, five subfossils showed no affinities towards any modern Diplodactylidae genera, implying either increased morphological diversity in mainland ‘H. cf. duvaucelii’ or the presence of at least one extinct, large, broad-toed Diplodactylidae species. These results highlight the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on insular reptile diversity.
Single-Port Insufflation Endoscopic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in Early Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Zi-Han , Liu Wei-Hua , Wu Shan-Shan , Tian Yi-Ming , Liu Jun , Gao Guo-Xuan , Xie Fang , Ding Guo-Qian , Qu Xiang
Published: February 2021

PurposeTo compare the oncologic safety, aesthetic outcome, and upper extremity function of single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (SIE-NSM) vs conventional open mastectomy (C-OM) in the treatment of early breast cancer. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 285 stage I and II breast cancer patients were divided into the SIE-NSM group (n = 71) and the C-OM group (n = 214). Local recurrence, distant metastasis, and upper extremity function were compared. Differences in the aesthetic outcome, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being were analyzed by the BREAST-Q scale. Multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to assess the risk of local recurrence. The multivariable linear regression model was performed to evaluate the upper extremity function and the aesthetic outcome.Results Local recurrence rates were similar (p = 0.735), which was also shown by multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. No distant metastases were observed in either group. Satisfaction with breasts, chest well-being, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being scores were superior in the SIE-NSM group (p < 0.001). Chest wall/breast pain, shoulder range of motion, and use of arm in daily life was better for the patients in the SIE-NSM group (p < 0.001). There were no cases of subcutaneous effusion in the SIE-NSM group, while the incidence rate of subcutaneous effusion in the C-OM group was 10.7% (p = 0.004). ConclusionsSIE-NSM is comparable to C-OM in oncologic safety while increasing satisfaction with breasts, physical well-being, psychosocial well-being, sexual well-being, and upper extremity function. This novel method is an appropriate surgical option for early breast cancer treatment.
Optical Characteristics of GaN Thin Film Deposited by Pulsed Laser Ablation 
Authors: Amir Husam Aldin A. Abdul , Alwahib Ali. A. , Fakhri Makram A , Salim Evan T.
Published: February 2021

We present optical data on GaN thin film samples grown by pulsed laser ablation, two different pulsed laser ablation powers. The bandgap of specimens with recognizable crystallinity has been deduced from the optical spectrum data. Longtails were observed below the gap band. In specimens are entirely dependent on the powers of the laser ablation process. The specimens with the highest laser power, 2000 mJ, show that a smaller near band edge emission peaked at 3.32 eV is observed up to room temperature. The maximum energy bandgap 3.62 is possibly observed at 1500 mJ laser energy.
Photoluminescence of Eu(III) Doped Double Perovskite Phosphor for Red LED Application
Authors: VERMA VISHWNATH , Patel Nimesh P. , Murthy K.V.R. , Srin M.
Published: February 2021

The luminescence property of Ba2CeNbO6 has been studying by varying Eu(III) concentration. Ba2CeNbO6 doped with trivalent ions of Eu has a monoclinic phase with P21/n space group. FTIR of Ba2CeNbO6 gives information that phosphor has a nano–size perovskite structure with an edge-connected Nb-O octahedral. Photoluminescence properties of Eu(III) doped Ba2CeNbO6 have been examined with excitation wavelength 275nm and 466 nm. Luminescence emission spectra exhibited three prominent peaks around 580 nm, 596 nm, and 610nm wavelength for Eu(III). Using xenon lamp as a source and having excitation wavelength 275 and 466nm, observing that the maximum light emission yielded in the region presenting a color-correlated temperature in the range of 1500 – 2900 K.
Effect of education on attitude towards domestic violence in Nigeria: an exploration using Propensity score methodology
Authors: Eniade Olanrewaju Davies , Akinyemi Joshua Odunayo , Yusuf Oyindamola Bidemi , Afolabi Rotimi F. , Fawole Olufunmilayo I.
Published: February 2021

Background: Experimental studies remain the gold standard in making causal inference. However, using experimental studies to estimate the effect of education on attitude towards domestic violence (ATDV) is not feasible due to ethical issues. Propensity Score Methodology (PSM) can be used to overcome this challenge. PSM is a statistical technique used in observational studies to estimate the effect of interventions by accounting for covariates that predicts the treatment. Therefore, PSM was used to investigate the effect of education on ATDV among men and women in Nigeria.Methods: A total of 14,495 and 33,419 records were extracted for men and women respectively from the 2016-2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in Nigeria. The outcome variable was ATDV. The treatment variable was education while the covariates were age, residence, geopolitical zones, marital status, ethnicity, parity, wealth index, alcohol use and media exposure (use of television or radio). For the PSM analyses, selection bias was checked among the levels of education using the multinomial logit regression. Propensity scores (PS) and PS weights were generated for the treatment variable and average treatment effects (ATE) of ATDV were estimated using logistic regression that combined regression adjustment and inverse-probability weighting. Descriptive statistics, odds ratios and 95%CI were presented.Results: The mean age of men and women were 30.8±10.2 years and 29±9.4 years respectively. About 16% men 14% women had tertiary education. The proportion of men and women who justified domestic violence (DV) was 22% and 34.5% respectively. Results from the multinomial logit model showed the existence of selection bias between the covariates and level of education (p<0.05). The selection bias was effectively corrected (SD diff ≈ 0, Variance ratio ≈ 1) after estimation of PS. Results from the PSM showed that the odds of ATDV decreased as level of education increased. Men (AOR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.92) and women (AOR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.80, 2.22) who attained tertiary education were less likely to justify DV in comparison to their uneducated counterparts.Conclusion: Education played a crucial role in ATDV among men and women in Nigeria. Tertiary education was protective for ATDV among men and women. The use of PSM effectively controlled for selection bias in estimating the effect of education on ATDV. PSM will enable researchers make causal inference from non-experimental/ cross-sectional studies in situations where randomized control trials are not feasible.
Study of the electronic and magnetic properties of the CoRhMnSn quaternary Heusler alloy
Authors: Benaisti Ilhem , Guechi Nacir , Dehbaoui Mourad , Boukaoud Abdelali
Published: February 2021

Spintronic is a new rising research field aiming to deal with both, the charge and the spin of electrons in order to process and store information. Spins in Heusler alloys offer a pathway toward the integration of information storage and processing in one single device. In this work, and among the less unreported compound, we present and discuss hydrostatic pressure effect on the electronic and magnetic properties of the CoRhMnSn Heusler alloy. The theoretical calculations were carried out using the pseudopotential plane-wave (PP-PW) method with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA-PBEsol). The geometric optimization of the CoRhMnSn crystalline structure was done for pressures ranging from -20 to 50 GPa. The calculated lattice parameter is consistent with both theoretical and experimental reports. The bulk modulus of the considered material is equal to 188 GPa, and therefore, this material has a relatively high resistance to volume changes. Electronic properties were determined by computing the electronic band structure of the titled compound. The obtained results show that the CoRhMnSn compound exhibits a nearly half-metallic (HM) character with a ferromagnetic state at 0GPa, and becomes a perfect HM at 35GPa. The hydrostatic pressure effect caused a significant variation of the spin polarization. The calculated total magnetic moment of CoRhMnSn is close to 5µB, in good agreement with the Slater-Pauling rule.
Spinal Cord Injury: A Study Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of microRNA Alterations
Authors: Tigchelaar Seth Stravers , He Zihuai , Tharin Suzanne
Published: February 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition often resulting in life-long disability, high rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and reduced quality of life. Clinical trials have been hampered in part by a lack of poor diagnostic and prognostic markers of injury severity and neurologic recovery. Furthermore, while many therapies have shown promise in preclinical animal models, there are currently no neurorestorative treatments for SCI. The development of objective biomarkers and novel therapies for SCI represent urgent unmet clinical needs. Biological markers of SCI that objectively stratify the severity of cord damage could greatly expand the depth and scope of clinical trials and represent targets for the development of novel therapies for acute SCI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent promising candidates both as informative molecules of injury severity and recovery, and as therapeutic targets. miRNAs are small, stable, regulatory RNA molecules that are often tissue-specific and evolutionarily conserved across species. miRNAs could represent powerful predictors of pathology, particularly with respect to neurologic disorders. There is great heterogeneity in the current literature describing miRNA changes after SCI with respect to animal species, SCI model, miRNA detection technology, and normalization strategies. Here, we present a protocol to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the conserved inter- and intra-species miRNA changes that occur post-SCI and provide a comprehensive resource for the SCI community.
Mortality of Major Cardiovascular Emergencies among Patients Admitted to Hospitals on Weekends as Compared with Weekdays in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chao-Lun , Kuo Raymond Nien-Chen , Wang Ting-Chuan , Chan K Arnold
Published: February 2021

Background/Objectives: To explore the weekend effect in four major cardiovascular emergenciesDesign: A retrospective cohort studySetting: Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) claims database, 2005~2015Participants: We extracted 3,811 incident cases of ruptured aortic aneurysm, 184,769 incident cases of acute myocardial infarction, 492,127 incident cases of ischemic stroke, and 15,033 incident cases of pulmonary embolism from 9,529,049 patients having at least one record of hospitalization in the NHI database within 2006~2014.Exposures: Admission on weekends or weekdaysMain outcomes and measures: In-hospital mortality and one-year mortality obtained from the Taiwan National Death RegistryResults: We found no difference in in-hospital mortality between weekend group and weekday group in patients with ruptured aortic aneurysm (45.4% vs 45.3%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-1.17, p=0.93), patients with acute myocardial infarction (15.8% vs 16.2%, adjusted OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.00, p=0.10), patients with ischemic stroke (4.1% vs 4.2%, adjusted OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.96-1.03, p=0.71), and patients with pulmonary embolism (14.6% vs 14.6%, adjusted OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.92-1.15, p=0.66). The results persisted for one year in all the four major cardiovascular emergencies. Conclusions: We found no difference in either short-term or long-term mortality between patients admitted on weekends and patients admitted on weekdays in four major cardiovascular emergencies.
Positive selection of skeleton genes during domestication indicates the potential genetic mechanism for loss of flight in ducks
Authors: Zhu Tao , Qi Xin , Chen Yu , Wang Liang , Lv Xueze , Yang Weifang , Zhang Jianwei , Li Kaiyang , Ning Zhonghua , Jiang Zhihua , Qu Lujiang
Published: February 2021

Background

Domestication alters lots of phenotypic, neurologic and physiologic traits between domestic animals and their wild ancestors. Domestic ducks were originated from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and some documents also showed that spot-billed ducks (Anas zonorhyncha) could also genetically contribute a small part to the domestication. Compared with the two ancestral species, domestic ducks generally present changes in body size and bone morphology, which is supposed to lead to loss of fight in domestic ducks. In the present study, we performed both genomic and transcriptomic analysis to identify candidate genes in order to elucidate the genetic mechanism underlying the phenotypic variation.
Results

Our results showed that genes associated with the skeleton systems were positively selected during domestication by Fst analysis between the wild and domestic ducks. We also found that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the breast muscle between the wild and domestic ducks were enriched in the pathway for ossification. Among the genes, FGF14 and EIF2AK3 were also under strong selection by the genomic data, and they were both reported to be associated with limb morphology, bone development and flightlessness in some bird species.
Conclusions

Our study showed that the skeleton related genes were positively selected in the process of domestication, which could also cause the loss of flight in domestic ducks.
Novel insight into the potential pathogenicity of mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from PLP1 duplication mutations in patients with Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease
Authors: Duan Ruoyu , Li Liuju , Yan Huifang , He Miao , Gao Kai , Xing Shijia , Ji Haoran , Wang Jianyong , Cao Binbin , Li Dongxiao , Xie Han , Zhao Shiqun , Wu Ye , Jiang Yuwu , Xiao Jiangxi , Gu Qiang , Li Ming , Zheng Xiaolu , Chen Liangyi , Wang Jingmin
Published: February 2021

Among the hypomyelinating leukodystrophies, Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a representative disorder. The disease is caused by different types of PLP1 mutations, among which PLP1 duplication accounts for ~ 70% of the mutations. Previous studies have shown that PLP1 duplications lead to PLP1 retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); in parallel, recent studies have demonstrated that PLP1 duplication can also lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. As such, the respective roles and interactions of the ER and mitochondria in the pathogenesis of PLP1 duplication are not clear. In both PLP1 patients’ and healthy fibroblasts, we measured mitochondrial respiration with a Seahorse XF Extracellular Analyzer and examined the interactions between the ER and mitochondria with super-resolution microscopy (spinning-disc pinhole-based structured illumination microscopy, SD-SIM). For the first time, we demonstrated that PLP1 duplication mutants had closer ER-mitochondrion interfaces mediated through structural and morphological changes in both the ER and mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). These changes in both the ER and mitochondria then led to mitochondrial dysfunction, as reported previously. This work highlights the roles of MAMs in bridging PLP1 expression in the ER and pathogenic dysfunction in mitochondria, providing novel insight into the pathogenicity of mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from PLP1 duplication. These findings suggest that interactions between the ER and mitochondria may underlie pathogenic mechanisms of hypomyelinating leukodystrophies diseases at the organelle level.
Association of MicroRNA Biogenesis Genes Polymorphisms with Risk of Large Artery Atherosclerosis Stroke
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Gu Jinyu , Shen Chong , Tang Wuzhuang , Xing Xiaoru , Zhang Zhizhong , Liu XinFeng
Published: February 2021

Compelling Convincing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of stroke. This study aimed to examine whether miRNA biogenesis genes polymorphisms are associated with risk of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke. Three polymorphisms (DROSHA rs10719 T > C, RAN rs3803012 A > G, and PIWIL1 rs10773771 C > T) were screened by certain criterion. A total of 1785 (710 cases and 1075 controls) study subjects were included in this study. We found that rs10773771 CC genotype was associated with a decreased risk of LAA stroke (CC vs. TT/CT: OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.46–0.86, P = 3×10− 3). In silico analysis suggested that rs10773771 can change the mRNA secondary structure of PIWIL1 and affect the binding of the miRNAs and regulatory motifs to the 3'-UTR of PIWIL1. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis showed that rs10773771 could change the expression of PIWIL1 in human skin (P = 1.534×10− 10) and thyroid tissues (P = 4.869×10− 6). These findings suggested that PIWIL1 rs10773771 may be associated with a decreased risk of LAA stroke.
New reproduction number and acceleration parameter introduced and applied to COVID-19
Authors: Rebhan Eckhard
Published: February 2021

To characterize the progression of a pandemic, a well interpretable reproduction number is introduced which is easily applicable to many different situations due to its handy analytical form. On the basis of its derivation it can be understood as a cross between a volatile instantaneous reproduction number and the more robust effective reproduction number commonly used. Starting from it, a further quantity, termed acceleration parameter, is introduced, which facilitates a more differentiated characterization of the infection dynamics. In particular, it enables the precise determination of when the limit to exponential growth is reached and exceeded. A variety of possible developments is examined, including linear and exponential growth of the infection numbers as well as sub- and super-exponential growth. It turned out useful to incorporate the incidence as a further epidemiological indicator. It is used for calculating the trace that the progression of the pandemic leaves behind on a plain spanned by itself and the acceleration parameter. This plane can be divided into a dangerous area, where the pandemic becomes uncontrollable, and a safer area that must be the target of mitigation efforts. At present, many countries and the world as a whole are mired in the dangerous area.
Subpacket Structure in Strong VLF Chorus Rising Tones: Characteristics and Consequences for Radiation Belt Acceleration
Authors: Foster John C. , Erickson Philip J. , Omura Yoshiharu
Published: February 2021

Van Allen Probes in situ observations are used to examine detailed subpacket structure observed in strong VLF (very low frequency) rising tone chorus elements observed at the time of a rapid MeV electron energization in the inner magnetosphere. Analysis of the frequency gap between lower and upper chorus-band waves identifies fceEQ, the electron gyrofrequency in the equatorial wave generation region. Initial subpackets in these strong chorus rising-tone elements begin at a frequency near 1/4 fceEQ, exhibit smooth gradual frequency increase across their > 10 ms temporal duration. A second much stronger subpacket is seen at frequencies around the local value of 1/4 fce with small wave normal angle (< 10 deg) and steeply rising df/dt. Smooth frequency and phase variation across and between the initial subpackets supports continuous phase trapping of resonant electrons and increased potential for MeV electron acceleration. The total energy gain for seed electrons with energies between 100 keV and 3 MeV ranges between 2 % and 15 %, in their nonlinear interaction with a single chorus element.
SARS-CoV-2 variants show resistance to neutralization by many monoclonal and serum-derived polyclonal antibodies
Authors: Diamond Michael , Chen Rita , Xie Xuping , Case James , Zhang Xianwen , VanBlargan Laura , Liu Yang , Liu Jianying , Errico John , Winkler Emma , Suryadevara Naveenchandra , Tahan Stephen , Turner Jackson , Kim Wooseob , Schmitz Aaron , Thapa Mahima , Wang David , Boon Andrianus , Pinto Dora , Presti Rachel , O’Halloran Jane , Kim Alfred , Deepak Parakkal , Fremont Daved , Corti Davide , Virgin Herbert , Crowe James , Droit Lindsay , Ellebedy Ali , Shi Pei-Yong , Gilchuk Pavlo
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the global COVID-19 pandemic infecting more than 106 million people and causing 2.3 million deaths. The rapid deployment of antibody-based countermeasures has provided hope for curtailing disease and ending the pandemic1. However, the emergence of rapidly-spreading SARS-CoV-2 variants in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and elsewhere with mutations in the spike protein has raised concern for escape from neutralizing antibody responses and loss of vaccine efficacy based on preliminary data with pseudoviruses2-4. Here, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), animal immune sera, human convalescent sera, and human sera from recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine, we report the impact on antibody neutralization of a panel of authentic SARS-CoV-2 variants including a B.1.1.7 isolate, a chimeric Washington strain with a South African spike gene (Wash SA-B.1.351), and isogenic recombinant variants with designed mutations or deletions at positions 69-70, 417, 484, 501, and/or 614 of the spike protein. Several highly neutralizing mAbs engaging the receptor binding domain (RBD) or N-terminal domain (NTD) lost inhibitory activity against Wash SA-B.1.351 or recombinant variants with an E484K spike mutation. Most convalescent sera and virtually all mRNA vaccine-induced immune sera tested showed markedly diminished neutralizing activity against the Wash SA-B.1.351 strain or recombinant viruses containing mutations at position 484 and 501. We also noted that cell line selection used for growth of virus stocks or neutralization assays can impact the potency of antibodies against different SARS-CoV-2 variants, which has implications for assay standardization and congruence of results across laboratories. As several antibodies binding specific regions of the RBD and NTD show loss-of-neutralization potency in vitro against emerging variants, updated mAb cocktails, targeting of highly conserved regions, enhancement of mAb potency, or adjustments to the spike sequences of vaccines may be needed to prevent loss of protection in vivo.
Clinical efficacy of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) versus Sham therapy (Part I) and TTNS versus Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) (Part II) on the short term in children with the idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome: Protocol for Part I of the two-fold double blinded randomized controlled TaPaS trial.
Authors: Ghijselings Lynn , Renson Catherine , Walle Johan Vande , Everaert Karel , Spinoit Anne-Françoise
Published: February 2021

Background: Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) are effective and safe therapies for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in adults. However, few randomized sham-controlled trials have been conducted in a paediatric population. To our knowledge, both therapies never have been compared in children.Aim: The aim of the complete study is twofold: 1) To assess the efficacy of TTNS therapy on bladder symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment in a paediatric population with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (iOAB) and/or nocturnal enuresis (part I). 2) To assess the effect of TTNS compared to PTNS (part II). In this article, we aim to present the protocol of the first part of the TaPaS trial (TTNS, PTNS, Sham therapy). Methods: Part I of the TaPaS trial is set up as a single-centre randomized-controlled trial. Children, aged from 5 to 12 years with iOAB and/or nocturnal enuresis, are assigned to two groups by computer-generated randomization: TTNS therapy (intervention) and sham therapy (control). The primary outcome is the percentage difference in average voided volume (AVV) between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints are the percentage difference in supervoids volumes, number of urinary incontinence episodes/24 hours and in voiding frequency, the difference in parent reported outcomes between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment and the duration of clinical response. Discussion: We hypothesize that TTNS is a non-inferior treatment for iOAB in children compared to PTNS therapy. Since literature is inconclusive about the efficacy of TTNS in a paediatric population, a sham controlled RCT on TTNS will be conducted (part I). A protocol for a prospective randomized sham-controlled trial has been developed. Enrolment has started in November 2018. Study completion of part I is expected by August 2021.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 04256876. Retrospectively registered on February 5, 2020. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04256876
Effects of three methods of breast milk expression on breastfeeding initiation, breast milk extraction and proportion of exclusive breastfeeding—an open label, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Yun , Ni Jiaying , Zhou Chenchen , Chen Ying , Little Julian , Zhang Lin
Published: February 2021

Background Direct breastfeeding has multiple health benefits. However, in certain circumstances direct breastfeeding is not possible immediately after delivery, yet provision of infants with their mother’s milk is important. There is insufficient evidence regarding an effective method of breast milk expression in the absence of an infant's suction. Therefore, we undertook a trial to investigate the effects of different methods of breast milk expression on breastfeeding initiation, efficacy of breast milk extraction, and on the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Methods The participants of mother-infant dyads separated immediately after birth for at least 6 hrs were recruited and randomly assigned (1:1:1) into three groups: (1) hand expression of breast milk; (2) sequential and (3) simultaneous electrical breast pumping. The two primary outcome measures were the time required for initiation of breastfeeding and the milk volume expressed in a 10-minute session (direct breastfeeding in hand expression group) at 3 days and at 6 weeks; a secondary outcome was the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 and 6 months. The data were analysed according to intention-to-treat. Results Between 2018 and 2019, we recruited 226 participants, of whom 154 were randomized. The median time (in hours) of breastfeeding initiation of the sequential (46.5, 95% CI 36.1-50.5) and simultaneous (45.6, 95% CI 34.2-53.0) breast pumping groups did not differ from those of hand expression group (46.7, 95% CI 40.8-50.0) (p=1.000). At 3 days the breast milk volume (10 min per breast) through simultaneous pumping (13.1±10.9 ml), but not sequential pumping (16.7±11.6 ml) (p=0.560), was significantly less than hand expression (23.8±26.2 ml through direct sucking) (p=0.007). At 6 weeks the breast milk volume through sequential pumping (64.7±51.0 ml), but not simultaneous pumping (71.6±50.8 ml) (p=0.670), was significantly less than hand expression (89.8±67.3 ml through direct sucking) (p=0.035). The breast milk volume obtained through sequential breast pumping was 37.9 ml less than that obtained by those of simultaneous pumping (p<0.001). The rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months was 21.0%, and at 6 months 10.6%, and did not differ between the three methods of breast milk expression. Conclusions Hand expression, sequential breast pumping, or simultaneous breast pumping in absence of immediate infant suction after birth did not show differences on the time required to initiate breastfeeding, or on the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 and 6 months. Trial registration This trial was registered with www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1800018193) on 4 September 2018.