bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binge Alcohol Drinking Alters Synaptic Processing of Executive and Emotional Information in Core Nucleus Accumbens Medium Spiny Neurons
Authors: Kolpakova Jenya , van der Vinne Vincent , Giménez-Gómez Pablo , Le Timmy , You In-Jee , Zhao-Shea Rubing , Velazquez-Marrero Cristina , Tapper Andrew R. , Martin Gilles E.
Published: November 2021

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a forebrain region mediating the positive-reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse, including alcohol. It receives glutamatergic projections from multiple forebrain and limbic regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFCx) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), respectively. However, it is unknown how NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) integrate PFCx and BLA inputs, and how this integration is affected by alcohol exposure. Because progress has been hampered by the inability to independently stimulate different pathways, we implemented a dual wavelength optogenetic approach to selectively and independently stimulate PFCx and BLA NAc inputs within the same brain slice. This approach functionally demonstrates that PFCx and BLA inputs synapse onto the same MSNs where they reciprocally inhibit each other pre-synaptically in a strict time-dependent manner. In alcohol-naïve mice, this temporal gating of BLA-inputs by PFCx afferents is stronger than the reverse, revealing that MSNs prioritize high-order executive processes information from the PFCx. Importantly, binge alcohol drinking alters this reciprocal inhibition by unilaterally strengthening BLA inhibition of PFCx inputs. In line with this observation, we demonstrate thatin vivooptogenetic stimulation of the BLA, but not PFCx, blocks binge alcohol drinking escalation in mice. Overall, our results identify NAc MSNs as a key integrator of executive and emotional information and show that this integration is dysregulated during binge alcohol drinking.
Analysis of the Neuron Dynamics in Thalamic Reticular Nucleus by a Reduced Model
Authors: Wang Chaoming , Li Shangyang , Wu Si
Published: November 2021

Strategically located between the thalamus and the cortex, the inhibitory thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a hub to regulate selective attention during wakefulness and control the thalamic and cortical oscillations during sleep. A salient feature of TRN neurons contributing to these functions is their characteristic firing patterns, ranging in a continuum from tonic spiking to bursting spiking. However, the dynamical mechanism under these firing behaviors is not well understood. In this study, by applying a reduction method to a full conductance-based neuron model, we construct a reduced three-variable model to investigate the dynamics of TRN neurons. We show that the reduced model can effectively reproduce the spiking patterns of TRN neurons as observed in vivo and in vitro experiments, and meanwhile allow us to perform bifurcation analysis of the spiking dynamics. Specifically, we demonstrate that the rebound bursting of a TRN neuron is a type of “fold/homo-clinic” bifurcation, and the tonic spiking is the fold cycle bifurcation. Further one-parameter bifurcation analysis reveals that the transition between these discharge patterns can be controlled by the external current. We expect that this reduced neuron model will help us to further study the complicated dynamics and functions of the TRN network.
Epileptogenic Zone Location of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy by Cross-Frequency Coupling Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaotong , Han Fang , Fu Rui , Wang Qingyun , Luan Guoming
Published: November 2021

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease with dysfunctional brain networks, and electroencephalography (EEG) is an important tool for epileptogenic zone (EZ) identification, with rich information about frequencies. Different frequency oscillations have different contributions to brain function, and cross-frequency coupling (CFC) has been found to exist within brain regions. Cross-channel and inter-channel analysis should be both focused because they help to analyze how epilepsy networks change and also localize the EZ. In this paper, we analyzed long-term stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) data from 17 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Single-channel and cross-channel CFC features were combined to establish functional brain networks, and the network characteristics under different periods and the localization of EZ were analyzed. It was observed that theta–gamma phase amplitude coupling (PAC) within the electrodes in the seizure region increased during the ictal (p < 0.05). Theta–gamma and delta–gamma PAC of cross-channel were enhanced in the early and mid-late ictal, respectively. It was also found that there was a strong cross-frequency coupling state between channels of EZ in the functional network during the ictal, along with a more regular network than interictal. The accuracy rate of EZ localization was 82.4%. Overall, the combination of single-channel and multi-channel cross-band coupling analysis can help identify seizures and localize EZ for temporal lobe epilepsy. Rhythmic coupling reveals a relationship between the functional network and the seizure status of epilepsy.
Normative Data for the NeuroCom® Sensory Organization Test in Subjects Aged 80–89 Years
Authors: Perucca Laura , Robecchi Majnardi Antonio , Frau Silvia , Scarano Stefano
Published: November 2021

Aging is known to increase the risk of falling. In older people, whose share in the total population is rising sharply, the Sensory Organization Test (SOT, Equitest NeuroCom) is a useful tool during rehabilitation and in clinical research for assessing postural stability, risk of falling, and balance improvement. Normative data for the SOT in the healthy population older than 79 years have not been previously published. We recruited 53 recreationally active healthy subjects aged 80 years and older from the general population in a cross-sectional study. We presented the normative data for SOT for the 80–84 and 85–89 years groups. Our results showed that the “vestibular” balance control tended to be affected by aging more than the vision and proprioception-based systems. A striking reduction in performance after the age of 85 years was observed. These findings will be useful for clinical and research purposes.
Alleviation of Postharvest Chilling Injury of Carambola Fruit by γ-aminobutyric Acid: Physiological, Biochemical, and Structural Characterization
Authors: Ngaffo Mekontso Francine , Duan Wenhui , Cisse El Hadji Malick , Chen Tianye , Xu Xiangbin
Published: November 2021

Chilling injury is a physiological disorder affecting the quality of carambola fruit. In the present study, the effect of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on CI development in carambola fruit during storage at 4°C for 15 days was investigated. The results showed that 2.5-mM GABA reduced CI index, maintained pericarp lightness, and decreased the electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde content (MDA) while increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities. Endogenous GABA content was significantly higher in the treated fruit than in the control fruit during the whole storage. Besides, the treatment promoted the accumulation of proline and ascorbic acid (AsA) under chilling stress. Compared to the control, GABA-treated fruit exhibited a higher activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and total phenolic compounds, and a lower activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In addition, the Safranin O/fast green staining revealed via microscopic images that the GABA treatment reduced the cell walls degradation of carambola fruit. Moreover, the results displayed a lower activity of phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, which coincided with a higher content of oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2n6), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) after 15 days of treatment, leading to the maintenance of the integrity and prevention of the membrane of the rapid softening of carambola fruit. The findings of the present work showed particularly new insights into the crosstalk between GABA and fatty acids. GABA might preserve the pericarp of carambola fruit by increasing the content of the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) γ-linolenic acid and reducing the saturated fatty acid (SFA) such as caproic acid (C6:0), caprylic acid (C8:0), myristic acid (C14:0), and palmitic acid (C16:0) progressively. GABA can be used as an appropriate postharvest technology for improving the quality of carambola fruit during low-temperature storage.
A Double-Edged Sword Role of Cytokines in Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Mao Chenyu , Ding Yongfeng , Xu Nong
Published: November 2021

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies among men and is the second leading cause of cancer death. PC immunotherapy has taken relatively successful steps in recent years, and these treatments are still being developed and tested. Evidence suggests that immunotherapy using cytokines as essential mediators in the immune system may help treat cancer. It has been shown that cytokines play an important role in anti-tumor defense. On the other hand, other cytokines can also favor the tumor and suppress anti-tumor responses. Moreover, the dose of cytokine in cancer cytokine-based immunotherapy, as well as the side effects of high doses, can also affect the outcomes of treatment. Cytokines can also be determinative in the outcome of other immunotherapy methods used in PC. In this review, the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of cancer and their impacts on the main types of immunotherapies in the treatment of PC are discussed.
Case Report: Detection of Symptomatic Treatment-Related Changes in a Patient With Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma Using FET PET
Authors: Bauer Elena Katharina , Werner Jan-Michael , Fink Gereon R. , Langen Karl-Josef , Galldiks Norbert
Published: November 2021

Following local and systemic treatment of gliomas, the differentiation between glioma relapse and treatment-related changes such as pseudoprogression or radiation necrosis using conventional MRI is limited. To overcome this limitation, various amino acid PET tracers such as O-[2-(18F)-fluoroethyl]-L-tyrosine (FET) are increasingly used and provide valuable additional clinical information. We here report neuroimaging findings in a clincally symptomatic 53-year-old woman with a recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma with MRI findings highly suspicious for tumor progression. In contrast, FET PET imaging suggested treatment-related changes considerably earlier than the regression of contrast enhancement on MRI. In patients with oligodendroglioma, the phenomenon of symptomatic treatment-related changes is not well described, making these imaging findings unique and important for clinical decision-making.
Prognosis for Cutaneous Melanoma by Clinical and Pathological Profile: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Bardin Andrea , Damiani Giovanni , Zorzi Manuel , De Toni Chiara , Fusinato Riccardo , Spina Romina , Vecchiato Antonella , Del Fiore Paolo , Mocellin Simone , Baldo Vincenzo , Rugge Massimo , Rossi Carlo Riccardo
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Among white people, the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) has been increasing steadily for several decades. Meanwhile, there has also been a significant improvement in 5-year survival among patients with melanoma. This population-based cohort study investigates the five-year melanoma-specific survival (MSS) for all melanoma cases recorded in 2015 in the Veneto Tumor Registry (North-Est Italian Region), taking both demographic and clinical-pathological variables into consideration.

Methods

The cumulative melanoma-specific survival probabilities were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, applying different sociodemographic and clinical-pathological variables. Cox’s proportional hazards model was fitted to the data to assess the association between independent variables and MSS, and also overall survival (OS), calculating the hazard ratios (HR) relative to a reference condition, and adjusting for sex, age, site of tumor, histotype, melanoma ulceration, mitotic count, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), and stage at diagnosis.

Results

Compared with stage I melanoma, the risk of death was increased for stage II (HR 3.31, 95% CI: 0.94-11.76, p=0.064), almost ten times higher for stage III (HR 10.51, 95% CI: 3.16-35.02, p<0.001), and more than a hundred times higher for stage IV (HR 117.17, 95% CI: 25.30-542.62, p<0.001). Among the other variables included in the model, the presence of mitoses and histological subtype emerged as independent risk factors for death.

Conclusions

The multivariable analysis disclosed that older age, tumor site, histotype, mitotic count, and tumor stage were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Data on survival by clinical and morphological characteristics could be useful in modelling, planning, and managing the most appropriate treatment and follow-up for patients with CMM.
Mean Corpuscular Volume as a Prognostic Factor for Patients With Habitual Alcohol or Tobacco Use After Esophagectomy
Authors: Huang Shu-jie , Zhan Peng-fei , Chen Shao-bin
Published: November 2021

Background

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent surgical resection.

Methods

A total of 615 patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the standard MCV: the high MCV group (>100 fl) and the low MCV group (≤100 fl). Survival analyses were performed to calculate overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) and investigate the independent prognostic factors.

Results

Fifty-one patients (8.3%) were in the high MCV group, and the other 564 patients (91.7%) were defined as the low MCV group. MCV was significantly correlated with sex, habitual alcohol or tobacco use, tumor length, body mass index, and multiple primary malignancies (P < 0.05). Elevated MCV was significantly correlated with poor survival in univariate and multivariate analyses. However, in subgroup analyses, MCV was found to be correlated with survival only in patients with alcohol or tobacco consumption and not in patients without alcohol or tobacco consumption.

Conclusions

Pretreatment MCV was correlated with survival in ESCC patients after esophagectomy. However, its prognostic value might only exist in patients with alcohol or tobacco consumption.
COL5A1 Serves as a Biomarker of Tumor Progression and Poor Prognosis and May Be a Potential Therapeutic Target in Gliomas
Authors: Gu Sujie , Peng Zesheng , Wu Yuxi , Wang Yihao , Lei Deqiang , Jiang Xiaobing , Zhao Hongyang , Fu Peng
Published: November 2021

Glioma is the most common malignancy of the central nervous system. Although advances in surgical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have been achieved in the last decades, the prognosis of gliomas is still dismal. COL5A1 is one of the collagen members with minor content but prominent functions. The present study examined the biological functions, prognostic value, and gene-associated tumor-infiltrating immune cells of COL5A1 through experiments and bioinformatics analysis. We found that the overexpression of COL5A1 was positively correlated with the increasing tumor malignancies and indicated poor prognosis in gliomas. Moreover, downregulation of COL5A1 could inhibit proliferation and migration of glioma cells and enhance their temozolomide sensitivities in vitro. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed that COL5A1 and its co-expressed genes participated in a number of pathways and biological processes involved in glioma progression. Finally, we evaluated the tumor-infiltrating immune cells of gliomas depending on COL5A1 and found that the percentages of the dendritic cells, which were known as the central mediator of tumor microenvironment in gliomas, were positively associated with the expression levels of COL5A1. Taken together, COL5A1 is an important biomarker and potential therapeutic target of gliomas.
A System Pharmacology Model for Decoding the Synergistic Mechanisms of Compound Kushen Injection in Treating Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Kexin , Chen Yupeng , Cai Jieqi , Qin Xuemei , Lu Aiping , Guan Daogang , Qin Genggeng , Chen Weiguo
Published: November 2021

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors among women worldwide and can be treated using various methods; however, side effects of these treatments cannot be ignored. Increasing evidence indicates that compound kushen injection (CKI) can be used to treat BC. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by “multi-components” and “multi-targets”, which make it challenging to clarify the potential therapeutic mechanisms of CKI on BC. Herein, we designed a novel system pharmacology strategy using differentially expressed gene analysis, pharmacokinetics synthesis screening, target identification, network analysis, and docking validation to construct the synergy contribution degree (SCD) and therapeutic response index (TRI) model to capture the critical components responding to synergistic mechanisms of CKI in BC. Through our designed mathematical models, we defined 24 components as a high contribution group of synergistic components (HCGSC) from 113 potentially active components of CKI based on ADME parameters. Pathway enrichment analysis of HCGSC targets indicated that Rhizoma Heterosmilacis and Radix Sophorae Flavescentis could synergistically target the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the cAMP signaling pathway to treat BC. Additionally, TRI analysis showed that the average affinity of HCGSC and targets involved in the key pathways reached -6.47 kcal/mmol, while in vitro experiments proved that two of the three high TRI-scored components in the HCGSC showed significant inhibitory effects on breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. These results demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed strategy.
The Identification of the Biomarkers of Sheng-Ji Hua-Yu Formula Treated Diabetic Wound Healing Using Modular Pharmacology
Authors: Jiang Jing-Si , Zhang Ying , Luo Ying , Ru Yi , Luo Yue , Fei Xiao-Ya , Song Jian-Kun , Ding Xiao-Jie , Zhang Zhan , Yang Dan , Yin Shuang-Yi , Zhang Hui-Ping , Liu Tai-Yi , Li Bin , Kuai Le
Published: November 2021

Sheng-Ji Hua-Yu (SJHY) formula has been proved to reduce the severity of diabetic wound healing without significant adverse events in our previous clinical trials. However, based on multi-target characteristics, the regulatory network among herbs, ingredients, and hub genes remains to be elucidated. The current study aims to identify the biomarkers of the SJHY formula for the treatment of diabetic wound healing. First, a network of components and targets for the SJHY formula was constructed using network pharmacology. Second, the ClusterONE algorithm was used to build a modular network and identify hub genes along with kernel pathways. Third, we verified the kernel targets by molecular docking to select hub genes. In addition, the biomarkers of the SJHY formula were validated by animal experiments in a diabetic wound healing mice model. The results revealed that the SJHY formula downregulated the mRNA expression of Cxcr4, Oprd1, and Htr2a, while upregulated Adrb2, Drd, Drd4, and Hrh1. Besides, the SJHY formula upregulated the kernel pathways, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, and cAMP signaling pathway in the skin tissue homogenate of the diabetic wound healing mice model. In summary, this study identified the potential targets and kernel pathways, providing additional evidence for the clinical application of the SJHY formula for the treatment of diabetic wound healing.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Camrelizumab Versus Chemotherapy as Second-Line Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cai Hongfu , Xu Baohua , Li Na , Zheng Bin , Zheng Zhiwei , Liu Maobai
Published: November 2021

Background: This study aimed to analyze the cost effectiveness of camrelizumab in the second-line treatment of advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China.

Methods: On the basis of the ESCORT clinical trial, a partitioned survival model was constructed to simulate the patient’s lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One-way sensitivity and probability sensitivity analyses were performed to test the stability of the model.

Results: Treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with camrelizumab added 0.36 QALYs and resulted in an incremental cost of $1,439.64 compared with chemotherapy, which had an ICER of $3,999 per QALY gained. The ICER was far lower than the threshold of willingness to pay for one time the GDP per capita in China. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the ICERs were most sensitive to the cost of drugs, but the parameters did not have a major effect on the results of the model.

Conclusion: Camrelizumab is likely to be a cost-effective option compared with chemotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This informs patient selection and clinical path development.
Up-Regulation of p53/miR-628-3p Pathway, a Novel Mechanism of Shikonin on Inhibiting Proliferation and Inducing Apoptosis of A549 and PC-9 Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Pan Jieli , Li Meiya , Yu Fenglin , Zhu Feiye , Wang Linyan , Ning Dandan , Hou Xiaoli , Jiang Fusheng
Published: November 2021

Shikonin (SHK) is a pleiotropic agent with remarkable cell growth inhibition activity against various cancer types, especially non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Our previous study found that miR-628-3p could inhibit the growth of A549 cells and induce its apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-628-3p promoter sequence contained p53 binding sites. Considering the regulatory effect of SHK on p53, we speculate that SHK may inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of NSCLC cells by up-regulating miR-628-3p. CCK-8 and EdU assay confirmed the inhibitory effect of SHK on A549 and PC-9 cells. Meanwhile, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed that SHK could promote the expression of p53 and miR-628-3p in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of p53 or miR-628-3p can inhibit the growth and promote apoptosis of A549 and PC-9 cells, while silencing p53 or miR-628-3p has the opposite effect. Dual luciferase reporting assay and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assay further verified the direct interaction between p53 and the promoter of miR-628-3p. Gene knockdown for p53 or miR-628-3p confirmed that SHK inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis of A549 and PC-9 cells at least partly by up-regulating p53/miR-628-3p signaling pathway. Therefore, these novel findings provide an alternative approach to target p53/miR-628-3p axis and could be used for the development of new treatment strategies for NSCLC.
Mini-Review: GSDME-Mediated Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Li Wen , Sun Jing , Zhou Xiaoxi , Lu Yue , Cui Wenpeng , Miao Lining
Published: November 2021

Pyroptosis is a recently identified type of lytic programmed cell death, in which pores form in the plasma membrane, and cells swell, rupture, and then release their contents, including inflammatory cytokines. Molecular studies indicated that pyroptosis may occur via a gasdermin D (GSDMD) and caspase-1 (Casp1) -dependent classical pathway, a GSDMD and Casp11/4/5-dependent non-classical pathway, or a gasdermin E (GSDME) and Casp3-dependent pathway. Studies of animal models and humans indicated that pyroptosis can exacerbate several complications of diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy (DN), a serious microvascular complication of diabetes. Many studies investigated the mechanism mediating the renoprotective effect of GSDMD regulation in the kidneys of patients and animal models with diabetes. As a newly discovered regulatory mechanism, GSDME and Casp3-dependent pyroptotic pathway in the progression of DN has also attracted people’s attention. Z-DEVD-FMK, an inhibitor of Casp3, ameliorates albuminuria, improves renal function, and reduces tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic mice, and these effects are associated with the inhibition of GSDME. Studies of HK-2 cells indicated that the molecular and histological features of secondary necrosis were present following glucose stimulation due to GSDME cleavage, such as cell swelling, and release of cellular contents. Therefore, therapies targeting Casp3/GSDME-dependent pyroptosis have potential for treatment of DN. A novel nephroprotective strategy that employs GSDME-derived peptides which are directed against Casp3-induced cell death may be a key breakthrough. This mini-review describes the discovery and history of research in this pyroptosis pathway and reviews the function of proteins in the gasdermin family, with a focus on the role of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in DN. Many studies have investigated the impact of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in kidney diseases, and these studies used multiple interventions, in vitro models, and in vivo models. We expect that further research on the function of GDSME in DN may provide valuable insights that may help to improve treatments for this disease.
A Review of Topological Semimetal Phases in Photonic Artificial Microstructures
Authors: Xie Boyang , Liu Hui , Wang Haonan , Cheng Hua , Tian Jianguo , Chen Shuqi
Published: November 2021

In the past few years, the concept of topological matter has inspired considerable research in broad areas of physics. In particular, photonic artificial microstructures like photonic crystals and metamaterials provide a unique platform to investigate topologically non-trivial physics in spin-1 electromagnetic fields. Three-dimensional (3D) topological semimetal band structures, which carry non-trivial topological charges, are fundamental to 3D topological physics. Here, we review recent progress in understanding 3D photonic topological semimetal phases and various approaches for realizing them, especially with photonic crystals or metamaterials. We review topological gapless band structures and topological surface states aroused from the non-trivial bulk topology. Weyl points, 3D Dirac points, nodal lines, and nodal surfaces of different types are discussed. We also demonstrate their application in coupling spin-polarized electromagnetic waves, anomalous reflection, vortex beams generation, bulk transport, and non-Hermitian effects.
Angiotensin II and the Renal Hemodynamic Response to an Isolated Increased Renal Venous Pressure in Rats
Authors: Huang Xiaohua , Hamza Shereen M. , Zhuang Wenqing , Cupples William A. , Braam Branko
Published: November 2021

Elevated central venous pressure increases renal venous pressure (RVP) which can affect kidney function. We previously demonstrated that increased RVP reduces renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal vascular conductance (RVC). We now investigate whether the RAS and RBF autoregulation are involved in the renal hemodynamic response to increased RVP. Angiotensin II (ANG II) levels were clamped by infusion of ANG II after administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in male Lewis rats. This did not prevent the decrease in ipsilateral RBF (−1.9±0.4ml/min, p<0.05) and GFR (−0.77±0.18ml/min, p<0.05) upon increased RVP; however, it prevented the reduction in RVC entirely. Systemically, the RVP-induced decline in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was more pronounced in ANG II clamped animals vs. controls (−22.4±4.1 vs. −9.9±2.3mmHg, p<0.05), whereas the decrease in heart rate (HR) was less (−5±6bpm vs. −23±4bpm, p<0.05). In animals given vasopressin to maintain a comparable MAP after ACE inhibition (ACEi), increased RVP did not impact MAP and HR. RVC also did not change (0.018±0.008ml/minˑmmHg), and the reduction of GFR was no longer significant (−0.54±0.15ml/min). Furthermore, RBF autoregulation remained intact and was reset to a lower level when RVP was increased. In conclusion, RVP-induced renal vasoconstriction is attenuated when ANG II is clamped or inhibited. The systemic effect of increased RVP, a decrease in HR related to a mild decrease in blood pressure, is attenuated also during ANG II clamp. Last, RBF autoregulation remains intact when RVP is elevated and is reduced to lower levels of RBF. This suggests that in venous congestion, the intact RBF autoregulation could be partially responsible for the vasoconstriction.
Salt Stress Induces Paramylon Accumulation and Fine-Tuning of the Macro-Organization of Thylakoid Membranes in Euglena gracilis Cells
Authors: Kanna Sai Divya , Domonkos Ildikó , Kóbori Tímea Ottília , Dergez Ágnes , Böde Kinga , Nagyapáti Sarolta , Zsiros Ottó , Ünnep Renáta , Nagy Gergely , Garab Gyözö , Szilák László , Solymosi Katalin , Kovács László , Ughy Bettina
Published: November 2021

The effects of salt stress condition on the growth, morphology, photosynthetic performance, and paramylon content were examined in the mixotrophic, unicellular, flagellate Euglena gracilis. We found that salt stress negatively influenced cell growth, accompanied by a decrease in chlorophyll (Chl) content. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed the changes in the macro-organization of pigment-protein complexes due to salt treatment, while the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) investigations suggested a reduction in the thylakoid stacking, an effect confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At the same time, the analysis of the thylakoid membrane complexes using native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed no significant change in the composition of supercomplexes of the photosynthetic apparatus. Salt stress did not substantially affect the photosynthetic activity, as reflected by the fact that Chl fluorescence yield, electron transport rate (ETR), and energy transfer between the photosystems did not change considerably in the salt-grown cells. We have observed notable increases in the carotenoid-to-Chl ratio and the accumulation of paramylon in the salt-treated cells. We propose that the accumulation of storage polysaccharides and changes in the pigment composition and thylakoid membrane organization help the adaptation of E. gracilis cells to salt stress and contribute to the maintenance of cellular processes under stress conditions.
Morus alba L. Leaves – Integration of Their Transcriptome and Metabolomics Dataset: Investigating Potential Genes Involved in Flavonoid Biosynthesis at Different Harvest Times
Authors: Xu Ding-Qiao , Cheng Shu-Yan , Zhang Jun-Qing , Lin Han-Feng , Chen Yan-Yan , Yue Shi-Jun , Tian Meng , Tang Yu-Ping , Zhao Yu-Cheng
Published: November 2021

The mulberry leaf is a classic herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has also been used as animal feed for livestock and its fruits have been made into a variety of food products. Traditionally, mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf harvesting after frost is thought to have better medicinal properties, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unsolved. To elucidate the biological basis of mulberry leaves after frost, we first explored the content changes of various compounds in mulberry leaves at different harvest times. Significant enrichment of flavonoids was observed with a total of 224 differential metabolites after frost. Subsequently, we analyzed the transcriptomic data of mulberry leaves collected at different harvest times and successfully annotated 22,939 unigenes containing 1,695 new genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed 26, 20, and 59 unigenes related to flavonoids synthesis in three different groups harvested at different times. We found that the expression levels of flavonoid biosynthesis-related unigenes also increased when harvested at a delayed time, which was consistent with the flavonoid accumulation discovered by the metabolomic analysis. The results indicated that low temperature may be a key trigger in flavonoid biosynthesis of mulberry leaves by increasing the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes. This study also provided a theoretical basis for the optimal harvest time of mulberry leaves.
Fine Root Growth of Black Spruce Trees and Understory Plants in a Permafrost Forest Along a North-Facing Slope in Interior Alaska
Authors: Noguchi Kyotaro , Matsuura Yojiro , Morishita Tomoaki , Toriyama Jumpei , Kim Yongwon
Published: November 2021

Permafrost forests play an important role in the global carbon budget due to the huge amounts of carbon stored below ground in these ecosystems. Although fine roots are considered to be a major pathway of belowground carbon flux, separate contributions of overstory trees and understory shrubs to fine root dynamics in these forests have not been specifically characterized in relation to permafrost conditions, such as active layer thickness. In this study, we investigated fine root growth and morphology of trees and understory shrubs using ingrowth cores with two types of moss substrates (feather- and Sphagnum mosses) in permafrost black spruce (Picea mariana) stands along a north-facing slope in Interior Alaska, where active layer thickness varied substantially. Aboveground biomass, litterfall production rate, and fine root mass were also examined. Results showed that aboveground biomass, fine root mass, and fine root growth of black spruce trees tended to decrease downslope, whereas those of understory Ericaceae shrubs increased. Belowground allocation (e.g., ratio of fine root growth/leaf litter production) increased downslope in both of black spruce and understory plants. These results suggested that, at a lower slope, belowground resource availability was lower than at upper slope, but higher light availability under open canopy seemed to benefit the growth of the understory shrubs. On the other hand, understory shrubs were more responsive to the moss substrates than black spruce, in which Sphagnum moss substrates increased fine root growth of the shrubs as compared with feather moss substrates, whereas the effect was unclear for black spruce. This is probably due to higher moisture contents in Sphagnum moss substrates, which benefited the growth of small diameter (high specific root length) fine roots of understory shrubs. Hence, the contribution of understory shrubs to fine root growth was greater at lower slope than at upper slope, or in Sphagnum than in feather-moss substrates in our study site. Taken together, our data show that fine roots of Ericaceae shrubs are a key component in belowground carbon flux at permafrost black spruce forests with shallow active layer and/or with Sphagnum dominated forest floor.
Sensory Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty Influence Anxiety in Autistic Adults
Authors: Normansell-Mossa Karys M. , Top D. Nicholas , Russell Nicholas , Freeston Mark , Rodgers Jacqui , South Mikle
Published: November 2021

Several models of anxiety in autistic adults have focused on the role of intolerance of uncertainty which has biological and evolutionary bases, as a cognitive explanation for the high prevalence of anxiety in autism. This framework suggests that all people are born with a healthy level of intolerance of uncertainty, and as we develop, this intolerance is lessened as we learn when situations are safe and begin to understand and manage the uncertainty. This process of learning about managing uncertainty does not happen in the same way in those who are high in autistic traits, which could be the reason for the high levels of anxiety symptoms commonly seen in this population. We examined archival data of 199 non-autistic and 55 autistic adults from prior studies in which we collected self-report measures of autistic traits, intolerance of uncertainty, sensory processing, and anxiety. We conducted two path analyses to examine the role of intolerance of uncertainty in anxiety in autistic adults. The first model tested the idea that intolerance of uncertainty, an evolutionary phenomenon common for all people, could explain some of the cognitive aspects of anxiety in autism. The second model suggests that primary neurodevelopmental differences associated with autistic traits underlie the sensory sensitivity and sensory seeking behaviors, which in turn increase intolerance of uncertainty and subsequent anxiety. We found that the “neurodevelopmental” model had better model fit than the “evolutionary stress” model, suggesting that the neurodevelopmental impact of higher levels of autistic traits could moderate a non-autistic trajectory of learning to manage uncertainty as children develop and understand that uncertainty is common and acceptable.
How to Support Parents of Infants and Young Children in Mental Health Care: A Narrative Review
Authors: Stolper Hanna , van Doesum Karin , Steketee Majone
Published: November 2021

Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to gain insight into the appropriate intervention targets when parents of infants and young children suffer from psychopathology.

Background: Psychopathology in parents is a risk factor for maladaptive parenting and is strongly related to negative cascade effects on parent-child interactions and relations in the short and long term. Children in their first years of life are especially at risk. However, in adult mental health care, this knowledge is rarely translated into practice, which is a missed opportunity for prevention.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for reviews and meta-analysis. In addition, sources were obtained via manual search, reference mining, expert opinion, and communications from conferences. In total, 56 papers, whereof 23 reviews and 12 meta-analyses were included.

Results: Findings regarding targets of intervention were identified in different interacting domains, namely the parental, family, child, and environmental domains as well as the developing parent-child relationship. A “one size fits all” intervention is not appropriate. A flexible, tailored, resource-oriented intervention program, multi-faceted in addressing all modifiable risk factors and using different methods (individual, dyadic, group), seems to provide the best results.

Conclusion: To address the risk factors in different domains, adult and child mental health care providers should work together in close collaboration to treat the whole family including mental disorders, relational, and contextual problems. A multi-agency approach that includes social services is needed.
The Mental Health Consequences of Work-Life and Life-Work Conflicts for STEM Postdoctoral Trainees
Authors: Pitt Richard N. , Taskin Alp Yasemin , Shell Imani A.
Published: November 2021

Research has shown that work-life conflicts exist among all kinds of workers, including academics, and these conflicts are a key contributor to workers’ reports of poor well-being. Very little research has been done on work-life conflict among post-baccalaureate PhD trainees (e.g., graduate students and postdoctoral trainees) who reside in an important liminal stage in the professoriate pipeline. In this study, we examine the degree to which postdocs believe they suffer from conflicts between their work responsibilities and their home responsibility and the relationship between those conflicts and postdoc’s mental health. We argue that, like other workers, postdocs suffer (in numerical terms and its relationship to health) more from the work-to-life imbalances than from life-to-work imbalances; life matters more than work, ultimately. Our results, based on a survey of 215 STEM postdoctoral trainees, reveal that a majority of postdocs say they have work-life conflicts and these work-life conflicts are associated with negative mental health outcomes. We discuss the potential impact of these findings on attempts to broaden participation in STEM careers and diversify the professoriate.
Effect of Proactive Personality on Career Decidedness: The Mediating Role of Career Exploration and the Moderating Role of Anticipated Regret
Authors: Yu Xuan , Luo Nan , Liu Xuhong , Li Haihong , Li Ling , Mei Yuanfei
Published: November 2021

In order to deepen the understanding of the personality antecedents of students’ career decidedness, this study, based on social cognitive career theory and career development theory, examined the effect of proactive personality on career decidedness as well as the mediating mechanism and moderating factors in this process. The results of the survey of 783 Chinese college students showed that proactive personality was positively related to career decidedness via career exploration, and anticipated regret moderated the relationship between proactive personality and career exploration significantly. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed at the end of this research.
The Promotion of Creativity of Vocational College Students: The Role of Parent-Child Relationship, Emotional Intelligence, and Grit
Authors: Wu Yushen , Wu Yubin , Chong Daohan , Zhang Wen
Published: November 2021

Objective: To examine whether emotional intelligence played a mediation role in the association between parent-child relationship and vocational college student’s creativity, and whether grit moderated this mediating process.

Methods: 663 vocational college students participated in this study and completed four questionnaires at three time points, which included measures of parent-child relationship, creativity, emotional intelligence, and grit.

Results: (1) Emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between parent-child relationship and vocational college student’s creativity; (2) grit moderated the mediating role of emotional intelligence between parent-child relationship and vocational college student’s creativity.

Conclusion: Parent-child relationship had both direct effects on vocational college student’s creativity and indirect effects through emotional intelligence. Grit moderates the effect of emotional intelligence on vocational college student’s creativity.
Judgments in the Sharing Economy: The Effect of User-Generated Trust and Reputation Information on Decision-Making Accuracy and Bias
Authors: Zloteanu Mircea , Harvey Nigel , Tuckett David , Livan Giacomo
Published: November 2021

The growing ecosystem of peer-to-peer enterprise – the Sharing Economy (SE) – has brought with it a substantial change in how we access and provide goods and services. Within the SE, individuals make decisions based mainly on user-generated trust and reputation information (TRI). Recent research indicates that the use of such information tends to produce a positivity bias in the perceived trustworthiness of fellow users. Across two experimental studies performed on an artificial SE accommodation platform, we test whether users’ judgments can be accurate when presented with diagnostic information relating to the quality of the profiles they see or if these overly positive perceptions persist. In study 1, we find that users are quite accurate overall (70%) at determining the quality of a profile, both when presented with full profiles or with profiles where they selected three TRI elements they considered useful for their decision-making. However, users tended to exhibit an “upward quality bias” when making errors. In study 2, we leveraged patterns of frequently vs. infrequently selected TRI elements to understand whether users have insights into which are more diagnostic and find that presenting frequently selected TRI elements improved users’ accuracy. Overall, our studies demonstrate that – positivity bias notwithstanding – users can be remarkably accurate in their online SE judgments.
Callous-Unemotional Traits Moderate the Relationship Between Irritability and Threatening Responding
Authors: Zhang Ru , Bashford-Largo Johannah , Lukoff Jennie , Elowsky Jaimie , Carollo Erin , Schwartz Amanda , Dobbertin Matthew , Bajaj Sahil , Blair Karina S. , Leibenluft Ellen , Blair R. James R.
Published: November 2021

Background:Irritability and callous-unemotional (CU; reduced guilt/empathy) traits vary dimensionally in the typically developing population but may be particularly marked in youth with conduct disorder (CD). While these dimensional traits are positively correlated, they have been associated with divergent forms of dysfunction, particularly with respect to threat processing (i.e., irritability with increased, and CU traits with decreased, threat responsiveness). This suggests that interactions between these two dimensions may be complex at the neurobiological level. However, this issue has received minimal empirical attention.

Methods:The study included 105 adolescents (typically developing and cases with CD;N= 59). They were scanned with fMRI during a looming threat task that involved images of threatening and neutral human faces or animals that appeared to be either looming or receding.

Results:Significantirritability-by-CU traits-by-Direction-by-Emotion interactionswere seen within right thalamus/PAG, left lingual gyrus and right fusiform gyrus; irritability was positively associated with the BOLD response for Looming Threatening vs. Receding Threatening trials, particularly for youth with low CU traits. In contrast, CU traits werenegativelyassociated with the same differential BOLD response but particularly for youth showing higher levels of irritability. Similar findings were seen within left ventral anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, though the addition of the interaction with CU traits was only seen at slightly more lenient thresholds.

Conclusions:The results support previous work linking irritability to increased, and CU traits to reduced, threat responsiveness. However, for adolescents with high irritability, if CU traits are also high, the underlying neuropathology appears to relate to reduced, rather than increased, threat responsiveness.
Digital Formats for Community Participation in Health Promotion and Prevention Activities: A Scoping Review
Authors: Schroeer Claudia , Voss Stephan , Jung-Sievers Caroline , Coenen Michaela
Published: November 2021

Objectives:Digital technologies in public health are primarily used in medical settings and mostly on an individual and passive way of use. There are research gaps on digital media facilitating participation, empowerment, community engagement, and participatory research in community settings. This scoping review aims to map existing literature on digital formats that enable participation in the field of health promotion and prevention in community settings.

Design:The databases Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were used to identify studies published from 2010 up to date (date of literature search) onward that used digital formats in all or in the main sequences of the process to enable high levels of participation in health promotion and prevention activities in community settings.

Results:This review identified nine out of 11 included studies relevant to the research question. We found five studies that applied qualitative participatory research, two studies on peer support and one study each on empowerment and crowdsourcing. The digital technologies used varied widely and included social media platforms, bulletin boards, online forum webpages, and customized web providers and programs. Most studies mentioned anonymity, flexibility, and convenience as benefits of digital interventions. Some papers reported limitations such as difficulties by interpreting written-only data or the possibility of selection bias due to the digital divide.

Conclusion:This scoping review identified only few studies relevant to our objective, indicating an existing gap in research on this topic. Digital formats were found to be particularly suitable for purposes where anonymity and flexibility are beneficial, such as for online peer exchange and peer support programs.