bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparison Between Epicenter vs. Non-epicenter Areas
Authors: Qiu Yun , Zhang Ying-Fan , Zhu Liang-Ru , He Jin-Shen , Tan Jin-Yu , Tan Nian-Di , Lin Si-Nan , Lin Xiao-Qing , Ghosh Subrata , Chen Min-Hu , Mao Ren
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge to healthcare. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in epicenter and non-epicenter areas.

Methods: Patients with IBD from Hubei province (the epicenter of COVID-19) and Guangdong province (a non-epicenter area), China were surveyed during the pandemic. The questionnaire included change of medications (steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics), procedures (lab tests, endoscopy, and elective surgery), and healthcare mode (standard healthcare vs. telemedicine) during 1 month before and after the outbreak of COVID-19.

Results: In total, 324 IBD patients from Guangdong province (non-epicenter) and 149 from Hubei province (epicenter) completed the questionnaire with comparable demographic characteristics. Compared to patients in Guangdong province (non-epicenter), significantly more patients in Hubei (epicenter) had delayed lab tests/endoscopy procedures [61.1% (91/149) vs. 25.3% (82/324), p < 0.001], drug withdrawal [28.6% (43/149) vs. 9.3% (30/324), p < 0.001], delayed biologics infusions [60.4% (90/149) vs. 19.1% (62/324), p < 0.001], and postponed elective surgery [16.1% (24/149) vs. 3.7% (12/324), p < 0.001]. There was an increased use of telemedicine after the outbreak compared to before the outbreak in Hubei province [38.9% (58/149) vs. 15.4% (23/149), p < 0.001], while such a significant increase was not observed in Guangdong province [21.9% (71/324) vs. 18.8% (61/324), p = 0.38]. Approximately two-thirds of IBD patients from both sites agreed that telemedicine should be increasingly used in future medical care.

Conclusions: Our patient-based survey study in a real-world setting showed that COVID-19 resulted in a great impact on the healthcare of patients with IBD, and such an impact was more obvious in the epicenter compared to the non-epicenter area of COVID-19. Telemedicine offers a good solution to counteract the challenges in an unprecedented situation such as COVID-19.
Tarlov Cysts Misdiagnosed as Adnexal Masses in Pelvic Sonography: A Literature Review
Authors: Kim Shengshu , Lee Ho jun , Park Joong Hyun , Kim Taeyeon , Nam Kiyeun
Published: November 2020

Introduction: A Tarlov cyst (TC) is a perineural cyst filled with cerebrospinal fluid that originates from the dorsal ganglion or the spinal posterior nerve root. TCs are usually asymptomatic and incidentally found in the sacral region. Endopelvic extension of TCs is uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as an adnexal mass on gynecological ultrasound imaging.

Methods: We performed a search for all clinical studies of TCs that mimicked adnexal masses that had been published through October 12, 2020. We placed no restrictions on language or year of publication in our search, and we performed searches with the following keywords: perineural cyst, Tarlov cyst, sclerotherapy, management, and prognosis. We included all misdiagnosed cases or cases considered as adnexal masses on pelvic sonography.

Results: We identified 21 cases of TCs mimicking adnexal masses and conducted a comprehensive analysis of these 21 cases to assess the epidemiology, symptoms, initial diagnoses, provisional ultrasound diagnoses, confirmative modalities, sizes, locations, treatments, and outcomes. The 21 cases included 16 symptomatic cases (76%) and 5 cases with incidental findings (24%), and the average patient age was 41.3 years. The initial diagnosis was performed with ultrasonography in all cases. The most frequent misdiagnosis was unspecified adnexal mass. Confirmative diagnostic modalities were MRI only (67%), CT only (5%), and both MRI and CT (28%). Treatments were surgery (33%), conservative treatment (19%), percutaneous intervention (5%), and alcohol sclerotherapy (5%). In two symptomatic cases misdiagnosed as pelvic masses, cystectomy was performed and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid occurred, necessitating repair of the leak. In one of the asymptomatic patients, cauda equina syndrome occurred after alcohol sclerotherapy for misdiagnosed TC. However, the patient improved with no neurologic deficit after 18 months of conservative treatment.

Conclusion: The possibility of large TCs should be considered when assessing adnexal masses in sonography. Since TCs can masquerade as pelvic masses, they should be considered if the mass appears tubular/cystic or multilocular/multiseptate, does not move with respiration, and originates from the sacrum in sonography with or without neurologic symptoms. Accurate diagnosis can prevent medical mismanagement and reduce patient discomfort.
Long Non-coding RNAs in Cancer: Implications for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy
Authors: Qian Yuchen , Shi Lei , Luo Zhong
Published: November 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are major components of cellular transcripts that are arising as important players in various biological pathways. They have received extensive attention in recent years, regarded to be involved in both developmental processes and various diseases. Due to their specific expression and functional diversity in a variety of cancers, lncRNAs have promising applications in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Studies have shown that lncRNAs with high specificity and accuracy have the potential to become biomarkers in cancers. LncRNAs can be noninvasively extracted from body fluids, tissues and cells, and can be used as independent or auxiliary biomarkers to improve the accuracy of diagnosis or prognosis. Currently, the most well-recognized lncRNA is PCA3, which has been approved for use in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs were explored as therapeutic targets, which have been investigated in clinical trials of several cancers. In this review, we presented a compilation of recent publications, clinical trials and patents, addressing the potential of lncRNAs that could be considered as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, with the hopes of providing promised implications for future cancer therapy.
Interactions Between Two Invertebrate Pathogens: An Endophytic Fungus and an Externally Applied Bacterium
Authors: Wakil Waqas , Tahir Muhammad , Al-Sadi Abdullah M. , Shapiro-Ilan David
Published: November 2020

The members of family Noctuidae exist in diverse environments and many species from this group are of agriculture importance, particularly Helicoverpa spp. Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of many legumes and cereal crops. Due to environmental and regulatory concerns, safe alternatives to broad spectrum chemical insecticides are needed for the control of key noctuid pests such as H. armigera. A strain of Beauveria bassiana (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) was evaluated for its ability to colonize endophytically in chickpea plants, and its effectiveness against second (L2) and fourth (L4) larval instars of H. armigera. B. bassiana was inoculated to chickpea plants through injection and endophytic establishment was confirmed by re-isolating the fungi from leaf samples. A detached leaf assay was used to evaluate pathogenicity. Bacillus thuringiensis was also applied to both larval stages through leaf dip method. In a novel approach, combined treatments of bacteria and endophytic fungi were compared with single-pathogen treatments. Relative to the single treatments, the combined pathogen treatments exhibited an increase in larval mortality, and decrease in pupation, adult emergence and egg eclosion. Specifically, synergistic effects on mortality were observed when larvae were exposed to simultaneous application of B. bassiana (1 × 108 conidia ml–1) with B. thuringiensis (0.75 μg ml−1). Both instars exhibited varying level of growth, development, frass production, diet consumption and fecundity when exposed to the chickpea leaves inoculated with endophytic B. bassiana and dipped with sub-lethal doses of B. thuringiensis. These findings indicate that the integrated application of endophytic colonized B. bassiana and B. thuringiensis can be effectively used against H. armigera.
Gut Microbiota in Dholes During Estrus
Authors: Wu Xiaoyang , Shang Yongquan , Wei Qinguo , Chen Jun , Zhang Huanxin , Chen Yao , Gao Xiaodong , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Honghai
Published: November 2020

The co-evolution of gut microbes and the host plays a vital role in the survival and reproduction of the host. The dhole (Cuon alpinus) has been listed as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature; therefore, conservation and effective breeding of dholes are essential. Effective estrus can promote reproduction. However, little is known about the relative contribution of estrus in shaping the structure and the functions of fecal microbiota. Here, we investigated the potential association between estrus and the fecal microbiota in dholes using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We found that the estrus stages in dholes vary significantly in terms of gut bacterial composition and microbiome metabolism and function. Compared with that of non-estrus, adult dholes, the microbiome of estrus adult dholes had a significantly higher abundance of Bacillus faecalis and Veillonella, which play a key role in the synthesis of sex hormones and nucleic acids, energy production, and reproductive cell division. The insulin and energy metabolism-related pathways are significantly enhanced in the gut microbes and the related gluconeogenic enzymes are significantly enriched during estrus. These findings suggest that the structure and metagenome of the fecal microbiome during estrus have a significant effect in promoting estrus in dholes, thus providing a new perspective for dhole conservation.
Enhancing Phenol Conversion Rates in Saline Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Using Acetate and Butyrate as Additional Carbon and Energy Sources
Authors: García Rea Víctor S. , Muñoz Sierra Julian D. , Fonseca Aponte Laura M. , Cerqueda-Garcia Daniel , Quchani Kiyan M. , Spanjers Henri , van Lier Jules B.
Published: November 2020

Phenolic industrial wastewater, such as those from coal gasification, are considered a challenge for conventional anaerobic wastewater treatment systems because of its extreme characteristics such as presence of recalcitrant compounds, high toxicity, and salinity. However, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are considered of potential interest since they retain all micro-organism that are required for conversion of the complex organics. In this study, the degradation of phenol as main carbon and energy source (CES) in AnMBRs at high salinity (8.0 g Na+⋅L–1) was evaluated, as well as the effect of acetate and an acetate-butyrate mixture as additional CES on the specific phenol conversion rate and microbial community structure. Three different experiments in two lab-scale (6.5 L) AnMBRs (35°C) were conducted. The first reactor (R1) was fed with phenol as the main CES, the second reactor was fed with phenol and either acetate [2 g COD⋅L–1], or a 2:1 acetate-butyrate [2 g COD⋅L–1] mixture as additional CES. Results showed that phenol conversion could not be sustained when phenol was the sole CES. In contrast, when the reactor was fed with acetate or an acetate-butyrate mixture, specific phenol conversion rates of 115 and 210 mgPh⋅gVSS–1 d–1, were found, respectively. The syntrophic phenol degrader Syntrophorhabdus sp. and the acetoclastic methanogen Methanosaeta sp. were the dominant bacteria and archaea, respectively, with corresponding relative abundances of up to 63 and 26%. The findings showed that dosage of additional CES allowed the development of a highly active phenol-degrading biomass, potentially improving the treatment of industrial and chemical wastewaters.
Unusual Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Responses in Patients With Peripheral Vestibular Disorders Detected by the Caloric Step Stimulus Test
Authors: Honjo Motomu , Honda Keiji , Tsutsumi Takeshi
Published: November 2020

The caloric step stimulus test consists of the changes in head position from the sitting to supine positions and continuous caloric irrigation. This test can provide a single labyrinth with a stimulus similar to constant head acceleration in rotational testing and, therefore, can evaluate vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) dynamics more precisely than can conventional methods. To assess the clinical utility of the test in the assessment of the VOR dynamics of diseases, we performed the test in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders, including sudden idiopathic hearing loss, vestibular neuritis, Meniere disease, vestibular Meniere disease, or chronic unilateral idiopathic vestibulopathy and normal controls. Slow-phase eye velocity (SPV) was measured with videonystagmography. We fitted the time course of SPV across 2 min to a mathematical model containing two exponential components and time constants: the caloric step VOR time constant (T1) and caloric step VOR adaptation time constant (T2). All responses of normal controls (n= 15 ears) were fit to the model. Several responses of the 101 ears of the patients differed from the time courses predicted by the model. We divided the data of 116 ears into four patterns based on SPV,T1, andT2. The thresholds for the classification were determined according to the lower limits of the capability of curve fitting for SPV and the upper limits of normal controls forT1andT2. Seventy-eight ears followed pattern A (normalT1andT2): the SPV trajectory formed a rapid rise with subsequent decay. Nineteen followed pattern B (normalT1and prolongedT2): the SPV trajectory formed a rapid rise without decay. Six followed pattern C (prolongedT1andT2): the SPV trajectory formed a slow rise. Thirteen ears followed pattern D: a low VOR response. There were no significant differences in time constants between the affected and healthy ears in patients with each disease. However, prolongedT1andT2were significantly more frequent in the affected ears than the healthy ears. In conclusion, the caloric step stimulus test can be potentially useful in detecting unusual VOR responses and thus reflect some pathological changes in the vestibular system.
Controversies in Ocular Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Evoli Amelia , Iorio Raffaele
Published: November 2020

Myasthenia gravis (MG) with symptoms limited to eye muscles [ocular MG (OMG)] is a rare disease. OMG incidence varies according to ethnicity and age of onset. In recent years, both an increase in incidence rate, particularly in the elderly, and a lower risk for secondary generalization may have contributed to the growing disease prevalence in Western countries. OMG should be considered in patients with painless ptosis and extrinsic ophthalmoparesis. Though asymmetric muscle involvement and symptom fluctuations are typical, in some cases, OMG can mimic isolated cranial nerve paresis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and conjugate gaze palsy. Diagnostic confirmation can be challenging in patients negative for anti-acetylcholine receptor and anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies on standard radioimmunoassay. Early treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and at preventing disease progression to generalized MG. Despite the absence of high-level evidence, there is general agreement on the efficacy of steroids at low to moderate dosage; immunosuppressants are considered when steroid high maintenance doses are required. The role of thymectomy in non-thymoma patients is controversial. Prolonged exposure to immunosuppressive therapy has a negative impact on the health-related quality of life in a proportion of these patients. OMG is currently excluded from most of the treatments recently developed in generalized MG.
Time Intervals Under the Lens at Sweden’s First Diagnostic Center for Primary Care Patients With Nonspecific Symptoms of Cancer. A Comparison With Matched Control Patients
Authors: Sundquist Jan , Palmér Karolina , Rydén Stefan , Sävblom Charlotta , Ji Jianguang , Stenman Emelie
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Fast-track referral pathways for patients with nonspecific, serious symptoms have been implemented in several countries. Our objective was to analyze time intervals in the diagnostic routes of patients diagnosed with cancer at Sweden’s first Diagnostic Center (DC) for nonspecific symptoms and compare with time intervals of matched control patients.

Methods

Adult patients with nonspecific symptoms that could not be explained by an initial investigation in primary care were eligible for referral to the DC. Patients diagnosed with cancer were matched with patients at another hospital within the same healthcare organization. We aimed for two control patients per DC-patient and matched on tumor type, age and sex. Five time intervals were compared: 1) patient interval (first symptom—primary care contact), 2) primary care interval (first visit—referral to the DC/secondary care), 3) diagnostic interval (first visit—cancer diagnosis), 4) information interval (cancer diagnosis—patient informed) and 5) treatment interval (cancer diagnosis—treatment start). Comparisons between groups and matched cohort analyses were made.

Results

Sixty-four patients (22.1%) were diagnosed with cancer at the DC, of which eight were not matchable. Forty-two patients were matched with two controls and 14 were matched with one control. There were no significant differences in patient-, primary care-, or diagnostic intervals between the groups. The information interval was shorter at the DC compared to the control group (difference between matched pairs 7 days, p = 0.001) and the treatment interval was also shorter at the DC with significant differences in the matched analysis (difference between matched pairs 13 days, p = 0.049). The findings remained the same in four sensitivity analyses, made to compensate for differences between the groups.

Conclusions

Up to diagnosis, we could not detect significant differences in time intervals between the DC and the control group. However, the shorter information and treatment intervals at the DC should be advantageous for these patients who will get timely access to treatment or palliative care. Due to limitations regarding comparability between the groups, the results must be interpreted with caution and further research is warranted.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov-ID: NCT01709539. Registration-date: October 18, 2012.
Prognostic Value of Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Zhang Yucong , Wei Chao , Gao Xintao , Yuan Penghui , Gan Jiahua , Li Rui , Liu Zhuo , Wang Tao , Wang Shaogang , Liu Jihong , Liu Xiaming
Published: November 2020

Background

The prognostic value of androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) for the treatment response of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to synthesize relevant studies that assessed the prognostic value of AR-V7 status for the treatment response of mCRPC patients treated with androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSis) and chemotherapy.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases by using the keywords AR-V7 and prostate cancer to identify relevant studies published before 25 September 2019. The main outcomes were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Results

A total of 1,545 patients from 21 studies were included. For the mCRPC patients treated with ARSis, AR-V7-positive patients had a lower PSA response rate (OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.88–12.51; P < 0.001), shorter PFS (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.80–3.64; P < 0.001) and shorter OS (HR 4.28, 95% CI 2.92–6.27; P < 0.001) than AR-V7-negative patients. Although AR-V7-positive patients treated with chemotherapy also had a lower PSA response rate (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.38–3.62; P = 0.001) and shorter OS than AR-V7-negative patients (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.02–2.53; P = 0.043), there was no significant difference in PFS (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.74–1.49; P = 0.796) between these groups. Furthermore, AR-V7-positive patients receiving ARSis had a shorter median OS than those receiving chemotherapy (HR 3.50, 95% CI 1.98–6.20; P < 0.001); There was no significant difference among AR-V7-negative patients (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.64–2.62; P = 0.47).

Conclusions

AR-V7 is a potential biomarker of treatment resistance in mCRPC patients. AR-V7-positive mCRPC patients had poorer treatment outcomes than AR-V7-nagetive patients when treated with ARSis. AR-V7-positive patients have better outcomes when treated with taxane than ARSis. Furthermore, the ability of AR-V7 status to predict treatment outcomes varies from different detection methods. The detection of AR-V7 before treatment is important for the selection of treatment modalities for mCRPC patients.
10-Year Mortality Pattern Among Cancer Patients in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos
Authors: Fatiregun Omolara Aminat , Bakare Omowunmi , Ayeni Sunday , Oyerinde Adebowale , Sowunmi Anthonia C. , Popoola Abiodun , Salako Omolola , Alabi Adewumi , Joseph Adedayo
Published: November 2020

Background

Globally, cancer is a major leading health problem with an estimated 10 million incidences and 6 million cancer deaths annually. In Nigeria, an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occur annually, and 102,000 new cases are diagnosed from its population of 200 million people. These are, however, estimates, it is necessary to document the yearly trends and patterns of cancer mortality with regards to the different regions in the country.

Methodology

we conducted this study at the Lagos State University Teaching hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos to document mortality patterns from 2009 to 2018. Data extracted included those from the patient’s case notes, admission and death registers, and death certificates. we also had records from the hospital records department and medical wards. We then documented cancer mortality over the study period.

Results

A total number of 6,592 deaths were recorded over ten years, and 1,133 cases were cancer-related deaths. This number puts the percentage of cancer-related deaths at 17.2%. Male patients accounted for 54.0%, and female patients are 46.0%. Breast cancer accounted for the highest mortality, followed by prostate cancer. The highest number of deaths were recorded in 2010 at 821, followed by 2011 at 799, 2015 at 780, and the least in 2017 at 513. There is also a significant general increase in odds of mortality with an increase in decades of life.

Conclusion

This study shows that about one in five deaths, over the last ten years, from this tertiary institution, is related to a cancer diagnosis. Even though a yearly decline in the number of cancer deaths was noticed, probably due to increased awareness and governmental intervention, the percentage still remains high.
NTRK Fusions and TRK Inhibitors: Potential Targeted Therapies for Adult Glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Yuekun , Long Piaopiao , Wang Yu , Ma Wenbin
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary central nervous (CNS) system malignancy with a poor prognosis. The standard treatment for GBM is neurosurgical resection, followed by radiochemotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy. Predictive biomarkers, such as methylation of the promoter region of the O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene, can successfully distinguish subgroups with different prognosis after temozolomide chemotherapy. Based on multiomics studies, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), BRAF V600E mutation, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusions and other potential therapy targets have been found.

Methods

We have reviewed the preclinical and clinical evidence for NTRK fusions and TRK inhibitors therapy in cancers with NTRK fusions in pan-cancer and gliomas.

Results

Several NTRK1/2/3 fusions have been reported in GBM and preclinical studies have proven that NTRK fusions are potential driver mutations in some high-grade gliomas. Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors have shown efficacy as targeted therapies for extracranial tumors with NTRK fusions in recent clinical trials, with potential CNS tolerability and activity. However, whether NTRK gene fusions can affect survival status, the efficacy and resistance of TRK inhibitors in GBMs are lacking high-level evidences.

Conclusions

For GBM patients, NTRK fusions and TRK inhibitors are potential target therapy strategy but remain biological mechanism and clinical significance unclarified. More clinical data and future clinical trials are needed to provide more evidence that supports targeted therapy for GBM with NTRK fusions.
Functionalized Oxoindolin Hydrazine Carbothioamide Derivatives as Highly Potent Inhibitors of Nucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolases
Authors: Afzal Saira , al-Rashida Mariya , Hameed Abdul , Pelletier Julie , Sévigny Jean , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: November 2020

Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are ectoenzymes that play an important role in the hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphate and diphosphate to nucleoside monophosphate. NTPDase1, -2, -3 and -8 are the membrane bound members of this enzyme family that are responsible for regulating the levels of nucleotides in extracellular environment. However, the pathophysiological functions of these enzymes are not fully understood due to lack of potent and selective NTPDase inhibitors. Herein, a series of oxoindolin hydrazine carbothioamide derivatives is synthesized and screened for NTPDase inhibitory activity. Four compounds were identified as selective inhibitors of h-NTPDase1 having IC50 values in lower micromolar range, these include compounds 8b (IC50 = 0.29 ± 0.02 µM), 8e (IC50 = 0.15 ± 0.009 µM), 8f (IC50 = 0.24 ± 0.01 µM) and 8l (IC50 = 0.30 ± 0.03 µM). Similarly, compound 8k (IC50 = 0.16 ± 0.01 µM) was found to be a selective h-NTPDase2 inhibitor. In case of h-NTPDase3, most potent inhibitors were compounds 8c (IC50 = 0.19 ± 0.02 µM) and 8m (IC50 = 0.38 ± 0.03 µM). Since NTPDase3 has been reported to be associated with the regulation of insulin secretion, we evaluated our synthesized NTPDase3 inhibitors for their ability to stimulate insulin secretion in isolated mice islets. Promising results were obtained showing that compound 8m potently stimulated insulin secretion without affecting the NTPDase3 gene expression. Molecular docking studies of the most potent compounds were also carried out to rationalize binding site interactions. Hence, these compounds are useful tools to study the role of NTPDase3 in insulin secretion.
Adhesive Bacteria in the Terminal Ileum of Children Correlates With Increasing Th17 Cell Activation
Authors: Chen Bo , Ye Diya , Luo Lingling , Liu Weirong , Peng Kerong , Shu Xiaoli , Gu Weizhong , Wang Xiaojun , Xiang Charlie , Jiang Mizu
Published: November 2020

Humans and symbiotic bacteria are interdependent and co-evolved for millions of years. These bacteria communicate with human hosts in the gut in a contact-independent metabolite. Because most intestinal bacteria are non-adhesive, they do not penetrate the mucus layer and are not directly in contact with epithelial cells (ECs). Here, we found that there are adhesive bacteria attached to the Children's terminal ileum. And we compared the immune factors of non-adhesive bacteria in the children ileum with adhesive bacteria as well. Stimulated Th17 cell associated with adherent bacteria in the ileum ECs. SIgA responses are similar to those roles in mouse experiments. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the expression of SAA1, IL-2, IL-17A, foxp3, RORγt, TGFβ, and protein increased in Th17 cells. Finally, we used 16S rRNA genes 454 pyrosequencing to analyze the differences in bacterial communities between adhesive and non-adhesive bacteria in the ileum. Ileum with adherent bacteria demonstrated increased mucosa-related bacteria, such as Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Veillonella, Butyricimonas, and Prevotella. We believe that adhesive bacteria in children’s terminal ileum associated with an increased Th17 cell activation and luminal secretory IgA. Adhesive bacteria very closely adhere to terminal ileum of children. They may play important role in human gut immunity and Crohn’s disease.
Modeling Growth, Containment and Decay of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy
Authors: Capuano Francesco
Published: November 2020

A careful inspection of the cumulative curve of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Italy and in other hard-hit countries reveals three distinct phases: i) an initial exponential growth (unconstrained phase), ii) an algebraic, power-law growth (containment phase), and iii) a relatively slow decay. We propose a parsimonious compartment model based on a time-dependent rate of depletion of the susceptible population that captures all such phases for a plausible range of model parameters. The results suggest an intimate interplay between the growth behavior, the timing and implementation of containment strategies, and the subsequent saturation of the outbreak.
Entropy Production in an Elementary, Light Driven Micro-Machine
Authors: Box Stuart J. , Allen Michael P. , Phillips David B. , Simpson Stephen H.
Published: November 2020

We consider the basic, thermodynamic properties of an elementary micro-machine operating at colloidal length scales. In particular, we track and analyze the driven stochastic motion of a carefully designed micro-propeller rotating unevenly in an optical tweezers, in water. In this intermediate regime, the second law of macroscopic thermodynamics is satisfied only as an ensemble average, and individual trajectories can be temporarily associated with decreases in entropy. We show that our light driven micro-propeller satisfies an appropriate fluctuation theorem that constrains the probability with which these apparent violations of the second law occur. Implications for the development of more complex micro-machines are discussed.
Identification of Potentially Relevant Genes for Excessive Exercise-Induced Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy in Zebrafish
Authors: Zhou Zuoqiong , Zheng Lan , Tang Changfa , Chen Zhanglin , Zhu Runkang , Peng Xiyang , Wu Xiushan , Zhu Ping
Published: November 2020

Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling has aroused public concern for some time, as sudden cardiac death is known to occur in athletes; however, little is known about the underlying mechanism of exercise-induced cardiac injury. In the present study, we established an excessive exercise-induced pathologic cardiac hypertrophy model in zebrafish with increased myocardial fibrosis, myofibril disassembly, mitochondrial degradation, upregulated expression of the pathological hypertrophy marker genes in the heart, contractile impairment, and cardiopulmonary function impairment. High-throughput RNA-seq analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in the regulation of autophagy, protein folding, and degradation, myofibril development, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and insulin and FoxO signaling pathways. FOXO proteins may be the core mediator of the regulatory network needed to promote the pathological response. Further, PPI network analysis showed that pik3c3, gapdh, fbox32, fzr1, ubox5, lmo7a, kctd7, fbxo9, lonrf1l, fbxl4, nhpb2l1b, nhp2, fbl, hsp90aa1.1, snrpd3l, dhx15, mrto4, ruvbl1, hspa8b, and faub are the hub genes that correlate with the pathogenesis of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The underlying regulatory pathways and cardiac pressure-responsive molecules identified in the present study will provide valuable insights for the supervision and clinical treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by excessive exercise.
Plasma- and Saliva Exosome Profile Reveals a Distinct MicroRNA Signature in Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Nik Mohamed Kamal Nik Nur Syazana , Awang Raja Azman Raja , Mohamad Suharni , Shahidan Wan Nazatul Shima
Published: November 2020

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an oral cavity disease arising from chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Exosomes are lipid vesicles that are enriched in specific microRNAs (miRNAs), potentially providing a disease-specific diagnostic signature. To assess the value of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for CP, 8 plasma- and 8 salivary-exosomal miRNAs samples were profiled using Agilent platform (comparative study). From 2,549 probed miRNAs, 33 miRNAs were significantly down-regulated in CP as compared to healthy plasma samples. Whereas, 1,995 miRNAs (1,985 down-regulated and 10 up-regulated) were differentially expressed in the CP as compared to healthy saliva samples. hsa-miR-let-7d [FC = −26.76; AUC = 1; r = −0.728 [p-value = 0.04]), hsa-miR-126-3p (FC = −24.02; AUC = 1; r = −0.723 [p-value = 0.043]) and hsa-miR-199a-3p (FC = −22.94; AUC = 1; r = −0.731 [p-value = 0.039]) are worth to be furthered studied for plasma-exosomal samples. Meanwhile, for salivary-exosomal samples, hsa-miR-125a-3p (FC = 2.03; AUC = 1; r = 0.91 [p-value = 0.02]) is worth to be furthered studied. These miRNAs are the reliable candidates for the development of periodontitis biomarker, as they were significantly expressed differently between CP and healthy samples, have a good discriminatory value and strongly correlate with the mean of PPD. These findings highlight the potential of exosomal miRNAs profiling in the diagnosis from both sourced as well as provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in CP.
The Amino Acid-Mediated TOR Pathway Regulates Reproductive Potential and Population Growth in Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Zhu Haowen , Zheng Sui , Xu Jinming , Wu Qing , Song Qisheng , Ge Linquan
Published: November 2020

The predatory mirid bug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter, feeds on brown planthopper (BPH) eggs that are deposited on rice and gramineous plants surrounding rice fields. The development and reproduction of C. lividipennis are inhibited by feeding on BPH eggs from gramineous species, and the underlining regulatory mechanism for this phenomenon is unclear. In the present study, HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed that the concentrations of six amino acids (AAs:Ala, Arg, Ser, Lys, Thr, and Pro) were significantly higher in rice than in five gramineous species. When C. lividipennis fed on gramineous plants with BPH eggs, expression of several genes in the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway (Rheb, TOR, and S6K) were significantly lower than that in the insects fed on rice plants with BPH eggs. Treatment of C. lividipennis females with rapamycin, dsRheb, dsTOR, or dsS6K caused a decrease in Rheb, TOR, and S6K expression, and these effects were partially rescued by the juvenile hormone (JH) analog, methoprene. Dietary dsTOR treatment significantly influenced a number of physiological parameters and resulted in impaired predatory capacity, fecundity, and population growth. This study indicates that these six AAs play an important role in the mediated-TOR pathway, which in turn regulates vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis, reproduction, and population growth in C. lividipennis.
Embryo-Endosperm Interaction and Its Agronomic Relevance to Rice Quality
Authors: An Lu , Tao Yang , Chen Hao , He Mingjie , Xiao Feng , Li Ganghua , Ding Yanfeng , Liu Zhenghui
Published: November 2020

Embryo-endosperm interaction is the dominant process controlling grain filling, thus being crucial for yield and quality formation of the three most important cereals worldwide, rice, wheat, and maize. Fundamental science of functional genomics has uncovered several key genetic programs for embryo and endosperm development, but the interaction or communication between the two tissues is largely elusive. Further, the significance of this interaction for grain filling remains open. This review starts with the morphological and developmental aspects of rice grain, providing a spatial and temporal context. Then, it offers a comprehensive and integrative view of this intercompartmental interaction, focusing on (i) apoplastic nutrient flow from endosperm to the developing embryo, (ii) dependence of embryo development on endosperm, (iii) regulation of endosperm development by embryo, and (iv) bidirectional dialogues between embryo and endosperm. From perspective of embryo-endosperm interaction, the mechanisms underlying the complex quality traits are explored, with grain chalkiness as an example. The review ends with three open questions with scientific and agronomic importance that should be addressed in the future. Notably, current knowledge and future prospects of this hot research topic are reviewed from a viewpoint of crop physiology, which should be helpful for bridging the knowledge gap between the fundamental plant sciences and the practical technologies.
RSD1 Is Essential for Stomatal Patterning and Files in Rice
Authors: Yu Qi , Chen Liang , Zhou Wenqi , An Yanhuang , Luo Tengxiao , Wu Zhongliang , Wang Yuqi , Xi Yunfeng , Yan Longfeng , Hou Suiwen
Published: November 2020

Stomatal density is an important factor that determines the efficiency of plant gas exchange and water transpiration. Through forward genetics, we screened a mutant rice stomata developmental defect 1 (rsd1-1) with decreased stomatal density and clustered stomata in rice (Oryza sativa). After the first asymmetric division, some of the larger sister cells undergo an extra asymmetric division to produce a small cell neighboring guard mother cell. Some of these small cells develop into stomata, which leads to stomatal clustering, and the rest arrested or developed into pavement cell. After map-based cloning, we found the protein encoded by this gene containing DUF630 and DUF632 domains. Evolutionary analysis showed that the DUF630/632 gene family differentiated earlier in land plants. It was found that the deletion of RSD1 would lead to the disorder of gene expression regarding stomatal development, especially the expression of stomatal density and distribution 1 (OsSDD1). Through the construction of OsSDD1 deletion mutants by CRISPR-Cas9, we found that, similar to rsd1 mutants, the ossdd1 mutants have clustered stomata and extra small cells adjacent to the stomata. OsSDD1 and RSD1 are both required for inhibiting ectopic asymmetric cell divisions (ACDs) and clustered stomata. By dehydration stress assay, the decreased stomatal density of rsd1 mutants enhanced their dehydration avoidance. This study characterized the functions of RSD1 and OsSDD1 in rice stomatal development. Our findings will be helpful in developing drought-resistant crops through controlling the stomatal density.
The 100 Top-Cited Studies on Neuropsychology: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yang , Xiong Ying , Cai Yujia , Zheng Linli , Zhang Yonggang
Published: November 2020

Objective

The present study aimed to identify and analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the 100 top-cited studies on neuropsychology.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database to collect studies on neuropsychology from inception to 31st December 2019. Two authors independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Statistical analyses were performed using R software.

Results

The 100 top-cited articles were cited a total of 166,123 times, ranging from 736 to 24,252 times per article. All of the studies were published from 1967 to 2014 in 47 journals. Neuropsychologia had the highest number of articles (n = 17), followed by Neurology (n = 8). The top three most productive countries were the USA (n = 60), England (n = 13), and Canada (n = 8). Eight authors contributed the same number of studies as the first author (n = 2) or corresponding author (n = 2). The most productive institute was the University of California (n = 9), followed by the University of Pennsylvania (n = 4). Of the 100 top-cited publications, 64 were original articles, and 36 were reviews. The top three Web of Science categories were clinical neurology (n = 28), behavioral sciences (n = 19), and psychiatry (n = 11).

Conclusion

This study provides insight into the impact of neuropsychology research and may help doctors, researchers, and stakeholders to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of trends and most influential contributions to the field, thus promoting ideas for future investigation.
Cognitive Diagnosis Modeling Incorporating Item-Level Missing Data Mechanism
Authors: Shan Na , Wang Xiaofei
Published: November 2020

The aim of cognitive diagnosis is to classify respondents' mastery status of latent attributes from their responses on multiple items. Since respondents may answer some but not all items, item-level missing data often occur. Even if the primary interest is to provide diagnostic classification of respondents, misspecification of missing data mechanism may lead to biased conclusions. This paper proposes a joint cognitive diagnosis modeling of item responses and item-level missing data mechanism. A Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is developed for model parameter estimation. Our simulation studies examine the parameter recovery under different missing data mechanisms. The parameters could be recovered well with correct use of missing data mechanism for model fit, and missing that is not at random is less sensitive to incorrect use. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 computer-based mathematics data are applied to demonstrate the practical value of the proposed method.
Identifying Emotional Expressions: Children’s Reasoning About Pretend Emotions of Sadness and Anger
Authors: Serrat Elisabet , Amadó Anna , Rostan Carles , Caparrós Beatriz , Sidera Francesc
Published: November 2020

This study aims to further understand children’s capacity to identify and reason about pretend emotions by analyzing which sources of information they take into account when interpreting emotions simulated in pretend play contexts. A total of 79 children aged 3 to 8 participated in the final sample of the study. They were divided into the young group (ages 3 to 5) and the older group (6 to 8). The children were administered a facial emotion recognition task, a pretend emotions task, and a non-verbal cognitive ability test. In the pretend emotions task, the children were asked whether the protagonist of silent videos, who was displaying pretend emotions (pretend anger and pretend sadness), was displaying a real or a pretend emotion, and to justify their answer. The results show significant differences in the children’s capacity to identify and justify pretend emotions according to age and type of emotion. The data suggest that young children recognize pretend sadness, but have more difficulty detecting pretend anger. In addition, children seem to find facial information more useful for the detection of pretend sadness than pretend anger, and they more often interpret the emotional expression of the characters in terms of pretend play. The present research presents new data about the recognition of negative emotional expressions of sadness and anger and the type of information children take into account to justify their interpretation of pretend emotions, which consists not only in emotional expression but also contextual information.
The Relationship Between Leadership Behaviors and Volunteer Commitment: The Role of Volunteer Satisfaction
Authors: Benevene Paula , Buonomo Ilaria , West Michael
Published: November 2020

Despite the relative scarcity of studies on the impact of leadership styles on satisfaction and commitment of volunteers within non-profit organizations, this relationship plays a crucial role in fostering sustained volunteerism and volunteers' well-being. A questionnaire was administered to more than 200 volunteers involved in delivering social services in non-profit organizations from Central and Northern Italy. The questionnaire contained the Volunteer Satisfaction Index, the sub-scale on Affective Commitment of the Organizational Commitment Scale, and two sub-scales of the Key Leadership Behaviors, namely: Helping people to grow and lead, and Enabling learning and innovation. Socio-demographic data were collected as well. Findings revealed that leaders' actions oriented toward the enablement of learning and innovation have an effect on volunteers' affective commitment, through the full mediation of volunteer satisfaction. Leaders' actions oriented toward the growth and empowerment of volunteers, instead, did not show significant relationships with volunteer satisfaction and affective commitment.
The Transgenerational Transmission of Trauma: The Effects of Maternal PTSD in Mother-Infant Interactions
Authors: Dozio Elisabetta , Feldman Marion , Bizouerne Cécile , Drain Elise , Laroche Joubert Mathilde , Mansouri Malika , Moro Marie Rose , Ouss Lisa
Published: November 2020

The objective of the study was to examine the process of mother to infant trauma transmission among traumatized mothers in humanitarian contexts. We investigated the impact of mothers' post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms on the quality of the dyadic interaction by conducting a microanalysis of mother-infant interactions at specific moments when trauma was recalled, compared to more neutral moments. Twenty-four mother-infant dyadic interactions of traumatized mothers and children aged from 1.5 to 30 months Central Africa, Chad, and Cameroon were videotaped during three sequences: a neutral initial session (baseline) exploring mothers' representations of the infant and of their bonding; a second sequence, “the traumatic narration,” in which mothers were asked to talk about the difficult events they had experienced; and a third sequence focusing on a neutral subject. Three minutes of each sequence were coded through a specific grid for microanalysis [based on the scales developed at Bobigny Faculty of Medicine and the work of (1)], according to different communication modalities (touch, visual, and vocal), for both the mother and the child. Impact of traumatic event (IES-R), the level of depression and anxiety (HAD) were investigated in order to have a holistic understanding of the trauma transmission mechanism. The data analysis highlighted significant differences in mothers, children and their interaction during the “traumatic narration”: mothers touched and looked at the infant less, looked more absent and smiled less, and looked less at the interviewer; infants looked less at the interviewer, and sucked the breast more. The mother-child interaction “infant self-stimulation—mother looks absent” and “Infant sucks the breast—mother looks absent” occurred more often during the mothers' traumatic narrations. The “absence” of the mother during trauma recall seems to have repercussions on infants' behavior and interaction; infants show coping strategies that are discussed. We found no significant associations between interaction and infant gender and age, the severity of traumatic experience, mothers' depression and anxiety symptoms, and the country of residence. The results of the microanalysis of interaction can shed light on the fundamental role of intermodal exchanges between mother and infant in trauma transmission during mothers' trauma reactivation.