bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway associated with ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.) leaf color formation
Authors: Feng Xinkang , Gao Gang , Yu Chunming , Zhu Aiguo , Chen Jikang , Chen Kunmei , Wang Xiaofei , Abubakar Aminu Shehu , Chen Ping
Published: September 2021

Background

The bast fiber crop ramie can be used as high-quality forage resources, especially in tropical or subtropical region where there is lack of high-quality protein feed. Hongxuan No.1 (HX_1) is a unique ramie variety with a light reddish brown leaf color, which is obviously different from elite cultivar, Zhongzhu No.1 (ZZ_1, green leaf). While, the regulatory mechanism of color difference or secondary metaboliates synthesis between these two varieties have not been studied.

Results

In this study, phenotypic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of HX_1 and ZZ_1 were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of leaf color formation. Chromaticity value and pigment content measuring showed that anthocyanin was the main metabolites imparting the different leaf color phenotype between the two varieties. Based on LC/MS, at least 14 anthocyanins were identified in leaves of HX_1 and ZZ_1, and the HX_1 showed the higher relative content of malvidin-, pelargonidin-,and cyanidin-based anthocyanins. Transcriptome and metabolome co-analysis revealed that the up-regulated expression of flavonoids synthesis gene was positively correlated with total anthocyanins accumulation in ramie leaf, and the differentfially expression of “blue gene” (F3’5’H) and the “red gene” (F3’H) in leaves bring out HX_1 metabolic flow more input into the cyanidin branch. Furthermore, the enrichment of glycosylated modification pathway (UGT and AT) and the expression of flavonoid 3-O-glucosyl transferase (UFGT), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), in leaves were significantly influenced the diversity of anthocyanins between HX_1 and ZZ_1.

Conclusions

Phenotypic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of HX_1 and ZZ_1 indicated that the expression levels of genes related to anthocyanin metabolism contribute to the color formation of ramie variety. Anthocyanins are important plant secandary metabilates with many physiological functions, the results of this study will deepened our understanding of ramie leaf color formation, and provided basis for molecular breeding of functional forage ramie.
Reproductive tract microbiota of women in childbearing age shifts upon gynecological infections and menstrual cycle
Authors: Cheng Lijuan , Gao Yan , Xia Qing , Wang Hui , Xie Xiuzhen , Liu Yurong , Shang Heying , Diao Yutao
Published: September 2021

Background

This study was undertaken to discover whether the vaginal microbe of women at childbearing age is different among groups defined by urogenital tract infections, childbearing history and menstrual cycle, respectively.

Results

This was a multiple case-control study of women at childbearing age who were assigned to case or control groups according to their states of urogenital tract infections. The participants were also grouped by childbearing history and menstrual cycle. Vaginal swabs were collected and stored at − 70 °C until assayed. The V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. We tested the hypothesis of whether the relative abundance of microbial species in vaginal microbiota was varied with urogenital tract infections, childbearing history and menstrual cycle. The vaginal microbial richness (Alpha diversity measured by PD_whole tree) was decreased in normal women (without reproductive tract infections) than in those with bacterial vaginosis (BV), and decreased in pregnant women than in other groups of non-pregnancy. Similarly, women from groups of normal and in pregnancy had lower beta diversity on measure of unweighted_unifrac distance in comparison to those of infected and non-pregnant. The top 10 genus relative abundance, especially Lactobacillus, which was the most dominant genus with the relative abundance of 71.55% among all samples, did not differ significantly between groups of childbearing history and menstrual cycle analyzed by ANOVA and nonparametric kruskal_wallis. Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus helveticus have the most abundance, totally account for 97.92% relative abundance of genus Lactobacillus. We also found that a higher L.helveticus/L.iners ratio is more likely to present in normal women than in the infected and in pregnant than in non-pregnant, although these comparisons lack statistical significance.

Conclusions

The relative abundance of dominant bacterial taxa in vaginal microbial communities of women at childbearing age were not different among groups of childbearing history and menstrual cycle. Women from groups of in pregnancy and without reproductive tract infections had lower alpha and beta diversity. The composition of the main lactobacillus species may shift upon phases of a menstrual cycle and the status of reproductive tract infections.
Recent amplification of microsatellite-associated miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in the pineapple genome
Authors: Lin Lianyu , Sharma Anupma , Yu Qingyi
Published: September 2021

Background

Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are non-autonomous DNA transposable elements that play important roles in genome organization and evolution. Genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs provide essential information for understanding genome structure and evolution.

Results

We performed genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs in the pineapple genome. The top two MITE families, accounting for 29.39% of the total MITEs and 3.86% of the pineapple genome, have insertion preference in (TA) n dinucleotide microsatellite regions. We therefore named these MITEs A. comosus microsatellite-associated MITEs (Ac-mMITEs). The two Ac-mMITE families, Ac-mMITE-1 and Ac-mMITE-2, shared sequence similarity in the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) regions, suggesting that these two Ac-mMITE families might be derived from a common or closely related autonomous elements. The Ac-mMITEs are frequently clustered via adjacent insertions. Among the 21,994 full-length Ac-mMITEs, 46.1% of them were present in clusters. By analyzing the Ac-mMITEs without (TA) n microsatellite flanking sequences, we found that Ac-mMITEs were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Ac-MITEs showed highly polymorphic insertion sites between cultivated pineapples and their wild relatives. To better understand the evolutionary history of Ac-mMITEs, we filtered and performed comparative analysis on the two distinct groups of Ac-mMITEs, microsatellite-targeting MITEs (mt-MITEs) that are flanked by dinucleotide microsatellites on both sides and mutator-like MITEs (ml-MITEs) that contain 9/10 bp TSDs. Epigenetic analysis revealed a lower level of host-induced silencing on the mt-MITEs in comparison to the ml-MITEs, which partially explained the significantly higher abundance of mt-MITEs in pineapple genome. The mt-MITEs and ml-MITEs exhibited differential insertion preference to gene-related regions and RNA-seq analysis revealed their differential influences on expression regulation of nearby genes.

Conclusions

Ac-mMITEs are the most abundant MITEs in the pineapple genome and they were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Preferential insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions of Ac-mMITEs occurred recently and is likely the result of damage-limiting strategy adapted by Ac-mMITEs during co-evolution with their host. Insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions might also have promoted the amplification of mt-MITEs. In addition, mt-MITEs showed no or negligible impact on nearby gene expression, which may help them escape genome control and lead to their amplification.
The association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio with mortality among patients suffering from acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Heidarpour Maryam , Bashiri Sepideh , Vakhshoori Mehrbod , Heshmat-Ghahdarijani Kiyan , Khanizadeh Farbod , Ferdowsian Shaghayegh , Shafie Davood
Published: September 2021

Background

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an inflammation index suggested to have the prognostic capability in heart failure (HF). We sought to investigate the association of PLR with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and creatinine (Cr) rise among Iranian individuals suffering from acute decompensated HF (ADHF).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was in the context of the Persian Registry Of cardioVascular diseasE/Heart Failure (PROVE/HF) study. 405 individuals with ADHF admitted to the emergency department were recruited from April 2019 to March 2020. PLR was calculated by division of platelet to absolute lymphocyte counts and categorized based on quartiles. We utilized the Kaplan–Meier curve to show the difference in mortality based on PLR quartiles. Cr rise was defined as the increment of at least 0.3 mg/dl from baseline. Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) was used to investigate the association of PLR with CVDs mortality.

Results

Mean age of participants was 65.9 ± 13.49 years (males: 67.7%). The mean follow-up duration was 4.26 ± 2.2 months. CVDs mortality or re-hospitalization was not significantly associated with PLR status. Multivariate analysis of PLR quartiles showed a minimally reduced likelihood of CVDs death in 2nd quartile versus the first one (HR 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16–1.01, P = 0.054). Cr rise had no remarkable relation with PLR status in neither model.

Conclusion

PLR could not be used as an independent prognostic factor among ADHF patients. Several studies are required clarifying the exact utility of this index.
The short-term safety and effectiveness of a new distal perforating stent graft in Type B aortic dissection: a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Xunqiang , Ji Wenkai , Tian Min , Chen Huanjun , Li Cuihong , Zhang Liqiong , Yang Ying , Wang Jifeng , Ji Min , Yang Chunxin , Zhu Enshuai , Cong Lei , Zhang Xili , Zhou Xiaona , Liu Hailong , Wang Jiaping , Tan Jing , Zhang Jinhui
Published: September 2021

Background

Spinal artery ischemia (SCI) events can result from over coverage of the descending thoracic aorta with a coated stent during Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR). The aim of this study was to determine whether a new distal perforating stent could reduce the incidence of spinal cord ischemia while remodeling the true lumen.

Methods

TBAD patients treated with Talos stent in the vascular surgery Department of Yan 'an Hospital affiliated to Kunming Medical University between December 2017 and October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the short-term safety and effectiveness of Talos stent.

Results

A total of the 20 patients, including 14 males and 6 females, with an average age of 52.65 ± 8.98 years (range 37–68 years), were included in the analysis. Stent-grafts were successfully implanted in all patients under local anesthesia, with a technical success rate of 100%. The average operation time was 50.75 ± 13.01 min. A total of 2 cases (10%) presented chest pain associated with intercostal artery ischemia that was relieved on the 3rd and 5th postoperative day, respectively. Postoperative mean follow-up was 16.15 ± 3.99 months. No paraplegia or other complications occurred. And stenting did not induce new tears. No migration, deformation, or fracture of the stents occurred. There was a significant difference in the remolding of the true lumen preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Talos stent has achieved satisfactory clinical treatment results in short term.
An improved method for the effect estimation of the intermediate event on the outcome based on the susceptible pre-identification
Authors: Hu Haixia , Wang Ling , Li Chen , Ge Wei , Xia Jielai
Published: September 2021

Background

In follow-up studies, the occurrence of the intermediate event may influence the risk of the outcome of interest. Existing methods estimate the effect of the intermediate event by including a time-varying covariate in the outcome model. However, the insusceptible fraction to the intermediate event in the study population has not been considered in the literature, leading to effect estimation bias due to the inaccurate dataset.

Methods

In this paper, we propose a new effect estimation method, in which the susceptible subpopulation is identified firstly so that the estimation could be conducted in the right population. Then, the effect is estimated via the extended Cox regression and landmark methods in the identified susceptible subpopulation. For susceptibility identification, patients with observed intermediate event time are classified as susceptible. Based on the mixture cure model fitted the incidence and time of the intermediate event, the susceptibility of the patient with censored intermediate event time is predicted by the residual intermediate event time imputation. The effect estimation performance of the new method was investigated in various scenarios via Monte-Carlo simulations with the performance of existing methods serving as the comparison. The application of the proposed method to mycosis fungoides data has been reported as an example.

Results

The simulation results show that the estimation bias of the proposed method is smaller than that of the existing methods, especially in the case of a large insusceptible fraction. The results hold for small sample sizes. Besides, the estimation bias of the new method decreases with the increase of the covariates, especially continuous covariates, in the mixture cure model. The heterogeneity of the effect of covariates on the outcome in the insusceptible and susceptible subpopulation, as well as the landmark time, does not affect the estimation performance of the new method.

Conclusions

Based on the pre-identification of the susceptible, the proposed new method could improve the effect estimation accuracy of the intermediate event on the outcome when there is an insusceptible fraction to the intermediate event in the study population.
Clinical heterogeneity of low flow spinal arteriovenous fistulas; a case series
Authors: Krishnan D. , Viswanathan S. , Rose N. , Benjamin H. S. N. , Ong A. M. , Hiew F. L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Spinal AVF (SAVF), a potentially treatable cause of myelopathy, remains a challenging diagnosis. Its rarity and non-specific imaging findings often result in misdiagnosis despite a high index of clinical suspicion. The classically described high T2 signal in the spinal cord or prominent vascular flow voids in the intradural space were not infrequently missed on initial imaging, only to be picked up at follow-up imaging after progression of symptoms. Additionally, small sized fistulas(< 1 mm) and SAVF involving less frequent locations like the craniocervical junction in a patient presenting with paraplegia further complicates the diagnosis. On rare occasions, acute atypical presentation following a surgery adds to the conundrum. Definite diagnosis with spinal angiography, the gold-standard modality requires the expertise of highly skilled interventionists which may otherwise lead to false negative findings. We describe four SAVF patients with unconventional presentations, highlighting less described clinical findings.

Case presentation

First was a 50-year-old man presented with spastic paraparesis and was found to have an AVF at the cervical region arising from the vertebral artery. Second, a 45-year-old man with acute paraplegia post-operatively, initially treated for a transverse myelitis before lumbar region AVF was detected. Thirdly, a 27-year-old man presented with subacute lower thoracic myelopathy and deteriorated after corticosteroid treatment. The last patient, who initially appeared to have conus medullaris/cauda equina syndrome had a SAVF at the mid thoracic level. Presentation varied with some exhibiting acute deterioration mimicking other spinal cord pathology such as inflammatory disorders. All patients eventually underwent endovascular treatment with successful embolization of SDAVF. None of them exhibited further neurological deterioration after embolization.

Conclusion

Successful treatment of SAVF is possible provided the diagnosis is made early, allowing timely intervention. Certain clues may aid the diagnosis. Firstly, arteriovenous fistula can be located distant to the clinical localization of myelopathy resulting in the unexpected longitudinally extensive spinal cord signal change. This clinical-radiological discrepancy can be a useful clue in diagnosing SAVF. Secondly, an acute myelopathic presentation immediately post-surgery may be related to SAVF. Other SAVF feature of note includes progressive myelopathy mimicking immune-mediated myelitis among young adults below 30 years of age refractory to immune therapy.
“Preterm birth risk, me?” Women risk perception about premature delivery – a qualitative analysis
Authors: Silva Thaís V , Bento Silvana F , Katz Leila , Pacagnella Rodolfo C
Published: September 2021

Background

Risk perception is based on collective indicators, but it is influenced by the individual’s self-perception of his health-disease process. This study aims to investigate the risk perception of pregnant women who were identified as high-risk for premature birth and to seek strategies for better management of such cases.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study where women who had completed their participation in P5 trial were contacted and invited to answer a structured questionnaire with open questions. Data were collected by telephone and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis categories were defined, and all the answers were reviewed, categorized, grouped, and a descriptive summary was prepared.

Results

Two hundred eight Brazilian women have participated. Three categories were identified: (1) Risk perception mediated by health professionals; (2) Self-perception of risk through personal experiences and relationships; (3) Perception of treatment success. After receiving an explanation from a health professional about short cervix and premature birth, women understood the risk of premature delivery, recognizing the importance of early diagnosis to prevent premature birth. Unsuccessful previous experiences in prior pregnancies influenced women’s risk perception. Patients believed in the success of the treatment performed, placing their hopes on the treatment even without research guarantees about benefits.

Conclusions

Pregnant women’s risk perception regarding prematurity is based partly on personal and family experiences but mainly on information given by health professionals. The risk perception about preterm birth may contribute to healthy pregnancy, guiding necessary interventions and preventing adverse outcomes. Prevention studies on prematurity should thus focus on neonatal outcomes.
Effect of prophylactic balloon occlusion of internal iliac artery in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa and accreta
Authors: Chen Daijuan , Xu Jinfeng , Tian Yuan , Ye Pengfei , Zhao Fumin , Liu Xinghui , Wang Xiaodong , Peng Bing
Published: September 2021

Background

Placenta previa and accreta are serious obstetric conditions that are associated with a high risk of intraoperative massive hemorrhage, the prophylactic intravascular balloon occlusion technique is increasingly used in managing uncontrolled hemorrhage in cesarean section (CS). We aim to examine the clinical effectiveness of prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac artery (PBOIIA) during CS in improving maternal outcomes for patients with placenta previa and accreta.

Methods

A total of 420 women with placenta previa and accreta who underwent CS from January 2014 to December 2018 were included retrospectively. Patients were divided into balloon group in which patients had PBOIIA (n = 248) and the control group in which patients did not have PBOIIA (n = 172). Meanwhile, we performed a subgroup analysis in whether taking parallel transverse uterine incision (PTUI) surgery. Information on conditions of patients and newborns, perioperative blood indicators, surgical outcomes were collected.

Results

Median estimated blood loss (mEBL) was 2200 mL in the balloon group and 2150 mL in the control group respectively, there was no significant difference between two-groups comparison (P > 0.05), and the rate of patients with hysterectomy was also has no difference between the two groups (36.3% verus 35.5%, P > 0.05), while there is a significant difference between two groups in the amount of PRBCs transfused [3 (0–31.5) verus 3 (0–39), P <0.05], moreover, the proportion of PRBCS> 8 units in the balloon group is significantly lower than that in control group (11.29% verus 23.26%, P <0.05).. However, the total hospitalization costs (45,624.4 ± 11,061.9 verus 37,523.1 ± 14,662.2, CYN) and surgery costs (19,910.6 ± 2622.6 verus 11,850.5 ± 3146.1, CYN) in balloon group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed PTUI surgery had no significant differences in EBL (P >0.05), but it could significantly decrease hysterectomy rates (P <0.05).

Conclusions

PBOIIA has no significant effect on reducing intraoperative EBL and hysterectomy rate in patients with placenta previa and accreta. and although it could reduce the intraoperative PRBCs in patients with massive hemorrhage, it significantly increases the financial cost for patients. Therefore, PBOIIA should not be routinely recommended to patients with placenta previa and accreta.
Maternal depressive symptoms and stress during pregnancy as predictors of gestational age at birth and standardized body mass index from birth up to 2 years of age
Authors: Eichler Janina , Schmidt Ricarda , Poulain Tanja , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Hilbert Anja
Published: September 2021

Background

While depressive symptoms and stress during pregnancy are known to affect gestational age and weight at birth, evidence on their impact on child anthropometric development in the long term remains limited, showing inconsistent effects. Importantly, previous research indicated a substantially stronger impact of categorically rather than dimensionally assessed mental health problems on birth outcomes and child development.

Methods

The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms and stress during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy dimensionally and categorically, with scores ≥10 indicating clinical significance. Gestational age at birth and BMI-SDS from birth up to 2 years of age were examined as dependent variables. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the prediction of birth outcomes and child anthropometry by mental health problems while controlling for multiple maternal and child characteristics in 322 mother-child dyads.

Results

Dimensionally assessed mental health problems did not significantly predict birth outcomes. While categorical depressive symptoms significantly predicted a higher child BMI-SDS, categorical stress significantly predicted a lower gestational age at birth. Neither categorical nor dimensional mental health problems significantly predicted child BMI-SDS at 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms and stress during pregnancy seem to differentially affect birth outcomes, and only if clinically relevant. The results implicate the importance to timely treat pregnant women that are greatly affected by mental health problems to potentially reduce adverse birth outcomes.
Preoperative C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sugimoto Atsushi , Toyokawa Takahiro , Miki Yuichiro , Yoshii Mami , Tamura Tatsuro , Sakurai Katsunobu , Kubo Naoshi , Tanaka Hiroaki , Lee Shigeru , Muguruma Kazuya , Yashiro Masakazu , Ohira Masaichi
Published: September 2021

Background

Postoperative anastomotic leakage (AL) is associated with not only prolonged hospital stay and increased medical costs, but also poor prognosis in esophageal cancer. Several studies have addressed the utility of various inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers as predictors for postoperative complications. However, none have been documented as specific predictors for AL in esophageal cancer. We aimed to identify predictors of AL after esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer, focusing on preoperative inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 295 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between June 2007 and July 2020. As inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers, Onodera prognostic nutritional index, C-reactive protein (CRP)-to-albumin ratio (CAR) and modified Glasgow prognostic score were investigated. Optimal cut-off values of inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers for AL were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Predictors for AL were analyzed by logistic regression modeling.

Results

AL was observed in 34 patients (11.5%). In univariate analyses, preoperative body mass index (≥ 22.1 kg/m2), serum albumin level (≤ 3.8 g/dL), serum CRP level (≥ 0.06 mg/dL), CAR (≥ 0.0139), operation time (> 565 min) and blood loss (≥ 480 mL) were identified as predictors of AL. Multivariate analyses revealed higher preoperative CAR (≥ 0.0139) as an independent predictor of AL (p = 0.048, odds ratio = 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.01–9.06).

Conclusion

Preoperative CAR may provide a useful predictor of AL after esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Thermal modulation of Zebrafish exploratory statistics reveals constraints on individual behavioral variability
Authors: Le Goc Guillaume , Lafaye Julie , Karpenko Sophia , Bormuth Volker , Candelier Raphaël , Debrégeas Georges
Published: September 2021

Background

Variability is a hallmark of animal behavior. It contributes to survival by endowing individuals and populations with the capacity to adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions. Intra-individual variability is thought to reflect both endogenous and exogenous modulations of the neural dynamics of the central nervous system. However, how variability is internally regulated and modulated by external cues remains elusive. Here, we address this question by analyzing the statistics of spontaneous exploration of freely swimming zebrafish larvae and by probing how these locomotor patterns are impacted when changing the water temperatures within an ethologically relevant range.

Results

We show that, for this simple animal model, five short-term kinematic parameters — interbout interval, turn amplitude, travelled distance, turn probability, and orientational flipping rate — together control the long-term exploratory dynamics. We establish that the bath temperature consistently impacts the means of these parameters, but leave their pairwise covariance unchanged. These results indicate that the temperature merely controls the sampling statistics within a well-defined kinematic space delineated by this robust statistical structure. At a given temperature, individual animals explore the behavioral space over a timescale of tens of minutes, suggestive of a slow internal state modulation that could be externally biased through the bath temperature. By combining these various observations into a minimal stochastic model of navigation, we show that this thermal modulation of locomotor kinematics results in a thermophobic behavior, complementing direct gradient-sensing mechanisms.

Conclusions

This study establishes the existence of a well-defined locomotor space accessible to zebrafish larvae during spontaneous exploration, and quantifies self-generated modulation of locomotor patterns. Intra-individual variability reflects a slow diffusive-like probing of this space by the animal. The bath temperature in turn restricts the sampling statistics to sub-regions, endowing the animal with basic thermophobicity. This study suggests that in zebrafish, as well as in other ectothermic animals, ambient temperature could be used to efficiently manipulate internal states in a simple and ethological way.
First detection and phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus 3 in female donkeys with reproductive disorders
Authors: Wang Tongtong , Chai Wenqiong , Wang Yonghui , Liu Wenqiang , Huang Zetong , Chen Li , Guo Ruihong , Dong Yuting , Liu Mengyuan , Zheng Qiankun , Liu Guiqin , Wang Changfa , Guo Wen-Ping , Liu Sidang , Li Liangliang
Published: September 2021

Background

PCV3 is a pathogen associated with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS)-like clinical signs, reproductive failure, and cardiac and multiorgan inflammation, which was newly identified in 2016 in sows in USA. Recently, PCV3 has also been identified from several non-porcine species like (cattle, dog, wild boar, deer, mice and ticks). However, PCV3 infection in donkey is not well established. Since 2019, 300 blood samples were collected from female donkey, which was characterized by abortion and sterility, in Liaocheng city of China.

Results

In the present study, an investigation of PCV3 in donkey blood samples was undertaken employing by real time PCR. Positive rates of PCV3 in donkeys reach to 21.0 %. In addition, one full-length PCV3 genome sequence was obtained, and it had a highest identity with porcine circovirus 3 PCV3/CN/Nanjing2017 strain and is clustered to PCV3a genotype based on ORF2 sequences.

Conclusions

This is the first report of detection of PCV3 from female donkeys presenting reproductive failure in large-scale donkey farms, China. In addition, the PCV3 strain identified in this study shared the closest relationship with those from porcine, suggesting that PCV3 may be transmitted from pigs to donkeys. Totally, PCV3 infection in donkey should be concerned although the association between it and reproductive failure are not better understood.
Targeted delivery of pentagalloyl glucose inhibits matrix metalloproteinase activity and preserves elastin in emphysematous lungs
Authors: Parasaram Vaideesh , Wang Xiaoying , Krisanarungson Pantrika , Vyavahare Narendra
Published: September 2021

Background

Elastin degradation has been established as one of the driving factors of emphysema. Elastin-derived peptides (EDPs) are shown to act as a chemoattractant for monocytes. Effectively shielding elastin from elastolytic damage and regenerating lost elastin are two important steps in improving the mechanical function of damaged lungs. Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) has been shown to preserve elastin in vascular tissues from elastolytic damage in vivo and aid in elastin deposition in vitro.

Methods

We created emphysema by elastase inhalation challenge in mice. Albumin nanoparticles loaded with PGG, conjugated with elastin antibody, were delivered to target degraded elastin in lungs. We investigated matrix metalloproteinase-12 activity and lung damage by measuring dynamic compliance and tidal volume changes.

Results

Ex-vivo experiments demonstrated elastin preservation in PGG treated samples compared to controls. Inhaled nanoparticles conjugated with elastin antibody retained for extended periods in lungs. Further, mice treated with PGG nanoparticles showed a significant suppression of MMP-12 activity measured in the lungs. We observed suppression of emphysema in terms of dynamic lung compliance and tidal volume change compared to the control group. The histological examination further confirmed elastin preservation in the lungs.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate successful targeted delivery of nanoparticles loaded with PGG to inhibit MMP-12 activity and preserve elastin in the lungs. Such targeted PGG therapy has potential therapeutic use in the management of emphysema.
Expression, biochemical and structural characterization of high-specific-activity β-amylase from Bacillus aryabhattai GEL-09 for application in starch hydrolysis
Authors: Duan Xuguo , Zhu Qiuyu , Zhang Xinyi , Shen Zhenyan , Huang Yue
Published: September 2021

Background

β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) is an exo-enzyme that shows high specificity for cleaving the α-1,4-glucosidic linkage of starch from the non-reducing end, thereby liberating maltose. In this study, we heterologously expressed and characterized a novel β-amylase from Bacillus aryabhattai.

Results

The amino acid-sequence alignment showed that the enzyme shared the highest sequence identity with β-amylase from Bacillus flexus (80.73%) followed by Bacillus cereus (71.38%). Structural comparison revealed the existence of an additional starch-binding domain (SBD) at the C-terminus of B. aryabhattai β-amylase, which is notably different from plant β-amylases. The recombinant enzyme purified 4.7-fold to homogeneity, with a molecular weight of ~ 57.6 kDa and maximal activity at pH 6.5 and 50 °C. Notably, the enzyme exhibited the highest specific activity (3798.9 U/mg) among reported mesothermal microbial β-amylases and the highest specificity for soluble starch, followed by corn starch. Kinetic analysis showed that the Km and kcat values were 9.9 mg/mL and 116961.1 s− 1, respectively. The optimal reaction conditions to produce maltose from starch resulted in a maximal yield of 87.0%. Moreover, molecular docking suggested that B. aryabhattai β-amylase could efficiently recognize and hydrolyze maltotetraose substrate.

Conclusions

These results suggested that B. aryabhattai β-amylase could be a potential candidate for use in the industrial production of maltose from starch.
Clinical value of miR-135 and miR-20a combined with multi-detector computed tomography in the diagnosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Han Wenwen , Bu Xiangzhen , Liu Yanli , Liu Fang , Ren Yujie , Cui Yongsheng , Kong Shuhong
Published: September 2021

Background

To study the clinical value of miR-135 and miR-20a combined with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC).

Method

A total of 146 patients with GC admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to June 2019 were selected and enrolled in the GC group. Another 103 patients with gastritis received in the same period were selected for the non-GC group. Besides, 95 healthy subjects who received physical examination in our hospital were selected into the healthy control group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of serum miR-135 and miR-20a for each group. MDCT was used for detecting the clinical staging map of the enrolled patients. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum miR-135 and miR-20a in patients with GC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze value of miR-135 and miR-20a in the diagnosis of GC.

Results

Compared with non-GC group and healthy control group, the levels of serum miR-135 and miR-20a increased significantly in the GC group, while no significant difference was found between non-GC group and healthy control group (P > 0.05). Analysis of the relationship with clinical characteristics showed that the expression of serum miR-135 and miR-20a in the GC group was significantly correlated with the progression of GC, TNM stage, degrees of differentiation, status of lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis (P < 0.01). Pearson’s correlation analysis results showed positive correlations between miR-135 and miR-20a (r = 0.634, P = 0.000). The ROC analysis results showed that the optimal diagnostic values of miR-135 and miR-20a for GC were 7.56 and 5.82 respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.873 and 0.793 respectively. The 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.811-0.935 and 0.697-0.890 respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of miR-135 and miR-20a combined with MDCT in the diagnosis of GC were 90.41% and 93.20% respectively. The sensitivity of combined use was significantly higher than that of single detection (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

There are high expression levels of serum miR-135 and miR-20a in patients with GC. A combined detection of miR-135 and miR-20a with MDCT can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of GC and improve the accuracy of the final diagnosis. Therefore, multiple combined detection is valuable in the diagnosis of GC.
Treatment of bipolar disorders in older adults: a review
Authors: Ljubic Nemanja , Ueberberg Bianca , Grunze Heinz , Assion Hans-Jörg
Published: September 2021

Background

Old age bipolar disorder has been an orphan of psychiatric research for a long time despite the fact that bipolar disorder (BD)-I and II together may affect 0.5–1.0% of the elderly. It is also unclear whether aetiology, course of illness and treatment should differ in patients with a first manifestation in older age and patients suffering from a recurrence of a BD known for decades. This narrative review will summarize the current state of knowledge about the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment of BD in the elderly.

Methods

We conducted a Medline literature search from 1970 to 2021 using MeSH terms “Bipolar Disorder” × “Aged” or “Geriatric” or “Elderly”. Search results were complemented by additional literature retrieved from examining cross references and by hand search in text books.

Summary of findings

Varying cut-off ages have been applied to differentiate old age from adult age BD. Within old age BD, there is a reasonable agreement of distinct entities, early and late-onset BD. They differ to some extent in clinical symptoms, course of illness, and some co-morbidities. Point prevalence of BD in older adults appears slightly lower than in working-age adults, with polarity of episodes shifting towards depression. Psychopharmacological treatment needs to take into account the special aspects of somatic gerontology and the age-related change of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics. The evidence for commonly used treatments such as lithium, mood-stabilizing antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and antidepressants remains sparse. Preliminary results support a role of ECT as well as psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions in old age BD.

Conclusions

There is an obvious need of further research for all treatment modalities of BD in old age. The focus should be pharmacological and psychosocial approaches, as well as their combination, and the role of physical treatment modalities such as ECT.
Efficiency in the governance of the Covid-19 pandemic: political and territorial factors
Authors: Martínez-Córdoba Pedro-José , Benito Bernardino , García-Sánchez Isabel-María
Published: September 2021

Background

The pandemic generated by Covid-19 has changed the way of life of citizens around the world in a short time, affecting all areas of society directly or indirectly, which is facing a global health crisis with different national responses implemented by governments. Several months into the pandemic, the first after-effects of Covid-19 are beginning to be felt by citizens, who are questioning the management carried out so far. In order to improve the performance of governmental decisions to reduce the impact of the pandemic during the coming months, we calculated the levels of efficiency in the management of health resources. In addition, we identify some country characteristics that may condition efficient management.

Results

We obtained significant differences according to the geographical location of the country, with European and American countries being less efficient than Asian and African countries. Likewise, we can affirm that greater freedom of expression, a higher median age and an unstable economy and labor market reduce efficiency. However, female leadership of the government and greater compliance with the rule of law offer more efficient management, as do countries that derive more revenues from tourism.

Conclusions

These results provide an opportunity for political leaders to reflect on their management during these months of the pandemic in order to identify mistakes and improve the implementation of effective measures. It has been shown that using more resources does not mean managing better; therefore, policymakers need to pay special attention to the use of resources, taking into account the budgetary constraints of the public sector.
An asymptomatic child of pre-perforation erosion after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect
Authors: Zhang Wen-long , Liang Fei
Published: September 2021

Background

Fatal pericardial tamponade caused by aortic or atrial perforation due to erosion of atrial septal occluders has been reported previously, but the timing of erosion is uncertain, and the process is also unclear.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with erosion of the aorta and atrium by the occluder not leading to perforation or pericardial tamponade because of early detection and timely surgery. A small amount of pericardial effusion may be the only manifestation of early erosion. This case firstly revealed the early process of device erosion in children.

Conclusions

An absent aortic rim may be a higher risk factor for erosion than oversized device for a child, and it is wise to choose a relatively small occluder or change to surgery. This may be helpful for preventing and treating serious complications caused by erosion of the occluder.
Altering Dynamics of Autonomic Processing Therapy (ADAPT) trial: a novel, targeted treatment for reducing anxiety in joint hypermobility
Authors: Davies Geoff , Csecs Jenny L. L. , Ball Heather , Dare Jess , Bremner Stephen , Hosking Robin , Critchley Hugo D. , Grey Nick , Eccles Jessica A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Hypermobility is a poorly recognised and understood musculoskeletal disorder thought to affect around 20% of the population. Hypermobility is associated with reduced physiological and psychological functioning and quality of life and is a known risk factor for the development of an anxiety disorder. To date, no evidence-based, targeted treatment for anxiety in the context of hypermobility exists. The present intervention (ADAPT—Altering Dynamics of Autonomic Processing Therapy) is a novel therapy combining bio-behavioural training with cognitive approaches from clinical health psychology targeting the catastrophisation of internal sensations, with aim to improve autonomic trait prediction error.

Method

Eighty individuals with diagnosed hypermobility will be recruited and the efficacy of ADAPT to treat anxiety will be compared to an Emotion-Focused Supportive Therapy (EFST) comparator therapy in a randomised controlled trial. The primary treatment target will be post therapy score on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and secondary outcomes will also be considered in relation to interoception, depression, alexithymia, social and work adjustment, panic symptoms and dissociation. Due to COVID restrictions, the intervention will be moved to online delivery and qualitative assessment of treatment tolerance to online therapy will also be assessed.

Discussion

Online delivery of an intervention targeting anxiety would improve the quality of life for those experiencing anxiety disorder and help to reduce the £11.7 billion that anxiety disorders cost the UK economy annually.

Trial registration

World Health Organization ISRCTN17018615. Registered on 20th February 2019; trial protocol version 2
Genetic interplay between transcription factor Pou4f1/Brn3a and neurotrophin receptor Ret in retinal ganglion cell type specification
Authors: Muzyka Vladimir Vladimirovich , Badea Tudor Constantin
Published: September 2021

Background

While the transcriptional code governing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) type specification begins to be understood, its interplay with neurotrophic signaling is largely unexplored. In mice, the transcription factor Brn3a/Pou4f1 is expressed in most RGCs, and is required for the specification of RGCs with small dendritic arbors. The Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) receptor Ret is expressed in a subset of RGCs, including some expressing Brn3a, but its role in RGC development is not defined.

Methods

Here we use combinatorial genetic experiments using conditional knock-in reporter alleles at the Brn3a and Ret loci, in combination with retina- or Ret specific Cre drivers, to generate complete or mosaic genetic ablations of either Brn3a or Ret in RGCs. We then use sparse labelling to investigate Brn3a and Ret gene dosage effects on RGC dendritic arbor morphology. In addition, we use immunostaining and/or gene expression profiling by RNASeq to identify transcriptional targets relevant for the potential Brn3a-Ret interaction in RGC development.

Results

We find that mosaic gene dosage manipulation of the transcription factor Brn3a/Pou4f1 in neurotrophic receptor Ret heterozygote RGCs results in altered cell fate decisions and/or morphological dendritic defects. Specific RGC types are lost if Brn3a is ablated during embryogenesis and only mildly affected by postnatal Brn3a ablation. Sparse but not complete Brn3a heterozygosity combined with complete Ret heterozygosity has striking effects on RGC type distribution. Brn3a only mildly modulates Ret transcription, while Ret knockouts exhibit slightly skewed Brn3a and Brn3b expression during development that is corrected by adult age. Brn3a loss of function modestly but significantly affects distribution of Ret co-receptors GFRα1-3, and neurotrophin receptors TrkA and TrkC in RGCs.

Conclusions

Based on these observations, we propose that Brn3a and Ret converge onto developmental pathways that control RGC type specification, potentially through a competitive mechanism requiring signaling from the surrounding tissue.
Microarray analysis of circular RNAs in HCT-8 cells infected with Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Zhao Heng , Zhang Yanan , Yan Lei
Published: September 2021

We read with great interest the article by Yin et al. (Parasit Vectors 14:238, 2021). The authors found that Cryptosporidium infection induced significantly aberrant expression of circular RNA profiles in HCT-8 cells, a finding which has far-reaching implications. However, due to the high number of false positives caused by multiple comparisons, statistical methods for microarray analysis should be carefully selected. Accurate analysis results will provide a convincing basis for subsequent experiments. In addition, we recommend several more appropriate methods in this article.
Response to comments on our article (Yin YL et al., Parasit Vectors, 10.1186/s13071-021-04739-w) by Yuqing Wang and colleagues
Authors: Yin Yan-Ling , Yang Xin , Zhao Guang-Hui
Published: September 2021

This letter responds to comments on our article (Yin YL et al., Parasit Vectors, 10.1186/s13071-021-04739-w) by Yuqing Wang and colleagues, who wrote a letter entitled “Microarray analysis of circular RNAs in HCT-8 cells infected withCryptosporidium parvum” and discussed statistical procedures for microarray analysis duringC. parvuminfection. To further confirm our data, in this letter, a common R package for analyses of differentially expressed genes, namely DESeq2, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction, was used to analyze our microarray data and identified 26 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs using adjustedPvalue < 0.05 and | Log2(fold change [FC]) | ≥ 1.0, including our circRNA ciRS-7 of interest. Therefore, the protocol for selecting circRNAs of interest for further study in our article is acceptable and did not affect the subsequent scientific findings in our article.