bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes After Anatomic Versus Physiologic Repair of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Anzai Isao , Zhao Yanling , Dimagli Arnaldo , Pearsall Christian , LaForest Marian , Bacha Emile , Kalfa David
Published: February 2023

Surgical treatment for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is widely debated, with both physiologic repair and anatomic repair holding advantages and disadvantages. This meta-analysis, which includes 44 total studies consisting of 1857 patients, compares mortality at different time points (operative, in-hospital, and post-discharge), reoperation rates, and postoperative ventricular dysfunction between these two categories of procedures. Although anatomic and physiologic repair had similar operative and in-hospital mortality, anatomic repair patients had significantly less post-discharge mortality (6.1% vs 9.7%; P = .006), lower reoperation rates (17.9% vs 20.6%; P < .001), and less postoperative ventricular dysfunction (16% vs 43%; P < .001). When anatomic repair patients were subdivided into those who had atrial and arterial switch versus those who had atrial switch with Rastelli, the double switch group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (4.3% vs 7.6%; P = .026) and reoperation rates (15.6% vs 25.9%; P < .001). The results of this meta-analysis suggest a protective benefit of favoring anatomic repair over physiologic repair.
The Impact of the Cost-Sharing Contract on Capital-Constrained Agricultural Supply Chains
Authors: Bai Shizhen , Jia Xuelian
Published: February 2023

This study attempts to determine the optimal production and pricing decisions of E-Agri-SCF (agricultural product supply chain financed by e-commerce) and analyzes the influence of financing parameters on the optimal decision. Research indicates that the optimal purchase price decision increases with the expansion of the financing interest rate and declines with the expansion of the capital opportunity cost. The expected output factor of agricultural products has no influence on the optimal purchase price decision. The optimal production decision of the farmer declines with the expansion of the financing interest rate and the opportunity cost of capital and increases with the increase in the expected output factor of agricultural products. In particular, we show that due to the uncertainty in the output of agricultural products, the losses caused by decentralized decision-making in the E-Agri-SCF will increase. Therefore, this article proposes using a cost-sharing contract to promote the coordination of E-Agri-SCF. We prove that when farmers share more costs, they obtain higher benefits, while the e-commerce platform does the opposite. This is because the participation of e-commerce platforms in financing has changed the revenue structure of the supply chain. The findings of this article are very meaningful, as they provide management opinions on the financing terms of E-Agri-SCF.
Urban higher education development with Chinese characteristics–The case of Shenzhen
Authors: Fang Yuning , Liu Xu
Published: February 2023

In the age of higher education globalization and marketization, regional development of higher education in China diversifies as a result of the processes of decentralization both localize and stratify the Chinese institutions. The higher education sector in Shenzhen has developed rapidly over the last four decades and it is now home to a number of leading universities and colleges as an emerging education hub in South China. This paper aims to understand the local process in Shenzhen, through a case study of its higher education sector, drawing on interviews with city policymakers and university managers as well as other extent literature and materials. By dividing the process into three different phases, this paper begins by providing a periodized description of the higher education development in the city. Then, it summarizes Shenzhen’s experience in promoting its higher education through negotiating with and navigating within the existing policy framework. Finally, it concludes by discussing a potential ‘Shenzhen model’ of higher education development and providing further information for international scholars to better understand the higher education development in the city context of China.
Comparison of Complication Risks Following Lower Extremity Free Flap Reconstruction Based on Seven Pre-Operative Indications: Analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Database
Authors: Elmer Nicholas A. , Laikhter Elizabeth , Hassell Natalie , Veeramani Anamika , Bustos Valeria P. , Manstein Samuel M. , Comer Carly D. , Kinney Jacquelyn , Dowlatshahi Arriyan Samandar , Lin Samuel J.
Published: February 2023

Background: Free tissue transfer is a valuable surgical option for the reconstruction of a myriad of complex lower extremity defects. Currently, there is a paucity of data that examines the risks of complications for each of these unique indications. Methods: Patients undergoing lower extremity free flap reconstruction from the ACS-NSQIP 2011–2019 database were stratified into groups based on the etiology and indication for reconstruction. Rates of major, surgical wound, and medical complications were compared over the first post-operative month. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify complication predictors. Results: 425 lower extremity free flaps were analyzed. The most common indications for lower extremity free flap reconstruction were wound-related (29%), malignancy (21%), and trauma (17%). Seventeen percent of free flaps had a major post-operative complication, 9% had a surgical wound complication, and 16% had a medical complication. There were no significant differences in major complications between the indications. However, the independent risk factors for major complications varied widely. Those with an indication of malignancy and those who received a musculocutaneous free flap were significantly more likely to have a surgical wound complication compared to the remaining cohort ( p < 0.05). Those requiring free flap reconstruction for orthopedic hardware related concerns as well as those with wound related indications were significantly more likely to have a post-operative medical complication ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Understanding the unique risk profiles between the various indications and populations of patients undergoing lower extremity free flap reconstruction is critical for providing accurate risk estimations and optimizing post-operative outcomes and monitoring. Keywords microsurgery, lower extremity free flap, free flap reconstruction
Understanding Social Disorganization and the Nonprofit Infrastructure: An Ecological Study of Child Maltreatment Rates
Authors: Mayer Duncan J.
Published: February 2023

Advocates and researchers have emphasized the role of disorder in neighborhood processes, with serious consequences for families, however, neighborhood structures may also support families and reduce child maltreatment. Nonprofits maintain a range of strategies to support nearby families, including direct services, facilitation of social networks, and formalizing advocacy for increased attention from government. Using agency data on child maltreatment, nonprofit locations, and indicators of social disorganization, this article studies the role of nonprofit organizations in the spatial distribution of child maltreatment among Cuyahoga County Ohio census tracts ( N = 442). Accounting for spatially structured and tract-specific variation with a hierarchical Poisson model implemented through a Bayesian methodology, the results indicate the presence of nonprofits is a protective factor: negatively associated with child maltreatment (posterior mean: −0.18, CI: −0.34, −0.03), with heterogeneity by type. The study highlights neighborhoods as a propitious site of intervention and emphasizes the intra-county distribution of nonprofits.
Innovative Educational Technologies and Competencies in Higher Education
Authors: Sapargaliyeva Aizhan Zh. , Shynybekova Aizhan S. , Molbassynova Zhumakul M. , Tasbolatova Ryskul , Nurzhanova Tamara T.
Published: February 2023

The relevance of the research topic is that in order to effectively ensure the professional training of highly qualified personnel in higher education institutions, priority is given to professionally competent teachers, researchers and innovators who are able to implement modern methodological approaches to scientific knowledge and student-centred learning during a lifetime with prolonged employment. The purpose of this article is to study the innovative educational technologies and competencies in higher education. The leading research methods are survey, questionnaire, interviewing, testing and the method of statistical analysis. The authors formed experimental and control groups of future teachers in order to measure the level of readiness of philology students to use technological innovations in future professional and pedagogical activities. It was found that positive changes in the identification of students’ interest in these activities occurred only in those students who observed innovative approaches of teachers to teaching foreign languages. Also, it was determined that the increased interest of students—future teachers of philological specializations of the control and experimental groups in multimedia and electronic learning tools is due to the global digitalization of the educational process, as well as the school reformation processes, which provide for the active introduction and use of multimedia teaching tools. The principal research question for this research is as follows: Is it necessary for philolosophy students to use technological innovations in future professional and pedagogical activities? It was concluded that the developed and implemented system of teaching foreign languages to students of philological specializations using technological innovations is effective.
Care to Share? Patients in Private Rooms Are More Likely to Recommend a Hospital to Others
Authors: Atsavapranee Ella , Heidenreich Paul , Smith-Bentley Mystique , Vyas Alpa , Shieh Lisa
Published: February 2023

A patient's likelihood to recommend a hospital is used to assess the quality of their experience. This study investigated whether room type influences patients’ likelihood to recommend Stanford Health Care using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey data from November 2018 to February 2021 ( n = 10,703). The percentage of patients who gave the top response was calculated as a top box score, and the effects of room type, service line, and the COVID-19 pandemic were represented as odds ratios (ORs). Patients in private rooms were more likely to recommend than patients in semi-private rooms (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.16–1.51; 86% vs 79%, p < .001), and service lines with only private rooms had the greatest increases in odds of a top response. The new hospital had significantly higher top box scores than the original hospital (87% vs 84%, p < .001), indicating that room type and hospital environment impact patients’ likelihood to recommend.
Could recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy be caused by a neurovascular conflict?: A case report
Authors: Alstadhaug Karl Bjørnar , Bakkejord Grete , Bø Hans Kristian
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Describe and discuss a typical case with recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON), and demonstrate a likely extrinsic compression of the sixth cranial nerve by a vascular loop.

Background:

RPON is a rare, but well-known entity, characterized by attacks of ophthalmoplegia associated with ipsilateral headache. The etiology is unknown, but a neurovascular conflict (NVC) has been suggested as a cause.

Method:

A 62-year-old woman presented in the emergency department with a horizontal diplopia that developed a few hours after the onset of a left temporal headache. In the past she had presented to the clinic with the same problem several times. She had been thoroughly examined, but no cause had been found. The symptoms had resolved by themselves. In addition to a classic finding in RPON, gadolinium enhancement and thickening of a cranial nerve, the new MRI scanning detected an NVC. Herein we discuss the relevance of this finding.

Conclusion:

A neurovascular conflict causing inflammatory demyelination of a single cranial nerve and relapsing remitting painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy is an alluring idea. However, it is hard to conceive theoretically, and more reported cases with compelling data are needed to give credibility to such an idea.
Love the world, love our loved ones: Personal and public experience of political disappearance in Chile
Authors: Diaz Paola
Published: February 2023

This article presents an empirical and theoretical analysis of the relationship between the experience of a loved one’s political disappearance at a personal level and as a public and political problem in Chile. It discusses two ways of generalizing disappearance into a problem that goes beyond those directly involved or affected. First, using the concepts of “public problem” and “montée en généralité” (generalization process), it analyzes the relationship between individual and collective action in order to describe how the families of the disappeared transform it into a public issue. This is referred to as “generic generalization” since it draws individual cases together into one general category of denunciation. Second, based on Wittgenstein’s metaphor of “family resemblances,” the article examines other ways of publicizing the disappearance in which the political aspect of the problem does not necessarily obliterate its personal nature for the families but juxtaposes the personal and the public. The article defines these as “sense generality.” The research upon which this theoretical article is based includes ethnographic interviews and analysis of the discourse found in historical documents.
Pegcetacoplan controls hemolysis in complement inhibitor–naive patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Wong Raymond Siu Ming , Navarro-Cabrera Juan Ramon , Comia Narcisa Sonia , Goh Yeow Tee , Idrobo Henry , Kongkabpan Daolada , Gómez-Almaguer David , Al-Adhami Mohammed , Ajayi Temitayo , Alvarenga Paulo , Savage Jessica , Deschatelets Pascal , Francois Cedric , Grossi Federico , Dumagay Teresita
Published: February 2023

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis. Pegcetacoplan is the first C3-targeted therapy approved for adults with PNH (United States), adults with PNH with inadequate response or intolerance to a C5 inhibitor (Australia), and adults with anemia despite C5-targeted therapy for ≥3 months (European Union). PRINCE was a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, open-label, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan vs control (supportive care only; eg, blood transfusions, corticosteroids, and supplements) in complement inhibitor–naive patients with PNH. Eligible adults receiving supportive care only for PNH were randomly assigned and stratified based on their number of transfusions (<4 or ≥4) 12 months before screening. Patients received pegcetacoplan 1080 mg subcutaneously twice weekly or continued supportive care (control) for 26 weeks. Coprimary end points were hemoglobin stabilization (avoidance of >1-g/dL decrease in hemoglobin levels without transfusions) from baseline through week 26 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) change at week 26. Overall, 53 patients received pegcetacoplan (n = 35) or control (n = 18). Pegcetacoplan was superior to control for hemoglobin stabilization (pegcetacoplan, 85.7%; control, 0; difference, 73.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 57.2-89.0; P < .0001) and change from baseline in LDH (least square mean change: pegcetacoplan, −1870.5 U/L; control, −400.1 U/L; difference, −1470.4 U/L; 95% CI, −2113.4 to −827.3; P < .0001). Pegcetacoplan was well tolerated. No pegcetacoplan-related adverse events were serious, and no new safety signals were observed. Pegcetacoplan rapidly and significantly stabilized hemoglobin and reduced LDH in complement inhibitor–naive patients and had a favorable safety profile. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04085601.
Classification and genetics of pediatric B-other acute lymphoblastic leukemia by targeted RNA sequencing
Authors: Migita Natacha Azussa , Jotta Patrícia Yoshioka , Nascimento Natália Paiva do , Vasconcelos Victor Sande , Centoducatte Gabriel Lopes , Massirer Katlin Brauer , Azevedo Amilcar Cardoso de , Brandalise Silvia Regina , Yunes José Andrés
Published: February 2023

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be classified into different subgroups based on recurrent genetic alterations. Here, targeted RNA sequencing was used to identify the novel subgroups of ALL in 144 B-other and 40 “classical” ALL samples. The classical TCF3-PBX1, ETV6-RUNX1, KMT2A-rearranged, and BCR-ABL1, and novel P2RY8-CRLF2, ABL-, JAK2-, ZNF384-, MEF2D-, and NUTM1-fusions were easily identified by fusion transcript analysis. IGH-CRLF2 and IGH-EPOR were found by abnormally high levels of expression of CRLF2 or EPOR. DUX4-rearranged was identified by the unusual expression of DUX4 genes and an alternative exon of ERG, or by clustering analysis of gene expression. PAX5-driven ALL, including fusions, intragenic amplifications, and mutations were identified by single-nucleotide variant analysis and manual inspection using the IGV software. Exon junction analysis allowed detection of some intragenic ERG and IKZF1 deletions. CRLF2-high associated with initial white blood cell (WBC) counts of ≥50 × 103/μL and GATA3 risk alleles (rs3781093 and rs3824662), whereas ABL/JAK2/EPOR-fusions associated with high WBC counts, National Cancer Institute’s high-risk classification, and IKZF1del. ZNF384-fusions associated with CALLA-negativity and NUTM1-fusions in infants. In conclusion, targeted RNA sequencing further classified 66.7% (96 of 144) B-other ALL cases. All BCP-ALL subgroups, except for iAMP21, hyperdiploid and hypodiploid cases, were identified. Curiously, we observed higher frequencies of females within B-rest ALLs and males in PAX5-driven cases.
Can endocan serve as a molecular “hepatostat” in liver regeneration?
Authors: Yazici Sinan Efe , Gedik Mustafa Emre , Leblebici Can Berk , Kosemehmetoglu Kemal , Gunaydin Gurcan , Dogrul Ahmet Bulent
Published: February 2023

Background

Intriguingly, liver regeneration after injury does not induce uncontrolled growth and the underlying mechanisms of such a “hepatostat” are still not clear. Endocan, a proteoglycan, was implicated in liver regeneration. It can support the function of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor in tissue repair after injury. Endostatin, a 20 kDa C-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, may modulate the cessation of liver regeneration. eEF2K, a protein kinase that regulates protein synthesis, can regulate angiogenesis. Thus, we investigated the role of endocan, endostatin and eEF2K during normal liver regeneration.

Methods

Serum samples and regenerating remnant liver tissues were obtained on various days after partial hepatectomy in rats. mRNA expression levels of Vegf and Pcna were analyzed in addition to immunohistochemical evaluations. Liver tissue protein levels of endostatin, endocan and p-eEF2K/eEF2K were determined with Western blot. Serum levels of endostatin and endocan were assessed with ELISA.

Results

Pcna expression level in residual liver tissues peaked on day-1, while Vegf expression reached its highest level on days 1–3 after partial hepatectomy (70%). Endocan activity declined gradually on days 1–7. The decrease in liver endocan expression was accompanied by an increase in serum endocan levels. Partial hepatectomy induced a rapid increase in liver endostatin levels. Following its surge on day-1, endostatin expression gradually declined, which was accompanied by a peak in serum endostatin. Finally, partial hepatectomy was shown to regulate eEF2K; thus, increasing protein translation.

Conclusions

We revealed possible mechanistic insights into liver regeneration by examining the associations of Pcna, Vegf, endocan, endostatin, eEF2K with hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Indeed, endocan might serve as a useful biomarker to monitor clinical prognosis in a plethora of conditions such as recovery of donor’s remaining liver after living-donor liver transplant. Whether endocan might represent a strategy to optimize liver regeneration when given therapeutically needs to be investigated in future studies.
Oxidative stress and epigenetics in ocular vascular aging: an updated review
Authors: Zhao Bowen , Zhu Lijia , Ye Meng , Lou Xiaotong , Mou Qianxue , Hu Yuanyuan , Zhang Hong , Zhao Yin
Published: February 2023

Vascular aging is an inevitable process with advancing age, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and microvascular diseases. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by microvascular dysfunction, are the common causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, however there is still a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for rescuing the visual function. In order to develop novel treatments, it is essential to illuminate the pathological mechanisms underlying the vascular aging during DR and AMD progression. In this review, we have summarized the recent discoveries of the effects of oxidative stress and epigenetics on microvascular degeneration, which could provide potential therapeutic targets for DR and AMD.
Clinical evaluation of super-responders vs. non-responders to CGRP(-receptor) monoclonal antibodies: a real-world experience
Authors: Raffaelli Bianca , Fitzek Mira , Overeem Lucas H. , Storch Elisabeth , Terhart Maria , Reuter Uwe
Published: February 2023

Background

Clinical trials and real-world studies revealed a spectrum of response to CGRP(-receptor) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in migraine prophylaxis, ranging from no effect at all to total migraine freedom. In this study, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics between super-responders (SR) and non-responders (NR) to CGRP(-receptor) mAbs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study at the Headache Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The definition of super-response was a ≥ 75% reduction in monthly headache days (MHD) in the third month after treatment initiation compared to the month prior to treatment begin (baseline). Non-response was defined as ≤ 25% reduction in MHD after three months of treatment with a CGRP-receptor mAb and subsequent three months of treatment with CGRP mAb, or vice versa. We collected demographic data, migraine disease characteristics, migraine symptoms during the attacks in both study groups (SR/NR) as well as the general medical history. SR and NR were compared using Chi-square test for categorical variables, and t-test for continuous variables.

Results

Between November 2018 and June 2022, n = 260 patients with migraine received preventive treatment with CGRP(-receptor) mAbs and provided complete headache documentation for the baseline phase and the third treatment month. Among those, we identified n = 29 SR (11%) and n = 26 NR (10%). SR reported more often especially vomiting (SR n = 12/25, 48% vs. NR n = 4/22, 18%; p = 0.031) and typical migraine characteristics such as unilateral localization, pulsating character, photophobia and nausea. A subjective good response to triptans was significantly higher in SR (n = 26/29, 90%) than in NR (n = 15/25, 60%, p = 0.010). NR suffered more frequently from chronic migraine (NR n = 24/26, 92% vs. SR n = 15/29, 52%; p = 0.001), medication overuse headache (NR n = 14/24, 58% versus SR n = 8/29, 28%; p = 0.024), and concomitant depression (NR n = 17/26, 65% vs. SR n = 8/29, 28%; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Several clinical parameters differ between SR and NR to prophylactic CGRP(-R) mAbs. A thorough clinical evaluation prior to treatment initiation might help to achieve a more personalized management in patients with migraine.
IRE1α arm of unfolded protein response in muscle-specific TGF-β signaling-mediated regulation of muscle cell immunological properties
Authors: Xiao Jiangwei , Huang Jingwen , Jian Xiaoting , Wang Han , Lan Haiqiang , Liao Zhaohong , Gu Ruicai , Hu Jijie , Liao Hua
Published: February 2023

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are involved in various muscle pathological states. The IRE1α arm of UPR can affect immunological properties of myofiber through restraining p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation under inflammatory milieu. However, the relevant pathway molecules regulating the initiation of the IRE1α arm in myofiber remain unclear. In this work, expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βr2), and UPR pathway activation were examined in cardiotoxin (CTX)-damaged mouse muscle, which revealed the activation of TGF-β signaling and UPR in CTX-damaged muscle and in regenerating myofibers. Using control or transgenic mice with TGF-βr2 deleted in skeletal muscle (SM TGF-βr2−/−) and the derived primary differentiating myogenic precursor cells (MPCs) treated with/without ERS activator or inhibitor, IRE1α pathway inhibitor, or TGF-β signaling activator, this study further revealed an essential role of intrinsic TGF-β signaling in regulating muscle cell to express inflammation-related molecules including H-2Kb, H2-Eα, TLR3, and special myokines. TGF-β signaling prompted UPR IRE1α arm and restrained p38 MAPK activation in myofiber under inflammatory milieu. This study uncovers a previously unrecognized function of TGF-β signaling acting as an upstream factor controlling myofiber immune capacities in the inflamed state through the UPR–IRE1α–p38 MAPK pathway.
The RXFP2-PLC/PKC signaling pathway mediates INSL3-induced regulation of the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of mouse gubernacular cells
Authors: Duan Shouxing , Jiang Xuewu , Li Jianhong , Fu Maxian , Li Zhuo , Cheng Yiyi , Zhuang Yangmu , Yang Ming , Xiao Wenfeng , Ping Hongyan , Xie Yao , Xie Xiaojun , Zhang Xuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Testicular hypoplasia can affect the sexual and reproductive ability in adulthood, and even increase the risk of cancer. Abnormal development of the gubernaculum is one of the important factors of testicular hypoplasia. Therefore, a study of the structure and function of the gubernaculum is an important but neglected new breakthrough point for investigating the normal/abnormal development of the testis. Previous findings showed that Insulin like factor 3 (INSL3) is a key factor regulating the growth of gubernaculum, however, the mechanism by which INSL3 acts on the gubernaculum remains unknown. Therefore, we probed the mechanism associated with INSL3-induced the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of gubernacular cells in mice.

Methods

A culture cell model of neonatal mice gubernaculum is established by INSL3 intervention. We blocked PLC/PKC signaling pathway with U73122 pretreat to investigate the role of the PLC/PKC signaling pathway. The changes of cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were detected by molecular biological methods. In addition, the levels of PCNA and F-action were detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting.

Results

We found that INSL3 can promote the proliferation and migration of gubernacular cells and inhibit their apoptosis, meanwhile, INSL3 significantly up-regulated PLC/PKC protein phosphorylation. However, treatment with the PLC/PKC signaling pathway inhibitor U73122 significantly inhibited these effects of INSL3. Besides, we found that INSL3 could up-regulate the protein expression level of PCNA and F-actin, while the PCNA and F-actin expression was significantly weakened after U73122 pretreatment.

Conclusions

This research revealed that INSL3 binding to RXFP2 may up-regulate the expression levels of PCNA and F-actin by activating the PLC/PKC signaling pathway to promote the proliferation and migration of gubernacular cells. It suggests that the RXFP2-PLC/PKC axis may serve as a novel molecular mechanism by which INSL3 regulates growth of the gubernaculum.
OsCCRL1 is Essential for Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Rice Anthers
Authors: Zhang Lisha , Zheng Lintao , Wu Jingwen , Liu Yang , Liu Weichi , He Guanghua , Wang Nan
Published: February 2023

Phenylpropanoid metabolism and timely tapetal degradation are essential for anther and pollen development, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the current study, to investigate this, we identified and analyzed the male-sterile mutant, osccrl1 (cinnamoyl coA reductase-like 1), which exhibited delayed tapetal programmed cell death (PCD) and defective mature pollen. Map-based cloning, genetic complementation, and gene knockout revealed that OsCCRL1 corresponds to the gene LOC_Os09g32020.2, a member of SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase) family enzyme. OsCCRL1 was preferentially expressed in the tapetal cells and microspores, and localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm in both rice protoplasts and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The osccrl1 mutant exhibited reduced CCRs enzyme activity, less lignin accumulation, delayed tapetum degradation, and disrupted phenylpropanoid metabolism. Furthermore, an R2R3 MYB transcription factor OsMYB103/OsMYB80/OsMS188/BM1, involved in tapetum and pollen development, regulates the expression of OsCCRL1. Finally, the osmyb103 osccrl1 double mutants, exhibited the same phenotype as the osmyb103 single mutant, further indicating that OsMYB103/OsMYB80/OsMS188/BM1 functions upstream of OsCCRL1. These findings help to clarify the role of phenylpropanoid metabolism in male sterility and the regulatory network underlying the tapetum degradation.
SALON ontology for the formal description of sequence alignments
Authors: Benítez-Hidalgo Antonio , Aldana-Montes José F. , Navas-Delgado Ismael , Roldán-García María del Mar
Published: February 2023

Background

Information provided by high-throughput sequencing platforms allows the collection of content-rich data about biological sequences and their context. Sequence alignment is a bioinformatics approach to identifying regions of similarity in DNA, RNA, or protein sequences. However, there is no consensus about the specific common terminology and representation for sequence alignments. Thus, automatically linking the wide existing knowledge about the sequences with the alignments is challenging.

Results

The Sequence Alignment Ontology (SALON) defines a helpful vocabulary for representing and semantically annotating pairwise and multiple sequence alignments. SALON is an OWL 2 ontology that supports automated reasoning for alignments validation and retrieving complementary information from public databases under the Open Linked Data approach. This will reduce the effort needed by scientists to interpret the sequence alignment results.

Conclusions

SALON defines a full range of controlled terminology in the domain of sequence alignments. It can be used as a mediated schema to integrate data from different sources and validate acquired knowledge.
ncDENSE: a novel computational method based on a deep learning framework for non-coding RNAs family prediction
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhu Xiaodong , Wang Jiahao , Hao Lei , Liu Zhen , Liu Yuanning
Published: February 2023

Background

Although research on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is a hot topic in life sciences, the functions of numerous ncRNAs remain unclear. In recent years, researchers have found that ncRNAs of the same family have similar functions, therefore, it is important to accurately predict ncRNAs families to identify their functions. There are several methods available to solve the prediction problem of ncRNAs family, whose main ideas can be divided into two categories, including prediction based on the secondary structure features of ncRNAs, and prediction according to sequence features of ncRNAs. The first type of prediction method requires a complicated process and has a low accuracy in obtaining the secondary structure of ncRNAs, while the second type of method has a simple prediction process and a high accuracy, but there is still room for improvement. The existing methods for ncRNAs family prediction are associated with problems such as complicated prediction processes and low accuracy, in this regard, it is necessary to propose a new method to predict the ncRNAs family more perfectly.

Results

A deep learning model-based method, ncDENSE, was proposed in this study, which predicted ncRNAs families by extracting ncRNAs sequence features. The bases in ncRNAs sequences were encoded by one-hot coding and later fed into an ensemble deep learning model, which contained the dynamic bi-directional gated recurrent unit (Bi-GRU), the dense convolutional network (DenseNet), and the Attention Mechanism (AM). To be specific, dynamic Bi-GRU was used to extract contextual feature information and capture long-term dependencies of ncRNAs sequences. AM was employed to assign different weights to features extracted by Bi-GRU and focused the attention on information with greater weights. Whereas DenseNet was adopted to extract local feature information of ncRNAs sequences and classify them by the full connection layer. According to our results, the ncDENSE method improved the Accuracy, Sensitivity, Precision, F-score, and MCC by 2.08$$\%$$
%
, 2.33$$\%$$
%
, 2.14$$\%$$
%
, 2.16$$\%$$
%
, and 2.39$$\%$$
%
, respectively, compared with the suboptimal method.

Conclusions

Overall, the ncDENSE method proposed in this paper extracts sequence features of ncRNAs by dynamic Bi-GRU and DenseNet and improves the accuracy in predicting ncRNAs family and other data.
Leaf wettability and leaf angle affect air-moisture deposition in wheat for self-irrigation
Authors: Hakeem Sadia , Ali Zulfiqar , Saddique Muhammad Abu Bakar , Merrium Sabah , Arslan Muhammad , Habib-ur-Rahman Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Background

Climate change and depleting water sources demand scarce natural water supplies like air moisture to be used as an irrigation water source. Wheat production is threatened by the climate variability and extremes climate events especially heat waves and drought. The present study focused to develop the wheat plant for self-irrigation through optimizing leaf architecture and surface properties for precise irrigation.

Methods

Thirty-four genotypes were selected from 1796 genotypes with all combinations of leaf angle and leaf rolling. These genotypes were characterized for morpho-physiological traits and soil moisture content at stem-elongation and booting stages. Further, a core set of ten genotypes was evaluated for stem flow efficiency and leaf wettability.

Results

Biplot, heat map, and correlation analysis indicated wide diversity and traits association. The environmental parameters indicated substantial amount of air moisture (> 60% relative humidity) at the critical wheat growth stages. Leaf angle showed negative association with leaf rolling, physiological and yield traits, adaxial and abaxial contact angle while leaf angle showed positive association with the stem flow water. The wettability and air moisture harvesting indicated that the genotypes (coded as 1, 7, and 18) having semi-erect to erect leaf angle, spiral rolling, and hydrophilic leaf surface (<90o) with contact angle hysteresis less than 10o had higher soil moisture content (6-8%) and moisture harvesting efficiency (3.5 ml).

Conclusions

These findings can provide the basis to develop self-irrigating, drought-tolerant wheat cultivars as an adaptation to climate change.
Promoter activity and transcriptome analyses decipher functions of CgbHLH001 gene (Chenopodium glaucum L.) in response to abiotic stress
Authors: Zhou Zixin , Wang Juan , Yu Qinghui , Lan Haiyan
Published: February 2023

Background

Our previous studies revealed that CgbHLH001 transcription factor (TF) played an important role in abiotic stress tolerance, suggesting that its promoter was a potential target in response to stress signals. In addition, the regulatory mechanism of CgbHLH001 TF is still limited.

Results

In the present study, a 1512 bp of 5’-flanking sequence of CgbHLH001 gene was identified, and the sequence carried quite a few of cis-acting elements. The gene promoter displayed strong activity and was induced by multiple abiotic stress. A series of 5’-deletions of the promoter sequence resulted in a gradual decrease in its activity, especially, the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) was necessary to drive promoter activity. Further, CgbHLH001 promoter drove its own gene overexpression ectopically at the transcriptional and translational levels, which in turn conferred the stress tolerance to transgenic Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that salt stress induced a large number of genes involved in multiple biological regulatory processes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that mediate phytohormone signal transduction and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were widely induced and mostly upregulated under salt stress, and the transcription levels in PbHLH::bHLH-overexpressing transgenic lines were higher than that of 35S::bHLH overexpression.

Conclusions

The CgbHLH001 promoter exhibited a positive response to abiotic stress and its 5’ UTR sequence enhanced the regulation of gene expression to stress. A few important pathways and putative key genes involved in salt tolerance were identified, which can be used to elucidate the mechanism of salt tolerance and decipher the regulatory mechanism of promoters to develop an adaptation strategy for desert halophytes.
Non-invasive assessment of Pulse Wave Transit Time (PWTT) is a poor predictor for intraoperative fluid responsiveness: a prospective observational trial (best-PWTT study)
Authors: Fukui Kimiko , Wirkus Johannes M. , Hartmann Erik K. , Schmidtmann Irene , Pestel Gunther J. , Griemert Eva-Verena
Published: February 2023

Background

Aim of this study is to test the predictive value of Pulse Wave Transit Time (PWTT) for fluid responsiveness in comparison to the established fluid responsiveness parameters pulse pressure (ΔPP) and corrected flow time (FTc) during major abdominal surgery.

Methods

Forty patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were enrolled with continuous monitoring of PWTT (LifeScope® Modell J BSM-9101 Nihon Kohden Europe GmbH, Rosbach, Germany) and stroke volume (Esophageal Doppler Monitoring CardioQ-ODM®, Deltex Medical Ltd, Chichester, UK). In case of hypovolemia (difference in pulse pressure [∆PP] ≥ 9%, corrected flow time [FTc] ≤ 350 ms) a fluid bolus of 7 ml/kg ideal body weight was administered. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and corresponding areas under the curve (AUCs) were used to compare different methods of determining PWTT. A Wilcoxon test was used to discriminate fluid responders (increase in stroke volume of ≥ 10%) from non-responders. The predictive value of PWTT for fluid responsiveness was compared by testing for differences between ROC curves of PWTT, ΔPP and FTc using the methods by DeLong.

Results

AUCs (area under the ROC-curve) to predict fluid responsiveness for PWTT-parameters were 0.61 (raw c finger Q), 0.61 (raw c finger R), 0.57 (raw c ear Q), 0.53 (raw c ear R), 0.54 (raw non-c finger Q), 0.52 (raw non-c finger R), 0.50 (raw non-c ear Q), 0.55 (raw non-c ear R), 0.63 (∆ c finger Q), 0.61 (∆ c finger R), 0.64 (∆ c ear Q), 0.66 (∆ c ear R), 0.59 (∆ non-c finger Q), 0.57 (∆ non-c finger R), 0.57 (∆ non-c ear Q), 0.61 (∆ non-c ear R) [raw measurements vs. ∆ = respiratory variation; c = corrected measurements according to Bazett’s formula vs. non-c = uncorrected measurements; Q vs. R = start of PWTT-measurements with Q- or R-wave in ECG; finger vs. ear = pulse oximetry probe location]. Hence, the highest AUC to predict fluid responsiveness by PWTT was achieved by calculating its respiratory variation (∆PWTT), with a pulse oximeter attached to the earlobe, using the R-wave in ECG, and correction by Bazett’s formula (AUC best-PWTT 0.66, 95% CI 0.54–0.79). ∆PWTT was sufficient to discriminate fluid responders from non-responders (p = 0.029). No difference in predicting fluid responsiveness was found between best-PWTT and ∆PP (AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.79; p = 0.88), or best-PWTT and FTc (AUC 0.62, 95% CI 0.49–0.75; p = 0.68).

Conclusion

ΔPWTT shows poor ability to predict fluid responsiveness intraoperatively. Moreover, established alternatives ΔPP and FTc did not perform better.

Trial registration

Prior to enrolement on clinicaltrials.gov (NC T03280953; date of registration 13/09/2017).
A quantitative clinical evaluation of simultaneous reconstruction of attenuation and activity in time-of-flight PET
Authors: Zhang Haiqiong , Wang Jingnan , Li Nan , Zhang Yue , Cui Jie , Huo Li , Zhang Hui
Published: February 2023

Background

The maximum likelihood activity and attenuation (MLAA) reconstruction algorithm has been proposed to jointly estimate tracer activity and attenuation at the same time, and proven to be a promising solution to the CT attenuation correction (CT-AC) artifacts in PET images. This study aimed to perform a quantitative evaluation and clinical validation of the MLAA method.

Methods

A uniform cylinder phantom filled with18F-FDG solution was scanned to optimize the reconstruction parameters for the implemented MLAA algorithm. 67 patients who underwent whole-body18F-FDG PET/CT scan were retrospectively recruited. PET images were reconstructed using MLAA and clinical standard OSEM algorithm with CT-AC (CT-OSEM). The mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmean and SUVmax) in regions of interest (ROIs) of organs, high uptake lesions and areas affected by metal implants and respiration motion artifacts were quantitatively analyzed.

Results

In quantitative analysis, SUVs in patient’s organ ROIs between two methods showedR2ranging from 0.91 to 0.98 andkranging from 0.90 to 1.06, and the average SUVmax and SUVmean differences between two methods were within 10% range, except for the lung ROI, which was 10.5% and 16.73% respectively. The average SUVmax and SUVmean differences of a total of 117 high uptake lesions were 7.25% and 7.10% respectively. 20 patients were identified to have apparent respiration motion artifacts in the liver in CT-OSEM images, and the SUVs differences between two methods measured at dome of the liver were significantly larger than measured at middle part of the liver. 10 regions with obvious metal artifacts were identified in CT-OSEM images and the average SUVmean and SUVmax differences in metal implants affected regions were reported to be 52.90% and 56.20% respectively.

Conclusions

PET images reconstructed using MLAA are clinically acceptable in terms of image quality as well as quantification and it is a useful tool in clinical practice, especially when CT-AC may cause respiration motion and metal artifacts. Moreover, this study also provides technical reference and data support for the future iteration and development of PET reconstruction technology of SUV accurate quantification.
Risk factors for early neurologic deterioration in single small subcortical infarction without carrier artery stenosis: predictors at the early stage
Authors: Jin Di , Yang Jing , Zhu Hui , Wu Yuexia , Liu Haichao , Wang Qi , Zhang Xiaoyun , Dong Yanhua , Luo Bin , Shan Yong , Zhang Lvming , Wang Peifu , Du Jichen
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the epidemiological features and explore the potential risk factors for early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute single small subcortical infarction (SSSI) who underwent antiplatelet therapy without carotid artery stenosis.

Materials & methods

Patients with SSSI, as confirmed by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who were hospitalized within 48 h after the onset of symptoms were enrolled. END was mainly defined as increment in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥ 2 points or any new neurological deficit. Poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of > 2 points at 3-month after the onset. The association of END with multiple indicators was assessed at the early stage of admission using multivariate logistic regression analysis, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated.

Results

A total of 280 patients were enrolled from June 2020 to May 2021, of whom, END occurred in 44 (15.7%) patients (median age, 64 years; 70.5% male), while END occurred during sleep in 28 (63.6%) patients. History of hypertension (aOR: 4.82,p = 0.001), infarction in internal capsule (aOR: 3.35,p = 0.001), and elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; aOR: 0.036,p = 0.0016) were significantly associated with the risk of END. Patients with END (aOR: 5.74,p = 0.002), history of diabetes (aOR: 2.61,p = 0.020), and higher NIHSS scores at discharge (per 1-score increase, aOR: 1.29,p = 0.026) were associated with the poor functional outcome at 3-month after the onset.

Conclusion

Patients with a history of hypertension, infarction in internal capsule or a higher level of LDL-C were found to be at a higher risk of END.
Mental health professionals and telehealth in a rural setting: a cross sectional survey
Authors: Nelson David , Inghels Maxime , Kenny Amanda , Skinner Steve , McCranor Tracy , Wyatt Stephen , Phull Jaspreet , Nanyonjo Agnes , Yusuff Ojali , Gussy Mark
Published: February 2023

Background

Telehealth usage has been promoted in all settings but has been identified as a panacea to issues of access and equity in the rural context. However, uptake and widespread integration of telehealth across all parts of the health system has been slow, with a myriad of barriers documented, including in rural settings. The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw barriers rapidly overturned with the unprecedented and exponential rise in telehealth usage. The uniqueness of the crisis forced telehealth adoption, but as the urgency stabilises, pandemic learnings must be captured, utilised, and built upon in a post-pandemic world. The aim of this study was to document staff experiences and perceptions of delivering rural psychological therapies via telehealth during the pandemic and to capture learnings for future rural telehealth delivery.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey that explored mental health professional’s experiences, use, and perceptions of telehealth before and after pandemic-enforced changes to service delivery.

Results

Sixty-two respondents completed the questionnaire (response rate 68%). Both the delivery of telehealth via telephone and online video conferencing significantly increased during the pandemic (66% vs 98%, p < .001 for telephone and 10% vs 89%, p < 0.001 for online video). Respondents indicated that client’s access to services and attendance had improved with telehealth use but their attention and focus during sessions and non-verbal communication had been negatively affected. The challenges for older adults, people with learning and sensory disabilities, and residents in remote areas with poorer mobile/internet connectivity were identified. Despite these challenges, none of the respondents indicated a preference to return to fully face-to-face service delivery with most (86%) preferring to deliver psychological therapies fully or mostly via telehealth.

Conclusions

This study addresses three major gaps in knowledge: the experience of delivering local telehealth solutions to address rural mental health needs, the provision of strong rural-specific telehealth recommendations, and the dearth of rural research emanating from the United Kingdom. As the world settles into a living with COVID-19 era, the uniqueness of the rural telehealth context may be forgotten as urban myopia continues to dominate telehealth policy and uptake. It is critical that rural resourcing and digital connectivity are addressed.