bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation and Utilization of Alginate by Marine
Pseudoalteromonas
: a Review
Authors: Xu Fei , Cha Qian-Qian , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Chen Xiu-Lan
Published: June 2021

Alginate, which is mainly produced by brown algae and decomposed by heterotrophic bacteria, is an important marine organic carbon source. The genus
Pseudoalteromonas
contains diverse forms of heterotrophic bacteria that are widely distributed in marine environments and are an important group in alginate degradation.
Heat Shock Repressor HspR Directly Controls Avermectin Production, Morphological Development, and H
2
O
2
Stress Response in Streptomyces avermitilis
Authors: Lu Xiaorui , Wang Qian , Yang Mengyao , Chen Zhi , Li Jilun , Wen Ying
Published: June 2021

Our findings are significant to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying HspR function in
Streptomyces
antibiotic production, development, and H
2
O
2
stress responses through direct control of its target genes associated with these biological processes. HspR homologs described to date function as transcriptional repressors but not as activators.
Structural Basis of Covalent Inhibitory Mechanism of TMPRSS2-Related Serine Proteases by Camostat
Authors: Sun Gaohui , Sui Yaqun , Zhou Yang , Ya Junlin , Yuan Cai , Jiang Longguang , Huang Mingdong
Published: June 2021

Serine proteases are a large family of enzymes critical for multiple physiological processes and proven diagnostic and therapeutic targets in several clinical indications. The serine protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) was recently found to mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host.
Rhinovirus Reduces the Severity of Subsequent Respiratory Viral Infections by Interferon-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Van Leuven James T. , Gonzalez Andres J. , Ijezie Emmanuel C. , Wixom Alexander Q. , Clary John L. , Naranjo Maricris N. , Ridenhour Benjamin J. , Miller Craig R. , Miura Tanya A.
Published: June 2021

Respiratory viruses from diverse families cocirculate in human populations and are frequently detected within the same host. Although clinical studies suggest that infection by multiple different respiratory viruses may alter disease severity, animal models in which we can control the doses, timing, and strains of coinfecting viruses are critical to understanding how coinfection affects disease severity.
Multifactorial Mechanisms of Tolerance to Ketoconazole in Candida albicans
Authors: Xu Yi , Lu Hui , Zhu Shuo , Li Wan-Qian , Jiang Yuan-ying , Berman Judith , Yang Feng
Published: June 2021

Due to the ever-expanding range of invasive medical procedures and treatments, invasive fungal infections now pose a serious global threat to many people living in an immunocompromised status. Like humans, fungi are eukaryotic, which significantly limits the number of unique antifungal targets; the current arsenal of antifungal agents is limited to just three frontline drug classes.
A Review of Sculpins (COTTOIDEI) of Middle Asia with a Revalidation of the Species Cottus jaxartensis and Description of a New Species Cottus nudus sp. nova
Authors: Sideleva V. G.
Published: June 2021

Abstract—

Based on the investigations of the representatives of the genus Cottus from Middle Asia, the species status of C. spinulosus is supported, and its diagnostic characters are specified. The validity of С.jaxartensis is resumed and a degree of its distinction from C. gobio is evaluated. A comparative analysis of morphological characters of the C. nasalis holotype and С.jaxartensis specimens of the same body size shows identity of these species, and, thus, C.nasalis has been included in the synonymy of C.jaxartensis. A new species C. nudus sp. nova is described. The representatives of this species differ from other Asian species of the genus in the following characters: absence of bony spickles nd dermal tubercles on the skin of the head and trunk; elongated upper jaw terminated near the vertical through posterior margin of orbit; presence of teeth on palatine bones; short sensory canal on the trunk with 23 pores; monochrome light coloration of the fins; and widened distal ends of neural and/or hemal spines in seven caudal centra. A key for the identification of three Middle Asian species (C. spinulosus, C. jaxartensis, and C.nudus sp. nova) is given.
Infiltrative gallbladder tuberculosis versus locally infiltrating tumour of the gallbladder: a diagnostic dilemma unmasked by histopathology
Authors: Siddiqui Asra Tus Saleha , Parkash Om
Published: June 2021

Gallbladder tuberculosis (TB) as an isolated infection and is an extremely rare entity even in parts of the world with endemicity. Though it has myriad ways of presentation, it can be cured successfully. We present a case of a 53-year-old man who presented with epigastric fullness and bloating with on and off low-grade fever for 2 months and significant weight loss. He underwent a CT scan, which showed a soft tissue gallbladder mass causing mural thickening of the antrum and lesser curvature. This was followed by a CT-guided core biopsy and gastric antrum biopsy via gastroscopy. Histopathology revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation in both samples. Various clinical presentations of gallbladder TB have been reported in literature, but to the best of our knowledge, the present case has a unique presentation and has never been reported before.
Appendicitis with concurrent COVID-19 infection in a patient during the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Sanders-Davis Laura Jane , Ritchie Joanne
Published: June 2021

This article presents an unusual case of appendicitis in pregnancy complicated by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The novel coronavirus has affected the way medicine is practised across most parts of the world with over 160 000 000 global cases to date. Tackling management of these cases is more complex when other pathological processes are ongoing. Appendicitis is a common occurrence in pregnancy, with most obstetric centres seeing about one or two cases a year. Though maternal morbidity and mortality are relatively unimpacted by this event, fetal loss and preterm labour are common sequelae. This case involves a 35-year-old woman presenting in her third trimester with abdominal pain and who went on to be diagnosed with concurrent appendicitis and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although spinal anaesthesia would be most appropriate as it avoids aerosol generation, general anaesthetic techniques were indicated due to thrombocytopenia in this case. She underwent a successful appendicectomy, although preterm delivery was indicated as a result of maternal and fetal concerns.
Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy following grade III pancreatic injury in a delayed presentation: a technical challenge
Authors: Mulpuri Venu Bhargava , Bhuria Dinesh Kumar , Rana Surinder , Gupta Rajesh
Published: June 2021

Pancreatic injuries are often overlooked in view of subtle clinical signs, and high index of suspicion is required to manage these injuries. Management strategies vary depending on the grade of injury and associated solid organ injuries and vascular injuries. Early surgery is advised in patients with duct disruption to avoid complications related to duct disruption. We present a case of 19-year-old man with delayed presentation following pancreatic trauma. During the surgery, changes of pancreatitis were noted and posterior wall of the stomach was adherent to pancreas, and inflammatory changes in vicinity of pancreas posed a significant challenge while dissecting pancreas away from the splenic vein. Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomty (SPDP) was done. SPDP is time-consuming and technically challenging procedure especially in patients with delayed presentation. It is safe and feasible to consider spleen preservation in pancreatic trauma when patient is haemodynamically stable and expertise is available.
Patient-induced progressive facial subcutaneous emphysema masquerading as odontogenic abscess
Authors: Chang Victor Ken On , Tsai Hao-Hsuan
Published: June 2021

Facial subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is an uncommon sequelae of dental procedures and often attributed to the use of high-speed air-driven handpieces during surgical extractions, forcing air through fascial spaces. Rarely have there been documented cases of patient-induced SE. In this case report, we present an 18-year-old woman who was referred to the emergency department with a 5-day history of progressive swelling and pain to her right cheek, following a prolonged, but simple extraction of tooth 18. While the dentist and emergency physicians were concerned about an infectious aetiology, history taking, clinical review and imaging corroborated the diagnosis of patient-induced SE secondary to habitual straw use. This report highlights the need for routine postextraction counselling of sinus precautions irrespective of extraction complexity. Additionally, emergency physicians should be aware of SE masquerading as other pathology, including odontogenic abscesses, allergic reactions, angioedema and gas-forming bacterial infections, such as necrotising fasciitis, to ensure appropriate treatment is provided to patients.
Regenerative medicine for neurological diseases—will regenerative neurosurgery deliver?
Authors: Burns Terry C , Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: June 2021

Regenerative medicine aspires to transform the future practice of medicine by providing curative, rather than palliative, treatments. Healing the central nervous system (CNS) remains among regenerative medicine’s most highly prized but formidable challenges. “Regenerative neurosurgery” provides access to the CNS or its surrounding structures to preserve or restore neurological function. Pioneering efforts over the past three decades have introduced cells, neurotrophins, and genes with putative regenerative capacity into the CNS to combat neurodegenerative, ischemic, and traumatic diseases. In this review we critically evaluate the rationale, paradigms, and translational progress of regenerative neurosurgery, harnessing access to the CNS to protect, rejuvenate, or replace cell types otherwise irreversibly compromised by neurological disease. We discuss the evidence surrounding fetal, somatic, and pluripotent stem cell derived implants to replace endogenous neuronal and glial cell types and provide trophic support. Neurotrophin based strategies via infusions and gene therapy highlight the motivation to preserve neuronal circuits, the complex fidelity of which cannot be readily recreated. We specifically highlight ongoing translational efforts in Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury, using these to illustrate the principles, challenges, and opportunities of regenerative neurosurgery. Risks of associated procedures and novel neurosurgical trials are discussed, together with the ethical challenges they pose. After decades of efforts to develop and refine necessary tools and methodologies, regenerative neurosurgery is well positioned to advance treatments for refractory neurological diseases. Strategic multidisciplinary efforts will be critical to harness complementary technologies and maximize mechanistic feedback, accelerating iterative progress toward cures for neurological diseases.
Potential for elimination of folate and vitamin B12deficiency in India using vitamin-fortified tea: a preliminary study
Authors: Vora Ravindra M , Alappattu Meryl J , Zarkar Apoorva D , Soni Mayur S , Karmarkar Santosh J , Antony Aśok C
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The majority of Indian women have a poor dietary folate and vitamin B12intake resulting in their chronically low vitamin status, which contributes to anaemia and the high incidence of folate-responsive neural-tube defects (NTDs) in India. Although many countries have successfully deployed centrally-processed folate-fortified flour for prevention of NTDs, inherent logistical problems preclude widespread implementation of this strategy in India. Because tea—the second most common beverage worldwide (after water)—is consumed by most Indians every day, and appeared an ideal vehicle for fortification with folate and vitamin B12, we determined if daily consumption of vitamin-fortified tea for 2 months could benefit young women of childbearing-age in Sangli, India.

Methods

Women (average age=20±2 SD) used teabags spiked with therapeutic doses of 1 mg folatepluseither0.1 mg vitamin B12(Group-1, n=19)or0.5 mg vitamin B12(Group-2, n=19), or mock-fortified teabags (Group-0, n=5) to prepare a cup of tea every day for 2 months, following which their pre-intervention and post-intervention serum vitamin and haemoglobin concentrations were compared.

Results

Most women had baseline anaemia with low-normal serum folate and below-normal serum vitamin B12levels. After 2 months, women in both Group-1 and Group-2 exhibited significant increases in mean differences in pre-intervention versus post-intervention serum folate levels of 8.37 ng/mL (95% CIs 5.69 to 11.04, p<0.05) and 6.69 ng/mL (95% CI 3.93 to 9.44, p<0.05), respectively; however, Group-0 experienced an insignificant rise of 1.26 ng/mL (95% CI –4.08 to 0.16). In addition, over one-half and two-thirds of women in Group-1 and Group-2, respectively, exhibited increases in serum vitamin B12levels over 300 pg/mL. There was also a significant post-interventional increase in the mean haemoglobin concentration in Group-1 of 1.45 g/dL (95% CI 0.64 to 2.26, p=0.002) and Group-2 of 0.79 g/dL (95% CI 0.11 to 1.42, p=0.027), which reflected a bona fide clinical response.

Conclusion

Tea is an outstanding scalable vehicle for fortification with folate and vitamin B12in India, and has potential to help eliminate haematological and neurological complications arising from inadequate dietary consumption or absorption of folate and vitamin B12.
Video hospice consultation in COVID-19: professional and patient evaluations
Authors: Milne Shannon , Palfrey Jennifer , Berg Jane , Todd Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Background

Providing care for our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic required a rapid shift to video consultations (VCs). A service evaluation was performed to capture hospice professionals’ (HPs) and patients’ experiences of VC.

Methods

Online or postal surveys were sent to HPs and patients, who had participated in VC between March and July 2020, focusing on their experience and satisfaction with the service.

Results

31 responses from HPs were received. 19 (61.3%) rated their experience of VC as good, despite 29 (93.5%) having no prior VC experience. One-third of HPs had undertaken potentially sensitive consultations, including resuscitation discussions. 23 (74.2%) undertook a VC that included a family member and 18 (58.1%) had included an external healthcare professional. 25 (80.6%) wanted to offer VC as an option going forward. Well-being staff successfully provided multiple group support sessions via video. 26 responses from patients (23) and carers (3) were received. 22 (84.6%) had access to a smartphone. 8 (30.8%) included a family member in their consultation. All patients/carers reported satisfaction with their VC, although 10 (38.5%) expressed a preference for face-to-face consultations. 22 (84.6%) patients would be happy to receive care via VC going forward and 21 (80.8%) stated they would recommend the use of VC to others.

Conclusion

Patients reported VC to be an acceptable way to receive support from a hospice service and HPs would like to continue to offer VC in the future. VC can be offered as an alternative to face-to-face consultations with the potential to continue and improve access to a wide range of hospice services.
Advance care planning in nursing homes: new conversation and documentation tools
Authors: Wendrich-van Dael Annelien , Gilissen Joni , Van Humbeeck Liesbeth , Deliens Luc , Vander Stichele Robert , Gastmans Chris , Pivodic Lara , Van den Block Lieve
Published: June 2021

Although advance care planning (ACP) is highly relevant for nursing home residents, its uptake in nursing homes is low. To meet the need for context-specific ACP tools to support nursing home staff in conducting ACP conversations, we developed the ACP+intervention. At its core, we designed three ACP tools to aid care staff in discussing and documenting nursing home resident’s wishes and preferences for future treatment and care: (1) an extensive ACP conversation guide, (2) a one-page conversation tool and (3) an ACP document to record outcomes of conversations. These nursing home-specific ACP tools aim to avoid a purely document-driven or ‘tick-box’ approach to the ACP process and to involve residents, including those living with dementia according to their capacity, their families and healthcare professionals.
Clinical utility of small bowel ultrasound assessment of Crohn’s disease in adults: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Radford Shellie Jean , Clarke Chris , Shinkins Bethany , Leighton Paul , Taylor Stuart , Moran Gordon
Published: June 2021

Background

Ultrasound (US) is an alternative to magnetic resonance enterography, and has the potential to significantly reduce waiting times, expedite clinical decision-making and improve patient experience. Point of care US is an advantage of the US imaging modality, where same day scanning, interpretation and treatment decisions can be made.

Aim

To systematically scope the literature on point of care US use in small bowel Crohn’s disease, generating a comprehensive list of factors relating to the current understanding of clinical utility of this imaging modality.

Methods

Searches included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, clinicaltrial.gov,‘TRIP’ and Epistemonikos. Reference lists of included studies were hand searched. Search terms were searched for as both keywords and subject headings (MeSH) as appropriate. Searches were performed with the ‘suggested search terms’ and ‘explode’ selection, and restricted to ‘human’, ‘adult’ and ‘English language’ publications. No date limits were applied to be as inclusive as possible. Two investigators conducted abstract and full-text review. No formal quality appraisal process was undertaken; however, quality of sources was considered when reporting findings. A narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results

The review included 42 sources from the UK, Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. Small bowel ultrasound (SBUS) has been shown to be as accurate in detecting the presence of small bowel Crohn’s disease, is quicker, safer and more acceptable to patients, compared with magnetic resonance enterography. SBUS is used widely in central Europe and Canada but has not been embraced in the UK. Further research considering economic evaluation, clinical decision-making and exploration of perceived barriers to future implementation of SBUSs is required.
Clinical characteristics, time course, treatment and outcomes of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis
Authors: Puzanov Igor , Subramanian Poornima , Yatsynovich Yan V , Jacobs David M , Chilbert Maya R , Sharma Umesh C , Ito Fumito , Feuerstein Steven G , Stefanovic Filip , Switzer Benjamin , Hicar Mark D , Curtis Anne B , Spangenthal Edward J , Dy Grace K , Ernstoff Marc S , Vachhani Pankit , Page Brian J , Agrawal Nikhil , Khunger Arjun , Kapoor Ankita , Hattoum Alexander , Schentag Jerome J
Published: June 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have emerged as a front-line therapy for a variety of solid tumors. With the widespread use of these agents, immune-associated toxicities are increasingly being recognized, including fatal myocarditis. There are limited data on the outcomes and prognostic utility of biomarkers associated with ICI-associated myocarditis. Our objective was to examine the associations between clinical biomarkers of cardiomyocyte damage and mortality in patients with cancer treated with ICIs.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 23 patients who developed symptomatic and asymptomatic troponin elevations while receiving ICI therapy at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. We obtained serial ECGs, troponin I, and creatine kinase-MD (CK-MB), in addition to other conventional clinical biomarkers, and compared covariates between survivors and non-survivors.

Results

Among patients with myocarditis, higher troponin I (p=0.037) and CK-MB (p=0.034) levels on presentation correlated with progression to severe myocarditis. Higher troponin I (p=0.016), CK (p=0.013), and CK-MB (p=0.034) levels were associated with increased mortality, while the presence of advanced atrioventricular block on presentation (p=0.088) trended toward increased mortality. Weekly troponin monitoring lead to earlier hospitalization for potential myocarditis (p=0.022) and was associated with decreased time to steroid initiation (p=0.053) and improved outcomes.

Conclusions

Routine troponin surveillance may be helpful in predicting mortality in ICI-treated patients with cancer in the early phase of ICI therapy initiation. Early detection of troponin elevation is associated with earlier intervention and improved outcomes in ICI-associated myocarditis. The recommended assessment and diagnostic studies guiding treatment decisions are presented.
Letter to the Editor from Colleet al
Authors: Colle Raphael , Andre Thierry , Menu Yves
Published: June 2021

In their article, Fucàet alhighlight that early tumor shrinkage and depth of response predict the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) microsatellite instability (MSI-H)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) treated by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We are surprised that no cases of pseudoprogression (PSPD) were reported in their study. PSPDs were described under ICI in patients treated for MSI/dMMR mCRC. In a cohort of 123 patients treated with anti-PD1±antiCTL-4 for MSI/dMMR mCRC, we reported 12 patients with PSPD, representing 10% of the cohort. Of 12 patients with PSPD, 8 secondary achieved an objective response and were alive and free of progression at the data lock. Conversely, in Fucà’s article, no PSDP was observed and the patients with primary radiological progression (21.7%) had a poor overall survival. These differences between the two series could be probably explained by the following points. First, Fucàet aluse RECIST 1.1 criteria for radiological evaluation. Second, the first imaging was done after 8–9 weeks of treatment in Fucà’s article, which may be late to detect PSPD. In conclusion, if the first evaluation is made during the first 3 months of treatment, using iRECIST criteria seems mandatory to avoid stopping treatment prematurely, especially in patients receiving anti-PD1 alone.
Advances in the management of glioblastoma
Authors: Ma Ruichong , Taphoorn Martin J B , Plaha Puneet
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumour in adults. Despite much effort, gold standard therapy has not changed since the introduction of adjuvant temozolomide in 2005 and prognosis remains poor. Despite this, there has been significant improvement in the surgical technology and technique, that has allowed for increased rates of safe maximal resection of the tumour. In addition, our increased knowledge of the biology of GB has revealed more potential targets, especially in the field of immunotherapy, which has been successful in revolutionising treatment of other cancers. We review the current best practice for the treatment of GB and explore some of the more recent advances in GB management from both a surgical and molecular therapeutic perspective.
Quality of reporting and risk of bias: a review of randomised trials in occupational health
Authors: Tikka Christina , Verbeek Jos , Ijaz Sharea , Hoving Jan L , Boschman Julitta , Hulshof Carel , de Boer Angela G
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To assess the reporting quality of randomisation and allocation methods in occupational health and safety (OHS) trials in relation to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) requirements of journals, risk of bias (RoB) and publication year.

Methods

We systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed between 2010 and May 2019 in 18 OHS journals. We measured reporting quality as percentage compliance with the CONSORT 2010 checklist (items 8–10) and RoB with the ROB V.2.0 tool (first domain). We tested the mean difference (MD) in % in reporting quality between CONSORT-requiring and non-requiring journals, trials with low, some concern and high RoB and publications before and after 2015.

Results

In 135 articles reporting on 129 RCTs, average reporting quality was at 37.4% compliance (95% CI 31.9% to 43.0%), with 10% of articles reaching 100% compliance. Reporting quality was significantly better in CONSORT-requiring journals than non-requiring journals (MD 31.0% (95% CI 21.4% to 40.7%)), for studies at low RoB than high RoB (MD 33.1% (95% CI 16.1% to 50.2%)) and with RoB of some concern (MD 39.8% (95% CI 30.0% to 49.7%)). Reporting quality did not improve over time (MD −5.7% (95% CI −16.8% to 5.4%).

Conclusions

Articles in CONSORT-requiring journals and of low RoB studies show better reporting quality. Low reporting quality is linked to unclear RoB judgements (some concern). Reporting quality did not improve over the last 10 years and CONSORT is insufficiently implemented. Concerted efforts by editors and authors are needed to improve CONSORT implementation.
Associations between public e-cigarette use and tobacco-related social norms among youth
Authors: Agaku Israel Terungwa , Perks Siobhan N , Odani Satomi , Glover-Kudon Rebecca
Published: June 2021

Importance

E-cigarette use in public places may renormalise tobacco use.

Objective

To measure associations between e-cigarette use in public places and social norms among youth.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

School-based.

Participants

24 353 never tobacco users in US 6th–12th grades who completed the 2016–2017 National Youth Tobacco Surveys.

Exposure

Individuals were classified as exposed in public places within the past 30 days to: (1) neither e-cigarette secondhand aerosol (SHA) nor combustible tobacco secondhand smoke (SHS); (2) SHA only; (3) SHS only; and (4) both SHA and SHS.

Outcomes

Outcomes were overestimation of peer e-cigarette use (a measure of descriptive norms), harm perception and susceptibility. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression (p<0.05).

Results

Overall prevalence of SHS and SHA exposure in public places was 46.6% and 18.3%, respectively. SHA exposure in public places was associated with increased odds of overestimating peer e-cigarette use (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.83; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.58) and decreased odds of perceiving e-cigarettes as harmful (AOR: 0.63; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.79), compared with those exposed to neither emission. SHA exposure in public places was also associated with increased susceptibility to using e-cigarettes (AOR: 2.26; 95% CI 1.82 to 2.81) and cigarettes (AOR: 1.51; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.90). E-cigarette harm perception was lower among students in jurisdictions with no comprehensive clean indoor air laws (AOR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.88) or cigarette-only laws (AOR: 0.88; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.99) than in those prohibiting both cigarette and e-cigarette use in public places.

Conclusions

Prohibiting both e-cigarette and cigarette use in public places could benefit public health.
Cotangent spaces and separating re-embeddings
Authors: Kreuzer Martin , Ngoc Long Le , Robbiano Lorenzo
Published: June 2021

Given an affine algebra [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a polynomial ring over a field [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is an ideal in [Formula: see text], we study re-embeddings of the affine scheme [Formula: see text], i.e. presentations [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is a polynomial ring in fewer indeterminates. To find such re-embeddings, we use polynomials [Formula: see text] in the ideal [Formula: see text] which are coherently separating in the sense that they are of the form [Formula: see text] with an indeterminate [Formula: see text] which divides neither a term in the support of [Formula: see text] nor in the support of [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. The possible numbers of such sets of polynomials are shown to be governed by the Gröbner fan of [Formula: see text]. The dimension of the cotangent space of [Formula: see text] at a [Formula: see text]-linear maximal ideal is a lower bound for the embedding dimension, and if we find coherently separating polynomials corresponding to this bound, we know that we have determined the embedding dimension of [Formula: see text] and found an optimal re-embedding.
Deoxycholic acid activates and sensitizes vagal nociceptive afferent C-fibers in guinea pig esophagus
Authors: Yu Xiaoyun , Hu Youtian , Yu Mingwei , Undem Bradley J. , Yu Shaoyong
Published: June 2021

Bile acid reflux in the esophagus can induce pain and heartburn in certain esophageal disorders, but the underlying neuronal mechanism is still unclear. The present study demonstrated that bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA), directly activates esophageal vagal afferent nodose and jugular nociceptive C-fibers and sensitizes their response to capsaicin. Such effects may contribute to bile acid-induced esophageal nociceptive symptoms that refractory to proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) therapy.
Vitamin D deficiency enhances expression of autophagy-regulating miR-142-3p in mouse and “involved” IBD patient intestinal tissues
Authors: McGillis Laurel , Bronte-Tinkew Dana M. , Dang Frances , Capurro Mariana , Prashar Akriti , Ricciuto Amanda , Greenfield Laura , Lozano-Ruf Ana , Siddiqui Iram , Hsieh Adam , Church Peter , Walters Thomas , Roth Daniel E. , Griffiths Anne , Philpott Dana , Jones Nicola L.
Published: June 2021

Vitamin D deficiency has a role in IBD pathogenesis, and although the mechanisms surrounding its role remain unclear, it has been suggested that autophagy dysregulation is involved. Here, we show increased ileal expression of autophagy-suppressing miR-142-3p in mice that were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet and in “involved” colonic biopsies from pediatric IBD patients with low vitamin D. miR-142-3p serves as a potential mechanism mediating vitamin D deficiency and reduced autophagy.
Endothelial metabolism in pulmonary vascular homeostasis and acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Stevens Reece P. , Paudel Sunita S. , Johnson Santina C. , Stevens Troy , Lee Ji Young
Published: June 2021

Capillary endothelial cells possess a specialized metabolism necessary to adapt to the unique alveolar-capillary environment. Here, we highlight how endothelial metabolism preserves the integrity of the pulmonary circulation by controlling vascular permeability, defending against oxidative stress, facilitating rapid migration and angiogenesis in response to injury, and regulating the epigenetic landscape of endothelial cells. Recent reports on single-cell RNA-sequencing reveal subpopulations of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells with distinctive reparative capacities, which potentially offer new insight into their metabolic signature. Lastly, we discuss broad implications of pulmonary vascular metabolism on acute respiratory distress syndrome, touching on emerging findings of endotheliitis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lungs.
Nebulized curcumin protects neonatal lungs from antenatal insult in rats
Authors: Guillier Cyril , Carrière Diane , Pansiot Julien , Maroni Arielle , Billion Elodie , Ringot Maud , Benoist Jean-François , Jacques Sébastien , Matrot Boris , Jarreau Pierre-Henri , Vaiman Daniel , Baud Olivier , Zana-Taïeb Elodie
Published: June 2021

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), one of the major complications of prematurity. Antenatal low-protein diet (LPD) exposure in rats induces IUGR and mimics BPD-related alveolarization disorders. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) plays a key role in normal lung development and was found deregulated following LPD exposure. The objective of this article was to investigate the effects of nebulized curcumin, a natural PPARγ agonist, to prevent IUGR-related abnormal lung development. We studied rat pups antenatally exposed to an LPD or control diet (CTL) and treated with nebulized curcumin (50 mg/kg) or vehicle from postnatal ( P) days 1 to 5. The primary readouts were lung morphometric analyses at P21. Immunohistochemistry ( P21) and microarrays ( P6 and P11) were compared within animals exposed to LPD versus controls, with and without curcumin treatment. Quantitative morphometric analyses revealed that LPD induced abnormal alveolarization as evidenced by a significant increase in mean linear intercept (MLI) observed in P21 LPD-exposed animals. Early curcumin treatment prevented this effect, and two-way ANOVA analysis demonstrated significant interaction between diet and curcumin both for MLI [ F(1,39) = 12.67, P = 0.001] and radial alveolar count at P21 [ F(1,40) = 6.065, P = 0.0182]. Immunohistochemistry for fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a major regulator of PPARγ pathway, showed a decreased FABP4+ alveolar cell density in LPD-exposed animals treated by curcumin. Transcriptomic analysis showed that early curcumin significantly prevented the activation of profibrotic pathways observed at P11 in LPD-exposed animals. Nebulized curcumin appears to be a promising strategy to prevent alveolarization disorders in IUGR rat pups, targeting pathways involved in lung development.
Genes, other than Muc5b, play a role in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis
Authors: Dobrinskikh Evgenia , Estrella Alani M. , Hennessy Corinne E. , Hara Naoko , Schwarz Marvin I. , Kurche Jonathan S. , Yang Ivana V. , Schwartz David A.
Published: June 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable genetic disease that affects 5 million people worldwide. The gain-of-function MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 is the dominant genetic risk factor for IPF, yet has a low penetrance. This raises the possibility that other genes and transcripts affect the penetrance of MUC5B. Previously, we have shown that the concentration of Muc5b in bronchoalveolar epithelia is directly associated with the extent and persistence of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. In this study, we investigated whether bleomycin-induced lung injury is Muc5b dependent in genetically divergent strains of mice. Specifically, mice from the eight Diversity Outbred (DO) founders were phenotyped for Muc5b expression and lung fibrosis 3 wk after intratracheal bleomycin administration. Although we identified strains with low Muc5b expression and minimal lung fibrosis (CAST/EiJ and PWK/PhJ) and strains with high Muc5b expression and extensive lung fibrosis (NZO/H1LtJ and WSB/EiJ), there also were strains that did not demonstrate a clear relationship between Muc5b expression and lung fibrosis (129S1/SvlmJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, and C57BL/6J, A/J). Hierarchical clustering suggests that other factors may work in concert with or potentially independent of Muc5b to promote bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis. This study suggests that these strains and their recombinant inbred crosses may prove helpful in identifying the genes and transcripts that interact with Muc5b and cause lung fibrosis.
Effects of altitude and recombinant human erythropoietin on iron metabolism: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Breenfeldt Andersen Andreas , Bonne Thomas C. , Bejder Jacob , Jung Grace , Ganz Tomas , Nemeth Elizabeta , Olsen Niels Vidiendal , Huertas Jesús Rodríguez , Nordsborg Nikolai Baastrup
Published: June 2021

Current markers of iron deficiency (ID), such as ferritin and hemoglobin, have shortcomings, and hepcidin and erythroferrone (ERFE) could be of clinical relevance in relation to early assessment of ID. Here, we evaluate whether exposure to altitude-induced hypoxia (2,320 m) alone, or in combination with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment, affects hepcidin and ERFE levels before alterations in routine ID biomarkers and stress erythropoiesis manifest. Two interventions were completed, each comprising a 4-wk baseline, a 4-wk intervention at either sea level or altitude, and a 4-wk follow-up. Participants ( n = 39) were randomly assigned to 20 IU·kg body wt−1 rHuEPO or placebo injections every second day for 3 wk during the two intervention periods. Venous blood was collected weekly. Altitude increased ERFE ( P ≤ 0.001) with no changes in hepcidin or routine iron biomarkers, making ERFE of clinical relevance as an early marker of moderate hypoxia. rHuEPO treatment at sea level induced a similar pattern of changes in ERFE ( P < 0.05) and hepcidin levels ( P < 0.05), demonstrating the impact of accelerated erythropoiesis and not of other hypoxia-induced mechanisms. Compared with altitude alone, concurrent rHuEPO treatment and altitude exposure induced additive changes in hepcidin ( P < 0.05) and ERFE ( P ≤ 0.001) parallel with increases in hematocrit ( P < 0.001), demonstrating a relevant range of both hepcidin and ERFE. A poor but significant correlation between hepcidin and ERFE was found ( R2 = 0.13, P < 0.001). The findings demonstrate that hepcidin and ERFE are more rapid biomarkers of changes in iron demands than routine iron markers. Finally, ERFE and hepcidin may be sensitive markers in an antidoping context.
Input of hair field afferents to a descending interneuron
Authors: Jaske Bianca , Lepreux Gaëtan , Dürr Volker
Published: June 2021

Active tactile exploration and tactually induced behaviors are important for many animals. They require descending information transfer about tactile sensor movement to thoracic networks. Here, we investigate response properties and afferent input to the identified descending interneuron cONv in stick insects. cONv may be involved in tactually induced reach-to-grasp movements. We show that cONv response delay, transient and steady state are velocity-dependent and that antennal proprioceptive hair fields contribute to the velocity encoding of cONv.
Increasing the gradient of energetic cost does not initiate adaptation in human walking
Authors: Simha Surabhi N. , Wong Jeremy D. , Selinger Jessica C. , Abram Sabrina J. , Donelan J. Maxwell
Published: June 2021

People can adapt to novel conditions but often require cues to initiate the adaptation. Using a mechatronic system to reshape energetic cost gradients during treadmill walking, we tested whether the nervous system can use information present in the cost gradient to spontaneously initiate adaptation. We found that our participants did not spontaneously initiate adaptation even in the steepest gradient. The nervous system does not rely solely on the cost gradient when initiating adaptation.
Prefrontal Cortex Metabolome Is Modified by Opioids, Anesthesia, and Sleep
Authors: Lydic Ralph , Baghdoyan Helen A.
Published: June 2021

Obtundation of wakefulness caused by opioids and loss of wakefulness caused by anesthetics and sleep significantly alter concentrations of molecules comprising the prefrontal cortex (PFC) metabolome. Quantifying state-selective changes in the PFC metabolome is essential for advancing functional metabolomics. Diverse functions of the PFC suggest the PFC metabolome as a potential therapeutic entry point for countermeasures to state-selective autonomic dysfunction.
Trampoline Motion Decomposition Method Based on Deep Learning Image Recognition
Authors: Liu Yushan , Dong Huijuan , Wang Liang
Published: June 2021

The automatic segmentation and classification of an unknown motion data stream based on given motion classes constitute an important research problem with applications in computer vision, animation, healthcare, and sports sciences. In this paper, the scenario of trampoline motions is considered, where an athlete performs a routine consisting of sequence of jumps that belong to predefined motion classes such as somersaults. The purpose of this study was to make theoretical discussions on the turning starting time and starting technique of trampoline somersault based on image recognition and point out that the appropriate turning starting time of trampoline somersault is the event when the spring net of the trampoline recovers and applies force to the human body, and the overturning start exists in the latter half of the take-off action. It is considered that how to obtain the ideal full reaction force of the net facing the human body is the flip starting technique. This work analyzes the key steps and events for trampoline somersaults and the application of artificial intelligence for the recognition of actions in the healthcare and sports fields. The effectiveness of the proposed study is shown through experimental results. The study can facilitate the process of recognition of trampoline somersault.
Perfect Matchings in Random Octagonal Chain Graphs
Authors: Wei Shouliu , Chen Niandong , Ke Xiaoling , Hao Guoliang , Huang Jianwu
Published: June 2021

A perfect matching of a (molecule) graph

G

is a set of independent edges covering all vertices in

G

. In this paper, we establish a simple formula for the expected value of the number of perfect matchings in random octagonal chain graphs and present the asymptotic behavior of the expectation.
Effect of Low Ambient Pressure on Spray Cone Angle of Pressure Swirl Atomizer
Authors: Guo Zhengyan , Jin Yi , Zhang Kai , Yao Kanghong , Wang Yunbiao , Wu Di , He Xiaomin , Zheng Mei
Published: June 2021

Pressure swirl atomizers are widely used in gas turbine combustor; this paper is aimed at researching the effect of low ambient pressure (0.1 MPa to 0.01 MPa, lower than an atmosphere) on the spray cone angle of pressure swirl atomizer. The spray angle is captured by high-speed photography; then, an image post program is used to process the spray angle magnitude. A mathematical model of a single droplet’s movement and trajectory based on force analysis is proposed to validate the spray angle variation. The maximum variation of the spray cone angle, which is observed when fuel supply pressure drop through the atomizer is 1 MPa as the ambient pressure decreases from 0.1 MPa to 0.01 MPa, is found to be 23.9%. The experimental results show that the spray cone angle is expected to increase with the ambient pressure decrease; meanwhile, mathematical results agree well with this trend.
Ginkgolide B Protects Cardiomyocytes from Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertrophy via Regulation of Autophagy through SIRT1-FoxO1
Authors: Jiang Qingyuan , Lu Ming , Li Jinyu , Zhu Zhongsheng
Published: June 2021

Ginkgolide B (GB) is an active ingredient extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves. However, the effects of GB on cardiac hypertrophy remain unclear. The study is aimed at determining whether GB could alleviate cardiac hypertrophy and exploring its underlying molecular mechanism. Rat cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 cells were pretreated with GB and incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to simulate an in vitro cardiac hypertrophy model. Cell viability, cell size, hypertrophy markers, and autophagy were determined in H9c2 cells after Ang II treatment. Proteins involved in autophagy and the SIRT1 pathway were determined by western blot. Our data demonstrated that GB attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and reduced the mRNA expressions of hypertrophy marker, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC). GB further increased Ang II-induced autophagy in H9c2 cells and modulated expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and P62. Modulation of autophagy using autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could abrogate GB-downregulated transcription of NPPA. We then showed that GB attenuated Ang II-induced oxidative stress and reduction in SIRT1 and FoxO1 protein expression. Finally, the effect of GB on autophagy and cardiac hypertrophy could be reversed by SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527. GB inhibits Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing autophagy via the SIRT1-FoxO1 signaling pathway and might be a potential agent in treating pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Three-Dimensional UWSN Positioning Algorithm Based on Modified RSSI Values
Authors: Qin Qin , Tian Yi , Wang Xin
Published: June 2021

Sensor nodes in underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) are in a three-dimensional space, and water fluidity continuously changes the positioning in water, the clock synchronization of underwater nodes is challenging, and ranging algorithms affected by water flow produce large errors. A three-dimensional UWSN positioning algorithm based on modified RSSI values is proposed to address the problem of UWSN positioning algorithms being susceptible to water influence and prone to unstable positioning and large positioning errors. An unlocated node screens the received anchor node signal strength and then makes a weighted correction to reduce the influence of the water environment and improve the ranging accuracy. A position estimation model is proposed and combined with a three-dimensional underwater model and least squares method to deduce the unlocated node’s position on the basis of the distance between the unlocated node and the anchor node. The proposed algorithm effectively reduces the influence of the water environment on the ranging algorithm’s accuracy and improves the performance of three-dimensional underwater positioning algorithms. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the influence of the underwater environment on positioning algorithms.
MHD Flow of Thermally Radiative Maxwell Fluid Past a Heated Stretching Sheet with Cattaneo–Christov Dual Diffusion
Authors: Loganathan K. , Alessa Nazek , Namgyel Ngawang , Karthik T. S.
Published: June 2021

This study explains the impression of MHD Maxwell fluid with the presence of thermal radiation on a heated surface. The heat and mass transmission analysis is carried out with the available of Cattaneo–Christov dual diffusion. The derived PDE equations are renovated into ODE equations with the use of similarity variables. HAM technique is implemented for finding the solution. The importance of physical parameters of fluid velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction, and heat and mass transfer rates are illustrated in graphs. We found that the fluid velocity declines with the presence of the magnetic field parameter. On the contrary, the liquid temperature enhances by increasing the radiation parameter. In addition, the fluid velocity is low, and temperature and concentration are high in Maxwell fluid compared to the viscous liquid.
Processing of Affective Pictures: A Study Based on Functional Connectivity Network in the Cerebral Cortex
Authors: He Zhongyang , Yang Kai , Zhuang Ning , Zeng Ying
Published: June 2021

Emotion plays an important role in people’s life. However, the existing researches do not give a unified conclusion on the brain function network under different emotional states. In this study, pictures from the international affective picture system (IAPS) of different valences were presented to subjects with a fixed frequency blinking frequency to induce stable state visual evoked potential (SSVEP). With the source location method, the cerebral cortex source signal was reconstructed based on EEG signals, and then the difference in SSVEP amplitudes in key brain areas under different emotional states and the difference in brain function network connections among different brain areas were analysed in cortical space. The results of the study show that positive and negative emotions evoked greater activation intensities in the prefrontal, temporal, and parietal lobes compared with those of neutral emotion. The network connections with a significant difference between emotional states mainly appear in the alpha and gamma bands, and the network connections with significant differences between positive emotion and negative emotion mainly exist in the right middle temporal gyrus and the superior frontal gyrus on both sides. In addition, the long‐range connections play an important role in the process of emotional processing, especially the connections among frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus. The results of this study provide a reliable scientific basis for revealing and elucidating the neural mechanism of emotion processing and the selection of brain regions and frequency bands in emotion recognition based on EEG signals.