bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles originating from glioblastoma cells increase metalloproteinase release by astrocytes: the role of CD147 (EMMPRIN) and ionizing radiation
Authors: Colangelo Nicholas W. , Azzam Edouard I.
Published: February 2020

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive primary brain tumor that is characterized by local invasive growth and resistance to therapy. The role of the microenvironment in glioblastoma invasiveness remains unclear. While carcinomas release CD147, a protein that signals for increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) release by fibroblasts, glioblastoma does not have a significant fibroblast component. We hypothesized that astrocytes release MMPs in response to CD147 contained in glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and that ionizing radiation, part of the standard treatment for glioblastoma, enhances this release.

Methods

Astrocytes were incubated with EVs released by irradiated or non-irradiated human glioblastoma cells wild-type, knockdown, or knockout for CD147. Levels of CD147 in glioblastoma EVs and MMPs secreted by astrocytes were quantified. Levels of proteins in the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which can be regulated by CD147, were measured in astrocytes incubated with EVs from glioblastoma cells wild-type or knockdown for CD147. Immunofluorescence was performed on the glioblastoma cells to identify changes in CD147 localization in response to irradiation, and to confirm uptake of the EVs by astrocytes.

Results

Immunoblotting and mass spectrometry analyses showed that CD147 levels in EVs were transiently increased when the EVs were from glioblastoma cells that were irradiated with γ rays. Specifically, the highly-glycosylated 45 kDa form of CD147 was preferentially present in the EVs relative to the cells themselves. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that astrocytes incorporate glioblastoma EVs and subsequently increase their secretion of active MMP9. The increase was greater if the EVs were from irradiated glioblastoma cells. Testing MAPK pathway activation, which also regulates MMP expression, showed that JNK signaling, but not ERK1/2 or p38, was increased in astrocytes incubated with EVs from irradiated compared to non-irradiated glioblastoma cells. Knockout of CD147 in glioblastoma cells blocked the increased JNK signaling and the rise in secreted active MMP9 levels.

Conclusions

The results support a tumor microenvironment-mediated role of CD147 in glioblastoma invasiveness, and reveal a prominent role for ionizing radiation in enhancing the effect. They provide an improved understanding of glioblastoma intercellular signaling in the context of radiotherapy, and identify pathways that can be targeted to reduce tumor invasiveness.

Graphical abstract
Rectification of radiotherapy-induced cognitive impairments in aged mice by reconstituted Sca-1+ stem cells from young donors
Authors: Wlodarek Lukasz , Cao Feng , Alibhai Faisal J. , Fekete Adam , Noyan Nima , Tobin Stephanie W. , Marvasti Tina B. , Wu Jun , Li Shu-Hong , Weisel Richard D. , Wang Lu-Yang , Jia Zhengping , Li Ren-Ke
Published: February 2020

Background

Radiotherapy is widely used and effective for treating brain tumours, but inevitably impairs cognition as it arrests cellular processes important for learning and memory. This is particularly evident in the aged brain with limited regenerative capacity, where radiation produces irreparable neuronal damage and activation of neighbouring microglia. The latter is responsible for increased neuronal death and contributes to cognitive decline after treatment. To date, there are few effective means to prevent cognitive deficits after radiotherapy.

Methods

Here we implanted hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from young or old (2- or 18-month-old, respectively) donor mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) into old recipients and assessed cognitive abilities 3 months post-reconstitution.

Results

Regardless of donor age, GFP+ cells homed to the brain of old recipients and expressed the macrophage/microglial marker, Iba1. However, only young cells attenuated deficits in novel object recognition and spatial memory and learning in old mice post-irradiation. Mechanistically, old recipients that received young HSCs, but not old, displayed significantly greater dendritic spine density and long-term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 neurons of the hippocampus. Lastly, we found that GFP+/Iba1+ cells from young and old donors were differentially polarized to an anti- and pro-inflammatory phenotype and produced neuroprotective factors and reactive nitrogen species in vivo, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results suggest aged peripherally derived microglia-like cells may exacerbate cognitive impairments after radiotherapy, whereas young microglia-like cells are polarized to a reparative phenotype in the irradiated brain, particularly in neural circuits associated with rewards, learning, and memory. These findings present a proof-of-principle for effectively reinstating central cognitive function of irradiated brains with peripheral stem cells from young donor bone marrow.
MiR-612 regulates invadopodia of hepatocellular carcinoma by HADHA-mediated lipid reprogramming
Authors: Liu Yang , Lu Li-Li , Wen Duo , Liu Dong-Li , Dong Li-Li , Gao Dong-Mei , Bian Xin-Yu , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Wu Wei-Zhong
Published: February 2020

Background

MicroRNA-612 (miR-612) has been proven to suppress EMT, stemness, and tumor metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via PI3K/AKT2 and Sp1/Nanog signaling. However, its biological roles on HCC progression are far from elucidated.

Methods

We found direct downstream target of miR-612, hadha by RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing. To explore its biological characteristic, potential molecular mechanism, and clinical relevance in HCC patients, we performed several in-vitro and in-vivo models, as well as human tissue chip.

Results

Ectopic expression of miR-612 could partially reverse the level of HADHA, then suppress function of pseudopods, and diminish metastatic and invasive potential of HCC by lipid reprogramming. In detail, miR-612 might reduce invadopodia formation via HADHA-mediated cell membrane cholesterol alteration and accompanied with the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin regulated EMT occurrence. Our results showed that the maximum oxygen consumption rates (OCR) of HCCLM3miR-612-OE and HCCLM3hadha-KD cells were decreased nearly by 40% and 60% of their counterparts (p < 0.05). The levels of acetyl CoA were significantly decreased, about 1/3 (p > 0.05) or 1/2 (p < 0.05) of their controls, in exogenous miR-612 or hadha-shRNA transfected HCCLM3 cell lines. Besides, overexpression of hadha cell lines had a high expression level of total cholesterol, especially 27-hydroxycholesterol (p < 0.005). SREBP2 protein expression level as well as its downstream targets, HMGCS1, HMGCR, MVD, SQLE were all deregulated by HADHA. Meanwhile, the ATP levels were reduced to 1/2 and 1/4 in HCCLM3miR-612-OE (p < 0.05) and HCCLM3hadha-KD (p < 0.01) respectively. Moreover, patients with low miR-612 levels and high HADHA levels had a poor prognosis with shorter overall survival.

Conclusion

miR-612 can suppress the formation of invadopodia, EMT, and HCC metastasis and by HADHA-mediated lipid programming, which may provide a new insight of miR-612 on tumor metastasis and progression.
Pin2 telomeric repeat factor 1-interacting telomerase inhibitor 1 (PinX1) inhibits nasopharyngeal cancer cell stemness: implication for cancer progression and therapeutic targeting
Authors: Yu Chaosheng , Chen Fang , Wang Xiaoqi , Cai Zhimou , Yang Mengxue , Zhong Qingwen , Feng Jialian , Li Junzheng , Shen Congxiang , Wen Zhong
Published: February 2020

Background

Recurrence and distant metastasis are still the main factors leading to treatment failure for malignant tumors including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis is of great clinical significance for targeted gene therapy and prognostic evaluation. PinX1, a tumor suppressor gene, was previously demonstrated to be a powerful tool for targeting telomerase in order to resist malignant tumor proliferation and migration. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism through which PinX1 regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor metastasis in NPC and investigate its clinical significance and biological role with respect to disease progression.

Methods

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), Transwell assays, Colony formation analysis and Xenograft tumorigenicity assay were used to measure the nasopharyngeal CD133+ cancer stem cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot assays were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanism that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via regulating EMT in nasopharyngeal CD133+ CSCs.

Results

We found that the overexpression of PinX1 and P53 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, but that the inhibition of miR-200b blocked these effects, in nasopharyngeal CD133+ cancer stem cells (CSCs). Mechanistic investigations elucidated that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating the P53/miR-200b-mediated transcriptional suppression of Snail1, Twist1, and Zeb1, consequently inhibiting EMT in nasopharyngeal CD133+ CSCs.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via P53/miR-200b-regulated EMT in the malignant progression of human NPC, which might suggest novel clinical implications for disease treatment.
Comparison of adverse events between video and direct laryngoscopes for tracheal intubations in emergency department and ICU patients–a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Jia , Kang Na , Li Bo , Wu An-Shi , Xue Fu-Shan
Published: February 2020

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to determine whether video laryngoscope (VL) compared with direct laryngoscope (DL) could reduce the occurrence of adverse events associated with tracheal intubation in the emergency and ICU patients.

Methods

The current issue of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (from database inception to October 30, 2018) were searched. The RCTs, quasi-RCTs, observational studies comparing VL and DL for tracheal intubation in emergency or ICU patients and reporting the rates of adverse events were included. The primary outcome was the rate of esophageal intubation (EI). Review Manager 5.3 software was used to perform the pooled analysis and assess the risk of bias for each eligible RCT. The ACROBAT-NRSi Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied to assess the risk of bias for each eligible observational study.

Results

Twenty-three studies (13,117 patients) were included in the review for data extraction. Pooled analysis showed a lower rate of EI by using VL (relative risk [RR], 0.24;P < 0.01; high-quality evidence for RCTs and very low-quality evidence for observational studies). Subgroup analyses based on the type of studies, whether a cardiopulmonary resuscitation study, or operators’ expertise showed a similar lower rate of EI by using VL compared with DL in all subgroups (P < 0.01) except for experienced operators (RR, 0.44;P = 0.09). There were no significant differences between devices for other adverse events (P > 0.05), except for a lower incidence of hypoxemia when intubation was performed with VL by inexperienced operators (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Based on the results of this analysis, we conclude that compared with DL, VL can reduce the risk of EI during tracheal intubation in the emergency and ICU patients, but does not provide significant benefits on other adverse events associated with tracheal intubation.
Comparison of immune responses to Loa loa stage-specific antigen extracts in Loa loa-exposed BALB/c mice upon clearance of infection
Authors: Chunda Valerine C. , Ritter Manuel , Bate Ayukenchengamba , Gandjui Narcisse V. T. , Esum Mathias E. , Fombad Fanny F. , Njouendou Abdel J. , Ndongmo Patrick W. C. , Taylor Mark J. , Hoerauf Achim , Layland Laura E. , Turner Joseph D. , Wanji Samuel
Published: February 2020

Background

Different immune mechanisms are capable of killing developmental stages of filarial nematodes and these mechanisms are also likely to vary between the primary and a challenge infection. However, the lack of a detailed analysis of cytokine, chemokine and immunoglobulin levels in human loiasis is still evident. Therefore, detailed analysis of immune responses induced by the different developmental stages of Loa loa in immune-competent BALB/c mice will aid in the characterization of distinct immune responses that are important for the immunity against loiasis.

Methods

Different developmental stages of L. loa were obtained from human peripheral blood (microfilariae, MF), the transmitting vector, Chrysops (larval stage 3, L3) and infected immune-deficient BALB/cRAG2γc−/− mice (L4, L5, adult worms). Groups of wildtype BALB/c mice were then injected with the isolated stages and after 42 days post-infection (pi), systemic cytokine, chemokine and immunoglobulin levels were determined. These were then compared to L. loa-specific responses from in vitro re-stimulated splenocytes from individual mice. All parameters were determined using Luminex technology.

Results

In a pilot study, BALB/c mice cleared the different life stages of L. loa within 42 days pi and systemic cytokine, chemokine and immunoglobulin levels were equal between infected and naive mice. Nevertheless, L. loa-specific re-stimulation of splenocytes from mice infected with L5, MF or adult worms led to induction of Th2, Th17 and chemokine secretion patterns.

Conclusions

This study shows that although host immunity remains comparable to naive mice, clearance of L. loa life-cycle development stages can induce immune cell memory leading to cytokine, chemokine and immunoglobulins secretion patterns which might contribute to immunity and protection against reinfection.
Epidemiology of blood flukes (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in sea turtles from Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, off Italy
Authors: Santoro Mario , Marchiori Erica , Cassini Rudi , Drigo Michele , Iaccarino Doriana , Di Nocera Fabio , Degli Uberti Barbara , De Luca Giovanna , D’Amore Marianna , Centelleghe Cinzia , Pietrobelli Mario , Marcer Federica
Published: February 2020

Background

The Spirorchiidae is a family of blood flukes parasitizing turtles. Spirorchiids may cause a wide range of inflammatory reactions in the vascular system of their host being frequently implicated with stranding and death of sea turtles worldwide. Recent studies revealed the presence of two spirorchiid species in the Mediterranean basin. Our study presents comparative epidemiological data of spirorchiid infections in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded during an eight-year period from Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, and the first report of Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Methods

We screened a total of 319 carcasses of loggerhead turtles stranded from January 2011 to December 2018 along the Tyrrhenian coast (n = 111) and the north-western Adriatic coast (n = 208) of Italy using traditional (copromicroscopy and histopathology) and molecular assays. Three green turtles from the Tyrrhenian coast were also included in the study.

Results

A total of 56 (17.5%) loggerhead turtles and one green turtle (33.3%) were found to be infected with spirorchiid flukes. Amplification, sequencing of the ITS2 region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Hapalotrema mistroides and Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in 51 (16.0%) and 24 (7.5%) loggerhead turtles, respectively, and Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in an infected green turtle. Differences in prevalence of infection between the two sampling areas were found.

Conclusions

The risk of spirorchiid infection in the Tyrrhenian Sea is lower than in the Adriatic Sea and in general the risk of infection in the Mediterranean is lower than in other geographical locations. Differences in the prevalence of infection between the two sampling areas were related to the differences of regional habitats supporting different abundance of spirorchiid intermediate hosts. A systematic monitoring to evaluate the progress of the infection is recommended, as well as studies on the occurrence and distribution of spirorchiid species from other Mediterranean areas.
Imaging methods used in the assessment of environmental disease networks: a brief review for clinicians
Authors: Cedillo-Pozos Aime , Ternovoy Sergey K. , Roldan-Valadez Ernesto
Published: February 2020

Background

Across the globe, diseases secondary to environmental exposures have been described, and it was also found that existing diseases have been modified by exposure to environmental chemicals or an environmental factor that has been found in their pathogenesis. The Institute of Medicine has shared a permanent concern related to the nations environmental health capacity since 1988.

Main body

Contemporary imaging methods in the last 15 years started reporting alterations in different human systems such as the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and pulmonary system among others; evidence suggests the existence of a human environmental disease network. The primary anatomic regions, affected by environmental diseases, recently assessed with imaging methods include Brain (lead exposure, cerebral stroke, pesticide neurotoxicity), uses MRI, DTI, carotid ultrasonography and MRS; Lungs (smoke inhalation, organophosphates poisoning) are mainly assessed with radiography; Gastrointestinal system (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), recent studies have reported the use of aortic ultrasound; Heart (myocardial infarction), its link to environmental diseased has been proved with carotid ultrasound; and Arteries (artery hypertension), the impairment of aortic mechanical properties has been revealed with the use of aortic and brachial ultrasound.

Conclusions

Environmental epidemiology has revealed that several organs and systems in the human body are targets of air pollutants. Current imaging methods that can assess the deleterious effects of pollutants includes a whole spectrum: radiography, US, CT and MRI. Future studies will help to reveal additional links among environmental disease networks.
The effect of the MR pulse sequence on the regional corpus callosum morphometry
Authors: Alhazmi Fahad H. , Abdulaal Osama M. , Qurashi Abdulaziz A. , Aloufi Khalid M. , Sluming Vanessa
Published: February 2020

Background and purposes

Brain morphometry is an important assessment technique to assess certain morphological brain features of various brain regions, which can be quantified in vivo by using high-resolution structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This study aims to investigate the effect of different types of pulse sequence on regional corpus callosum (CC) morphometry analysis.

Materials and methods

Twenty-one healthy volunteers were scanned twice on the same 3T MRI scanner (Magnetom Trio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) equipped with an 8-channel head coil. Two different MR pulse sequences were applied to acquire high-resolution 3D T1-weighted images: magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MP-RAGE) and modified driven equilibrium Fourier transform (MDEFT) pulse sequence. Image quality measurements such as SNR, contrast-to-noise ratio, and relative contrast were calculated for each pulse sequence images independently. The values of corpus callosum volume were calculated based on the vertex of reconstructed surfaces. The paired dependent t test was applied to compare the means of two matched groups.

Results

Three sub-regional CC, namely anterior, mid-anterior, and posterior, resulted in an estimated volume difference between MDEFT and MP-RAGE pulse sequences. Central and mid-posterior sub-regional CC volume resulted in not significant difference between the two named pulse sequences.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that combining data from different pulse sequences in a multisite study could make some variations in the results.
Implementation of evidence-based practice for alcohol and substance use disorders: protocol for systematic review
Authors: Louie Eva , Barrett Emma L. , Baillie Andrew , Haber Paul , Morley Kirsten C.
Published: February 2020

Background

Whilst effective treatments exist for substance use and alcohol use disorders, they are not commonly practised. Studies have shown that only a small percentage of services provide evidence-based treatments such as addiction medications or psychosocial therapies. Although there is a growing body of literature on evidence-based treatment, no synthesis of research on the implementation of evidence-based addiction treatment exists. This proposed systematic review will synthesise and evaluate the effectiveness of implementation programmes in the treatment of patients with drug and alcohol problems using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework.

Methods

We will search (from inception onwards) PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL. Eligible studies will be clinical trials (e.g. randomised controlled trials, non-randomised controlled trials) and observational studies (e.g. before-and-after studies, interrupted time series) evaluating strategies used to implement evidence-based psychosocial treatments for alcohol and substance use disorders. The primary outcomes will be related to the implementation, service system, or clinical practice (e.g. acceptability, implementation costs, feasibility). Two researchers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Risk of bias of individual studies will be appraised using appropriate tools. A narrative synthesis will be provided.

Discussion

This project aims to provide evidence to help guide the design of translational research programmes to improve implementation of evidence-based care in drug and alcohol settings. Findings from the study will specify effective strategies for domains of influence including (1) intervention characteristics (e.g. evidence strength and quality, adaptability), (2) outer setting (e.g. patient needs and resources, external policies and incentives), (3) inner setting (e.g. implementation climate, readiness for implementation), (4) individuals involved (e.g. self-efficacy, knowledge and beliefs about the intervention) and (5) the implementation process (e.g. engaging members of the organisation, executing the innovation). Identified gaps in knowledge will guide further study.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019123812
Global attractiveness and exponential stability for impulsive fractional neutral stochastic evolution equations driven by fBm
Authors: Liu Jiankang , Xu Wei , Guo Qin
Published: February 2020

This paper is concerned with a class of fractional neutral stochastic integro-differential equations with impulses driven by fractional Brownian motion (fBm). First, by means of the resolvent operator technique and contraction mapping principle, we can directly show the existence and uniqueness result of mild solution for the aforementioned system. Then we develop a new impulsive-integral inequality to obtain the global attracting set and pth moment exponential stability for this type of equation. Worthy of note is that this powerful inequality after little modification is applicable to the case with delayed impulses. Moreover, sufficient conditions which guarantee the pth moment exponential stability for some pertinent systems are stated without proof. In the end, an example is worked out to illustrate the theoretical results.
The plethora of explicit solutions of the fractional KS equation through liquid–gas bubbles mix under the thermodynamic conditions via Atangana–Baleanu derivative operator
Authors: Yue Chen , Khater Mostafa M. A. , Attia Raghda A. M. , Lu Dianchen
Published: February 2020

Novel explicit wave solutions are constructed for the Kudryashov–Sinelshchikov (KS) equation through liquid–gas bubbles mix under the thermodynamic conditions. A new fractional definition (Atangana–Baleanu derivative operator) is employed through the modified Khater method to get new wave solutions in distinct types of this model that is used to describe the phenomena of pressure waves through liquid–gas bubbles mix under the thermodynamic conditions. The stability property of the obtained solutions is tested to show the ability of our obtained solutions through the physical experiments. The novelty and advantage of the proposed method are illustrated by applying to this model. Some sketches are plotted to show more about the dynamical behavior of this model.
Gastric bypass surgery in a rat model alters the community structure and functional composition of the intestinal microbiota independently of weight loss
Authors: Haange Sven-Bastiaan , Jehmlich Nico , Krügel Ute , Hintschich Constantin , Wehrmann Dorothee , Hankir Mohammed , Seyfried Florian , Froment Jean , Hübschmann Thomas , Müller Susann , Wissenbach Dirk K. , Kang Kang , Buettner Christian , Panagiotou Gianni , Noll Matthias , Rolle-Kampczyk Ulrike , Fenske Wiebke , von Bergen Martin
Published: February 2020

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is a last-resort treatment to induce substantial and sustained weight loss in cases of severe obesity. This anatomical rearrangement affects the intestinal microbiota, but so far, little information is available on how it interferes with microbial functionality and microbial-host interactions independently of weight loss.

Methods

A rat model was employed where the RYGB-surgery cohort is compared to sham-operated controls which were kept at a matched body weight by food restriction. We investigated the microbial taxonomy and functional activity using 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing, metaproteomics, and metabolomics on samples collected from theileum, the cecum, and the colon, and separately analysed the lumen and mucus-associated microbiota.

Results

Altered gut architecture in RYGB increased the relative occurrence ofActinobacteria, especiallyBifidobacteriaceaeandProteobacteria, while in general,Firmicuteswere decreased althoughStreptococcaceaeandClostridium perfringenswere observed at relative higher abundances independent of weight loss. A decrease of conjugated and secondary bile acids was observed in the RYGB-gut lumen. The arginine biosynthesis pathway in the microbiota was altered, as indicated by the changes in the abundance of upstream metabolites and enzymes, resulting in lower levels of arginine and higher levels of aspartate in the colon after RYGB.

Conclusion

The anatomical rearrangement in RYGB affects microbiota composition and functionality as well as changes in amino acid and bile acid metabolism independently of weight loss. The shift in the taxonomic structure of the microbiota after RYGB may be mediated by the resulting change in the composition of the bile acid pool in the gut and by changes in the composition of nutrients in the gut.
Effects of age on foraging behavior in two closely related albatross species
Authors: Frankish Caitlin K. , Manica Andrea , Phillips Richard A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Foraging performance is widely hypothesized to play a key role in shaping age-specific demographic rates in wild populations, yet the underlying behavioral changes are poorly understood. Seabirds are among the longest-lived vertebrates, and demonstrate extensive age-related variation in survival, breeding frequency and success. The breeding season is a particularly critical phase during the annual cycle, but it remains unclear whether differences in experience or physiological condition related to age interact with the changing degree of the central-place constraint in shaping foraging patterns in time and space.

Methods

Here we analyze tracking data collected over two decades from congeneric black-browed (BBA) and grey-headed (GHA) albatrosses,Thalassarche melanophrisandT. chrysostoma, breeding at South Georgia. We compare the foraging trip parameters, at-sea activity (flights and landings) and habitat preferences of individuals aged 10–45 years and contrast these patterns between the incubation and early chick-rearing stages.

Results

Young breeders of both species showed improvements in foraging competency with age, reducing foraging trip duration until age 26. Thereafter, there were signs of foraging senescence; older adults took gradually longer trips, narrowed their habitat preference (foraging within a smaller range of sea surface temperatures) (GHA), made fewer landings and rested on the water for longer (BBA). Some age-specific effects were apparent for each species only in certain breeding stages, highlighting the complex interaction between intrinsic drivers in determining individual foraging strategies.

Conclusions

Using cross-sectional data, this study highlighted clear age-related patterns in foraging behavior at the population-level for two species of albatrosses. These trends are likely to have important consequences for the population dynamics of these threatened seabirds, as young or old individuals may be more vulnerable to worsening environmental conditions.
Thalamostriatal degeneration contributes to dystonia and cholinergic interneuron dysfunction in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Crevier-Sorbo Gabriel , Rymar Vladimir V. , Crevier-Sorbo Raphael , Sadikot Abbas F.
Published: February 2020

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant trinucleotide repeat disorder characterized by choreiform movements, dystonia and striatal neuronal loss. Amongst multiple cellular processes, abnormal neurotransmitter signalling and decreased trophic support from glutamatergic cortical afferents are major mechanisms underlying striatal degeneration. Recent work suggests that the thalamostriatal (TS) system, another major source of glutamatergic input, is abnormal in HD although its phenotypical significance is unknown. We hypothesized that TS dysfunction plays an important role in generating motor symptoms and contributes to degeneration of striatal neuronal subtypes. Our results using the R6/2 mouse model of HD indicate that neurons of the parafascicular nucleus (PF), the main source of TS afferents, degenerate at an early stage. PF lesions performed prior to motor dysfunction or striatal degeneration result in an accelerated dystonic phenotype and are associated with premature loss of cholinergic interneurons. The progressive loss of striatal medium spiny neurons and parvalbumin-positive interneurons observed in R6/2 mice is unaltered by PF lesions. Early striatal cholinergic ablation using a mitochondrial immunotoxin provides evidence for increased cholinergic vulnerability to cellular energy failure in R6/2 mice, and worsens the dystonic phenotype. The TS system therefore contributes to trophic support of striatal interneuron subtypes in the presence of neurodegenerative stress, and TS deafferentation may be a novel cell non-autonomous mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of HD. Furthermore, behavioural experiments demonstrate that the TS system and striatal cholinergic interneurons are key motor-network structures involved in the pathogenesis of dystonia. This work suggests that treatments aimed at rescuing the TS system may preserve important elements of striatal structure and function and provide symptomatic relief in HD.
Reproduction of East-African bats may guide risk mitigation for coronavirus spillover
Authors:   PREDICT Consortium, Montecino-Latorre Diego , Goldstein Tracey , Gilardi Kirsten , Wolking David , Van Wormer Elizabeth , Kazwala Rudovick , Ssebide Benard , Nziza Julius , Sijali Zikankuba , Cranfield Michael , Mazet Jonna A. K.
Published: February 2020

Background

Bats provide important ecosystem services; however, current evidence supports that they host several zoonotic viruses, including species of the Coronaviridae family. If bats in close interaction with humans host and shed coronaviruses with zoonotic potential, such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus, spillover may occur. Therefore, strategies aiming to mitigate potential spillover and disease emergence, while supporting the conservation of bats and their important ecological roles are needed. Past research suggests that coronavirus shedding in bats varies seasonally following their reproductive cycle; however, shedding dynamics have been assessed in only a few species, which does not allow for generalization of findings across bat taxa and geographic regions.

Methods

To assess the generalizability of coronavirus shedding seasonality, we sampled hundreds of bats belonging to several species with different life history traits across East Africa at different times of the year. We assessed, via Bayesian modeling, the hypothesis that chiropterans, across species and spatial domains, experience seasonal trends in coronavirus shedding as a function of the reproductive cycle.

Results

We found that, beyond spatial, taxonomic, and life history differences, coronavirus shedding is more expected when pups are becoming independent from the dam and that juvenile bats are prone to shed these viruses.

Conclusions

These findings could guide policy aimed at the prevention of spillover in limited-resource settings, where longitudinal surveillance is not feasible, by identifying high-risk periods for coronavirus shedding. In these periods, contact with bats should be avoided (for example, by impeding or forbidding people access to caves). Our proposed strategy provides an alternative to culling – an ethically questionable practice that may result in higher pathogen levels – and supports the conservation of bats and the delivery of their key ecosystem services.
Effect of direct-acting antivirals on corrected QT interval and cardiac functions in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Gamal , Sharafeldin Ahmed Abdelrahman , Mousa Nevine Ibrahim , Mousa Tarek Khairy , El Missiri Ahmed Mohamed
Published: February 2020

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in Egypt. The use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in such patients has been shown to be highly effective. The cardiac safety of such antivirals remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the effect of the novel DAAs on corrected QT (QTc) interval and on cardiac function using trans-thoracic echocardiography.

Results

This was a prospective cohort study performed on 100 patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. Patients were into two equal groups according to the presence of liver cirrhosis. The group without liver cirrhosis received a daily combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg and daclatasvir 60 mg for 12 weeks while that with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score A or B) received a daily combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg, and ribavirin 600 mg for 12 weeks. Surface ECG and trans-thoracic echocardiography were performed prior to the start of treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment.

At the end of treatment, no changes were observed in QTc interval in those with (p = 0.48) or without (p = 0.048) liver cirrhosis. In patients without liver cirrhosis, right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) decreased from 22 (−30 to −17) to −21 (−27–18), p = 0.024. In patients with liver cirrhosis, lateral mitral E’ velocity was reduced from 14.38 ± 3.59 to 13.62 ± 3.21 cm/s, p = 0.02 and indexed left atrial volume (LAVI) was increased from 25.96 ± 3.96 to 26.86 ± 4.12 ml/m2, p = 0.032. There were no changes in both groups regarding left ventricular (LV) dimensions, ejection fraction, trans-mitral E/A ratio, E/E’ ratio, deceleration time, right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and LV GLS.

Conclusion

The current national protocol of HCV infection treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents used in Egyptian patients has a good cardiac safety profile. Such treatments have no effect on QTc interval, left and right ventricular functions except for a decrease in RV GLS in those with no liver cirrhosis and a reduction in lateral mitral E’ velocity in those with liver cirrhosis both remained within the normal reference range.
Brain structure and symptom dimensions in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Nenadić Igor , Voss Annika , Besteher Bianca , Langbein Kerstin , Gaser Christian
Published: February 2020

Background.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) presents with symptoms across different domains, whose neurobiology is poorly understood.

Methods.

We applied voxel-based morphometry on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans of 19 female BPD patients and 50 matched female controls.

Results.

Group comparison showed bilateral orbitofrontal gray matter loss in patients, but no significant changes in the hippocampus. Voxel-wise correlation of gray matter with symptom severity scores from the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-95) showed overall negative correlation in bilateral prefrontal, right inferior temporal/fusiform and occipital cortices, and left thalamus. Significant (negative) correlations with BSL-95 subscores within the patient cohort linked autoaggression to left lateral prefrontal and insular cortices, right inferior temporal/temporal pole, and right orbital cortex; dysthymia/dysphoria to right orbitofrontal cortex; self-perception to left postcentral, bilateral inferior/middle temporal, right orbitofrontal, and occipital cortices. Schema therapy-based Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S2) scores of early maladaptive schemas on emotional deprivation were linked to left medial temporal lobe gray matter reductions.

Conclusions.

Our results confirm orbitofrontal structural deficits in BPD, while providing a framework and preliminary findings on identifying structural correlates of symptom dimensions in BPD, especially with dorsolateral and orbitofrontal cortices.
Tremor, Tick, and Trance: Siegfried Kracauer and Gregory Bateson in the Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art
Authors: Ponten Frederic
Published: February 2020

This article details the brief collaboration between Siegfried Kracauer and Gregory Bateson in the Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art during World War II as an intriguing episode in intellectual history, touching on film and media studies, anthropology, and German studies. The article presents the Frankfurt School as part of the 1940s’ memorandum culture and thereby attempts to situate the historiography of critical theory during this formative period within a broader intellectual landscape, that is, in dialogue and competition with several other projects, to analyze the Nazi German enemy, in this case, the Culture and Personality School. The article takes Kracauer’s and Bateson’s analyses of the Nazi movie Hitlerjunge Quex as a case in point and, with the help of institutional and biographical contextualization, develops some of their most important methodical innovations and insights into Nazi German propaganda. In particular, the article points to Kracauer’s concept of hypnosis and relates it to Bateson’s media theory.
Countering opioid-induced respiratory depression by non-opioids that are respiratory stimulants
Authors: Imam Mohammad Zafar , Kuo Andy , Smith Maree T
Published: February 2020

Strong opioid analgesics are the mainstay of therapy for the relief of moderate to severe acute nociceptive pain that may occur post-operatively or following major trauma, as well as for the management of chronic cancer-related pain. Opioid-related adverse effects include nausea and vomiting, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, tolerance, and addiction/abuse liability. Of these, respiratory depression is of the most concern to clinicians owing to the potential for fatal consequences. In the broader community, opioid overdose due to either prescription or illicit opioids or co-administration with central nervous system depressants may evoke respiratory depression. To address this problem, there is ongoing interest in the identification of non-opioid respiratory stimulants to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression but without reversing opioid analgesia. Promising compound classes evaluated to date include those that act on a diverse array of receptors including 5-hydroxytryptamine, D1-dopamine, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, and nicotinic acetylcholine as well as phosphodiesterase inhibitors and molecules that act on potassium channels on oxygen-sensing cells in the carotid body. The aim of this article is to review recent advances in the development potential of these compounds for countering opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Therapeutic strategies in an outbreak scenario to treat the novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China
Authors: Kruse Robert L.
Published: February 2020

A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) originating in Wuhan, China presents a potential respiratory viral pandemic to the world population. Current efforts are focused on containment and quarantine of infected individuals. Ultimately, the outbreak could be controlled with a protective vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. While vaccine research should be pursued intensely, there exists today no therapy to treat 2019-nCoV upon infection, despite an urgent need to find options to help these patients and preclude potential death. Herein, I review the potential options to treat 2019-nCoV in patients, with an emphasis on the necessity for speed and timeliness in developing new and effective therapies in this outbreak. I consider the options of drug repurposing, developing neutralizing monoclonal antibody therapy, and an oligonucleotide strategy targeting the viral RNA genome, emphasizing the promise and pitfalls of these approaches. Finally, I advocate for the fastest strategy to develop a treatment now, which could be resistant to any mutations the virus may have in the future. The proposal is a biologic that blocks 2019-nCoV entry using a soluble version of the viral receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), fused to an immunoglobulin Fc domain (ACE2-Fc), providing a neutralizing antibody with maximal breath to avoid any viral escape, while also helping to recruit the immune system to build lasting immunity. The ACE2-Fc therapy would also supplement decreased ACE2 levels in the lungs during infection, thereby directly treating acute respiratory distress pathophysiology as a third mechanism of action. The sequence of the ACE2-Fc protein is provided to investigators, allowing its possible use in recombinant protein expression systems to start producing drug today to treat patients under compassionate use, while formal clinical trials are later undertaken. Such a treatment could help infected patients before a protective vaccine is developed and widely available in the coming months to year(s).
ИСТОРИКО-КУЛЬТУРНОЕ НАСЛЕДИЕ РОССИИ И СЕРБИИ В ИСТОРИЧЕСКОЙ ПАМЯТИ И МЕНТАЛИТЕТЕ СТУДЕНЧЕСКОЙ МОЛОДЕЖИ ДВУХ СТРАН
Authors: Salimov Alik Mukhtarovich , Paigunova Julia Viktorovna
Published: February 2020

Целью работы является сравнительный анализ восприятия сербскими и российскими студентами особенностей истории и культуры двух стран.Методология проведения работы. В исследовании использовался кросс-культурный подход к ментальности для понимания культурно-исторической близости народов. Эмпирический материал собран в 2014–2017 гг. в г. Казань (Россия) и в г. Нови-Сад (Сербия). 330 респондентов, студентов Университета г. Нови Сад и Поволжской государственной академии физической культуры, спорта и туризма (г. Казань) приняли участие в опросе, посвященном истории и культуре России и Сербии. Для оценки качественных характеристик наследия названных стран использовался метод рангового шкалирования.Результаты. Результаты свидетельствуют о высоком уровне знания и понимания исторической и культурной общности и своеобразия двух стран и народов студентами. Они знают и понимают, что создание государственности славянских народов происходило со времени формирования племенных союзов до образования ранних государств (VI–XIV вв.), хотя образование таких государств у разных групп славян отличается по времени. И русские, и сербские студенты понимают, что православная религия, язык, принадлежность к славянской группе объединяет эти народы.Область применения результатов. Результаты работы могут быть учтены при определении основных направлений культурного взаимодействия молодых представителей славянских народов. Результаты исследования могут также выступить основой для разработки курсов преподавания истории в вузах, с акцентом на сопоставлении ключевых событий и процессов государственной и мировой истории.
БИТВА ПРИ КАДЕШЕ: ПАЛЕОГРАФИЧЕСКИЕ ЗАМЕТКИ К ПАПИРУСУ ПЕНТАУРЕТА
Authors: Panov Maxim Vjacheslavovich
Published: February 2020

Цель. «Битва при Кадеше», литературно-историческое произведение об одном из эпизодов войн Рамсеса II (XIII-й век до н.э), известна из нескольких источников. Статья посвящена одному из них: иератическому папирусу Пентаурета. Сложившаяся практика переводов произведения на все современные языки не учитывает особенности изложения материала и варианты высказываний в различных редакциях. При этом почерк писца Пентаурета во многих местах разобран предыдущими издателями папируса недостаточно тщательно. Критика ошибок в общепризнанных публикациях должна показать необходимость его переиздания и подготовки отдельного перевода этой рукописи.Методология. Источниковедческая часть исследования основана на работе с подлинными документами, составленными на новоегипетском языке, а именно: иератическими рукописями и иероглифическими надписями, изданными в виде фотографий, факсимиле и прорисовок. Для сопоставительного палеографического анализа привлечены папирусы из нескольких архивов, и имеющие общее место происхождения.Результаты. Папирус Пентаурета является в этой группе источников единственным документом с зафиксированной датой записи. Для подтверждения датировки временем правления Меринптаха раскрывается причина случайного употребления эпитета «великий» в звании правителя врагов Рамсеса II. Палеографический анализ заключительного отрывка, устранил ошибки в ранее сделанных иероглифических транскрипциях зарубежных издателей, в результате колофон папируса переиздан в авторской иероглифической транскрипции, сопровождающейся переводом на русский язык.Область применения результатов. Статья адресована специалистам по политической истории и источниковедению древнего мира.
ОТРАЖЕНИЕ СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ ОЖИДАНИЙ И ПРАВИЛ «ФЕМИННОСТИ» И «МАСКУЛИННОСТИ» В АНГЛОЯЗЫЧНОЙ ПОДРОСТКОВОЙ ЛИТЕРАТУРЕ (НА МАТЕРИАЛЕ ПАРАЛЛЕЛЬНЫХ КОРПУСОВ ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННЫХ ТЕКСТОВ)
Authors: Nenasheva Iuliia Аleksandrovna , Sedliarova Olga Mikhajlovna , Solovyeva Natalya Sergeevna
Published: February 2020

Цель. Статья посвящена актуальной в условиях современной мировой мобильности теме отражения социальных ожиданий и правил «феминности/маскулинности» в англоязычной подростковой литературе. Предметом анализа выступают тексты художественных произведений на английском и русском языках, составляющие параллельные корпусы исследования. Авторы ставят целью раскрыть специфику языковых способов отражения социальных ожиданий и правил «феминности/маскулинности» в английском и русском языках на материале параллельных текстов.Методология проведения работы. В основе методологии исследования лежит когнитивно-дискурсивный подход к исследованию параллельных корпусов художественных текстов с использованием корпусного анализа и последующего сравнительного анализа параллельных текстов.Результаты. Изучение художественного текста одновременно как культурного артефакта и частного случая дискурса, дидактический характер которого исследования определяет его роль в формировании и репродукции, закреплении и передаче социальных установок и правил как культурного опыта, позволяет выявить специфику языкового выражения социальных правил и ожиданий, применяемых к гендерному взаимодействию. Проведенный сравнительный анализ позволяет выявить различия способов отражения этих установок, выражающиеся в специфике тезаурусного окружения и комбинаторики языковых единиц, обозначающих участников гендерных отношений.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования могут быть применены в обучении иностранному языку, формировании социокультурной компетенции лиц, изучающих английский как иностранный язык.