bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction for the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gao Li , Xiao Zhuoran , Jia Chunhua , Wang Wei
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients in China, but its clinical efficacy and safety have not been adequately assessed. In this paper, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BHD.

Methods

We searched seven electronic databases from inception to 31 March 2019. The language was limited to Chinese and English. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of BHD for the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients were included in the meta-analysis. Reviewers independently performed the screening, data extraction, bias assessment, and data analysis. The treatment efficacy was pooled in a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software with a random-effect model. Any disagreement was resolved by discussion among all reviewers. The PRISMA statement was used in the review process.

Results

A total of 11 studies with 1084 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results suggested that BHD was superior to other treatments in terms of clinical efficacy in symptoms and daily activities (n = 684, RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.27), clinical efficacy in TCM symptoms (n = 280, RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.03), National Institute of Health stroke scale (n = 192, MD = 1.66, 95% CI: -1.08 to 4.40), and activities of daily living (n = 200, MD = 8.20, 95% CI: -3.95 to 20.35).

Conclusions

The results supported the clinical use of BHD for the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients. However, the methodological qualities of the included studies were relatively low, and there were limited reports on adverse events. The clinical efficacy and safety of BHD need to be further confirmed by more well-designed and high-quality randomized controlled trials to warrant the clinical recommendation of BHD for the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients.
Prevalence and associated factors of erectile dysfunction, psychological disorders, and sexual performance in primary vs. secondary infertility men
Authors: Ma Jianxiong , Zhang Yingying , Bao Binghao , Chen Wangqiang , Li Haisong , Wang Bin
Published: March 2021

Background

Many infertile couples might experience erectile dysfunction (ED) and significant changes in the quality of sexual life and psychological state though information is limited in secondary infertile men in China. To determine whether primary or secondary infertility is associated with ED, psychological disorders, and sexual performance.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey conducted at the Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (06/2019-01/2020). The participants completed a questionnaire including general information, sexual life, simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with ED, depression, and anxiety.

Results

ED was more frequent in secondary vs. primary infertility (46.5 % vs. 26.7 %, P < 0.001). Compared with men with primary infertility, those with secondary infertility showed lower IIEF-5 scores (P < 0.001), higher occurrence of TOIF (P = 0.001), had a higher awareness of partner’s ovulation when having ED (P = 0.001), lower GAD-7 scores (P = 0.016), lower libido (P = 0.005), fewer intercourses per month (P = 0.001) and a lower sexual satisfaction score (P = 0.027). In the multivariate analysis, primary infertility was found to be an independent risk factor of anxiety (OR: 1.812, 95 %CI: 1.015–3.236). Some overlap is observed in factors associated with ED, psychological disorders, and sexual performance between primary and secondary infertility, but some factors are distinct.

Conclusions

The prevalence of ED in secondary infertility men was higher than that of primary infertility men, and the quality of sexual life was decreased. Primary infertility is an independent risk factor of anxiety.
Exosomal miR-409-3p secreted from activated mast cells promotes microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway
Authors: Hu Liuqing , Si Linjie , Dai Xiaonan , Dong Hongquan , Ma Zijian , Sun Zhaochu , Li Nana , Sha Huanhuan , Chen Yinan , Qian Yanning , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: March 2021

Objective

Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in central nervous system diseases. Exosomal miRNAs released from various cells are implicated in cell-to-cell communication. Prior studies have placed substantial emphasis on the role of cytokines in mast cell-microglia interactions during neuroinflammation. However, it has never been clearly determined whether exosomal miRNAs participate in the interaction between mast cells and microglia and thus mediate neuroinflammation.

Methods

The characteristics of exosomes isolated from cell culture supernatants were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blot. The transfer of PKH67-labelled exosomes and Cy3-labelled miR-409-3p was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Migration and activation of murine BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated through Transwell assays and immunofluorescence staining for Iba1 and CD68. CD86, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were assessed via qRT-PCR and ELISA. MiR-409-3p was detected by qRT-PCR. Nr4a2 and NF-κB levels were measured by western blot. Regulatory effects were identified by luciferase reporter assays.

Results

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine P815 mast cells secreted exosomes that were efficiently taken up by murine BV-2 cells, which promoted murine BV-2 cell migration and activation. LPS-P815 exosomes increased the CD86, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in murine BV-2 microglia. Furthermore, activated mast cells delivered exosomal miR-409-3p to murine BV-2 microglia. Upregulated miR-409-3p promoted murine BV-2 microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway.

Conclusion

Exosomal miR-409-3p secreted from activated mast cells promotes microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway, which provides evidence that not only cytokines but also exosomal miRNAs participate in neuroinflammation. In the future, targeting exosomal miRNAs may provide new insights into neuroinflammation.
Modelling the association between COVID-19 transmissibility and D614G substitution in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: using the surveillance data in California as an example
Authors: Zhao Shi , Lou Jingzhi , Cao Lirong , Zheng Hong , Chong Marc K. C. , Chen Zigui , Zee Benny C. Y. , Chan Paul K. S. , Wang Maggie H.
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious threat to global health, and pathogenic mutations are a major challenge to disease control. We developed a statistical framework to explore the association between molecular-level mutation activity of SARS-CoV-2 and population-level disease transmissibility of COVID-19.

Methods

We estimated the instantaneous transmissibility of COVID-19 by using the time-varying reproduction number (Rt). The mutation activity in SARS-CoV-2 is quantified empirically depending on (i) the prevalence of emerged amino acid substitutions and (ii) the frequency of these substitutions in the whole sequence. Using the likelihood-based approach, a statistical framework is developed to examine the association between mutation activity and Rt. We adopted the COVID-19 surveillance data in California as an example for demonstration.

Results

We found a significant positive association between population-level COVID-19 transmissibility and the D614G substitution on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We estimate that a per 0.01 increase in the prevalence of glycine (G) on codon 614 is positively associated with a 0.49% (95% CI: 0.39 to 0.59) increase in Rt, which explains 61% of the Rt variation after accounting for the control measures. We remark that the modeling framework can be extended to study other infectious pathogens.

Conclusions

Our findings show a link between the molecular-level mutation activity of SARS-CoV-2 and population-level transmission of COVID-19 to provide further evidence for a positive association between the D614G substitution and Rt. Future studies exploring the mechanism between SARS-CoV-2 mutations and COVID-19 infectivity are warranted.
Differential effects of larval and adult nutrition on female survival, fecundity, and size of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Yan Jiayue , Kibech Roumaissa , Stone Chris M.
Published: March 2021

Background

The yellow fever mosquito,Aedes aegypti, is the principal vector of medically-important infectious viruses that cause severe illness such as dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika. The transmission potential of mosquitoes for these arboviruses is largely shaped by their life history traits, such as size, survival and fecundity. These life history traits, to some degree, depend on environmental conditions, such as larval and adult nutrition (e.g., nectar availability). Both these types of nutrition are known to affect the energetic reserves and life history traits of adults, but whether and how nutrition obtained during larval and adult stages have an interactive influence on mosquito life history traits remains largely unknown.

Results

Here, we experimentally manipulated mosquito diets to create two nutritional levels at larval and adult stages, that is, a high or low amount of larval food (HL or LL) during larval stage, and a good and poor adult food (GA or PA, represents normal or weak concentration of sucrose) during adult stage. We then compared the size, survival and fecundity of female mosquitoes reared from these nutritional regimes. We found that larval and adult nutrition affected size and survival, respectively, without interactions, while both larval and adult nutrition influenced fecundity. There was a positive relationship between fecundity and size. In addition, this positive relationship was not affected by nutrition.

Conclusions

These findings highlight how larval and adult nutrition differentially influence female mosquito life history traits, suggesting that studies evaluating nutritional effects on vectorial capacity traits should account for environmental variation across life stages.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies via rapid diagnostic immunoassays in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Chansaenroj Jira , Yorsaeng Ritthideach , Posuwan Nawarat , Puenpa Jiratchaya , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Chirathaworn Chintana , Poovorawan Yong
Published: March 2021

Background

Efficient monitoring and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require access to diagnostic tests, and serological diagnostic testing is desirable. In the current study, antibodies were investigated in patients recently diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were obtained from 245 patients in whom SARS-CoV-2 infection had been confirmed via real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction between March and October 2020. Serum samples were acquired between 2 and 60 days following the onset of COVID-19 symptoms or the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic patients. All specimens were tested simultaneously using an IgM/IgG rapid diagnostic test (RDT), IgG nucleocapsid protein-based chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), IgG, and IgA spike protein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Blood donor samples obtained in 2018 were used as negative controls.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of the RDT IgG were compared with the IgG immunoassays as standards. The RDT IgG exhibited 97.5% sensitivity and 89.4% specificity compared with a CMIA IgG, 98.4% sensitivity, and 78.8% specificity compared with an ELISA IgG. IgM, IgG, and IgA seropositivity rates were low between 1 and 2 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset or the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. IgM seropositivity rate began decreasing after 4 weeks, whereas IgG and IgA seropositivity rate remained at appreciable levels over the 8-week study period. No cross-reactivity with seasonal coronaviruses was detected.

Conclusions

IgG RDT alone or combined with molecular diagnostic tests may be useful for identifying recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Patella fractures treated with suture tension band fixation
Authors: Adjal J. , Ban I.
Published: March 2021

Background

Patella fractures requiring surgery are traditionally treated using metallic implants, which are associated with high re-operation rates, mainly due to implant prominence. To overcome the problem of prominent metallic implants, we present a technique based purely on braided sutures.

Methods

This technique is described in a step-wise, standardised way based on our findings on six patients treated at our institution.

Results

This technique can be adapted to all types of patella fractures. The described suture configuration allows maintenance of inter-fragmentary reduction until bony union without symptoms from the suture material.

Conclusions

We believe that this technique is a safe and promising alternative to traditional metallic fixation methods.
Alterations in the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles in the context of neuropathic pain
Authors: Chen Peng , Wang Chen , Ren Yan-na , Ye Zeng-jie , Jiang Chao , Wu Zhi-bing
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among gut microbiota disturbances and serum and spinal cord metabolic disorders in neuropathic pain. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and serum and spinal cord metabolomics were used to identify alterations in the microbiota and metabolite profiles in the sham rats and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model rats. Correlations between the abundances of gut microbiota components at the genus level, the levels of serum metabolites, and pain-related behavioural parameters were analysed. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was applied to analyse the interaction networks of the differentially expressed serum metabolites. First, we found that the composition of the gut microbiota was different between rats with CCI-induced neuropathic pain and sham controls. At the genus level, the abundances of Helicobacter, Phascolarctobacterium, Christensenella, Blautia, Streptococcus, Rothia and Lactobacillus were significantly increased, whereas the abundances of Ignatzschineria, Butyricimonas, Escherichia, AF12, and Corynebacterium were significantly decreased. Additionally, 72 significantly differentially expressed serum metabolites and 17 significantly differentially expressed spinal cord metabolites were identified between the CCI rats and the sham rats. Finally, correlation analysis showed that changes in the gut microbiota was significantly correlated with changes in serum metabolite levels, suggesting that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is an important factor in modulating metabolic disturbances in the context of neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our research provides a novel perspective on the potential roles of the gut microbiota and related metabolites in neuropathic pain.
How many key informants are enough? Analysing the validity of the community readiness assessment
Authors: Muellmann Saskia , Brand Tilman , Jürgens Dorothee , Gansefort Dirk , Zeeb Hajo
Published: March 2021

Objective

Communities are important settings for health promotion and prevention. The community readiness assessment offers a structured approach to assess resources and opportunities to tackle a health problem within a community. The assessment relies on semi-structured interviews with key informants from the communities. A number of 4–6 key informant interviews are recommended in the literature. However, it is unclear whether this is sufficient to obtain a valid representation of the respective community. This study analysed whether increasing the number of key informants from 4–6 to 12–15 alters the results of the community readiness assessment.

Results

A total of 55 community readiness interviews were carried out in 4 communities. Overall, the community readiness scores showed little variation after having interviewed 10 key informants in a community. However, even after completing 10 interviews in a community, key informants were still able to identify up to 6 new information items regarding community efforts for physical activity promotion among the elderly, contact and communication channel for informing or approaching the target group, or barriers to participation.
Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in Hirschsprung enteric precursor cells: unraveling the epigenetic landscape of enteric nervous system development
Authors: Villalba-Benito Leticia , López-López Daniel , Torroglosa Ana , Casimiro-Soriguer Carlos S. , Luzón-Toro Berta , Fernández Raquel María , Moya-Jiménez María José , Antiñolo Guillermo , Dopazo Joaquín , Borrego Salud
Published: March 2021

Background

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR, OMIM 142623) is a rare congenital disorder that results from a failure to fully colonize the gut by enteric precursor cells (EPCs) derived from the neural crest. Such incomplete gut colonization is due to alterations in EPCs proliferation, survival, migration and/or differentiation during enteric nervous system (ENS) development. This complex process is regulated by a network of signaling pathways that is orchestrated by genetic and epigenetic factors, and therefore alterations at these levels can lead to the onset of neurocristopathies such as HSCR. The goal of this study is to broaden our knowledge of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the disease context, specifically in DNA methylation. Therefore, with this aim, a Whole-Genome Bisulfite Sequencing assay has been performed using EPCs from HSCR patients and human controls.

Results

This is the first study to present a whole genome DNA methylation profile in HSCR and reveal a decrease of global DNA methylation in CpG context in HSCR patients compared with controls, which correlates with a greater hypomethylation of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified. These results agree with the de novo Methyltransferase 3b downregulation in EPCs from HSCR patients compared to controls, and with the decrease in the global DNA methylation level previously described by our group. Through the comparative analysis of DMRs between HSCR patients and controls, a set of new genes has been identified as potential susceptibility genes for HSCR at an epigenetic level. Moreover, previous differentially methylated genes related to HSCR have been found, which validates our approach.

Conclusions

This study highlights the relevance of an adequate methylation pattern for a proper ENS development. This is a research area that provides a novel approach to deepen our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of HSCR.

Graphic abstract
Deep learning-based BackCom multiple beamforming for 6G UAV IoT networks
Authors: Qi Fei , Li Wenjing , Yu Peng , Feng Lei , Zhou Fanqin
Published: March 2021

Combining unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with 6G, Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging communication technologies could better satisfy various IoT applications and create more innovative services. This paper develops a novel hierarchical 6G IoT network with UAVs in the sky and intelligent reflective surface (IRS) equipped. The system employs backscattering communication (BackCom) to transmit data in a free-ride manner. Through beamforming, IRS enhances the energy of the reflectable signal, thereby improving the distance and performance of the BackCom. Simulation results reveal that our approach makes a significant improvement to the performance of the whole system and takes obvious advantage over traditional solutions.
A collaborative service resource evaluation model based on trust network
Authors: Shi Jiantao , Liu Likun , Yu Xiangzhan , Lu Hui
Published: March 2021

In the era of the 5G network, network traffic grows rapidly. Edge computing will face the challenges of high bandwidth, low latency, high reliability and other requirements of 5G network services. Due to the limited resources of node communication, computing and storage, under the sudden, intensive and high-traffic task request, edge computing will suffer from network jitter, excessive delay, access congestion, service failure and low distribution efficiency. In order to ensure network service quality and improve service efficiency, it is necessary to construct an effective collaborative service mechanism, motivate nodes to participate in cooperation, integrate network service resources and self-adapt to manage collaborative services. Therefore, establishing an effective node and service evaluation system to identify reliable resources and nodes is an effective way to improve the overall availability and reliable services of edge computing network. In this paper, we summarize and analyze the key technologies of the current collaborative service organization incentive and trust mechanism. This paper presents an attack-resistant node and service evaluation system based on a trust network. The system includes a voting collection mechanism, a trustable node selection mechanism, a questioning response mechanism and a punishment mechanism. The experiments prove that the system has a strong ability to resist attacks and is superior to the existing reputation evaluation model in terms of its performance. It can effectively improve the collaborative efficiency of edge computing and guarantee the quality of network service.
An improved AODV routing security algorithm based on blockchain technology in ad hoc network
Authors: Ran Conglin , Yan Shuailing , Huang Liang , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2021

Ad hoc network is a special network with centerless and dynamic topology. Due to the free mobility of the nodes, routing security has been a bottleneck problem that plagues its development. Therefore, a multi-path QoS (quality of service) routing security algorithm based on blockchain by improving the traditional AODV (ad hoc on-demand distance vector) protocol (AODV-MQS) is proposed. Firstly, a chain of nodes is established in the network and the states of all nodes by making the intermediate nodes on the chain are saved. Secondly, the smart contract in the blockchain is set to filter out the nodes that meet the QoS constraints. Finally, two largest unrelated communication paths are found in the blockchain network through smart contract, one of which is the main path and the other is the standby path. Simulation experiments show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better than other algorithms, especially in an unsafe environment.
Joint optimization of network selection and task offloading for vehicular edge computing
Authors: Tang Lujie , Tang Bing , Zhang Li , Guo Feiyan , He Haiwu
Published: March 2021

Taking the mobile edge computing paradigm as an effective supplement to the vehicular networks can enable vehicles to obtain network resources and computing capability nearby, and meet the current large-scale increase in vehicular service requirements. However, the congestion of wireless networks and insufficient computing resources of edge servers caused by the strong mobility of vehicles and the offloading of a large number of tasks make it difficult to provide users with good quality of service. In existing work, the influence of network access point selection on task execution latency was often not considered. In this paper, a pre-allocation algorithm for vehicle tasks is proposed to solve the problem of service interruption caused by vehicle movement and the limited edge coverage. Then, a system model is utilized to comprehensively consider the vehicle movement characteristics, access point resource utilization, and edge server workloads, so as to characterize the overall latency of vehicle task offloading execution. Furthermore, an adaptive task offloading strategy for automatic and efficient network selection, task offloading decisions in vehicular edge computing is implemented. Experimental results show that the proposed method significantly improves the overall task execution performance and reduces the time overhead of task offloading.
Effectiveness of mass treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in socially vulnerable areas of a state in northeastern Brazil, 2011–2014
Authors: Wanderley Flávia Silvestre Outtes , Montarroyos Ulisses , Bonfim Cristine , Cunha-Correia Carolina
Published: March 2021

Background

To assess the effectiveness of mass treatment ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection in socially vulnerable endemic areas in northeastern Brazil.

Method

An ecological study was conducted, in which 118 localities in 30 municipalities in the state of Pernambuco were screened before 2011 and in 2014 (after mass treatment). Information on the endemic baseline index, mass treatment coverage, socio-environmental conditions and social vulnerability index were used in the multiple correspondence analysis. One hundred fourteen thousand nine hundred eighty-seven people in 118 locations were examined.

Results

The first two dimensions of the multiple correspondence analysis represented 55.3% of the variability between locations. The human capital component of the social vulnerability index showed an association with the baseline endemicity index. There was a significant reduction in positivity for schistosomes. For two rounds, for every extra 1% of initial endemicity index, the fixed effect of 13.62% increased by 0.0003%, achieving at most 15.94%.

Conclusions

The mass treatment intervention helped to reduce transmission of schistosomiasis in areas of high endemicity. Thus, it can be recommended that application of mass treatment should be accompanied by other control actions, such as basic sanitation, monitoring of intermediate vectors and case surveillance.
Development of a core outcome set for clinical trials aimed at improving antimicrobial stewardship in care homes
Authors: Nguyen Hoa Q. , Bradley Declan T. , Tunney Michael M. , Hughes Carmel M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Diverse outcomes reported in clinical trials of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions in care homes have hindered evidence synthesis. Our main objective was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for use in trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes.

Methods

A refined inventory of outcomes for AMS interventions in care homes, compiled from a previous study, was rated in a three-round international Delphi survey with 82 participants, using a nine-point Likert scale (from 1, unimportant, to 9, critical). This was followed by an online consensus exercise with 12 participants from Northern Ireland to finalise the COS content. Subsequently, a suitable outcome measurement instrument (OMI) was selected for each outcome in the COS by: identifying existing OMIs through a literature search and experts’ suggestions, assessing the quality of OMIs, and selecting one OMI for each core outcome via a two-round international Delphi survey with 59 participants.

Results

Of 14 outcomes initially presented, consensus was reached for inclusion of five outcomes in the COS after the three-round Delphi survey and the online consensus exercise, comprising the total number of antimicrobial courses prescribed, appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing, days of therapy per 1000 resident-days, rate of antimicrobial resistance, and mortality related to infection. Of 17 potential OMIs identified, three were selected for the two-round Delphi exercise after the quality assessment. Consensus was reached for selection of two OMIs for the COS.

Conclusion

This COS is recommended to be used in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes.
Transcription factor EB (TFEB)-mediated autophagy protects bovine mammary epithelial cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in vitro
Authors: Sun Xudong , Chang Renxu , Tang Yan , Luo Shengbin , Jiang Chunhui , Jia Hongdou , Xu Qiushi , Dong Zhihao , Liang Yusheng , Loor Juan J. , Xu Chuang
Published: March 2021

Background

Bovine mammary epithelial cells after calving undergo serious metabolic challenges and oxidative stress both of which could compromise autophagy. Transcription factor EB (TFEB)-mediated autophagy is an important cytoprotective mechanism against oxidative stress. However, effects of TFEB-mediated autophagy on the oxidative stress of bovine mammary epithelial cells remain unknown. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to investigate the role of TFEB-mediated autophagy in bovine mammary epithelial cells experiencing oxidative stress.

Results

H2O2 challenge of the bovine mammary epithelial cell MAC-T increased protein abundance of LC3-II, increased number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes while decreased protein abundance of p62. Inhibition of autophagy via bafilomycin A1 aggravated H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and apoptosis in MAC-T cells. Furthermore, H2O2 treatment triggered the translocation of TFEB into the nucleus. Knockdown of TFEB by siRNA reversed the effect of H2O2 on protein abundance of LC3-II and p62 as well as the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Overexpression of TFEB activated autophagy and attenuated H2O2-induced ROS accumulation. Furthermore, TFEB overexpression attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis by downregulating the caspase apoptotic pathway.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that activation of TFEB mediated autophagy alleviates H2O2-induced oxidative damage by reducing ROS accumulation and inhibiting caspase-dependent apoptosis.
Wing tags severely impair movement in African Cape Vultures
Authors: Curk Teja , Scacco Martina , Safi Kamran , Wikelski Martin , Fiedler Wolfgang , Kemp Ryno , Wolter Kerri
Published: March 2021

Background

The use of tracking technologies is key for the study of animal movement and pivotal to ecological and conservation research. However, the potential effects of devices attached to animals are sometimes neglected. The impact of tagging not only rises welfare concerns, but can also bias the data collected, causing misinterpretation of the observed behaviour which invalidates the comparability of information across individuals and populations. Patagial (wing) tags have been extensively used as a marking method for visual resightings in endangered vulture species, but their effect on the aerodynamics of the birds and their flight behaviour is yet to be investigated. Using GPS backpack mounted devices, we compared the flight performance of 27 captive and wild Cape Vultures(Gyps coprotheres), marked with either patagial tags or coloured leg bands.

Results

Individuals equipped with patagial tags were less likely to fly, travelled shorter distances and flew slower compared to individuals equipped with leg bands. These effects were also observed in one individual that recovered its flight performance after replacing its patagial tag by a leg band.

Conclusions

Although we did not measure the effects of patagial tags on body condition or survival, our study strongly suggests that they have severe adverse effects on vultures’ flight behaviour and emphasises the importance of investigating the effects that tagging methods can have on the behaviour and conservation of the study species, as well as on the quality of the scientific results.
Improvement in CBR value of soil reinforced with nonwoven geotextile sheets
Authors: Ramjiram Thakur S. , Naveen B. P. , Tegar J. P.
Published: March 2021

Geosynthetics are human made material used to reinforce soils to improve the bearing capacity and permeability of the soil, reducing soil settlement. Geosynthetics application plays a vital role in the highways constructions with no additive layers, such as cement concrete, asphalt concrete, or in a subgrade layer that affects the bearing capacity of unbounded layers. This paper presents the geosynthetics as a tensional material that has been used for reinforcement of clayey soil. Laboratory California bearing ratio (CBR) test samples were prepared with clayey soils. Clayey soil containing unreinforced soil and reinforced soil. The sample comprised thermally bonded nonwoven geotextiles (NW) and superior needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles (SNW) with different characteristics (NW 8, 10, 21, 30 and SNW 14, 25, 62, 75) with three-layered, based on the sample materials to perform defined tests. These tests show that, bearing ratio of reinforced soils with thermally bonded nonwoven geotextiles increases.
Recombinant human epidermal growth factor combined with vacuum sealing drainage for wound healing in Bama pigs
Authors: Wei Shuai , Wang Wei , Li Li , Meng Hao-Ye , Feng Chun-Zhen , Dong Yu-Ying , Fang Xi-Chi , Dong Qi-Qiang , Jiang Wen , Xin Hai-Li , Li Zhan-Zhen , Wang Xin
Published: March 2021

Background

Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) both play an important role in the treatment of wounds. This study aims to explore the effects of the combination of VSD and EGF on wound healing and the optimal concentration and time of EGF.

Methods

We tested the proliferation and migration capacity of HaCaT and L929 cells at different EGF concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 100 ng/ml) and different EGF action times (2, 10, and 30 min). A full-thickness skin defect model was established using male, 30-week-old Bama pigs. The experiment included groups as follows: routine dressing change after covering with sterile auxiliary material (Control), continuous negative pressure drainage of the wound (VSD), continuous negative pressure drainage of the wound and injection of EGF 10 min followed by removal by continuous lavage (V + E 10 min), and continuous negative pressure drainage of the wound and injection of EGF 30 min followed by removal by continuous lavage (V + E 30 min). The wound healing rate, histological repair effect and collagen deposition were compared among the four groups.

Results

An EGF concentration of 10 ng/ml and an action time of 10 min had optimal effects on the proliferation and migration capacities of HaCaT and L929 cells. The drug dispersion effect was better than drug infusion after bolus injection effect, and the contact surface was wider. Compared with other groups, the V + E 10 min group promoted wound healing to the greatest extent and obtained the best histological score.

Conclusions

A recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) concentration of 10 ng/ml can promote the proliferation and migration of epithelial cells and fibroblasts to the greatest extent in vitro. VSD combined with rhEGF kept in place for 10 min and then washed, can promote wound healing better than the other treatments in vivo.
Social isolation, mental health, and use of digital interventions in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationally representative survey
Authors: Rauschenberg Christian , Schick Anita , Goetzl Christian , Roehr Susanne , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Koppe Georgia , Durstewitz Daniel , Krumm Silvia , Reininghaus Ulrich
Published: March 2021

Background

Public health measures to curb SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates may have negative psychosocial consequences in youth. Digital interventions may help to mitigate these effects. We investigated the associations between social isolation, COVID-19-related cognitive preoccupation, worries, and anxiety, objective social risk indicators, and psychological distress, as well as use of, and attitude toward, mobile health (mHealth) interventions in youth.

Methods

Data were collected as part of the “Mental Health And Innovation During COVID-19 Survey”—a cross-sectional panel study including a representative sample of individuals aged 16–25 years (N = 666; Mage = 21.3; assessment period: May 5, 2020 to May 16, 2020).

Results

Overall, 38% of youth met criteria for moderate or severe psychological distress. Social isolation worries and anxiety, and objective risk indicators were associated with psychological distress, with evidence of dose–response relationships for some of these associations. For instance, psychological distress was progressively more likely to occur as levels of social isolation increased (reporting “never” as reference group: “occasionally”: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.3–19.1,p < 0.001; “often”: aOR 22.2, CI 9.8–50.2,p < 0.001; “very often”: aOR 42.3, CI 14.1–126.8,p < 0.001). There was evidence that psychological distress, worries, and anxiety were associated with a positive attitude toward using mHealth interventions, whereas psychological distress, worries, and anxiety were associated with actual use.

Conclusions

Public health measures during pandemics may be associated with poor mental health outcomes in youth. Evidence-based digital interventions may help mitigate the negative psychosocial impact without risk of viral infection given there is an objective need and subjective demand.
Machine Learning-based Prediction Model for Treatment of Acromegaly With First-generation Somatostatin Receptor Ligands
Authors: Wildemberg Luiz Eduardo , da Silva Camacho Aline Helen , Miranda Renan Lyra , Elias Paula C L , de Castro Musolino Nina R , Nazato Debora , Jallad Raquel , Huayllas Martha K P , Mota Jose Italo S , Almeida Tobias , Portes Evandro , Ribeiro-Oliveira Antonio , Vilar Lucio , Boguszewski Cesar Luiz , Winter Tavares Ana Beatriz , Nunes-Nogueira Vania S , Mazzuco Tânia Longo , Rech Carolina Garcia Soares Leães , Marques Nelma Veronica , Chimelli Leila , Czepielewski Mauro , Bronstein Marcello D , Abucham Julio , de Castro Margaret , Kasuki Leandro , Gadelha Mônica
Published: March 2021

Context

Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular machine learning (ML), may be used to deeply analyze biomarkers of response to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs) in the treatment of acromegaly.

Objective

To develop a prediction model of therapeutic response of acromegaly to fg-SRL.

Methods

Patients with acromegaly not cured by primary surgical treatment and who had adjuvant therapy with fg-SRL for at least 6 months after surgery were included. Patients were considered controlled if they presented growth hormone (GH) <1.0 ng/mL and normal age-adjusted insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels. Six AI models were evaluated: logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor classifier, support vector machine, gradient-boosted classifier, random forest, and multilayer perceptron. The features included in the analysis were age at diagnosis, sex, GH, and IGF-I levels at diagnosis and at pretreatment, somatostatin receptor subtype 2 and 5 (SST2 and SST5) protein expression and cytokeratin granulation pattern (GP).

Results

A total of 153 patients were analyzed. Controlled patients were older (P = .002), had lower GH at diagnosis (P = .01), had lower pretreatment GH and IGF-I (P < .001), and more frequently harbored tumors that were densely granulated (P = .014) or highly expressed SST2 (P < .001). The model that performed best was the support vector machine with the features SST2, SST5, GP, sex, age, and pretreatment GH and IGF-I levels. It had an accuracy of 86.3%, positive predictive value of 83.3% and negative predictive value of 87.5%.

Conclusion

We developed a ML-based prediction model with high accuracy that has the potential to improve medical management of acromegaly, optimize biochemical control, decrease long-term morbidities and mortality, and reduce health services costs.
Telling Times
Authors: Rafael Vicente L.
Published: March 2021

Nick Joaquin (1917–2004) is often regarded as the greatest Filipino writer in English, yet he remains largely unknown outside his country. He published widely in all genres and was awarded the National Artist Award, yet he dropped out of high school and spent much of his youth holed up in libraries and walking Manila’s streets. He wrote some of his most powerful stories between the end of US colonial rule and the beginning of the postcolonial era, at a time when the very craft of storytelling was itself endangered. And he did so in another language, American English, which required setting aside his mother tongue, Tagalog, and an inherited tongue, Spanish. This article explores some of these contradictions, looking at the relationship between language and literature exemplified in Joaquin’s writings and situating him as a storyteller in the wake of Manila’s utter destruction by colonial wars and the uneven recovery from postcolonial strife. This article also asks how Joaquin sought to rescue not just the memory of the city but also the very faculty of remembering itself as well as the remembering self.
Penan Storytelling as Indigenous Counter-Narrations of Malaysian Nation-State Developmentalism
Authors: Ibrahim Zawawi , Hongxuan Lin
Published: March 2021

The Penan of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, are an indigenous community who have adapted to survive under the strictures and expectations of the Malaysian nation-state while proudly holding on to their traditions and identities. One such tradition is the practice of Penan storytelling (tosok), which plays a remarkably effective exogenous role in engaging the attention of everyone from state functionaries to visiting anthropologists while continuing to perform the endogenous function of reinforcing community bonds. The role of storytelling in mediating the relationships between indigenous peoples and the nation-state, which claims the territory they inhabit, has rarely been subjected to scholarly scrutiny. This article explores how Penan elders and community members have used and adapted their practice of storytelling to engage with the Malaysian state, civil society, and the public imagination, ensuring that Penan voices are heard on issues as varied as access to education, the predations of logging companies, and the existential questions of land tenure. In setting aside space for a Penan storyteller to speak in his own eloquent words, this article is itself a channel for Penan perspectives to be heard, an opportunity the Penan are not hesitant to use where available.
Navigating the Ocean in the School
Authors: Bonus Rick
Published: March 2021

This article engages with practices of ethnographic storytelling to perform a structural critique of US schooling from the perspectives of Pacific Islander students attending a university far from their ancestral homelands. Deploying indigeneity to comprehend how their schooling is meaningfully connected to their histories of imperial colonization and their resistances to it, these students’ specific understandings of the ocean enable them to transform the very school that alienates them and causes them to fail. These students reveal in their stories their consideration of the ocean as a representation and a repository of Pacific Islander cultural practices—such as collective support, mentorship through partnership, and caring for the family and church—that enable them to navigate through the struggles they face as minorities in their school.
Telling Stories of Seas, Islands, and Ships
Authors: Ricci Ronit
Published: March 2021

This article considers the crossings, modes of mobility, and affiliations that have shaped forms and contexts of storytelling within a small yet culturally resilient diasporic community: the Sri Lankan Malays, whose forefathers were sent from across the Indonesian archipelago to colonial Ceylon (Sri Lanka), beginning in the late seventeenth century, as exiles, slaves, and soldiers. Two storytelling contexts set in mid-to late nineteenth-century British Ceylon are discussed: the first centers on the Qur’anic tale of the prophet Nuh (Noah) and his ark, typically viewed as representing an age-old Islamic tradition; the second, based on stories and reports in a Malay newspaper, signals the drive toward novelty, progress, and modernity. The article explores how both storytelling contexts, despite certain differences, converge on the shared themes of travel, water, and islands and can be understood as overlapping and complementing one another. Both contexts taken together highlight the ways different temporalities, affiliations, and allegiances were concurrently relevant for colonial subjects. The article thus challenges the tendency to reduce colonial subjects’ experiences to interactions and engagements with the ruling Europeans and suggests that storytelling practices illuminate greater nuance and complexity in how people lived their lives while inhabiting different spaces, temporalities, and relationships simultaneously.
An early global role for Axin is required for correct patterning of the anterior-posterior axis in the sea urchin embryo
Authors: Sun Hongyan , Peng Chieh-fu Jeff , Wang Lingyu , Feng Honglin , Wikramanayake Athula H.
Published: March 2021

Activation of Wnt/β-catenin (cWnt) signaling at the future posterior end of early bilaterian embryos is a highly conserved mechanism for establishing the anterior-posterior (AP) axis. Moreover, inhibition of cWnt at the anterior end is required for development of anterior structures in many deuterostome taxa. This phenomenon, which occurs around the time of gastrulation, has been fairly well characterized, but the significance of intracellular inhibition of cWnt signaling in cleavage-stage deuterostome embryos for normal AP patterning is less well understood. To investigate this process in an invertebrate deuterostome, we defined Axin function in early sea urchin embryos. Axin is ubiquitously expressed at relatively high levels in early embryos and functional analysis revealed that Axin suppresses posterior cell fates in anterior blastomeres by blocking ectopic cWnt activation in these cells. Structure-function analysis of sea urchin Axin demonstrated that only its GSK-3β-binding domain is required for cWnt inhibition. These observations and results in other deuterostomes suggest that Axin plays a crucial conserved role in embryonic AP patterning by preventing cWnt activation in multipotent early blastomeres, thus protecting them from assuming ectopic cell fates.
Characterization of Halyomorpha halys TAR1 reveals its involvement in (E)-2-decenal pheromone perception
Authors: Finetti Luca , Pezzi Marco , Civolani Stefano , Calò Girolamo , Scapoli Chiara , Bernacchia Giovanni
Published: March 2021

In insects, tyramine receptor 1 (TAR1) has been shown to control several physiological functions, including olfaction. We investigated the molecular and functional profile of the Halyomorpha halys type 1 tyramine receptor gene (HhTAR1) and its role in olfactory functions of this pest. Molecular and pharmacological analyses confirmed that the HhTAR1 gene codes for a true TAR1. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that HhTAR1 is expressed mostly in adult brain and antennae as well as in early development stages (eggs, 1st and 2nd instar nymphs). In particular, among the antennomeres that compose a typical H. halys antenna, HhTAR1 was more expressed in flagellomeres. Scanning electron microscopy investigation revealed the type and distribution of sensilla on adult H. halys antennae: both flagellomeres appear rich in trichoid and grooved sensilla, known to be associated with olfactory functions. Through an RNAi approach, topically delivered HhTAR1 dsRNA induced a 50% downregulation in gene expression after 24 h in H. halys 2nd instar nymphs. An innovative behavioural assay revealed that HhTAR1 RNAi-silenced 2nd instar nymphs were less susceptible to the alarm pheromone component (E)-2 decenal as compared with controls. These results provide critical information concerning the role of TAR1 in olfaction regulation, especially alarm pheromone reception, in H. halys. Furthermore, considering the emerging role of TAR1 as target of biopesticides, this work opens the way for further investigation on innovative methods for controlling H. halys.