bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Liver Scintigraphy and the Liver-Spleen Contrast in Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI on Liver Function Tests
Authors: Mori Hiroshige , Machimura Hanaka , Iwaya Amika , Baba Masaru , Furuya Ken
Published: September 2021

The liver-spleen contrast (LSC) using hepatobiliary-phase images could replace the receptor index (LHL15) in liver scintigraphy; however, few comparative studies exist. This study aimed to verify the convertibility from LSC into LHL15. In 136 patients, the LSC, not at 20 min, but at 60 min after injecting gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid was compared with the LHL15, albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score, and the related laboratory parameters. The LHL15 was also compared with their biochemical tests. The correlation coefficients of LSC with LHL15, ALBI score, total bilirubin, and albumin were 0.740, − 0.624, − 0.606, and 0.523 (P < 0.00001), respectively. The correlation coefficients of LHL15 with ALBI score, total bilirubin, and albumin were − 0.647, − 0.553, and 0.569 (P < 0.00001), respectively. The linear regression equation on the estimated LHL15 (eLHL15) from LSC was eLHL15 = 0.460 • LSC + 0.727 (P < 0.00001) and the coefficient of determination was 0.548. Regarding a contingency table using imaging-based clinical stage classification, the degree of agreement between eLHL15 and LHL15 was 65.4 %, and Cramer's V was 0.568 (P < 0.00001). Therefore, although the LSC may be influenced by high total bilirubin, the eLHL15 can replace the LSC as an index to evaluate liver function.
Inflammatory Cytokine Neutralizing Antibody Treatment Could Recover Increased Follicular Helper and Follicular Regulatory T Cells in Murine Models of Arthritis
Authors: Zeng Xingyue , Li Meng , Zheng Mohan , Liu Tianci , Kang Rui , Xu Lijuan , Xu Qinzhu , Lu Songsong , Song Ying , Liu Chen
Published: September 2021

Objective. We aimed to illustrate the changes of follicular helper (TFH) and follicular regulatory (TFR) cells in rheumatoid arthritis using the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and clarity the impact of anti-inflammatory treatment on TFH and TFR cells.Methods. We established 10-week-old CIA model and used flow cytometry to analyze the changes of TFH and TFR cells in peripheral blood and spleen at different time points (5w, 7w, 10w,13w). The expression of TIGIT, CD226, ICOS and PD-1 characterizing the functions of TFH and TFR were also analyzed. The function of spleen TFH and TFR cells from CIA was further analyzed. The effects of anti-inflammatory antibody treatments on the subpopulation and function changes of TFH and TFR were also analyzed in CIA mice.Results. The levels of TFH and TFR were significantly increased in spleen and peripheral blood of CIA mice. After treatment, TFH and TFR cells decreased significantly. TIGIT+ and TIGIT+CD226-TFH cells in CIA mouse spleen were elevated and PD-1 and ICOS expression on TFH and TFR cells in the spleen were also significantly increased. The ability of TFH to secrete IL-21 and help B cells, and TFR to secrete IL-10 and inhibit TFH were both enhanced in CIA mouse spleen. After antibody treatment, cell subsets and functions were significantly recovered.Conclusion. In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, TFH and TFR cells in the germinal center increases and their functions are enhanced. After the treatment by inflammatory factor antibodies, TFH and TFR subsets and their functions can be significantly recovered.
Significance of a Tumor Microenvironment-Mediated P65-miR-30a-5p-BCL2L11 Amplification Loop in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Xie Ling , Shi Xiuying , Huang Hongming , Ju Shaoqing , Wang Xudong
Published: September 2021

Despite significant progress in the treatment of myeloma, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematological malignancy due to cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) phenotype. However, data on the molecular mechanisms underlying the CAM-DR remains scanty. Here, we identified a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in myeloma cells that are directly adherent to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Our data showed that the BMSCs up-regulated miR-30a-5p and down-regulated BCL2L11 at both mRNA and protein level in the myeloma cells. Besides, luciferase reporter genes demonstrated direct interaction between miR-30a-5p and BCL2L11 gene. Moreover, the BMSCs activated NF-ΚB signaling pathway in myeloma cells and the NF-κB P65 was shown to directly bind the miR-30a-5p promoter region. Moreover, suppression of the miR-30a-5p or upregulation of the BCL2L11 promoted apoptosis of the myeloma cells independent of the BMSCs, thus suggesting clinical significance of miR-30a-5p inhibitor and PLBCL2L11 plasmid in CAM-DR. Together, our data demonstrated the role of P65-miR-30a-5p-BCL2L11 loop in CAM-DR myeloma cells. These findings give new insights into the role of tumor microenvironment in the treatment of patients with myeloma.
RNA-Sequencing And Mass-Spectrometry Proteomic Time-Series Analysis of T-Cell Differentiation Identified Multiple Splice Variants Models That Predicted Validated Protein Biomarkers In Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Magnusson Rasmus , Rundquist Olof , Kim Min Jung , Hellberg Sandra , Na Chan Hyun , Benson Mikael , Gomez-Cabrero David , Kockum Ingrid , Tegnér Jesper , Piehl Fredrik , Jagodic Maja , Mellergård Johan , Altafini Claudio , Ernerudh Jan , Jenmalm Maria C. , Nestor Colm E. , Kim Min-Sik , Gustafsson Mika
Published: September 2021

Background Profiling of mRNA expression is an important method to identify biomarkers but complicated by limited correlations between mRNA expression and protein abundance. We hypothesized that these correlations could be improved by mathematical models based on measuring splice variants and time delay in protein translation. Methods We characterized time-series of primary human naïve CD4+ T cells during early T-helper type 1 differentiation with RNA-sequencing and mass-spectrometry proteomics. We then performed computational time-series analysis in this system and in two other key human and murine immune cell types. Linear mathematical mixed time-delayed splice variant models were used to predict protein abundances, and the models were validated using out-of-sample predictions. Lastly, we re-analysed RNA-Seq datasets to evaluate biomarker discovery in five T-cell associated diseases, further validating the findings for multiple sclerosis (MS) and asthma.Results The new models significantly out-performing models not including the usage of multiple splice variants and time-delays, as shown in cross-validation tests. Our mathematical models provided more differentially expressed proteins between patients and controls in all five diseases. Moreover, analysis of these proteins in asthma and MS supported their relevance. One marker, sCD27, was clinically validated in MS using two independent cohorts, for treatment response and prognosis.Conclusion Our splice variant and time-delay models substantially improved the prediction of protein abundance from mRNA data in three immune cell-types. The models provided valuable biomarker candidates, which were validated in clinical studies of MS and asthma. We propose that our strategy is generally applicable for biomarker discovery.
A Computational Modeling of Invadopodia Protrusion Into an Extracellular Matrix Fiber Network
Authors: Kim Min-Cheol , Li Ran , Abeyaratne Rohan , Kamm Roger D. , Asada H. Harry
Published: September 2021

Invadopodia are dynamic actin-rich membrane protrusions that have been implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In addition, invasiveness of cancer cells is strongly correlated with invadopodia formation, which are observed during extravasation and colonization of metastatic cancer cells at secondary sites. However, quantitative understanding of the interaction of invadopodia with extracellular matrix (ECM) is lacking, and how invadopodia protrusion speed is associated with the frequency of protrusion-retraction cycles remains unknown. Here, we present a computational framework for the characterization of invadopodia protrusions which allows two way interactions between intracellular branched actin network and ECM fibers network. We have applied this approach to predicting the invasiveness of cancer cells by computationally knocking out actin-crosslinking molecules, such as α-actinin, filamin and fascin. The resulting simulations reveal distinct invadopodia dynamics with cycles of protrusion and retraction. Specifically, we found that 1) increasing accumulation of MT1-MMP at tips of invadopodia as the duration of protrusive phase is increased, and 2) the movement of nucleus toward the leading edge of the cell becomes unstable as duration of the retractile phase (or myosin turnover time) is longer than 1 min.
Significance of Platinum Distribution to Predicts Platinum Resistance in Ovarian Cancer After Platinum Treatment in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Uno Kaname , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Tazaki Akira , Ohnuma Shoko , Kitami Kazuhisa , Iyoshi Shohei , Mogi Kazumasa , Yoshihara Masato , Koya Yoshihiro , Sugiyama Mai , Tamauchi Satoshi , Ikeda Yoshiki , Yokoi Akira , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Kato Masashi , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: September 2021

Most advanced ovarian cancer patients experience recurrence and develop resistance to platinum-based agents. However, the diagnosis of platinum resistance based on platinum-free interval is not always accurate and timely. In this study, we employed laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to visualize platinum distribution in the tissues at the time of interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty seven patients with advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer were enrolled. Two distinct patterns of platinum distribution were observed. Type A (n = 16): platinum accumulation at the adjacent stroma but little in the tumor; type B (n = 11): even distribution of platinum through tumor and adjacent stroma. Type A was significantly correlated with worse prognosis (P = 0.031). Patients classified in type A and treated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy after operation were significantly shorter period of recurrence after last platinum-based chemotherapy (P = 0.020) and diagnosed with “platinum-resistant recurrence”. Treatment with non-platinum-based chemotherapy after operation could be effective for the patients who were classified in type A. Our data indicate that the platinum resistance can be predicted prior to recurrence with platinum distribution. Thus, we will be able to select more appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy, which may possibly lead to improve patient’s prognosis.
A Toolkit to Rapidly Modify Root Systems Through Single Plant Selection
Authors: Rambla Charlotte , Meer Sarah Van Der , Voss-Fels Kai P. , Makhoul Manar , Obermeier Christian , Snowdon Rod , Ober Eric S. , Watt Michelle , Alahmad Samir , Hickey Lee T.
Published: September 2021

Background: The incorporation of root traits into elite germplasm is typically a slow process. Thus, innovative approaches are required to accelerate research and pre-breeding programs targeting root traits to improve yield stability in different environments and soil types. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) can help to speed up the process by selecting key genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with root traits. However, this approach is limited due to the complex genetic control of root traits and the limited number of well-characterised large effect QTL. Coupling MAS with phenotyping could increase the reliability of selection. Here we present a useful framework to rapidly modify root traits in elite germplasm. In this wheat exemplar, a single plant selection (SPS) approach combined three main elements: phenotypic selection (in this case for seminal root angle); MAS using KASP markers (targeting a root biomass QTL); and speed breeding to accelerate each cycle.Results: To develop a SPS approach that integrates non-destructive screening for seminal root angle and root biomass, two initial experiments were conducted. Firstly, we demonstrated that transplanting wheat seedlings from clear pots (for seminal root angle assessment) into sand pots (for root biomass assessment) did not impact the ability to differentiate genotypes with high and low root biomass. Secondly, we demonstrated that visual scores for root biomass were correlated with root dry weight (r = 0.73), indicating that single plants could be evaluated for root biomass in a non-destructive manner. To highlight the potential of the approach, we applied SPS in a backcrossing program which integrated MAS and speed breeding for the purpose of rapidly modifying the root system of elite bread wheat line Borlaug100. Bi-directional selection for root angle in segregating generations successfully shifted the mean root angle by 30o in the subsequent generation (P ≤ 0.05). Within 18 months, BC2F4:F5 introgression lines were developed that displayed a full range of root configurations, while retaining similar above-ground traits to the recurrent parent. Notably, the seminal root angle displayed by introgression lines varied more than 30° compared to the recurrent parent, resulting in lines with both narrow and wide root angles, and high and low root biomass phenotypes.Conclusion: The SPS approach enables researchers and plant breeders to rapidly manipulate root traits of future crop varieties, which could help improve productivity in the face of increasing environmental fluctuations. The newly developed elite wheat lines with modified root traits provide valuable materials to study the value of different root systems to support yield in different environments and soil types.
Dataset Size Sensitivity Analysis of Machine Learning Classifiers to Differentiate Molecular Markers of Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas Based on MRI
Authors: Wagner Matthias W. , Namdar Khashayar , Alqabbani Abdullah , Hainc Nicolin , Figuereido Liana Nobre , Sheng Min , Shroff Manohar M , Bouffet Eric , Tabori Uri , Hawkins Cynthia , Zhang Michael , Yeom Kristen W. , Khalvati Farzad , Ertl-Wagner Birgit B.
Published: September 2021

Machine learning (ML) approaches can predict BRAF status of pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) on pre-therapeutic brain MRI. The impact of training data sample size and type of ML model is not established. In this bi-institutional retrospective study, 251 pLGG FLAIR MRI datasets from 2 children’s hospitals were included. Radiomics features were extracted from tumor segmentations and five models (Random Forest, XGBoost, Neural Network (NN) 1 (100:20:2), NN2 (50:10:2), NN3 (50:20:10:2)) were tested to classify them. Classifiers were cross-validated on data from institution 1 and validated on data from institution 2. Starting with 10% of the training data, models were cross-validated using a 4-fold approach at every step with an additional 2.25% increase in sample size. Two-hundred-twenty patients (mean age 8.53 ± 4.94 years, 114 males, 67% BRAF fusion) were included in the training dataset, and 31 patients (mean age 7.97±6.20 years, 18 males, 77% BRAF fusion) in the independent test dataset. NN1 (100:20:2) yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). It predicted BRAF status with a mean AUC of 0.85, 95% CI [0.83, 0.87] using 60% of the training data and with mean AUC of 0.83, 95% CI [0.82, 0.84] on the independent validation data set.
Mean Brain Dose Remains Uninfluenced by Lesion Number for Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Ten+ Metastases
Authors: Sachdev Sean , Sita Timothy L. , Gopalakrishnan Mahesh , Rooney Michael K. , Ho Alexander , Savoor Rohan , Sonabend Adam M. , Tate Matthew C. , Chandler James P. , Lesniak Maciej S. , Kruser Tim J. , Kalapurakal John A.
Published: September 2021

Purpose:Gamma Knife (GK) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly used as an initial treatment for patients with ten or more brain metastases (BM). However, the clinical and dosimetric consequences of this practice are not well established.Methods: We performed a single institution, retrospective analysis of 30 patients who received GK SRS for ten or more BM in one session. We utilized MIM Software to contour the whole brain and accumulated the doses from all treated lesions to determine the mean dose delivered to the whole brain. Patient outcomes were determined from chart review. Results: Our cohort had a median number of 13 treated lesions (range 10 to 26 lesions) for a total of 427 treated lesions. The mean dose to the whole brain was determined to be 1.8 ± 0.91 Gy (range 0.70 to 3.8 Gy). Mean dose to the whole brain did not correlate with the number of treated lesions (Pearson r=0.23, p=0.21), but was closely associated with tumor volume (Pearson r=0.95, p<0.0001). There were no significant correlations between overall survival and number of lesions or aggregate tumor volume. Fourteen patients (47%) underwent additional SRS sessions and six patients (20%) underwent WBRT a median of 6.6 months (range 3.0-50 months) after SRS. Two patients (6.6%) developed grade 2 radionecrosis following SRS beyond earlier WBRT.Conclusion: The mean dose to the whole brain in patients treated with GK SRS for 10 or more BM remained low with an acceptable rate of radionecrosis. This strategy allowed the majority of patients to avoid subsequent WBRT.
Failure of salvage vemurafenib therapy for refractory multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis with BRAF-V600E mutation
Authors: Tang Xue , Wan Zhi , Guo Xia , Guo Ju
Published: September 2021

Background

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has been defined as a disorder driven by misguided myeloid differentiation, with up to 50% of cases harboring the BRAF-V600E mutation. Salvage treatment with LCH refractory to vinblastine and steroid regimen is intractable. Vemurafenib is safe and effective in children with refractory BRAF-V600E-positive LCH, but the disease always reactivates with the withdrawal of vemurafenib.
Case presentation:

Here, we report the first case of BRAF-V600E positive LCH resistant to vemurafenib therapy but effectively salvaged by cytarabine-based chemotherapy.
Conclusions

Our case report shows that vemurafenib monotherapy might not be effective for every BRAF-V600E-positive refractory LCH, and cytarabine-based chemotherapy might still be a cost-effective therapeutic alternative. Keywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, BRAF-V600E mutation, Vemurafenib, Chemotherapy
Blood and Brain Transcriptome Analysis Reveals APOE Genotype-mediated and Immune-related Pathways Involved in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Panitch Rebecca , Hu Junming , Xia Weiming , Bennett David A , Stein Thor D , Farrer Lindsay A , Jun Gyungah R.
Published: September 2021

Background: While Alzheimer disease (AD) is generally considered as a brain disorder, blood biomarkers may be useful for diagnosis and prediction of AD brain pathology. The APOE ε4 allele has shown cerebrovascular effects including acceleration of blood brain barrier breakdown. Methods: We evaluated differential expression of previously established AD genes in brains from 344 pathologically confirmed AD cases and 232 controls and in blood from 112 pathologically confirmed AD cases and 67 controls from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project. Differential gene expression between AD cases and controls was analyzed in the blood and brain jointly using a multivariate approach in the total sample and within APOE genotype groups. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed within APOE genotype groups using the results from the combined blood and brain analyses to identify biologically important pathways. Gene co-expression networks in brain and blood samples were investigated using weighted correlation network analysis. Top ranked genes from networks and pathways were further evaluated with vascular injury traits. Results: We observed differentially expressed genes with P<0.05 in both brain and blood for established AD genes INPP5D (upregulated) and HLA-DQA1 (downregulated). PIGHP1 and FRAS1 were differentially expressed at the transcriptome-wide level (P<3.3x10 -6 ) within ε2/ε3 and ε3/ε4 groups, respectively. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed 21 significant pathways (false discovery rate P<0.05) in at least one APOE genotype group. Ten pathways were significantly enriched in the ε3/ε4 group, and six of these were unique to these subjects. Four pathways were enriched for AD upregulated genes in the ε3/ε4 group and AD downregulated genes in ε4 lacking subjects. We identified a co-expressed gene network in brain that reproduced in blood and showed higher average expression in ε4 carriers. Twenty-three genes from pathway and network analyses were significantly associated at P<0.05 with at least one vascular injury trait. Conclusion: These results suggest that APOE genotype contributes to unique expression network profiles in both blood and brain. Several genes in these networks are associated with measures of vascular injury and potentially contribute to ε4’s effect on the blood brain barrier.
Chaotic Resonance in Izhikevich Neural Network Motifs Under Electromagnetic Induction
Authors: Wang Guowei , Yang Lijian , Zhan Xuan , Li Anbang , Jia Ya
Published: September 2021

Chaotic resonance (CR) is the response of a nonlinear system to weak signals enhanced by internal or external chaotic activity (such as the signal derived from Lorenz system). In this paper, the triple-neuron feed-forward loop (FFL) Izhikevich neural network motifs with eight types are constructed as the nonlinear systems, and the effects of EMI on CR phenomenon in FFL neuronal network motifs are studied. It is found that both the single Izhikevich neural model under electromagnetic induction (EMI) and its network motifs exhibit CR phenomenon depending on the chaotic current intensity. There exists an optimal chaotic current intensity ensuring the best detection of weak signal in single Izhikevich neuron or its network motifs via CR. The EMI can enhance the ability of neuron to detect weak signals. For T1-FFL and T2-FFL motifs, the adjustment of EMI parameters makes T2-FFL show a more obvious CR phenomenon than that for T1-FFL motifs, which is different from the impact of system parameters (e.g., the weak signal frequency, the coupling strength, and the time delay) on CR. Another interesting phenomenon is that the variation of CR with time delay exhibits quasi periodic characteristics. Our results showed that CR effect is a robust phenomenon which is observed in both single Izhikevich neuron and network motifs, which might help one understand how to improve the ability of weak signal detection and propagation in neuronal system.
Differences in the Flexion and Extension Phases during Kneeling Investigated by Kinematic and Contact Point Analyses: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Nakazoe Yusuke , Yonekura Akihiko , Takita Hiroyuki , Miyaji Takeshi , Okazaki Narihiro , Chiba Ko , Kidera Kenichi , Miyamoto Takashi , Tomita Masato , Gamada Kazuyoshi , Osaki Makoto
Published: September 2021

Background: Kneeling is necessary for certain religious and ceremonial occasions, crouching work, and gardening, which many people take part in worldwide. However, there have been few reports regarding kneeling activities. The purpose of this study was to clarify the kinematics of kneeling.Methods: The subjects were 15 healthy young males. Kneeling activity was analysed within a knee flexion angle from 100° to maximum flexion (maxflex, mean ± SD = 161.3 ± 3.2°). The kinematic and contact point (CP) analyses were performed using a 2D/3D registration method, in which a 3D bone model created from computed tomography images was matched to knee lateral fluoroscopic images and analysed on a personal computer.Results: In the kinematic analysis, the femur translated 37.5 mm posteriorly and rotated 19.8° externally relative to the tibia during the knee flexion phase. During the knee extension phase, the femur translated 36.4 mm anteriorly, which was almost the same amount as in the knee flexion phase. However, the femur rotated only 7.4° internally during the knee extension phase. In the CP analysis, the amount of anterior translation of the CP in the knee extension phase was greater in the medial CP and smaller in the lateral CP than that of posterior translation in the knee flexion phase.Conclusions: In kneeling, there was a difference in the rotational kinematics between the flexion phase and the extension phase. The kinematic difference between the flexion and extension phases may have some effect on the meniscus and articular cartilage.
Study on the influence of stress wave disturbance on ultra-low friction effect of broken blocks
Authors: Li liping , Zhang haitao , Pan yishan , Ju xiangyu , Tang lei , Li minghui
Published: September 2021

With the increase of mine mining depth, deep rock mass tends to be broken into block medium. The roof-rock layer-floor can be regarded as block system fractured rock mass. Under the condition of high ground stress and mining disturbance, the ultra-low friction effect of block system fractured rock mass is easy to occur, and then induce rock burst and other disasters. Taking the block rock mass as the research object, the self-developed ultra-low friction test system is used to carry out the experimental research on the ultra-low friction effect of the broken block under the condition of stress wave disturbance. Taking the horizontal displacement of the working block as the characteristic parameter reflecting the ultra-low friction effect, by changing the stress wave disturbance frequency and amplitude, the characteristic law of the horizontal displacement, acceleration and energy of the working block during the occurrence of the ultra-low friction effect is analyzed. The research results show that the stress wave disturbance frequency is related to the generation of ultra-low friction of the broken block. The disturbance frequency of the stress wave is within 1 ~ 3Hz, and the maximum acceleration and horizontal displacement of different broken degree blocks increase significantly. This frequency range is prone to ultra-low friction effect. The greater the intensity of the stress wave disturbance, the higher the degree of block fragmentation, and the more likely to have ultra-low friction effects between the blocks. The greater the intensity of the horizontal impact load, the higher the degree of rock mass fragmentation, the easier it is for ultra-low friction effects to occur. Stress wave disturbance and horizontal impact are the main reasons for the sliding instability of broken blocks. When the dominant frequency of the kinetic energy of the broken block is within 20 Hz, the ultra-low friction effect is more likely to occur.
Cancer survivors post-chemotherapy exhibit unique proprioceptive deficits in proximal limbs
Authors: Wang Allison B. , Housley Stephen N. , Flores Ann Marie , Cope Timothy C. , Perreault Eric J.
Published: September 2021

Background: Oxaliplatin (OX) chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is associated with adverse neurotoxic effects that can contribute to long-term sensorimotor impairments in cancer survivors. It is often thought that the sensorimotor impairments are dominated by OX-induced sensory neuropathy that primarily affects the distal regions of the limb. Recent preclinical studies have identified encoding dysfunction of muscle proprioceptors as an alternative mechanism. Unlike the sensory neuropathy affecting distal limbs, dysfunction of muscle proprioceptors could have more widespread effects. Most investigations of chemotherapy-induced sensorimotor impairments have considered only the effects of distal changes in sensory processing; none have evaluated proximal changes or their influence on function. Our study fills this gap by evaluating the functional use of proprioception in the shoulder and elbow joints of cancer survivors post OX chemotherapy. Methods: We implemented three multidirectional sensorimotor tasks: force matching, target reaching, and postural stability tasks to evaluate various aspects of proprioception and their use. Force and kinematic data of the sensorimotor tasks were collected in 13 cancer survivors treated with OX and 13 age-matched healthy controls. Results: Cancer survivors exhibited less accuracy and precision than an age-matched control group when they had to rely only on proprioceptive information to match force, even for forces that required only torques about the shoulder. There were also small differences in the ability to maintain arm posture but no significant differences in reaching. The force deficits in cancer survivors were significantly correlated with self-reported motor dysfunction. Conclusions: These results suggest that cancer survivors post OX chemotherapy exhibit proximal proprioceptive deficits, and that the deficits in producing accurate and precise forces are larger than those for producing unloaded movements. Current clinical assessments of chemotherapy-related sensorimotor dysfunction are largely limited to distal symptoms. Our study suggests that we also need to consider changes in proximal function. Force matching tasks similar to those used here could provide a clinically meaningful approach to quantifying OX-related movement dysfunction during and after chemotherapy.
Application of PCT, CRP and WBC levels in the differential diagnosis of acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal respiratory tract infections
Authors: Li Yang , Min Lanfang , Zhang Xin
Published: September 2021

Background

There is a lack of studies comparing PCT, CRP and WBC levels in the differential diagnosis of acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal respiratory infections. It is necessary to explore the correlation between above markers and different types of ARTI.
Methods

108 children with confirmed bacterial infection were regarded as group A, 116 children with virus infection were regarded as group B, and 122 children with mycoplasma infection were regarded as group C. The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC of the three groups were detected and compared.
Results

The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The positive rate of combined detection of PCT, CRP and WBC was significantly higher than that of single detection. There was no significant difference of PCT, CRP and WBC levels between the group of Gram-positive bacteria infection and Gram-negative bacteria infection (P > 0.05). ROC curve results showed that the AUC of PCT, CRP and WBC for the diagnosis of bacterial respiratory infections were 0.65, 0.55, and 0.58, respectively.
Conclusions

PCT, CRP and WBC can be used as effective indicators for the identification of acute bacterial or no-bacterial infections in children. The levels of PCT and CRP have higher differential diagnostic value than that of WBC in infection, and the combined examination of the three is more valuable in clinic.
Impact of patient-specific factors and spinopelvic alignment on the development of adjacent segment degeneration after short-segment lumbar fusion
Authors: Kiss László , Szövérfi Zsolt , Bereczki Ferenc , Éltes Péter Endre , Szöllösi Balázs , Szita Júlia , Lazáry Áron
Published: September 2021

Objectives: The main purpose of the study was to analyse the different demographical, morphological, and surgery-related parameters influencing the development or progress of degeneration in adjacent segments after routine, short-segment lumbar fusions.Summary of Background data: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) considered as a major long-term complication after lumbar fusions. Possible risk factors are related to the patients’ demographics, spinopelvic anatomy or preoperative lumbar intervertebral disc conditions. The current literature lacks of well-designed prospective studies focusing on the multidimensional nature of the condition.Methods: A prospective cohort of 100 patients who underwent one- or two-level lumbar transforaminal interbody fusions due to lumbar degenerative pathology was conducted. Demographical, radiological findings (spinopelvic parameters, adjacent segmental radiological as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features) and long-term outcome data (5-year) were analysed to identify factors associated with ASD. Results: ASD patients showed higher level of pain (p=0.004) and disability (p=0.020) at follow-up. In univariate analysis, older age, upper-level lumbar fusion (p=0.007), lower L4-S1 lordosis (p=0.039), PI-LL mismatch (p=0.021), Pfirrmann grade III or higher disc degeneration (p=0.002) and the presence of disc bulge/herniation were (p=0.007) associated with ASD. Final result of multivariate analysis showed major degenerative sign (disc degeneration and/or disc bulge) as a risk factor (OR 3.85, CI 1.43-10.37, p=0.006).Conclusion: By examining the role of different patient- and procedure-specific factors, we found that preoperative major degenerative signs at the adjacent segment increase the risk of ASD causing significantly worse outcome after short-segment lumbar fusion. Adjacent disc conditions should be considered carefully during surgical planning.
CRISPR/Cas9 mediated editing of the Quorn fungus Fusarium venenatum A3/5 by transient expression of Cas9 and sgRNAs targeting endogenous marker gene PKS12
Authors: Wilson Fiona , Harrison Richard J
Published: September 2021

Background
Gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is a widely used tool for precise gene modification, modulating gene expression and introducing novel proteins, and its use has been reported in a number of filamentous fungi including the genus Fusarium. The aim of this study was to optimise gene editing efficiency using AMA1 replicator vectors for transient expression of CRISPR constituents in Fusarium venenatum (A3/5), used commercially in the production of mycoprotein (Quorn™).
Results
We present evidence of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing in Fusarium venenatum, by targeting the endogenous visible marker gene PKS12, which encodes a polyketide synthase responsible for the synthesis of the pigment aurofusarin. Constructs for expression of single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were cloned into an AMA1 replicator vector incorporating a construct for constitutive expression of cas9 codon-optimised for Aspergillus niger or F. venenatum. Vectors were maintained under selection for transient expression of sgRNAs and cas9 in transformed protoplasts. 100% gene editing efficiency of protoplast-derived isolates was obtained using A. niger cas9 when sgRNA transcription was regulated by the F. venenatum 5SrRNA promoter. In comparison, expression of sgRNAs using a PgdpA-ribozyme construct was much less effective, generating mutant phenotypes in 0–40% of isolates, with evidence of off-target editing. Viable isolates were not obtained from protoplasts transformed with an AMA1 vector expressing cas9 codon-optimised for F. venenatum.
Conclusions
Using an AMA1 replicator vector for transient expression of A. niger cas9 and sgRNAs transcribed from the native 5SrRNA promoter, we demonstrate efficient gene editing of an endogenous marker gene in F. venenatum, resulting in knockout of gene function and a visible mutant phenotype in 100% of isolates. This establishes a platform for further development of CRISPR/Cas technology in F. venenatum, such as modulation of gene expression, gene insertion, base editing and prime editing. These tools will facilitate an understanding of the controls of secondary metabolism and hyphal development during fermentation of F. venenatum for mycoprotein production and may be used to validate prototypes of strains for improvement using classical means, enabling more cost-effective and sustainable production of this industrially important fungus.
Undernutrition among Pregnant Adolescent, A scoping Review
Authors: Tesfaye Adane , Gerbaba Mulusew , Tamiru Desalegn , Belachew Tefera
Published: September 2021

Background

In pregnant adolescents, it is hypothesized that there is ‘nutrient partitioning’, a competition for nutrients between the still growing adolescent mother and her rapidly developing fetus resulting in a compromised nutrition status of both. This scoping review examined the prevalence of undernutrition, associated factors and outcomes of adolescent pregnancy.
Methods

We used a five stages framework suggested by Arksey & O`Male (2005) to carry out this scoping review. Published articles, reviews and reports were identified through a complete search. We included articles published in English language from 2000 to 2020. We summarized prevalence, associated factors and health outcomes of pregnancy during adolescence.
Results

25 studies met the inclusion criteria. 32% of the studies are on dietary intake, 20% of them reported nutritional status and associated factors and 48% studies discussed effect of poor nutrition on outcome of Pregnancy during adolescence. Only 4 of the studies are community based and 21 are facility based. Magnitude of undernutrition among pregnant adolescent girls ranged from 23.5–34%; Social determinants of health such as poor access to antenatal care visits, low educational status of partners, poor dietary intake, early marriage, rural residency, young age and having multiple pregnancies are associated with poor nutritional status. Pregnant adolescents have also more risks of poor pregnancy outcomes compared with pregnant adults’ women. These include fetal complications like prematurity, low or very low birth weight, and perinatal mortality, major congenital defects; hypertensive pregnancy disorders, abortion, urinary infections, and premature rupture of the fetal membranes,.
Conclusion

A higher magnitude of undernutrition, less dietary intake and more risks of poor pregnancy outcomes were observed from reviewed studies. This review demonstrated absence of comprehensive literature which might be explored through a population-based prospective study.
Protocol-Based Control for Cyber-Physical Systems with Environment-Dependent Energy Harvesting Sensors
Authors: Li Jiajia , Tian Xin , Wei Guoliang
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a protocol-based controller is designed for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) with multiple sensors, which are powered by environment-dependent energy harvesting (EDEH) devices, respectively. The Round-Robin (RR) protocol is adopted to coordinate the data transmission of sensors. The protocol-based transmission can be realized only when the energy harvested by EDEH devices is sufficient. The aim of this paper is to design the protocol-based controller to ensure the stochastic finite-time boundedness (FTB) with EDEH and RR protocol. Firstly, modeling the EDEH by a switching sequence with varying sojourn probabilities, assuming a finite battery capacity constraint, and associating protocol-based transmission with a given energy cost, we propose a new recursive model to depict the dynamic of energy levels for each sensor. Then, combining with stochastic analysis and the dynamic of energy levels, the explicit expressions of the controller for each environment with average dwell time (ADT) are obtained. Finally, an example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed controllers.
Multivariate Fire Risk Models Using Sample-Size Reduction and Copula Regression in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Najib Mohamad Khoirun , Nurdiati Sri , Sopaheluwakan Ardhasena
Published: September 2021

Forest fires have become a national issue every year and get serious attention from the government and researchers, especially in Kalimantan. The copula-based joint distribution can construct a fire risk model to improve the early warning system of forest fires. This study aims to model and analyze the copula-based joint distribution between climate conditions and hotspots in Kalimantan. We constructed the bivariate joint distributions between climate conditions, either total precipitation or dry spells, and hotspots with sample size reduced by ENSO conditions, i.e., La Nina, normal, and El Nino. From the joint distribution, fire risk models are calculated using conditional probability and copula regression. The results show that the relationship between climate conditions and hotspots in La Nina and normal ENSO conditions have an upper tail dependence but no lower tail dependence. Meanwhile, the relationship has both upper and lower tail dependences during El Nino. There is an outlier in normal ENSO conditions with more hotspots than normally, i.e., in September 2019. The probability is very low during normal ENSO conditions, i.e., less than 2%. The only relatively high probability is during El Nino, i.e., more than 10%. Moreover, the copula regression models show that the model given specific dry spells is better than that given specific total precipitation as climate condition. The copula regression for hotspots given specific total precipitation and ENSO conditions has the RMSE value of 1339 hotspots and the R2 value of 60.70%. Meanwhile, the copula regression for hotspots given specific dry spells and ENSO conditions has the RMSE value of 1185 hotspots and the R2 value of 69.21%.
Ion-specific Limitations of Sodium Chloride and Calcium Chloride on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Mycorrhizal Colonization in Northern and Southern Highbush Blueberry
Authors: Bryla David R. , Scagel Carolyn F. , Lukas Scott B. , Sullivan Dan M.
Published: September 2021

Excess salinity is becoming a prevalent problem for production of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium L. section Cyanococcus Gray), but information on how and when it affects the plants is needed. Two experiments, including one on the northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivar, Bluecrop, and another on the southern highbush (V. corymbosum interspecific hybrid) cultivar, Springhigh, were conducted to investigate their response to salinity and assess whether any suppression in growth was ion specific or due primarily to osmotic stress. In both cases, the plants were grown in soilless media (calcined clay) and fertigated using a complete nutrient solution containing four levels of salinity [none (control), low (0.7–1.3 mmol·d−1), medium (1.4–3.4 mmol·d−1), and high (2.8–6.7 mmol·d−1)] from either NaCl or CaCl2. Drainage was minimized in each treatment except for periodic determination of electrical conductivity (EC) using the pour-through method, which, depending on the experiment, reached levels as high as 3.2 to 6.3 dS·m−1 with NaCl and 7.8 to 9.5 dS·m−1 with CaCl2. Total dry weight of the plants was negatively correlated to EC and, depending on source and duration of the salinity treatment, decreased linearly at a rate of 1.6 to 7.4 g·dS−1·m−1 in ‘Bluecrop’ and 0.4 to 12.5 g·dS−1·m−1 in ‘Springhigh’. Reductions in total dry weight were initially similar between the two salinity sources; however, by the end of the study, which occurred at 125 days in ‘Bluecrop’ and at 111 days in ‘Springhigh’, dry weight declined more so with NaCl than with CaCl2 in each part of the plant, including in the leaves, stems, and roots. The percentage of root length colonized by mycorrhizal fungi also declined with increasing levels of salinity in Bluecrop and was lower in both cultivars when the plants were treated with NaCl than with CaCl2. However, leaf damage, which included tip burn and marginal necrosis, was greater with CaCl2 than with NaCl. In general, CaCl2 had no effect on uptake or concentration of Na in the plant tissues, whereas NaCl reduced Ca uptake in both cultivars and reduced the concentration of Ca in the leaves and stems of Bluecrop and in each part of the plant in Springhigh. Salinity from NaCl also resulted in higher concentrations of Cl and lower concentrations of K in the plant tissues than CaCl2 in both cultivars. The concentration of other nutrients in the plants, including N, P, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, was also affected by salinity, but in most cases, the response was similar between the two salts. These results point to ion-specific effects of different salts on the plants and indicate that source is an important consideration when managing salinity in highbush blueberry.
THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN ENHANCING EMPLOYEES ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT
Authors:   Limkokwing University of Creative Technology., Abome Bright Olomu
Published: September 2021

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of communication in enhancing employees organizational commitment. The general objective of the study involves examining the impact of communication satisfaction, communication climate, relationship with superiors, organization integration, media quality, horizontal and informal communication channels, organizational perspective, relationship with other employees, personal feedback and the flow of informationon employees organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approach Ã¢Â€Â“The study utilized quantitative research methodology toinvestigatethe reason why employeescommunicate with their superiors and subordinates, the role of communication, their satisfaction and commitment towards their organization. Data was collected using a survey of structured questionnaire. The data analysis was conducted through descriptive statistical analysis by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Demographic data such as gender, age, academic degree, experience years, and the management level were analyzed by using frequency distributions and Percentages with the results presented in charts and tables. Inferential statistics were obtained by carrying out correlation and regressions analyses, to test for the correlations between the variables and their influence on employees organizational commitment.Findings and conclusions of the study - The results of the study revealed that communication satisfaction has a significant positive correlation withorganizational commitment, communication climate was also positively correlated to commitment, organization integration and perspective was highly and positively correlated to employees commitment whilepersonal feedback, horizontal and informal communication channels, and relationship with superiors was minimally positively related to employees organizational commitment. Additionally, the regression analysis indicate thatcommunication dimensions, internal communication and organizational integration are closely associated with employees organizational commitment. Therefore, nine (9) hypotheses were developed and tested accordingly to conclude that communication has a significant and direct impact on employees organizational commitment. Furthermore, the main implication of this study is associated with the fact that, organizations could use the findings of this study to develop communication practices and channels that encourage commitment within the organization which might translate to increased innovation, productivity, opportunity, collaboration, and effective commitment. The study also shows that employees organizational commitment can be improved through job enhancement together with matching the individuals values to those of the organization rather than, finding ways and means of improving job satisfaction through different strategies that involves improving the standard of the supervision, decentralization of power and counseling.