bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiction and Epistemic Value: State of the Art
Authors: Green Mitchell
Published: January 2022

We critically survey prominent recent scholarship on the question of whether fiction can be a source of epistemic value for those who engage with it fully and appropriately. Such epistemic value might take the form of knowledge (for ‘cognitivists’) or understanding (for ‘neo-cognitivists’). Both camps may be sorted according to a further distinction between views explaining fiction’s epistemic value either in terms of the author’s engaging in a form of telling, or instead via their showing some state of affairs to obtain, a special case of which is the provision of self-knowledge. Fictional works that show rather than tell often employ thought experiments. The epistemic value of some fictional works is indicated by their enabling of empathy, itself illuminated via the psychological process of experience-taking. Whether a fictional work offers epistemic value by telling or showing, there is, in principle, no bar to its being able to deliver on what it offers, and consumers of fiction who exercise epistemic vigilance may gain either knowledge or some degree of understanding from their engagement with it.
Analysis of MicroRNA in Bile Cytologic Samples Is Useful for Detection and Diagnosis of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Uchihata Yukari , Arihiro Koji , Kaneko Yoshie , Shimizu Tomomi , Marubashi Yukari , Aoki Chie , Murakami Takuya , Ochi Mayu , Niihara Nanaka , Ohtsuka Kohei , Unehara Rimu , Araki Yusuke , Seki Yoshinaga , Mori Keiichi , Oda Miyo , Ishida Katsunari
Published: January 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to develop reliable biomarkers that improve the ability of bile cytology to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma vs benign biliary lesions.

Methods

Many studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential candidates for the early diagnosis of cancer. We analyzed the expression of five tumor-associated miRNAs (miR-31-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-378d, miR-182-5p, and miR-92a-3p) in cytology samples using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We collected 52 surgically resected tissue samples, 84 cytologic specimens from smears (53 cases of cancer and 31 cases of noncancer), and 40 residual sediments after smearing for routine cytology at Hiroshima University Hospital.

Results

The expression of miR-31-5p, miR-378d, and miR-122-5p was significantly higher in cancer tissues than those in normal tissues, while miR-182-5p expression was lower. The expression of miR-31-5p, miR-378d, miR-182-5p, and miR-92a-3p was significantly higher in detached cell samples from smears of cholangiocarcinoma cases than in those from noncancer cases.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the analysis of miRNAs in bile cytologic specimens is a promising auxiliary tool for distinguishing cholangiocarcinoma from benign biliary lesions.
A novel milk-clotting enzyme from Aspergillus oryzae and A. luchuensis is an aspartic endopeptidase PepE presumed to be a vacuolar enzyme
Authors: Takyu Yoko , Asamura Taro , Okamoto Ayako , Maeda Hiroshi , Takeuchi Michio , Kusumoto Ken-Ich , Katase Toru , Ishida Hiroki , Tanaka Mizuki , Yamagata Youhei
Published: January 2022

Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 has 11 aspartic endopeptidase genes. We searched for milk-clotting enzymes based on the homology of the deduced amino acid sequence with chymosins. As a result, we identified a milk-clotting enzyme in A. oryzae. We expected other Aspergillus species to have a homologous enzyme with milk-clotting activity, and we found the most homologous aspartic endopeptidase from A. luchuensis had milk-clotting activity. Surprisingly, 2 enzymes were considered as vacuole enzymes according to a study on A. niger proteases. The 2 enzymes from A. oryzae and A. luchuensis cleaved a peptide between the 105Phe-106Met bond in κ-casein, similar to chymosin. Although both enzymes showed proteolytic activity using casein as a substrate, the optimum pH values for milk-clotting and proteolytic activities were different. Furthermore, the substrate specificities were highly restricted. Therefore, we expected that the Japanese traditional fermentation agent, koji, could be used as an enzyme source for cheese production.
ViruClust: direct comparison of SARS-CoV-2 genomes and genetic variants in space and time
Authors: Cilibrasi Luca , Pinoli Pietro , Bernasconi Anna , Canakoglu Arif , Chiara Matteo , Ceri Stefano
Published: January 2022

Motivation

The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid emergence of variants of concern at distinct geographic locations have relevant implications for the implementation of strategies for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Combining the growing body of data and the evidence on potential functional implications of SARS-CoV-2 mutations can suggest highly effective methods for the prioritization of novel variants of potential concern, e.g. increasing in frequency locally and/or globally. However, these analyses may be complex, requiring the integration of different data and resources. We claim the need for a streamlined access to up-to-date and high-quality genome sequencing data from different geographic regions/countries, and the current lack of a robust and consistent framework for the evaluation/comparison of the results.

Results

To overcome these limitations, we developed ViruClust, a novel tool for the comparison of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences and lineages in space and time. ViruClust is made available through a powerful and intuitive web-based user interface. Sophisticated large-scale analyses can be executed with a few clicks, even by users without any computational background. To demonstrate potential applications of our method, we applied ViruClust to conduct a thorough study of the evolution of the most prevalent lineage of the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant, and derived relevant observations. By allowing the seamless integration of different types of functional annotations and the direct comparison of viral genomes and genetic variants in space and time, ViruClust represents a highly valuable resource for monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, facilitating the identification of variants and/or mutations of potential concern.

Availability and implementation

ViruClust is openly available at http://gmql.eu/viruclust/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Environmental Influences on Life Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults With Multimorbidity: Path Analysis Through Loneliness in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Gan Daniel R Y , Wister Andrew V , Best John R
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

More older adults with multimorbidity are aging in place than ever before. Knowing how the environment affects their mental well-being could enhance the efficacy of age-friendly interventions for multimorbidity resilience. With reference to the Transdisciplinary Neighborhood Health Framework, we construct and examine a priori models of environmental influences on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms.

Research Design and Methods

Baseline and follow-up data (after 3 years) were drawn from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to identify a subsample (n = 14,301) of participants aged at least 65 years with at least 2 chronic diseases. Path analysis examined sociobehavioral attributes (i.e., social support, social participation, walking) and loneliness as primary and secondary mediators, controlling for age, sex, education, and outcomes during baseline.

Results

Good model fit was found (TFI = 1.00; CFI = 1.00; RMSEA < 0.001; SRMR < 0.001). The total effects of housing quality (rtotal = 0.08, −0.07) and neighborhood cohesion (rtotal = 0.03, −0.06) were weak but statistically significant in the expected direction. The mediators explained 21%–31% of the total effects of housing quality and 67%–100% of the total effects of neighborhood cohesion. Loneliness mediated 27%–29% of these environmental influences on mental well-being, whereas walking mediated a mere 0.4%–0.9% of the total effects. Walking did not explain the relationship between housing quality and mental well-being.

Discussion and Implications

Data supported a priori pathways from environment to mental well-being through sociobehavioral attributes and loneliness. If these pathways from neighborhood cohesion to life satisfaction reflect causal effects, community-based age-friendly interventions should focus on enhancing neighborhood cohesion to mitigate loneliness among multimorbid older adults for their mental well-being.
The Retention of Older Employees and Core Work Activities: Evidence From Denmark
Authors: Qvist Jeevitha Yogachandiran , Jensen Per H
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

Retention of older employees in the labor market is crucial to cope with aging populations. Retention of older employees can appear in different forms, such as phased retirement, bridge jobs, career development, or health promotion. However, little is known about how the offering of these retention strategies may vary across workplaces with different core work activities because the opportunities to implement different types of retention strategies are preconditioned by differences in the economic and labor market climate.

Research Design and Methods

The study utilizes data from a survey conducted among Danish workplaces in 2018, which is linked to administrative register data to conduct Karlson-Holm-Breen-corrected logistic regression models. The study distinguishes among production workplaces, service and welfare workplaces, and information workplaces.

Results

Phased retirement is most prevalent in service and welfare workplaces, whereas job bridging is most prevalent in both service and welfare and production workplaces. Career development and health promotion strategies are least prevalent in production workplaces. These retention differences between workplaces with different core work activities are in most cases explained by differences in trade union influence, physical working demands, and knowledge intensity.

Discussion and Implications

Although the type of retention strategy offered in the workplace largely matches the core work activity within the workplace, particularly production workplaces could feasibly take more advantage of using career development or health promotion strategies because the employees of these workplaces are more likely to retire early due to poor health and physical working conditions.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of the shuttles hoppfish, Periophthalmus modestus
Authors: Yang Youngik , Yoo Ji Yong , Baek Sang Ho , Song Ha Yeun , Jo Seonmi , Jung Seung-Hyun , Choi Jeong-Hyeon
Published: January 2022

Background

The shuttles hoppfish (mudskipper), Periophthalmus modestus, is one of the mudskippers, which are the largest group of amphibious teleost fishes, which are uniquely adapted to live on mudflats. Because mudskippers can survive on land for extended periods by breathing through their skin and through the lining of the mouth and throat, they were evaluated as a model for the evolutionary sea-land transition of Devonian protoamphibians, ancestors of all present tetrapods.

Results

A total of 39.6, 80.2, 52.9, and 33.3 Gb of Illumina, Pacific Biosciences, 10X linked, and Hi-C data, respectively, was assembled into 1,419 scaffolds with an N50 length of 33 Mb and BUSCO score of 96.6%. The assembly covered 117% of the estimated genome size (729 Mb) and included 23 pseudo-chromosomes anchored by a Hi-C contact map, which corresponded to the top 23 longest scaffolds above 20 Mb and close to the estimated one. Of the genome, 43.8% were various repetitive elements such as DNAs, tandem repeats, long interspersed nuclear elements, and simple repeats. Ab initio and homology-based gene prediction identified 30,505 genes, of which 94% had homology to the 14 Actinopterygii transcriptomes and 89% and 85% to Pfam familes and InterPro domains, respectively. Comparative genomics with 15 Actinopterygii species identified 59,448 gene families of which 12% were only in P. modestus.

Conclusions

We present the high quality of the first genome assembly and gene annotation of the shuttles hoppfish. It will provide a valuable resource for further studies on sea-land transition, bimodal respiration, nitrogen excretion, osmoregulation, thermoregulation, vision, and mechanoreception.
Inferring microbiota functions from taxonomic genes: a review
Authors: Djemiel Christophe , Maron Pierre-Alain , Terrat Sébastien , Dequiedt Samuel , Cottin Aurélien , Ranjard Lionel
Published: January 2022

Deciphering microbiota functions is crucial to predict ecosystem sustainability in response to global change. High-throughput sequencing at the individual or community level has revolutionized our understanding of microbial ecology, leading to the big data era and improving our ability to link microbial diversity with microbial functions. Recent advances in bioinformatics have been key for developing functional prediction tools based on DNA metabarcoding data and using taxonomic gene information. This cheaper approach in every aspect serves as an alternative to shotgun sequencing. Although these tools are increasingly used by ecologists, an objective evaluation of their modularity, portability, and robustness is lacking. Here, we reviewed 100 scientific papers on functional inference and ecological trait assignment to rank the advantages, specificities, and drawbacks of these tools, using a scientific benchmarking. To date, inference tools have been mainly devoted to bacterial functions, and ecological trait assignment tools, to fungal functions. A major limitation is the lack of reference genomes—compared with the human microbiota—especially for complex ecosystems such as soils. Finally, we explore applied research prospects. These tools are promising and already provide relevant information on ecosystem functioning, but standardized indicators and corresponding repositories are still lacking that would enable them to be used for operational diagnosis.
Transapical combined transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implant and ascending aorta endovascular repair
Authors: Agostinelli Andrea , Gallingani Alan , Borrello Bruno , Nicolini Francesco
Published: January 2022

We report the case of a 64-year-old patient who previously had an aortic valve replacement with a stentless aortic valve and an ascending aorta replacement for a DeBakey type II aortic dissection. The patient was referred to us for symptomatic aortic regurgitation related to bioprosthesis degeneration and a pseudoaneurysm at the distal anastomotic site of the vascular graft. Due to the presence of several comorbidities, the patient had a combined transapical transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implant and an ascending aorta endovascular repair.
Nanofiber curvature with Rho GTPase activity increases mouse embryonic fibroblast random migration velocity
Authors: Bowers Daniel T , Brown Justin L
Published: January 2022

Mechanotransduction arises from information encoded in the shape of materials such as curvature. It induces activation of small GTPase signaling affecting cell phenotypes including differentiation. We carried out a set of preliminary experiments to test the hypothesis that curvature (1/radius) would also affect cell motility due to signal pathway crosstalk. High molecular weight poly (methyl methacrylate) straight nanofibers were electrospun with curvature ranging from 41 to 1 μm−1 and collected on a passivated glass substrate. The fiber curvature increased mouse mesenchymal stem cell aspect ratio (P < 0.02) and decreased cell area (P < 0.01). Despite little effect on some motility patterns such as polarity and persistence, we found selected fiber curvatures can increase normalized random fibroblastic mouse embryonic cell (MEF) migration velocity close to 2.5 times compared with a flat surface (P < 0.001). A maximum in the velocity curve occurred near 2.5 μm−1 and may vary with the time since initiation of attachment to the surface (range of 0–20 h). In the middle range of fiber curvatures, the relative relationship to curvature was similar regardless of treatment with Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y27632) or cdc42 inhibitor (ML141), although it was decreased on most curvatures (P < 0.05). However, below a critical curvature threshold MEFs may not be able to distinguish shallow curvature from a flat surface, while still being affected by contact guidance. The preliminary data in this manuscript suggested the large low curvature fibers were interpreted in a manner similar to a non-curved surface. Thus, curvature is a biomaterial construct design parameter that should be considered when specific biological responses are desired.

Statement of integration, innovation, and insight 

Replacement of damaged or diseased tissues that cannot otherwise regenerate is transforming modern medicine. However, the extent to which we can rationally design materials to affect cellular outcomes remains low. Knowing the effect of material stiffness and diameter on stem cell differentiation, we investigated cell migration and signaling on fibrous scaffolds. By investigating diameters across orders of magnitude (50–2000 nm), we identified a velocity maximum of ~800 nm. Furthermore, the results suggest large fibers may not be interpreted by single cells as a curved surface. This work presents insight into the design of constructs for engineering tissues.
Carbon footprint: the (not so) hidden cost of high performance computing
Authors: Lannelongue Loïc
Published: January 2022

Scientists, empowered by huge amounts of computing power, storage and memory are making world changing discoveries — including to help combat climate change. Loïc Lannelongue, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, explores how high performance computing itself can lighten its carbon contribution.
#Tech4Bad: when do we say no?
Authors: Brooks Ian , Thorslund Minna Laurell , Biørn-Hansen Aksel , Somova Elena
Published: January 2022

Existing IT systems are enabling company activities that are unsustainable and damaging to the environment. ‘When should we as IT professionals stop maintaining them?’ ask Ian Brooks MBCS, Minna Laurell Thorslund, Aksel Biørn-Hansen and Elena Somova.
Mapping the Path to Ecological Reparation: An Ecopsychological Reading of theEpic of Gilgameshand Its Implications for the Study of Religion
Authors: Balogh Amy L
Published: January 2022

By offering a reading of the Epic of Gilgamesh as a psychological map of the process by which one journeys from ecological wrongdoing, through eco-guilt, to reparation, this article makes a case for the value of ecopsychology, a branch of psychology, to religious studies scholars working on projects related to ecology or nature-human relationships. The article focuses on the relationship between Gilgamesh’s deforestation of the Cedars of Lebanon and the eco-guilt that emerges as a direct consequence of his actions, a guilt that Gilgamesh must reconcile before he can make reparations. Reading Gilgamesh’s journey through the lens of ecopsychology highlights the importance of eco-guilt in his transition from an ego-driven king to one “wise in everything” and enhances the impact of this classic story on a modern audience for whom ecological wrongdoing and the need for reparation are at the center of a world-wide debate regarding our planet’s future.
Characterization of Bacterial Community Structure Dynamics in a Rat Burn Wound Model Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Zheng-li Chen , Yu Peng , Guo-sheng Wu , Xu-Dong Hong , Hao Fan , Xu-dong Zhang , Guang-Yi Wang , Shi-hui Zhu , Jian Jin
Published: January 2022

Burns destroy the skin barrier and alter the resident bacterial community, thereby facilitating bacterial infection. To treat a wound infection, it is necessary to understand the changes in the wound bacterial community structure. However, traditional bacterial cultures allow the identification of only readily growing or purposely cultured bacterial species and lack the capacity to detect changes in the bacterial community. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect alterations in the bacterial community structure in deep partial-thickness burn wounds on the back of Sprague-Dawley rats. These results were then compared with those obtained from the bacterial culture. Bacterial samples were collected prior to wounding and 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the number of resident bacterial species decreased after the burn. Both resident bacterial richness and diversity, which were significantly reduced after the burn, recovered following wound healing. The dominant resident strains also changed, but the inhibition of bacterial community structure was in a nonvolatile equilibrium state, even in the early stage after healing. Furthermore, the correlation between wound and environmental bacteria increased with the occurrence of burns. Hence, the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis reflected the bacterial condition of the wounds better than the bacterial culture. 16S rRNA sequencing in the Sprague-Dawley rat burn model can provide more information for the prevention and treatment of burn infections in clinical settings and promote further development in this field.
It Is Not the Batteries! Smoke Alarm Presence and Functionality 5 to 7 Years Postinstallation of Sealed Lithium Battery Alarms
Authors: Shields Wendy , Omaki Elise , Villalba Joel , Gielen Andrea
Published: January 2022

Smoke alarms with lithium batteries have been marketed as long life or “10-Year Alarms.” Previous work has drawn into question the actual term of functionality for lithium battery alarms. This article reports on observed smoke alarm presence and functionality in a sample of 158 homes that had participated in a fire department smoke alarm installation program 5 to 7 years prior to the observations. A total of 391 alarms were originally installed in the 158 homes that completed the revisit. At the time of the revisit, 217 of those alarms were working (54%), 28 were nonworking (7%), and 146 were missing (39%). Of the 158 homes that completed the revisit, n = 62 (39%) had all their originally installed project alarms up and working at the revisit. Respondents who reported owning their homes or who reported living in their home for 6 or more years were significantly more likely to maintain all of their project alarms than renters or those living in their homes for 5 or fewer years. Smoke alarm installation programs should consider revisiting homes within 5 to 7 years postinstallation to inspect and replace any missing or nonfunctioning alarms. We recommend programs conducting community risk reduction programs track and plan installations and revisits to improve smoke alarm coverage.
Universal Periodic Review and Policy Change: The Case of National Human Rights Institutions
Authors: Glušac Luka
Published: January 2022

National human rights institutions have become a salient feature of national and global human rights architecture. Although scholars have paid much attention to their general relationship with the United Nations, it is surprising that very little has been written on how this has reflected in the Universal Periodic Review as the UN’s only peer-review human rights mechanism. This article aims to contribute to filling this gap. Firstly, the article presents original data on the frequency and regional distribution of national human rights institutions’ participation in the first two Universal Periodic Review cycles. Besides reporting, the author identifies a plethora of other entry points and offers recommendations on how national human rights institutions can maximize their impact on the Universal Periodic Review outcome. Secondly, this article explores if national human rights institutions have been the objects of Universal Periodic Review recommendations. Have the Member States advocated for the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions through the Universal Periodic Review or not? Have national human rights institutions been high on Member States’ (foreign) policy agendas? How have the States under Review responded to recommendations to establish national human rights institutions? The implications of these empirical questions are discussed in the context of human rights compliance and norm diffusion literature. The article argues that while having some features of ‘rights ritualism’, the insistently cooperative and inclusive character of the Universal Periodic Review facilitates a genuine discussion of existing human rights situations. This has a real potential to lead to human rights policy changes over time through the process of acculturation, which is demonstrated with the example of national human rights institutions-related Universal Periodic Review recommendations.
Trypanosomatids in Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) From Anthropic and Sinantropic Landscapes in a Rural Settlement in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Guimarães R C S , Marialva E F , Feijó J A , Pereira-Silva J W , Martins-Campos K M , Gontijo C M F , Pereira A A S , Rios-Velasquez C M , Pessoa F A C
Published: January 2022

Trypanosomatids (Kinetoplastida:Trypanosomatidae) protozoa are a diverse group of obligate parasites. The genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are the most studied because of their medical importance. This work aims to evaluate the effects of anthropization processes on the composition of the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and the natural infection by Trypanosomatids, with emphasis on Leishmania. At all 3,186 sand flies were collected, distributed in 13 genera and 52 species, being Ny. umbratilis the most abundant species. There was no difference in the diversity between canopy and soil environments. The species abundance and richness were higher in the forest environment while species diversity and evenness were highest in the forest edge. The ITS1 region was used by PCR-RFLP to identify the fragment profiles of Leishmania species, followed by genetic sequencing. Here were analyzed 100 pools of female sand flies, being six positive for DNA parasite. PCR-RFLP fragment patterns similar to Endotrypanum sp. were observed in Nyssomyia anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis and Lutzomyia gomezi, and those fragments similar to Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis were observed in Bichromomyia flaviscutellata. ITS1 sequencing confirmed the presence of Leishmania sp. in Bi. flaviscutellata, and Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in Ny. anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis, and Lu. gomezi. This is the first record of Lu. gomezi and Ps. amazonensis infection by L. naiffi in the State of Amazonas. These results show the trypanosomatid infection in sandflies from different landscapes in a rural settlement, and the finding of species infected with L.(V.) naiffi suggest that they can develop a role in the transmission cycle of leishmaniasis.
Effect of Urbanization on Presence, Abundance, and Coinfection of Bacteria and Protozoa in Ticks in the US Great Plains
Authors: Noden Bruce H , Roselli Megan A , Loss Scott R
Published: January 2022

Urbanization alters components of natural ecosystems which can affect tick abundance and tick-borne disease prevalence. Likely due to these changes, tick-borne pathogen prevalence has increased in many U.S. urban areas. Despite the growing public health importance of tick-borne diseases, little is known about how they are influenced by urbanization in North America, especially in the central U.S. where several pathogens occur at or near their highest levels of incidence nationally. To determine whether urban development influences tick infection with bacteria and protozoa, we collected ticks at 16 parks across a gradient of urbanization intensity in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA and tested them using a variety of PCR assays. Adult ticks tested positive for Rickettsia parkeri, R. amblyommatis, R. rhiphicephali, ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, ‘Borrelia lonestari’, Theileria cervi, Babesia spp. Coco, and Cytauxzoon felis. These results indicate the presence of a high diversity of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa across an expanding urban area in the U.S. Great Plains. Although there appeared to be some risk of encountering tick-borne microorganisms across the entire urbanization gradient, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and T. cervi-infected ticks and microbe diversity decreased with increasing urbanization intensity. We identified a low rate of coinfection between different microorganisms, with coinfected ticks mainly collected from sites in the least-urbanized areas. This study suggests the need for awareness of tick-borne disease risk throughout urban areas in the central U.S., and highlights a need for studies of tick host habitat use and movement in cities.
Acupuncture at ST36 Alleviates the Behavioral Disorder of Autistic Rats by Inhibiting TXNIP-Mediated Activation of NLRP3
Authors: Zhao Pengju , Fu Hongguang , Cheng Hui , Zheng Ruijuan , Yuan Dan , Yang Jianquan , Li Sheng , Li Enyao , Li Liguo
Published: January 2022

Autism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that severely affects patients’ quality of life. We aimed to investigate whether acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) could alleviate the behavior disorder of autistic rats by inhibiting thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)-mediated activation of NLRP3. An autism model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of pregnant rats with valproic acid (VPA). The pups’ behaviors were analyzed using hot plate, open field, Morris water maze, and 3-chamber social interaction tests. Nissl staining was used to visualize neurons in prefrontal cortex. Levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and caspase were determined by Western blot or quantitative real-time PCR. After ST36 acupuncture, pain sensitivity, autonomous activity, sociability index, sociability preference index, and learning and memory were improved in the autism model rats. Levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, IL-1β, and caspase 1 were decreased after acupuncture. Interference with TXNIP alleviated the behavior disorders and inhibited NLRP3, caspase 1, and IL-1β levels. In summary, ST36 acupuncture reduced TXNIP expression, inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and alleviated the behavior disorder related to the prefrontal cortex of the autistic rats. These results point to a potential mechanism for acupuncture-induced improvement of autistic behavioral disorders.
Stoichiometric homeostasis in response to variable water and nutrient supply in a Robinia pseudoacacia plant–soil system
Authors: Su Bingqian , Shangguan Zhouping
Published: January 2022

All organisms need elements in fixed proportions for carrying out normal metabolic processes and how flexible they are depends on how effective they are utilizing these resources from external sources. It is important to understand the interactions among plant, soil and microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry under different conditions of resource supply. We conducted a pot experiment on 1-year-old Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings for nearly 5 months under different water, nitrogen and phosphorus supplies, and we determined plant, soil and microbial biomass C, N and P stoichiometry. We found that plant, soil and microbial nutrients and stoichiometry exhibited a certain degree of plasticity in response to the changes in water and nutrient conditions in their environments. Variation partitioning analysis showed that root stoichiometry accounted for a large part of the variance in microbial stoichiometry. Structural equation modeling further revealed that root stoichiometry and leaf stoichiometry were two direct factors affecting microbial biomass C:N and C:P, and that root stoichiometry had the greatest direct effect. In addition, the degree of homeostasis for microbial biomass C and C:P was more sensitive to changes in soil nutrients than changes in other factors, and other elements and elemental ratios displayed strict homeostasis. These results highlight the importance of studying microbial stoichiometry in improving our understanding of nutrient cycling of the plant–soil system under different water and nutrient supply.
Correlations Between the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and Other Commonly Used Questionnaires for Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hoover Peter J , Nix Caitlyn A , Llop Juliana Z , Lu Lisa H , Bowles Amy O , Caban Jesus J
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the correlations between the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and other questionnaires commonly administered within military traumatic brain injury clinics.

Setting

Military outpatient traumatic brain injury clinics.

Participants

In total, 15,428 active duty service members who completed 24,162 NSI questionnaires between March 2009 and May 2020.

Design

Observational retrospective analysis of questionnaires collected as part of standard clinical care.

Main Measures

NSI, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 and Military Version, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated Version. Only questionnaires completed on the same date as the NSI were examined.

Results

The total NSI score was moderately to strongly correlated with all questionnaires except for the AUDIT. The strongest correlation was between the NSI Affective Score and the PHQ9 (r  = 0.86). The NSI Vestibular Score was moderately correlated with the ABC (r = –0.55) and strongly correlated with the DHI (r = 0.77). At the item level, the HIT-6 showed strong correlation with NSI headache (r = 0.80), the ISI was strongly correlated with NSI difficulty sleeping (r = 0.63), and the ESS was moderately correlated with NSI fatigue (r = 0.39).

Conclusion

Clinicians and healthcare administrators can use the correlations reported in this study to determine if questionnaires add incremental value for their clinic as well as to make more informed decisions regarding which questionnaires to administer.
Planetary nebula luminosity function distances for 19 galaxies observed by PHANGS–MUSE
Authors: Scheuermann Fabian , Kreckel Kathryn , Anand Gagandeep S , Blanc Guillermo A , Congiu Enrico , Santoro Francesco , Van Dyk Schuyler D , Barnes Ashley T , Bigiel Frank , Glover Simon C O , Groves Brent , Klessen Ralf S , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Rosolowsky Erik , Schinnerer Eva , Schruba Andreas , Watkins Elizabeth J , Williams Thomas G
Published: January 2022

We provide new planetary nebula luminosity function (pnlf) distances to 19 nearby spiral galaxies that were observed with VLT/MUSE by the PHANGS collaboration. Emission line ratios are used to separate planetary nebulae (pne) from other bright $[\mathrm{O}\, {\small III}]$ emitting sources like compact supernovae remnants (snrs) or H ii regions. While many studies have used narrowband imaging for this purpose, the detailed spectral line information provided by integral field unit (ifu) spectroscopy grants a more robust way of categorizing different $[\mathrm{O}\, {\small III}]$ emitters. We investigate the effects of snr contamination on the pnlf and find that we would fail to classify all objects correctly, when limited to the same data narrowband imaging provides. However, the few misclassified objects usually do not fall on the bright end of the luminosity function, and only in three cases does the distance change by more than 1σ. We find generally good agreement with literature values from other methods. Using metallicity constraints that have also been derived from the same ifu data, we revisit the pnlf zero-point calibration. Over a range of 8.34 < 12 + log (O/H) < 8.59, our sample is consistent with a constant zero-point and yields a value of $M^{*} = -4.542^{+0.103}_{-0.059}\, \mathrm{mag}$, within 1σ of other literature values. MUSE pushes the limits of pnlf studies and makes galaxies beyond ${20}{\, \mathrm{Mpc}}$ accessible for this kind of analysis. This approach to the pnlf shows great promise for leveraging existing archival ifu data on nearby galaxies.
The Genetic Origin of Daunians and the Pan-Mediterranean Southern Italian Iron Age Context
Authors: Aneli Serena , Saupe Tina , Montinaro Francesco , Solnik Anu , Molinaro Ludovica , Scaggion Cinzia , Carrara Nicola , Raveane Alessandro , Kivisild Toomas , Metspalu Mait , Scheib Christiana L , Pagani Luca
Published: January 2022

The geographical location and shape of Apulia, a narrow land stretching out in the sea at the South of Italy, made this region a Mediterranean crossroads connecting Western Europe and the Balkans. Such movements culminated at the beginning of the Iron Age with the Iapygian civilization which consisted of three cultures: Peucetians, Messapians, and Daunians. Among them, the Daunians left a peculiar cultural heritage, with one-of-a-kind stelae and pottery, but, despite the extensive archaeological literature, their origin has been lost to time. In order to shed light on this and to provide a genetic picture of Iron Age Southern Italy, we collected and sequenced human remains from three archaeological sites geographically located in Northern Apulia (the area historically inhabited by Daunians) and radiocarbon dated between 1157 and 275 calBCE. We find that Iron Age Apulian samples are still distant from the genetic variability of modern-day Apulians, they show a degree of genetic heterogeneity comparable with the cosmopolitan Republican and Imperial Roman civilization, even though a few kilometers and centuries separate them, and they are well inserted into the Iron Age Pan-Mediterranean genetic landscape. Our study provides for the first time a window on the genetic make-up of pre-Roman Apulia, whose increasing connectivity within the Mediterranean landscape, would have contributed to laying the foundation for modern genetic variability. In this light, the genetic profile of Daunians may be compatible with an at least partial autochthonous origin, with plausible contributions from the Balkan peninsula.
Construction of nanocarriers based on nucleic acids and their applications in nanobiology delivery systems
Authors: Guo Yingshu , Cao Xiuping , Zheng Xiaofei , Abbas Sk Jahir , Li Juan , Tan Weihong
Published: January 2022

In recent years, nanocarriers based on nucleic acids have emerged as powerful and novel nanocarriers that are able to meet the demand for cancer-cell-specific targeting. Functional dynamics analysis revealed good biocompatibility, low toxicity and programmable structures, and their advantages include controllable size and modifiability. The development of novel hybrids has focused on the distinct roles of biosensing, drug and gene delivery, vaccine transport, photosensitization, counteracting drug resistance and functioning as carriers and logic gates. This review is divided into three parts: (i) DNA nanocarriers, (ii) RNA nanocarriers and (iii) DNA/RNA hybrid nanocarriers and their applications in nanobiology delivery systems. We also provide perspectives on possible future directions for growth in this field.
Randomized Phase II Study of Two Doses of Pixantrone in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (NCCTG N1031, Alliance)
Authors: Sideras Kostandinos , Hillman David W , Giridhar Karthik , Ginos Brenda F , Tenglin Richard C , Liu Heshan , Chen Beiyun , Tan Winston , Gross Gerald G , Mowat Rex B , Dueck Amylou C , Perez Edith A , Moreno-Aspitia Alvaro
Published: January 2022

Background

Anthracycline use in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is hindered by cumulative exposure limits and risk of cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone, a novel aza-anthracenedione with structural similarities to mitoxantrone and anthracyclines, is theorized to exhibit less cardiotoxicity, mainly due to lack of iron binding. We conducted a randomized phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 dosing schedules of pixantrone in patients with refractory HER2-negative MBC.

Methods

Intravenous pixantrone was administered at 180 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (group A) versus 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle (group B). Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), median 6-month PFS, overall survival (OS), safety, quality of life, and serial assessment of circulating tumor cells. A 20% ORR was targeted as sufficient for further testing of pixantrone in this patient population.

Results

Forty-five patients were evaluable, with 2 confirmed partial responses in group A and 1 in group B. The trial was terminated due to insufficient activity. Overall median PFS and OS were 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0-4.1) and 16.8 (95% CI: 8.9-21.6) months, respectively. Notable overall grade 3-4 adverse events were the following: neutrophil count decrease (62%), fatigue (16%), and decrease in ejection fraction (EF) (4%).

Conclusion

Pixantrone has insufficient activity in the second- and third-line MBC setting. It appears, however, to have limited cardiotoxicity. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01086605).
Characteristics of Anaplastic Oligodendrogliomas Short-Term Survivors: A POLA Network Study
Authors: Garnier Louis , Vidal Chrystelle , Chinot Olivier , Cohen-Jonathan Moyal Elisabeth , Djelad Apolline , Bronnimann Charlotte , Bekaert Lien , Taillandier Luc , Frenel Jean-Sébastien , Langlois Olivier , Colin Philippe , Menei Philippe , Dhermain Frédéric , Carpentier Catherine , Gerazime Aurélie , Curtit Elsa , Figarella-Branger Dominique , Dehais Caroline , Ducray François
Published: January 2022

Background

Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas IDH-mutant and 1p/19q codeleted (AO) occasionally have a poor outcome. Herein we aimed at analyzing their characteristics.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of 44 AO patients with a cancer-specific survival <5 years (short-term survivors, STS) and compared them with those of 146 AO patients with a survival ≥5 years (classical survivors, CS) included in the POLA network.

Results

Compared to CS, STS were older (P = .0001), less frequently presented with isolated seizures (P < .0001), more frequently presented with cognitive dysfunction (P < .0001), had larger tumors (P = .= .003), a higher proliferative index (P = .= .0003), and a higher number of chromosomal arm abnormalities (P = .= .02). Regarding treatment, STS less frequently underwent a surgical resection than CS (P = .= .0001) and were more frequently treated with chemotherapy alone (P = .= .009) or with radiotherapy plus temozolomide (P = .= .05). Characteristics independently associated with STS in multivariate analysis were cognitive dysfunction, a number of mitosis > 8, and the absence of tumor resection. Based on cognitive dysfunction, type of surgery, and number of mitosis, patients could be classified into groups of standard (18%) and high (62%) risk of <5 year survival.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that although STS poor outcome appears to largely result from a more advanced disease at diagnosis, surgical resection may be particularly important in this population.
Multinational Banks and Financial Stability
Authors: Clayton Christopher , Schaab Andreas
Published: January 2022

We study the scope for international cooperation in macroprudential policies. Multinational banks contribute to and are affected by fire sales in countries they operate in. National governments setting quantity regulations noncooperatively fail to achieve the globally efficient outcome, underregulating domestic banks and overregulating foreign banks. Surprisingly, noncooperative national governments using revenue-generating Pigouvian taxation can achieve the global optimum. Intuitively, this occurs because governments internalize the business value of foreign banks through the tax revenue collected. Our theory provides a unified framework to think about international bank regulations and yields concrete insights with the potential to improve on the current policy stance.
Temporal relationships between device-derived sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep in early childhood
Authors: St. Laurent Christine W , Andre Chloe , Holmes Jennifer F , Fields Nicole D , Spencer Rebecca M C
Published: January 2022

Study Objectives

Understanding the ideal composition of a child’s day requires a better understanding of the relations between wake behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], physical activity [PA]) and sleep. Here, we examine between- and within-person temporal associations between daytime wake behaviors and overnight sleep in early childhood, an important age when healthy behaviors are initiated and 24-hour behaviors are largely determined by caregivers.

Methods

Daily, repeated measures of wake behavior and overnight sleep were assessed via wrist-worn actigraphy (mean = 9 days/nights) in 240 children (50.8 ± 9.8 months). Multilevel models with lagged effects were used to examine the temporal associations between wake and overnight sleep measures and adjusted for daily nap duration, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.

Results

Between-person associations for sleep outcomes were negative between moderate-to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and total activity for sleep efficiency (SE). Between-person associations for wake outcomes were positive between sleep duration and light PA, and negative between SE and both MVPA and total PA. When children obtained higher SE relative to their individual average, they were more likely to engage in less SB and greater MVPA and total PA the next day.

Conclusions

Generally, days with greater activity or sleep were not associated with greater subsequent sleep or PA. Most subsequent behaviors were not influenced by children achieving higher activity or sleep relative to their individual average levels, although higher SE was beneficially associated with next day wake behaviors. Future analyses with young children should consider within-person associations and could investigate lagged effects beyond one day.
COVID-19 and First Responder Social Workers: An Unexpected Mental Health Storm
Authors: Davies Holly , Cheung Monit
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 has disproportionally affected people living in poverty; new immigrants; and those living in healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes), shelters, detention centers, and prisons. The pandemic has also significantly impacted social workers who face hidden mental health consequences. The resultant feelings and behaviors are similar to disaster-induced trauma, including excessive rumination, hypervigilance, exhaustion, and excessive crying as a result of the adrenaline-driven fight-or-flight response. This article aims to provide information for social workers to protect their own mental health while caring for their clients and raise awareness about social workers’ needs in frontline duties. It summarizes five challenges for first responder social workers: (1) COVID-19 impacts on resource constraints, (2) employment insecurity, (3) disenfranchised guilt, (4) physical distancing and caution fatigue, and (5) managing self-care. The article offers recommendations to ameliorate distress and promote advocacy efforts for readjustment. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, social workers who provide essential care in the field need self-assessment to better understand the impacts these challenges have on them as helpers. The article ends with recommendations to encourage social workers to apply the strengths-based approach to exemplify their professional values in times of pandemic distress.