bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disulfiram Produces Potent Anxiolytic-Like Effects Without Benzodiazepine Anxiolytics-Related Adverse Effects in Mice
Authors: Saitoh Akiyoshi , Nagayama Yoshifumi , Yamada Daisuke , Makino Kosho , Yoshioka Toshinori , Yamanaka Nanami , Nakatani Momoka , Takahashi Yoshino , Yamazaki Mayuna , Shigemoto Chihiro , Ohashi Misaki , Okano Kotaro , Omata Tomoki , Toda Etsuko , Sano Yoshitake , Takahashi Hideyo , Matsushima Kouji , Terashima Yuya
Published: March 2022

Disulfiram is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of alcoholism. The drug acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme essential to alcohol metabolism. However, a recent study has demonstrated that disulfiram also potently inhibits the cytoplasmic protein FROUNT, a common regulator of chemokine receptor CCR2 and CCR5 signaling. Several studies have reported that chemokine receptors are associated with the regulation of emotional behaviors in rodents, such as anxiety. Therefore, this study was performed to clarify the effect of disulfiram on emotional behavior in rodents. The anxiolytic-like effects of disulfiram were investigated using an elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, a typical screening model for anxiolytics. Disulfiram (40 or 80 mg/kg) significantly increased the amount of time spent in the open arms of the maze and the number of open arm entries without affecting the total open arms entries. Similar results were obtained in mice treated with a selective FROUNT inhibitor, disulfiram-41 (10 mg/kg). These disulfiram-associated behavioral changes were similar to those observed following treatment with the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). Moreover, disulfiram (40 mg/kg) significantly and completely attenuated increased extracellular glutamate levels in the prelimbic-prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC) during stress exposure on the elevated open-platform. However, no effect in the EPM test was seen following administration of the selective aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor cyanamide (40 mg/kg). In contrast to diazepam, disulfiram caused no sedation effects in the open-field, coordination disorder on a rotarod, or amnesia in a Y-maze. This is the first report suggesting that disulfiram produces anxiolytic-like effects in rodents. We found that the presynaptic inhibitory effects on glutaminergic neurons in the PL-PFC may be involved in its underlying mechanism. Disulfiram could therefore be an effective and novel anxiolytic drug that does not produce benzodiazepine-related adverse effects, such as amnesia, coordination disorder, or sedation, as found with diazepam. We propose that the inhibitory activity of disulfiram against FROUNT function provides an effective therapeutic option in anxiety.
A Loading Dose of Dexmedetomidine With Constant Infusion Inhibits Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During Thoracic Spinal Decompression Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Study
Authors: Liu Tun , Qin Yue , Qi Huaguang , Luo Zhenguo , Yan Liang , Yu Pengfei , Dong Buhuai , Zhao Songchuan , Wu Xucai , Chang Zhen , Liu Zhian , Liu Xuemei , Yuan Tao , Li Houkun , Xiao Li , Wang Gang
Published: March 2022

Background:The effect of a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) parameters during spinal surgeries has been variably reported and remains a debated topic.

Methods:A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg in 10 min) followed by a constant infusion rate on IONM during thoracic spinal decompression surgery (TSDS). A total of 165 patients were enrolled and randomized into three groups. One group received propofol- and remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) (T group), one group received TIVA combined with dexmedetomidine at a constant infusion rate (0.5 μg kg−1h−1) (D1group), and one group received TIVA combined with dexmedetomidine delivered in a loading dose (1 μg kg−1in 10 min) followed by a constant infusion rate (0.5 μg kg−1h−1) (D2group). The IONM data recorded before test drug administration was defined as the baseline value. We aimed at comparing the parameters of IONM.

Results:In the D2group, within-group analysis showed suppressive effects on IONM parameters compared with baseline value after a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine. Furthermore, the D2group also showed inhibitory effects on IONM recordings compared with both the D1group and the T group, including a statistically significant decrease in SSEP amplitude and MEP amplitude, and an increase in SSEP latency. No significance was found in IONM parameters between the T group and the D1group.

Conclusion:Dexmedetomidine delivered in a loading dose can significantly inhibit IONM parameters in TSDS. Special attention should be paid to the timing of a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine under IONM. However, dexmedetomidine delivered at a constant speed does not exert inhibitory effects on IONM data.
Transporter-Mediated Solutes Uptake as Drug Target in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Monteiro Júnior Júlio César , Krüger Arne , Palmisano Giuseppe , Wrenger Carsten
Published: March 2022

Malaria remains a public health problem with still more than half a million deaths annually. Despite ongoing efforts of many countries, malaria elimination has been difficult due to emerging resistances against most traditional drugs, including artemisinin compounds - the most potent antimalarials currently available. Therefore, the discovery and development of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action to circumvent resistances is urgently needed. In this sense, one of the most promising areas is the exploration of transport proteins. Transporters mediate solute uptake for intracellular parasite proliferation and survival. Targeting transporters can exploit these processes to eliminate the parasite. Here, we focus on transporters of the Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell studied as potential biological targets and discuss published drugs directed at them.
Chemical Stability of a Chinese Herbal Spirit Using LC-MS-Based Metabolomics and Accelerated Tests
Authors: Hu Yan , Wang Zhe , Liu Jiayue , Yang Wen , Yang Qiang , Liu Yuan-Cai , You Qiu-Yun , Chen Xiao-Jia , Wan Jian-Bo
Published: March 2022

As a prevalent medicinal liquor among Chinese people, a type of Chinese herbal spirit from Jing Brand Co., Ltd (CHS-J) is a newly developed health beverage with the health functions of anti-fatigue and immune enhancement. The researchers from the enterprise found that the contents of several components in CHS-J samples have been significantly decreasing during the stated storage period, as detected by the HPLC-UV method, which would make a great challenge for quality control of CHS-J. Furthermore, the chemical stability of CHS-J during the storage period is greatly challenged affected, especially in the environment of high temperature and light exposure. To systematically reveal the unstable components and promote the quality control of CHS-J, the chemical stability of CHS-J during the shelving storage period was characterized by the UPLC/Q-TOFMS-based metabolomics approach. First, the targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches discovered the significantly changed components in CHS-J samples produced in different years. Furthermore, the accelerated tests of newly produced CHS samples and several authorized standards were conducted to validate the above results and elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying these chemical changes. Moreover, these chemical changes during the storage period had little influence on the anti-fatigue effect of CHS-J samples. These findings will offer new insight into the understanding of the chemical stability of CHS-J and will facilitate the quality control of CHS-J.
Numerical Studies of Vortices and Helicity Modulus in the Two-Dimensional Generalized XY Model
Authors: Sun Yun-Zhou , Wu Qin , Yang Xiao-Li , Zhou Yan , Zhu Lan-Yan , Chen Quan , An Qing
Published: March 2022

Two-dimensional generalized XY spin model on a triangular lattice is studied by means of Monte-Carlo simulations. The critical temperatures of Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) phase transition are obtained by the method of helicity modulus. It is found that the results are consistent with those obtained by other methods. The vortex density and the vortex-antivortex pair formation energy are also obtained. The result shows that the critical temperature decreases with the increase of the generalization parameter q. While the vortex-antivortex pair formation energy increases with the increase of q when q>1.
Effect of Hypoxic Blood Infusion on Pulmonary Physiology
Authors: Pittman Roland N. , Yoshida Tatsuro , Omert Laurel A.
Published: March 2022

The ability to store red blood cells (RBCs) and other components for extended periods of time has expanded the availability and use of transfusion as a life-saving therapy. However, conventional RBC storage has a limited window of effective preservation and is accompanied by the progressive accumulation of a series of biochemical and morphological modifications, collectively referred to as “storage lesions.” These lesions have been associated with negative clinical outcomes (i.e., postoperative complications as well as reduced short-term and long-term survival) in patients transfused with conventionally stored blood with older and deteriorated transfused red cells. Hence, there is an increased unmet need for improved RBC storage. Hypoxic storage of blood entails the removal of large amounts of oxygen to low levels prior to refrigeration and maintenance of hypoxic levels through the entirety of storage. As opposed to conventionally stored blood, hypoxic storage can lead to a reduction of oxidative damage to slow storage lesion development and create a storage condition expected to result in enhanced efficacy of stored RBCs without an effect on oxygen exchange in the lung. Hypoxic blood transfusions appear to offer minimal safety concerns, even in patients with hypoxemia. This review describes the physiology of hypoxically stored blood, how it differs from conventionally stored blood, and its use in potential clinical application, such as massively transfused and critically ill patients with oxygenation/ventilation impairments.
Newly Developed MAGIC Population Allows Identification of Strong Associations and Candidate Genes for Anthocyanin Pigmentation in Eggplant
Authors: Mangino Giulio , Arrones Andrea , Plazas Mariola , Pook Torsten , Prohens Jaime , Gramazio Pietro , Vilanova Santiago
Published: March 2022

Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations facilitate the genetic dissection of complex quantitative traits in plants and are valuable breeding materials. We report the development of the first eggplant MAGIC population (S3 Magic EGGplant InCanum, S3MEGGIC; 8-way), constituted by the 420 S3 individuals developed from the intercrossing of seven cultivated eggplant (Solanum melongena) and one wild relative (S. incanum) parents. The S3MEGGIC recombinant population was genotyped with the eggplant 5k probes SPET platform and phenotyped for anthocyanin presence in vegetative plant tissues (PA) and fruit epidermis (FA), and for the light-insensitive anthocyanic pigmentation under the calyx (PUC). The 7,724 filtered high-confidence single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) confirmed a low residual heterozygosity (6.87%), a lack of genetic structure in the S3MEGGIC population, and no differentiation among subpopulations carrying a cultivated or wild cytoplasm. Inference of haplotype blocks of the nuclear genome revealed an unbalanced representation of the founder genomes, suggesting a cryptic selection in favour or against specific parental genomes. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis for PA, FA, and PUC detected strong associations with two myeloblastosis (MYB) genes similar toMYB113involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, and with aCOP1gene which encodes for a photo-regulatory protein and may be responsible for the PUC trait. Evidence was found of a duplication of an ancestralMYB113gene with a translocation from chromosome 10 to chromosome 1 compared with the tomato genome. Parental genotypes for the three genes were in agreement with the identification of the candidate genes performed in the S3MEGGIC population. Our new eggplant MAGIC population is the largest recombinant population in eggplant and is a powerful tool for eggplant genetics and breeding studies.
The Relationship Between Employees’ Daily Customer Injustice and Customer-Directed Sabotage: Cross-Level Moderation Effects of Emotional Stability and Attentiveness
Authors: Song Young Ho , Park Jungkyu
Published: March 2022

Customer injustice has received considerable attention in the field of organizational behavior because it generates a variety of negative outcomes. Among possible negative consequences, customer-directed sabotage is the most common reaction, which impacts individuals’ well-being and the prosperity of organizations. To minimize such negative consequences, researchers have sought to identify boundary conditions that could potentially attenuate the occurrence of customer-directed sabotage. In this study, we explore potential attenuation effects of emotional stability and attentiveness on the customer injustice–sabotage linkage. The results showed emotional stability and attentiveness moderate the relationship between customer injustice and customer-directed sabotage. Specifically, the representatives with higher (vs. lower) emotional stability or higher (vs. lower) attentiveness are less likely to engage in customer-directed sabotage when they experience customer injustice. Moreover, there is a three-way interaction among daily customer injustice, emotional stability, and attentiveness that predicts daily customer-directed sabotage. Theoretical and practical contributions, limitations, and directions for future development are also discussed.
Effects of Three Music Therapy Interventions on the Verbal Expressions of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Combined Single-Subject Design
Authors: Attar Nayla , Al-Hroub Anies , El Zein Farah
Published: March 2022

The specific aims of this research study were to (a) examine the differential effect of three different music interventions, namely the interactive music playing therapy (“music and singing”), interaction music singing therapy (“singing”), and receptive music therapy (“listening”) studying the varying latency periods in the response time it took 3-year-old children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to elicit the target word vocally; and (b) assess the index of happiness of children with ASD after the implementation of the three music interventions, which can, in turn, be used to influence their overall quality of life through this specific intervention. This study used a combined single-subject research design consisting of delayed multiple baseline across the participants and a multielement design to compare the effects of each music intervention technique targeting the child’s verbal response during playback of a practiced song. Findings demonstrated “singing” to be associated with the lowest latency compared to the other two interventions (“listening” and “singing and music”) across participants. Additionally, happiness levels varied from neutral to happy, signifying an overall positive experience during participation in the music applied behavior analysis (ABA) intervention.
Consumers in the Face of COVID-19-Related Advertising: Threat or Boost Effect?
Authors: Balconi Michela , Sansone Martina , Angioletti Laura
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the production of a vast amount of COVID-19-themed brand commercials, in an attempt to exploit the salience of the topic to reach more effectively the consumers. However, the literature has produced conflicting findings of the effectiveness of negative emotional contents in advertisings. The present study aims at exploring the effect of COVID-19-related contents on the hemodynamic brain correlates of the consumer approach or avoidance motivation. Twenty Italian participants were randomly assigned to two different groups that watched COVID-19-related or non-COVID-19-related commercials. The hemodynamic response [oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin modulations] within the left and right prefrontal cortices (PFC) was monitored with Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) while brand commercials were presented, as the prefrontal lateralization was shown to be indicative of the attitude toward the brand and of the approach-avoidance motivation. First, the findings showed that the COVID-19-related contents were able to prompt emotional processing within the PFC to a higher extent compared to contents non-related to COVID-19. Moreover, the single-channel analysis revealed increased O2Hb activity of the left dorsolateral PFC compared to the left pars triangularis Broca’s area in the group of participants that watched the COVID-19-related commercials, suggesting that the commercials may have driven participants to dedicate more attention toward the processing of the emotional components compared to the semantic meaning conveyed by the ad. To conclude, despite expressing unpleasant emotions, commercials referring to the highly emotional pandemic experience may benefit the advertising efficacy, increasing the capability to reach customers.
An Effective Protocol for Management of International Arrivals at Risk in COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience From the Pre-Hospital Covid-19 Response Teams at Xi'an, China
Authors: Zou Yifan , Zou Yuliang , Dart Anthony M. , Zhang Yuping , Wang Yousen , Fan Fenling
Published: March 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak within China has been well controlled and stabilized since early April 2020. Therefore, the current major focus in China is to prevent the introduction of COVID into China from international arrivals. To achieve this, pre-Hospital COVID-19 Response Teams (pHCRTs) have been established.

Context

The pHRCTs were established in Xi'an, China in early 2020. During the 12 months covered in this report, there were 356 international flight arrivals with over 5,000 COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) positive people, 500 of them with symptomatic COVID-19 and requiring admission to special hospitals. All other arrivals were managed in dedicated facilities by pHRCTs. The outcome measure of this report was the number of positive cases among the pHRCT members.

Details

Four hundred forty-two staff worked in the pHCRTs during the reporting period. Despite multiple throat swab PCR tests during their pHRCTs tour of duty, and the subsequent mandatory 14-day quarantine required before return to the general community, no staff became NAT positive.

Conclusion

The prevention of community transmission from imported cases is a vital part of the strategy to maintain the low numbers of cases in countries which have achieved control, or suppression of local internal cases. The program of pHCRTs described in this article gives successful protocols for transportation of patients who are infectious based on the minimal transmission of virus and staff safety. The strategies employed may prove useful in future pandemics.
Clinical and Laboratory Outcomes in HIV-1 and HTLV-1/2 Coinfection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Montaño-Castellón Iris , Marconi Cleyde Sheyla Chachaqui , Saffe Clara , Brites Carlos
Published: March 2022

Aim

To perform a systematic review to describe the available findings on clinical outcomes in HIV-1 and HTLV-1/HTLV-2 co-infected individuals since 1995.

Design

This Systematic Review used PECO criteria follow by PRISMA reporting guidelines and registered as CRD42021279062 (Prospero database). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed the methodological quality of included studies.

Data Collection and Analysis

A systematical search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Sciences databases for cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies design to identify clinical and laboratorial outcomes related to HIV-1 and HTLV-1/2 coinfection. Search strategy: [(“HIV-1” AND “HTLV-1” OR “HTLV-2”) AND (“Coinfection”) AND (1990/01/01:2021/12/31[Date- Publication])].

Results

A total of 15 articles were included on this systematic review describing data of 2,566 mono and coinfected patients, 58% male, with mean age was 35.7 ± 5.7 years. HIV-1 and HTLV-1 coinfected patients were more likely to had shorter survival and faster progression to death or mortality than monoinfected ones. Coinfected had higher CD4 cell counts and less likelihood of ART use. In addition, higher frequency of diseases like ichthyosis (22.2 vs. 6.8%), scabies (18.6 vs. 0%), candidiasis (42 vs. 12%), Strongyloidiasis (15.4 vs. 2%) and neurological manifestations like encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy and HAM/TSP were more frequently reported in coinfected patients.

Conclusions

HIV-1 and HTLV-1 coinfection and HIV-1 and HTLV-1 /2 triple coinfection were related to shorter survival, higher mortality rate, and faster progression to death, while coinfection by HIV-1/HTLV-2 seems to have neutral association with longer survival, slower AIDS progression, and lower mortality rate. The available evidence indicates an urgent need for prevention and control measures, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV-1 and HTLV-1/2 coinfected patients. Test-and-treat strategy for patients living with HIV in areas endemic for HTLV infection is mandatory, to avoid the risks of delayed therapy and death for coinfected patients.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021279062.
The Evaluation of the Relationship Between Oral Habits Prevalence and COVID-19 Pandemic in Adults and Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mirhashemi Amirhossein , Khami Mohammad Reza , Kharazifard Mohammdjavad , Bahrami Rashin
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective

The aim of this study was to systematically review the relationship between oral habits (bruxism- temporomandibular disorders) and COVID-19 pandemic in adults and adolescents.

Method and Material

A comprehensive search of the literature through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, google scholar and Cochrane databases was conducted. Such keywords as COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, bruxism, adult, and adolescent were used.

Results

In the initial search 818 articles were obtained; 68 cases were duplicates and excluded. By reviewing the article title, 714 articles were removed because they were not relevant to the topic. The remaining articles were reviewed, and studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, as well as letter to editors and expert opinions were excluded. Finally, 11 articles were allowed to enter the study. Out of 11 related articles, 5 studies were excluded from the present study due to mismatch of the target population; and finally 6 articles were thoroughly reviewed.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic increases detrimental oral habits such as bruxism as well as temporomandibular disorders in adults and adolescents; In general, young single women are at high risk and more exposed to these harmful oral habits.
Exploring the Effect of Personality Traits in VR Interaction: The Emergent Role of Perspective-Taking in Task Performance
Authors: Katifori Akrivi , Lougiakis Christos , Roussou Maria
Published: March 2022

In this work we explore the effect of personality traits on user interaction in virtual reality (VR), on the less widely studied aspect of task performance during object manipulation. We conducted an experiment measuring the performance of 39 users interacting with a virtual environment using the virtual hand metaphor to execute a simple selection and positioning task, with or without virtual obstacles. Our findings suggest concrete correlations between user personality traits and behavior data. Perspective-taking, in particular, seems to be strongly affecting task performance, highlighting the need for further research. Besides the wider implications of our results in relation to the effect of personality on how users experience VR, our main contribution lies in identifying specific traits that should be taken into account when designing experiments involving users performing such tasks. The study of these traits may also significantly advance our understanding of personality traits as part of the user model in a wider range of VR applications, including those offering personalization and recommendation functionality.
The Contribution of Lake-Effect Snow to Annual Snowfall Totals in the Vicinity of Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Ontario
Authors: Jones Erin A. , Lang Carrie E. , Laird Neil F.
Published: March 2022

In the Great Lakes region, total cold-season snowfall consists of contributions from both lake-effect systems (LES) and non-LES snow events. To enhance understanding of the regional hydroclimatology, this research examined these separate contributions with a focus on the cold seasons (October–March) of 2009/2010, a time period with the number of LES days substantially less than the mean, and 2012/2013, a time period with the number of LES days notably greater than the mean, for the regions surrounding Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Ontario. In general, LES snowfall exhibited a maximum contribution in near-shoreline areas surrounding each lake while non-LES snowfall tended to provide a more widespread distribution throughout the entire study regions with maxima often located in regions of elevated terrain. The percent contribution for LES snowfall to the seasonal snowfall varied spatially near each lake with localized maxima and ranged in magnitudes from 10% to over 70%. Although total LES snowfall amounts tended to be greater during the cold season with the larger number of LES days, the percent of LES snowfall contributing to the total cold-season snowfall was not directly dependent on the number of LES days. The LES snowfall contributions to seasonal totals were found to be generally larger for Lakes Erie and Ontario during the cold season with a greater number of LES days; however, LES contributions were similar or smaller for areas in the vicinity of Lake Michigan during the cold season with a smaller number of LES days.
Noise, Regression Dilution Bias, and Solar-Wind/Magnetosphere Coupling Studies
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E.
Published: March 2022

Using numerical experiments, the effects of noise in the solar-wind and magnetospheric data on fits to the data are examined. In particular, the impact of noise amplitude on the functional forms of best-fit solar-wind driver functions is explored. The presence of noise (measurement error) will make it difficult to use solar wind and magnetosphere data to uncover (or confirm) the formula that describes the physics of the driving of the magnetosphere.
Effect of Computational Method on Accumulated O2 Deficit
Authors: Medbø Jon Ingulf , Welde Boye
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to examine how relationships between exercise intensity and the rate of energy release established in different ways, affect the calculated O2 deficit accumulated during strenuous exercise. Aerobic energy release is readily measured by the O2 uptake, while anaerobic energy release is by definition independent of O2. The latter is not easily measured during strenuous exercise, but it can be estimated using the accumulated O2 deficit principle. We have calculated it using nine different approaches. Thirteen moderately trained persons (three women) volunteered to serve as subjects for cycle ergometry. Their maximal O2 uptake was 2.9 ± 0.6 mmol s−1 (x̄ ± s; 3.9 ± 0.8 LSTPD min−1). Our reference method (M0) is based on measuring the steady state O2 uptake at the end of at least ten bouts of 10 min of exercise at constant intensity, varying between 30 and 40% of that corresponding to the maximal O2 uptake and up to a power >90% of the maximal O2 uptake, which is a rather time-consuming method. The outcomes of eight different simpler approaches have been compared with those of the reference method. The main result is that the accumulated O2 deficit calculated depends a great deal on the relationship used to calculate it. A protocol of stepwise increases in exercise intensity every 4 min appeared to work well. A gross efficiency method showed the poorest performance. Another important result is that at constant power the O2 uptake continued to increase beyond 4 min of exercise at all powers examined, also at powers well-below those corresponding to the lactate threshold. Finally, the O2 uptake during loadless pedaling was considerably higher than resting O2 uptake, and it appeared to follow a cubic function of the pedaling frequency. In conclusion, to obtain reliable values of the anaerobic energy release using the accumulated O2 deficit principle, reliable relationships between exercise intensity and O2 demand must be established.
Changes of Self-Rated Health Status, Overweight and Physical Activity During Childhood and Adolescence—The Ratchet Effect of High Parental Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Rittsteiger Lea , Hinz Thomas , Oriwol Doris , Wäsche Hagen , Schmidt Steffen , Kolb Simon , Woll Alexander
Published: March 2022

Childhood and adolescence are important life periods for the development of health status and physical activity (PA) behaviours. This study analyses the stability and potential changes of self-rated health status, overweight and PA behaviour over time, specifically focusing on the age and the socioeconomic status of children and adolescents. We employ representative longitudinal data for German children and adolescents from the Motorik-Modul Study and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey. Using four different dichotomous health status and PA indicators (self-rated health status [SRHS]; overweight; moderate-to-vigorous PA; and leisure sports engagement), we report within-person transition rates across the panel waves when the survey was taken (2003–2006, 2009–2012, and 2014–2017). Additionally, we report results of logistic regressions estimating the impact of children's age, gender, migration background, and their parents' socioeconomic status on these transition rates. The transition rates show mixed results. While children and adolescents from highly problematic states reporting bad SRHS and no leisure sports engagement at an early stage tend to improve later on, overweight children mostly stay overweight. Age and social inequality indicators correlate with some of the chances of improving or worsening the health and PA states. Most clearly, high parental status prevents the health status and PA from worsening over all transitions, particularly becoming overweight, representing a ratchet effect. The results of the present study underline that health policy needs to target specific groups to reduce social inequality in the health status and PA of children and adolescents.
Rectal Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma: Post-Chemoradiotherapy Evaluation by MRI and Corresponding to Pathology
Authors: Zhou Yin , Li Qingshu , Mao Yun
Published: March 2022

Background

Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is recognized as an uncommon subtype of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). It showed characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations. However, the MRI features post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were not reported, and it is unknown whether the current tumor regression grade (TRG) system by MRI (mrTRG) is applicable to SRCC.

Purpose

To summarize the image features of rectal SRCC on post-CRT images corresponding to the pathology, and to determine the predicting value of mrTRG compared with TRG by pathology (pTRG).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled seven patients (male: female = 3:4; mean age, 45.1 years) with biopsy-pathology proved SRCC, who underwent pre- and post-CRT MR imaging followed by surgery. An experienced gastrointestinal radiologist accessed mrTRG using a 5-point grading system by mandard standard on T2 weighted image (T2WI) and then added diffusion weighted image (DWI) in a 1-month interval. Additionally, MRI features were recorded on pre- and post-CRT images as follows: pattern (target sign) and main signal intensity of T2WI, characterized manifestation of DWI, and mean Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC)values. The mrTRG and all MR image features were compared to the post-operative pathology.

Results

At post-CRT histology, five patients got a good response (TRG 1, n = 4; TRG 2, n = 1), one patient got a partial response, and one patient got a poor response. The accuracy of MRI predicted the pathology response by mandard standard was 14% and increased to 71.4% when added DWI. After CRT, different degrees of homogeneous high SI without enhancement representing acellular mucin were observed in all patients, and the thick-ring high SI turned into a thin-target sign in most good responders. Moreover, the tumor volume decreased or slightly increased in good responders, while it markedly increased in the partial and poor responder by 57% and 73.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Homogeneous high SI on T2WI and thin target sigh on DWI were the main MRI changes of RSRCC, which was corresponding to the mucinous regression and represents for good response post-CRT. The mrTRG and tumor volume was not a reliable indicator to the pathology response. We considered that DWI should be added to T2WI to evaluate RSRCC response to CRT.
Endemic Lineages of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Are Associated With Reduced Chytridiomycosis-Induced Mortality in Amphibians: Evidence From a Meta-Analysis of Experimental Infection Studies
Authors: Belasen Anat M. , Russell Imani D. , Zamudio Kelly R. , Bletz Molly C.
Published: March 2022

Emerging infectious wildlife diseases have caused devastating declines, particularly when pathogens have been introduced in naïve host populations. The outcome of disease emergence in any host population will be dictated by a series of factors including pathogen virulence, host susceptibility, and prior opportunity for coevolution between hosts and pathogens. Historical coevolution can lead to increased resistance in hosts and/or reduced virulence in endemic pathogens that allows stable persistence of host and pathogen populations. Adaptive coevolution may also occur on relatively short time scales following introduction of a novel pathogen. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of multi-strain Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection experiments to test whether: (1) amphibian hosts exhibit lower mortality rates when infected with strains belonging to endemic Bd lineages relative to the Global Panzootic Lineage (Bd-GPL), hypothetically owing to long co-evolutionary histories between endemic Bd lineages and their amphibian hosts; and (2) amphibians exhibit lower mortality rates when infected with local Bd-GPL strains compared with non-local Bd-GPL strains, hypothetically owing to recent selection for tolerance or resistance to local Bd-GPL strains. We found that in a majority of cases, amphibians in endemic Bd treatments experienced reduced mortality relative to those in Bd-GPL treatments. Hosts presumed to have historically coexisted with endemic Bd did not show reduced mortality to Bd-GPL compared with hosts that have not historically coexisted with endemic Bd. Finally, we detected no overall difference in amphibian mortality between local and non-local Bd-GPL treatments. Taken together, our results suggest that long-term historical coexistence is associated with less disease-induced mortality potentially due to hypovirulence in endemic Bd lineages, and that more recent coexistence between amphibians and Bd-GPL has not yet resulted in reduced host susceptibility or pathogen virulence. This corroborates previous findings that Bd-GPL introduced via the global amphibian trade has a high capacity for causing disease-induced mortality.
Effects of Coated Sodium Butyrate and Polysaccharides From Cordyceps cicadae on Intestinal Tissue Morphology and Ileal Microbiome of Squabs
Authors: Sun Hanxue , Liu Yali , Zeng Tao , Li Guoqin , Tao Zhengrong , Zhou Xueqin , Wen Jihui , Chen Xiaoyan , Xu Wenwu , Lu Lizhi , Cao Hongguo
Published: March 2022

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of coated sodium butyrate (CSB) and polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps cicadae (CCP) on growth performance, intestinal tissue morphology and ileum microbiome in squabs. A total of 420 1-day-old squabs were randomly divided into seven groups with 5 replicates each and 12 squabs per replicate. The squabs were fed basal diet (control group) and basal diet supplemented with different levels of CSB (275, 550, and 1,100 mg/kg, groups CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100) and CCP (27.5, 55, and 110 mg/kg, groups CCP-27.5, CCP-55, and CCP-110), respectively. The experiment was conducted for 28 days. The results revealed that the final BW and average daily gain concentration were higher (P < 0.05) in squabs of CSB-275 and CCP-110 groups than those in the CON group. Comparing with control group, the squabs in the groups CSB-275, CSB-550, and CCP-55 obtained higher villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) of the duodenum and higher VH of the jejunum (P < 0.05). Operational taxonomic units in the groups CSB-550 and CCP-27.5 were also increased (P < 0.05). Regarding the relative abundance of flora, the Actinobacteria abundance in the groups CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-55 were higher than in control group (P < 0.05), and the Aeriscardovia abundance of CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-110 were elevated (P < 0.05). However, the Enterococcus abundance in CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-27.5 decreased (P < 0.05). In summary, results obtained in the present study indicate that CSB and CCP can improve growth performance, intestinal microbial balance and gut health of squabs.
Development of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay Coupled With a Lateral Flow Dipstick Test for Detection of Myosin Binding Protein C3 A31P Mutation in Maine Coon Cats
Authors: Sukumolanan Pratch , Demeekul Kanokwan , Petchdee Soontaree
Published: March 2022

Background

Myosin-binding protein C3 A31P (MYBPC3-A31P) missense mutation is a genetic deviation associated with the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Maine Coon cats. The standard detection of the MYBPC3-A31P mutation is complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Currently, there has been a focus on the speed and reliability of diagnostic tools. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (LAMP) coupled with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) test to detect MYBPC3-A31P mutations in Maine Coon cats.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-five Maine Coon cats were enrolled in this study, and blood samples were collected. MYBPC3-A31P was genotyped by DNA sequencing. Primers for LAMP with a LFD test were designed. The optimal conditions were determined, including temperature and time to completion for the reaction. The sensitivity of A31P-LAMP detection was compared between agarose gel electrophoresis (the standard method) and the LFD test. The A31P-LAMP-LFD test was randomly performed on seven cats (four with the A31P mutation and three wild-type cats).

Results

The A31P-LAMP procedure was able to distinguish between cats with MYBPC3-A31P wild-type cats and MYBPC3-A31P mutant cats. The LAMP reactions were able to be completed in 60 min at a single temperature of 64◦C. Moreover, this study demonstrated that A31P-LAMP coupled with the LFD test allowed for A31P genotype detection at a lower DNA concentration than agarose gel electrophoresis.

Discussions

This new A31P-LAMP with a LFD test is a successful and reliable assay with a rapid method, cost-effectiveness, and low requirements for sophisticated equipment for the detection of MYBPC3-A31P mutations. Thus, this assay has excellent potential and can be recognized as a novel screening test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with MYBPC3-A31P mutations in felines.
Use of Citrated Whole Blood for Point-of-Care Viscoelastic Coagulation Testing in Dogs
Authors: York Whitney , Smith M. Ryan , Liu Chin-Chi
Published: March 2022

Background

A new, portable bedside coagulation monitor (VCM Vet) has provided a user-friendly, cartridge-based method to perform viscoelastic testing. However, the use of native whole blood limits the time to analyze the sample to minutes. The objective of this study is to assess whether citrated whole blood can be utilized with the cartridge-based system and whether the results are comparable to those of native whole blood. A secondary objective is to assess the viability of citrated whole blood results after up to 4 hours of resting.

Methods

The study population consisted of 10 healthy mixed breed dogs. Whole blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture. Blood was immediately transferred to the VCM test cartridge for native whole blood control group analysis per the manufacturer's instructions, and the remainder was used to fill two 3.2% sodium citrate vacutainer tubes. Test group analysis was performed on samples from each tube concurrently after a rest period of 30 min (baseline), 2 h, and 4 h. Citrated whole blood samples were recalcified for analysis immediately prior to introduction into the test cartridge. Data was recorded for all reported parameters. Results from the citrate groups were compared to the control group and to the citrated baseline to assess for differences. Overall results were compared using mixed ANOVA models. Where found, specific differences were evaluated using Tukey's test. Within-sample variation was investigated and reported as median (range). A p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Samples were obtained for a total of 10 control runs and 20 citrated whole blood runs. Comparison of controls to the citrated test groups revealed significant differences in CT (p < 0.001) and MCF (p < 0.002). There were no significant differences between test groups compared to citrated baselines for any parameter. Selected median coefficients of variation were 6.8% (0–68.8%) for CT, 2.4% (0–19.46%) for alpha angle, 3.2% (0–27.4%) for MCF, and 0% (0–16.3%) for 45-min LY45.

Conclusion

Citrated whole blood samples can be used with the VCM Vet device; however, new reference intervals for use with citrated whole blood will be required. Results using citrated whole blood samples are not significantly different from baseline after up to 4 h of resting.
Case Report: Detection of Transferrin in a Dog Suspected of Having Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
Authors: Kinoshita Kosuke , Nishida Hidetaka , Kanegi Ryoji , Nakamoto Yuya , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Shimamura Shunsuke , Kusumoto Kazuhito , Akiyoshi Hideo
Published: March 2022

A 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier was referred for epileptic seizures and nasal discharge. The fluid was clear and serous. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea was suspected, based on clinical signs and MRI findings. In humans, analysis of nasal secretions to determine the concentration of glucose and brain-type transferrin has been widely used clinically in order to confirm the presence of CSF rhinorrhea. The glucose concentration in the nasal discharge was 74 mg/dL. Serum-type and brain-type isoforms of transferrin were detectable in the nasal sample. The concentration of glucose and brain-type transferrin could be useful for diagnosing CSF rhinorrhea.
Effects of Same-Sex Marriage Legalization for Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan: Findings From a Prospective Study
Authors: Huang Yu-Te , Liang Zurong
Published: March 2022

Objective: On May 24, 2019, same-sex marriage (SSM) was legalized in Taiwan. Increasing research in western countries has yielded longitudinal evidence about the psychosocial benefits of SSM for sexual minority individuals, but they have rarely included sexual minority-specific measures or considered participants’ relationship status. This study aimed to examine the short-term effects associated with the legalization of SSM for gay and bisexual men in Taiwan.

Methods: A panel sample of 731 gay and 132 bisexual men participated in baseline (May 2019) and follow-up (October 2020) online surveys to report their depressive symptoms, distal sexual minority stress, internalized homophobia, and outness status.

Results: The results demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms and distal sexual minority stress along with increased rates of coming out to friends, family, and parents. These changes were similar for partnered and un-partnered individuals. Fixed-effect regression analysis indicated that the decline in distal sexual minority stress and internalized homophobia contributed to the decline in depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: This study preliminarily supports the positive effects of SSM in promoting sexual minority men’s mental health and disclosure in Taiwan.
Discussion on the Stiffness of the Drive Chain in the Legs of Biped Robots
Authors: Du Ruilong , Song Sumian , Yuan Haihui , Nie Daming , Gu Jason
Published: March 2022

Biped robots’ locomotion is realized by driving the joint motion via a drive chain. Therefore, the stiffness of the drive chain is an important factor that affects the drive performance and can influence the locomotion behavior of the biped robot. This work focused on the influence of the stiffness of the leg’s drive chain using a mass-spring model based on the biped robot AIRO built in Zhejiang Lab. Methods for determination of the parameters in the proposed model were presented, including the use of ANSYS Workbench to determine the stiffness parameters and the determination of the inertia parameters by dynamic modelling of the biped robot. Simulation results show that special attention should be paid to the stiffness of the drive train of the leg when designing a biped robot to ensure the walking capability of the robot. Using the model proposed in this work, relations between the executed accuracy of the joint trajectories and the stiffness can be analyzed; after that, the stiffness parameters can be optimized. In addition, simulation results also showed that attention should be paid to manufacturing tolerances to ensure the symmetry of the legs of the bipedal robot in order to reduce the vibration of the robot body. Experiments were conducted on AIRO for validating the proposed model and the simulation analysis.
Review of Brake-by-Wire System and Control Technology
Authors: Li Dexiang , Tan Cao , Ge Wenqing , Cui Jin , Gu Chaofan , Chi Xuwen
Published: March 2022

In accordance with the developing trend of “safety, comfort and low-carbon” technology, the market for intelligent X-by-wire chassis is huge. A new requirement of the X-by-wire system, including the response, accuracy, energy consumption and fault-tolerance, is put forward. Based on the analysis of the structure and design flow of the brake-by-wire (BBW) system, this paper analyzes the research status and development trend of the control methods of braking force, coordination control strategies and fault-tolerant control of the BBW system. The application possibilities of direct-driving technology in the BBW system are analyzed. At present, the key points of research focus on considering the influence of the multi-field coupling effect in the design, observing and compensating various nonlinear factors, and having a higher requirement for fault-tolerant control. Finally, an intelligent direct-driving BBW system is proposed as a research direction, which takes high efficiency and energy saving as a foothold and aims at breakthroughs in dynamic response, control accuracy and fault-tolerant abilities.