bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐PrP monoclonal antibody as a novel treatment for neurogenesis in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li Ruolin , Ren Ming , Yu Yingxin
Published: October 2021

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment, memory decline, and language disorder for which there is no effective treatment. Neurogenesis has been indicated in AD and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Targeting this pathway is a new idea for the treatment of the disease. A recent study reveals that the cellular prion protein (PrP), a receptor for Aβ oligomers, regulates neurogenesis, and its elevated expression is related to cell differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of 6D11 (PrP monoclonal antibody) via neurogenesis promotion in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and Aβ‐induced cell model of AD.

Methods

In the present study, 9‐month‐old male APP/PS1 mice were injected with 6D11. Then, the Morris water maze was used to examine the spatial learning and memory abilities of the mice in both groups, and immunostained was used to assess the level of Aβ, neurogenesis, and neural stem cells (NSCs) differentiation.

Results

6D11 attenuated cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, which was accompanied by a decrease of the deposition of Aβ. In addition, 6D11 treatment promoted differentiation of the existing hippocampal cells to neurons.

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed that 6D11 has a therapeutic effect in APP/PS1 transgenic AD mouse model and Aβ‐induced AD cell model, and the effect exerted via increase of neurogenesis and cell differentiation by transduction of Aβ peptide signal.
High prevalence of epilepsy in Northern Rwanda: Exploring gender differences
Authors: Dedeken Peter , Sebera Fidele , Mutungirehe Sylvestre , Garrez Ieme , Umwiringirwa Josiane , Van Steenkiste Frank , Boon Paul A. J. M. , Teuwen Dirk E.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

In sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of lifetime epilepsy varies widely between subregions and is higher in rural compared to urban regions. Observed versus expected numbers of patients with epilepsy (PwE) in the northern province of Rwanda did not match the prevalence of 49‰ reported in 2005 in Rwanda. We report a confirmatory prevalence study focused on gender‐specific observations.

Methods

A cross‐sectional door‐to‐door approach was used in three rural villages. First, epilepsy screening using the Kinyarwanda version of the Limoges questionnaire was performed. Second, confirmation of epilepsy diagnosis was completed by trained physicians.

Results

In total, 2681 persons (56.14% female) were screened. Of 168 positively screened, 128 persons were diagnosed with epilepsy confirming the prevalence of lifetime epilepsy of 47.7‰ (CI 39.8–56.8). The diagnosis gap was 62.5% with 80 newly diagnosed. The overall female:male ratio was 1.61:1.00. A male preponderance below 9 years of age inverted to a female preponderance above 20 years of age. Female PwE had an older age at first seizure, reported different reasons for not seeking care, and differed from male PwE in possible etiology. For previously diagnosed PwE, the treatment gap was more than 77%.

Conclusion

A high prevalence in rural areas was confirmed, with an observed female/male ratio among the highest of published door‐to‐door surveys in SSA. Gender differences in associated co‐morbidities and age at first seizure warrant future research of underlying etiologies and possible survival bias. A better understanding and focus on gender‐associated care‐seeking patterns, education, and specific needs are recommended.
Selfish parents, parenting practices, and psychopathic traits in children
Authors: Gao Yu , Huang Yonglin , Li Xiaobo
Published: October 2021

Parental personality and parenting behavior have been associated with the development of psychopathic traits in offspring. However, no study has examined the effect of parental dispositional selfishness on the development of psychopathic traits in offspring, and the potential mechanism underlying this relationship. To address this issue, parents' reports on their dispositional selfishness, negative and positive parenting behavior, and child's psychopathic traits were collected for a group of children from the community (n = 118, 47% male, mean age = 14.1 years). Results showed that parental selfishness was associated with grandiose‐manipulative (GM), daring‐impulsive (DI), and callous‐unemotional (CU) traits in children. In addition, the egocentric selfishness‐GM relationship was indirectly mediated by parenting behavior including lack of involvement, poor monitoring, and inconsistent discipline, whereas the association with CU traits was directly mediated by lack of involvement. These effects remained significant after controlling for child's sex, age, race, social adversity, and a prior measure of psychopathic traits. Findings provide initial empirical evidence on the effect of parental selfishness on a child's psychopathic traits, and further support to the proposition that distinct etiology may underlie different dimensions of psychopathic traits.
Combined treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer using radiotherapy and immunotherapy: challenges and updates
Authors: Shang Shijie , Liu Jie , Verma Vivek , Wu Meng , Welsh James , Yu Jinming , Chen Dawei
Published: October 2021

The efficacy of immunotherapy for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unsatisfactory, as the majority of patients either do not experience an objective response or acquire secondary resistance. As a result, several methods to enhance the systemic efficacy of immunotherapy have been investigated, including a large area of active research by combining immunotherapy with radiation therapy (RT). Given the rapidly burgeoning concept of combining immunotherapy and RT for increasing therapeutic benefit, we review the progress in this field thus far and explore further avenues for enhancing this combination. This review commences with a discussion of the only two existing randomized trials (and a pooled analysis) showing that the addition of RT to immunotherapy improves the abscopal response rate, progression‐free survival, and overall survival in metastatic NSCLC patients. We then discussed factors and biomarkers that may be associated with a proportionally greater benefit to additional RT, such as low programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD‐L1) status, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and patient's immune function. Next, the implementation of RT to overcome immunotherapy resistance is discussed, including a mechanistic discussion and methods with which these mechanisms could be exploited. Lastly, the emerging role of low‐dose RT is discussed, which may help to overcome inhibitory signals in the tumor stroma that limit T‐cell infiltration. Taken together, given the current state of this rapidly expanding realm, these futuristic strategies may be reflected upon to further enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for a wider group of patients.
Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Sang M. , Nguyen Quang T. , Nguyen Lan M. , Pham Anh T. , Luu Hung N. , Tran Huong T. T. , Tran Thuan V. , Shu Xiao‐Ou
Published: October 2021

Background

Delays in diagnosis and treatment from first noticeable breast cancer symptoms are associated with poor outcomes. Understanding the reasons and barriers for patients’ delay in seeking medical care is critical to mitigating the problem.

Methods

In‐person surveys were conducted among 462 women, aged 18–79, with incident breast cancer cases, recruited from two cancer hospitals in North Vietnam. Delay, defined as the time interval between symptom recognition to the diagnosis and initiation of treatment equal to or exceeding 3 months, was categorized as follows: no delay (<3 months), moderate delay (3–8 months), and serious delay (≥9 months). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was applied in data analyses.

Results

Over one‐quarter patients (31.5%) experienced moderate delays, and close to one‐fifth (17.5%) experienced serious delays. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for moderate and serious delays were 5.60 (3.00–10.47) and 4.25 (2.05–8.85) for financial and physical barriers, respectively. Moderate delay was positively associated with psychological barriers (5.55 [1.75–17.57]) and lack of proper knowledge (3.15 [1.47–6.74]). The associations of barriers with delays in diagnosis and treatment appeared stronger among women living in rural areas. A lack of proper knowledge was significantly associated with delay among young women (<45 years old) and those with high incomes, while psychological barriers were significantly associated with delay among older women (≥45 years old).

Conclusion

Delays in diagnosis and treatment are common among Vietnamese breast cancer patients and are affected by several noted barriers. Proper policy needs to be developed to address this public health issue.
Interleukin‐33 as an early predictor of cetuximab treatment efficacy in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Xujun , Bi Kefan , Tu Xiaoxuan , Zhang Qiong , Cao Qingyi , Liang Yan , Zeng Ping , Wang Lin , Liu Tianxing , Fang Weijia , Diao Hongyan
Published: October 2021

Background

Cetuximab is used for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. However, the early biomarker of treatment efficacy of cetuximab has not been identified.

Methods

After 1 year of cetuximab treatment, patients were divided into an effective group and an ineffective group. The interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) level and the distribution of lymphatic cells in patients were investigated by analyzing the peripheral blood mononuclear cells via flow cytometry analysis and ELISA. The correlation between IL‐33 immunomodulatory effect and cetuximab treatment efficacy was determined through experiments in vivo and in vitro.

Results

The IL‐33 level in the peripheral blood was increased at 4 weeks after cetuximab administration of effective group, meanwhile, the osteopontin (OPN) was reduced. Whereas neither IL‐33 level nor OPN level of ineffective patients changed. In the effective group, the number of natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells were increased. Moreover, CD137 and CD107a expression on NK cells were higher in the effective group compared to the ineffective group. In vitro cetuximab treatment also increased the number of NK and CD8+ T cells as well as CD137 and CD107a expression upon IL‐33 stimulation. Moreover, the secretion of OPN was inhibited by IL‐33 administration in cetuximab‐treated PBMCs from the effective group patients. IL‐33 upregulated the cytotoxicity of NK cells and inhibited tumor cells growth in the effective cetuximab treatment mice.

Conclusion

Effective cetuximab treatment induced a change of IL‐33 and OPN at the early stage and triggered the NK cells antitumor activity. Consequently, significantly increased IL‐33 level and decreased OPN level in the peripheral blood at the early treatment are proposed as potential predictors of cetuximab treatment efficacy.
Identification of novel subtypes based on ssGSEA in immune‐related prognostic signature for tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jin Yi , Wang Zhanwang , He Dong , Zhu Yuxing , Chen Xingyu , Cao Ke
Published: October 2021

Background

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is characterized by aggressive invasion and poor prognosis. Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors may prolong overall survival compared with conventional treatments. However, PD1/PDL1 remain inapplicable in predicting the prognosis of TSCC; thus, it is urgent to explore the genetic characteristics of TSCC.

Materials and methods

We utilized single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to classify TSCC patients from the TCGA database into clusters with different immune cell infiltrations. ESTIMATE (immune‐related scores) and CIBERSORT (immune cell distribution) analyses were used to evaluate the immune landscape among clusters. GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses were performed to analyze the different underlying molecular mechanisms in the clusters. Based on the immune characteristics, we applied the LASSO Cox regression to select hub genes and construct a prognostic risk model. Finally, we established an interactive network among these hub genes by using Cytoscape, and a pan‐cancer analysis to further verify and decipher the innate function of these genes.

Results

Using ssGSEA, we constructed three functional clusters with different overall survival and immune‐cell infiltration. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT analyses revealed the different distributions of immune cells (T cells, B cells, and macrophages) with diverse immune‐related scores (ESTIMATE, immune, stromal, and tumor purity scores). Moreover, pathways including those of the interferon‐gamma response, hypoxia, and glycolysis of the different subtypes were investigated to elucidate their involvement in mediating the heterogeneous immune characteristics. Subsequently, after LASSO Cox regression, a signature of 15 immune‐related genes was established that is more prognostically effective than the TNM stage. Furthermore, three hub genes—PGK1, GPI, and RPE—were selected using Cytoscape evaluation and verified by immunohistochemistry. PGK1, the foremost regulator, was a comprehensively profiled pan‐cancer, and a PGK1‐based interactive network was established.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that immune‐related genes and clusters in TSCC have the potential to guide individualized treatments.
Essential Oils from Piper caldense C. DC. and Piper xylosteoides (Kunth) Steud.: Seasonal Variation of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Maduro Carlos Eduardo P. , de Camargo Rebeca G. , Hendges Ana Paula P. K. , Ferriani Aurea P. , da Silva Allan R. , Duarte Marta Cristina T. , do Amaral Wanderlei , Sales Maia Beatriz Helena L. N.
Published: October 2021

The essential oils (EOs) chemical composition can be affected by several environmental factors, impacting their desired biological activities. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Piper caldense and Piper xylosteoides leaves EOs. Their chemical composition was determined by GC/MS and GC‐FID analyses, resulting in the identification of eighty compounds. P. caldense EOs were mainly consisted of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, whereas in P. xylosteoides EOs, monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant. EOs from both species strongly inhibited B. subtilis (MIC=0.25 mg mL−1), while only P. caldense EOs showed strong activity against S. aureus (MIC=0.50 mg mL−1). P. caldense spring EO showed the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial action amongst all samples. For each species, PCA seasonally differentiated EOs chemical composition. In addition, as expected, PCA of all samples showed a distinction between the two species. This study has successfully demonstrated the importance of evaluating the seasonal variation of EOs chemical composition and antimicrobial activity in obtaining a product with the desired properties.
Relationship between Maturity Stage, Triterpenoid Content and Cytotoxicity of Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. Fruits – A Chemometric Approach
Authors: Sołtys Agnieszka , Galanty Agnieszka , Zagrodzki Paweł , Podolak Irma
Published: October 2021

In this study, two ursane‐type triterpenes, i. e., ursolic acid (UA) and 3‐O‐β‐acetoxyursolic acid (AUA), were isolated and quantified in Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. fruits. UA and AUA levels differed slightly throughout fruit maturation, and both triterpenes showed similar dynamics of accumulation with the highest levels found in ripe fruits (up to 6.33±0.56 and 1.17±0.18 mg/g dw. of UA and AUA, respectively). The extracts derived from unripe fruits displayed significant cytotoxic effects against WM793, DU‐145, PC3, 8505C, Caco2 and A549 cells, but no correlation between UA and AUA levels and cytotoxicity was found. On the other hand, extracts from mature fruits were not active towards almost all of the tested cell lines. The chemometric approach showed that the extracts derived from fruits harvested earlier clustered to form a clearly distanced group from extracts prepared from more‐mature fruits. The extracts at higher concentrations formed separate groups, which indicated the concentration‐dependent effect of these extracts on the cells.
Trypanocidal Activity of Dysphania ambrosioides, Lippia alba, and Tetradenia riparia Essential Oils against Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Pagotti Mariana C. , Candido Ana C. B. B. , Marçal Maria G. , Vieira Tatiana M. , Groppo Milton , Silva Márcio L. A. , Ferreira Daniele S. , Esperandim Viviane R. , Crotti Antônio E. M. , Magalhães Lizandra G.
Published: October 2021

Despite the current treatments against Chagas Disease (CD), this vector‐borne parasitic disease remains a serious public health concern. In this study, we have explored the in vitro and/or in vivo trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Amaranthaceae) (DA‐EO), Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) (LA‐EO), and Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae) (TR‐EO) grown in Brazil Southeast. DA‐EO was the most active against the trypomastigote and amastigote forms in vitro; the IC50 values were 8.7 and 12.2 μg mL−1, respectively. The EOs displayed moderate toxicity against LLCMK2 cells, but the DA‐EO showed high selectivity index (SI) for trypomastigote (SI=33.2) and amastigote (SI=11.7) forms. Treatment with 20 mg/kg DA‐EO, LA‐EO, or TR‐EO for 20 days by intraperitoneal administration reduced parasitemia by 6.36 %, 4.74 %, and 32.68 % on day 7 and by 12.04 %, 27.96 %, and 65.5 % on day 9. These results indicated that DA‐EO, LA‐EO, and TR‐EO have promising trypanocidal potential in vitro, whereas TR‐EO has also potential trypanocidal effects in vivo.
SDH‐deficient renal cell carcinoma: A case report associated with a novel germline mutation
Authors: Milionis Vassilis , Goutas Dimitrios , Vlachodimitropoulos Dimitrios , Katsoulas Nikolaos , Kyriazis Iason D. , Liatsikos Evangelos N. , Marinakis Nikolaos , Joanne Traeger‐Synodinos , Lazaris Andreas C. , Goutas Nikolaos
Published: October 2021

The highly syndromic nature of succinate dehydrogenase‐deficient RCCs constitutes their active surveillance and molecular profiling the alpha and omega.
COVID‐19–infected woman along with tuberculosis and psychogenic non‐epileptic seizures: A case report
Authors: Nadershahbaz Mahshid , Bidaki Reza , Azimi Saeed , Saghafi Fatemeh
Published: October 2021

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, we should not forget about chronic, underlying and important diseases, especially diseases that cause immune system deficiency, of which TB is one and may be missed. Also, we should pay attention to the past medical history of the patients and their drug‐drug interactions during the treatment period of COVID‐19. Our main clinical message is that diseases such as TB, which weaken the immune system, may predispose a person to COVID‐19 infection and COVID‐19 may exacerbate TB and it’s mortality. On the other hand, diseases that target the lung tissue such as TB and COVID‐19, may have synergistic effects and increase mortality (for a patient whose lung capacity is reduced due to TB, superimposed COVID‐19 can worsen the situation). In addition, it may be necessary to take more serious considerations for COVID‐19 in low socio‐economy countries, such as Afghanistan, where TB is more prevalent
Rare case report of deep vein thrombosis associated with brucellosis in Iran
Authors: Ghafouri Majid , Danafar Mojtaba , Shokri Azar
Published: October 2021

Brucellosis caused by species of Brucella is among the most prevalent zoonotic diseases that can involve any organ. Here we present a case of deep vein thrombosis due to brucellosis. We described a 62 old male farmer with a history of brucellosis and deep vein thrombosis on his right leg.
Photocatalytic Activity of Supported Metal Nanoparticles and Single Atoms
Authors: Najafi Mahnaz , Abednatanzi Sara , Yousefi Abbas , Ghaedi Mehrorang
Published: October 2021

Photocatalysis has been known as one of the promising technologies due to its eco‐friendly nature. However, the potential application of many photocatalysts is limited owing to their large bandgaps and inefficient use of the solar spectrum. One strategy to overcome this problem is to combine the advantages of heteroatom‐containing supports with active metal centers to accurately adjust the structural parameters. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and single atom catalysts (SACs) are excellent candidates due to their distinctive coordination environment which enhances photocatalytic activity. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) have shown great potential as catalyst support for SACs and MNPs. The numerous combinations of organic linkers with various heteroatoms and metal ions provide unique structural characteristics to achieve advanced materials. This review describes the recent advancement of the modified MOFs, COFs and g‐C3N4 with SACs and NPs for enhanced photocatalytic applications with emphasis on environmental remediation.
Methane Activation by (MoO3)5O−Cluster Anions: The Importance of Orbital Orientation
Authors: Ruan Man , Zhao Yan‐Xia , Zhang Mei‐Qi , He Sheng‐Gui
Published: October 2021

The reactivity of the molybdenum oxide cluster anion (MoO3)5O−, bearing an unpaired electron at a bridging oxygen atom (Ob.−), towards methane under thermal collision conditions has been studied by mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations. This reaction follows the mechanism of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and is facilitated by the Ob.−radical center. The reactivity of (MoO3)5O−can be traced back to the appropriate orientation of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) that is essentially the 2p orbital of the Ob.−atom. This study not only makes up the blank of thermal methane activation by the Ob.−radical on negatively charged clusters but also yields new insights into methane activation by the atomic oxygen radical anions.
Determining the Exposure Threshold for Levonorgestrel Efficacy Using an Integrated Model Based Meta‐Analysis Approach
Authors: Lingineni Karthik , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Cicali Brian , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Wendl Thomas , Hoechel Joachim , Brown Joshua D. , Vozmediano Valvanera , Schmidt Stephan
Published: October 2021

Combined oral contraceptive pills are the most commonly used hormonal contraceptives for the prevention of unintended pregnancies in United States. They consist of a progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel (LNG)) and an estrogen component, typically ethinyl estradiol (EE). In addition to adherence issues, drug‐drug interactions (DDIs) and obesity (women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) are prime suspects for decreased LNG efficacy. Therefore, we developed an integrated physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling and model‐based meta‐analysis approach to determine LNG’s efficacy threshold concentrations and to evaluate the impact of DDIs and obesity on the efficacy of LNG‐containing hormonal contraceptives (HCs). Based on this approach, co‐administration of strong CYP3A4 inducers and LNG‐containing HCs (LNG150: LNG 150 µg + EE 30 µg and LNG100: LNG 100 µg + EE 20 µg) resulted in a predicted clinically relevant decrease of LNG plasma exposure (women with BMI < 25 kg/m2: 50–65%; obese women: 70–75%). Following administration of LNG150 or LNG100 in the presence of a CYP3A4 inducer, there was an increase in mean Pearl Index of 1.2–1.30 and 1.80–2.10, respectively, in women with BMI < 25 kg/m2 (incidence rate ratios (IRRs): 1.7–2.2), whereas it ranged from 1.6–1.80 and 2.40–2.85 in obese women (IRR: 2.2–3.0), respectively. Our results suggest that the use of backup or alternate methods of contraception is not necessarily required for oral LNG + EE formulations except within circumstances of both obesity and strong CYP3A4 inducer concomitance following administration of LNG100.
Comparison of the effect of QMix and conventional root canal irrigants on push‐out bond strength of fiber post to root dentin
Authors: Afkhami Farzaneh , Sadegh Mona , Sooratgar Aidin , Amirmoezi Maryam
Published: October 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of application of QMix and common root canal irrigating solutions on the bond strength of fiber post to root dentin.

Material and Methods

In this in‐vitro study, 60 extracted incisor teeth were decoronated such that 15 mm of root length remained. The canals were prepared with ProTaper rotary system to F5 and filled with gutta‐percha and AH26 sealer. Prior to post placement, the teeth were divided into four groups based on the type of final irrigating solution namely saline, 5.25% NaOCl, 2% chlorhexidine, and QMix. The fiber posts were then cemented with Panavia F2 resin cement. The roots were sectioned perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and four sections with 1 mm thickness were made at the middle and coronal thirds of the roots. The push‐out bond strength of fiber posts was measured by a universal testing machine in megapascals. Data were analyzed by two‐way ANOVA and Tukey's test.

Results

The maximum and minimum bond strength values were noted in QMix and NaOCl groups in both the middle and coronal third of the root, respectively. But, there was no significant difference between the push‐out bond strength in the middle or coronal third of the root (p = 0.054). Adhesive failure was the most common mode of failure in all groups.

Conclusion

Use of QMix for post space irrigation does not compromise the bond strength of fiber post to root dentin, and can be used for final rinsing of the post space.
OMIP‐079: Cell cycle of CD4+ and CD8+ naïve/memory T cell subsets, and of Treg cells from mouse spleen
Authors: Natalini Ambra , Simonetti Sonia , Favaretto Gabriele , Peruzzi Giovanna , Antonangeli Fabrizio , Santoni Angela , Muñoz‐Ruiz Miguel , Hayday Adrian , Di Rosa Francesca
Published: October 2021

A multicolor flow cytometry panel was designed and optimized to define the following nine mouse T cell subsets: Treg (CD3+ CD4+ CD8− FoxP3+), CD4+ T naïve (CD3+ CD4+ CD8−FoxP3− CD44int/low CD62L+), CD4+ T central memory (CD3+ CD4+ CD8− FoxP3− CD44high CD62L+), CD4+ T effector memory (CD3+ CD4+ CD8− FoxP3− CD44high CD62L−), CD4+ T EMRA (CD3+ CD4+ CD8− FoxP3− CD44int/low CD62L−), CD8+ T naïve (CD3+ CD8+ CD4− CD44int/low CD62L+), CD8+ T central memory (CD3+ CD8+ CD4− CD44high CD62L+), CD8+ T effector memory (CD3+ CD8+ CD4− CD44high CD62L−), and CD8+ T EMRA (CD3+ CD8+ CD4− CD44int/low CD62L−). In each T cell subset, a dual staining for Ki‐67 expression and DNA content was employed to distinguish the following cell cycle phases: G0 (Ki67−, with 2n DNA), G1 (Ki67+, with 2n DNA), and S‐G2/M (Ki67+, with 2n < DNA ≤ 4n). This panel was established for the analysis of mouse (C57BL/6J) spleen.
Assessing carnivore spatial co‐occurrence and temporal overlap in the face of human interference in a semiarid forest
Authors: Zanón Martínez Juan I. , Seoane Javier , Kelly Marcella J. , Sarasola José Hernán , Travaini Alejandro
Published: October 2021

Apex predators drive top‐down effects in ecosystems and the loss of such species can trigger mesopredator release. This ecological process has been well documented in human‐modified small areas, but for management and conservation of ecological communities, it is important to know which human factors affect apex predator occurrence and which mediate mesopredators release at large scales. We hypothesized that mesopredators would avoid spatial and temporal overlap with the apex predator, the puma; but that human perturbations (i.e., cattle raising and trophy hunting) would dampen top‐down effects and mediate habitat use. We installed 16 camera traps in each of 45, 10 × 10 km grid cells in the Caldén forest region of central Argentina resulting in 706 total stations covering 61,611 km2. We used single‐season occupancy and two‐species co‐occurrence models and calculated the species interaction factor (SIF) to explore the contributions of habitat, biotic, and anthropic variables in explaining co‐occurrence between carnivore pairs. We also used kernel density estimation techniques to analyze temporal overlap in activity patterns of the carnivore guild. We found that puma habitat use increased with abundance of large prey and with proximity to protected areas. Geoffroy's cats and skunks spatially avoided pumas and this effect was strong and mediated by distance to protected areas and game reserves, but pumas did not influence pampas fox and pampas cat space use. At medium and low levels of puma occupancy, we found evidence of spatial avoidance between three pairs of mesocarnivores. All predators were mostly nocturnal and crepuscular across seasons and mesopredators showed little consistent evidence of changing activity patterns with varying levels of puma occupancy or human interference. We found potential for mesopredator release at large scale, especially on the spatial niche axis. Our results suggest that a combination of interacting factors, in conjunction with habitat features and intervening human activities, may make mesopredator release unlikely or difficult to discern at broad scales. Overall, we believe that promoting the creation of new protected areas linked by small forest patches would likely lead to increased predator and prey abundances, as well as the interactions among carnivores inside and outside of protected areas.
Finding the right mix: a framework for selecting seeding rates for cover crop mixtures
Authors: Bybee‐Finley K. Ann , Cordeau Stéphane , Yvoz Séverin , Mirsky Steven B. , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: October 2021

Cover crop mixtures have the potential to provide more ecosystem services than cover crop monocultures. However, seeding rates that are typically recommended (i.e. seeding rate of monoculture divided by the number of species in the mixture) are non‐optimized and often result in the competitive species dominating the mixture, and therefore limiting the amount of ecosystem services that are provided. We created an analytical framework for selecting seeding rates for cover crop mixtures that maximize multifunctionality while minimizing seed costs. The framework was developed using data from a field experiment, which included six response surface designs of two‐species mixtures, as well as a factorial replacement design of three‐species and four‐species mixtures. We quantified intraspecific and interspecific competition among two grasses and two legume cover crop species with grass and legume representing two functional groups: pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.], sorghum sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf], sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. Yield–density models were fit to estimate intraspecific and interspecific competition coefficients for each species in biculture. The hierarchy from most to least competitive was sorghum sudangrass > sunn hemp > pearl millet > cowpea. Intraspecific competition of a less competitive species was the greatest when the biculture was composed of two species in the same functional group. Competition coefficients were used to build models that estimated the biomass of each cover crop species in three‐species and four‐species mixtures. The competition coefficients and models were validated with an additional nine site‐years testing the same cover crop mixtures. The biomass of a species in a site‐year was accurately predicted 69% of the time (low root mean square error, correlation > 0.5, not biased, r2 > 0.5). Applying the framework, we designed three‐species and four‐species mixtures by identifying relative seeding rates that produced high biomass with high species evenness (i.e. high multifunctionality) at low seed costs based on a Pareto front analysis of 10,418 mixtures. Accounting for competition when constructing cover crop mixtures can improve the ecosystem services provided, and such an advancement is likely to lead to greater farmer adoption.
Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Muscularity‐Oriented Eating Test in university women in Australia
Authors: Cunningham Mitchell L. , Rodgers Rachel F. , Pinkus Rebecca T. , Nagata Jason M. , Trompeter Nora , Mitchison Deborah , Murray Stuart B. , Szabo Marianna , Lavender Jason M.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Toned muscularity continues to emerge as a salient aspect of women's body image. However, there is a dearth of research investigating the potentially maladaptive eating practices and related cognitions that accompany the drive for muscularity in women. This may be attributable to the limited empirical and clinical attention previously given to muscularity‐oriented disordered eating and, accordingly, the lack of validated measures assessing these concerns. To address this knowledge gap, our study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of the factor structure and core psychometric properties of a recently developed measure of muscularity‐oriented disordered eating, the Muscularity‐Oriented Eating Test (MOET), in university women in Australia.

Method

Participants included 419 university women who completed the 15‐item MOET and other self‐report measures for validity evaluation as part of an online survey. Data from split‐half samples were used to undertake an exploratory factor analysis and subsequent confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

Factor analytic results supported a briefer (12‐item), one‐factor scale in this sample of university women. The internal consistency reliability and validity (convergent and discriminant) of this 12‐item unidimensional MOET was supported.

Discussion

Our study provides preliminary support for this modified MOET as a psychometrically sound self‐report measure of muscularity‐oriented disordered eating in university women in Australia, providing a useful tool for understanding maladaptive eating behaviors and cognitions concomitant to the pursuit of muscularity in this population.
Parallel morphological evolution and habitat‐dependent sexual dimorphism in cave‐ vs. surface populations of the Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae) species complex
Authors: Balázs Gergely , Biró Anna , Fišer Žiga , Fišer Cene , Herczeg Gábor
Published: October 2021

Studying parallel evolution (repeated, independent evolution of similar phenotypes in similar environments) is a powerful tool to understand environment‐dependent selective forces. Surface‐dwelling species that repeatedly and independently colonized caves provide unique models for such studies. The primarily surface‐dwelling Asellus aquaticus species complex is a good candidate to carry out such research, because it colonized several caves in Europe. By comparing 17 functional morphological traits between six cave and nine surface populations of the A. aquaticus species complex, we investigated population divergence in morphology and sexual dimorphism. We found habitat‐dependent population divergence in 10 out of 17 traits, likely reflecting habitat‐driven changes in selection acting on sensory systems, feeding, grooming, and antipredator mechanisms. Sexual dimorphism was present in 15 traits, explained by sexual selection acting on male traits important in male–male agonistic behavior or mate guarding and fecundity selection acting on female traits affecting offspring number and nursing. In eight traits, the degree of sexual dimorphism was habitat dependent. We conclude that cave‐related morphological changes are highly trait‐ and function‐specific and that the strength of sexual/fecundity selection strongly differs between cave and surface habitats. The considerable population variation within habitat type warrants further studies to reveal cave‐specific adaptations besides the parallel patterns.
Basic verification of cancer cell separation characteristics in a dielectrophoretic device using microcylindrical electrodes
Authors: Miyamukai Hideo , Yagi Ippei , Uchida Satoshi , Takano Masayo , Wakizaka Yoshikazu , Enjoji Takaharu
Published: October 2021

Highly accurate isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the blood is essential for early detection of cancer. In particular, the dielectrophoretic device with a three‐dimensional (3D) structure can be expected to have separation accuracy, which cannot be obtained with conventional 2D shapes. In this study, an isolating leukemia‐derived suspended Jurkat cell and fluorescent polystyrene particle, which are particles of uniform size, using a 3D microcylindrical electrodes are conducted. When the concentration of Jurkat cells was reduced to 1/100 of the concentration of polystyrene particles, Jurkat cells and polystyrene particles could be efficiently separated, and the collection efficiency at Outlet II, the outlet for the collection of target cells, was 100% and 2%, respectively. It was suggested that the proposed device may be able to separate cells of similar size with high accuracy.
ARNI versus ACEI/ARB in Reducing Cardiovascular Outcomes after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: She Jianqing , Lou Bowen , Liu Hui , Zhou Bo , Jiang Gulinigaer Tuerhong , Luo Yongbai , Wu Haoyu , Wang Chen , Yuan Zuyi
Published: October 2021

Aims

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) therapy for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods and results

Data were collected from the Biobank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2016 and December 2020. A total of 7556 AMI patients were screened for eligibility. Propensity score matching based on age, sex, blood pressure, kidney function, baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and cardiovascular medication were conducted, resulting in 291 patients with AMI being assigned to ARNI, ACEI, and ARB group, respectively. Patients receiving ARNI had significantly lower rates of the composite cardiovascular outcome than ACEI {hazard ratio [HR] 0.51, [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.27–0.95], P = 0.02}, and ARB users [HR 0.47, (95%CI, 0.24–0.90), P = 0.02]. Patients receiving ARNI showed lower rates of cardiovascular death than ACEI [HR 0.37, (95%CI, 0.18–0.79), P = 0.01] and ARB users [HR 0.41, (95%CI, 0.18–0.95), P = 0.04]. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with LVEF no more than 40% tend to benefit more from ARNI as compared with ACEI [HR 0.30, (95%CI, 0.11–0.86), P = 0.01] or ARB [HR 0.21, (95%CI, 0.04–1.1), P = 0.05]. Patients aged no more than 60 years exhibited reduced composite endpoints [HR for ARNI vs. ARB: 0.11, (95%CI, 0.03–0.46), P = 0.002].

Conclusions

In patients with AMI, ARNI was superior to ACEI/ARB in reducing the long‐term adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Subgroup analysis further indicates that ARNI is more likely to benefit patients with LVEF less than 40% and aged less than 60 years.
Controlling Selectivity in the Synthesis of Z‐α,β‐Unsaturated Amidines by Tuning the N‐Sulfonyl Group in a Rhodium(II) Catalyzed 1,2‐H Shift
Authors: Martin Matthew L. , Boyer Alistair
Published: October 2021

N2‐Sulfonyl‐α‐diazo amidines can be synthesized by the reaction of electron rich alkynyl amines with electron poor sulfonyl azides through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition that proceeds with perfect regioselectivity. In the presence of rhodium(II) carboxylate catalysts, denitrogenation occurs to give the corresponding metallocarbene but there are then two competing processes: 1,2–H shift and O‐transfer from the sulfonyl group to the metallocarbene center. The outcome can be controlled using an electron poor nitrobenzenesulfonyl group and large carboxylate rhodium ligands to select for 1,2–H shift, forming α,β‐unsaturated amidines in high yield and with excellent Z‐selectivity.
A highly selective tri‐band bandpass‐to‐bandstop filter with the third band independently tunable
Authors: Yang Hong , Zhang Dewei , Zhang Junjie , Wang Xian , Lv Dalong , Zhang Yi , Zhou Dongfang
Published: October 2021

A highly selective tri‐band bandpass (BP)‐to‐bandstop (BS) filter with the third tunable band and the other two fixed ones is proposed in this article. This filter is based on a novel crossed resonator that is composed of a two‐end‐open UIR with an open stub and a short stub connected in parallel on both sides of the resonator center. A PIN diode is utilized to achieve BP‐to‐BS switchable characteristics. Then, varactor diodes loaded at the open stub are employed to obtain the independently tunable third band. In addition, due to the symmetry of the resonator structure, the even‐ and odd‐ mode analysis method is used to derive the resonant frequencies. For validation, a tri‐band BP‐to‐BS filter operating at 2.4 GHz (WLAN), 3.3 GHz (WiMAX), and 4.9 GHz (LAA/LTE‐U) is designed, manufactured, and measured that achieves the continuous frequency tuning range (FTR) of the third band from 4.52 to 4.90 GHz with return loss (RL) better than 10.05 dB under the BP characteristic, from 4.55 to 4.90 GHz with the rejection level (RL) higher than 15.53 dB under the BS characteristic. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Changes in Sewage Sludge Chemical Signatures During a COVID-19 Community Lockdown, Part 1: Traffic, Drugs, Mental Health, and Disinfectants
Authors: Nason Sara L. , Lin Elizabeth , Eitzer Brian , Koelmel Jeremy , Peccia Jordan
Published: October 2021

The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated shutdowns disrupted many aspects of daily life and thus caused changes in the use and disposal of many types of chemicals. While records of sales, prescriptions, drug overdoses, and so forth provide data about specific chemical uses during this time, wastewater and sewage sludge analysis can provide a more comprehensive overview of chemical changes within a region. We analyzed primary sludge from a wastewater-treatment plant in Connecticut, USA, collected March 19 to June 30, 2020. This time period encompassed the first wave of the pandemic, the initial statewide stay at home order, and the first phase of reopening. We used liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry and targeted and suspect screening strategies to identify 78 chemicals of interest, which included pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, disinfectants, ultraviolet (UV) filters, and others. We analyzed trends over time for the identified chemicals using linear trend analyses and multivariate comparisons (p < 0.05). We found trends related directly to the pandemic (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, a drug publicized for its potential to treat COVID-19, had elevated concentrations in the week following the implementation of the US Emergency Use Authorization), as well as evidence for seasonal changes in chemical use (e.g., increases for three UV-filter compounds). Though wastewater surveillance during the pandemic has largely focused on measuring severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 RNA concentrations, chemical analysis can also show trends that are important for revealing the public and environmental health effects of the pandemic. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1179–1192. © 2021 SETAC
Target and Suspect Screening of Urinary Biomarkers for Current-use Pesticides: Application of a Simple Extraction Method
Authors: Huang Zhoubing , Li Huizhen , Xiong Jingjing , You Jing
Published: October 2021

Pesticide residues pose a great threat to human health. Biomonitoring with urine samples has often been used to assess pesticide exposure to humans, and identifying appropriate biomarkers is a premise of success. Current-use pesticides (CUPs) including neonicotinoids tend to be transformed in an organism, and thus the biomonitoring studies focusing on parent compounds alone may underestimate their risk. It is imperative to develop effective methods to analyze CUPs and their metabolites simultaneously and to identify viable metabolites as urinary biomarkers. For analyzing xenobiotics in urine, we optimized CH3COCH3-MgSO4 extraction coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry detection method. The method had sensitive method detection limits (0.11–1.39 ng/ml), low matrix effects, and satisfactory recovery and precision (49.4% ± 7.2%–99.8% ± 17.8%) for neonicotinoids and their metabolites. Application of the method for real samples showed that children living in rural areas in South China were ubiquitously exposed to CUPs, including neonicotinoids, fipronil, and chlorpyrifos, and urinary residues were mainly in the form of metabolites. Suitable biomarkers were identified for individual neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid–olefin and imidacloprid–guanidine for imidacloprid, acetamiprid-N-desmethyl for acetamiprid, thiacloprid–amide for thiacloprid, and N-desmethyl-thiamethoxam and thiamethoxam for thiamethoxam. Three metabolites were mainly reported in urine samples, including imidacloprid–urea, thiacloprid–amide, and N-desmethyl-thiamethoxam. In addition, the method was also applied for suspect screening, and an additional metabolite (clothianidin–desmethyl–nitrosoguanidine) was identified, showing its potential application in suspect analysis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:73–80. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

Urinary biomarkers for neonicotinoid biomonitoring were identified using target and suspect analyses after a simple and rapid extraction.
Rice seedlings grown under high ammonia do not show enhanced defence responses
Authors: Zhou Heng , Zhou Ying , Zhai Fengchao , Wu Ting , Xie Yanjie , Xu Guohua , Foyer Christine H.
Published: October 2021

Urea‐based fertilizers are commonly used in the agricultural rice production. Urea produces gaseous ammonia upon contact with plants and soil. Although rice is considered to be a relatively ammonium‐tolerant crop, urea fertilization can have a negative impact on seedling establishment because of tissue ammonia accumulation. We investigated the molecular/genetic regulation of ammonia tolerance in rice using a multidisciplinary approach consisting of high‐resolution LC‐MS/MS analysis and bioinformatics, together with plant molecular physiology and biochemistry. Growth with 10 or 80 mM NH4Cl led to an inhibition of photosynthesis and ROS accumulation. Proteomic analysis revealed changes in the levels of 266 proteins, which function in translation and protein metabolism, amino acid and carbon metabolism/transport, antioxidant and redox metabolism. The abundance of the transcripts encoding these proteins was increased under high ammonium. Data are presented showing that ammonia‐induced changes in metabolism are linked to a strong antioxidant response but little change in secondary metabolism.