bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A SARS-CoV-2 Negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic in RT-qPCR Positive Samples Correlates With a Low Likelihood of Infectious Viruses in the Nasopharynx
Authors: Corrêa Isadora Alonso , Faffe Débora Souza , Galliez Rafael Mello , Gonçalves Cássia Cristina Alves , Maia Richard Araújo , da Silva Gustavo Peixoto , Moreira Filipe Romero Rebello , Mariani Diana , Campos Mariana Freire , Leitão Isabela de Carvalho , de Souza Marcos Romário , Cunha Marcela Sabino , Nascimento Érica Ramos dos Santos , Ribeiro Liane de Jesus , da Cruz Thais Felix Cordeiro , Policarpo Cintia , Gonzales Luis , Rodgers Mary A. , Berg Michael , Vijesurier Roy , Cloherty Gavin A. , Hackett John , Ferreira Orlando da Costa , Castiñeiras Terezinha Marta Pereira Pinto , Tanuri Amilcar , da Costa Luciana Jesus
Published: July 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission occurs even among fully vaccinated individuals; thus, prompt identification of infected patients is central to control viral circulation. Antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) are highly specific, but sensitivity is variable. Discordant RT-qPCR vs. Ag-RDT results are reported, raising the question of whether negative Ag-RDT in positive RT-qPCR samples could imply the absence of infectious viruses. To study the relationship between negative Ag-RDT results with virological, molecular, and serological parameters, we selected a cross-sectional and a follow-up dataset and analyzed virus culture, subgenomic RNA quantification, and sequencing to determine infectious viruses and mutations. We demonstrated that RT-qPCR positive while SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT negative discordant results correlate with the absence of infectious virus in nasopharyngeal samples. A decrease in sgRNA detection together with an expected increase in detectable anti-S and anti-N IgGs was also verified in these samples. The data clearly demonstrate that a negative Ag-RDT sample is less likely to harbor infectious SARS-CoV-2 and, consequently, has a lower transmissible potential.
Lineage dynamics in growing biofilms: Spatial patterns of standing vs. de novo diversity
Authors: Young Ellen , Allen Rosalind J.
Published: July 2022

Microbial biofilms show high phenotypic and genetic diversity, yet the mechanisms underlying diversity generation and maintenance remain unclear. Here, we investigate how spatial patterns of growth activity within a biofilm lead to spatial patterns of genetic diversity. Using individual-based computer simulations, we show that the active layer of growing cells at the biofilm interface controls the distribution of lineages within the biofilm, and therefore the patterns of standing and de novo diversity. Comparing biofilms of equal size, those with a thick active layer retain more standing diversity, while de novo diversity is more evenly distributed within the biofilm. In contrast, equal-sized biofilms with a thin active layer retain less standing diversity, and their de novo diversity is concentrated at the top of the biofilm, and in fewer lineages. In the context of antimicrobial resistance, biofilms with a thin active layer may be more prone to generate lineages with multiple resistance mutations, and to seed new resistant biofilms via sloughing of resistant cells from the upper layers. Our study reveals fundamental “baseline” mechanisms underlying the patterning of diversity within biofilms.
Bacterial community diversity and its potential contributions to the flavor components of traditional smoked horsemeat sausage in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Jiang Lei , Chen Yu , Deng Li , Liu Fei , Wang Tengbin , Shi Xuewei , Wang Bin
Published: July 2022

Smoked horsemeat sausage is a famous fermented traditional food in Xinjiang, China. However, the microbial diversity and its potential contributions to the flavor components of smoked horsemeat sausage are unclear. In this study, the microbial community and flavor components of smoked horsemeat sausage from six regions of Xinjiang were measured by using amplicon sequencing and headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS) technology, respectively. Relations among microbial communities, flavor components and environmental factors were subsequently predicted based on redundancy analysis (RDA) and Monte Carlo permutation tests. Although smoked horsemeat sausage samples from different regions possessed distinct microbial communities, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were identified as the dominant consortium in smoked horsemeat sausage. Lactobacillus, Vagococcus, Lactococcus, and Carnobacterium were detected at high abundance in different sausages. The moisture content, nitrite content, and pH of the sausage might be important factors influencing the dominant bacterial community, according to the RDA. Among the dominant consortia, the eight core bacterial genera showed considerable correlations with the formation of sixteen volatile compounds in smoked horsemeat sausage based on multivariate statistical analysis. For example, the levels of Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus were positively correlated with those of 1-hexadecanol, hexyl acetate, 2-methyl-phenol, 1-pentanol, d-limonene, and 2-heptanone, and the levels of Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella were negatively correlated with those of 1-octanol, acetic acid, octanal, heptanal, and 1-hexanol. This study will provide a theoretical basis for understanding the microbial metabolic modes of Xinjiang smoked horsemeat sausages.
Transcriptional analysis of CRISPR I-B arrays of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai and its processing by Cas6
Authors: Prakash Aman , Kumar Manish
Published: July 2022

In the genome of various Leptospira interrogans serovars, the subtype I-B locus of CRISPR-Cas possesses either one or multiple CRISPR arrays. In silico database (CRISPRCasdb) for predicting CRISPR-Cas reveals seven CRISPR arrays in L. interrogans serovar Lai positioned between the two independent cas-operons. Here, we present the redefined repeat-spacer boundaries of the CRISPR subtype I-B locus of serovar Lai. Such refinement of boundaries of arrays in serovar Lai was done after comparison with the characterized array of another serovar Copenhageni and the manual analysis of CRISPR flanking sequences. Using the reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we account that the seven CRISPR are transcriptionally active in serovar Lai. Our RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of transcripts in serovar Lai indicated that seven CRISPR of subtype I-B transcribe together as a single precursor unit. Moreover, the cleavage of the two miniature pre-crRNA of the subtype I-B by Cas6 demonstrates the biogenesis of the expected size of mature crRNA essential for the guided interference of foreign DNA. This study features insight into transcription direction and the crRNA biogenesis in serovar Lai essential for RNA-mediated interference of invading nucleic acids.
Effects of sulforaphane intake on processing speed and negative moods in healthy older adults: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nouchi Rui , Hu Qingqiang , Ushida Yusuke , Suganuma Hiroyuki , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: July 2022

Background

Recent studies have reported that sulforaphane (SFN) intake with cognitive training had positive effects on cognitive functions. However, it is still unknown whether SFN intake alone has beneficial effects on cognition as well as mood. We investigated whether a SFN intake intervention improved cognitive performance and mood states in healthy older adults.

Methods

In a 12-week, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT), we randomly assigned 144 older adults to a SFN group or a placebo group. We asked the participants to take a supplement (SFN or placebo) for 12 weeks. We measured several cognitive functions, mood states, and biomarkers before and after the intervention period.

Results

The SFN group showed improvement in processing speed and a decrease in negative mood compared to the placebo group. In addition, the SFN group exhibited a higher SFN-N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) level compared to the placebo group. However, there were no significant results in other biomarkers of oxidant stress, inflammation, or neural plasticity.

Discussion

These results indicate that nutrition interventions using SFN can have positive effects on cognitive functioning and mood in healthy older adults.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Characteristics of Resilience to Traumatic Stress in Dutch Police Officers
Authors: Setroikromo Santoucha N. W. , van der Werff Steven J. A. , Smit Annika S. , Vermetten Eric , Van Der Wee Nic J. A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Insights into the neurobiological basis of resilience can have important implications for the prevention and treatment of stress-related disorders, especially in populations that are subjected to high-stress environments. Evaluating large-scale resting-state networks (RSNs) can provide information regarding resilient specific brain function which may be useful in understanding resilience. This study aimed to explore functional connectivity patterns specific for (high) resilience in Dutch policemen after exposure to multiple work-related traumatic events. We investigated resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the salience network (SN), limbic network, and the default-mode network (DMN).

Methods

Resting-state functional MRI scans were obtained from trauma-exposed executive personnel of the Dutch police force and non-trauma-exposed recruits from the police academy. Participants were divided into three groups: a resilient group (n = 31; trauma exposure; no psychopathology), a vulnerable group (n = 32; trauma exposure, psychopathology), and a control group (n = 19; no trauma exposure, no psychopathology). RSFC of the three networks of interest was compared between these groups, using an independent component analysis and a dual regression approach.

Results

We found decreased resilience-specific positive RSFC of the salience network with several prefrontal regions. The DMN and limbic network RFSC did not show resilience-specific patterns.

Conclusion

This study shows a differential RSFC specific for resilient police officers. This differential RSFC may be related to a greater capacity for internal-focused thought and interoceptive awareness, allowing more effective higher-order responses to stress in highly resilient individuals.
Auditory and cross-modal attentional bias toward positive natural sounds: Behavioral and ERP evidence
Authors: Wang Yanmei , Tang Zhenwei , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Yang Libing
Published: July 2022

Recently, researchers have expanded the investigation into attentional biases toward positive stimuli; however, few studies have examined attentional biases toward positive auditory information. In three experiments, the present study employed an emotional spatial cueing task using emotional sounds as cues and auditory stimuli (Experiment 1) or visual stimuli (Experiment 2 and Experiment 3) as targets to explore whether auditory or visual spatial attention could be modulated by positive auditory cues. Experiment 3 also examined the temporal dynamics of cross-modal auditory bias toward positive natural sounds using event-related potentials (ERPs). The behavioral results of the three experiments consistently demonstrated that response times to targets were faster after positive auditory cues than they were after neutral auditory cues in the valid condition, indicating that healthy participants showed a selective auditory attentional bias (Experiment 1) and cross-modal attentional bias (Experiment 2 and Experiment 3) toward positive natural sounds. The results of Experiment 3 showed that N1 amplitudes were more negative after positive sounds than they were after neutral sounds, which further provided electrophysiological evidence that positive auditory information enhances attention at early stages in healthy adults. The results of the experiments performed in the present study suggest that humans exhibit an attentional bias toward positive natural sounds.
EventHD: Robust and efficient hyperdimensional learning with neuromorphic sensor
Authors: Zou Zhuowen , Alimohamadi Haleh , Kim Yeseong , Najafi M. Hassan , Srinivasa Narayan , Imani Mohsen
Published: July 2022

Brain-inspired computing models have shown great potential to outperform today's deep learning solutions in terms of robustness and energy efficiency. Particularly, Hyper-Dimensional Computing (HDC) has shown promising results in enabling efficient and robust cognitive learning. In this study, we exploit HDC as an alternative computational model that mimics important brain functionalities toward high-efficiency and noise-tolerant neuromorphic computing. We present EventHD, an end-to-end learning framework based on HDC for robust, efficient learning from neuromorphic sensors. We first introduce a spatial and temporal encoding scheme to map event-based neuromorphic data into high-dimensional space. Then, we leverage HDC mathematics to support learning and cognitive tasks over encoded data, such as information association and memorization. EventHD also provides a notion of confidence for each prediction, thus enabling self-learning from unlabeled data. We evaluate EventHD efficiency over data collected from Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) sensors. Our results indicate that EventHD can provide online learning and cognitive support while operating over raw DVS data without using the costly preprocessing step. In terms of efficiency, EventHD provides 14.2× faster and 19.8× higher energy efficiency than state-of-the-art learning algorithms while improving the computational robustness by 5.9×.
Multitarget high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation improves response inhibition more than single-target high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation in healthy participants
Authors: Guo Zhihua , Gong Yue , Lu Hongliang , Qiu Rui , Wang Xinlu , Zhu Xia , You Xuqun
Published: July 2022

Prior studies have focused on single-target anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) or pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) to improve response inhibition in healthy individuals. However, the results are contradictory and the effect of multitarget anodal stimulation over both brain regions has never been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of different forms of anodal high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) on improving response inhibition, including HD-tDCS over the rIFG or pre-SMA and multitarget HD-tDCS over both areas. Ninety-two healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive single-session (20 min) anodal HD-tDCS over rIFG + pre-SMA, rIFG, pre-SMA, or sham stimulation. Before and immediately after tDCS intervention, participants completed a stop-signal task (SST) and a go/nogo task (GNG). Their cortical activity was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the go/nogo task. The results showed multitarget stimulation produced a significant reduction in stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) relative to baseline. The pre-to-post SSRT change was not significant for rIFG, pre-SMA, or sham stimulation. Further analyses revealed multitarget HD-tDCS significantly decreased SSRT in both the high-performance and low-performance subgroups compared with the rIFG condition which decreased SSRT only in the low-performance subgroup. Only the multitarget condition significantly improved neural efficiency as indexed by lower △oxy-Hb after stimulation. In conclusion, the present study provides important preliminary evidence that multitarget HD-tDCS is a promising avenue to improve stimulation efficacy, establishing a more effective montage to enhance response inhibition relative to the commonly used single-target stimulation.
Cases report: MRI findings of asymptomatically familial subependymal heterotopia with filamin A gene abnormality
Authors: Lv Bin , Zhou Yushan , Zeng Jianguang , Wang Ling , Zhao Fumin , Chen Huizhu , Li Xuesheng , Song Yu , Xiao Mei , Ding Zhiyong , Cheng Bochao
Published: July 2022

Subependymal heterotopia (SEH) is a rare neuronal migration disorder consisting of gray matter nodules along the lateral ventricular walls and is often associated with other brain malformations. Despite most SEH cases showing epilepsy during their lifetimes, very few patients with asymptomatically familial SEH tend to cause misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. We present four familial SEH cases without any positive symptoms and medical history, including two fetuses, who were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by genetic testing with mutation of filamin A. This report emphasizes the role of MRI in the recognition of SEH at an early age of gestation and in asymptomatically familial SEH. MRI provides a fast, repeatable, reliable, and cheap choice for detecting and screening familial SEH.
Dopamine systems and biological rhythms: Let’s get a move on
Authors: Tang Qijun , Assali Dina R. , Güler Ali D. , Steele Andrew D.
Published: July 2022

How dopamine signaling regulates biological rhythms is an area of emerging interest. Here we review experiments focused on delineating dopamine signaling in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, nucleus accumbens, and dorsal striatum to mediate a range of biological rhythms including photoentrainment, activity cycles, rest phase eating of palatable food, diet-induced obesity, and food anticipatory activity. Enthusiasm for causal roles for dopamine in the regulation of circadian rhythms, particularly those associated with food and other rewarding events, is warranted. However, determining that there is rhythmic gene expression in dopamine neurons and target structures does not mean that they are bona fide circadian pacemakers. Given that dopamine has such a profound role in promoting voluntary movements, interpretation of circadian phenotypes associated with locomotor activity must be differentiated at the molecular and behavioral levels. Here we review our current understanding of dopamine signaling in relation to biological rhythms and suggest future experiments that are aimed at teasing apart the roles of dopamine subpopulations and dopamine receptor expressing neurons in causally mediating biological rhythms, particularly in relation to feeding, reward, and activity.
Lead exposure induces nitrative stress and disrupts ribbon synapses in the cochlea
Authors: Rosati Rita , Birbeck Johnna A. , Westrick Judy , Jamesdaniel Samson
Published: July 2022

Environmental exposure to heavy metal lead, a public health hazard in many post-industrial cities, causes hearing impairment upon long-term exposure. Lead-induced cochlear and vestibular dysfunction is well-documented in animal models. Although short-term exposure to lead at concentrations relevant to environmental settings does not cause significant shifts in hearing thresholds in adults, moderate- to low-level lead exposures induce neuronal damage and synaptic dysfunction. We reported that lead exposure induces oxidative stress in the mouse cochlea. However, lead-induced nitrative stress and potential damage to cochlear ribbon synapses are yet to be fully understood. Therefore, this study has evaluated cochlear synaptopathy and nitrative stress in young-adult mice exposed to 2 mM lead acetate for 28 days. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis indicated that this exposure significantly increased the blood lead levels. Assessment of hair cell loss by immunohistochemistry analysis and outer hair cell (OHC) activity by recording distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) indicated that the structure and function of the hair cells were not affected by lead exposure. However, this exposure significantly decreased the expression of C-terminal-binding protein-2 (CtBP2) and GluA2, pre- and post-synaptic protein markers in the inner hair cell synapses, particularly in the basal turn of the organ of Corti, suggesting lead-induced disruption of ribbon synapses. In addition, lead exposure significantly increased the nitrotyrosine levels in spiral ganglion cells, suggesting lead-induced nitrative stress in the cochlea. Collectively, these findings suggest that lead exposure even at levels that do not affect the OHCs induces cochlear nitrative stress and causes cochlear synaptopathy.
Potential health benefits of lowering gas production and bifidogenic effect of the blends of polydextrose with inulin in a human gut model
Authors: Zhu Liying , Guo Fangjie , Guo Zeyu , Chen Xiaoqiang , Qian Xiaoguo , Li Xianglong , Li Xiaoqiong , Li Jinjun , Wang Xin , Jia Weiguo
Published: July 2022

Polydextrose is a nutrient supplement, which is widely applied in the food industry. The use of polydextrose in combination with prebiotics and probiotics has recently increased, whereas the fermentation properties of its blend have not yet been fully revealed. We evaluated the metabolic profile of polydextrose, inulin, and their blends by a batch in vitro fermentation of fifteen human fecal inocula. After 24 h of fermentation, polydextrose increased the production of gas, ammonia, and several short chain fatty acids, including propionate and butyrate, when compared to its blends, inulin, and fructo-oligosaccharides. Furthermore, polydextrose had the slowest degradation rate of all the carbohydrates tested, consistent with its partial fermentation in the distal colon. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the gut microbiome exhibited significantly increased relative abundance of Clostridium_XVIII, Megamonas, Mitsuokella, and Erysipelotrichaceae_incertae_sedis in polydextrose compared to other carbohydrates. On the other hand, the blends of polydextrose and inulin (1:1 or 2:1) showed reduced gas production and similar bifidogenicity to inulin alone. The blends not only had similar alpha-diversity and PCoA to inulin but also had a similar abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, suggesting potential health benefits. Also their low gas production was likely due to the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Anaerostipes, which were negatively correlated with gas production. Additionally, our in vitro fermentation model shows advantages in the large-scale assessment of fermentation performance.
Identifying α-KG-dependent prognostic signature for lower-grade glioma based on transcriptome profiles
Authors: Zhang Tan , Yuan Liqun , Sheng Minfeng , Chen Yanming , Wang Ji , Lan Qing
Published: July 2022

The inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent dioxygenases is thought to contribute to isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation-derived malignancy. Herein, we aim to thoroughly investigate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of genes encoding α-KG-dependent enzymes for lower-grade glioma (LGG) patients. In this retrospective study, a total of 775 LGG patients were enrolled. The generalized linear model, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression, and nomogram were applied to identify the enzyme-based signature. With the use of gene set enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology, the probable molecular abnormalities underlying high-risk patients were investigated. By comprehensively analyzing mRNA data, we observed that 41 genes were differentially expressed between IDHMUT and IDHWT LGG patients. A risk signature comprising 10 genes, which could divide samples into high- and low-risk groups of distinct prognoses, was developed and independently validated. This enzyme-based signature was indicative of a more malignant phenotype. The nomogram model incorporating the risk signature, molecular biomarkers, and clinicopathological parameters proved the incremental utility of the α-KG-dependent signature by achieving a more accurate prediction impact. Our study demonstrates that the α-KG-dependent enzyme-encoding genes were differentially expressed in relation to the IDH phenotype and may serve as a promising indicator for clinical outcomes of LGG patients.
Herpes simplex virus 1 as an oncolytic viral therapy for refractory cancers
Authors: Scanlan Hayle , Coffman Zachary , Bettencourt Jeffrey , Shipley Timothy , Bramblett Debra E.
Published: July 2022

The need for efficacious and non-toxic cancer therapies is paramount. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are showing great promise and are introducing new possibilities in cancer treatment with their ability to selectively infect tumor cells and trigger antitumor immune responses. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) is a commonly selected OV candidate due to its large genome, relative safety profile, and ability to infect a variety of cell types. Talimogene laherparevec (T-VEC) is an HSV-1-derived OV variant and the first and only OV therapy currently approved for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This review provides a concise description of HSV-1 as an OV candidate and the genomic organization of T-VEC. Furthermore, this review focuses on the advantages and limitations in the use of T-VEC compared to other HSV-1 OV variants currently in clinical trials. In addition, approaches for future directions of HSV-1 OVs as cancer therapy is discussed.
Can dog-assisted and relaxation interventions boost spatial ability in children with and without special educational needs? A longitudinal, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brelsford Victoria L. , Dimolareva Mirena , Rowan Elise , Gee Nancy R. , Meints Kerstin
Published: July 2022

Children's spatial cognition abilities are a vital part of their learning and cognitive development, and important for their problem-solving capabilities, the development of mathematical skills and progress in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) topics. As many children have difficulties with STEM topic areas, and as these topics have suffered a decline in uptake in students, it is worthwhile to find out how learning and performance can be enhanced at an early age. The current study is the first to investigate if dog-assisted and relaxation interventions can improve spatial abilities in school children. It makes a novel contribution to empirical research by measuring longitudinally if an Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) or relaxation intervention can boost children's development of spatial abilities. Randomized controlled trials were employed over time including dog intervention, relaxation intervention and no treatment control groups. Interventions were carried out over 4 weeks, twice a week for 20 min. Children were tested in mainstream schools (N = 105) and in special educational needs (SEN) schools (N = 64) before and after interventions, after 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. To assess intervention type and to provide advice for subsequent best practice recommendations, dog-assisted interventions were run as individual or small group interventions. Overall, children's spatial abilities improved over the year with highest increases in the first 4 months. In Study 1, typically developing children showed higher scores and more continuous learning overall compared to children with special educational needs. Children in the dog intervention group showed higher spatial ability scores immediately after interventions and after a further 6 weeks (short-term). Children in the relaxation group also showed improved scores short-term after relaxation intervention. In contrast, the no treatment control group did not improve significantly. No long-term effects were observed. Interestingly, no gender differences could be observed in mainstream school children's spatial skills. In study 2, children in SEN schools saw immediate improvements in spatial abilities after relaxation intervention sessions. No changes were seen after dog interventions or in the no treatment control group. Participants' pet ownership status did not have an effect in either cohort. These are the first findings showing that AAI and relaxation interventions benefit children's spatial abilities in varied educational settings. This research represents an original contribution to Developmental Psychology and to the field of Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) and is an important step towards further in-depth investigation of how AAI and relaxation interventions can help children achieve their learning potential, both in mainstream schools and in schools for SEN.
Lactoferrin and Human Neutrophil Protein (HNP) 1–3 Levels During the Neonatal Period in Preterm Infants
Authors: Faust Kirstin B. , Moser Katja , Bartels Maren , Fortmann Ingmar , Hanke Kathrin , Wieg Christian , Stichtenoth Guido , Göpel Wolfgang , Herting Egbert , Härtel Christoph
Published: July 2022

Antimicrobial polypeptides (APPs) are part of the innate immune system, but their specific role in the context of preterm birth is not yet understood. The aim of this investigation was to determine the systemic expression of APPs, i.e., lactoferrin (LF) and human neutrophil protein (HNP) 1–3 in preterm infants in the period of highest vulnerability for infection and to correlate these biomarkers with short-term outcome. We therefore conducted a prospective two-center study including plasma samples of 278 preterm infants and 78 corresponding mothers. APP levels were analyzed on day 1, 3, 7, and 21 of life via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of LF and HNP1–3 remained stable during the first 21 days of life and were not influenced by maternal levels. Elevated APP levels were found at day 1 in infants born to mothers with amniotic infection syndrome (AIS vs. no AIS, mean ± SD in ng/ml: LF 199.8 ± 300 vs. 124.1 ± 216.8, HNP 1–3 16,819 ± 36,124 vs. 8,701 ± 11,840; p = 0.021, n = 179). We found no elevated levels of APPs before the onset of sepsis episodes or in association with other short-term outcomes that are in part mediated by inflammation such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Interestingly, infants developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) showed higher levels of HNP1–3 on day 21 than infants without BPD (13,473 ± 16,135 vs. 8,388 ± 15,938, n = 111, p = 0.008). In infants born without amniotic infection, levels of the measured APPs correlated with gestational age and birth weight. In our longitudinal study, systemic levels of LF and HNP 1–3 were not associated with postnatal infection and adverse short-term outcomes in preterm infants.
Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Evaluation of Post-transplantation Complications in Pediatric Receipt: A Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Gu Li-hong , Lv Zi-cheng , Wu Hao-xiang , Hou Yu-Chen , Gao Run-lin , Xi Zhi-feng , Fang Hua , Feng Hao , Jiang Li-xin , Xia Qiang
Published: July 2022

Background

The 20-year survival rate in pediatric patients after liver transplantation (LT) was no more than 70%. Hepatic fibrosis is one of the principal factors affecting the long-term prognosis. Imaging evaluation was the first-line examination for pediatric liver graft assessment. However, the sensitivity and specificity were insufficient. Thus, two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) was performed to evaluate liver graft stiffness and complication in post-transplant pediatric receipt.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective cohort, 343 pediatric recipients who underwent liver graft biopsy in our tertiary LT center were recruited between June 2018 and December 2020. The 2D-SWE evaluation, laboratory examination, routine post-transplant biopsy, and hepatic pathological assessment were performed.

Results

Ninety-eight of the 343 pediatric patients were included according to the protocol. The Liver Stiffness Measurements (LSM) value of 2D-SWE was significantly elevated in post-transplant fibrosis (p < 0.0001). The LSM value of patients with post-transplant biliary complications (p < 0.0001) and biopsy-proven rejection (BPR, p = 0.0016) also rose compared to regular recovery patients. Concerning the sensitivity and specificity of 2D-SWE in diagnosing liver graft fibrosis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 88%, and the optimal cutoff value was 10.3 kPa.

Conclusion

Pediatric LSM by 2D-SWE was efficient. Routine 2D-SWE evaluation could be optimal to predict significant liver graft fibrosis.
Discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors based on BCR-ABL1 monitoring by digital droplet PCR in pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kim Yeojae , Kim Seongkoo , Lee Jong Mi , Ahn Ari , Yoo Jae Won , Lee Jae Wook , Cho Bin , Chung Nack-Gyun , Kim Yonggoo , Kim Myungshin
Published: July 2022

Lifelong treatment of pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can affect their growth and development. For these reasons, clinical trials have explored the feasibility of TKI discontinuation in children with a sufficient TKI response. We evaluated the analytical performance of digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) to quantify BCR-ABL1 and compared the results with reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We further investigated whether ddPCR could be used to determine TKI discontinuation in a clinical setting. Performance of ddPCR was evaluated using standard materials for BCR-ABL1, and a total of 197 clinical samples from 45 pediatric CML patients was included for comparison with RT-qPCR. ddPCR showed excellent analytical sensitivity with 0.001% international scale (IS) and linearity with R2 > 0.99 in log scale. BCR-ABL1 % IS results correlated well with those of RT-qPCR (R2 = 0.9435), however, they showed a moderate strength for agreement with a Cohen's kappa of 0.41 due to higher sensitivity of ddPCR. Among 45 pediatric CML patients, 42 were treated with first-line TKIs including imatinib (n = 27, 64%) and dasatinib (n = 12, 29%), and three patients that were started with imatinib were switched to dasatinib. When we evaluated whether follow-up samples fulfilled ABL1 copies ≥ 10,000 required for deep molecular response (DMR), all samples were acceptable by ddPCR, whereas 18% by RT-qPCR did not reached acceptable ABL1 copies. Moreover, 52 and 13% reached ABL1 copies ≥ 32,000 required for MR4.5 by ddPCR and RT-qPCR, respectively. Seven patients discontinued TKI and the median TKI treatment duration was 73 months prior to discontinuation. Prior to discontinuation, the median duration of sustained undetected BCR-ABL1 was 60 months. Two patients experienced loss of major MR (MMR) during follow-up and restarted dasatinib 5 months after discontinuation. They achieved MMR again and maintained better than DMR afterward. Results from those patients demonstrated that RT-qPCR did not match the need for adequate ABL1 copies for MR4.5 while majority of ddPCR could. Therefore, ddPCR was technically more acceptable to decide and monitor pediatric CML patients before and after TKI discontinuation.
Rapid automatic naming and phonological awareness deficits in preschool children with probable developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Cheng Hsiang-Chun , Cherng Rong-Ju , Yang Pei-Yu
Published: July 2022

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have been reported to have a higher risk of dyslexia than children with typical development (TD). Phonological awareness (PA) and rapid automatic naming (RAN) are known to be predictive of children’s reading development. The present study examined PA and RAN in preschool children with and without probable DCD in Taiwan. In total, 704 children aged 5–6 years old from 25 preschools in Taichung City were included as participants. The probable DCD children performed more poorly than the children with TD on the PA and the RAN tests. Put in deficit terms, 22% of the children with TD, but 48% of the probable DCD children, had a single or dual PA/RAN deficit. Furthermore, it was manual dexterity that bore the unique relationship with RAN. Automatic visual perceptual-motor coordination may be the common processing component that underlies RAN and probable DCD. The early visual perceptual-motor profile of probable DCD children has not been well recognized before.
Heat wave event facilitates defensive responses in invasive C3 plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. under elevated CO2 concentration to the detriment of Ophraella communa
Authors: Tian Zhenya , Ma Chao , Zhao Chenchen , Zhang Yan , Gao Xuyuan , Tian Zhenqi , Chen Hongsong , Guo Jianying , Zhou Zhongshi
Published: July 2022

Key message

Being fed on A. artemisiifolia grown under elevated CO2 and heat wave conditions resulted in the poor performance of O. communa (high mortality, long development period, and low reproduction).

Elevated CO2 and heat waves resulted in the accumulation of secondary metabolites in A. artemisiifolia.

After feeding on the secondary metabolites accumulated by A. artemisiifolia, the mortality of O. communa increased.
Selection of parental lines for plant breeding via genomic prediction
Authors: Chung Ping-Yuan , Liao Chen-Tuo
Published: July 2022

A set of superior parental lines is imperative for the development of high-performing inbred lines in any biparental crossing program for crops. The main objectives of this study are to (a) develop a genomic prediction approach to identify superior parental lines for multi-trait selection, and (b) generate a software package for users to execute the proposed approach before conducting field experiments. According to different breeding goals of the target traits, a novel selection index integrating information from genomic-estimated breeding values (GEBVs) of candidate accessions was proposed to evaluate the composite performance of simulated progeny populations. Two rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome datasets were analyzed to illustrate the potential applications of the proposed approach. One dataset applied to the parental selection for producing inbred lines with satisfactory performance in primary and secondary traits simultaneously. The other one applied to demonstrate the application of producing inbred lines with high adaptability to different environments. Overall, the results showed that incorporating GEBV and genomic diversity into a selection strategy based on the proposed selection index could assist in selecting superior parents to meet the desired breeding goals and increasing long-term genetic gain. An R package, called IPLGP, was generated to facilitate the widespread application of the approach.
Constitutive expression of VviNAC17 transcription factor significantly induces the synthesis of flavonoids and other phenolics in transgenic grape berry cells
Authors: Badim Hélder , Vale Mariana , Coelho Marco , Granell Antonio , Gerós Hernâni , Conde Artur
Published: July 2022

VviNAC17 is a grapevine transcription factor activated by ABA. Because ABA has been proposed as the main signal modulating the secondary metabolism in grape berry skins, here we postulated VviNAC17 as a positive regulator of secondary metabolism in grape cells. To validate the hypothesis, VviNAC17 was constitutively and stably overexpressed in grape berry suspension-cultured cells of Gamay Fréaux cv. by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Targeted transcriptional analyses by qPCR showed that several genes involved the phenylpropanoid (VviPAL1), stilbenoid (VviSTS1) and flavonoid pathways (VviDFR, VviLAR1, VviANR, VviLDOX, and VviUFGT1), as well as anthocyanin vacuolar transport and accumulation (VviGST4 and VvMATE1) were significantly upregulated in VviNAC17-overexpressing transgenic cells, which translated in the stimulation of a number of enzymatic activities in those pathways. This was the case of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) that were about 2-fold and 3.5-fold higher in VviNAC17-overexpressing cells than in control cells. VviNAC17-overexpressing cells accumulated significantly higher amounts of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, total flavonoids and total phenolics. These findings confirmed that VviNAC17 is an important positive regulator of secondary metabolism in grapevine contributing to the accumulation of important berry quality-related secondary metabolites.
Metonymy Processing in Chinese: A Linguistic Context-Sensitive Eye-Tracking Preliminary Study
Authors: Chen Xianglan , Ren Hulin , Yan XiaoYing
Published: July 2022

Current cognitively oriented research on metaphor proposes that understanding metaphorical expressions is a process of building embodied simulations, which are constrained by past and present bodily experiences. However, it has also been shown that metaphor processing is also constrained by the linguistic context but, to our knowledge, there is no comparable work in the domain of metonymy. As an initial attempt to fill this gap, the present study uses eye-tracking experimentation to explore this aspect of Chinese metonymy processing. It complements previous work on how the length of preceding linguistic context influences metonymic processing by focusing on: (1) the contextual information of both the preceding target words; (2) the immediate spillover after the target words; and (3) whether the logical relationship between the preceding contextual information and the target word is strong or weak (a 2 × 2 between-subject experiment with target words of literal/metonymy and logic of strong/weak). Results show that readers take longer to arrive at a literal interpretation than at a metonymic one when the preceding information is in a weak logic relationship with target words, although this disparity can disappear when the logic is strong. Another finding is that both the preceding and the spillover contextual information contribute to metonymy processing when the spillover information does more to the metonymy than it does to the literal meaning. This study further complements cognitive and pragmatic approaches to metonymy, which are centered on its conceptual nature and its role in interpretation, by drawing attention to how the components of sentences contribute to the metonymic processing of target words. Based on an experiment, a contextual model of Chinese metonymy processing is proposed.
Bias in measurement of autism symptoms by spoken language level and non-verbal mental age in minimally verbal children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Zheng Shuting , Kaat Aaron , Farmer Cristan , Thurm Audrey , Burrows Catherine A. , Kanne Stephen , Georgiades Stelios , Esler Amy , Lord Catherine , Takahashi Nicole , Nowell Kerri P. , Will Elizabeth , Roberts Jane , Bishop Somer L.
Published: July 2022

Increasing numbers of children with known genetic conditions and/or intellectual disability are referred for evaluation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting the need to refine autism symptom measures to facilitate differential diagnoses in children with cognitive and language impairments. Previous studies have reported decreased specificity of ASD screening and diagnostic measures in children with intellectual disability. However, little is known about how cognitive and language abilities impact the measurement of specific ASD symptoms in this group. We aggregated a large sample of young children (N = 1196; aged 31–119 months) to examine measurement invariance of ASD symptoms among minimally verbal children within the context of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Module 1. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and moderated non-linear factor analysis (MNLFA), we examined how discrete behaviors were differentially associated with the latent symptom domains of social communication impairments (SCI) and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) across spoken language levels and non-verbal mental age groupings. While the two-factor structure of SCI and RRB held consistently across language and cognitive levels, only partial invariance was observed for both ASD symptom domains of SCI and RRB. Specifically, four out of the 15 SCI items and one out of the three RRB items examined showed differential item functioning between children with “Few to No Words” and those with “Some Words”; and one SCI item and one RRB item showed differential item functioning across non-verbal mental age groups. Moreover, even after adjusting for the differential item functioning to reduce measurement bias across groups, there were still differences in ASD symptom domain scores across spoken language levels. These findings further underscore the influence of spoken language level on measurement of ASD symptoms and the importance of measuring ASD symptoms within refined spoken language levels, even among those with minimal verbal abilities.
Predictors of problem-solving skills among emergency medical services staff in Iran: A cross-sectional correlational study
Authors: Saeedyan Masoud , Mohammadi Mohammad Ali , Mirzaei Alireza , Mozaffari Naser
Published: July 2022

Background and aims

Pre-hospital emergency technicians face many problems in the workplace daily, so the ability to solve or overcome them in the workplace is essential. This article aimed to assess the predictors of problem-solving skills among emergency medical services staff in Iran.

Methods

This study was cross-sectional correlational research. Using convenience sampling methods, 140 emergency medical services (EMS) staff were enrolled in the study. Response time was assessed using ASAYAR software, problem-solving skills (PSS) were measured using the Hepner Petersen Problem Solving Questionnaire (PSI), and cognitive emotion regulation strategies were assessed using the Garnfsky Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's r correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis were applied using SPSS 14.0.

Results

The results of our study showed that the total mean score for problem-solving skills was 136.84 (14.65) (range, 175–107 points). Multiple linear regression indicated that refocusing on planning, positive evaluation, stress management courses, delays and their causes, positive refocusing, catastrophizing, and acceptance were effective predictors of problem-solving skills in emergency personnel, accounting for 54% of the total variances.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first studies in this field. Based on our findings, individuals who consider their emotions and feelings when solving problems are better able to use the process of thinking and problem-solving skills. Therefore, by training people in the field of emotional regulation skills, the skills to solve problems technicians can be increased.
Reassessment of sustainable rural tourism strategies after COVID-19
Authors: Kürüm Varolgüneş Fatma , Çelik Faysal , Del Río-Rama María de la Cruz , Álvarez-García José
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to develop indicators that measure rural tourism destinations in a sustainable framework during the COVID-19 process. In order to achieve this goal, the A’WOT and TOWS hybrid method was used in the study. In line with this goal, the priority order was calculated by determining the factors for strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Once these factors have been identified, strategies have been developed to build on strengths and eliminate weaknesses, while taking advantage of the opportunities and countering threats. In the study, Gökçeada-Turkey, which has recently come to the fore with its rural tourism potential, has been considered as a destination area, and strategies have been developed that adopt sustainable and responsible tourism approaches and increase the roles and capabilities of local communities. The results obtained in the study are expected to be meaningful for other rural destinations that are similar to Gökçeada.