bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintaining Bone Health in the Lumbar Spine: Routine Activities Alone Are Not Enough
Authors: Favier Clément D. , McGregor Alison H. , Phillips Andrew T. M.
Published: May 2021

Public health organisations typically recommend a minimum amount of moderate intensity activities such as walking or cycling for two and a half hours a week, combined with some more demanding physical activity on at least 2 days a week to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal condition. For populations at risk of bone loss in the lumbar spine, these guidelines are particularly relevant. However, an understanding of how these different activities are influential in maintaining vertebral bone health is lacking. A predictive structural finite element modelling approach using a strain-driven algorithm was developed to study mechanical stimulus and bone adaptation in the lumbar spine under various physiological loading conditions. These loading conditions were obtained with a previously developed full-body musculoskeletal model for a range of daily living activities representative of a healthy lifestyle. Activities of interest for the simulations include moderate intensity activities involving limited spine movements in all directions such as, walking, stair ascent and descent, sitting down and standing up, and more demanding activities with large spine movements during reaching and lifting tasks. For a combination of moderate and more demanding activities, the finite element model predicted a trabecular and cortical bone architecture representative of a healthy vertebra. When more demanding activities were removed from the simulations, areas at risk of bone degradation were observed at all lumbar levels in the anterior part of the vertebral body, the transverse processes and the spinous process. Moderate intensity activities alone were found to be insufficient in providing a mechanical stimulus to prevent bone degradation. More demanding physical activities are essential to maintain bone health in the lumbar spine.
Treponema denticola-Induced RASA4 Upregulation Mediates Cytoskeletal Dysfunction and MMP-2 Activity in Periodontal Fibroblasts
Authors: Malone Erin Trent , Ganther Sean , Mena Nevina , Radaic Allan , Shariati Keemia , Kindberg Abigail , Tafolla Christian , Kamarajan Pachiyappan , Fenno J. Christopher , Zhan Ling , Kapila Yvonne L.
Published: May 2021

The periodontal complex consists of the periodontal ligament (PDL), alveolar bone, and cementum, which work together to turn mechanical load into biological responses that are responsible for maintaining a homeostatic environment. However oral microbes, under conditions of dysbiosis, may challenge the actin dynamic properties of the PDL in the context of periodontal disease. To study this process, we examined host-microbial interactions in the context of the periodontium via molecular and functional cell assays and showed that human PDL cell interactions with Treponema denticola induce actin depolymerization through a novel actin reorganization signaling mechanism. This actin reorganization mechanism and loss of cell adhesion is a pathological response characterized by an initial upregulation of RASA4 mRNA expression resulting in an increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity. This mechanism is specific to the T. denticola effector protein, dentilisin, thereby uncovering a novel effect for Treponema denticola-mediated RASA4 transcriptional activation and actin depolymerization in primary human PDL cells.
Rational Interpretation of Numerical Quantity in Argumentative Contexts
Authors: Cummins Chris , Franke Michael
Published: May 2021

Numerical descriptions furnish us with an apparently precise and objective way of summarising complex datasets. In practice, the issue is less clear-cut, partly because the use of numerical expressions in natural language invites inferences that go beyond their mathematical meaning, and consequently quantitative descriptions can be true but misleading. This raises important practical questions for the hearer: how should they interpret a quantitative description that is being used to further a particular argumentative agenda, and to what extent should they treat it as a good argument for a particular conclusion? In this paper, we discuss this issue with reference to notions of argumentative strength, and consider the strategy that a rational hearer should adopt in interpreting quantitative information that is being used argumentatively by the speaker. We exemplify this with reference to United Kingdom universities’ reporting of their REF 2014 evaluations. We argue that this reporting is typical of argumentative discourse involving quantitative information in two important respects. Firstly, a hearer must take into account the speaker’s agenda in order not to be misled by the information provided; but secondly, the speaker’s choice of utterance is typically suboptimal in its argumentative strength, and this creates a considerable challenge for accurate interpretation.
Hotspot and Frontier Analysis of Exercise Training Therapy for Heart Failure Complicated With Depression Based on Web of Science Database and Big Data Analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Jia Yuhong , Li Molin , Jiao Sirui , Zhao Henan
Published: May 2021

Background: Exercise training has been extensively studied in heart failure (HF) and psychological disorders, which has been shown to worsen each other. However, our understanding of how exercise simultaneously protect heart and brain of HF patients is still in its infancy. The purpose of this study was to take advantage of big data techniques to explore hotspots and frontiers of mechanisms that protect the heart and brain simultaneously through exercise training.

Methods: We studied the scientific publications on related research between January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2020 from the WoS Core Collection. Research hotspots were assessed through open-source software, CiteSpace, Pajek, and VOSviewer. Big data analysis and visualization were carried out using R, Cytoscape and Origin.

Results: From 2003 to 2020, the study on HF, depression, and exercise simultaneously was the lowest of all research sequences (two-way ANOVAs, p < 0.0001). Its linear regression coefficient r was 0.7641. The result of hotspot analysis of related keyword-driven research showed that inflammation and stress (including oxidative stress) were the common mechanisms. Through the further analyses, we noted that inflammation, stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, cell death, and the mechanisms related to mitochondrial biogenesis/homeostasis, could be regarded as the primary mechanism targets to study the simultaneous intervention of exercise on the heart and brain of HF patients with depression.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the potential mechanism targets by which exercise interferes with both the heart and brain for HF patients with depression. We hope that they can boost the attention of other researchers and clinicians, and open up new avenues for designing more novel potential drugs to block heart-brain axis vicious circle.
Effects of Stress Hyperglycemia on Short-Term Prognosis of Patients Without Diabetes Mellitus in Coronary Care Unit
Authors: Zhang Luming , Wang Zichen , Xu Fengshuo , Han Didi , Li Shaojin , Yin Haiyan , Lyu Jun
Published: May 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Non-diabetic stress hyperglycemia is common in severely ill patients, and it could affect prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the influence of different blood glucose levels on prognosis from the perspective of stress hyperglycemia by comparing them with normal blood glucose levels and those of patients with DM.

Methods: A retrospective study of 1,401 patients in coronary care unit (CCU) from the critical care database called Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV was performed. Patients were assigned to the following groups 1–4 based on their history of DM, random blood glucose, and HbA1c levels: normal blood glucose group, moderate stress hyperglycemia group, severe stress hyperglycemia group and DM group. The main outcome of this study was 30- and 90-day mortality rates. The associations between groups and outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazard regression model and competing risk regression model.

Results: A total of 1,401 patients in CCU were enrolled in this study. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed that group 1 had a higher survival probability than groups 3 and 4 in terms of 30- and 90-day mortalities. After controlling the potential confounders in Cox regression, groups 3 and 4 had a statistically significant higher risk of both mortalities than group 1, while no difference in mortality risk was found between groups 2 and 1. The hazard ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 30- and 90-day mortality rates for group 3 were 2.77(1.39,5.54) and 2.59(1.31,5.12), respectively, while those for group 4 were 1.92(1.08,3.40) and 1.94(1.11,3.37), respectively.

Conclusions: Severe stress hyperglycemia (≥200 mg/dL) in patients without DM in CCU may increase the risk of short-term death, which is greater than the prognostic effect in patients with diabetes. Patients with normal blood glucose levels and moderate stress hyperglycemia (140 mg/dL ≤ RBG <200 mg/dL) had no effect on short-term outcomes in patients with CCU.
A Preliminary Study of Quantitative Ultrasound for Cancer-Risk Assessment of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Goundan Poorani N. , Mamou Jonathan , Rohrbach Daniel , Smith Jason , Patel Harshal , Wallace Kirk D. , Feleppa Ernest J. , Lee Stephanie L.
Published: May 2021

Background

Gray-scale, B-mode ultrasound (US) imaging is part of the standard clinical procedure for evaluating thyroid nodules (TNs). It is limited by its instrument- and operator-dependence and inter-observer variability. In addition, the accepted high-risk B-mode US TN features are more specific for detecting classic papillary thyroid cancer rather than the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer or follicular thyroid cancer. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a technique that can non-invasively assess properties of tissue microarchitecture by exploiting information contained in raw ultrasonic radiofrequency (RF) echo signals that is discarded in conventional B-mode imaging. QUS provides quantitative parameter-value estimates that are a function of the properties of US scatterers and microarchitecture of the tissue. The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the performance of QUS parameters in evaluating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods

Patients from the Thyroid Health Center at the Boston Medical Center were recruited to participate. B-mode and RF data were acquired and analyzed in 225 TNs (24 malignant and 201 benign) from 208 patients. These data were acquired either before (167 nodules) or after (58 nodules) subjects underwent fine-needle biopsy (FNB). The performance of a combination of QUS parameters (CQP) was assessed and compared with the performance of B-mode risk-stratification systems.

Results

CQP produced an ROC AUC value of 0.857 ± 0.033 compared to a value of 0.887 ± 0.033 (p=0.327) for the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and 0.880 ± 0.041 (p=0.367) for the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk-stratification system. Furthermore, using a CQP threshold of 0.263 would further reduce the number of unnecessary FNBs in 44% of TNs without missing any malignant TNs. When CQP used in combination with ACR TI-RADS, a potential additional reduction of 49 to 66% in unnecessary FNBs was demonstrated.

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggests that QUS may provide a method to classify TNs when used by itself or when combined with a conventional gray-scale US risk-stratification system and can potentially reduce the need to biopsy TNs.
Role of Somatostatin Receptor in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Development, Diagnosis, and Therapy
Authors: Hu Yuheng , Ye Zeng , Wang Fei , Qin Yi , Xu Xiaowu , Yu Xianjun , Ji Shunrong
Published: May 2021

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare and part of the diverse family of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), which are widely expressed in NENs, are G-protein coupled receptors that can be activated by somatostatins or its synthetic analogs. Therefore, SSTRs have been widely researched as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in pNETs. A large number of studies have demonstrated the clinical significance of SSTRs in pNETs. In this review, relevant literature has been appraised to summarize the most recent empirical evidence addressing the clinical significance of SSTRs in pNETs. Overall, these studies have shown that SSTRs have great value in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic prediction of pNETs; however, further research is still necessary.
Identification of Rice Blast Loss-of-Function Mutant Alleles in the Wheat Genome as a New Strategy for Wheat Blast Resistance Breeding
Authors: Guo Huijun , Du Qidi , Xie Yongdun , Xiong Hongchun , Zhao Linshu , Gu Jiayu , Zhao Shirong , Song Xiyun , Islam Tofazzal , Liu Luxiang
Published: May 2021

Blast is caused by the host-specific lineages of the fungusMagnaporthe oryzaeand is the most important destructive disease in major crop plants, including rice and wheat. The first wheat blast outbreak that occurred in Bangladesh in 2016 and the recent epidemic in Zambia were caused by theM. oryzae Triticum(MoT) pathotype, a fungal lineage belonging toM. oryzae. Although a few reported wheat cultivars show modest resistance toMoT, the patterns of genetic variation and diversity of this pathotype make it crucial to identify additional lines of resistant wheat germplasm. Nearly 40 rice blast resistant and susceptible genes have so far been cloned. Here, we used BLAST analysis to locate two rice blast susceptible genes in the wheat reference genome,bsr-d1andbsr-k1, and identified six identical homologous genes located on subgenomes A, B, and D. We uncovered a total of 171 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced population, with mutation densities ranging from 1/1107.1 to 1/230.7 kb through Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) by sequencing. These included 81 SNPs located in exonic and promoter regions, and 13 coding alleles that are predicted to have severe effects on protein function, including two pre-mature mutants that might affect wheat blast resistance. The loss-of-function alleles identified in this study provide insights into new wheat blast resistant lines, which represent a valuable breeding resource.
Platelet Activation and the Immune Response to Tuberculosis
Authors: Kirwan Daniela E. , Chong Deborah L. W. , Friedland Jon S.
Published: May 2021

In 2019 10 million people developed symptomatic tuberculosis (TB) disease and 1.2 million died. In active TB the inflammatory response causes tissue destruction, which leads to both acute morbidity and mortality. Tissue destruction in TB is driven by host innate immunity and mediated via enzymes, chiefly matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are secreted by leukocytes and stromal cells and degrade the extracellular matrix. Here we review the growing evidence implicating platelets in TB immunopathology. TB patients typically have high platelet counts, which correlate with disease severity, and a hypercoagulable profile. Platelets are present in human TB granulomas and platelet-associated gene transcripts are increased in TB patients versus healthy controls. Platelets most likely drive TB immunopathology through their effect on other immune cells, particularly monocytes, to lead to upregulation of activation markers, increased MMP secretion, and enhanced phagocytosis. Finally, we consider current evidence supporting use of targeted anti-platelet agents in the treatment of TB due to growing interest in developing host-directed therapies to limit tissue damage and improve treatment outcomes. In summary, platelets are implicated in TB disease and contribute to MMP-mediated tissue damage via their cellular interactions with other leukocytes, and are potential targets for novel host-directed therapies.
Biomarkers for Early Complications of Endothelial Origin After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Do They Have a Potential Clinical Role?
Authors: Lia Giuseppe , Giaccone Luisa , Leone Sarah , Bruno Benedetto
Published: May 2021

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction causes a number of early and life-threatening post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) complications that result in a rapid clinical decline. The main early complications are graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD), transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Post-HCT endothelial dysfunction occurs as a result of chemotherapy, infections, and allogeneic reactivity. Despite major advances in transplant immunology and improvements in supportive care medicine, these complications represent a major obstacle for successful HCT. In recent years, different biomarkers have been investigated for early detection of post-transplant endothelial cell dysfunction, but few have been validated. In this review we will define GVHD, TA-TMA and SOS, summarize the current data available in HCT biomarker research and identify promising biomarkers for detection and diagnosis of early HCT complications.
Resolvin D1 Improves the Treg/Th17 Imbalance in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Through miR-30e-5p
Authors: Cheng Tao , Ding Shuai , Liu Shanshan , Li Xiaojing , Tang Xiaojun , Sun Lingyun
Published: May 2021

Resolvin D1 (RvD1) prompts inflammation resolution and regulates immune responses. We explored the effect of RvD1 on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and investigated the correlation between RvD1 and Treg/Th17 imbalance, which is one of the major factors contributing to the pathogenesis of disease. SLE patients and healthy controls were recruited to determine plasma RvD1 levels. MRL/lpr lupus model was used to verify rescue of the disease phenotype along with Treg/Th17 ratio. Purified naive CD4+ T cells were used to study the effect of RvD1 on Treg/Th17 differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, small RNA Sequencing and transfection were performed successively to investigate downstream microRNAs. The result showed that the RvD1 level was significantly lower in active SLE patients compared with inactive status and controls. Moreover, The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score had a significant negative correlation with RvD1 level. As expected, RvD1 treatment ameliorated disease phenotype and inflammatory response, improved the imbalanced Treg/Th17 in MRL/lpr mice. In addition, RvD1 increased Treg while reduced Th17 differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, miR-30e-5p was verified to modulate the Treg/Th17 differentiation from naïve CD4+ T cells as RvD1 downstream microRNA. In conclusion, RvD1 effectively ameliorates SLE progression through up-regulating Treg and down-regulating Th17 cells via miR-30e-5p.
Management of Donor-Specific Antibodies in Haploidentical Transplant: Multicenter Experience From the Madrid Group of Hematopoietic Transplant
Authors: Bailén Rebeca , Vicario José Luis , Solán Laura , Sánchez-Vadillo Irene , Herrera Pilar , Calbacho María , Alenda Raquel , López-Lorenzo José Luis , Humala Karem , Chinea Anabelle , Sánchez-Pina José , Balas Antonio , Moreno Miguel Ángel , Arzuaga Javier , Pradillo Virginia , Dorado Nieves , Oarbeascoa Gillen , Anguita Javier , Díez-Martín José Luis , Kwon Mi
Published: May 2021

Background

Donor specific antibodies (DSAs) can be responsible for graft failure (GF) in the setting of mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of our study is to report the experience of the Madrid Group of Hematopoietic Transplant (GMTH) in patients with DSAs undergoing haplo-HSCT.

Methods

Patients undergoing haplo-HSCT in centers from the GMTH from 2012 to 2020 were included in the study. DSAs were analyzed with a solid-phase single-antigen immunoassay; monitoring was performed during desensitization on days -14, -7, 0 and in a weekly basis until neutrophil engraftment. Desensitization strategies varied depending on center experience, immunofluorescence intensity, complement fixation and type of antibodies.

Results

We identified a total of 20 haplo-HSCT in 19 patients performed with DSAs in 5 centers. 10 (53%) patients presented anti-HLA class I DSAs (6 of them with > 5000 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)), 4 (21%) presented anti-HLA class II (1 with > 5000 MFI) and 5 (26%) presented both anti-HLA class I and II (5 with > 5000 MFI). 90% of patients received at least two treatments as desensitization strategy and all experienced a decrease of MFI after desensitization (mean reduction 74%). Only one patient who developed progressive increase of MFI after infusion developed GF. Desensitization treatments used included rituximab, immunoglobulins, therapeutic plasma exchange, incompatible platelets, buffy coat and immunosuppressors. Seventeen (90%) patients achieved neutrophil engraftment; one patient died before engraftment because of infection and one patient with class I DSAs developed primary GF despite an intensive desensitization. After a median follow-up of 10 months, OS and EFS were 60% and 58%, respectively, cumulative incidence of relapse was 5% and NRM was 32%.

Conclusions

Despite the optimal strategy of DSAs desensitization remains unclear, the use of desensitization treatment guided by DSAs intensity kinetics constitute an effective approach with high rates of engraftment for patients with DSAs in need for an haplo-HSCT lacking an alternative suitable donor.
Exopolysaccharides as Antimicrobial Agents: Mechanism and Spectrum of Activity
Authors: Abdalla Abdelmoneim K. , Ayyash Mutamed M. , Olaimat Amin N. , Osaili Tareq M. , Al-Nabulsi Anas A. , Shah Nagendra P. , Holley Richard
Published: May 2021

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are metabolites synthesized and excreted by a variety of microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB). EPS serve several biological functions such as interactions between bacteria and their environments, protection against hostile conditions including dehydration, the alleviation of the action of toxic compounds (bile salts, hydrolyzing enzymes, lysozyme, gastric, and pancreatic enzymes, metal ions, antibiotics), and stresses (changing pH, osmolarity), and evasion of the immune response and phage attack. Bacterial EPSs are considered valuable by the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, owing to their health-promoting benefits and rheological impacts. Numerous studies have reported the unusual antimicrobial activities of various EPS against a wide variety of pathogenic microbes (bacteria, virus, and fungi). This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of thein vitroandin vivoantimicrobial activities of different EPSs, mainly against foodborne bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. The mechanism of EPS action against these pathogens as well as the methods used to measure antimicrobial activities are critically reviewed.
Expression and Prognostic Value of ARID5A and its Correlation With Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Glioma
Authors: Zhou Quan , Zhou Jinping , Fan Jingyi
Published: May 2021

AT-rich interaction domain 5A (ARID5A) is a member of the ARID family with a function that has been linked to autoimmune as well as inflammatory diseases. Some ARID family members are involved in the initiation and progression of human cancers. However, the function of ARID5A in glioma remains unknown. In this study, ARID5A expression levels were analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. Subsequently, the relationship between ARID5A expression and the clinical characteristics of glioma patients was evaluated using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The prognostic value of ARID5A in glioma was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed for functional prediction. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database was used to analyze the relationship between ARID5A and immune cell infiltration in glioma. Our results demonstrate that the expression of ARID5A was upregulated in glioma compared with that in nontumor brain tissues. High expression of ARID5A is associated with poor prognosis in glioma. We found that the expression of ARID5A was significantly upregulated with an increase in tumor malignancy. GO analysis revealed that co-expression genes of ARID5A are significantly involved in some important functions in glioma, and GSEA showed that multiple cancer-associated and immune-associated signaling pathways are enriched in the high ARID5A expression group. TIMER database indicated that ARID5A is correlated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in glioma. Collectively, these findings indicate that ARID5A may be a potential prognostic biomarker and is correlated with immune infiltration in glioma.
Enhancing the Screening Efficiency of Breast Cancer by Combining Conventional Medical Imaging Examinations With Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Gao Yang , Fan Wan-Hung , Duan Chaohui , Zhao Wenhe , Zhang Jun , Kang Xixiong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Ultrasound (US) and mammogram (MMG) are the two most common breast cancer (BC) screening tools. This study aimed to assess how the combination of circulating tumor cells (CTC) with US and MMG would improve the diagnostic performance.

Methods

CTC detection and imaging examinations, US and MMG, were performed in 238 treatment-naive BC patients, 217 patients with benign breast diseases (BBD), and 20 healthy females. Correlations of CTC, US and MMG with patients’ clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated. Diagnostic performances of CTC, US and MMG were estimated by the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

CTC, US and MMG could all distinguish BC patients from the control (p < 0.0001). Area under curve (AUC) of CTC, US and MMG are 0.855, 0.861 and 0.759, respectively. While US has the highest sensitivity of 0.79, CTC and MMG have the same specificity of 0.92. Notably, CTC has the highest accuracy of 0.83. Combination with CTC increases the AUC of US and MMG to 0.922 and 0.899, respectively. Combining MMG with CTC or US increases the sensitivity of MMG to 0.87, however “CTC + MMG” has a higher specificity of 0.85. “CTC + US” performs the best in BC diagnosis, followed by “CTC + MMG” and then “US + MMG”.

Conclusion

CTC can be used as a diagnostic aid for BC screening. Combination with CTC increases the diagnostic potency of conventional BC screening imaging examinations, US and MMG, in BC diagnosis, especially for MMG.
The Role of Metabolism in the Development of Personalized Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Dembitz Vilma , Gallipoli Paolo
Published: May 2021

Despite significant recent advances in our understanding of the biology and genetics of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), current AML therapies are mostly based on a backbone of standard chemotherapy which has remained mostly unchanged for over 20 years. Several novel therapies, mostly targeting neomorphic/activating recurrent mutations found in AML patients, have only recently been approved following encouraging results, thus providing the first evidence of a more precise and personalized approach to AML therapy. Rewired metabolism has been described as a hallmark of cancer and substantial evidence of its role in AML establishment and maintenance has been recently accrued in preclinical models. Interestingly, unique metabolic changes are generated by specific AML recurrent mutations or in response to diverse AML therapies, thus creating actionable metabolic vulnerabilities in specific patient groups. In this review we will discuss the current evidence supporting a role for rewired metabolism in AML pathogenesis and how these metabolic changes can be leveraged to develop novel personalized therapies.
METTL3 Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastasis Through Enhancing GLS2 Expression
Authors: Chen Xiaoting , Huang Lanlan , Yang Tingting , Xu Jiexuan , Zhang Chengyong , Deng Zhendong , Yang Xiaorong , Liu Naihua , Chen Size , Lin Shaoqiang
Published: May 2021

Recent studies have identified pleiotropic roles of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in tumor progression. However, the roles of METTL3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unclear. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of METTL3 in ESCC tumorigenesis. We reported that higher METTL3 expression was found in ESCC tissues and was markedly associated with depth of invasion and poor prognosis. Loss- and gain-of function studies showed that METTL3 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro. Integrated methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-Seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis first demonstrated that glutaminase 2 (GLS2) was regulated by METTL3 via m6A modification. Our findings identified METTL3/GLS2 signaling as a potential therapeutic target in antimetastatic strategies against ESCC.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibodies Versus Botulinum Neurotoxin a in the Preventive Treatment of Chronic Migraine: An Adjusted Indirect Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Yao-Yao , Ye Xiao-Qian , Tang Tai-Chun , She Tian-Wei , Chen Min , Zheng Hui
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRPmAbs) are new agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for preventive treatment of chronic migraine. Comparison between CGRPmAbs and previously approved Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) will inform optimal preventive treatment of chronic migraine, but head-to-head trials are lacking. We therefore aimed to perform adjusted indirect comparison between CGRPmAbs and BoNT-A through a meta-analysis.

Methods: OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, clinical registries, and government websites were searched from inception to September 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing CGRPmAbs or BoNT-A with placebo in the preventive treatment of chronic migraine were included. The primary outcomes were headache days and migraine days measured at week 12. Data were synthesized by using a frequentist approach; and the treatments were ranked by P-score.

Results: We included 10 trials (n = 4,678) after screening 1049 candidates. Six trials were with low risk of bias. Fremanezumab had an effect similar to BoNT-A in the reduction of headache days at week 12 (standard mean difference [SMD] 0.08, 95%CI -0.55 to -0.7). Galcanezumab reduced more migraine days than BoNT-A at week 12 (SMD, -0.94, 95%CI −1.24 to −0.63); fremanezumab showed similar findings (SMD, −0.55, 95%CI −0.85 to −0.24). Galcanezumab and fremanezumab had better effect in mitigating headache impact at week 12. CGRPmAbs and BoNT-A had similar adverse event rate.

Conclusion: CGRPmAbs and BoNT-A had similar effect in the preventive treatment of chronic migraine. BoNT-A might be preferentially selected owing to its cost-effectiveness profiles. Further studies with direct comparison of the two treatments are warranted.
How Parenting Styles Link Career Decision-Making Difficulties in Chinese College Students? The Mediating Effects of Core Self-Evaluation and Career Calling
Authors: Tian Xiaoyan , Huang Bijuan , Li Hongxia , Xie Shaowen , Afzal Komal , Si Jiwei , Hu Dongmei
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between parenting styles and career decision-making difficulties in college students, and uncovered the mediating roles of core self-evaluation and career calling. A total of 1,127 undergraduates were recruited to complete the questionnaires about parenting styles, core self-evaluation, career calling, and career decision-making difficulties. The results showed that: (1) Positive and negative parenting styles could positively predict career decision-making difficulties in college students. (2) Core self-evaluation and career calling mediated the relationship between parenting styles and career decision-making difficulties. Sequential dual mediators only found in which positive paternal and maternal parenting styles predict career decision-making difficulties through core self-evaluation and career calling. (3) Further analysis revealed gender difference in the relationship between parenting styles and career decision-making difficulties. The relation between paternal positive parenting style and career decision-making difficulties was significant in male students, but absent in female students; the relation between maternal positive parenting and career decision-making difficulties and the relation between paternal negative parenting and career calling were significant in female students, but absent in male students; and the relation between career calling and career decision-making difficulties was greater in male than in female. The current study expanded and deepened those existing understandings about the relationship between parenting styles and adolescents’ career decisions, so as to further reveal its internal mechanism and provide more reasonable suggestions and targeted guidance for career counseling.
Dialogic Feminist Gathering and the Prevention of Gender Violence in Girls With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: de Mello Roseli Rodrigues , Soler-Gallart Marta , Braga Fabiana Marini , Natividad-Sancho Laura
Published: May 2021

Adolescent gender-based violence prevention and sexuality education is a topic of current concern given the increasing numbers of violence directed at girls. International organizations indicate that one in three girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced gender-based violence in their sexual relationships that this risk may be as much as 3–4 times higher for girls with disabilities. Following the good results obtained in the research project “Free_Teen_Desire” led by the University of Cambridge and funded by the Marie Curie Actions Program in the prevention of gender violence in adolescents through Dialogic Feminist Gatherings (DFG), the aim of study is to analyze Its transfer and impact on adolescent girls with intellectual disabilities. The DFGs are here understood as generators of a more dialogic environment for girls in general and we wonder if and how It is extended to the context of girls with disabilities. Thus, the research takes the form of a case study with a communicative approach on a DFGs. The intervention is carried out in a special school located in Valencia during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 academic years with a group of 19 non-mixed female students, female teachers, and the mother of one of the students. The study analyzes which are the transfer criteria to incorporate the DFGs in a special education context and what is their impact on the prevention of gender violence in girls with disabilities. The data collection techniques consist of two in-depth interviews, analysis of the field diary of 24 intervention sessions and a focus group with seven teachers. It is demonstrated that DFGs are successfully transferred to the special education context of the case study. The results show how contexts of safety, solidarity and friendship are generated which protect adolescent girls with disabilities from relationships with gender violence.
A Review on Wearable and Contactless Sensing for COVID-19 With Policy Challenges
Authors: Suresh Kumar Sagar , Dashtipour Kia , Abbasi Qammer H. , Imran Muhammad A. , Ahmad Wasim
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 100 million people worldwide, with around 500,000 cases reported daily. This has led to the overwhelming of healthcare systems even in developed countries such as the US, UK, etc. Remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients with non-serious symptoms can help reduce the burden on healthcare facilities and make them available for high risk groups and the seriously affected. The pandemic has accelerated the demand for the remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies, and the market is expected to reach 2.14 billion in 2027 from the value of 786.4 million in 2019. In RPM programs, there are two types of sensors that can be used: wearable and contactless. The former, which is currently more widely used, is not only more obtrusive and uncomfortable, but can also lead to cross-infection through patient contact. These two types of technologies are discussed and compared for each vital sign. In the respiratory system, the vital signs are the respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2), while for the latter, they are the heart rate/rhythm and the blood pressure (BP). Then, the discussion is broadened to policy level changes needed to expedite the use of such technologies for remote patient monitoring (RPM) in the world. Around 80% of countries' RPM programs are either informal or in a pilot phase, and thus lack policies and an established regulatory framework to implement their programs. The various policies needed to initiate, deliver, and reimburse RPM programs during emergency situations and outbreaks are discussed. Finally, technologies such as contactless systems, robotics, and Internet-of-things (IoT) that will revolutionize healthcare in the future by reducing the interaction between physicians and patients and cross-infection are discussed.
A Study on Vision-Based Backstepping Control for a Target Tracking System
Authors: Huynh Thinh , Tran Minh-Thien , Lee Dong-Hun , Chakir Soumayya , Kim Young-Bok
Published: May 2021

This paper proposes a new method to control the pose of a camera mounted on a two-axis gimbal system for visual servoing applications. In these applications, the camera should be stable while its line-of-sight points at a target located within the camera’s field of view. One of the most challenging aspects of these systems is the coupling in the gimbal kinematics as well as the imaging geometry. Such factors must be considered in the control system design process to achieve better control performances. The novelty of this study is that the couplings in both mechanism’s kinematics and imaging geometry are decoupled simultaneously by a new technique, so popular control methods can be easily implemented, and good tracking performances are obtained. The proposed control configuration includes a calculation of the gimbal’s desired motion taking into account the coupling influence, and a control law derived by the backstepping procedure. Simulation and experimental studies were conducted, and their results validate the efficiency of the proposed control system. Moreover, comparison studies are conducted between the proposed control scheme, the image-based pointing control, and the decoupled control. This proves the superiority of the proposed approach that requires fewer measurements and results in smoother transient responses.
Enteric Viral Infections among Domesticated South American Camelids: First Detection of Mammalian Orthoreovirus in Camelids
Authors: Castilla Dayana , Escobar Victor , Ynga Sergio , Llanco Luis , Manchego Alberto , Lázaro César , Navarro Dennis , Santos Norma , Rojas Miguel
Published: May 2021

Enteric infections are a major cause of neonatal death in South American camelids (SACs). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of enteric viral pathogens among alpacas and llamas in Canchis, Cuzco, located in the southern Peruvian highland. Fecal samples were obtained from 80 neonatal alpacas and llamas and tested for coronavirus (CoV), mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV), and rotavirus A (RVA) by RT-PCR. Of the 80 fecal samples analyzed, 76 (95%) were positive for at least one of the viruses tested. Overall, the frequencies of positive samples were 94.1% and 100% among alpacas and llamas, respectively. Of the positive samples, 33 (43.4%) were monoinfected, while 43 (56.6%) had coinfections with two (83.7%) or three (16.3%) viruses. CoV was the most commonly detected virus (87.5%) followed by MRV (50%). RVA was detected only in coinfections. To our knowledge, this is the first description of MRV circulation in SACs or camelids anywhere. These data show that multiple viruses circulate widely among young alpaca and llama crias within the studied areas. These infections can potentially reduce livestock productivity, which translates into serious economic losses for rural communities, directly impacting their livelihoods.
Comparison of Performance, Egg Quality, and Yolk Fatty Acid Profile in Two Turkish Genotypes (Atak-S and Atabey) in a Free-Range System
Authors: Sözcü Arda , İpek Aydın , Oguz Züleyha , Gunnarsson Stefan , Riber Anja B.
Published: May 2021

Consumer interest in buying eggs from animal welfare-friendly systems with outdoor access is increasing, leading to an increase in the need for knowledge on genotypes suitable for free-range systems. Two Turkish laying hen genotypes, Atak-S (brown, n = 210) and Atabey (white, n = 210), were reared in a free-range system from 19–72 weeks of age, and their suitability for the system was assessed based on laying performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid profile. Mean hen-day and hen-housed egg production were found to be higher in Atabey than Atak-S (p < 0.01). The brown eggs from Atak-S hens tended to be heavier than the white eggs from Atabey hens (p < 0.01). Brown eggs obtained from Atak-S hens had a stronger shell structure (p < 0.01), while white eggs from Atabey hens had higher mean yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit than brown eggs (p < 0.05). At 56 weeks of age, total saturated fatty acid content in yolk was higher in white eggs than in brown eggs (p < 0.01). These findings related to genotype could help free-range egg producers in their choices for more profitable production and for meeting consumer demands on egg quality and egg yolk fatty acid levels.
Recommendations for Abnormal Behaviour Ethograms in Monkey Research
Authors: Polanco Andrea , McCowan Brenda , Niel Lee , Pearl David L. , Mason Georgia
Published: May 2021

Laboratory monkey ethograms currently include subcategories of abnormal behaviours that are based on superficial morphological similarity. Yet, such ethograms may be misclassifying behaviour, with potential welfare implications as different abnormal behaviours are likely to have distinct risk factors and treatments. We therefore investigated the convergent validity of four hypothesized subcategories of abnormal behaviours (‘motor’, e.g., pacing; ‘self-stimulation’, e.g., self-sucking; ‘postural’, e.g., hanging; and ‘self-abuse’, e.g., self-biting). This hypothesis predicts positive relationships between the behaviours within each subcategory. Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) data on 19 abnormal behaviours were obtained from indoor-housed animals (n = 1183). Logistic regression models, controlling for sex, age, and the number of observations, revealed that only 1/6 ‘motor’ behaviours positively predicted pacing, while 2/3 ‘self-abuse’ behaviours positively predicted self-biting (one-tailed p-value < 0.05). Furthermore, ‘self-stimulation’ behaviours did not predict self-sucking, and none of the ‘postural’ behaviours predicted hanging. Thus, none of the subcategories fully met convergent validity. Subsequently, we created four new valid subcategories formed of comorbid behaviours. The first consisted of self-biting, self-hitting, self-injurious behaviour, floating limb, leg-lifting, and self-clasping. The second comprised twirling, bouncing, rocking, swinging, and hanging. The third comprised pacing and head-twisting, while the final subcategory consisted of flipping and eye-poking. Self-sucking, hair-plucking, threat-biting, and withdrawn remained as individual behaviours. We encourage laboratories to replicate the validation of these subcategories first, and for scientists working with other species to validate their ethograms before using them in welfare assessments.
A Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting Model Based on a Multi-Variable Long Short-Term Memory Network
Authors: Xie Anqi , Yang Hao , Chen Jing , Sheng Li , Zhang Qian
Published: May 2021

Accurately forecasting wind speed on a short-term scale has become essential in the field of wind power energy. In this paper, a multi-variable long short-term memory network model (MV-LSTM) based on Pearson correlation coefficient feature selection is proposed to predict the short-term wind speed. The proposed method utilizes multiple historical meteorological variables, such as wind speed, temperature, humidity, and air pressure, to predict the wind speed in the next hour. Hourly data collected from two ground observation stations in Yanqing and Zhaitang in Beijing were divided into training and test sets. The training sets were used to train the model, and the test sets were used to evaluate the model with the root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) metrics. The proposed method is compared with two other forecasting methods (the autoregressive moving average model (ARMA) method and the single-variable long short-term memory network (LSTM) method, which inputs only historical wind speed data) based on the same dataset. The experimental results prove the feasibility of the MV-LSTM method for short-term wind speed forecasting and its superiority to the ARMA method and the single-variable LSTM method.
Physical Activity and Inhibitory Control: The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality and Sleep Efficiency
Authors: Li Lin , Yu Qian , Zhao Wenrui , Herold Fabian , Cheval Boris , Kong Zhaowei , Li Jinming , Mueller Notger , Kramer Arthur F. , Cui Jie , Pan Huawei , Zhan Zhuxuan , Hui Minqiang , Zou Liye
Published: May 2021

Objectives: the current study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and inhibitory control performance and then to determine whether this association was mediated by multiple sleep parameters (i.e., subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbance). Methods: 180 healthy university students (age: 20.15 ± 1.92 years) from the East China Normal University were recruited for the present study. PA level, sleep parameters, and inhibitory control performance were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), and a Stroop test, respectively. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: A higher level of PA was linked to better cognitive performance. Furthermore, higher subjective sleep quality and sleep efficiency were associated with better inhibitory control performance. The mediation analysis revealed that subjective sleep quality and sleep efficiency mediated the relationship between PA level and inhibitory control performance. Conclusion: our results are in accordance with the literature and buttress the idea that a healthy lifestyle that involves a relatively high level of regular PA and adequate sleep patterns is beneficial for cognition (e.g., inhibitory control performance). Furthermore, our study adds to the literature that sleep quality and sleep efficiency mediates the relationship between PA and inhibitory control performance, expanding our knowledge in the field of exercise cognition.