bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnesium and Its Role in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma; A Novel Therapeutic?
Authors: Elghobashy Mirna , Lamont Hannah C. , Morelli-Batters Alexander , Masood Imran , Hill Lisa J.
Published: June 2022

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, with Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) being the commonest subtype. POAG is characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to optic nerve damage and subsequent visual field defects. Despite the clinical burden this disease poses, current therapies aim to reduce IOP rather than targeting the underling pathogenesis. Although the pathogenesis of POAG is complex, the culprit for this increase in IOP resides in the aqueous humour (AH) outflow pathway; the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm’s canal. Dysfunction in these tissues is due to inherent mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium influx sensitivity, increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, TGFβ-2 induction, leading to a sustained inflammatory response. Magnesium is the second most common intracellular cation, and is a major co-factor in over 300 reactions, being highly conserved within energy-dependent organelles such as the mitochondria. Magnesium deficiency has been observed in POAG and is linked to inflammatory and fibrotic responses, as well as increased oxidative stress (OS). Magnesium supplementation been shown to reduce cellular ROS, alleviate mitochondrial dysregulation and has further antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties within ocular tissues, and other soft tissues prone to fibrosis, suggesting that magnesium can improve visual fields in patients with POAG. The link between magnesium deficiency and glaucoma pathogenesis as well as the potential role of magnesium supplementation in the management of patients with POAG will be explored within this review.
Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistulae After Fontan Operation: Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, and Impact on All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Ohuchi Hideo , Mori Aki , Nakai Michikazu , Fujimoto Kazuto , Iwasa Toru , Sakaguchi Heima , Kurosaki Kenichi , Shiraishi Isao
Published: June 2022

Background

The Fontan operation is a surgical procedure used in children with univentricular hearts. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae (PAVF) is a major complication after a Fontan operation. However, the incidence and related clinical pathophysiology of PAVF remain unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the incidence of PAVF, its clinical characteristics, and its influence on all-cause mortality.

Methods and Results

We serially assessed the presence of PAVF using pulmonary artery angiography and/or contrast echocardiography during catheterization in 391 consecutive patients who underwent the Fontan procedure and compared the results with the Fontan pathophysiology and all-cause mortality. PAVF developed in 36 patients (9.2%), including 30 diffuse- and six discrete-PAVF types. The PAVF-free rates at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and ≥25 years after Fontan operation were 97, 96, 93, 88, 87, and 83%, respectively. The mean arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) in patients with diffuse PAVF at each corresponding postoperative stage were 90, 91, 91, 91, 89, and 88%, respectively, indicating lower SaO2 levels than those in patients without PAVF (all p < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the SaO2 levels between patients with discrete PAVF and those without PAVF. During a median follow-up period of 2.9 years after the last catheterization, 31 patients, including 12 patients with PAVF, died. Patients with PAVF, especially those with diffuse PAVF, had a higher mortality rate (p = 0.01) than those without PAVF (hazard ratio: 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.6–7.8, p = 0.0026).

Conclusion

Patients who underwent Fontan surgery had an increased incidence of PAVF as they aged. Discrete PAVF did not influence SaO2 or mortality, whereas the presence of diffuse PAVF caused hypoxia and was associated with all-cause mortality.
The Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in Tic Disorders and the Psychometric Properties of Children’s Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale: An Evidence-Based Survey in a Chinese Sample
Authors: Yan Junjuan , Gu Yi , Wang Mengyu , Cui Yonghua , Li Ying
Published: June 2022

Objective

Patients with tic disorders (TDs) usually also have obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The severity of obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCSs) in TD is widely evaluated using the Children’s Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). However, there is no survey on the severity of OCSs in patients with TD based on a Chinese sample, and the reliability and validity of the CY-BOCS in patients with TD have not been well established in China. This study examined the severity of OCSs in TDs and the psychometric properties of the CY-BOCS in Chinese pediatric patients with TD.

Methods

A total of 367 patients who were diagnosed with TD [152 with Tourette syndrome (TS)] were enrolled in the Department of Psychiatry at Beijing Children’s Hospital in China. The mean age of the patients was 9.21 ± 2.06 years (range: 5–16 years). The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and CY-BOCS were used as screening tools. The psychometric properties of the CY-BOCS were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest reliability, and construct validity.

Results

The OCSs in TDs were 3.93 ± 5.15 based on the CY-BOCS in the whole sample. The older adolescent group showed higher scores than the young adolescent groups (Z = −3.37, p = 0.001). However, the young adolescent group showed a higher incidence rate of OCSs than the older adolescent group (p < 0.01). Men with TDs also showed a higher incidence rate of OCSs than women (p = 0.03). The reliability and validity analyses of the CY-BOCS showed Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability values of 0.81 and 0.82, respectively. The CY-BOCS showed an acceptable level in the two-factor structure (obsession and compulsive) in patients with TD. The comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.84 for TD, 0.86 for Tourette, 0.94 for the younger adolescent group, and 0.74 for the older adolescent group.

Conclusion

More OCSs were identified in the TS group and the older adolescent group with TDs. The CY-BOCS showed good psychometric properties in children and adolescents with TD, especially in younger patients with TD. OCSs might be associated with age and functional impairment of TD.
Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged Magnesium Sulfate Infusions in Children With Refractory Status Asthmaticus
Authors: Taher Khalid W. , Johnson Peter N. , Miller Jamie L. , Neely Stephen B. , Gupta Neha
Published: June 2022

Objectives

There is a paucity of data on the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion in children with refractory status asthmaticus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolonged magnesium sulfate infusion as an advanced therapy.

Methods

This is a single center retrospective study of children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with status asthmaticus requiring continuous albuterol. Treatment group included patients receiving magnesium for ≥4 h and control group included those on other therapies only. Patients were matched 1:4 based on age, sex, obesity, pediatric index of mortality III and pediatric risk of mortality III scores. Primary outcomes included PICU length of stay (LOS) and mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement. Secondary outcomes included mortality, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requirement, analyses of factors associated with PICU LOS and MV requirement and safety of magnesium infusion. Logistic and linear regressions were employed to determine factors associated with MV requirement and PICU LOS, respectively.

Results

Treatment and control groups included 27 and 108 patients, respectively. Median initial infusion rate was 15 mg/kg/hour, with median duration of 28 h. There was no difference in the MV requirement between the treatment and control groups [7 (25.9%) vs. 20 patients (18.5%), p = 0.39]. Median PICU LOS and ECMO use were significantly higher in treatment vs. control group [(3.63 vs. 1.09 days, p < 0.01) and (11.1 vs. 0%, p < 0.01), respectively]. No mortality difference was noted. On regression analysis, patients receiving ketamine and higher prednisone equivalent dosing had higher odds of MV requirement [OR 19.29 (95% CI 5.40–68.88), p < 0.01 and 1.099 (95% CI 1.03–1.17), p < 0.01, respectively]. Each mg/kg increase in prednisone equivalent dosing corresponded to an increase in PICU LOS by 0.13 days (95% CI 0.096–0.160, p < 0.01). Magnesium infusions were not associated with lower MV requirement or lower PICU LOS after controlling for covariates. Fourteen (51.9%) patients in the treatment group had an adverse event, hypotension being the most common.

Conclusion

Magnesium sulfate infusions were not associated with MV requirement, PICU LOS or mortality.
A Survey of Prescription Errors in Paediatric Outpatients in Multi-Primary Care Settings: The Implementation of an Electronic Pre-Prescription System
Authors: Tan Lu , Chen Wenying , He Binghong , Zhu Jiangwei , Cen Xiaolin , Feng Huancun
Published: June 2022

Background

Prescription errors impact the safety and efficacy of therapy and are considered to have a higher impact on paediatric populations. Nevertheless, information in paediatrics is still lacking, particularly in primary care settings. There exists a need to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of prescription errors in paediatric outpatients to prevent such errors during the prescription stage.

Methods

A cross-sectional study to evaluate paediatric prescription errors in multi-primary care settings was conducted between August 2019 and July 2021. Prescriptions documented within the electronic pre-prescription system were automatically reviewed by the system and then, potentially inappropriate prescriptions would be reconciled by remote pharmacists via a regional pharmacy information exchange network. The demographics of paediatric patients, prescription details, and types/rates of errors were assessed and used to identify associated factors for prescription using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 39,754 outpatient paediatric prescriptions in 13 community health care centres were reviewed, among which 1,724 prescriptions (4.3%) were enrolled in the study as they met the inclusion criteria. Dose errors were the most prevalent (27%), with the predominance of underdosing (69%). They were followed by errors in selection without specified indications (24.5%), incompatibility (12.4%), and frequency errors (9.9%). Among critical errors were drug duplication (8.7%), contraindication (.9%), and drug interaction (.8%) that directly affect the drug's safety and efficacy. Notably, error rates were highest in medications for respiratory system drugs (50.5%), antibiotics (27.3%), and Chinese traditional medicine (12.3%). Results of logistic regression revealed that specific drug classification (antitussives, expectorants and mucolytic agents, anti-infective agents), patient age (<6 years), and prescriber specialty (paediatrics) related positively to errors.

Conclusion

Our study provides the prevalence and characteristics of prescription errors of paediatric outpatients in community settings based on an electronic pre-prescription system. Errors in dose calculations and medications commonly prescribed in primary care settings, such as respiratory system drugs, antibiotics, and Chinese traditional medicine, are certainly to be aware of. These results highlight an essential requirement to update the rules of prescriptions in the pre-prescription system to facilitate the delivery of excellent therapeutic outcomes.
Risk Factors for Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Die , Liu Jing , Zhang Lipeng , Chen Yuanmei , Zhang Qi
Published: June 2022

Background

Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a long-term sequela after an initial insult to the lower respiratory tract. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to a high risk of developing PIBO is important to help define therapeutic strategies and improve prognosis.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of published literature available in the online databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP, with the last search updated on 27 January 2022. Observational studies and case-control studies that provide sufficient data to examine associations between potential risk factors and PIBO were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and heterogeneity were calculated.

Results

A total of 14 risk factors were selected from 9 studies included in the analysis. The strongest risk factors were hypoxemia, mechanical ventilation, tachypnea, and wheezing. Hypoxemia conferred the greatest risk with pooled OR of 21.54 (95% CI: 10–46.36, p < 0.001). Mechanical ventilation ranked second (pooled OR 14.61, 95% CI: 7.53–28.35, p < 0.001). Use of γ-globulin, use of glucocorticoids, co-infection of bacteria, a history of wheezing, and being male were other prominent risk factors. The effects of premature birth, allergic rhinitis, and imaging finding (pulmonary consolidation, atelectasis, pleural effusion) are less clear and require further confirmation. Cases that developing PIBO had a lower age compared with controls (MD, −8.76 months, 95% CI: −16.50 to −1.02, p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed in the duration of fever (MD, 1.74 days, 95% CI: −0.07 to 3.54, p = 0.06). Children diagnosed with PIBO had higher LDH levels (MD, 264.69 U/L, 95% CI: 67.43 to 461.74, p = 0.008) and duration of hospitalization (MD, 4.50 days, 95% CI: 2.63 to 6.37, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, we found that the strongest risk factors for PIBO were hypoxemia, mechanical ventilation, tachypnea, and wheezing. Use of glucocorticoids, γ-globulin, co-infection of bacteria, a history of wheezing, and being male may also play a role. The factors discussed above can inform the generation of a clinical prediction model for the developing PIBO in children.
Morning Versus Evening Dosing of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Allergic Asthma: A Prospective Study
Authors: Liao Feng , Chen Shi , Wang Ling , Quan Ying-yu , Chen Li-li , Lin Guo-hua
Published: June 2022

Background

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been proved to be an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma (AS) in children. Nonetheless, several issues regarding SLIT remain to be resolved, including the information about optimal administration timing.

Methods

A total of 163 AS children aged 4-13 years were enrolled and randomized into the morning dosing (MD) group and the evening dosing (ED) group. Participants received SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops between 7:00 a. m. and 9:00 a.m. (for the MD group) or between 8:00 p. m. and 10:00 p.m. (for the ED group). The total asthma symptom score (TASS), total asthma medicine score (TAMS), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/forced volume vital capacity (FVC), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and adverse events (AEs) were assessed at baseline, 0.5 and 1 year during the 1-year SLIT.

Results

After 1 year, 62 patients in the MD group and 63 patients in the ED group completed the entire study. The clinical efficacy, pulmonary function and FeNO in both groups improved significantly at 0.5 and 1 year (p < 0.001). Compared to the MD group, the ED group showed significant lower ACQ score at 0.5 year (p < 0.001) and lower FeNO at 1 year (p < 0.05). No significant difference between two groups was observed in AE rate (p > 0.05). All AEs occurred in the first month, with no systemic AEs reported.

Conclusion

1-year house dust mite (HDM) SLIT is effective and well-tolerated in AS children regardless of administration time. SLIT dosing in the evening might enhance the asthma control level and reduce FeNO level compared with SLIT dosing in the morning.
Tracing COVID-19 Source of Infection Among Health Personnel in a Pediatric Hospital
Authors: de la Rosa-Zamboni Daniela , Ortega-Riosvelasco Fernando , González-García Nadia , Gamiño-Arroyo Ana Estela , Espinosa-González Guillermo Alejandro , Valladares-Wagner Juan Manuel , Saldívar-Flores Araceli , Aguilar-Guzmán Olivia , Sanchez-Pujol Juan Carlos , López-Martínez Briseida , Villa-Guillén Mónica , Parra-Ortega Israel , Jamaica-Balderas Lourdes María del Carmen , Sienra-Monge Juan José Luis , Guerrero-Díaz Ana Carmen
Published: June 2022

Health personnel (HP) have been universally recognized as especially susceptible to COVID-19. In Mexico, our home country, HP has one of the highest death rates from the disease. From the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an office for initial attention for HP and a call center were established at a COVID-19 national reference pediatric hospital, aimed at early detection of COVID-19 cases and stopping local transmission. The detection and call center implementation and operation, and tracing methodology are described here. A total of 1,042 HP were evaluated, with 221 positive cases identified (7.7% of all HP currently working and 26% of the HP tested). Community contagion was most prevalent (46%), followed by other HP (27%), household (14%), and hospitalized patients (13%). Clusters and contact network analysis are discussed. This is one of the first reports that address the details of the implementation process of contact tracing in a pediatric hospital from the perspective of a hybrid hospital with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas.
High Affinity Decynium-22 Binding to Brain Membrane Homogenates and Reduced Dorsal Camouflaging after Acute Exposure to it in Zebrafish
Authors: Gould Georgianna G. , Barba-Escobedo Priscilla A. , Horton Rebecca E. , Daws Lynette C.
Published: June 2022

Organic cation transporters (OCTs) are expressed in the mammalian brain, kidney, liver, placenta, and intestines, where they facilitate the transport of cations and other substrates between extracellular fluids and cells. Despite increasing reliance on ectothermic vertebrates as alternative toxicology models, properties of their OCT homologs transporting many drugs and toxins remain poorly characterized. Recently, in zebrafish (Danio rerio), two proteins with functional similarities to human OCTs were shown to be highly expressed in the liver, kidney, eye, and brain. This study is the first to characterizein vivouptake to the brain and the high-affinity brain membrane binding of the mammalian OCT blocker 1-1′-diethyl-2,2′cyanine iodide (decynium-22 or D-22) in zebrafish. Membrane saturation binding of [3H] D-22 in pooled zebrafish whole brainversusmouse hippocampal homogenates revealed a high-affinity binding site with a KDof 5 ± 2.5 nM and Bmax of 1974 ± 410 fmol/mg protein in the zebrafish brain, and a KDof 3.3 ± 2.3 and Bmax of 704 ± 182 fmol/mg protein in mouse hippocampus. The binding of [3H] D-22 to brain membrane homogenates was partially blocked by the neurotoxic cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a known OCT substrate. To determine if D-22 bath exposures reach the brain, zebrafish were exposed to 25 nM [3H] D-22 for 10 min, and 736±68 ng/g wet weight [3H] D-22 was bound. Acute behavioral effects of D-22 in zebrafish were characterized in two anxiety-relevant tests. In the first cohort of zebrafish, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/L D-22 had no effect on their height in the dive tank or entries and time spent in white arms of a light/dark plus maze. By contrast, 25 mg/L buspirone increased zebrafish dive tank top-dwelling (p< 0.05), an anticipated anxiolytic effect. However, a second cohort of zebrafish treated with 50 mg/L D-22 made more white arm entries, and females spent more time in white than controls. Based on these findings, it appears that D-22 bath treatments reach the zebrafish brain and have partial anxiolytic properties, reducing anti-predator dorsal camouflaging, without increasing vertical exploration. High-affinity binding of [3H] D-22 in zebrafish brain and mouse brain was similar, with nanomolar affinity, possibly at conserved OCT site(s).
Prescribing Practices of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Malaysia: A Need for a National Guideline for Immunoglobulin Use
Authors: Lee Jian Lynn , Mohd Saffian Shamin , Makmor-Bakry Mohd , Islahudin Farida , Alias Hamidah , Ali Adli , Mohamed Shah Noraida
Published: June 2022

Rational use of drug involves the use of medicine as per clinical guidelines. Given the steady increase in the clinical utility of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) either as licensed or off-label use, concerns are being raised about the possibility of supply shortages that could significantly impact patient care. Therefore, there is a need to regulate and to promote the rational use of this valuable medication. This cross-sectional chart review study attempts to evaluate the prescribing patterns of IVIG at two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. Patients’ medical files and dispensing records were examined and compared with current guidelines. A total of 348 prescriptions for IVIG were written during the 1-year study period. The highest usage of IVIG was for neurological (47.9%), immunological (27.5%), and hematological conditions (20%). The number of prescriptions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed indications and off-label indications was 148 (42.5%) and 200 (57.5%), respectively. Age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, p = 0.003) and those admitted to the critical care units (OR: 11.11, 95% CI: 5.60–22.05, p < 0.001) were significant factors for receiving IVIG for an off-label indication. Most prescriptions (79%) had appropriate dosing. Significant factors associated with receiving inappropriate dose of IVIG include age (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89–0.97, p = 0.001) and those admitted to the critical care units (OR: 10.15, 95% CI: 3.81–27.06, p < 0.001). This study advocates the development and implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines with prioritization protocol to ensure rational use of IVIG.
Development and Characterization of a Topically Deliverable Prophylactic Against Oxidative Damage in Cochlear Cells
Authors: Arrigali Elizabeth M. , Serban Monica A.
Published: June 2022

Hearing loss affects roughly 466 million people worldwide. While the causes of hearing loss are diverse, mechanistically, inflammation and oxidative stress have been identified as major players in hearing loss regardless of pathogenesis. Treatment options remain extremely limited and there is currently no FDA approved drug therapy. Studies indicate that antioxidants such as d-Methionine have shown some protective effects; however, these studies involved systemic or invasive localized delivery methods and highlighted the need for the development of minimally invasive localized therapeutic approaches. Described herein is the development of an antioxidant-conjugated system that shows prophylactic potential against oxidative damage and appears suitable for topical delivery. Specifically, our covalent conjugate of hyaluronan with d-Methionine shows cytocompatibility and protection from oxidative stress in two mouse cochlear cell lines (HEI-OC1 and SV-k1). Mechanistically, the data indicate that the protective effects of the conjugate are due to the hyaluronan-mediated cellular internalization of the antioxidant. Most notably, the conjugate can efficiently permeate through an in vitro round window membrane model without the loss of the attached antioxidant, for subsequent delivery of the therapeutic cargo to the hearing sensory cells. Collectively these findings show that the novel conjugate could be a potential topical preventive agent against hearing loss.
Epigenetic Therapeutics Targeting NRF2/KEAP1 Signaling in Cancer Oxidative Stress
Authors: Zhang Shunhao , Duan Sining , Xie Zhuojun , Bao Wanlin , Xu Bo , Yang Wenbin , Zhou Lingyun
Published: June 2022

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its negative regulator kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) regulate various genes involved in redox homeostasis, which protects cells from stress conditions such as reactive oxygen species and therefore exerts beneficial effects on suppression of carcinogenesis. In addition to their pivotal role in cellular physiology, accumulating innovative studies indicated that NRF2/KEAP1-governed pathways may conversely be oncogenic and cause therapy resistance, which was profoundly modulated by epigenetic mechanism. Therefore, targeting epigenetic regulation in NRF2/KEAP1 signaling is a potential strategy for cancer treatment. In this paper, the current knowledge on the role of NRF2/KEAP1 signaling in cancer oxidative stress is presented, with a focus on how epigenetic modifications might influence cancer initiation and progression. Furthermore, the prospect that epigenetic changes may be used as therapeutic targets for tumor treatment is also investigated.
High Resolution Ex Vivo Diffusion Tensor Distribution MRI of Neural Tissue
Authors: Magdoom Kulam Najmudeen , Komlosh Michal E. , Saleem Kadharbatcha , Gasbarra Dario , Basser Peter J.
Published: June 2022

Neural tissue microstructure plays a key role in developmental, physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the continuing quest to characterize it at ever finer length scales, we use a novel diffusion tensor distribution (DTD) paradigm to probe microstructural features much smaller than the nominal MRI voxel size. We first assume the DTD is a normal tensor variate distribution constrained to lie on the manifold of positive definite matrices, characterized by a mean and covariance tensor. We then estimate the DTD using Monte Carlo signal inversion combined with parsimonious model selection framework that exploits a hierarchy of symmetries of mean and covariance tensors. High resolution multiple pulsed field gradient (mPFG) MRI measurements were performed on a homogeneous isotropic diffusion phantom (PDMS) for control, and excised visual cortex and spinal cord of macaque monkey to investigate the capabilities of DTD MRI in revealing neural tissue microstructural features using strong gradients not typically available in clinical MRI scanners. DTD-derived stains and glyphs, which disentangle size, shape, and orientation heterogeneities of microscopic diffusion tensors, are presented for all samples along with the distribution of the mean diffusivity (MD) within each voxel. We also present a new glyph to visualize the symmetric (kurtosis) and asymmetric parts of the fourth-order covariance tensor. An isotropic mean diffusion tensor and zero covariance tensor was found for the isotropic PDMS phantom, as expected, while the covariance tensor (both symmetric and asymmetric parts) for neural tissue was non-zero indicating that the kurtosis tensor may not be sufficient to fully describe the microstructure. Cortical layers were clearly delineated in the higher moments of the MD spectrum consistent with histology, and microscopic anisotropy was detected in both gray and white matter of neural tissue. DTD MRI captures crossing and splaying white matter fibers penetrating into the cortex, and skewed fiber diameter distributions in the white matter tracts within the cortex and spinal cord. DTD MRI was also shown to subsume diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) while providing additional microstructural information about tissue heterogeneity and microscopic anisotropy within each voxel.
Aspects of Nonrelativistic Strings
Authors: Oling Gerben , Yan Ziqi
Published: June 2022

We review recent developments on nonrelativistic string theory. In flat spacetime, the theory is defined by a two-dimensional relativistic quantum field theory with nonrelativistic global symmetries acting on the worldsheet fields. This theory arises as a self-contained corner of relativistic string theory. It has a string spectrum with a Galilean dispersion relation, and a spacetime S-matrix with nonrelativistic symmetry. This string theory also gives a unitary and ultraviolet complete framework that connects different corners of string theory, including matrix string theory and noncommutative open strings. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the non-Lorentzian geometries and quantum field theories that arise from nonrelativistic string theory in background fields. In this review, we start with an introduction to the foundations of nonrelativistic string theory in flat spacetime. We then give an overview of recent progress, including the appropriate target-space geometry that nonrelativistic strings couple to. This is known as (torsional) string Newton–Cartan geometry, which is neither Lorentzian nor Riemannian. We also give a review of nonrelativistic open strings and effective field theories living on D-branes. Finally, we discuss applications of nonrelativistic strings to decoupling limits in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence.
Platelets-Derived miR-200a-3p Modulate the Expression of ET-1 and VEGFA in Endothelial Cells by Targeting MAPK14
Authors: Yang Jie , Xu Hong , Chen Kejie , Zheng Danni , Liu Shuang , Zhou Xia , Lin Yapeng , Cheng Hang , Luo Qin , Yang Min , Yan Xiaoyan , Hao Junli
Published: June 2022

The interaction between platelets and vascular endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), especially in atherosclerosis formation. However, the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of platelets-derived miRNA in the development of atherosclerosis and AIS. We evaluated the miRNA expression profiles of serum microvesicles (MV) in five AIS patients and five healthy controls using RNA-seq, and then measured the levels of selected platelets derived miRNAs by qRT-PCR. miR-200a-3p expression in the serum MV and platelets had increased to 1.41 (p < 0.05) and 3.29 times (p < 0.001), respectively, in AIS patients compared with healthy controls, and was modified by severity of AIS. We transferred Cy5-miR-200a-3p into platelets, collected and identified platelets-derived MV (PMVs). Then, the gene expression of p38 MAPK/c-Jun pathway was analyzed using both miR-200a-3p gain- and loss-of-function experiments and PMVs coincubation with HUVEC. The results showed that activated platelets remotely modulated endothelins 1 (ET-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) levels in HUVEC through the release of miR-200a-3p-containing PMVs via targeting MAPK14. The results of ROC analyses showed that combination of platelet miR-200a-3p, serum ET-1 and VEGFA levels had an AUC of 0.817, a sensitivity of 70%, and a specificity of 89%. Our results presented new evidence that activated platelets could remotely modulate ET-1 and VEGFA expression in HUVEC via releasing miR-200a-3p-enriched PMVs, which provides a potential miRNA-based predictive biomarker and therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis and AIS.
Tree Size Influences Leaf Shape but Does Not Affect the Proportional Relationship Between Leaf Area and the Product of Length and Width
Authors: Ma Jianzhong , Niklas Karl J. , Liu Leyi , Fang Zhendong , Li Yirong , Shi Peijian
Published: June 2022

The Montgomery equation predicts leaf area as the product of leaf length and width multiplied by a correction factor. It has been demonstrated to apply to a variety of leaf shapes. However, it is unknown whether tree size (measured as the diameter at breast height) affects leaf shape and size, or whether such variations in leaf shape can invalidate the Montgomery equation in calculating leaf area. Here, we examined 60 individual trees of the alpine oak (Quercus pannosa) in two growth patterns (trees growing from seeds vs. growing from roots), with 30 individuals for each site. Between 100 and 110 leaves from each tree were used to measure leaf dry mass, leaf area, length, and width, and to calculate the ellipticalness index, ratio of area between the two sides of the lamina, and the lamina centroid ratio. We tested whether tree size affects leaf shape, size, and leaf dry mass per unit area, and tested whether the Montgomery equation is valid for calculating leaf area of the leaves from different tree sizes. The diameters at breast height of the trees ranged from 8.6 to 96.4 cm (tree height ranged from 3 to 32 m). The diameter at breast height significantly affected leaf shape, size, and leaf dry mass per unit area. Larger trees had larger and broader leaves with lower leaf dry mass per unit area, and the lamina centroid was closer to the leaf apex than the leaf base. However, the variation in leaf size and shape did not negate the validity of the Montgomery equation. Thus, regardless of tree size, the proportional relationship between leaf area and the product of leaf length and width can be used to calculate the area of the leaves.
Quality Control System of Red Jujube by Hybrid Model: Development of an Efficient Framework
Authors: Jing Rongzhi , Li Ping
Published: June 2022

Food traceability is very important for the quality and safety of agricultural products, which is related to the people’s livelihood and national economy and has drawn great attention from governments and scientists around the world. The existing studies have not yet overcome the crisis characteristics comprehensively and systematically. A traceability system of red jujube is constructed by a hybrid mode of blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoTs). The system integrates the blockchain and the IoT technologies with characteristics of tamper-proof, decentralization, and distributed storage and solves the problem of date quality traceability by designing the technical process and architecture of date quality traceability and the big data of red jujube, jujube plantation, processing enterprise, commercial enterprises, and market administration. The whole process from planting to processing and sales of red jujube are recorded in the block to ensure the realization of quality traceability of red dates in the process. Through the whole process of big data processing, the key information collected in each process is stored in the database to ensure the realization of quality traceability of red dates in the framework. The system can help to minimize the production and distribution of unsafe or poor-quality products, thereby minimizing the potential for bad publicity, liability, and recalls.
Machine Learning Approaches for Rice Seedling Growth Stages Detection
Authors: Tan Suiyan , Liu Jingbin , Lu Henghui , Lan Maoyang , Yu Jie , Liao Guanzhong , Wang Yuwei , Li Zehua , Qi Long , Ma Xu
Published: June 2022

Recognizing rice seedling growth stages to timely do field operations, such as temperature control, fertilizer, irrigation, cultivation, and disease control, is of great significance of crop management, provision of standard and well-nourished seedlings for mechanical transplanting, and increase of yield. Conventionally, rice seedling growth stage is performed manually by means of visual inspection, which is not only labor-intensive and time-consuming, but also subjective and inefficient on a large-scale field. The application of machine learning algorithms on UAV images offers a high-throughput and non-invasive alternative to manual observations and its applications in agriculture and high-throughput phenotyping are increasing. This paper presented automatic approaches to detect rice seedling of three critical stages, BBCH11, BBCH12, and BBCH13. Both traditional machine learning algorithms and deep learning algorithms were investigated the discriminative ability of the three growth stages. UAV images were captured vertically downward at 3-m height from the field. A dataset consisted of images of three growth stages of rice seedlings for three cultivars, five nursing seedling densities, and different sowing dates. In the traditional machine learning algorithm, histograms of oriented gradients (HOGs) were selected as texture features and combined with the support vector machine (SVM) classifier to recognize and classify three growth stages. The best HOG-SVM model obtained the performance with 84.9, 85.9, 84.9, and 85.4% in accuracy, average precision, average recall, and F1 score, respectively. In the deep learning algorithm, the Efficientnet family and other state-of-art CNN models (VGG16, Resnet50, and Densenet121) were adopted and investigated the performance of three growth stage classifications. EfficientnetB4 achieved the best performance among other CNN models, with 99.47, 99.53, 99.39, and 99.46% in accuracy, average precision, average recall, and F1 score, respectively. Thus, the proposed method could be effective and efficient tool to detect rice seedling growth stages.
Full-Length Transcriptomics Reveals Complex Molecular Mechanism of Salt Tolerance in Bromus inermis L.
Authors: Li Qian , Song Jiaxing , Zhou Yi , Chen Yingxia , Zhang Lei , Pang Yongzhen , Zhang Bo
Published: June 2022

Bromus inermis L. (commonly known as smooth bromegrass) is a grass species with high nutritional value, great palatability, cold tolerance, and grazing resistance, which has been widely cultivated for pasture and sand fixation in northern and northwestern China. Salt stress is a main environmental factor limiting growth and production of smooth bromegrass. In this study, we performed PacBio Iso-Seq to construct the first full-length transcriptome database for smooth bromegrass under 300 mM NaCl treatment at different time points. Third-generation full-length transcriptome sequencing yielded 19.67 G polymerase read bases, which were assembled into 355,836 full-length transcripts with an average length of 2,542 bp. A total of 116,578 differentially expressed genes were obtained by comparing the results of third-generation sequencing and second-generation sequencing. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that multiple pathways were differently activated in leaves and roots. In particular, a number of genes participating in the molecular network of plant signal perception, signal transduction, transcription regulation, antioxidant defense, and ion regulation were affected by NaCl treatment. In particular, the CBL-CIPK, MAPK, ABA signaling network, and SOS core regulatory pathways of Ca2+ signal transduction were activated to regulate salt stress response. In addition, the expression patterns of 10 salt-responsive genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR, which were consistent with those detected by RNA-Seq. Our results reveal the molecular regulation of smooth bromegrass in response to salt stress, which are important for further investigation of critical salt responsive genes and molecular breeding of salt-tolerant smooth bromegrass.
The Adaxial/Abaxial Patterning of Auxin and Auxin Gene in Leaf Veins Functions in Leafy Head Formation of Chinese Cabbage
Authors: Yue Xiaozhen , Su Tongbing , Xin Xiaoyun , Li Peirong , Wang Weihong , Yu Yangjun , Zhang Deshuang , Zhao Xiuyun , Wang Jiao , Sun Liling , Jin Guihua , Yu Shuancang , Zhang Fenglan
Published: June 2022

Leaf curling is an essential prerequisite for the formation of leafy heads in Chinese cabbage. However, the part or tissue that determines leaf curvature remains largely unclear. In this study, we first introduced the auxin-responsive marker DR5::GUS into the Chinese cabbage genome and visualized its expression during the farming season. We demonstrated that auxin response is adaxially/abaxially distributed in leaf veins. Together with the fact that leaf veins occupy considerable proportions of the Chinese cabbage leaf, we propose that leaf veins play a crucial supporting role as a framework for heading. Then, by combining analyses of QTL mapping and a time-course transcriptome from heading Chinese cabbage and non-heading pak choi during the farming season, we identified the auxin-related gene BrPIN5 as a strong candidate for leafy head formation. PIN5 displays an adaxial/abaxial expression pattern in leaf veins, similar to that of DR5::GUS, revealing an involvement of BrPIN5 in leafy head development. The association of BrPIN5 function with heading was further confirmed by its haplo-specificity to heading individuals in both a natural population and two segregating populations. We thus conclude that the adaxial/abaxial patterning of auxin and auxin genes in leaf veins functions in the formation of the leafy head in Chinese cabbage.
Neural Correlates of Facial Emotion Recognition in Non-help-seeking University Students With Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis
Authors: Hou Jiaojiao , Schmitt Simon , Zhao Xudong , Wang Jiayi , Chen Jianxing , Mao Ziyu , Qi Ansi , Lu Zheng , Kircher Tilo , Yang Yunbo , Shi Jingyu
Published: June 2022

Background

Since the introduction of the neurodevelopmental perspective of schizophrenia research on individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) has gained increasing interest, aiming at early detection and intervention. Results from fMRI studies investigating behavioral and brain functional changes in UHR during facial emotion recognition, an essential component of social cognition, showed heterogenous results, probably due clinical diversity across these investigations. This fMRI study investigated emotion recognition in a sub-group of the UHR spectrum, namely non-help-seeking, drug-naïve UHR with high cognitive functioning to reveal the neurofunctional underpinnings of their social functioning in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods

Two large cohorts of students from an elite University (n1 = 4,040, n2 = 4,364) were screened firstly with the Prodromal Questionnaires and by surpassing predefined cut-offs then interviewed with the semi-structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes to verify their UHR status. Twenty-one identified non-help-seeking UHR and 23 non-UHR control subjects were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging while classifying emotions (i.e., neutral, happy, disgust and fear) in a facial emotion recognition task.

Results

Behaviorally, no group differences were found concerning accuracy, reaction times, sensitivity or specificity, except that non-help-seeking UHR showed higher specificity when recognizing neutral facial expressions. In comparison to healthy non-UHR controls, non-help-seeking UHR showed generally higher activation in the superior temporal and left Heschl's gyrus as well as in the somatosensory, insular and midcingulate cortex than the control subjects during the entire recognition task regardless of the emotion categories. In an exploratory analysis, in the non-help-seeking UHR group, functional activity in the left superior temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with deficits in the ability to experience emotions at uncorrected statistical thresholds.

Conclusions

Compared to healthy controls, non-help-seeking UHR show no behavioral deficits during facial emotion recognition, but functional hyperactivities in brain regions associated with this cognitive process. Our study may inspire future early intervention and provide loci for treatment using neural stimulation.
Psychology Education Reform and Quality Cultivation of College Music Major From the Perspective of Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Wang Xiaoran
Published: June 2022

With the continuous development of the times, music education in primary and secondary schools is constantly innovating in terms of teaching concepts, teaching methods, and implementation methods. The reform of basic music education has aroused the reflection of music teacher education in colleges and universities, and the talent training model of music teachers has become a hot issue that has been widely concerned in the new era. To explore the educational significance and influencing factors of entrepreneurship education in college music education and examine the mediating role of self-efficacy and gender adjustment in entrepreneurial education, based on the analysis of music education and entrepreneurial talent training in colleges and universities, a questionnaire survey, statistics, and data processing were adopted in this work. In this work, a path model was established based on the mediating effect and the moderating effect, and the equation model was tested. The results show that music education has a positive correlation with entrepreneurial self-efficacy and a negative correlation with entrepreneurial intention, which has not been proved to have a certain effect on entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy has a positive correlation with entrepreneurial intention, and the mediating effect between music professional education and entrepreneurial intention has also been proved. Since there are gender differences and certain stereotypes that cannot be ignored in music education learning, gender adjustment also has a certain influence on entrepreneurial self-efficacy based on music professional education, thereby having a moderating effect on entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship education can improve the comprehensive competitiveness of students. As a result, entrepreneurship education can improve the innovation and entrepreneurship education model and the music education system in colleges and universities by combining with the relationship between entrepreneurial efficacy and intention, and it contributes to the overall cultivation of talent in colleges and universities.
Integrating Computational Thinking and Empowering Metacognitive Awareness in Stem Education
Authors: Markandan Nagalaxmy , Osman Kamisah , Halim Lilia
Published: June 2022

Education digitization highly enthuses learners for deeper learning and developing thought processes in formulating problems and their solutions effectively in their real-life circumstances. Implementing computational thinking skills through programming in Malaysian primary and secondary school STEM curriculum create huge challenges, especially among STEM educators. This study highlights the integration of four major theories in developing the Metacognitive Empowerment by Computational Thinking (ME-CoT) learning module by cultivating computational thinking through programming skills to promote metacognitive awareness in Biology students. Pilot research was conducted to investigate the reliability of the ME-CoT learning module. Since the study sample was less than 30 students then, the consistency of the measurements, Pearson’s r was calculated to identify stability reliability. Findings revealed that the ME-CoT learning module has very strong stability reliability with a value of r = 0.974 and provides advantages such as assisting students to understand the content of the lesson more actively and in a fun way.
Gun Violence and Psychopathy Among Female Offenders
Authors: Thomson Nicholas D.
Published: June 2022

Research exploring risk factors of gun violence is limited, especially research involving women as perpetrators of violence. Yet, women account for 18–21% of convicted violent crime. The present study aimed to test if psychopathy, a notable risk factor for violence, was related to past convictions of gun violence, general forms of violence, and non-violent crime. In a sample of 206 female offenders, multinomial logistic regressions assessed how interpersonal, affective, and behavioral psychopathic traits increased the likelihood of women belonging to the gun violence group, a violent crime group, and a non-violent crime group. Results showed the interpersonal and affective facets increased the likelihood of women belonging to the gun violence group compared to both the violent and non-violent crime groups. The behavioral facet increased the likelihood of women belonging to the violent crime group when compared to the gun violence and non-violent crime groups. These results suggest that gun violence has different risk factors than violent and non-violent crime. This line of inquiry indicates that existing violence prevention strategies may need to be modified to address gun violence.