bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial use of marine resources in a rural village: A case study from Qoma, Fiji
Authors: Kitolelei Salanieta , Lowry John H. , Qaqara Nemillie , Ryle Jacqueline , Veitayaki Joeli , Piovano Susanna
Published: November 2022

Understanding the value of fishers’ Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge (ITK) and of fishers’ spatial use of customary fishing grounds is an important contributing factor to marine resource management. This study investigates and documents ITK of marine resources and the associated spatial knowledge of fishing areas in Qoma, a rural fishing village in Fiji. Using a sex-generational lens, our research combines theory and methods from Participatory Geographic Information Systems and ethnography. We document how fishermen and fisherwomen use geographic space in their traditional fishing grounds showing changes in the areas they travel to and fish. Targeted marine resources and knowledge of those resources differ between fishermen and fisherwomen, reflecting the traditional roles of men and women within Indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) culture. Fishermen and fisherwomen of ≥60 years have a richer knowledge of marine resources than younger fishers (men and women), measured by the number of unique species they could identify or describe using local taxonomic classification. Our ethnography findings highlight the importance of maintaining this ITK to preserve marine resources of significance for future generations. Our study concludes with insights into three knowledge gaps; the spatial use of traditional fishing grounds by fishermen and fisherwomen (including a statistical analysis and map), generational differences in fisher knowledge, and the distinctive differences in fishermen’s and fisherwomen’s ITK of fishing. This study also discusses how these three key insights when combined can contribute to improved local fisheries resource management.
An experimental study on the impact resistance of a new three-wave beam steel guardrail
Authors: Guo Kai , Wang Chenghu , Shen Linlin
Published: November 2022

It is crucial to examine the impact resistance of W-beam guardrails on both sides of the highway in order to limit the severity of impact incidents and safeguard passengers. Given its importance, this article investigates the impact resistance of the new three-wave steel guardrail. To be specific, the study uses ANSYS to establish the vehicle impact barrier model in which the guardrail is embedded in concrete and soil column. The new accurate model of the three-wave beam guardrail collision stimulates the deformation degree of the guardrail under the impact of vehicles with different masses and speeds. According to the simulation analysis’ findings, the guardrail with the post embedded in the concrete had a maximum displacement of 568.48 mm, which was less than the specification’s maximum dynamic deformation of 750 mm and met the requirements for Grade 8 protection. In contrast, the guardrail with the post embedded in the soil had a maximum displacement of 679.466 mm, which was less than the specification’s maximum dynamic deformation of 750 mm.
Efficacy of insulin in treating severe hypertriglyceridaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Zhou Dong , Sun Guoqiang , Hu Jing , Gan Quan
Published: November 2022

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of insulin in treating severe hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women with severe HTG (TG ≥ 11.30 mmol/L) in the third trimester of pregnancy who received clinical examination and delivered in Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital from 01 January 2017 to 30 September 2021 were recruited. Patients with TG ≥ 11.30 mmol/L at 30–32 weeks of gestation were treated with a low-fat diet and insulin as the insulin treatment group. For the control group, patients with TGs of 5.65–11.30 mmol/L at 30–32 weeks of gestation who developed severe HTG (TG ≥ 11.30 mmol/L) before delivery were treated with a low-fat diet only. General maternal information, delivery, perinatal treatment and laboratory examination information were collected from electronic medical records and compared. We found that in the insulin treatment group, there were higher values of progestational body mass index (BMI) (Z = −2.281, P = 0.023), higher incidence of diabetes (χ2 = 20.618, P < 0.001) and higher incidence of fatty liver (χ2 = 4.333, P = 0.037) than in the control group but also a higher pregnancy weight gain compliance rate (χ2 = 4.061, P = 0.044). Laboratory examination before delivery revealed that compared with the control group, insulin treatment significantly decreased prenatal TG (Z = −10.392, P < 0.001), cholesterol (Z = −8.494, P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (Z = −3.918, P < 0.001), apolipoprotein A1 (t = 2.410, P = 0.019), cystatin (Z = −4.195, P < 0.001), incidence of hypocalcaemia (P = 0.036), and absolute number of lymphocytes (Z = −3.426, P = 0.001). Delivery outcomes were also improved in the insulin treatment group compared with the control group, including lower neonatal weight (Z = −2.200, P = 0.028), incidence of macrosomia (χ2 = 4.092, P = 0.043), gestational age (Z = −3.427, P = 0.001), and rate of intensive care unit (ICU) conversion (P = 0.014). In conclusion, insulin therapy for HTG in the third trimester of pregnancy could increase the pregnancy weight gain compliance rate, decrease blood lipid levels and the incidence of severe complications such as HTG acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP), and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Identification and immune characteristics of molecular subtypes related to protein glycosylation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ma Zhaotian , Yang Fan , Fan Jiajia , Li Xin , Liu Yuanyuan , Chen Wei , Sun Honghao , Ma Tengfei , Wang Qiongying , Maihaiti Yueriguli , Ren Xiaoqiao
Published: November 2022

Background

Protein glycosylation has been confirmed to be involved in the pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, there is still a lack of systematic analysis of the immune processes mediated by protein glycosylation-related genes (PGRGs) in AD.

Materials and methods

Transcriptomic data of AD patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and divided into training and verification datasets. The core PGRGs of the training set were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and protein glycosylation-related subtypes in AD were identified based on k-means unsupervised clustering. Protein glycosylation scores and neuroinflammatory levels of different subtypes were compared, and functional enrichment analysis and drug prediction were performed based on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the subtypes. A random forest model was used to select important DEGs as diagnostic markers between subtypes, and a line chart model was constructed and verified in other datasets. We evaluated the differences in immune cell infiltration between the subtypes through the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, analyzed the correlation between core diagnostic markers and immune cells, and explored the expression regulation network of the core diagnostic markers.

Results

Eight core PGRGs were differentially expressed between the training set and control samples. AD was divided into two subtypes with significantly different biological processes, such as vesicle-mediated transport in synapses and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. The high protein glycosylation subtype had a higher level of neuroinflammation. Riluzole and sulfasalazine were found to have potential clinical value in this subtype. A reliable construction line chart model was constructed based on nine diagnostic markers, and SERPINA3 was identified as the core diagnostic marker. There were significant differences in immune cell infiltration between the two subtypes. SERPINA3 was found to be closely related to immune cells, and the expression of SERPINA3 in AD was found to be regulated by a competing endogenous RNA network that involves eight long non-coding RNAs and seven microRNAs.

Conclusion

Protein glycosylation and its corresponding immune process play an important role in the occurrence and development of AD. Understanding the role of PGRGs in AD may provide a new potential therapeutic target for AD.
Interactions between gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease: The role of microbiota-derived amino acid metabolism
Authors: Wang Wang , Jiang Shujun , Xu Chengcheng , Tang Lili , Liang Yan , Zhao Yang , Zhu Guoxue
Published: November 2022

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD), such as constipation, sleep disorders, and olfactory deficits, may emerge up to 20 years earlier than motor symptoms. A series of evidence indicates that the pathology of PD may occur from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Numerous studies support that the gut microbiota communicates with the brain through the immune system, special amino acid metabolism, and the nervous system in PD. Recently, there is growing recognition that the gut microbiota plays a vital role in the modulation of multiple neurochemical pathways via the “gut microbiota-brain axis” (GMBA). Many gut microbiota metabolites, such as fatty acids, amino acids, and bile acids, convey signaling functions as they mediate the crosstalk between gut microbiota and host physiology. Amino acids' abundance and species alteration, including glutamate and tryptophan, may disturb the signaling transmission between nerve cells and disrupt the normal basal ganglia function in PD. Specific amino acids and their receptors are considered new potential targets for ameliorating PD. The present study aimed to systematically summarize all available evidence on the gut microbiota-derived amino acid metabolism alterations associated with PD.
Hiding in plain sight? A review of post-convulsive leukocyte elevations
Authors: Vega Jose L. , Komisaruk Barry R. , Stewart Mark
Published: November 2022

During physiological stress responses such as vigorous exercise, emotional states of fear and rage, and asphyxia, the nervous system induces a massive release of systemic catecholamines that prepares the body for survival by increasing cardiac output and redirecting blood flow from non-essential organs into the cardiopulmonary circulation. A curious byproduct of this vital response is a sudden, transient, and redistributive leukocytosis provoked mostly by the resultant shear forces exerted by rapid blood flow on marginated leukocytes. Generalized convulsive seizures, too, result in catecholamine surges accompanied by similar leukocytoses, the magnitude of which appears to be rooted in semiological factors such as convulsive duration and intensity. This manuscript reviews the history, kinetics, physiology, and clinical significance of post-convulsive leukocyte elevations and discusses their clinical utility, including a proposed role in the scientific investigation of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
Multisensory integration and white matter pathology: Contributions to cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Hebert Jeffrey R. , Filley Christopher M.
Published: November 2022

The ability to simultaneously process and integrate multiple sensory stimuli is paramount to effective daily function and essential for normal cognition. Multisensory management depends critically on the interplay between bottom-up and top-down processing of sensory information, with white matter (WM) tracts acting as the conduit between cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) regions. White matter tracts and GM structures operate in concert to manage both multisensory signals and cognition. Altered sensory processing leads to difficulties in reweighting and modulating multisensory input during various routine environmental challenges, and thus contributes to cognitive dysfunction. To examine the specific role of WM in altered sensory processing and cognitive dysfunction, this review focuses on two neurologic disorders with diffuse WM pathology, multiple sclerosis and mild traumatic brain injury, in which persistently altered sensory processing and cognitive impairment are common. In these disorders, cognitive dysfunction in association with altered sensory processing may develop initially from slowed signaling in WM tracts and, in some cases, GM pathology secondary to WM disruption, but also because of interference with cognitive function by the added burden of managing concurrent multimodal primary sensory signals. These insights promise to inform research in the neuroimaging, clinical assessment, and treatment of WM disorders, and the investigation of WM-behavior relationships.
The predictive role of systemic inflammation response index in the prognosis of traumatic brain injury: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Mao Baojie , Feng Lei , Lin Dongdong , Shen Yanfei , Ma Jiangchun , Lu Yuning , Zhang Rui , Wang Ming , Wan Shu
Published: November 2022

Background

We aimed to evaluate the predictive power of systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), a novel biomarker, to predict all-cause mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

Clinical data were retrieved from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods and cox proportional hazard models were performed to examine the association between SIRI and all-cause mortality. The predictive power of SIRI was evaluated compared to other leukocyte-related indexes including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and white blood cells (WBC) by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC)curve for 30-day mortality. In addition, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to reduce confounding.

Results

A total of 350 TBI patients were enrolled overall in our study. The optimal cutoff point of SIRI was determined at 11.24 × 109/L. After 1:1 PSM, 66 matched pairs (132 patients) were generated. During the 30-day, in-hospital and 365-day follow-up periods, patients with low SIRI level were associated with improved survival (p < 0.05) compared with patients with high SIRI level. Cox regression analysis identified that higher SIRI values was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and results were stable on multiple subgroup analyses. Furthermore, ROC analysis indicated that the area under the curve of SIRI [0.6658 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.5630–0.7687)] was greater than that of neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and WBC. The above results were also observed in the matched cohort.

Conclusion

It was suggested that TBI patients with high SIRI level would suffer from a high risk of 30-day, in-hospital and 365-day mortality. SIRI is a promising inflammatory biomarker for predicting TBI patients' prognosis with relatively better predictive power than other single indicators related to peripheral differential leukocyte counts.
Automatic measure and normalization of spinal cord cross-sectional area using the pontomedullary junction
Authors: Bédard Sandrine , Cohen-Adad Julien
Published: November 2022

Spinal cord cross-sectional area (CSA) is a relevant biomarker to assess spinal cord atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the considerable inter-subject variability among healthy participants currently limits its usage. Previous studies explored factors contributing to the variability, yet the normalization models required manual intervention and used vertebral levels as a reference, which is an imprecise prediction of the spinal levels. In this study we implemented a method to measure CSA automatically from a spatial reference based on the central nervous system (the pontomedullary junction, PMJ), we investigated factors to explain variability, and developed normalization strategies on a large cohort (N = 804). Following automatic spinal cord segmentation, vertebral labeling and PMJ labeling, the spinal cord CSA was computed on T1w MRI scans from the UK Biobank database. The CSA was computed using two methods. For the first method, the CSA was computed at the level of the C2–C3 intervertebral disc. For the second method, the CSA was computed at 64 mm caudally from the PMJ, this distance corresponding to the average distance between the PMJ and the C2–C3 disc across all participants. The effect of various demographic and anatomical factors was explored, and a stepwise regression found significant predictors; the coefficients of the best fit model were used to normalize CSA. CSA measured at C2–C3 disc and using the PMJ differed significantly (paired t-test, p-value = 0.0002). The best normalization model included thalamus, brain volume, sex and the interaction between brain volume and sex. The coefficient of variation went down for PMJ CSA from 10.09 (without normalization) to 8.59%, a reduction of 14.85%. For CSA at C2–C3, it went down from 9.96 to 8.42%, a reduction of 15.13 %. This study introduces an end-to-end automatic pipeline to measure and normalize cord CSA from a neurological reference. This approach requires further validation to assess atrophy in longitudinal studies. The inter-subject variability of CSA can be partly accounted for by demographics and anatomical factors.
The spike gating flow: A hierarchical structure-based spiking neural network for online gesture recognition
Authors: Zhao Zihao , Wang Yanhong , Zou Qiaosha , Xu Tie , Tao Fangbo , Zhang Jiansong , Wang Xiaoan , Shi C.-J. Richard , Luo Junwen , Xie Yuan
Published: November 2022

Action recognition is an exciting research avenue for artificial intelligence since it may be a game changer in emerging industrial fields such as robotic visions and automobiles. However, current deep learning (DL) faces major challenges for such applications because of the huge computational cost and inefficient learning. Hence, we developed a novel brain-inspired spiking neural network (SNN) based system titled spiking gating flow (SGF) for online action learning. The developed system consists of multiple SGF units which are assembled in a hierarchical manner. A single SGF unit contains three layers: a feature extraction layer, an event-driven layer, and a histogram-based training layer. To demonstrate the capability of the developed system, we employed a standard dynamic vision sensor (DVS) gesture classification as a benchmark. The results indicated that we can achieve 87.5% of accuracy which is comparable with DL, but at a smaller training/inference data number ratio of 1.5:1. Only a single training epoch is required during the learning process. Meanwhile, to the best of our knowledge, this is the highest accuracy among the non-backpropagation based SNNs. Finally, we conclude the few-shot learning (FSL) paradigm of the developed network: 1) a hierarchical structure-based network design involves prior human knowledge; 2) SNNs for content-based global dynamic feature detection.
Determination of pain intensity, pain-related disability, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in Polish adults with temporomandibular disorders: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wieckiewicz Mieszko , Jenca Andrej , Seweryn Piotr , Orzeszek Sylwia , Petrasova Adriana , Grychowska Natalia , Winocur-Arias Orit , Emodi-Perlman Alona , Kujawa Krzysztof
Published: November 2022

Background

There is a need to assess a relationship between the psychoemotional state of patients and the occurrence and the intensity of pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in relation to a Polish population. There are no such precision data in the literature relating to the population of big Eastern European country. The study conducted by the authors refer to a large group of male and female adult patients of the Polish population in a different age profile. As a result, this study provides a picture of the situation that also takes into account population characteristics that may affect the clinical situation of patients.

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the pain intensity, pain-related disability, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress among Polish adults with TMD as well as the association between psychosocial impairment and TMD.

Materials and methods

This prospective cohort study included 219 adult patients from the Outpatient Clinic for Temporomandibular Disorders at the Academic Dental Polyclinic in Wroclaw. The patients completed validated questionnaires, and received a TMD diagnosis based on a standardized examination (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) performed by a qualified dentist. A statistical analysis was carried out on the collected data.

Results

Myalgia was the most commonly diagnosed condition among the TMD patients. Furthermore, the prevalence of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression was high in the studied sample. Females showed more depression symptoms than males, while the level of anxiety and stress was similar in both groups. The most statistically significant correlation was observed between the group of masticatory muscle disorders and the level of depression, stress, pain intensity, and pain-related disability.

Conclusion

Due to the high prevalence of increased levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, it is essential to screen the psychosocial status of Polish TMD adult patients. Psychosocial status may have an impact on a studied patient’s response to treatment and pain intensity, and pain-related disability. Therefore, Polish TMD adult patients should be provided with management based on an interdisciplinary approach.

Clinical trial registration

[https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [NCT05183503].
Clinical-grade endometrial cancer detection system via whole-slide images using deep learning
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Ba Wei , Zhao Xiaoya , Wang Chen , Li Qiting , Zhang Yinli , Lu Shanshan , Wang Lang , Wang Shuhao , Song Zhigang , Shen Danhua
Published: November 2022

The accurate pathological diagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC) improves the curative effect and reduces the mortality rate. Deep learning has demonstrated expert-level performance in pathological diagnosis of a variety of organ systems using whole-slide images (WSIs). It is urgent to build the deep learning system for endometrial cancer detection using WSIs. The deep learning model was trained and validated using a dataset of 601 WSIs from PUPH. The model performance was tested on three independent datasets containing a total of 1,190 WSIs. For the retrospective test, we evaluated the model performance on 581 WSIs from PUPH. In the prospective study, 317 consecutive WSIs from PUPH were collected from April 2022 to May 2022. To further evaluate the generalizability of the model, 292 WSIs were gathered from PLAHG as part of the external test set. The predictions were thoroughly analyzed by expert pathologists. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.928, 0.924, and 0.801, respectively, on 1,190 WSIs in classifying EC and non-EC. On the retrospective dataset from PUPH/PLAGH, the model achieved an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.948/0.971, 0.928/0.947, and 0.80/0.938, respectively. On the prospective dataset, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were, in order, 0.933, 0.934, and 0.837. Falsely predicted results were analyzed to further improve the pathologists’ confidence in the model. The deep learning model achieved a high degree of accuracy in identifying EC using WSIs. By pre-screening the suspicious EC regions, it would serve as an assisted diagnostic tool to improve working efficiency for pathologists.
Anticancer effects of ABTL0812, a clinical stage drug inducer of autophagy-mediated cancer cell death, in glioblastoma models
Authors: Mancini Andrea , Colapietro Alessandro , Cristiano Loredana , Rossetti Alessandra , Mattei Vincenzo , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Perez-Montoyo Héctor , Yeste-Velasco Marc , Alfon Jose , Domenech Carles , Festuccia Claudio
Published: November 2022

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant adult brain tumor. Current standard of care treatments have very limited efficacy, being the patients´ overall survival 14 months and the 2-year survival rate less than 10%. Therefore, the treatment of GBM is an urgent unmet clinical need.

Methods

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo the potential of ABTL0812, an oral anticancer compound currently in phase II clinical stage, as a novel therapy for GBM.

Results

We showed that ABTL0812 inhibits cell proliferation in a wide panel of GBM cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 15.2 µM to 46.9 µM. Additionally, ABTL0812 decreased GSCs neurosphere formation. GBM cells aggressiveness is associated with a trans-differentiation process towards a less differentiated phenotype known as proneural to mesenchymal transition (PMT). ABTL0812 was shown to revert PMT and induce cell differentiation to a less malignant phenotype in GBM cell lines and GSCs, and consequently reduced cell invasion. As previously shown in other cancer types, we demonstrated that the molecular mechanism of action of ABTL0812 in glioblastoma involves the inhibition of Akt/mTORC1 axis by overexpression of TRIB3, and the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/unfolded protein response (UPR). Both actions converge to induce autophagy-mediated cell death. ABTL0812 anticancer efficacy was studied in vivo using subcutaneous and orthotopic intra-brain xenograft tumor models. We demonstrated that ABTL0812 impairs tumor growth and increases disease-free survival and overall survival of mice. Furthermore, the histological analysis of tumors indicated that ABTL0812 decreases angiogenesis. Finally, we investigated the combination of ABTL0812 with the standard of care treatments for GBM radiotherapy and temozolomide in an orthotopic model, detecting that ABTL0812 potentiates the efficacy of both treatments and that the strongest effect is obtained with the triple combination of ABTL0812+radiotherapy+temozolomide.

Conclusions

Overall, the present study demonstrated the anticancer efficacy of ABTL0812 as single agent and in combination with the GBM standard of care treatments in models of glioblastoma and supports the clinical investigation of ABTL0812 as a potential novel therapy for this aggressive brain tumor type.
Epidemiological characteristics and distribution of congenital thumb duplication in south China: An analysis of 2,300 thumbs in 2,108 children
Authors: Wu JianPing , Shi WeiZhe , Lin XueMei , Li JingChun , Yuan Zhe , Zhu Mingwei , Liu YuanZhong , Li YiQiang , Canavese Federico , Xu HongWen
Published: November 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate epidemiological and anatomical characteristics of children with congenital thumb duplication (CTD).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 2108 children with CTD. Data regarding sex, age at the surgery, laterality, uni- or bilateral involvement, and dominant side were retrieved from the medical charts. Plain radiographs were used to classify all CTD according to Wassel-Flatt, Rotterdam and Chung classification systems and to evaluate the patho-anatomy of the duplication as well as the presence of associated anomaly.

Results

A total of 796 girls and 1,312 boys with CTD (n = 2,300 thumbs) met the inclusion criteria. The male to female and unilateral to bilateral ratio were 1.6:1 and 10:1, respectively. Associated anomaly was found in 238/2108 patients (11.3%), and the middle phalanx deformity of the 5th finger was the most common one. A dominant thumb, larger and more developed, was on the ulnar side in 2270/2,300 cases (98.7%).

According to the Wassel-Flatt classification, type IV (40.2%) was the most common deformity and the extra thumb was connected to the main thumb by a joint in most cases (437/780); overall, 15.7% of thumbs (n = 360) did not fit the Wassel-Flatt classification.

According to the Rotterdam classification, type IV (51.3%) was the most common form; in most cases (363/1180) the thumb was hypoplastic or floating. Overall, 3/2,300 thumbs (0.1%) could not be classified according to Rotterdam classification.

According to the Chung classification, type A was the most common subtype (44.1%); in most cases (716/1015) the duplication was at the level of the metacarpal bone. Overall, 2/2,300 thumbs (0.1%) did not fit the Chung classification.

Conclusions

In patients from southern China, CTD shows male and right-sided predominance with ulnar-dominant thumb. Abnormalities of the middle phalanx of the 5th finger are more frequent in patients with associated anomaly. The development of a simple and comprehensive classification system is needed to guide treatment and to adequately assess the epidemiological characteristics of patients with CTD in order to facilitate comparison between different patients' populations.

Level of evidence

III
Duration of initial prednisolone therapy for first episode of childhood nephrotic syndrome based on time to response
Authors: Tang Xiaoshan , Shen Qian , Rao Jia , Chen Jing , Fang Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhiqing , Grewal Manpreet , Mattoo Tej , Xu Hong
Published: November 2022

Background

The duration of initial corticosteroid therapy in newly diagnosed Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is about 3 months. Our study was designed to test the feasibility of a shorter duration of corticosteroid therapy in newly diagnosed INS who show a quicker response.

Methods

Patients who responded within 10 days (Group A) received 8 weeks of corticosteroid therapy as compared to 12–14 weeks of standard therapy in those who responded between >10 days to 28 days (Group B), and follow up for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint is time to first relapse after treatment completion. (NCT03878914, March 18, 2019)

Results

A total of 33 children with INS were enrolled and the follow-up data were analyzed. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients in both groups were similar. No significant difference was found in time to first relapse [65(14.5, 159) days for Group A vs. 28(17, 61.5) days for Group B, P = 0.371], the incidence of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome [6/18 (33.3%) vs. 5/10(50%), P = 0.644] or requirement for alternative immunosuppressant [4/18 (22.2%) vs. 1/10 (10%), P = 0.769]. Group A received similar corticosteroid dose compare with Group B (3511 ± 2421 mg/m2 vs. 4117 ± 2556 mg/m2, P = 0.524). Frequency and severity of corticosteroid-related complications was similar in both groups.

Conclusions

The time to first relapse and the number of relapses per patient were comparable between the two groups. However, more patients in Group A relapsed and the mean total dose of prednisolone for the study period was very similar between the two groups.
Sodium cantharidate promotes autophagy in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K–Akt–mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Pang Jin-Long , Xu Lian-Song , Zhao Qian , Niu Wen-Wen , Rong Xiang-Yu , Li Shan-Shan , Li Xian
Published: November 2022

Sodium cantharidate (SCA) is a derivative of cantharidin obtained by its reaction with alkali. Studies have shown that it inhibits the occurrence and progression of several cancers. However, therapeutic effects of SCA on breast cancer are less well studied. This study aimed to clarify the effect of SCA on breast cancer cells and its mechanism, and to provide a scientific basis for the clinical use of SCA for the treatment of breast cancer. The results of cell counting kit-8, colony formation assay, and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine staining showed that SCA inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation. Wound-healing and transwell assays demonstrated that SCA inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that SCA induced autophagy in breast cancer cells. RNA sequencing technology showed that SCA significantly regulated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase–Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K–Akt–mTOR) pathway, which was further verified using western blotting. The inducing effect of SCA on breast cancer autophagy was reversed by the mTOR activator MHY1485. In addition, subcutaneous xenograft experiments confirmed that SCA significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Hematoxylin-eosin, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, and immunohistochemical staining indicated that SCA induced tumor cell autophagy and apoptosis in nude mice without causing organ damage. In summary, we found that SCA promoted breast cancer cell apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K–Akt–mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy.
Cellular phenotypic transitions in diabetic nephropathy: An update
Authors: Cao Yiling , Lin Ji-Hong , Hammes Hans-Peter , Zhang Chun
Published: November 2022

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes and is the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is the final pathological change in DN. It is widely believed that cellular phenotypic switching is the cause of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Several types of kidney cells undergo activation and differentiation and become reprogrammed to express markers of mesenchymal cells or podocyte-like cells. However, the development of targeted therapy for DN has not yet been identified. Here, we discussed the pathophysiologic changes of DN and delineated the possible origins that contribute to myofibroblasts and podocytes through phenotypic transitions. We also highlight the molecular signaling pathways involved in the phenotypic transition, which would provide valuable information for the activation of phenotypic switching and designing effective therapies for DN.
Glia from the central and peripheral nervous system are differentially affected by paclitaxel chemotherapy via modulating their neuroinflammatory and neuroregenerative properties
Authors: Klein Ines , Boenert Janne , Lange Felix , Christensen Britt , Wassermann Meike K. , Wiesen Martin H. J. , Olschewski Daniel Navin , Rabenstein Monika , Müller Carsten , Lehmann Helmar C. , Fink Gereon Rudolf , Schroeter Michael , Rueger Maria Adele , Vay Sabine Ulrike
Published: November 2022

Graphical Abstract

Main Points: Paclitaxel differentially modulates inflammatory and regenerative properties of glial cells; Paclitaxel affects glia-glia and glia-neuron interactions; Paclitaxel induces pro-inflammatory effects in microglia and satellite glial cells and anti-inflammatory effects in astrocytes.
The therapeutic potential of natural products for treating pancreatic cancer
Authors: He Xia , Wang Ning , Zhang Yu , Huang Xiaobo , Wang Yi
Published: November 2022

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors of the digestive tract, with the poor prognosis and low 5-year survival rate less than 10%. Although surgical resection and chemotherapy as gemcitabine (first-line treatment) has been applied to the pancreatic cancer patients, the overall survival rates of pancreatic cancer are quite low due to drug resistance. Therefore, it is of urgent need to develop alternative strategies for its treatment. In this review, we summarized the major herbal drugs and metabolites, including curcumin, triptolide, Panax Notoginseng Saponins and their metabolites etc. These compounds with antioxidant, anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activities can inhibit the progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Expecting to provide comprehensive information of potential natural products, our review provides valuable information and strategies for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Baicalin regulates stem cells as a creative point in the treatment of climacteric syndrome
Authors: Wei Qian , Hao Xia , Lau Benson Wui-Man , Wang Shaoxia , Li Yue
Published: November 2022

Graphical Abstract

This review summarizes the regulatory role of Baicalin on the diverse behaviors of distinct stem cell populations and emphasizes the potential applications of Baicalin and stem cell therapy in climacteric syndrome.
Physiological and biochemical differences in diapause and non-diapause pupae of Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: Xiao Quan-Hong , He Zhe , Wu Rong-Wei , Zhu Dao-Hong
Published: November 2022

The swallowtail butterfly, Sericinus montelus Gray, is endemic to East Asia, has high ornamental value but faces an increased risk of extinction. To understand the overwintering strategies of this species, the dynamic changes in supercooling point (SCP) and water and biochemical contents of diapause-destined and non-diapause S. montelus pupae were investigated. The SCP of laboratory-reared diapause pupae was as low as −26°C compared to −24°C in diapause pupae in the field. Although there was no significant difference in total water content between diapause-destined and non-diapause pupae, the free water of diapause-destined pupae was significantly lower, and the bound water was significantly higher, than that of non-diapause pupae. Lipid, glycogen, and protein contents of diapause-destined pupae showed a downward trend, whereas the total sugar content showed the opposite trend after pupation. The glycogen content decreased rapidly during the initial stage of pupation, whereas the lipid content decreased significantly after 30 days of pupation, suggesting that diapause-destined pupae deplete glycogen stores during the pre-diapause period and then switch to using lipids during the diapause maintenance phase. Trehalose levels in diapause-destined pupae increased significantly and remained high after pupation. Meanwhile, the trehalose content of overwintering pupae during the diapause maintenance period was significantly higher than that of diapause termination pupae in the field. These results suggest that trehalose is the main cryoprotectant for overwintering pupae. Thus, diapausing S. montelus pupae appear to be freeze avoidant, accumulate trehalose as a cryoprotectant, and reduce the free water content to decrease the SCP, enhancing their cold tolerance.
Activation of orexin-2 receptors in the Kӧlliker-Fuse nucleus of anesthetized mice leads to transient slowing of respiratory rate
Authors: Varga Adrienn G. , Whitaker-Fornek Jessica R. , Maletz Sebastian N. , Levitt Erica S.
Published: November 2022

Orexins are neuropeptides originating from the hypothalamus that serve broad physiological roles, including the regulation of autonomic function, sleep-wake states, arousal and breathing. Lack of orexins may lead to narcolepsy and sleep disordered breathing. Orexinergic hypothalamic neurons send fibers to Kӧlliker-Fuse (KF) neurons that directly project to the rostroventral respiratory group, and phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons. These connections indicate a potential role of orexin-modulated KF neurons in functionally linking the control of wakefulness/arousal and respiration. In a reduced preparation of juvenile rats Orexin B microinjected into the KF led to a transient increase in respiratory rate and hypoglossal output, however Orexin B modulation of the KF in intact preparations has not been explored. Here, we performed microinjections of the Orexin B mouse peptide and the synthetic Orexin 2 receptor agonist, MDK 5220, in the KF of spontaneously breathing, isoflurane anesthetized wild type mice. Microinjection of Orexin-2 receptor agonists into the KF led to transient slowing of respiratory rate, which was more exaggerated in response to Orexin-B than MDK 5220 injections. Our data suggest that Orexin B signaling in the KF may contribute to arousal-mediated respiratory responses.
Genome-wide association study reveals a GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 gene regulating plant height in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhao Chuanji , Yang Li , Tang Minqiang , Liu Lijiang , Huang Junyan , Tong Chaobo , Xiang Yang , Liu Shengyi , Cheng Xiaohui , Xie Meili
Published: November 2022

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an allotetraploid crop that is the main source of edible oils and feed proteins in the world. The ideal plant architecture breeding is a major objective of rapeseed breeding and determining the appropriate plant height is a key element of the ideal plant architecture. Therefore, this study aims to improve the understanding of the genetic controls underlying plant height. The plant heights of 230 rapeseed accessions collected worldwide were investigated in field experiments over two consecutive years in Wuhan, China. Whole-genome resequencing of these accessions yielded a total of 1,707,194 informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were used for genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). GWAS and haplotype analysis showed that BnaA01g09530D, which encodes BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 2 and belongs to the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 (GSK3) family, was significantly associated with plant height in B. napus. Moreover, a total of 31 BnGSK3s with complete domains were identified from B. napus genome and clustered into four groups according to phylogenetic analysis, gene structure, and motif distribution. The expression patterns showed that BnGSK3s exhibited significant differences in 13 developmental tissues in B. napus, suggesting that BnGSK3s may be involved in tissue-specific development. Sixteen BnGSK3 genes were highly expressed the in shoot apical meristem, which may be related to plant height or architecture development. These results are important for providing new haplotypes of plant height in B. napus and for extending valuable genetic information for rapeseed genetic improvement of plant architecture.
Role of Nanoparticles in Enhancing Crop Tolerance to Abiotic Stress: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: El-Saadony Mohamed T. , Saad Ahmed M. , Soliman Soliman M. , Salem Heba M. , Desoky El-Sayed M. , Babalghith Ahmad O. , El-Tahan Amira M. , Ibrahim Omar M. , Ebrahim Alia A. M. , Abd El-Mageed Taia A. , Elrys Ahmed S. , Elbadawi Alaa A. , El-Tarabily Khaled A. , AbuQamar Synan F.
Published: November 2022

Plants are subjected to a wide range of abiotic stresses, such as heat, cold, drought, salinity, flooding, and heavy metals. Generally, abiotic stresses have adverse impacts on plant growth and development which affects agricultural productivity, causing food security problems, and resulting in economic losses. To reduce the negative effects of environmental stress on crop plants, novel technologies, such as nanotechnology, have emerged. Implementing nanotechnology in modern agriculture can also help improve the efficiency of water usage, prevent plant diseases, ensure food security, reduce environmental pollution, and enhance sustainability. In this regard, nanoparticles (NPs) can help combat nutrient deficiencies, promote stress tolerance, and improve the yield and quality of crops. This can be achieved by stimulating the activity of certain enzymes, increasing the contents (e.g., chlorophyll) and efficiency of photosynthesis, and controlling plant pathogens. The use of nanoscale agrochemicals, including nanopesticides, nanoherbicides, and nanofertilizers, has recently acquired increasing interest as potential plant-enhancing technologies. This review acknowledges the positive impacts of NPs in sustainable agriculture, and highlights their adverse effects on the environment, health, and food chain. Here, the role and scope of NPs as a practical tool to enhance yield and mitigate the detrimental effects of abiotic stresses in crops are described. The future perspective of nanoparticles in agriculture has also been discussed.
Validity and diagnostics of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients
Authors: Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Carelli Laura , Solca Federica , Torre Silvia , Ferrucci Roberta , Priori Alberto , Verde Federico , Silani Vincenzo , Ticozzi Nicola , Poletti Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the construct validity and diagnostic properties of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) in non-demented patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Materials

A total of 61 consecutive patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the 36-item RMET. Additionally, patients underwent a comprehensive assessment of social cognition via the Story-Based Empathy Task (SET), which encompasses three subtests targeting Causal Inference, Emotion Attribution (SET-EA), and Intention Attribution (SET-IA), as well as global cognitive [the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS)] and behavioral screening [the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI); the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS); the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y]. The construct validity of the RMET was tested by regressing it within a stepwise model that encompassed as predictors the abovementioned cognitive and behavioral measures, covarying for demographic and motor confounders. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analyses allowed exploring intrinsic and post-test properties of the RMET both in discriminating patients from HCs and in identifying patients with a defective SET-EA performance.

Results

The RMET was solely predicted by the SET-EA (p = 0.003) and SET-IA (p = 0.005). RMET scores showed high accuracy both in discriminating patients from HCs (AUC = 0.81) and in identifying patients with a defective SET-EA score (AUC = 0.82), with adequate-to-optimal both intrinsic and post-test properties.

Discussion

The RMET is a convergently and divergently valid measure of affective social cognition in non-demented ALS patients, also featuring optimal intrinsic and post-test diagnostic properties in both case-control and case-finding scenarios.
Role of change leadership in attaining sustainable growth and curbing poverty: A case of Pakistan tourism industry
Authors: Bashir Fatima , Tahir Zara , Aslam Amna
Published: November 2022

This study has proposed to apply change leadership as a vehicle forward for sustaining the growth of the tourism industry to eradicate poverty through the Pakistani tourism industry. Applying a mixed method approach, this article has attempted to uncover the role a change leader can play to help achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals of poverty reduction. In this study, one of the authors interviewed stakeholders of the tourism industry to find out the major drivers of the industry and identify the leadership style that may prove to be effective in the said industry. In the next phase of the study, a survey method approach was used where different tourism companies and hotel chains were included for analysis. The study aimed to check employee’s perception of change leadership and its impact on their resilience and ultimately the sustainable organization performance of companies’ operationalizing in the sector with moderating impact of sustainable tourism attitude in times of a crisis. In total, 430 full-time workers in the tourism industry were contacted for a self-administered survey achieving a response rate of 83%. The findings of the study confirmed that in the presence of a change leader, the process of adaptation to sudden changing situations amidst financial crises, pandemic, and climatic change, becomes bearable and employees can cope with the work situations without pushing them to quit the industry. The study has a significant contribution toward a rapidly growing and focused industry, which can play a major role in the economy of any country leading toward job creation and poverty reduction.