bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local stimulation with Alflutop in dorsopathy
Authors: Agasarov L. G.
Published: March 2023

The article summarizes the results of their own research in the field of one of the original areas of reflexology – pharmacopuncture or, in other words, local stimulation. This term in our case refers to a method of irritating reflexology points with small doses of drugs considered as low-energy factors. Synonyms of the method, reflecting little significant differences, are aquapuncture, biopuncture, mesotherapy and some others. In the mechanisms of method, the significance of the prolongation of the reflex response due to changes in the volume of tissues in the region of points and the formation of multiple depots of the drug used are highlighted. However, the issues of more subtle links remain unclear, which determined the purpose of the study – to identify as such the targeted effect of drugs used through local stimulation. Dorsopathy at the lumbosacral level was chosen as a research model, which is to a certain extent associated with the formation of reflexology in the country, the methods of which were largely developed and refined using the model of neurological pain syndromes. Naturally, we took into account the medical, social and economic significance of the problem. In a series of completed dissertation studies of our employees, the therapeutic possibilities of local use of the drug Alflutop, indicated for the studied pathology, were analyzed. Evaluation of the effectiveness of this approach was based on taking into account the dynamics of clinical and additional characteristics and, in particular, the results of psychological and electrophysiological examination, including zonal thermography, vascular tests, etc. At the same time, the addition and even potentiation of the reflex and drug links of the method was noted, which determines a reliable superiority over the standard therapeutic effect or placebo control. Fundamentally significant in this regard was the positive structural and modifying effect in relation to the state of the intervertebral discs, confirmed by the data of ultrasonic video densitometry of these structures. Attention should also be paid to the fact of strengthening the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture through the parallel use of modern hardware technology – low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation. The presented materials are also reflected in monographs, a number of methodological manuals and protected patents for the invention.
Headache diagnoses in patients with orofacial pain at a specialized pain center
Authors: Kislova E. A. , Latysheva N. V. , Filatova E. G.
Published: March 2023

Background. Headache and orofacial pain (OFP) are widespread at specialized pain centers. However, reliable data on their prevalence and co-occurrence are lacking, and prevalence of OFP in headache patients seems to be underestimated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types of headache in patients with OFP and types of OFP in patients with headache.Methods. We enrolled patients presenting with headache and/or OFP. Patients were examined by an experienced headache and pain specialist who questioned the patients about the presence of OFP. Depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), anxiety – with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Bruxism was evaluated based on subject self-report.Results. We recruited 310 patients: 177 (57%) patients with headache, 28 (9%) patients with OFP and 105 (34%) patients presenting with both types of pain. The prevalence of OFP in headache patients was 37.2%. Migraine was the most prevalent type of headache, while painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) – the most prevalent form of OFP. Patients with PFP presented with a high prevalence of sleep and awake bruxism.Conclusion. Migraine and pain-related TMD are the most prevalent diagnoses in a specialized pain center. OKI and OKI ACT are soluble forms of ketoprofen and reach peak concentration in 15 minutes. This enables faster onset of action compared to conventional NSAIDs and better tolerability. OKI and OKI ACT are recommended in the acute treatment of migraine with comorbid painful TMD.
Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Trichoderma Isolates from Rhizospheric Soils of Vegetables in Pakistan
Authors: Iqbal Shomaila , Ashfaq Muhammad , Malik Aamir H. , Inam -ul-Haq Muhammad , Khan Khalid S.
Published: March 2023

Trichoderma, a major fungal genus attaining importance due to its diverse application in biological control programs and is considered a substitute for chemical pesticides. This research was conducted to characterize various Trichoderma species isolated from rhizospheric soil samples morphologically followed by its confirmation using molecular tools. A systematic survey of Trichoderma populations associated with soils of different vegetable hosts would enable a clear picture of the distribution of species in the region. Samples were collected from the rhizospheres of a variety of vegetable hosts and obtained numerous Trichoderma isolates (T. harzianum, T. viride, T. hamatum, T. longibrachiatum, T. asperellum, T. koningii and T. longipile). Morphological characteristics revealed that T. harzianum resembles T. viride but is more pigmented with confined rings than T. viride and other associated species. T. viride sporulation was more rapid than other species, producing a soft mat on PDA media. T. viride produces a sweet smell of coconut; T. asperellum produces a misty odour while T. longibrachiatum produces a yellow pigmentation in the media. Fifty out of 200 morphologically identified species were genetically characterized using universal primers (ITS-1 and ITS-4). ITS-based sequencing resulted in a product of 650 bp in all the isolates. The sequencing of these isolates showed five different species. As per rDNA, the species identified are: T. harzianum, T. hamatum, T. longibrachiatum, T. asperellum and T. viride with 98-100% sequence similarities to other related Trichoderma isolates reported from China, India, Mexico, USA, Portugal, Germany, Spain and Brazil. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted using maximum parsimony (MP) that supports the resemblance of the present study Trichoderma species with species reported from other countries. It is concluded that Trichoderma strains with biocontrol activity are genetically different compared to the pathogenic ones. The findings of this study help in providing an opportunity to test these isolates against different plant pathogens and ultimately leads to the development of bio-pesticides that could be eco-friendly and cost-effective with no chance of resistance development
The Use of Patient’s Complaint Jigsaw Card (PCJC) to Teach Speaking Skill for Nursing Students
Authors: Maharani Irka
Published: March 2023

Abstract..................
A robust numerical scheme for singularly perturbed differential equations with spatio-temporal delays
Authors: Ejere Ababi Hailu , Duressa Gemechis File , Woldaregay Mesfin Mekuria , Dinka Tekle Gemechu
Published: March 2023

In this article, we proposed and analyzed a numerical scheme for singularly perturbed differential equations with both spatial and temporal delays. The presence of the perturbation parameter exhibits strong boundary layers, and the large negative shift gives rise to a strong interior layer in the solution. The abruptly changing behaviors of the solution in the layers make it difficult to solve the problem analytically. Standard numerical methods do not give satisfactory results, unless a large mesh number is considered, which needs a massive computational cost. We treated such problem by proposing a numerical scheme using the implicit Euler method in the temporal variable and the nonstandard finite difference method in the spatial variable on uniform meshes. The stability and uniform convergence of the proposed scheme have been investigated and proved. To demonstrate the theoretical results, numerical experiments are carried out. From the theoretical and numerical results, we observed that the method is uniformly convergent of order one in time and of order two in space.
Immune evaluation of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor loaded hierarchically 3D nanofiber scaffolds in a humanized mice model
Authors: Chen Rui , Li Yujie , Zhuang Yangyang , Zhang Yiming , Wu Hailong , Lin Tao , Chen Shixuan
Published: March 2023

Background: Immune evaluation of biomaterials for tissue regeneration is a critical preclinical evaluation. The current evaluation criterion (ISO 10993-1 or GB/T 16886) uses rodents to perform the immune evaluation. However, the immune system of rodents is different from humans, the obtained results may not be reliable, which could lead directly to the failure of clinical trials. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) shows a great potential application in tissue regeneration by regulating local immune responses. The presented work combines the advantages of GM-CSF (immunoregulation) and hierarchically 3D nanofiber scaffolds (tissue regeneration).

Methods: Firstly, we fabricated GM-CSF loaded 3D radially aligned nanofiber scaffolds, and then subcutaneous implantation was performed in humanized mice. The whole scaffold and surrounding tissue were harvested at each indicated time point. Finally, the cell infiltration and local immune responses were detected by histological observations, including H&E and Masson staining and immunochemistry.

Results: We found significant cell migration and extracellular matrix deposition within the 3D radially aligned nanofiber scaffold after subcutaneous implantation. The locally released GM-CSF could accelerate the expression of human dendritic cells (CD11c) only 3 days after subcutaneous implantation. Moreover, higher expression of human cytotoxic T cells (CD3+/CD8+), M1 macrophages (CD68/CCR7) was detected within GM-CSF loaded radially aligned nanofiber scaffolds and their surrounding tissues.

Conclusions: The 3D radially aligned scaffold can accelerate cell migration from surrounding tissues to regenerate the wound area. And the locally released GM-CSF enhances dendritic cell recruitment and activation of cytotoxic T cells and M1 macrophages. Taken together, the GM-CSF loaded 3D radially aligned nanofiber scaffolds have a promising potential for achieving tissue regeneration.
Bidirectional effects of oral anticoagulants on gut microbiota in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Li Wan , Li Changxia , Ren Cheng , Zhou Shiju , Cheng Huan , Chen Yuanrong , Han Xiaowei , Zhong Yiming , Zhou Licheng , Xie Dongming , Liu Haiyue , Xie Jiahe
Published: March 2023

Background

The imbalance of gut microbiota (GM) is associated with a higher risk of thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Oral anticoagulants (OACs) have been found to significantly reduce the risk of thromboembolism and increase the risk of bleeding. However, the OAC-induced alterations in gut microbiota in patients with AF remain elusive.

Methods

In this study, the microbial composition in 42 AF patients who received long-term OAC treatment (AF-OAC group), 47 AF patients who did not (AF group), and 40 volunteers with the risk of AF (control group) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal bacterial DNA. The metagenomic functional prediction of major bacterial taxa was performed using the Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) software package.

Results

The gut microbiota differed between the AF-OAC and AF groups. The abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus decreased in the two disease groups at the genus level, but OACs treatment mitigated the decreasing tendency and increased beneficial bacterial genera, such as Megamonas. In addition, OACs reduced the abundance of pro-inflammatory taxa on the genus Ruminococcus but increased certain potential pathogenic taxa, such as genera Streptococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Klebsiella. The Subgroup Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analyses revealed that Bacteroidetes, Brucella, and Ochrobactrum were more abundant in the anticoagulated bleeding AF patients, Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium were more abundant in the non-anticoagulated-bleeding-AF patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was lower in the AF-OAC group compared with the AF group (P < 0.05). Ruminococcus was positively correlated with the NLR and negatively correlated with the CHA2DS2-VASc score (P < 0.05), and the OACs-enriched species (Megamonas and Actinobacteria) was positively correlated with the prothrombin time (PT) (P < 0.05). Ruminococcus and Roseburia were negatively associated with bleeding events (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study suggested that OACs might benefit AF patients by reducing the inflammatory response and modulating the composition and abundance of gut microbiota. In particular, OACs increased the abundance of some gut microbiota involved in bleeding and gastrointestinal dysfunction indicating that the exogenous supplementation with Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia might be a prophylactic strategy for AF-OAC patients to lower the risk of bleeding after anticoagulation.
The push-out bond strength of three root canal materials used in primary teeth: in vitro study
Authors: Özer Hazal , Abaklı İnci Merve , Açar Tuzluca Sevcihan
Published: March 2023

The study aims to compare the bond strength of three primary tooth root canal filling materials to the root canal wall with a push-out test (Calplus, DiaPaste, BIOfactor MTA). First, 30 primary central teeth were cut transversely using a water-cooled low-speed diamond saw vertical to the long axis to obtain 2 mm thick discs from the middle third of the roots. Next the materials used were placed on dentin discs and kept in an incubator for 1 week at 37°C and 100% humidity until the hardening mechanism of the root-canal sealer was completed. Finally, a vertical force was placed on each material from apical to coronal with a 0.75 mm diameter stainless steel cylindrical piston without contacting the root canal dentin. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 program and the Mann-Whitney U test was used as a post hoc test. There was a statistically significant difference between the bonding values of different primary tooth root canal sealers to root canal dentin (p < 0.05). Among the maximum binding values, the lowest measurement was in Calplus (0.43 ± 0.28 MPa), and the highest measurement was in BIOfactor MTA (24.24 ± 17.78 MPa) (p < 0.05). BIOfactor MTA has a higher bonding value to root canal dentin than calcium hydroxide-based primary tooth canal sealers.
Diverse subsistence strategies related to the spatial heterogeneity of local environments in the Hengduan Mountain Region during the Bronze Age
Authors: Lu Minxia , Lu Yongxiu , Yang Zhijian , Cili Nongbu , Ma Minmin
Published: March 2023

Human subsistence strategies in East Asia changed significantly during the Bronze Age. The notable spatial variability in these strategies has been mainly attributed to the asynchronous introduction and adoption of new crops and livestock, as well as climate changes. However, the impact of differential local environments on spatial patterns of subsistence strategies in diverse geomorphic areas, such as the Hengduan Mountain Region (HMR), is poorly understood. In this study, we present new carbon and nitrogen isotopic data of human bone collagen from the Adong and Gaozhai tombs in the HMR. Adong is located in a mountain area, and Gaozhai is located on a river terrace. Both sites were dated to the early third Millennium BP (before the present). Our results suggest that human diets at Gaozhai were dominated by C3 foods. Human diets at Adong, alternatively, displayed more differentiation, with greater consumption of C4 foods. Further evidence is needed to discuss the significant differences in δ15N values of human bone collagen between the Gaozhai and Adong tombs. By comparing published isotopic, archaeobotanical, and zooarchaeological data, as well as the altitude and precipitation at the archaeological sites, we propose that precipitation may have affected the diversity of human dietary strategies in the Bronze Age HMR. We conclude that at higher altitudes, humans adopted diverse subsistence strategies and obtained meat resources by hunting. Some of this preferential behavior is likely explained by the survival pressure in the highlands of the HMR during the Bronze Age.
Selenium and thyroid diseases
Authors: Wang Fei , Li Chunyu , Li Shaoxin , Cui Lili , Zhao Junyu , Liao Lin
Published: March 2023

Selenium, a non-metallic element, is a micronutrient essential for the biosynthesis of selenoproteins containing selenocysteine. In adults, the thyroid contains the highest amount of selenium per gram of tissue. Most known selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidase, are expressed in the thyroid and are involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, redox state regulation, and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Some clinical studies have shown that lack of selenium will increase the prevalence of several kinds of thyroid diseases. Selenium treatment in patients with Graves’ orbitopathy has been shown to delay disease progression and improve the quality of life. Selenium supplementation in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was associated with the decreased levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and improved thyroid ultrasound structure. In thyroid cancer, various selenium supplements have shown variable anticancer activity. However, published results remain the conflicting and more clinical evidence is still needed to determine the clinical significance of selenium. This article reviews the strong association between selenium and thyroid disease and provides new ideas for the clinical management of selenium in thyroid disease.
Fault diagnosis of transformer winding short circuit based on WKPCA-WM and IPOA-CNN
Authors: Pei Xiping , Han Songtao , Bao Yanyan , Chen Wei , Li Hengjie
Published: March 2023

When the winding of the power transformer is short-circuited, the winding will experience constant vibration, which will cause axial instability of the winding, and then lead to winding looseness, deformation, bulge, etc., therefore, a diagnosis method based on the Improved Pelican Optimization Algorithm and Convolutional Neural Network (IPOA-CNN) for short-circuit voiceprint signal of transformer windings is proposed. At the same time, considering the input parameter dimension of deep learning cannot be too high, a new feature parameter selection method is constructed for this model. Firstly, the frequency characteristics of winding acoustic vibration signals are analyzed, and then the characteristic parameters of transformer acoustic signals are extracted by Wavelet Packet Energy Spectrum (WPES) and Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficient (MFCC), respectively. Then, the two methods are combined to construct the WM feature extraction algorithm, and the Weighted Kernel Principal Component Analysis (WKPCA) is used to reduce the dimension of the feature to obtain the feature parameters with accurate feature information and low redundancy; Finally, combined with Sobol sequence to optimize the initial population of Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA), the convolution kernel of Convolutional neural network (CNN) was optimized by IPOA, and the optimal convolution kernel was obtained. The transformer winding short-circuits voiceprint diagnosis models of WKPCA-WM and IPOA-CNN were constructed, which realized the accurate diagnosis of winding short-circuit voiceprint. The validity and feasibility of the method are verified by the acoustic signal data collected in the laboratory.
PathwayKO: An integrated platform for deciphering the systems-level signaling pathways
Authors: Ai Hannan , Meng Fanmei , Ai Yuncan
Published: March 2023

Systems characterization of immune landscapes in health, disease and clinical intervention cases is a priority in modern medicine. High-throughput transcriptomes accumulated from gene-knockout (KO) experiments are crucial for deciphering target KO signaling pathways that are impaired by KO genes at the systems-level. There is a demand for integrative platforms. This article describes the PathwayKO platform, which has integrated state-of-the-art methods of pathway enrichment analysis, statistics analysis, and visualizing analysis to conduct cutting-edge integrative pathway analysis in a pipeline fashion and decipher target KO signaling pathways at the systems-level. We focus on describing the methodology, principles and application features of PathwayKO. First, we demonstrate that the PathwayKO platform can be utilized to comprehensively analyze real-world mouse KO transcriptomes (GSE22873 and GSE24327), which reveal systemic mechanisms underlying the innate immune responses triggered by non-infectious extensive hepatectomy (2 hours after 85% liver resection surgery) and infectious CASP-model sepsis (12 hours after CASP-model surgery). Strikingly, our results indicate that both cases hit the same core set of 21 KO MyD88-associated signaling pathways, including the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, the NFκB signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, and the PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, alongside the pathways of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. These findings suggest common fundamental mechanisms between these immune responses and offer informative cues that warrant future experimental validation. Such mechanisms in mice may serve as models for humans and ultimately guide formulating the research paradigms and composite strategies to reduce the high mortality rates of patients in intensive care units who have undergone successful traumatic surgical treatments. Second, we demonstrate that the PathwayKO platform model-based assessments can effectively evaluate the performance difference of pathway analysis methods when benchmarked with a collection of proper transcriptomes. Together, such advances in methods for deciphering biological insights at the systems-level may benefit the fields of bioinformatics, systems immunology and beyond.
Convergent antibody responses are associated with broad neutralization of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Skinner Nicole E. , Ogega Clinton O. , Frumento Nicole , Clark Kaitlyn E. , Paul Harry , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Schuebel Kornel , Meyers Jennifer , Gupta Anuj , Wheelan Sarah , Cox Andrea L. , Crowe James E. , Ray Stuart C. , Bailey Justin R.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Early development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 is associated with spontaneous clearance of infection, so induction of bNAbs is a major goal of HCV vaccine development. However, the molecular antibody features important for broad neutralization are not known.

Methods

To identify B cell repertoire features associated with broad neutralization, we performed RNA sequencing of the B cell receptors (BCRs) of HCV E2-reactive B cells of HCV-infected individuals with either high or low plasma neutralizing breadth. We then produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) expressed by pairing the most abundant heavy and light chains from public clonotypes identified among clearance, high neutralization subjects.

Results

We found distinctive BCR features associated with broad neutralization of HCV, including long heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDRH3) regions, specific VH gene usage, increased frequencies of somatic hypermutation, and particular VH gene mutations. Most intriguing, we identified many E2-reactive public BCR clonotypes (heavy and light chain clones with the same V and J-genes and identical CDR3 sequences) present only in subjects who produced highly neutralizing plasma. The majority of these public clonotypes were shared by two subjects who cleared infection. A mAb expressing the most abundant public heavy and light chains from these clearance, high neutralization subjects had features enriched in high neutralization clonotypes, such as increased somatic hypermutation frequency and usage of IGHV1-69, and was cross-neutralizing.

Discussion

Together, these results demonstrate distinct BCR repertoires associated with high plasma neutralizing capacity. Further characterization of the molecular features and function of these antibodies can inform HCV vaccine development.
Construction and immunogenicity of a trypsin-independent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus variant
Authors: Li Mingxiang , Zhang Yiye , Fang Yuxin , Xiao Shaobo , Fang Puxian , Fang Liurong
Published: March 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a re-emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus that causes high mortality in neonatal piglets. The addition of trypsin plays a crucial role in the propagation of PEDV, but also increases the complexity of vaccine production and increases its cost. Previous studies have suggested that the S2′ site and Y976/977 of the PEDV spike (S) protein might be the determinants of PEDV trypsin independence. In this study, to achieve a recombinant trypsin-independent PEDV strain, we used trypsin-dependent genotype 2 (G2) PEDV variant AJ1102 to generate three recombinant PEDVs with mutations in S (S2′ site R894G and/or Y976H). The three recombinant PEDVs were still trypsin dependent, suggesting that the S2′ site R894 and Y976 of AJ1102 S are not key sites for PEDV trypsin dependence. Therefore, we used AJ1102 and the classical trypsin-independent genotype 1 (G1) PEDV strain JS2008 to generate a recombinant PEDV carrying a chimeric S protein, and successfully obtained trypsin-independent PEDV strain rAJ1102-S2′JS2008, in which the S2 (amino acids 894–1386) domain was replaced with the corresponding JS2008 sequence. Importantly, immunization with rAJ1102-S2′JS2008induced neutralizing antibodies against both AJ1102 and JS2008. Collectively, these results suggest that rAJ1102-S2′JS2008is a novel vaccine candidate with significant advantages, including no trypsin requirement for viral propagation to high titers and the potential provision of protection for pigs against G1 and G2 PEDV infections.
Two new siderophores produced by Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 10586: The anti-oomycete non-ribosomal peptide synthetase-dependent mupirochelin and the NRPS-independent triabactin
Authors: Grosse Camille , Brandt Nathalie , Van Antwerpen Pierre , Wintjens René , Matthijs Sandra
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Globisporangium ultimum is an oomycetal pathogen causing damping-off on over 300 different plant hosts. Currently, as for many phytopathogens, its control relies in the use of chemicals with negative impact on health and ecosystems. Therefore, many biocontrol strategies are under investigation to reduce the use of fungicides.

Results

In this study, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 10586 demonstrates a strong iron-repressed in vitro antagonism against G. ultimum MUCL 38045. This antagonism does not depend on the secretion of the broad-range antibiotic mupirocin or of the siderophore pyoverdine by the bacterial strain. The inhibitor molecule was identified as a novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) siderophore named mupirochelin. Its putative structure bears similarities to other siderophores and bioactive compounds. The transcription of its gene cluster is affected by the biosynthesis of pyoverdine, the major known siderophore of the strain. Besides mupirochelin, we observed the production of a third and novel NRPS-independent siderophore (NIS), here termed triabactin. The iron-responsive transcriptional repression of the two newly identified siderophore gene clusters corroborates their role as iron scavengers. However, their respective contributions to the strain fitness are dissimilar. Bacterial growth in iron-deprived conditions is greatly supported by pyoverdine production and, to a lesser extent, by triabactin. On the contrary, mupirochelin does not contribute to the strain fitness under the studied conditions.

Conclusion

Altogether, we have demonstrated here that besides pyoverdine, Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 10586 produces two newly identified siderophores, namely mupirochelin, a weak siderophore with strong antagonism activity against G. ultimum, and the potent siderophore triabactin.
Postural control of Parkinson’s disease: A visualized analysis based on Citespace knowledge graph
Authors: Li Yan , Zheng Jie-Jiao , Wu Xie , Gao Wen , Liu Chan-Jing
Published: March 2023

Postural control impairment is one of the primary motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease, leading to an increased risk of falling. Several studies have been conducted on postural control disorders in Parkinson’s disease patients, but no relevant bibliometric analysis has been found. In this paper, the Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for 1,295 relevant papers on postural control in Parkinson’s disease patients from December 2011 to December 2021. Based on the Citespace knowledge graph, these relevant papers over the last decade were analyzed from the perspectives of annual publication volume, countries and institutes cooperation, authors cooperation, dual-map overlay of journals, co-citation literature, and keywords. The purpose of this study was to explore the current research status, research hotspots, and frontiers in this field, and to provide a reference for further promoting the research on postural control in Parkinson’s disease patients.
New insights into binocular rivalry from the reconstruction of evolving percepts using model network dynamics
Authors: Barkdoll Kenneth , Lu Yuhua , Barranca Victor J.
Published: March 2023

When the two eyes are presented with highly distinct stimuli, the resulting visual percept generally switches every few seconds between the two monocular images in an irregular fashion, giving rise to a phenomenon known as binocular rivalry. While a host of theoretical studies have explored potential mechanisms for binocular rivalry in the context of evoked model dynamics in response to simple stimuli, here we investigate binocular rivalry directly through complex stimulus reconstructions based on the activity of a two-layer neuronal network model with competing downstream pools driven by disparate monocular stimuli composed of image pixels. To estimate the dynamic percept, we derive a linear input-output mapping rooted in the non-linear network dynamics and iteratively apply compressive sensing techniques for signal recovery. Utilizing a dominance metric, we are able to identify when percept alternations occur and use data collected during each dominance period to generate a sequence of percept reconstructions. We show that despite the approximate nature of the input-output mapping and the significant reduction in neurons downstream relative to stimulus pixels, the dominant monocular image is well-encoded in the network dynamics and improvements are garnered when realistic spatial receptive field structure is incorporated into the feedforward connectivity. Our model demonstrates gamma-distributed dominance durations and well obeys Levelt's four laws for how dominance durations change with stimulus strength, agreeing with key recurring experimental observations often used to benchmark rivalry models. In light of evidence that individuals with autism exhibit relatively slow percept switching in binocular rivalry, we corroborate the ubiquitous hypothesis that autism manifests from reduced inhibition in the brain by systematically probing our model alternation rate across choices of inhibition strength. We exhibit sufficient conditions for producing binocular rivalry in the context of natural scene stimuli, opening a clearer window into the dynamic brain computations that vary with the generated percept and a potential path toward further understanding neurological disorders.
Detecting changes in the blood flow of the optic disk in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy via optical coherence tomography–angiography
Authors: Xiao Qing , Sun Chuan-bin
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the blood flow of the optic disk in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) using optical coherence tomography–angiography (OCTA) and to investigate the relationship among the changes in the blood flow of the optic disk, visual field defect, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC).

Methods

This was a prospective observational case series study. A total of 89 patients (89 eyes) with NAION were included in this study. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp and direct ophthalmoscopic examinations, color fundus photography, visual field test, and blood flow indicators of the radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC) including whole en face image vessel density (VD), peripapillary VD by OCTA, the peripapillary RNFL, and mGCC by spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (OCT). The changes of blood flow in the optic disk at ≤3, 4–8, 9–12, 13–24, and >24 weeks of the natural course of NAION were measured, and the relationship among the changes in the blood flow of the optic disk, visual field defect, peripapillary RNFL, and mGCC was also analyzed.

Results

The mean age of 89 patients with NAION was 56.42 ± 6.81 years (ranging from 39 to 79). The initial RPC whole en face image VD was significantly reduced after acute NAION (≤3 weeks) (F = 45.598, P < 0.001) and stabilized from the eighth week onward. Over the course of NAION, the superonasal RPC, superior mGCC, and superotemporal RNFL decreased mostly with time (F = 95.658, 109.787, 263.872, respectively; P < 0.001). Maximal correlations were found between superior mGCC and temporosuperior RPC in the NAION phase (R = 0.683, P < 0.01) and between superonasal RPC and superonasal RNFL (R = 0.740, P < 0.01). The mean defect was correlated with temporosuperior RPC (R = −0.281, P < 0.01) and superior mGCC (R = −0.160, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Over the course of NAION, OCTA shows a tendency toward change in the retinal capillary plexus of the optic disk. OCTA is proved to be a practical and useful tool for observing papillary perfusion in NAION.
The plasma fibrinogen levels in the nitroglycerin-induced chronic migraine rat model and its association between migraine-associated vestibular dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Jilei , Zhao Yixin , Jing Yuanyuan , Han Lin , Ma Xin , Yu Lisheng , Diao Tongxiang
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to measure the vestibular function and plasma fibrinogen level in the nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced chronic migraine rats, and explore the effect of defibrinogenation on migraine and associated vestibular dysfunction. The chronic migraine rat model was built by recurrent NTG injection. Batroxobin was administrated as a defibrinogenating drug. We measured the mechanical withdrawal threshold, vestibular function, and fibrinogen level of the rats 30 min before and 2 h following the model establishment, as well as 1 h after batroxobin administration. The results showed that vestibular function was impaired in NTG-induced chronic migraine rats. The fibrinogen levels were increased following repeated NTG injections. However, defibrinogenation did not affect either aggravating or alleviating mechanical hyperalgesia or vestibular dysfunction in the migraine model rats. These findings suggest that the NTG-induced chronic migraine rat model can be used for research on migraine-associated vestibular symptoms. Albeit the association between elevated fibrinogen levels and migraine attacks can be observed, the role of excessive fibrinogen in the pathogenesis of chronic migraine is yet to be determined.
Dynamic peripheral nerve stimulation can produce cortical activation similar to punctate mechanical stimuli
Authors: Tanner Justin , Keefer Edward , Cheng Jonathan , Helms Tillery Stephen
Published: March 2023

During contact, phasic and tonic responses provide feedback that is used for task performance and perceptual processes. These disparate temporal dynamics are carried in peripheral nerves, and produce overlapping signals in cortex. Using longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes inserted into the median nerve of a nonhuman primate, we delivered composite stimulation consisting of onset and release bursts to capture rapidly adapting responses and sustained stochastic stimulation to capture the ongoing response of slowly adapting receptors. To measure the stimulation’s effectiveness in producing natural responses, we monitored the local field potential in somatosensory cortex. We compared the cortical responses to peripheral nerve stimulation and vibrotactile/punctate stimulation of the fingertip, with particular focus on gamma band (30–65 Hz) responses. We found that vibrotactile stimulation produces consistently phase locked gamma throughout the duration of the stimulation. By contrast, punctate stimulation responses were phase locked at the onset and release of stimulation, but activity maintained through the stimulation was not phase locked. Using these responses as guideposts for assessing the response to the peripheral nerve stimulation, we found that constant frequency stimulation produced continual phase locking, whereas composite stimulation produced gamma enhancement throughout the stimulus, phase locked only at the onset and release of the stimulus. We describe this response as an “Appropriate Response in the gamma band” (ARγ), a trend seen in other sensory systems. Our demonstration is the first shown for intracortical somatosensory local field potentials. We argue that this stimulation paradigm produces a more biomimetic response in somatosensory cortex and is more likely to produce naturalistic sensations for readily usable neuroprosthetic feedback.
Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in trigeminal ganglion corneal neuron injury in dry eye disease
Authors: Zhang Jinyu , Lin Hongbin , Li Fengxian , Wu Kaili , Yang Shuangjian , Zhou Shiyou
Published: March 2023

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease with a high prevalence worldwide. Uncomfortable corneal sensations severely affect daily life in DED patients. Hence, corneal neuron injury is a vital pathogenesis in DED. Notably, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a role in peripheral neuron injury. However, the role of ERS in DED corneal neuron injury is still far from being clear. In this study, we established an environmental DED (eDED) model in vivo and a hyperosmotic DED model in vitro. Subsequently, trigeminal ganglion (TG) corneal neurons were retrograde labeled by WGA-Alexa Fluor 555, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to collect targeted corneal neurons for RNA sequencing in mice. Our results revealed that there is TG corneal neuron injury but not neuron apoptosis in DED. ERS-related genes and proteins were upregulated in TG corneal neurons of the eDED mice. ERS inhibition alleviated TG corneal neuron’s ERS-related injury. Therefore, ERS-induced TG corneal neuron injury may be an important pathomechanism and provide a promising therapeutic approach to DED.
Automatic bundle-specific white matter fiber tracking tool using diffusion tensor imaging data: A pilot trial in the application of language-related glioma resection
Authors: Yuan Yifan , Qiu Tianming , Chong Shin Tai , Hsu Sanford Pin-Chuan , Chu Ying-Hua , Hsu Yi-Cheng , Xu Geng , Ko Yu-Ting , Kuo Kuan-Tsen , Yang Zixiao , Zhu Wei , Lin Ching-Po , Song Jianping
Published: March 2023

Cerebral neoplasms like gliomas may cause intracranial pressure increasing, neural tract deviation, infiltration, or destruction in peritumoral areas, leading to neuro-functional deficits. Novel tracking technology, such as DTI, can objectively reveal and visualize three-dimensional white matter trajectories; in combination with intraoperative navigation, it can help achieve maximum resection whilst minimizing neurological deficit. Since the reconstruction of DTI raw data largely relies on the technical engineering and anatomical experience of the operator; it is time-consuming and prone to operator-induced bias. Here, we develop new user-friendly software to automatically segment and reconstruct functionally active areas to facilitate precise surgery. In this pilot trial, we used an in-house developed software (DiffusionGo) specially designed for neurosurgeons, which integrated a reliable diffusion-weighted image (DWI) preprocessing pipeline that embedded several functionalities from software packages of FSL, MRtrix3, and ANTs. The preprocessing pipeline is as follows: 1. DWI denoising, 2. Gibbs-ringing removing, 3. Susceptibility distortion correction (process if opposite polarity data were acquired), 4. Eddy current and motion correction, and 5. Bias correction. Then, this fully automatic multiple assigned criteria algorithms for fiber tracking were used to achieve easy modeling and assist precision surgery. We demonstrated the application with three language-related cases in three different centers, including a left frontal, a left temporal, and a left frontal-temporal glioma, to achieve a favorable surgical outcome with language function preservation or recovery. The DTI tracking result using DiffusionGo showed robust consistency with direct cortical stimulation (DCS) finding. We believe that this fully automatic processing pipeline provides the neurosurgeon with a solution that may reduce time costs and operating errors and improve care quality and surgical procedure quality across different neurosurgical centers.
microRNA 146a ameliorates retinal damage in experimental autoimmune uveitis
Authors: Saraswathy Sindhu , Rao Narsing A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Uveitis and related intraocular inflammations are a major cause of blindness due to retinal damage caused by degeneration and loss of the photoreceptor cells. In mouse experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) previously we have shown mitochondrial oxidative stress with marked upregulation of αA crystallin in the inner segments of the photoreceptors. Furthermore, αA crystallin treatment prevented photoreceptor mitochondrial oxidative stress by suppressing innate and adaptive immunity in EAU.

Methods

Since these immune processes are modulated by microRNAs, in this study we investigated (a) modulation of microRNAs during development of EAU by αA crystallin administration and (b) microRNA therapeutic intervention.

Results

Few microRNAs were significantly upregulated in EAU mice with intravenous injection of αA crystallin and among these, computational bioinformatic analysis revealed that the upregulated microRNA 146a targets the innate and adaptive immune responses. In EAU, intravenous as well as intravitreal administration of this microRNA prevented inflammatory cell infiltration in uvea and retina and preserved photoreceptor cells.

Discussion

This protective function suggests that microRNA146a can be a novel therapeutic agent in preventing retinal damage in uveitis.
Hsa-miR-323a-3p functions as a tumor suppressor and targets STAT3 in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Bhavsar Swapnil Parashram , Olsen Lotte , Løkke Cecilie , Koster Jan , Flægstad Trond , Einvik Christer
Published: March 2023

Background

Studies conducted in the last decades have revealed a role for the non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer development and progression. Several miRNAs within the chromosome region 14q32, a region commonly deleted in cancers, are associated with poor clinical outcome in the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. We have previously identified miR-323a-3p from this region to be downregulated in chemotherapy treated neuroblastoma cells compared to pre-treatment cells from the same patients. Furthermore, in neuroblastoma tumors, this miRNA is downregulated in advanced stage 4 disease compared to stage 1–2. In this study, we attempt to delineate the unknown functional roles of miR-323a-3p in neuroblastoma.

Methods

Synthetic miRNA mimics were used to overexpress miR-323a-3p in neuroblastoma cell lines. To investigate the functional roles of miR-323a-3p, cell viability assay, flow cytometry, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, luciferase reporter assay and western blot were conducted on the neuroblastoma cell lines Kelly, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2)-C.

Results

Ectopic expression of miR-323a-3p resulted in marked reduction of cell viability in Kelly, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2)-C by causing G1-cell cycle arrest in Kelly and SH-SY5Y and apoptosis in all the cell lines tested. Furthermore, mRNA and protein levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were reduced upon miR-323a-3p overexpression. A direct binding of the miR-323a-3p to the 3′UTR of STAT3 was experimentally validated by luciferase reporter assay, where miR-323a-3p reduced luminescent signal from full length STAT3 3′UTR luciferase reporter, but not from a reporter with mutation in the predicted seed sequence.

Conclusions

miR-323a-3p inhibits growth of neuroblastoma cell lines through G1-cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and the well-known oncogene STAT3 is a direct target of this miRNA.
No association between thickening fraction of the diaphragm and extubation success in ventilated children
Authors: Duyndam Anita , Smit Joke , Houmes Robert Jan , Heunks Leo , Molinger Jeroen , IJland Marloes , van Rosmalen Joost , van Dijk Monique , Tibboel Dick , Ista Erwin
Published: March 2023

Introduction

In mechanically ventilated adults, thickening fraction of diaphragm (dTF) measured by ultrasound is used to predict extubation success. Whether dTF can also predict extubation success in children is unclear.

Aim

To investigate the association between dTF and extubation success in children. Second, to assess diaphragm thickness during ventilation and the correlation between dTF, diaphragm thickness (Tdi), age and body surface.

Method

Prospective observational cohort study in children aged 0–18 years old with expected invasive ventilation for >48 h. Ultrasound was performed on day 1 after intubation (baseline), day 4, day 7, day 10, at pre-extubation, and within 24 h after extubation. Primary outcome was the association between dTF pre-extubation and extubation success. Secondary outcome measures were Tdi end-inspiratory and Tdi end-expiratory and atrophy defined as <10% decrease of Tdi end-expiratory versus baseline at pre-extubation. Correlations were calculated with Spearman correlation coefficients. Inter-rater reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation (ICC).

Results

Fifty-three patients, with median age 3.0 months (IQR 0.1–66.0) and median duration of invasive ventilation of 114.0 h (IQR 55.5–193.5), were enrolled. Median dTF before extubation with Pressure Support 10 above 5 cmH2O was 15.2% (IQR 9.7–19.3). Extubation failure occurred in six children, three of whom were re-intubated and three then received non-invasive ventilation. There was no significant association between dTF and extubation success; OR 0.33 (95% CI; 0.06–1.86). Diaphragmatic atrophy was observed in 17/53 cases, in three of extubation failure occurred. Children in the extubation failure group were younger: 2.0 months (IQR 0.81–183.0) vs. 3.0 months (IQR 0.10–48.0); p = 0.045. At baseline, pre-extubation and post-extubation there was no significant correlation between age and BSA on the one hand and dTF, Tdi- insp and Tdi-exp on the other hand. The ICC representing the level of inter-rater reliability between the two examiners performing the ultrasounds was 0.994 (95% CI 0.970–0.999). The ICC of the inter-rater reliability between the raters in 36 paired assessments was 0.983 (95% CI 0.974–0.990).

Conclusion

There was no significant association between thickening fraction of the diaphragm and extubation success in ventilated children.