bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the size-dependent nonlinear dynamics of viscoelastic/flexoelectric nanobeams
Authors: Bagheri Rasoul , Tadi Beni Yaghoub
Published: September 2020

In this study, size-dependent nonlinear forced vibration of viscoelastic/flexoelectric nanobeams has been investigated. By calculating enthalpy and kinetic energy and using Hamilton’s principle, the coupled governing equations of viscoelastic/flexoelectric nanobeams are derived along with dependent electrical and mechanical boundary conditions. Furthermore, to take the effects of the small scale into account, the nonclassical theory of continuous medium has been used and the Euler–Bernoulli beam model has been adopted to model the nanobeams. Finally, the governing equations are solved using numerical methods for distributed loaded and clamped–clamped boundary conditions. By comparing the results, it is determined that the parameters of the size effect and the viscoelastic medium effect can increase the vibrational frequency of the nanobeams. Also, the results show that the frequency of nanobeams outside of the viscoelastic medium strongly depends on the size-dependent parameters, and the increase in the length and thickness of the nanobeam decreases the frequency. The results also show that with the increasing flexoelectric effect, the amplitude of the nonlinear oscillation increases.
Investigation of Indoor Air Quality inside Houses From UAE
Authors: Bani Mfarrej Manar Fawzi , Qafisheh Nida Ali , Bahloul Moez Mohamed
Published: September 2020

The maintenance of a good indoor air quality (IAQ) has been revealed highly required for ensuring comfort and respectable health conditions for home’s residents. Nowadays, the main causes of the homes air quality degradation have been stated to be originated from both indoor and outdoor sources such as gases and/or particles, where their health impacts have been showed to be more hazardous under inadequate ventilation, high temperatures, and high humidity. In the light of the above, investigation of IAQ inside homes seems to be highly recommended. Accordingly, the current research has been aimed to investigate the IAQ in 12 houses located in different parts from Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a regular monitoring of total suspended particles (TSPs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (CH2O), and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations and some meteorological parameters such as humidity and temperature in side door, kitchen, and bathroom of each selected house. Compared with international standards and with other measured concentrations exhibited in diverse studies around the world, recorded concentrations in different compartments of selected houses have been lower than detection limits and standard values in the case of VOCs and in the case of CO, respectively, indicating that no health risk originates from such pollutants, especially for residents without sensitive problems. On the contrary, registered CH2O and CO2 concentration levels have largely exceeded standard values alerting residents about the potential impact of cooking, fuel combustion, hot water boilers, air conditioning systems, smoking and may be using electronic cigarettes (vaping) while keeping windows and doors closed, causing a bad aeration. In the case of TSP, recorded concentrations have never exceeded 100 µg/m3 in all compartments of 40% of selected houses. However, in the case of houses “3” and “5,” recorded concentrations have been higher than those recorded in houses from Slovakia, indicating the significant impact of outdoor activities in UAE around these houses and to the non-negligible effect of dust event originating from Saharan advection.
Tribo-dynamic analysis and motion control of a rotating manipulator based on the load and temperature dependent friction model
Authors: Yan Qi , Li Rui , Meng Xianghui
Published: September 2020

Joint friction has a significant influence on the dynamics and motion control of manipulators. However, the friction effect is often omitted or simplified in previous studies. In this paper, we establish the dynamics model of a single joint in a rotating industrial manipulator taking detailed friction effects into consideration and propose a new control algorithm for the friction compensation purpose. Firstly, the manipulator dynamics modeling is carried out employing a recently-proposed extended static friction model, which depicts load and temperature influence on Coulomb, Stribeck and viscous terms. Moreover, based on the established dynamics model, the paper presents a new adaptive fast nonsingular terminal sliding mode (AFNTSM) controller. The proposed approach has the advantages of continuous control inputs, fast convergence rate, no singularity and great robustness against disturbances. Furthermore, its adaptive property does not require any prior knowledge of the upper bound of the uncertainties. Finally, the proposed controller is applied to the manipulator joint trajectory tracking problem with varying friction subject to load and temperature changes. The numerical simulation verifies the effectiveness of our proposed method and its advantages over other controllers.
Placebo effects on the quantity and quality of relaxation training
Authors: Höfler Carina , Osmani Florian , Schienle Anne
Published: September 2020

Many people find it difficult to practice progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) regularly. We attempted to improve relaxation quantity (i.e. adherence), and relaxation quality via placebo. A total of 100 women were randomly assigned to a standard group, which practiced PMR at home every day for two weeks, or a placebo group, which practiced PMR for two weeks with additional daily placebo treatment. To monitor adherence to relaxation practice, we used a smartphone app. The placebo group practiced more often than the standard group. Both groups did not differ in their reported relaxation level after the daily exercises.
Non-suicidal self-injury and its association with identity formation in India and Belgium: A cross-cultural case-control study
Authors: Gandhi Amarendra , Luyckx Koen , Adhikari Alka , Parmar Dhruv , Desousa Avinash , Shah Nilesh , Maitra Shubhada , Claes Laurence
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study was to compare different features of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in India and Belgium. We also explored whether the strength of the association between NSSI and disturbances in identity formation—a risk factor that can increase vulnerability to NSSI—was similar in young adults from India and Belgium. Data regarding NSSI and identity formation were collected from 182 young adults in India (56% females, mean age = 21.5 years, SD = 3.70, range = 17–38 years). The Belgian data used for matching were derived from four existing datasets. Of the 182 Indian cases, 138 cases could be matched with the Belgian sample on age, gender, and lifetime prevalence of NSSI. Lifetime prevalence of NSSI in the Indian sample was found to be around 21.4%, with higher prevalence in females than in males. Comparison of features of NSSI in India and Belgium indicated that the age of onset of NSSI was higher in the Indian sample (around 17 years) than the Belgian sample (around 15 years). Additionally, self-bruising behavior was more commonly reported in India and scratching/cutting was more often reported in Belgium. Finally, the Belgian sample reported intra-personal functions of NSSI more often than the Indian sample. Moderation analysis indicated that the associations between NSSI and identity confusion/integration were stronger in the Belgian sample compared to the Indian sample. Higher self-knowledge was protective against NSSI in both the Indian and the Belgian sample.
Graduating From College: Exploring First-Semester Dispositions and Experiences of Support Associated With Unexpected Pathways
Authors: Larose Simon , Duchesne Stéphane , Boisclair-Châteauvert Geneviève
Published: September 2020

This study examines the dispositions and experiences of support of college students associated with unexpected pathways toward college graduation. The final sample was drawn from a national sample of 3,998 youths who participated in a longitudinal project. Using the k-nearest neighbors’ algorithm, we created four groups based on the Québec High School Average and the College Graduation status four years after admission (Unexpected Graduates; Expected Dropouts; Unexpected Dropouts; Expected Graduates). Compared to ED, UG showed lower aggressive behaviors and attentional problems and higher participation in institutional or targeted support measures in college. They were also more likely to have attended a private high school. Compared to EG, UD showed lower academic behaviors and motivation, lower perceptions of teaching quality and support, and lower economic capital and support from family. They were also more likely to enrol in a technical college program and less likely to have attended a private high school.
Representations of environmental protest on the ground and in the cloud: The NOTAP protests in activist practice and social visual media
Authors: Di Ronco Anna , Allen-Robertson James
Published: September 2020

This article advances knowledge on activist technosocial practice by studying the realities and representations of on-the-ground environmental resistance and their intersections with visual representations of protest on Twitter. It does so by focusing on the case of resistance to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, commonly known as TAP, in southern Italy, and on mixed methods for data collection, including ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews and an AIassisted visual ethnography of a large collection of computationally collected and categorised images posted on Twitter. By comparing online and offline representations of protest, the study demonstrated that only a partial overlapping existed between them, thus adding a nuance to the digital criminological literature premised on the existence of blurred boundaries between online and offline experiences of injustice. Themes overlapped in their representations of protest, with images of on-theground visual resistance being used on Twitter to extend and amplify the contestation of everyday spaces and to support offline and online initiatives to stop the pipeline. Differences in the recurring themes were instead reconnected to the inherent secrecy of some of the protest’s strategies and to the typical ways in which Twitter tends to be used by social movements.
Syphilitic infection impairs immunity by inducing both apoptosis and pyroptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes
Authors: Xia Wei , Zhao Jinxue , Su Bin , Jiao Yanmei , Weng Wenjia , Zhang Ming , Wang Xiaodan , Guo Caiping , Wu Hao , Zhang Tong , Gao Yanqing , Li Zaicun
Published: September 2020

Syphilis is an important health problem worldwide; however, few studies have probed the impact of syphilitic infection on T cell turnover. The mechanisms behind the frequency of T cell subset changes and the associations between these subsets during syphilitic infection remain unclear. Herein, we used a cell-staining method and flow cytometry to explore changes in T cell subpopulations and potential contribution of apoptosis and pyroptosis that triggered therein. We investigated caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, the major effector lymphocytes with pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. We found that the levels of caspase-1 and caspase-3 increased in both the circulation and intracellularly in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Caspase-1 showed a continual increase from early latent stage infection through to phase 2 disease, whereas caspase-3 increased through to phase 1 disease but declined during phase 2. In addition, serum levels and intracellular expression of caspase-1 and caspase-3 were positively correlated. Overall, this study increases our understanding of how syphilitic infection influences CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell turnover, which may help with designing novel and effective strategies to control syphilis infection and prevent its transmission.
Penicillic Acid Congener, a New Inhibitor of BMP-Induced Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Myoblasts, Produced by the Fungus Penicillium sp. BF-0343
Authors: Koyama Nobuhiro , Otoguro Yasuhiro , Ohte Satoshi , Katagiri Takenobu , Tomoda Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

During our screening for microbial regulators of bone metabolism, a new compound, 6-ethoxy-5,6-dihydropenillic acid (1), was isolated together with a known and structurally related penicillic acid (2) from the culture broth of the soil-derived fungus Penicillium sp. BF-0343. The structure of 1 was elucidated by various spectroscopic data including nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 dose-dependently inhibited bone morphogenetic protein–induced alkaline phosphatase activity in myoblasts with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 19.8 and 2.1 μM, respectively.
Pharmacognosy and Its Role in the System of Profile Disciplines in Pharmacy
Authors: Cahlíková Lucie , Šafratová Marcela , Hošťálková Anna , Chlebek Jakub , Hulcová Daniela , Breiterová Kateřina , Opletal Lubomír
Published: September 2020

The primal discipline from which pharmacy has developed can be considered as pharmacognosy. This review defines pharmacognosy while reflecting on the latest development and discourse about its justifiability in the educational system in pharmaceutical faculties and the history of development of new drugs under the influence of pharmacognosy. The article defines the status quo of the pharmacognosy area, or more precisely its parts (biology, chemistry, production, and technology) and discusses their connections. It underlines the legitimacy of application of natural drugs in therapy, which is undeniable, and proves that whether a new drug was prepared either synthetically or isolated from a natural source is not important. The overview follows the basic requirements of pharmacognosy, especially its methodology (usage of faster and more effective phyto-analytical methods, reverse pharmacology, and reverse pharmacognosy, in silico methods). Pharmacognosy is confronted by three major challenges in the 21st century that can push it significantly forward: ethnopharmacological sources evaluation, evaluation of nutraceuticals, and pharmacognosy of marine organisms. The educational system of universities should correspond to these new demands. However, in some areas the educational system is not prepared to face the challenges of the time. The basic requirement is to adopt a complex attitude to biogenic material and utilize the connections of this complexity in the teaching of modern pharmacy.
Araliachinoside A: A New Triterpene Glycoside From Aralia chinensis Leaves
Authors: Yen Pham Hai , Cuc Nguyen Thi , Huong Phan Thi Thanh , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Hoai Nguyen Thi , Viet Ho Duc , Huu Tai Bui , Tuyen Nguyen Van , Minh Chau Van , Van Kiem Phan
Published: September 2020

From the leaves of Aralia chinensis, 3 oleanane-type triterpene glycosides have been isolated, including 1 new glycoside, 3β,23 -dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 3 -O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)- α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-glucuronopyranoside 28 -O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (named as araliachinoside A, 1), and 2 known ones, 3β,23 -dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 3 -O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)- β-d-glucuronopyranoside 28 -O-β-d-glucopyronosyl ester (2) and 3β-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 3 -O-β-d-glucurono pyranoside 28 -O-β-d-glucopyronosyl ester (3). Their chemical structures were elucidated by using a combination of high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data, and by comparison with previous literature. Compounds 1-3 displayed cytotoxic activity toward KB and HepG2 cell lines with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 8.1 ± 0.1 to 15.7 ± 0.3 µM in in vitro assay.
Revisiting Scenario Planning and Business Wargaming From an Open Strategy Perspective
Authors: Schwarz Jan Oliver
Published: September 2020

The key aim of Open Strategy is to open up the process of strategy development to larger groups within and even outside an organization. Furthermore, Open Strategy aims to include broad groups of stakeholders in the various steps of the strategy process. The question at hand is how can Open Strategy be achieved? What approaches can be used? Scenario planning and business wargaming are approaches perceived as relevant tools in the field of strategy and strategic foresight and in the context of Open Strategy because of their participative nature. The aim of this article is to assess to what degree scenario planning and business wargaming can be used in the context of Open Strategy. While these approaches are suitable, their current application limits the number of potential participants. Further research and experimentation in practice with larger groups and/or online approaches, or a combination of both, are needed to explore the potential of scenario planning and business wargaming as tools for Open Strategy.
Enzymatic and soil burial degradation of corn starch/glycerol/sodium montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Ostadi Hadi , Hakimabadi Saeed Gilak , Nabavi Farnaz , Vossoughi Manouchehr , Alemzadeh Iran
Published: September 2020

In this study, effects of glycerol (10, 20, and 30 wt%) and Sodium Montmorillonite (Na-MMT) (0%, 2.5%, and 5%) contents on the degradation of corn starch polymers were investigated. Films were prepared by casting corn starch solution using a modified method to enhance the nanoclay distribution. Biodegradability studies were performed by enzymatic and burial tests using pristine and enriched soils. The biodegradability of samples in pristine soil was faster, and all samples were fully degraded in 6 months. The effect of nanoparticles on the mass reduction in degradation was more pronounced than that of glycerol. In all glycerol concentrations, Na-MMT addition increased tensile strength. FTIR tests showed that degradability was related to glycerol leaching at first and then cleaving of α-1,4 bonds of starch, indicating the action of α-amylase produced by soil microorganisms. Good agreement between soil burial tests and enzymatic degradation was observed. An optimum Glycerol/Clay ratio was observed at which d-spacing and mechanical properties were maximum.
Instagramming Issues: Agenda Setting During the 2016 Presidential Campaign
Authors: Towner Terri , Muñoz Caroline Lego
Published: September 2020

Mass media can set the public’s agenda, particularly during political campaigns. In the social media era, the public can now also set the mass media’s agenda, resulting in intermedia agenda setting. This study’s purpose is to examine the intermedia agenda-setting effects between Instagram posts and mainstream newspapers during the 2016 presidential primary period. To test this relationship, a content analysis was conducted, recording the frequency of political issue mentions in newspaper articles and Instagram posts throughout the presidential primary period. Cross-correlations were then estimated to examine the direction of the influence of the frequency of issue mentions in newspaper articles and Instagram posts. Findings indicate differences between the salient issues in traditional newspapers and Instagram posts during the presidential primary. Additional results suggest a limited intermedia agenda-setting relationship between the issue agendas of mainstream newspapers and Instagram posts.
Serpiginous Choroiditis Presenting in Association With Clostridium difficile Infection and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Pollmann André S. , Mishra Amit V. , Betsch Devin M. , Francisconi Carolina L. M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

This work reports a case of serpiginous choroiditis (SC) in association with ulcerative colitis and Clostridium difficile infection.

Methods:

A case report is discussed.

Results:

A 35-year-old man with a history of ulcerative colitis and recently treated C difficile infection presented with a rapid decline in central visual acuity in both eyes. Examination findings included geographic creamy-white lesions extending from the peripapillary region in both eyes. Multimodal imaging and negative infectious workup results supported the diagnosis of SC. Visual acuity and examination findings improved after initiation of systemic prednisone therapy. Adalimumab was initiated as a steroid-sparing treatment. At the last follow-up, 5 months after the initial presentation, SC and ulcerative colitis both remain in remission.

Conclusions:

SC has been previously described in patients with systemic disorders, including autoimmune conditions. This patient developed SC following C difficile infection and in the context of active ulcerative colitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SC in association with these entities.
How I treat nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Eichenauer Dennis A. , Engert Andreas
Published: September 2020

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare lymphoma entity with distinct pathologic and clinical characteristics. Unlike the malignant cells in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, the disease-defining lymphocyte-predominant cells in NLPHL are consistently positive for CD20, but do not express CD30. The clinical course of NLPHL is indolent in the majority of cases. Most patients present with early-stage disease at the initial diagnosis. First-line treatment of stage IA NLPHL usually consists of limited-field radiotherapy alone. Patients with early-stage NLPHL other than stage IA and intermediate-stage disease mostly receive combined-modality treatment, whereas individuals with advanced NLPHL are treated with chemotherapy alone. In relapsed NLPHL, conventional chemotherapy, anti-CD20 antibodies, and radiotherapy represent active treatment modalities. Only patients with poor-risk characteristics such as early disease recurrence are candidates for aggressive salvage treatment with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. The overall and relative survival of patients with NLPHL is excellent as indicated by a low excess mortality compared with the general population. This article discusses treatment options for patients with NLPHL and factors that influence the choice of therapy on the basis of the available data and 2 clinical cases.
Phase 1/2a study of 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan in relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kolstad Arne , Illidge Tim , Bolstad Nils , Spetalen Signe , Madsbu Ulf , Stokke Caroline , Blakkisrud Johan , Løndalen Ayca , O'Rourke Noelle , Beasley Matthew , Jurczak Wojciech , Fagerli Unn-Merete , Kaščák Michal , Bayne Mike , Obr Aleš , Dahle Jostein , Rojkjaer Lisa , Pascal Veronique , Holte Harald
Published: September 2020

For patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma who fail initial anti-CD20–based immunochemotherapy or develop relapsed or refractory disease, there remains a significant unmet clinical need for new therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes and quality of life. 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan is a next-generation single-dose CD37-directed radioimmunotherapy (RIT) which was investigated in a phase 1/2a study in 74 patients with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, including 57 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). To improve targeting of 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan to tumor tissue and decrease hematologic toxicity, its administration was preceded by the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab and the “cold” anti-CD37 antibody lilotomab. The most common adverse events (AEs) were reversible grade 3/4 neutropenia (31.6%) and thrombocytopenia (26.3%) with neutrophil and platelet count nadirs 5 to 7 weeks after RIT. The most frequent nonhematologic AE was grade 1/2 nausea (15.8%). With a single administration, the overall response rate was 61% (65% in patients with FL), including 30% complete responses. For FL with ≥2 prior therapies (n = 37), the overall response rate was 70%, including 32% complete responses. For patients with rituximab-refractory FL ≥2 prior therapies (n = 21), the overall response rate was 67%, and the complete response rate was 24%. The overall median duration of response was 13.6 months (32.0 months for patients with a complete response). 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan may provide a valuable alternative treatment approach in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly in patients with comorbidities unsuitable for more intensive approaches. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01796171.
Gender, reproductive output covariation and their role on gene diversity of Pinus koraiensis seed orchard crops
Authors: Park Ji-Min , Kang Hye-In , Yeom Da-Bin , Kang Kyu-Suk , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Lee Kyung-Mi
Published: September 2020

Background

Gender and fertility variation have an impact on mating dynamics in a population because they affect the gene exchange among parental members and the genetic composition of the resultant seed crops. Fertility is the proportional gametic contribution of parents to their progeny. An effective number of parents, derivative of effective population size, is the probability that two alleles randomly chosen from the gamete gene pool originated from the same parent. The effective number of parents is directly related to the fertility variation among parents, which should be monitored for manipulating gene diversity of seed crops. We formulated a fundamental equation of estimating the effective number of parents and applied it to a seed production population.

Results

Effective number of parents (Np) was derived from fertility variation (Ψ) considering covariance (correlation coefficient, r) between maternal and paternal fertility. The Ψ was calculated from the coefficient of variation in reproductive outputs and divided into female (ψf) and male (ψm) fertility variation in the population under study. The Np was estimated from the parental Ψ estimated by the fertility variation of maternal (ψf) and paternal (ψm) parents. The gene diversity of seed crops was monitored by Ψ and Np. in a 1.5 generation Pinus koraiensis seed orchard as a case of monoecious species. A large variation of female and male strobili production was observed among the studied 52 parents over four consecutive years, showing statistically significant differences across all studied years. Parental balance curve showed greater distortion in paternal than maternal parents. The Ψ ranged from 1.879 to 4.035 with greater ψm than ψf, and the Np varied from 14.8 to 36.8. When pooled, the relative effective number of parents was improved as 80.0% of the census number.

Conclusions

We recommend the use of fertility variation (i.e., CV, Ψ), Person’s product-moment correlation (r), and effective number of parents (Np) as tools for gauging gene diversity of seed crops in production populations. For increasing Np and gene diversity, additional management options such as mixing seed-lots, equal cone harvest and application of supplemental-mass-pollination are recommended.
Association between exercise and health-related quality of life and medical resource use in elderly people with diabetes: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Huang Chien-Cheng , Hsu Chien-Chin , Chiu Chong-Chi , Lin Hung-Jung , Wang Jhi-Joung , Weng Shih-Feng
Published: September 2020

Background

Exercise improves glycemic control and functional capacity in elderly people with diabetes; however, its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and medical resource use remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the effect of exercise.

Methods

Using the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2016, we identified 1572 elderly people with diabetes for this cross-sectional population-based study. Demographic characteristics, health conditions, comorbidities, HRQoL, and medical resource were compared among four groups (no exercise, low-intensity exercise, moderate-intensity exercise, and high-intensity exercise).

Results

The mean age of all participants was between 71.5 and 73.3 years. Male participants with higher education performed more exercise than their counterparts. The moderate- and high-intensity groups reported better general health condition than the no exercise group. Depression and worse health were more common in the no exercise group. Participants in the moderate-intensity exercise group had lower risk for depression than those in the no exercise group (adjusted odds ratio: 0.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.92) after adjusting for demographic characteristics, health conditions, and comorbidities, whereas participants in the low- and high-intensity exercise did not have a lower risk. The no exercise group had the highest proportions of emergency, hospitalization, and total healthcare visits.

Conclusions

Exercise is associated with better HRQoL, and lack of exercise is associated with higher medical resource use in elderly people with diabetes. Encouraging exercise is recommended in this population.
Evaluation of digital PCR assay in detection of M.tuberculosis IS6110 and IS1081 in tuberculosis patients plasma
Authors: Lyu Lingna , Li Zihui , Pan Liping , Jia Hongyan , Sun Qi , Liu Qiuyue , Zhang Zongde
Published: September 2020

Background

Tuberculosis is still a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge with high proportion of smear- and culture- negative incidences worldwide. The conventional diagnostic tests are time-consuming and have a low sensitivity. Digital PCR is a novel technology which can detect target sequences with relatively low abundance and obtain the absolute copy numbers of the targets.

Methods

We assessed the accuracy of dPCR in TB diagnosis using more than 250 specimens, and for the first time, we selected M.tuberculosis-specific IS1081 in addition to widely used IS6110 as the amplification targets for dPCR. The quantification of target DNA was calculated using QuantaSoft Version 1.7.4.0917 (BioRad), and SPSS version 13.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analyses.

Results

IS6110-dPCR was more sensitive than IS1081, with the sensitivity and specificity accounting for 40.6 and 93.4% respectively. When we classified the TB patients by personal factors for high copy number of M.tuberculosis derived DNA in plasma: bilateral TB, extrapulmonary TB and disseminated TB, the sensitivity of both IS6110- and IS1081- dPCR was the highest in patients with disseminated TB (IS6110, 100%; IS1081, 68.8%), while their sensitivity was a bit higher in patients with extrapulmonary TB (IS6110, 50.0%; IS1081, 39.3%) than that in bilateral TB (IS6110, 43.3%; IS1081, 33.3%). Compared with traditional TB diagnostic tests, joint detection IS6110 & IS1081-dPCR was not as sensitive as smear microscope or mycobacterial culture, but it was higher than IS6110 qPCR (p < 0.05) and was able to detect 47.4% of smear-negative TB patients.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that plasma IS6110-dPCR is a rapid, moderate accurate and less-invasive method to detect M.tuberculosis DNA in plasma of TB patients and IS6110 & IS1081-dPCR has a potential to aid diagnosis of smear-negative TB.
Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin at 3 hours after return of spontaneous circulation in patients with cardiac arrest and therapeutic hypothermia: early predictor of acute kidney injury
Authors: Choi Yoon Hee , Lee Dong Hoon , Lee Jae Hee
Published: September 2020

Background

Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could be used as a predictive marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who are managed with targeted temperature management (TTM). However, the NGAL measurement timepoints vary from immediately after ROSC to several days later. The primary objective of this study was to determine an association between AKI and NGAL, both immediately (ROSC-NGAL) and 3 h after ROSC (3 h-NGAL), in OHCA patients with TTM. The secondary objective was to ascertain the association between NGAL levels in the early post-ROSC phase and the neurologic outcomes at discharge.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2016 and December 2018 and enrolled adult OHCA patients (≥18 years) with TTM after ROSC. The serum NGAL level was measured both immediately and 3 h after ROSC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the associations between AKI, poor neurologic outcome, and NGAL.

Results

Among 861 OHCA patients, 89 patients were enrolled. AKI occurred in 48 (55.1%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 h-NGAL was significantly associated with AKI (odds ratio [OR] 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–1.035; p = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 3 h-NGAL for AKI was 0.910 (95% CI 0.830–0.960), and a cut-off value of 178 ng/mL was identified. Both ROSC-NGAL and 3 h-NGAL were not significantly associated with poor neurologic outcome on multivariate logistic regression analysis (ROSC-NGAL; OR 1.017; 95% CI 0.998–1.036; p = 0.084, 3 h-NGAL; OR 0.997; 95% CI 0.992–1.001; p = 0.113).

Conclusions

The serum NGAL concentration measured 3 h after ROSC is an excellent early predictive marker for AKI in OHCA patients treated with TTM. Future research is needed to identify the optimal measurement timepoint to establish NGAL as a predictor of neurologic outcome and to validate the findings of this research.
Emotion reactivity-related brain network analysis in generalized anxiety disorder: a task fMRI study
Authors: Li Jian , Zhong Yuan , Ma Zijuan , Wu Yun , Pang Manlong , Wang Chiyue , Liu Na , Wang Chun , Zhang Ning
Published: September 2020

Background

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is closely associated with emotional dysregulation. Patients with GAD tend to overreact to emotional stimuli and are impaired in emotional regulation. Using emotional regulation task, studies have found hypo-activation in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of GAD patients and concluded with inadequate top-down control. However, results remain inconsistent concerning PFC and limbic area’s reactivity to emotional stimuli. What’s more, only a few studies aim to identify how limbic area interacts with PFC in GAD patients. The current study aims to identify the difference in PFC-limbic circuitry response to emotional stimuli between GAD patients and healthy controls (HCs) from the perspective of brain network. Through brain network analysis, it revealed the connectivity between limbic area and PFC, and moreover, the orientation of connectivity, all of which gave a better test of inadequate top-down control hypothesis.

Methods

During fMRI scanning, participants were required to complete an emotional face identification task (fearful, neutral, happy facial expression). 30 participants (16 GAD patients, 14 HCs) were included in the formal analysis. A Bayesian-network based method was used to identify the brain network consisting of several pre-hypothesized regions of interest (ROIs) under each condition (negative, positive, neutral). In total, six graphs were obtained. Each of them represented the brain network that was common to the group under corresponding condition.

Results

Results revealed that GAD patients showed more bottom-up connection but less top-down connection regardless of condition, relative to HCs. Also, the insula was more connected but the amygdala was less connected regardless of condition, relative to HCs. the results also revealed a very different brain network response between GAD patients and HCs even under neutral condition.

Conclusions

More bottom-up connection but less top-down connection may indicate that GAD patients are insufficient in top-down control, in keeping with inadequate top-down control hypothesis. The more connected insula may indicate GAD patients’ abnormality in interoception processing. Relative to HCs, distinct brain network response pattern in GAD patients under neutral condition suggests GAD patients’ abnormality in distinguishing safety from threat and intolerance of uncertainty.
The role of trauma experiences, personality traits, and genotype in maintaining posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among child survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Li Yuwei , Lv Qiuyue , Li Bin , Luo Dan , Sun Xueli , Xu Jiajun
Published: September 2020

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most prevalent type of psychiatric disorder among children after an earthquake. This study investigated the role of trauma experiences, personality traits, and genotype in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms.

Methods

In a previous large-scale epidemiological investigation 1 year after the Wenchuan earthquake, 215 children with PTSD symptoms were selected at random with their blood samples collected. All of them were followed up, and their PTSD symptoms were assessed 3 years later. The adolescent version of the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index, the earthquake exposure scale, and the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were used to determine PTSD symptoms, trauma experiences, and personality traits, respectively. We sequenced candidate genes involved in the regulation of long-term potentiation via NMDA-type receptors to identify the related SNP variations.

Results

Being trapped for a longer period of time, feeling one’s own or a family member’s life to be in danger, losing a close family member or friend, extraversion, neuroticism, TrkB, G72 and CNTF were found to be associated with the maintenance of PTSD symptoms.

Conclusions

Experiences, personality traits, and genotype influenced the maintenance of PTSD in child survivors who were considered to be followed up without medicine. This result could help to identify potential targets for treatment and promote the rational allocation of medical resources.
Hyperpolarization-activated cation currents in medium-size dorsal root ganglion cells are involved in overactive bladder syndrome in rats
Authors: Tan Chao , Yan Fei , Yao Li-Ping , Xing Jun-Ling , Qin Wei-Jun , Zhang Kun , Wu Guo-Jun , Yuan Jian-Lin , Liu Fei
Published: September 2020

Background

To investigate the functions of the hyperpolarization-activated cation currents in medium-size dorsal root ganglion cells in a rat model of overactive bladder syndrome.

Methods

Rats with OAB were screened using a urodynamic testing device. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate changes in excitability and hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) of medium-size cells in the L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the OAB rats. Intrathecal injection of the specific Ih inhibitor ZD7288 was used to investigate changes of voiding function and Ih of medium-size cells in the L6 DRG.

Results

The urinary bladder weight of the OAB rats was significantly increased (p < 0.01); However, 7 days after intrathecally administration of ZD7288 (2 μM), the weight of rat bladder was significantly reduced (p < 0.01). The excitability of the medium-size cells in the L6 DRG of the OAB rats was significantly increased, and the number of action potentials elicited by a 500 pA stimulus was also markedly increased. Furthermore, ZD7288 significantly reduced the excitability of the medium-size DRG cells. The medium-size cells in the DRG of the OAB rats had a significantly increased Ih current density, which was blocked by ZD7288.

Conclusions

The Ih current density significantly increased in medium-size cells of the L6 DRG in the OAB model. A decrease of the Ih current was able to significantly improve the voiding function of the OAB rats, in addition to lowering their urinary bladder weight. Our finding suggested that the observed increase of Ih current in the medium-size DRG neurons might play an important role in the pathological processes of OAB.
Neuroinvasive Listeria monocytogenes infection triggers accumulation of brain CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells in a miR-155-dependent fashion
Authors: Cassidy Benjamin R. , Zhang Miao , Sonntag William E. , Drevets Douglas A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Brain inflammation is a key cause of cognitive decline after central nervous system (CNS) infections. A thorough understanding of immune responses to CNS infection is essential for developing anti-inflammatory interventions that improve outcomes. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are non-recirculating memory T cells that provide surveillance of previously infected tissues. However, in addition to protecting the brain against reinfection, brainTRMcan contribute to post-infectious neuroinflammation. We hypothesized that accumulation of CD8+TRMin the brain could be reduced by inhibiting microRNA (miR)-155, a microRNA that influences development of cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes during infection.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were infected by intraperitoneal injection with a lethal inoculum ofListeria monocytogenes(Lm) then treated with antibiotics. Flow cytometry was used to quantify specific populations of brain leukocytes 28–29 days (d) post-infection (p.i.). To test the degree to which miR-155 altered leukocyte influxes into the brain, infected mice were injected with a miR-155 inhibitor or locked nucleic acid (LNA) scramble control 2d, 4d, 6d, and 8d p.i. along with antibiotic treatment. Bacterial loads in spleen and liver and body weights were measured up to 7d p.i. Brain leukocytes were analyzed 14d and 28d p.i. Confirmatory studies were performed in mutated mice lacking miR-155 (miR-155−/−)

Results

Lminfection significantly increased the numbers of brain CD3+CD8+lymphocytes at 28d p.i. These cells were extravascular, and displayed markers characteristic ofTRM, with the predominant phenotype of CD44+CD62L-CD69+CX3CR1−. Further analysis showed that > 75% of brainTRMalso expressed CD49a, PD-1, Ly6C, CD103, and CD127. Mice injected with miR-155 inhibitor lost less weight through 7d p.i. than did control mice, whereas bacterial loads in brain, liver, and spleen were not different from controls. By 28d p.i., the numbers of brain CD8+TRMcells were significantly decreased in mice treated with the inhibitor compared with controls. Similarly, miR-155−/−mice showed significantly reduced numbers of brain CD8+TRMcells by 28d p.i.

Conclusions

Brain CD8+TRMpopulations are established during neuroinvasiveLminfection. Accumulation of brain CD8+TRMcells is reduced by blocking miR-155 and in miR-155−/−mice, indicating that this molecule has a critical role in development of these specialized cells. Administering anti-miR-155 during infection could provide a novel avenue for reducing post-infectious neuroinflammation.
Estimation of aboveground and belowground carbon stocks in urban freshwater wetlands of Sri Lanka
Authors: Dayathilake Deekirikewage Dona Thamali Lushanya , Lokupitiya Erandathie , Wijeratne Vithana Pathirannehelage Indika San
Published: September 2020

Background

The occurrence of climate change at an unprecedented scale has resulted in alterations of ecosystems around the world. Numerous studies have reported on the potential to slow down climate change through the sequestration of carbon in soil and trees. Freshwater wetlands hold significant potential for climate change mitigation owing to their large capacity to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Wetlands among all terrestrial ecosystems have the highest carbon density and are found to store up to three to five times more carbon than terrestrial forests. The current study was undertaken to quantify carbon stocks of two carbon pools: aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB). Chosen study sites; Kolonnawa wetland and Thalawathugoda wetland park are distributed within the Colombo wetland complex. Colombo was recognized as one of the 18 global Ramsar wetland cities in 2018. A combination of field measurements and allometric tree biomass regression models was used in the study. Stratification of the project area was performed using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).

Results

The AGB carbon stock, across strata, is estimated to be in the range of 13.79 ± 3.65–66.49 ± 6.70 tC/ha and 8.13 ± 2.42–52.63 ± 10.00 tC/ha at Kolonnawa wetland and Thalawathugoda wetland park, respectively. The BGB carbon stock is estimated to be in the range of 2.47 ± 0.61–10.12 ± 0.89 tC/ha and 1.56 ± 0.41–8.17 ± 1.39 tC/ha at Kolonnawa wetland and Thalawathugoda wetland park, respectively. The total AGB carbon stock of Kolonnawa wetland was estimated at 19,803 ± 1566 tCO2eq and that of Thalawathugoda wetland park was estimated at 4180 ± 729 tCO2eq.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study reveals that tropical freshwater wetlands contain considerable potential as carbon reservoirs. The study suggests the use of tropical freshwater wetlands in carbon sequestration enhancement plans in the tropics. The study also shows that Annona glabra, an invasive alien species (IAS), has the potential to enhance the net sink of AGB carbon in these non-mangrove wetlands. However, further studies are essential to confirm if enhanced carbon sequestration by Annona glabra is among the unexplored and unreported benefits of the species.
Aptamer targeted therapy potentiates immune checkpoint blockade in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Camorani Simona , Passariello Margherita , Agnello Lisa , Esposito Silvia , Collina Francesca , Cantile Monica , Di Bonito Maurizio , Ulasov Ilya V. , Fedele Monica , Zannetti Antonella , De Lorenzo Claudia , Cerchia Laura
Published: September 2020

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a uniquely aggressive cancer with high rates of relapse due to resistance to chemotherapy. TNBC expresses higher levels of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) compared to other breast cancers, providing the rationale for the recently approved immunotherapy with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A huge effort is dedicated to identify actionable biomarkers allowing for combination therapies with immune-checkpoint blockade. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is highly expressed in invasive TNBC, both on tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. We recently proved that tumor growth and lung metastases are impaired in mouse models of human TNBC by a high efficacious PDGFRβ aptamer. Hence, we aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a novel combination treatment with the PDGFRβ aptamer and anti-PD-L1 mAbs in TNBC.

Methods

The targeting ability of the anti-human PDGFRβ aptamer toward the murine receptor was verified by streptavidin-biotin assays and confocal microscopy, and its inhibitory function by transwell migration assays. The anti-proliferative effects of the PDGFRβ aptamer/anti-PD-L1 mAbs combination was assessed in human MDA-MB-231 and murine 4 T1 TNBC cells, both grown as monolayer or co-cultured with lymphocytes. Tumor cell lysis and cytokines secretion by lymphocytes were analyzed by LDH quantification and ELISA, respectively. Orthotopic 4 T1 xenografts in syngeneic mice were used for dissecting the effect of aptamer/mAb combination on tumor growth, metastasis and lymphocytes infiltration. Ex vivo analyses through immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and immunoblotting were performed.

Results

We show that the PDGFRβ aptamer potentiates the anti-proliferative activity of anti-PD-L1 mAbs on both human and murine TNBC cells, according to its human/mouse cross-reactivity. Further, by binding to activated human and mouse lymphocytes, the aptamer enhances the anti-PD-L1 mAb-induced cytotoxicity of lymphocytes against tumor cells. Importantly, the aptamer heightens the antibody efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and lung metastases in mice. It acts on both tumor cells, inhibiting Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and immune populations, increasing intratumoral CD8 + T cells and reducing FOXP3 + Treg cells.

Conclusion

Co-treatment of PDGFRβ aptamer with anti-PD-L1 mAbs is a viable strategy, thus providing for the first time an evidence of the efficacy of PDGFRβ/PD-L1 co-targeting combination therapy in TNBC.