bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of black rice anthocyanins on the behavior and intestinal microbiota of mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress
Authors: Chen Zhongqiang , Chen Xiaoqing , Zhai Yin , Liu Kai , Chen Jiangyuan , Yuan Fahu
Published: July 2021

In order to study the effect of black rice anthocyanins (BRACs) on the behavior and intestinal microbiota of depression model mice, depression model mice were induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The anhedonia of BRACs treated mice was evaluated by sucrose preference test. The open field experiment was used to analyze the behavior of the mice. The species differences of intestinal microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequence. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the body weight and sugar water consumption rate of mice in the model group were significantly decreased, and the voluntary activities were significantly weakened. The species richness and diversity of intestinal microbiota of mice in the model group were significantly decreased. The levels of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level were increased, the levels of Firmicutes were decreased, and the levels of Lactobacillus at the genus level were decreased. Compared with model group, the body weight and sugar water consumption of mice in BRACs treated group were significantly increased, the autonomous activity was significantly increased and the difference was extremely significant, the species richness and diversity of intestinal microbiota increased, and the levels of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased, while the levels of Firmicutes increased. The level of lactic acid bacteria increased at the genus level. In summary, BRACs achieve antidepressant effects by regulating intestinal microbiota homeostasis.
Study on the extraction process of pectin from grapefruit peel based on steam explosion technology
Authors: Binghe Zhao , Chuxin Wang , Zeming Zeng , Yangcang Xu
Published: July 2021

Steam explosion technology is used to pre-treat grapefruit peel, and compare it to the traditional acid-ethanol precipitation method. In this paper, through a single factor experiment, four factors are explored: the material-to-liquid ratio, the pH of the extract, the steam explosion pressure, and the steam explosion pressure maintenance time affect the yield of pectin. Finally, the best process parameters for extracting pectin are determined: material-to-liquid ratio 1:15 g/mL, the pH of the extract is 2, the steam explosion pressure is 0.8Mpa, and the steam explosion pressure maintenance time is the 90s. At this time, the yield of pectin is 17.50%.
Analysis of Codon Usage Bias in the chloroplast genome of Helianthus annuus J-01
Authors: Chen ShanYu , Zhang Hui , Wang Xue , Zhang YueHua , Ruan GuanHai , Ma Jun
Published: July 2021

In order to determine the usage of the codon against Helianthus annuus chloroplast genome, this study used Codon W 1.4.2 and online software CUSP to perform neutral mapping, ENC-plot and PR2-plot analysis on the coding sequence codes of 51 genes in the H. annuus J-01 chloroplast genome. The results showed the GC content of H. annuus J-01 chloroplast genome codons was GC1 (47.14%) > GC2 (39.44%) > GC3 (28.42%), indicating that the preference for synonymous codons in the chloroplast genome ends with A/U. The average ENC value is greater than 45, of which 37 are greater than 45. It shows that the H. annuus J-01 chloroplast genome has a weak bias. Through neutral plot analysis, ENC-plot analysis and PR2-plot analysis, it is found that the preference of H. annuus J-01 chloroplast genome codons is affected by selection as the main factor. The 12 optimal codons in the H. annuus J-01 chloroplast genome were finally determined: CUU, AUA, UAU, UAG, CAU, AAA, CCA, ACU, GCU, GAU, AGU, GGA.
Effects of Emulsifier on Emulsification, Physical and Chemical Properties of Soybean Protein
Authors: Ding Dang
Published: July 2021

Emulsification is an important functional characteristic of soybean protein, but the emulsifying ability and stability of natural soybean protein are not ideal, which limits its application in food. This paper mainly studies the application of other emulsifiers in the production of soybean protein, and studies the properties of the final product, in order to optimize the preparation technology of soybean protein, to provide new ideas for the development of high emulsifying soybean protein products and expand the scope of soybean protein application. The paper points out that soybean protein products with high emulsification can be obtained by the complex reaction of sucrose ester with the modified soybean protein as the main raw material.
Optimization of bacteria-reducing of oyster by ozone combined with slightly acidic electrolytic water
Authors: Ying BU , Yueyue LV , Guizhi Tan , Wenhui Zhu , Jianrong LI
Published: July 2021

In this paper, oysters were treated with ozone purification, and then the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the bacteria-reducing process with slightly acidic electrolytic water (SAEW) based on total viable counts (TVC). The factors affecting the sterilization effect were the available chlorine concentration (ACC) > soaking time > solid-liquid ratio. The optimization results showed that the best effect was obtained by soaking the oyster in SEAW with effective chlorine concentration of 30 mg/L and solid-liquid ratio of 1:3 for 13 min after purification 9 h. The total colony of oyster decreased by 0.84 lgCFU/g under this condition.
Composition, physicochemical properties, preparation methods and application research status on Functional oils and fats of nanoemulsion: A comprehensive review
Authors: Shi Xiaofeng , Cao Ying , Li Na , Zhu Niu , Chen Yuwei , Ma Boru
Published: July 2021

Functional oils and fats of nanoemulsion as a food nutrient transport system is considered to be effective and safe. The article expounds Composition, physicochemical properties, preparation methods and application research status on Functional oils and fats of nanoemulsion, to give more nutritional and functional of the Functional oils and fats, recommendations focus on the interaction with real food matrix between may study, optimization, explore new mechanism and preparation methods of the Functional oils and fats of nanoemulsion, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the further study of bioactive compounds or food components, and to effectively meet the urgent needs of the food industry for the high quality raw materials of the Functional oils and fats of nanoemulsion system, a wide range of bioactive compounds or food components are particularly considered.
Optimal regulation model of Greenhouse light under limited light resources
Authors: LI Chenyang , SHAN Huiyong , ZHANG Chenghao , LIU Huiqin , GUO Xucun , XU Mengze
Published: July 2021

In view of the high cost of greenhouse light environment control, a model of greenhouse light optimization controls under limited light resources was proposed to reduce the control cost under the condition of meeting the demand of crop growth. Firstly, with temperature, CO2 and light intensity as input and photosynthetic rate as output, a prediction model of photosynthetic rate based on least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) was constructed, and the model was verified in practice. Then, based on the proposed prediction model of photosynthetic rate, a database of greenhouse light intensity optimization control model under limited light resources was constructed. According to the total amount of light resources input by users, the optimal light supplement times and unit light supplement amount can be obtained automatically, which can greatly to improve the photosynthetic benefits of certain conditions of light resources. The optimal control of greenhouse light under the condition under limited light resources was realized, and the accuracy and intelligent level of greenhouse environmental control were further improved.
Comparison of sugars, organic acids and aroma components of five table grapes in Xinjiang
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Zhang Yuchen , Lin Ke , Wang Bin , Shi Xuewei , Cheng Weidong
Published: July 2021

The sugar, organic acid and aroma Components are very important quality characteristics of fruits. In this study, sugars, organic acids and volatile substances in five varieties of Xinjiang table grape pulp were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that among the five varieties of table grapes in Xinjiang, fructose and glucose were the main sugars, accounting for 46.53-48.82% and 49.35-51.49% of the total sugar content, respectively. Tartaric acid and malic acid were the main organic acids, accounting for 55.72-60.07% and 28.54-39.52% of the total organic acids, respectively. The composition of sugars and organic acids ratio plays a significant role in the taste of table grapes. The sweetness of Red Globe was the highest while the acidity of Centennial Seedless was the highest. In addition, 87 varieties of volatile compounds were identified in table grape pulp with aldehydes as the major compounds (30.93-71.83%). In particular, trans-2-hexenal accounted for 19.33-44.56% of the total volatiles. Analysis of active odorants showed that nerol, geraniol, (Z)-3-hexenal, trans-2-hexenal, phenylacetaldehyde, citral and β-myrcene had great contributions to the flavors of Centennial Seedless and Muscat Hamburg, providing flowery, fruity, green and grassy flavors. Hexanol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, damascone and ethyl butyrate had great contributions to the flavors of Rizamat, providing flowery, green and fruity flavors. Nonanal and 1-octen-3-one had great contributions to the flavors of Manaizi, providing mushroom and fruity flavors. The results provided the complete chemical characteristics of sugar, organic acids and volatile compounds of five varieties of table grapes in Xinjiang, China.
Preparation and characterization of modified caramel with binary carboxylic acids
Authors: Dai Yujie , He Ao , Geng Yichao , Meng Xuan , Jia Shiru
Published: July 2021

The caramel color is one of the most widely used natural food colorants. At present, there are few reports about its modification. The modification of caramel is expected to improve its stability, color indexes and compatibility with food. In this paper, succinic and maleic acid modified caramels were prepared by esterification reaction of the raw caramel with succinic anhydride and maleic anhydride, and characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and scanning electron microscope (SEM), etc. The significant changes of color, yellow and red indexes of the modified caramels indicated that the modification technique can be used to adjust the color properties of caramel to meet the various needs of different fields and expand the application of caramel. Compared with raw caramel, though the antioxidant ability of caramel was decreased, the thermal stability was improved, which made it more suitable for cooking and high temperature sterilization environment compared to the raw caramel. This study provided an alternative method for improving the performance of the caramel as food colors.
Repellency of the different crude extracts of Epichloë bromicola from Elymus tangutorum and enzyme activities in Tribolium castaneum Herbst
Authors: Ren Ting , Li Fan , Shi Qian , Cheng Fang-Shu , Guo Zhao-Ling , Song Qiu-Yan , Guo Chao
Published: July 2021

The study was to determine the repellency of crude extracts of Epichloë bromicola at different altitudes against Tribolium castaneum Herbst, and the effect of crude extracts of endophytic fungi with higher repellent activity on superoxide dismutase, catalase and cytochrome P450. The percent repellency and the activities of three enzymes were measured at the concentration of 0.25mg/mL after 2h and 4h with different crude extracts. The correlation between altitude and avoidance rate was analyzed. The stain 1, 6, and 9 at the maximum concentration of 2.5mg/mL had better repellency (66%, 59%, and 65%, respectively). The concentrations of 0.25mg/mL treatment had a higher rate of avoidance, so this concentration was selected and the enzyme activity was determined. The activities of SOD, CAT, and CYP450 were significantly increased by three crude extracts of Epichloë bromicola compared with the control.
Effects of calcium on the formation of berry russet and phenolic compounds in ‘Shine Muscat’ grape
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Pei , Wang Xiao , Wang Jin , Liu Fang
Published: July 2021

Four year old ‘Shine Muscat’ grape was used as the test material to spray amino acid calcium and water-soluble calcium solution on grape leaves and ears during fruit expansion and turn-color stages. A randomized block test was conducted to study the effects of exogenous calcium fertilizer on the formation of fruit russet and phenolic compounds in ‘Shine Muscat’ grape. The test was used to set the concentration of amino acid calcium solution to 1000 times, and to set the concentration of calcium water solution to 1500 times. With spraying water as a control. The results showed that: compared with water spraying, fruit russet was reduced in fruit expanding stage and turn-color stage, which could inhibit the accumulation of lignin, total phenol and total flavonoids, and affect the accumulation of eight phenolic acids in fruit peel. Spraying calcium fertilizer at fruit expanding stage was more conducive to inhibiting the accumulation of phenolic acids than that at turn stage, while spraying 1000 times of amino acid calcium at turn-color stage was more conducive to inhibiting the accumulation of gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, coumaric acid and ferulic acid in pericarp than spraying 1500 times of water-soluble calcium and water. The results of this experiment can provide some guidance for grape production to supplement exogenous calcium and improve fruit quality.
Inhibitory ability of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC10 on lead toxicity induced by lead acetate in rats
Authors: Zhao Xin , Li Qin
Published: July 2021

This study studied the adsorption of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC10 (LF-CQPC10) to induce lead acetate. The animal experiments showed that LF-CQPC10 reduced SD rat serum, liver, kidney and brain lead and maintained the cellular structure and state of liver and kidney tissues. Furthermore, LF-CQPC10 could improve anti-inflammatory cytokinine by reducing anti-inflammatory cytokinine IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ and raising IL-10. At the same time, LF-CQPC10 can also enhance the δ-ALAD enzyme activity and decrease the enzyme activities of ATL and AST, and decrease the contents of serum BUN and CRE of rats with lead toxicity injury. Compared with EDTA, LF-CQPC10 not only has better lead ion degradation ability, but also has better anti-inflammatory and organ protection effects. As a lactic acid bacteria, which can be used in food industry, LF-CQPC10 reduce the lead content and lead toxicity in food.
Study on the Effect Difference of Two Kinds of Control Techniques on Cracking Fruit of Qingcui Plum
Authors: Yan Gong , Youting Yang , Ling Li , Xin Zeng , Yuhui Bie , Huiqiong Mao , Lixinyi Wang , Bo Xiong
Published: July 2021

In this experiment, Qingcui plum in Xuanhan County of Dazhou City was used as the material. Aiming at the problem of fruit cracking, the cracking rate of different prevention measures was investigated by surface mulching, root irrigation, and foliar spraying of three different Ca fertilizers. The cell growth rate and cell wall composition were determined. The results showed that surface mulching and foliar spraying had significant effects on reducing fruit cracking rate; root irrigation greatly aggravating fruit cracking; the effect of foliar spraying calcium glycol was significantly better than that of foliar spraying calcium nitrate and calcium amino acid. During the second rapid fruit expansion period, the growth rate of pulp cells was always higher than that of pericarp cells, the pectin content of the fruit showed a downward trend, and the pectin content of the cracked fruit was significantly lower than that of the normal fruit; the cellulose content of the cracked fruit was significantly lower than that of the normal fruit. Therefore, the fruit cracking may be caused by the uncoordinated growth of pulp and peel, and the lack of pectin and cellulose.
Effects of different fruit-preserving and puffing-fruit formulations on the formation of berry russet and fruit quality of ‘Shine Muscat’ Grape
Authors: Qi Yaxin , Huang Yan , Wang Pei , Wang Jin , Liu Fang
Published: July 2021

Absrtact. In this study, 5 years-old ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes were used as experimental materials to study the effects of different fruit-preserving and puffing-fruit formulations on the formation of fruit russet and fruit quality of ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes by using random block experiment and spraying water as control. The results showed that J3 treatment significantly decreased the fruit russet index, but significantly increased the fruit weight, brightness value, yellow saturation and soluble sugar content of ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes. The content of phenolic compounds in pericarp was decreased by different formulas, which indicated that the formation of fruit russet was closely related to the accumulation of phenolic compounds. The content of lignin in the pericarp was decreased by different treatments at fruit ripening stage, and the content of lignin in J3 treatment was the lowest, which indicated that it inhibited lignin production. The results of this experiment can provide guidance for the high-quality production of ‘Shine Muscat’ grape.
A method for quantification of heat resistance of quality in different wheat cultivars
Authors: Li Qiang , Meng Xianghai , Li Ding , Zhao Minghui , Sun Shuluan , Li Yuan , Lu Guanli , Qiao Wenchen
Published: July 2021

Heat stress seriously affects wheat production in many regions of the world. At present, due to the lack of effective methods to quantify heat stress and heat tolerance of different wheat varieties, heat tolerance research is still the weakest field in wheat genetics and breeding. A new index heat resistance index of quality (HRIQ) as an indicator of both quality potential and quality stability was calculated for heat resistance quantification. HRIQ of Zeleny was highly significantly positively correlated with Zeleny under normal treatment (R2 = 0.8605, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with the change rate of Zeleny under heat stress (R2= 0.7707, P < 0.01). HRIQ of protein content was highly significantly positively correlated with protein content under normal treatment (R2 = 0.7169, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with the change rate of protein content under heat stress (R2 = 0.7432, P < 0.01). In this study, 14 varieties with better quality and heat stability, such as Xiaoyan 60 and Kenong 1006 were identified, which can be applied to improve the heat stability of Wheat quality.
Effect of working parameter on droplet deposition in pumpkin top dressing using multi-rotor UAV
Authors: Jingxin Xie , Changzheng HE , Limin Yao , Liang Zhang , Sihui Dai , Ming LI , Wei Zhang
Published: July 2021

With the wide utilization of UAV in agricultural experiment and field management, plant protection UAV became a highly usage equipment for famers. Topdressing for pumpkin is important, when pumpkin fruit are expanding. It is difficult for farmers and other spraying machines to work on the farm, because all the fields is covered with leaves and stalks. A field test were launched to explore UAV working parameters on pumpkin topdressing, and distribution of droplets on face or back leave were measured to reflect the spraying quality and quantity of machine. During filed experiment, parameters of each flight was set by auto-flight system, and flight speed was stable. Through field experiment and data analysis, it was found that when the flying height was 2.5 m and the flying speed was 3 m/s, the total amount of droplet deposition reached the maximum, and the droplet attachment level on the back leaves was the highest. This parameters could be a guidance when using UAV for topdressing in pumpkin or other kinds of crops.
Textual Evaluation and Formulation Research of Low-calorie Buckwheat Moon Cake Crust
Authors: Li Guixia , Huang Congcong , Lan Xiaoguang
Published: July 2021

In this paper, nine different formulas of buckwheat moon cake crust were used as research objects, and a new type of low-calorie buckwheat crust moon cake was developed through sensory evaluation and TPA test parameters. The best formulation of moon cake crust is buckwheat flour/high gluten flour (W: W) 60:40, invert sugar 32.5%, maltitol syrup 32.5%, peanut oil 15%, gum 0.2%. Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) showed that the hardness and chewiness decreased, but the cohesiveness increased as enlarge the amount of buck wheat flour. With addition of gum, hardness decreased, but chewiness increased. With loss of peanut oil, cohesiveness decreased.
Effect of drying on the quality of raw tea of Pu’er tea
Authors: Li Simengyu , Xu Jingtian , Fu Yuqian , Liu Liping , Wang Ruifang
Published: July 2021

Fresh leaves were selected as raw materials to investigate the effect of drying on the quality of raw tea of Pu’er tea. The results showed that tea polyphenols were highest in solar drying (S), followed by oven drying (O) treatment, which was significantly higher than that of 27.7% in insolated and then airing (IA) treatment. Moisture content, amino acid content and water leachates content were significantly lower in S and O treatments than in IA treatment. In the sensory results, the highest score was 77.66 points for S, followed by insolated and then oven drying (IO), and then baked and then solar drying (BS) treatment. Therefore, oven drying can be used to maximize the quality of tea leaves when the sun-baked raw tea production process encounters unfavorable factors.
Topological protection of highly entangled non-Gaussian two-photon states
Authors: Tschernig Konrad , Lo Franco Rosario , Ivanov Misha , Bandres Miguel A , Busch Kurt , Perez-Leija Armando
Published: July 2021

We study theoretically the evolution of entangled non-Gaussian two-photon states in disordered topological lattices. Specifically, we consider spatially entangled two-photon states, modulated by Laguerre polynomials up to the 3rd order, which feature ring-shaped spatial and spectral correlation patterns. Such states are discrete analogs of photon-subtracted squeezed states, which are ubiquitous in optical quantum information processing or sensing applications. We find that, in general, a higher degree of entanglement coincides with a loss of topological protection against disorder, this is in line with previous results for Gaussian two-photon states. However, we identify a particular regime in the parameter space of the considered non-Gaussian states, where the situation is reversed and an increase of entanglement can be beneficial for the transport of two-photon quantum states through disordered regions.
Non-CpG methylation—a key epigenetic modification in cancer
Authors: Ramasamy Deepa , Deva Magendhra Rao Arunagiri Kuha , Rajkumar Thangarajan , Mani Samson
Published: July 2021

The methylation of cytosine residues that precede adenine/thymine or other cytosine nucleotides instead of guanine in DNA is known as non-CpG methylation. It is a pronounced epigenetic modification with a central role in gene regulation similar to CpG methylation. Due to technological limitations, the locus-specific role of non-CpG methylation was scarcely understood. At present, high-throughput analyses and improved enrichment methods can elucidate the role of genome-wide non-CpG methylation distributions. Although the functional basis of non-CpG methylation in regulating gene expression control is known, its role in cancer development is yet to be ascertained. This review sheds light on the possible mechanism of non-CpG methylation in embryos and developed tissues with a special focus on cancer development and progression. In particular, the maintenance and alteration of non-CpG methylation levels and the crucial factors that determine this level of non-CpG methylation and its functional role in cancer are discussed.
Published anti-SARS-CoV-2 in vitro hits share common mechanisms of action that synergize with antivirals
Authors: Xing Jing , Paithankar Shreya , Liu Ke , Uhl Katie , Li Xiaopeng , Ko Meehyun , Kim Seungtaek , Haskins Jeremy , Chen Bin
Published: July 2021

The global efforts in the past year have led to the discovery of nearly 200 drug repurposing candidates for COVID-19. Gaining more insights into their mechanisms of action could facilitate a better understanding of infection and the development of therapeutics. Leveraging large-scale drug-induced gene expression profiles, we found 36% of the active compounds regulate genes related to cholesterol homeostasis and microtubule cytoskeleton organization. Following bioinformatics analyses revealed that the expression of these genes is associated with COVID-19 patient severity and has predictive power on anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy in vitro. Monensin, a top new compound that regulates these genes, was further confirmed as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero-E6 cells. Interestingly, drugs co-targeting cholesterol homeostasis and microtubule cytoskeleton organization processes more likely present a synergistic effect with antivirals. Therefore, potential therapeutics could be centered around combinations of targeting these processes and viral proteins.
Global parental leave in surgical careers: differences according to gender, geographical regions and surgical career stages
Authors: Au S , Bellato V , Carvas J M , Córdoba C D , Daudu D , Dziakova J , Eltarhoni K , El Feituri N , Fung A C H , Fysaraki C , Gallo G , Gultekin F Ayca , Harbjerg J L , Hatem F , Ioannidis A , Jakobsen L , Clinch D , Kristensen H Ø , Kuiper S Z , Kwok A M F , Kwok W , Millan M , Milto K M , Ng H J , Pellino G , Picciariello A , Pronin S , van Ramshorst G H , Ramser M , Jiménez-Rodríguez R M , Sainz Hernandez J C , Samadov E , Sohrabi S , Uchiyama M , Wang J H-S , Younis M U , Fleming S , Alhomoud S , Mayol J , Moeslein G , Smart N J , Soreide K , Teh C , Verran D , Maeda Y
Published: July 2021

Background

There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work–life balance globally.

Methods

A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career.

Results

Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work–life balance.

Conclusion

Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.
Willingness to undergo antibiotic treatment of acute appendicitis based on risk of treatment failure
Authors: Rosen J E , Agrawal N , Flum D R , Liao J M
Published: July 2021

A randomized survey of 1257 respondents was used to assess willingness to undergo antibiotic treatment of appendicitis with different quoted risks of treatment failure requiring appendicectomy. Overall, 1045 respondents (83.1 per cent) were willing to try antibiotics. Even at a quoted 60 per cent risk of failure, 75 per cent of respondents were willing to attempt antibiotic treatment.
Mathematics Meets Science in the Brain
Authors: Wang Li , Li Mengyi , Yang Tao , Wang Li , Zhou Xinlin
Published: July 2021

Mathematics and science are highly integrated disciplines, but the brain association between mathematics and science remains unclear. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of 34 undergraduates (17 males, mean age = 20.3±1.64 years old) while they completed mathematical, physical and chemical principles, arithmetic computation, and sentence comprehension. We examined neural activation level, neural activation pattern, and neural connectivity to investigate the neural associations between mathematics and science (including physics and chemistry). The results showed that mathematical, physical, and chemical principles elicited similar neural activation level and neural activation pattern in the visuospatial network (mainly in the middle frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule), which were different from those elicited by sentence comprehension; those three principles also elicited similar neural activation level and neural activation pattern in the semantic network (mainly in the middle temporal gyrus, angular gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex), in contrast to that elicited by arithmetic computation. Effective connectivity analyses showed stronger connectivity between the middle temporal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule for mathematical, physical, and chemical principles than for sentence comprehension. The results suggest that visuospatial and semantic networks were critical for processing both mathematics and science.
Microscopic Colitis in Denmark: Regional Variations in Risk Factors and Frequency of Endoscopic Procedures
Authors: Weimers Petra , Vedel Ankersen Dorit , Lophaven Søren N , Bonderup Ole K , Münch Andreas , Lynge Elsebeth , Løkkegaard Ellen Christine Leth , Munkholm Pia , Burisch Johan
Published: July 2021

Objective

Microscopic colitis [MC], encompassing collagenous colitis [CC] and lymphocytic colitis [LC], is an increasingly prevalent gastrointestinal disease with an unknown aetiology. Previous research has reported significant differences in the incidence of MC within Denmark, with the lowest incidence found in the most populated region [Capital Region of Denmark]. Our aim was to elucidate the causes of these regional differences.

Design

All incident MC patients [n = 14 302] with a recorded diagnosis of CC [n = 8437] or LC [n = 5865] entered in The Danish Pathology Register between 2001 and 2016 were matched to 10 reference individuals [n = 142 481]. Information regarding drug exposure, including proton pump inhibitors [PPIs], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], statins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], were retrieved from The Danish National Prescription Registry. Information regarding endoscopy rate, smoking-related diseases, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases were acquired from The Danish National Patient Registry.

Results

Smoking, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, exposure to PPIs, SSRIs, statins, and NSAIDs were significantly associated with MC in all Danish regions. The association between drug exposure and MC was weakest in the Capital Region of Denmark with an odds ratio of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61–2.01). The relative risk of undergoing a colonoscopy with biopsy was significantly increased in sex- and age-matched controls in all regions compared with controls from the Capital Region of Denmark, with the greatest risk found in the Region of Southern Denmark, 1.37 [95% CI: 1.26–1.50].

Conclusions

The cause of the regional differences in MC incidence in Denmark seems to be multifactorial, including variations in disease awareness and distribution of risk factors.
Mapping Changes in Attitudes towards Gays and Lesbians in Europe: An Application of Diffusion Theory
Authors: Dotti Sani Giulia M , Quaranta Mario
Published: July 2021

Despite the introduction of laws granting family rights for lesbians and gays (LG) in many countries, negative attitudes towards homosexuality persist among various segments of the population, even in countries that have fully legitimized same-sex relationships. This mismatch raises questions about the processes through which societies achieve positive attitudes towards gays and lesbians. This article applies diffusion theory to nearly 20 years of European Social Survey data for 27 countries to provide an in-depth examination of the evolution of attitudes towards gays and lesbians. Using data on same-sex legislation and cluster analysis, we construct a classification of countries distinguishing among those that are more versus less ahead in the process of granting family rights for LG couples, which is then applied to societal growth curve models to account for historical changes in attitudes among different social groups. Our results show a stronger increase in positive attitudes towards homosexuality among higher educated, secular, and non-conservative individuals in countries with greater same-sex rights. These findings suggest that laws granting family rights to LG people represent a necessary but not sufficient condition for the diffusion of positive attitudes towards homosexuality, pointing to a considerable lag between the macro and the micro-level.
Catheter ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drugs as ‘first-line’ initial therapy for atrial fibrillation: a pooled analysis of randomized data
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Pürerfellner Helmut , Ouyang Feifan , Kiuchi Márcio Galindo , Meyer Christian , Martinek Martin , Futyma Piotr , Zhu Lin , Schratter Alexandra , Wang Jiazhi , Acou Willem-Jan , Ling Zhiyu , Yin Yuehui , Liu Shaowen , Sommer Philipp , Schmidt Boris , Chun Julian K R
Published: July 2021

Aims

Catheter ablation (CA) is recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after failure of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). The role of CA as ‘initial therapy’ for AF is to be determined.

Methods and results

Following PRISMA guideline an up-to-date pooled analysis of randomized data comparing ablation vs. AADs as first-line therapy for symptomatic AF was performed. The primary outcome was recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. The secondary outcomes were improvement in quality-of-life (QoL) and major adverse events. A total of 997 patients from five randomized trials were enrolled (mean age 57.4 years, 68.6% male patients, 98% paroxysmal AF, mean follow-up 1.4 years). The baseline characteristics were similar between the ablation and AADs group. Overall pooled analysis showed that, as compared with AADs, CA as first-line therapy was associated with significantly higher freedom from arrhythmia recurrence (69% vs. 48%, odds ratio: 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.27–0.48, P < 0.001). This significance was maintained in subgroup analyses of 1- and 2-year follow-up (P < 0.001). Catheter ablation was associated with significantly greater improvement in QoL regarding AFEQT score and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey score. The incidence of serious adverse events between ablation and AADs group (5.6% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.62) was similar.

Conclusions

Catheter ablation as ‘initial therapy’ was superior to AADs in maintenance of sinus rhythm and improving QoL for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, without increasing risk of serious adverse events.
First back-calculation and infection fatality multiplier estimate of the hidden prevalence of COVID-19 in Ireland
Authors: Comiskey Catherine M , Snel Anne , Banka Prakashini S
Published: July 2021

Background

To date computer models with multiple assumptions have focussed on predicting the incidence of symptomatic cases of COVID-19. Given emerging vaccines, the aim of this study was to provide simple methods for estimating the hidden prevalence of asymptomatic cases and levels of herd immunity to aid future immunization policy and planning. We applied the method in Ireland.

Methods

For large scale epidemics, indirect models for estimating prevalence have been developed. One such method is the benchmark multiplier method. A further method is back-calculation, which has been used successfully to produce estimates of the scale of a HIV infected population. The methods were applied from March to October 2020 and are applicable globally.

Results

Results demonstrated that the number of infected individuals was at least twice and possibly six times the number identified through testing. Our estimates ranged from ∼100 000 to 375 000 cases giving a ratio of 1–6 hidden cases for every known case within the study time frame. While both methods are subject to assumptions and limitations, it was interesting to observe that estimates corroborated government statements noting that 80% of people testing positive were asymptomatic.

Conclusions

As Europe has now endured several epidemic waves with the emergence globally of new variants, it essential that both policy makers and the public are aware of the scale of the hidden epidemic that may surround them. The need for social distancing is as important as ever as we await global immunization rollout.
Association Between Plasma Monocyte Trafficking-Related Molecules and Future Risk of Depression in Older Adults
Authors: Oh Dae Jong , Bae Jong Bin , Kim Tae Hui , Kwak Kyung Phil , Kim Bong Jo , Kim Shin Gyeom , Kim Jeong Lan , Moon Seok Woo , Park Joon Hyuk , Ryu Seung-Ho , Youn Jong Chul , Lee Dong Young , Lee Dong Woo , Lee Seok Bum , Lee Jung Jae , Jhoo Jin Hyeong , Han Ji Won , Kim Ki Woong
Published: July 2021

Background

The recruitment of monocytes to the brain plays an important role in the development of depression. However, the association between plasma biomarkers of monocyte trafficking and depression is unclear. This study is aimed to examine the effects of plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) on the risk of depression.

Methods

Data were acquired from an ongoing prospective cohort study involving randomly sampled, community-dwelling Korean older adults, which has been followed every 2 years. We included 1539 euthymic older adults (age = 68.2 [5.6] years; 51.7% were women) without a history of major psychiatric disorders and dementia and neurological diseases. Geriatric psychiatrists diagnosed incident depression through a structured interview using the Korean version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

Results

Depression had developed in 134 (8.7%) participants during the follow-up period of 5.7 (0.8) years. The high-plasma MCP-1 tertile group showed twofold higher risk of depression than the low-plasma MCP-1 tertile group (hazards ratio = 2.00, 95% confidence interval = 1.27–3.13, p = .003). The association between high levels of plasma MCP-1 and future risk of depression was significant in the middle-plasma ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 tertile groups; the high-plasma MCP-1 tertile group showed about fourfold higher risk of depression than the low-plasma MCP-1 tertile group.

Conclusions

Molecules involved in monocyte trafficking may be good candidates as diagnostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for late-life depression.
Age, Sex, and Inhibitory Control: Identifying a Specific Impairment in Memorial, But Not Perceptual, Inhibition in Older Women
Authors: Siegel Alexander L M , Eich Teal S
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Declines in the ability to inhibit information, and the consequences to memory of unsuccessful inhibition, have been frequently reported to increase with age. However, few studies have investigated whether sex moderates such effects. Here, we examined whether inhibitory ability may vary as a function of age and sex, and the interaction between these two factors.

Method

202 older (mean age = 69.40 years) and younger (mean age =30.59 years) participants who had equivalent educational attainment and self-reported health completed 2 tasks that varied only in the time point at which inhibition should occur: either prior to, or after, encoding.

Results

While we did not find evidence for age or sex differences in inhibitory processes when information needed to be inhibited prior to encoding, when encoded information being actively held in working memory needed to be suppressed, we found that older women were particularly impaired relative to both younger women and men of either age group.

Discussion

These results provide further support for the presence of memorial inhibitory deficits in older age, but add nuance by implicating biological sex as an important mediator in this relationship, with it more difficult for older women to inhibit what was once relevant in memory.
Simultaneous retrieval of body and surface waves in the Dehdasht area, Iran, from the seismic ambient field and the observation of spurious artefacts
Authors: Riahi Ali , Shomali Zaher-Hossein , Obermann Anne , Kamayestani Ahmad
Published: July 2021

Recent developments in sensor technology have allowed for the low-cost deployment of dense seismic arrays which continuously record the seismic ambient noise field. Generally, the extraction of body waves from the seismic ambient noise field is more challenging than for surface waves, due to the dominant amplitude of the latter. In this study, we work with data from a dense seismic array deployment in the Dehdasht area, southwestern Iran. We show that by using the polarization properties of seismic waves, we can simultaneously retrieve both high frequency body waves and surface waves from the cross-correlated noise field. As a by-product of this study, we also observe high energy spurious artefacts, particularly those associated with the direct P-phases. Numerical simulations show that these artefacts are a consequence of an uneven distribution of noise sources, and are difficult to suppress during the simultaneous retrieval of body and surface waves.
Media coverage of COVID-19 health information in India: a content analysis
Authors: Gupta Medhavi , Keshri Vikash Ranjan , Konwar Pompy , Cox Katherine L , Jagnoor , and Jagnoor
Published: July 2021

Effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic is dependent on individual understanding of the disease and compliance to prevention measures. Early media depiction of health information about COVID-19 may influence public perceptions and behaviour. Media should ensure coverage is relevant, timely and actionable to encourage individuals to respond appropriately. India has been particularly affected by a large COVID-19 caseload. We analysed online reporting in India to assess how well the media represented health information about COVID-19 as per the World Health Organization’s Strategic Risk Communications guidelines. This included media coverage of symptoms, transmission and prevention. We found that limited articles (18.8%) provided actionable suggestions to readers, including urging people to stay at home and social distance. Most articles were relevant as per WHO COVID-19 updates, accurately covering symptoms, risk factors for severe symptoms, transmission and prevention. However, 40% of media coverage of treatments options provided misleading information, such as suggesting plasma therapy or chloroquine, were effective. In addition, only 1.9% of articles included discussion of equity issues, where many prevention activities such as distancing are less applicable in lower-income households. Sixty-seven per cent of articles quoting sources of information quoted credible sources such as public health agencies and researchers. Media coverage also did not appear to reflect WHO updates in a timely manner, with most of the coverage preceding these updates. The findings show that Indian media should focus on actionable and relevant reporting that provides guidance for individual response. Media should also endeavour to report on evidence-based prevention and treatment options to avert the spread of misinformation.
Rise and demise: a case study of public health nutrition in Queensland, Australia, over three decades
Authors: Lee Amanda , Stubbs Christina , Leonard Dympna , Vidgen Helen , Minniecon Deanne , Dick Mathew , Cullerton Katherine , Herron Lisa
Published: July 2021

This case study describes the delivery and achievements of the public health nutrition programme in Queensland, Australia, over more than three decades. Analysis of publicly available documents related to statewide nutrition policy and programmes from 1983 to 2014 identified key inputs and programme impacts and outcomes, including an increase in fruit and vegetable intake by 1.1 serves per person per day and rates of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months quadrupled. Mapping factors and milestones against a framework on determinants of political priority highlighted correlation with effective nutrition promotion policy and practice. Identified enablers included the influence of policy champions and advocates, quality of governance, focus on whole-of-population approaches, and periods of political will and economic prosperity. Key barriers included changes of ideology with government leadership; lack of commitment to long-term implementation and evaluation; and limited recognition of and support for preventive health and nutrition promotion. The case study shows that a coordinated, well-funded, intersectoral approach to improve nutrition and prevent chronic disease and malnutrition in all its forms can be achieved and produce promising impacts at state level, but that sustained effort is required to secure and protect investment. Political support for long-term investment in nutrition is essential to reduce the high cost of all diet-related diseases. Public health leadership to better prepare for risks around political cycles, secure adequate resources for evaluation, and better communicate impacts and outcomes may help protect future investments and achievements.
A causal inference approach to compare leukaemia treatment outcome in the absence of randomization and with dependent censoring
Authors: Bernasconi Davide Paolo , Antolini Laura , Rossi Emanuela , Blanco-Lopez Jessica Giselle , Galimberti Stefania , Andersen Per Kragh , Valsecchi Maria Grazia
Published: July 2021

Background

One cause of poor outcomes in children of low-income countries affected by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is loss to follow-up due to abandonment of treatment. Assuming this type of loss to follow-up as independent censoring, as in standard Kaplan–Meier estimates, ignores the likely association of abandonment with biologic and socio-economic factors related to outcome. Moreover, when comparing treatment protocols adopted in different time periods, possible imbalances in patients’ characteristics must be considered. We aim to compare the outcome of children enrolled in two subsequent protocols for ALL treatment (2000–2007 and 2008–2015) in Honduras, taking both dependent censoring due to abandonment of treatment and imbalances between patient characteristics into account.

Methods

Marginal structural models based on inverse probability of treatment and censoring (IPTC) weighting allow the estimation of potential event-free survival (EFS) as if no abandonment of treatment occurred and the whole cohort was exposed, or not, to both protocols. An Aalen additive model and a logistic-regression model were used to build abandonment and treatment weights, respectively.

Results

The two protocols recruited 514 and 717 patients. Measured baseline covariates in both protocols were gender, age, white blood cell count, central nervous system involvement, tumour histology and socio-economic status. The potential EFS is slightly higher under the more recent protocol in the first 3 years but no difference is estimated in the long period [survival difference at 5 years (95% confidence interval) = 0.1% (−0.97%; 1.13%)]. Both protocols would allow reducing the event rate by 12–13% if there was no abandonment of treatment.

Conclusions

Using IPTC weighting, we found a similar potential effect of the two treatment protocols if the imbalance due to the different distribution of potential confounders and to abandonment of therapy was removed.