bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures and Loneliness Among Older Adults
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Farina Mateo P , Wu Qiao , Ailshire Jennifer
Published: January 2021

Objectives

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults are advised to follow social distancing measures to prevent infection. However, such measures may increase the risk of loneliness. The current study aimed to investigate (a) whether social distancing measures, particularly limiting close social interactions, are associated with loneliness among older adults, and (b) whether the association between social distancing measures and loneliness is moderated by sociodemographic characteristics.

Method

Data were from the fourth wave (April 29 to May 26, 2020) of the nationally representative Understanding America Study COVID-19 Survey. We used data on adults 50 years or older (N = 3,253). Logistic regression models of loneliness were performed. Five indicators of social distancing measures were considered: (a) avoiding public spaces, gatherings, or crowds; (b) canceling or postponing social activities; (c) social visits; (d) no close contact (within 6 feet) with people living together; and (e) with people not living together.

Results

Cancelling or postponing social activities and avoiding close contact with people living together were associated with 33% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, confidence interval [CI] = 1.06−1.68, p < .05) and 47% (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.09−1.99, p < .05) greater odds of loneliness, respectively. Furthermore, limiting close contact with coresidents increased the probability of loneliness more for males, non-Hispanic Whites, and those with higher levels of education and income.

Discussion

Efforts should be made to help older adults maintain social connectedness with close others by virtual communication methods. Our findings also call special attention to vulnerable groups at elevated risks of loneliness, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions.
Implications of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code on Broadcast Copyright and Competition
Authors: Olubiyi Ifeoluwa A , Oriakhogba Desmond O
Published: January 2021

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Nigeria recently released an amendment to the 6th edition of the Broadcasting Code. Its aim is to increase local content, generate advertisement revenue and prevent anti-competitive practices in the Nigerian broadcast industry. To this end, it prevents exclusivity or monopolisation of content by broadcasting organisations, including Pay TV and Video on Demand (VOD) platforms. Drawing from European and South African experiences, this article begins by examining the provisions of the Broadcasting Code, particularly the amendment vis-à-vis the Nigerian Copyright Act and Nigeria’s international obligations under treaties such as the Rome Convention and the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). It then looks at the impact of the amended Code on the broadcast industry. The article seeks to determine whether the provisions of the amended Code can qualify as limitations and exceptions to exclusive rights allowed under the treaties and the Nigerian Copyright Act. It also examines whether, in attempting to foster competition in the Nigerian broadcast industry, the amended Code has taken away the exclusive rights granted by the Copyright Act to owners of Pay TV and VOD platforms and thereby runs contrary to Nigeria’s international obligations. Where appropriate, recommendations are made for consultation among relevant stakeholders for review of the amended Code to align it with the Copyright Act and Nigeria’s international obligations.
Multi-omics analysis to identify susceptibility genes for colorectal cancer
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Bao Jiandong , Chen Zhishan , Villanueva Anna Díez , Wen Wanqing , Wang Fangqin , Zhao Dejian , Fu Xianghui , Cai Qiuyin , Long Jirong , Shu Xiao-ou , Zheng Deyou , Moreno Victor , Zheng Wei , Lin Weiqiang , Guo Xingyi
Published: January 2021

Most genetic variants for colorectal cancer (CRC) identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are located in intergenic regions, implying pathogenic dysregulations of gene expression. However, comprehensive assessments of target genes in CRC remain to be explored. We conducted a multi-omics analysis using transcriptome and/or DNA methylation data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression, The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Colonomics projects. We identified 116 putative target genes for 45 GWAS-identified variants. Using summary-data-based Mendelian randomization approach (SMR), we demonstrated that the CRC susceptibility for 29 out of the 45 CRC variants may be mediated by cis-effects on gene regulation. At a cutoff of the Bonferroni-corrected PSMR < 0.05, we determined 66 putative susceptibility genes, including 39 genes that have not been previously reported. We further performed in vitro assays for two selected genes, DIP2B and SFMBT1, and provide functional evidence that they play a vital role in colorectal carcinogenesis via disrupting cell behavior, including migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Our study reveals a large number of putative novel susceptibility genes and provides additional insight into the underlying mechanisms for CRC genetic risk loci.
The sovereignty deficit: Afterword to the Foreword by Neil Walker
Authors: Johns Fleur
Published: January 2021

The frenzy of sovereign claiming that Neil Walker describes in his enthralling Foreword reveals more about sovereignty’s deficits, and prevailing anxieties about these deficits, than it evinces the expanding range of sovereignty. Sovereignty is clearly not eroding across the board, but it is far more fissured than Walker’s Foreword article suggests, as more and more modes of governmental power perforate, parse and parry it. Sovereignty captures how some things work, some of the time, and a good measure of political rhetoric and aspiration. As a comprehensive or incisive analytic for contemporary power, however, it is inadequate. This Afterword fleshes out this claim by presenting counter-narratives to each of the five dimensions of Walker’s analysis of contemporary mobilizations of sovereignty: decomposition as a counterpoint to Walker’s story of recomposition; routing around in contrast to his account of raising; ransoming rather than rationing; monomania in lieu of reinforcement; and fetishization instead of reduction. Insofar as people are everywhere today grasping for sovereign determinacy, this may reveal more about the exhaustion of sovereignty’s explanatory power than its continuing salience.
Reported County-Level Distribution of Lyme Disease Spirochetes,Borrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoandBorrelia mayonii(Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), in Host-SeekingIxodes scapularisandIxodes pacificusTicks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Contiguous United States
Authors: Fleshman Amy C , Graham Christine B , Maes Sarah E , Foster Erik , Eisen Rebecca J
Published: January 2021

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. While Lyme disease vectors are widespread, high incidence states are concentrated in the Northeast, North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions. Mapping the distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes in ticks may aid in providing data-driven explanations of epidemiological trends and recommendations for targeting prevention strategies to communities at risk. We compiled data from the literature, publicly available tickborne pathogen surveillance databases, and internal CDC pathogen testing databases to map the county-level distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes reported in host-seeking Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the contiguous United States. We report B. burgdorferi s.s.-infected I. scapularis from 384 counties spanning 26 eastern states located primarily in the North Central, Northeastern, and Mid-Atlantic regions, and in I. pacificus from 20 counties spanning 2 western states, with most records reported from northern and north-coastal California. Borrelia mayonii was reported in I. scapularis in 10 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the North Central United States, where records of B. burgdorferi s.s. were also reported. In comparison to a broad distribution of vector ticks, the resulting map shows a more limited distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes.
222 days without COVID in Taiwan: what are the reasons for this success?
Authors: Dai Chia-Yen , Dai Ting-Hsuan , Sheng Wang-Huei , Ho Chi-Kung
Published: January 2021

The second wave of COVID-19 has been reported in many countries such as Vietnam after 99 days without any further local transmission since the first wave. Here we report on the success story in Taiwan in fighting the COVID-19, currently keeping 222 days without an indigenous case of COVID.
Resonant absorption of kink MHD waves in inclined and asymmetric coronal loops
Authors: Amiri S , Karami K , Ebrahimi Z
Published: January 2021

This paper separately evaluates the effects of inclination and asymmetry of solar coronal loops on the resonant absorption of kink magnetohydrodynamic oscillations. We modelled a typical coronal loop by a straight and axisymmetric cylindrical magnetic flux tube filled with cold plasma. We solved the dispersion relation numerically for different values of the longitudinal mass density stratification. We show that, in inclined and asymmetric loops, the frequencies and their corresponding damping rates of the fundamental and first-overtone modes of kink oscillations are smaller in comparison with semi-circular uninclined loops with the same lengths. The results also indicate that, the period ratio P1/P2, increases with increasing the inclination of the loop, but it decreases less than $2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ while imposing the asymmetry to each loop side, up to $9.66{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the loop length. The ratio of each mode frequency to its corresponding damping rate remain unchanged approximately while the inclination or the asymmetry imposed. Hence, we conclude that these ratios are reliable for inferring the physical parameters of coronal loops and coronal medium, regardless of the loop shape or the state of its inclination. In addition, in contrast with the effect of asymmetry, which is not significant on the period ratio P1/P2, when an observed oscillating loop has a smaller apex height, the state of its inclination is an important factor that should be considered, especially when the period ratio P1/P2, is taken into consideration for coronal seismology.
gzK-colour-selected star-forming galaxies in the AKARI NEP-Deep Field
Authors: Seo Hyunjong , Jeong Woong-Seob , Shim Hyunjin , Kim Minjin , Ko Jongwan , Pyo Jeonghyun , Pearson Chris , Oi Nagisa , Goto Tomotsugu , Miyaji Takamitsu
Published: January 2021

We study the clustering property and physical parameters of gzK-colour-selected star-forming galaxies (sgzKs) based on the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope surveys over 0.55 deg2 in the AKARI North Ecliptic Pole-Deep Field. Two-point correlation functions for two magnitude-limited cases, Ks < 21.1 (N = 234) and Ks < 21.5 (N = 428), are estimated using a single power-law function with the fixed slope of 0.8. The bias factors of sgzKs with Ks < 21.1 and 21.5 are 5.79 ± 1.07 and 4.00 ± 0.67, respectively, representing that sgzKs with z ∼ 1.7 reside in dark matter haloes more massive than $10^{13} ~\rm M_{\odot }$. We find that haloes hosting sgzKs with Ks < 21.5 evolve into haloes that host local massive galaxies with ∼6 L*. This suggests that sgzKs with Ks < 21.5 are likely to be predecessors of local massive galaxies. The evolutionary track of bias factor for host haloes of the bright sgzKs is similar to that of the bright passive extremely red objects, implying a possible connection between the two populations of galaxies. From the spectral energy distribution fitting, we estimate physical parameters and active galactic nucleus (AGN) contribution for 75 mid-infrared (MIR)-detected sgzKs with Ks < 21.5. The median values of stellar mass and star formation rate are 9.5 × 1010$\rm M_{\odot }$ and 162 $\rm M_{\odot }$ yr−1, respectively. MIR-detected sgzKs have a variety of AGN contributions ranging from 0 to 80 per cent. The number ratio of sgzKs with larger AGN contribution than 10 per cent is 30 per cent.
Jet parameters for a diverse sample of jet-launching post-AGB binaries
Authors: Bollen Dylan , Kamath Devika , Van Winckel Hans , De Marco Orsola , Wardle Mark
Published: January 2021

Jets are a commonly observed phenomenon in post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) binaries. Due to the orbital motion of the binary, the jet causes variable absorption in the Balmer profiles. In previous work, we have developed spatio-kinematic and radiative transfer models to reproduce the observed Balmer line variability and derive the spatio-kinematic structure of the jet and its mass-loss rate. Here, we apply our jet model to five post-AGB binaries with distinct H α line variability and diverse orbital properties. Our models fit the H α line variations very well. We estimate jet mass-loss rates between $10^{-8}\,$M$_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1}$ and $10^{-4}\,$ M$_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1}$, from which we deduce accretion rates on to the companion between $10^{-7}\,$ M$_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1}$ and $10^{-3}\,$ M$_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1}$. These accretion rates are somewhat higher than can be comfortably explained with reasonable sources of accretion, but we argue that the circumbinary disc in these systems is most likely the source feeding the accretion, although accretion from the post-AGB star cannot be ruled out. The diversity of the variability in the five objects is due to their wide ejection cones combined with a range of viewing angles, rather than inherent differences between the objects. The nature of the observations does not let us easily distinguish which jet launching model (stellar jet, disc wind, or X-wind) should be favoured. In conclusion, we show that our jet model includes the physical parameters to successfully reproduce the H α line variations and retrieve the structure and mass-loss rates of the jet for all five objects that are representative of the diverse sample of Galactic post-AGB binaries.
Targeted splice sequencing reveals RNA toxicity and therapeutic response in myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Tanner Matthew K , Tang Zhenzhi , Thornton Charles A
Published: January 2021

Biomarker-driven trials hold promise for therapeutic development in chronic diseases, such as muscular dystrophy. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) involves RNA toxicity, where transcripts containing expanded CUG-repeats (CUGexp) accumulate in nuclear foci and sequester splicing factors in the Muscleblind-like (Mbnl) family. Oligonucleotide therapies to mitigate RNA toxicity have emerged but reliable measures of target engagement are needed. Here we examined muscle transcriptomes in mouse models of DM1 and found that CUGexp expression or Mbnl gene deletion cause similar dysregulation of alternative splicing. We selected 35 dysregulated exons for further study by targeted RNA sequencing. Across a spectrum of mouse models, the individual splice events and a composite index derived from all events showed a graded response to decrements of Mbnl or increments of CUGexp. Antisense oligonucleotides caused prompt reduction of CUGexp RNA and parallel correction of the splicing index, followed by subsequent elimination of myotonia. These results suggest that targeted splice sequencing may provide a sensitive and reliable way to assess therapeutic impact in DM1.
Repression of a large number of genes requires interplay between homologous recombination and HIRA
Authors: Misova Ivana , Pitelova Alexandra , Budis Jaroslav , Gazdarica Juraj , Sedlackova Tatiana , Jordakova Anna , Benko Zsigmond , Smondrkova Maria , Mayerova Nina , Pichlerova Karoline , Strieskova Lucia , Prevorovsky Martin , Gregan Juraj , Cipak Lubos , Szemes Tomas , Polakova Silvia Bagelova
Published: January 2021

During homologous recombination, Dbl2 protein is required for localisation of Fbh1, an F-box helicase that efficiently dismantles Rad51–DNA filaments. RNA-seq analysis of dbl2Δ transcriptome showed that the dbl2 deletion results in upregulation of more than 500 loci in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Compared with the loci with no change in expression, the misregulated loci in dbl2Δ are closer to long terminal and long tandem repeats. Furthermore, the misregulated loci overlap with antisense transcripts, retrotransposons, meiotic genes and genes located in subtelomeric regions. A comparison of the expression profiles revealed that Dbl2 represses the same type of genes as the HIRA histone chaperone complex. Although dbl2 deletion does not alleviate centromeric or telomeric silencing, it suppresses the silencing defect at the outer centromere caused by deletion of hip1 and slm9 genes encoding subunits of the HIRA complex. Moreover, our analyses revealed that cells lacking dbl2 show a slight increase of nucleosomes at transcription start sites and increased levels of methylated histone H3 (H3K9me2) at centromeres, subtelomeres, rDNA regions and long terminal repeats. Finally, we show that other proteins involved in homologous recombination, such as Fbh1, Rad51, Mus81 and Rad54, participate in the same gene repression pathway.
CAMAMED: a pipeline for composition-aware mapping-based analysis of metagenomic data
Authors: Norouzi-Beirami Mohammad H , Marashi Sayed-Amir , Banaei-Moghaddam Ali M , Kavousi Kaveh
Published: January 2021

Metagenomics is the study of genomic DNA recovered from a microbial community. Both assembly-based and mapping-based methods have been used to analyze metagenomic data. When appropriate gene catalogs are available, mapping-based methods are preferred over assembly based approaches, especially for analyzing the data at the functional level. In this study, we introduce CAMAMED as a composition-aware mapping-based metagenomic data analysis pipeline. This pipeline can analyze metagenomic samples at both taxonomic and functional profiling levels. Using this pipeline, metagenome sequences can be mapped to non-redundant gene catalogs and the gene frequency in the samples are obtained. Due to the highly compositional nature of metagenomic data, the cumulative sum-scaling method is used at both taxa and gene levels for compositional data analysis in our pipeline. Additionally, by mapping the genes to the KEGG database, annotations related to each gene can be extracted at different functional levels such as KEGG ortholog groups, enzyme commission numbers and reactions. Furthermore, the pipeline enables the user to identify potential biomarkers in case-control metagenomic samples by investigating functional differences. The source code for this software is available from https://github.com/mhnb/camamed. Also, the ready to use Docker images are available at https://hub.docker.com.
Rapid discovery of novel prophages using biological feature engineering and machine learning
Authors: Sirén Kimmo , Millard Andrew , Petersen Bent , Gilbert M Thomas P , Clokie Martha R J , Sicheritz-Pontén Thomas
Published: January 2021

Prophages are phages that are integrated into bacterial genomes and which are key to understanding many aspects of bacterial biology. Their extreme diversity means they are challenging to detect using sequence similarity, yet this remains the paradigm and thus many phages remain unidentified. We present a novel, fast and generalizing machine learning method based on feature space to facilitate novel prophage discovery. To validate the approach, we reanalyzed publicly available marine viromes and single-cell genomes using our feature-based approaches and found consistently more phages than were detected using current state-of-the-art tools while being notably faster. This demonstrates that our approach significantly enhances bacteriophage discovery and thus provides a new starting point for exploring new biologies.
Shifting Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Policy and Research to Include the Full Translation Pipeline
Authors: Catania Joseph A , Martin Jeffrey , Dolcini M Margaret , Orellana E Roberto , Henne Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing policy and practice limits testing as a prevention tool. Radical shifts are required to increase the scale of rapid testing strategies and improve dissemination and implementation of venue-based and self-testing approaches. Attention to the full translation pipeline is required to reach high-risk segments of the population.
Evaluation of No-Touch Technologies for Decontamination of Toys in Pediatric Healthcare Settings
Authors: Haydar Hanan , Kumar Jessica A , Cadnum Jennifer L , Zangla Emily , Hoyen Claudia K , Donskey Curtis J
Published: January 2021

No-touch technologies could be useful to decontaminate shared toys in healthcare settings. A high-level disinfection cabinet and electrostatic sprayer were effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacteriophage MS2, and Clostridioides difficile spores on toys. An ultraviolet-C light box was less effective but reduced MRSA and bacteriophage MS2 by >2 log10.
A Network Analysis of Clinical Variables in Chronic Pain: A Study from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP)
Authors: Åkerblom Sophia , Cervin Matti , Perrin Sean , Rivano Fischer Marcelo , Gerdle Björn , McCracken Lance M
Published: January 2021

Background

Efforts to identify specific variables that impact most on outcomes from interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation are challenged by the complexity of chronic pain. Methods to manage this complexity are needed. The purpose of the study was to determine the network structure entailed in a set of self-reported variables, examine change, and look at potential predictors of outcome, from a network perspective.

Methods

In this study we apply network analysis to a large sample of people seeking interdisciplinary pain treatment (N = 2,241). Variables analyzed include pain intensity, pain interference, extent of pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and psychological variables from cognitive behavioral models of chronic pain.

Results

We found that Acceptance, Pain Interference, and Depression were key, “central,” variables in the pretreatment network. Interestingly, there were few changes in the overall network configuration following treatment, specifically with respect to which variables appear most central relative to each other. On the other hand, Catastrophizing, Depression, Anxiety, and Pain Interference each became less central over time. Changes in Life Control, Acceptance, and Anxiety were most strongly related to changes in the remainder of the network as a whole. Finally, no network differences were found between treatment responders and non-responders.

Conclusions

This study highlights potential future targets for pain treatment. Further application of a network approach to interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation data is recommended. Going forward, it may be better to next do this in a more comprehensive theoretically guided fashion, and ideographically, to detect unique individual differences in potential treatment processes.
Is Neck Posture Subgroup in Late Adolescence a Risk Factor for Persistent Neck Pain in Young Adults? A Prospective Study
Authors: Richards Karen V , Beales Darren J , Smith Anne L , O’Sullivan Peter B , Straker Leon M
Published: January 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sagittal neck sitting posture subgroup membership in late adolescence was a risk factor for persistent neck pain (PNP) in young adults.

Methods

There were 686 participants enrolled in the Raine Study at the 17- and 22-year follow-ups. At 17 years of age, posture was measured by photographs, and 4 subgroups of sitting neck posture were determined by cluster analysis. Height and weight were measured, and exercise frequency, depression, and PNP were assessed by questionnaire. At 22 years of age, participants answered questions about neck pain and occupation type. Logistic regression examined if neck posture subgroups at 17 years of age were a risk factor for PNP at 22 years of age, taking into account other factors.

Results

Female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.16–2.65) and PNP at 17 years of age (OR = 3.78, 95% CI = 2.57–5.57) were associated with PNP at 22 years of age. In females, neck posture subgroup at 17 years of age was a risk factor for PNP at 22 years of age. Compared with the upright subgroup, both the slumped thorax/forward head subgroup groups and the intermediate subgroup had decreased odds for PNP at 22 years of age (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.08–0.76; OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.15–0.99, respectively). No association was found in males.

Conclusion

After taking into account PNP at 17 years, sitting neck posture at 17 was not a risk factor for PNP at 22 years of age in males, whereas in females, more relaxed postures (slumped thorax/forward head and Intermediate postures) were protective of neck pain compared with upright posture.

Impact

Females in late adolescence who sat in slumped thorax/forward head or intermediate posture rather than upright sitting posture had a lower risk of PNP as a young adult. The practice of generic public health messages to sit up straight to prevent neck pain needs rethinking.
Implementation and Evaluation of the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) for People With Stroke in a Real World Community Setting: Case Report
Authors: Yang Chieh-Ling , Bird Marie-Louise , Eng Janice J
Published: January 2021

Objective

Exercise programs to improve upper extremity function following stroke in the community setting are needed as the length of hospital stay continues to decrease. However, little has been done to increase understanding of how to translate an evidence-based rehabilitation intervention to real-world programs. The purpose of this case report was to describe a process evaluation of the implementation of an evidence-based upper extremity rehabilitation intervention for stroke, the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program, in a community setting.

Methods (Case Description)

A partnership between a nonprofit support organization and a local community center was established to deliver the program in the community. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework with mixed methods was used to evaluate the implementation.

Results

Reach: Twenty people were screened, 14 people met eligibility requirements, and 13 consented to participate. The program reached approximately 1.25% of the potential target population. Effectiveness: Participants with stroke demonstrated significant improvement in upper extremity function and quality of life as measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity, Action Research Arm Test, Rating of Everyday Arm-use in the Community and Home Scale, and Stroke Impact Scale. Adoption: Factors that facilitated program uptake were the well-planned implementation and the workplace coaching based on the audit results. Factors contributing to ongoing participation were the social support within the group environment and the instructor’s capability of engaging the group. Implementation: A partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local community center was successfully established. The program was implemented as intended as verified by a fidelity checklist. Participant adherence was high as confirmed by the average attendance and practice time. Maintenance: Both the partner organization and community center continued to offer the program.

Conclusion

The Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program had good fidelity of the critical principles and core components and was effective in improving upper extremity function and quality of life.

Impact

This partnership model may serve as the first step for future larger-scale implementation and could be used to move other stroke rehabilitation interventions into community settings.
Measurement Properties of Assessments of Freezing of Gait Severity in People With Parkinson Disease: A COSMIN Review
Authors: Scully Aileen E , Hill Keith D , Tan Dawn , Clark Ross , Pua Yong-Hao , de Oliveira Beatriz I R
Published: January 2021

Objective

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative condition worldwide. Approximately 50% of people with PD experience freezing of gait, a motor symptom associated with falls, disability, and poorer quality of life. Accurate assessment of freezing of gait severity is important for guiding management. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the measurement properties of subjective and objective clinical assessments of freezing of gait severity using the COSMIN methodology to facilitate better outcome measure selection.

Methods

Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL) were searched. The COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist was used for evaluating quality of included studies. Data on measurement properties were extracted. Where possible, meta-analysis was performed.

Results

Nineteen studies investigating measurement properties of 7 outcome measures (patient-reported outcome measures, n = 3; objective assessment tools, n = 4) were included. Ten studies evaluated the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire. Based on COSMIN criteria, the best performing outcome measures were the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire and the Dynamic Parkinson Gait Scale. Both outcome measures demonstrated sufficient structural validity, internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness. The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire was supported with mostly moderate to high quality of evidence, but the evidence for the Dynamic Parkinson Gait Scale was of low quality due to inadequate sample size.

Conclusions

Content validity and measurement invariance remain unknown for all outcome measures. The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire is the best measure currently available. Further external validation and reliability studies would strengthen the evidence to support the use of the Dynamic Parkinson Gait Scale.

Impact

Awareness of limitations of outcome measures facilitates better selection. Without evidence for content validity and measurement invariance, clinicians should consider if their chosen test accurately measures freezing of gait severity and whether it can be applied in populations different to the original study’s population.

Lay Summary

Accurately assessing freezing of gait severity is important for guiding management of this disabling symptom. The best clinical assessment currently available is one that relies on the self-report of patients.
The effect of facilitating interdisciplinary cooperation on the research productivity of university research teams: The moderating role of government assistance
Authors: Chen Aihua , Wang Xiaoting
Published: January 2021

Interdisciplinary research is vital to research productivity. However, the existing research has not given a reasonable explanation on how and under what condition facilitating interdisciplinary research cooperation promotes research productivity. This article aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the link between facilitating interdisciplinary cooperation and research productivity as well as the role of government assistance in this link. Using a sample of 314 members of Chinese university research teams, we show that management, operations, evaluation, team building, and collaborating with industry to facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation all have significantly positive effects on the research productivity of university research teams. Among them, evaluation has the most significant impact on research productivity. Moreover, government assistance weakens the relationship between evaluation and research productivity but strengthens the relationship between management and research productivity. However, the moderating effects of government assistance on the links among team building, operations, collaborating with industry, and team research productivity are not statistically significant. Overall, our study has important implications for governments and universities seeking to facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation.
A FEASIBILITY TEST FOR QUICK RADON RISK ASSESSMENT BY MEASURING AN IN SITU RADIATION DOSE RATE
Authors: M Hassan Nabil , Kim Y J
Published: January 2021

Radon concentration was estimated using an accumulation chamber equipped with AlphaGUARD radon monitor. It varies from 12.6 ± 1.20 to 363 ± 19.3 Bq m−3 with a mean value of 180 ± 11.2 Bq m−3. A good correlation between radium content and radon concentrations was obtained of R = 0.754, which suggests that radium is the main reason of releasing radon to the atmosphere. Radon emanation coefficient and exhalation rate were also calculated. Furthermore, the radiation dose rate was measured with a high-pressure ionization chamber detector. The radiation dose rate was strongly correlated with the radon concentration and exhalation rate of R = 0.85 and 0.63. The obtained results support our idea that the radiation dose rate can be a good indicator to the radon level in the atmosphere. In addition, the dependence of radon concentration on the water content was discussed.
N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antibody and White Matter Deficits in Schizophrenia Treatment-Resistance
Authors: Tong Jinghui , Zhou Yanfang , Huang Junchao , Zhang Ping , Fan Fengmei , Chen Song , Tian Baopeng , Cui Yimin , Tian Li , Tan Shuping , Wang Zhiren , Feng Wei , Yang Fude , Hare Stephanie , Goldwaser Eric L , Bruce Heather A , Kvarta Mark , Chen Shuo , Kochunov Peter , Tan Yunlong , Hong L Elliot
Published: January 2021

Insufficient or lack of response to antipsychotic medications in some patients with schizophrenia is a major challenge in psychiatry, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Two seemingly unrelated observations, cerebral white matter and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction, have been linked to treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). As NMDARs are critical to axonal myelination and signal transduction, we hypothesized that NMDAR antibody (Ab), when present in schizophrenia, may impair NMDAR functions and white matter microstructures, contributing to TRS. In this study, 50 patients with TRS, 45 patients with nontreatment-resistant schizophrenia (NTRS), 53 patients with schizophrenia at treatment initiation schizophrenia (TIS), and 90 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum NMDAR Ab levels and white matter diffusion tensor imaging fractional anisotropy (FA) were assessed. The white matter specificity effects by NMDAR Ab were assessed by comparing with effects on cortical and subcortical gray matter. Serum NMDAR Ab levels of the TRS were significantly higher than those of the NTRS (P = .035). In patients with TRS, higher NMDAR Ab levels were significantly associated with reduced whole-brain average FA (r = −.37; P = .026), with the strongest effect at the genu of corpus callosum (r = −.50; P = .0021, significant after correction for multiple comparisons). Conversely, there was no significant correlation between whole-brain or regional cortical thickness or any subcortical gray matter structural volume and NMDAR Ab levels in TRS. Our finding highlights a potential NMDAR mechanism on white matter microstructure impairment in schizophrenia that may contribute to their treatment resistance to antipsychotic medications.
Neoliberal governance, evaluations, and the rise of win–win ideology in corporate responsibility discourse, 1960–2010
Authors: Brandtner Christof , Bromley Patricia
Published: January 2021

Despite conflicts between social and economic goals, contemporary US firms routinely depict such aims as synergistic. Analyzing 300 annual reports from a sample of 80 large US public firms between 1960 and 2010, we examine the rise of ‘win–win’ conceptions of corporate responsibility (CR), which include both the social benefits of economic activities and economic gains from social responsibility. Our findings support arguments that the rise of win–win ideology in large corporations is tied to the emergence of neoliberal governance in society. Indicators of firms’ changing institutional context include financialization, numbers of non-profit organizations and voluntary regulation schemes. However, the macroeffect is mediated by firm attention to these institutional changes; mentions of external evaluations in annual reports are associated with higher levels of win–win ideology. The study contributes to institutional theories of the historical development of CR and to understanding heterogeneous organizational responses to societal-level institutional change.
Sleep is more than rest for plasticity in the human cortex
Authors: Nissen Christoph , Piosczyk Hannah , Holz Johannes , Maier Jonathan G , Frase Lukas , Sterr Annette , Riemann Dieter , Feige Bernd
Published: January 2021

Sleep promotes adaptation of behavior and underlying neural plasticity in comparison to active wakefulness. However, the contribution of its two main characteristics, sleep-specific brain activity and reduced stimulus interference, remains unclear. We tested healthy humans on a texture discrimination task, a proxy for neural plasticity in primary visual cortex, in the morning and retested them in the afternoon after a period of daytime sleep, passive waking with maximally reduced interference, or active waking. Sleep restored performance in direct comparison to both passive and active waking, in which deterioration of performance across repeated within-day testing has been linked to synaptic saturation in the primary visual cortex. No difference between passive and active waking was observed. Control experiments indicated that deterioration across wakefulness was retinotopically specific to the trained visual field and not due to unspecific performance differences. The restorative effect of sleep correlated with time spent in NREM sleep and with electroencephalographic slow wave energy, which is thought to reflect renormalization of synaptic strength. The results indicate that sleep is more than a state of reduced stimulus interference, but that sleep-specific brain activity restores performance by actively refining cortical plasticity.
Modulating overnight memory consolidation by acoustic stimulation during slow-wave sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wunderlin Marina , Züst Marc A , Hertenstein Elisabeth , Fehér Kristoffer D , Schneider Carlotta L , Klöppel Stefan , Nissen Christoph
Published: January 2021

Study Objectives

The low-frequency high-amplitude oscillations of slow-wave sleep (SWS) are considered to promote the consolidation of episodic memory. Previous research suggests that sleep slow waves can be entrained and enhanced by presenting short acoustic stimuli to the up-states of endogenous waves. Several studies have investigated the effects of these increases in slow-wave activity on overnight memory consolidation, with inconsistent results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the accumulated evidence connecting acoustic stimulation during sleep to episodic memory consolidation.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2020 using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. The main study inclusion criteria were the application of acoustic slow wave enhancement in healthy participants and an assessment of pre- and post-sleep episodic memory performance. Effect sizes were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 10 primary studies with 11 experiments and 177 participants were included. Results showed a combined effect size (Hedges’ g) of 0.25 (p = 0.07). Subgroup models based on young adults (n = 8), phase-locked stimulation approaches (n = 8), and their combination (n = 6) showed combined effect sizes of 0.31 (p = 0.051), 0.36 (p = 0.047), and 0.44 (p = 0.01), respectively. There was no indication of publication bias or bias in individual studies.

Conclusions

Acoustic enhancement of SWS tends to increase the overnight consolidation of episodic memory but effects remain small and—with the exception of subgroup models—at trend levels. Currently, the evidence is not sufficient to recommend the use of commercially available devices.
Memory-relevant nap sleep physiology in healthy and pathological aging
Authors: Ladenbauer Julia , Ladenbauer Josef , Külzow Nadine , Flöel Agnes
Published: January 2021

Study Objectives

Aging is associated with detrimental changes in sleep physiology, a process accelerated in Alzheimer’s disease. Fine-tuned temporal interactions of non-rapid eye movement slow oscillations and spindles were shown to be particularly important for memory consolidation, and to deteriorate in healthy older adults. Whether this oscillatory interaction further decline in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease such as mild cognitive impairment has not been investigated to date, but may have important therapeutic implications.

Methods

Here, we assessed differences in sleep architecture and memory-relevant slow oscillation, sleep spindles and their functional coupling during a 90-min nap between healthy young and older adults, and in older patients with mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, associations of nap-sleep characteristics with sleep-dependent memory performance change were evaluated.

Results

We found significant differences between young and older healthy adults, and between young adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment, but not between healthy older adults and patients for several sleep metrics, including slow oscillation-spindle coupling. Moreover, sleep-dependent retention of verbal memories was significantly higher in young healthy adults versus older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, but no difference between the two older groups was observed. Associations with sleep metrics were only found for pre-nap memory performances.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results indicate changes in nap sleep physiology and sleep-related memory consolidation in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. Thus, interventions targeted at improving sleep physiology may help to reduce memory decline in both groups, but our study does not indicate additional benefits for patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Clinical Trail Registration

Effects of Brain Stimulation During Daytime Nap on Memory Consolidation in Younger, Healthy Subjects: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01840865; NCT01840865. Effects of Brain Stimulation During a Daytime Nap on Memory Consolidation in Older Adults; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01840839?term=01840839&draw=2&rank=1; NCT01840839. Effects of Brain Stimulation During a Daytime Nap on Memory Consolidation in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01782365?term=01782365&draw=2&rank=1; NCT01782365.
Molecular mechanism of mice gastric oxidative damage induced by nanoparticulate titanium dioxide
Authors: Ji Jianhui , Zhou Yingjun , Hong Fashui , Ze Yuguan , Fan Dongxue , Zhang Xingxiang
Published: January 2021

Background

Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (Nano-TiO2) has been widely used in food industry, and it has been demonstrated to have adverse effects on mice and human stomach, but its mechanism is rarely concerned. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of nano-TiO2 on the stomach and confirm the role of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the mice gastric damage caused by nano-TiO2, as well as its molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Mice were continuously exposed to nano-TiO2 with 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg bw by intragastric administration for 9 months in the present study. The ultrastructure, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxides, activities of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondria-related enzymes, ATP contents as well as apoptosis-related factors expression in mice stomach were examined.

Results

Oxidative stress, apoptosis and nano-TiO2 aggregation were found in gastric mucosal smooth muscle cells after nano-TiO2 exposure. Nano-TiO2 exposure also resulted in the over-production of ROS and peroxides, decrease of ATP production and activities of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondria-related ATPases, upregulation of apoptosis-related factors including γH2AX, Cyt c, caspase 3, and p-JNK expression, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in mice stomach.

Conclusions

The gastric toxicity of mice induced by chronic exposure to low dose nano-TiO2 may be associated with oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mice.
Protective effect of melatonin against herbicides-induced hepatotoxicity in rats
Authors: Almeida Lécio Leone , Pitombeira Giovanna Silva Girão Nobre , Teixeira Álvaro Aguiar Coelho , Teixeira Valéria Wanderley , Silva Júnior Valdemiro Amaro , Vieira Filho Leucio Duarte , Evêncio Neto Joaquim
Published: January 2021

Exposure to the herbicides Paraquat and Roundup® may cause cell lesions due to an increase in oxidative stress levels in different biological systems, even in the liver. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of melatonin on liver of rats exposed to herbicides. A total of 35 rats were randomly divided into seven equal-sized groups: control, Paraquat, Roundup®, Paraquat + Roundup®, Paraquat + melatonin, Roundup® + melatonin, and Paraquat + Roundup® + melatonin. Samples of blood and hepatic tissue were collected at the end of the seventh day of exposure and treatment with melatonin. Body weight, hematological parameters, and histopathological, biochemical analyses and determination of oxidative stress levels in liver were evaluated. Body weight was compromised (P < 0.01). Alterations of hematologic parameters were significant when compared to control (P < 0.001). Biochemically, serum levels of albumin decreased (P < 0.001), but serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase increased (P < 0.001). Histopathology revealed necrotic hepatocytes, portal and central-lobular inflammatory infiltrate, congestion of capillaries. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were found to be significantly elevated (P < 0.05; P < 0.001), and serum level of reduced glutathione was significantly lower (P < 0.05; P < 0.001). The groups treated concomitantly with melatonin revealed results similar to those of the control. However, melatonin acted as a protective agent for the liver against experimentally induced hepatic toxicity, promoting prevention of body weight, oxidative stress, and normalization of hematological and biochemical parameters.
Comet assay: a versatile but complex tool in genotoxicity testing
Authors: Cordelli Eugenia , Bignami Margherita , Pacchierotti Francesca
Published: January 2021

The comet assay is a versatile method for measuring DNA strand breaks in individual cells. It can also be applied to cells isolated from treated animals. In this review, we highlight advantages and limitations of this in vivo comet assay in a regulatory context. Modified versions of the standard protocol detect oxidized DNA bases and may be used to reveal sites of DNA base loss, DNA interstrand crosslinks, and the extent of DNA damage induced indirectly by reactive oxygen species elicited by chemical-induced oxidative stress. The assay is, however, at best semi-quantitative, and we discuss possible approaches to improving DNA damage quantitation and highlight the necessity of optimizing protocol standardization to enhance the comparability of results between laboratories. As a genotoxicity test in vivo, the in vivo comet assay has the advantage over the better established micronucleus erythrocyte test that it can be applied to any organ, including those that are specific targets of chemical carcinogens or those that are the first sites of contact of ingested or inhaled mutagens. We illustrate this by examples of its use in risk assessment for the food contaminants ochratoxin and furan. We suggest that improved quantitation is required to reveal the full potential of the comet assay and enhance its role in the battery of in vivo approaches to characterize the mechanisms of toxicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals and to aid the determination of safe human exposure limits.