bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Derived Avatar Mouse Model to Predict the Liver Immune Homeostasis of Long-Term Stable Liver Transplant Patients
Authors: Lee Soon Kyu , Park Min-Jung , Choi Jeong Won , Baek Jin-Ah , Kim Se-Young , Choi Ho Joong , You Young Kyoung , Jang Jeong Won , Sung Pil Soo , Bae Si Hyun , Yoon Seung Kew , Choi Jong Young , Cho Mi-La
Published: March 2022

Although rejection or tolerance can occur in liver transplantation (LT) patients, there are no reliable non-invasive methods for predicting immune homeostasis. In this study, we developed a humanized mouse model to predict liver immune homeostasis in patients who underwent LT. The patient-derived avatar model was developed by injecting peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy controls (HCs) or LT patients with stable, rejection, or tolerance into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice, followed by injection of human hepatic stellate cells and Carbone tetrachloride (CCl4). After 7 weeks, the patient’s T-cell engraftment and liver inflammation in the avatar model were evaluated and compared with the liver histology of LT patients. Changes in liver inflammation following treatment with tacrolimus and/or biguanide derivatives were also examined. The C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CXCR3)-dependently engrafted patient T cells led to differences in liver inflammation in our model according to the status of LT patients. The livers of avatar models from rejection patients had severe inflammation with more T helper 17 cells and fewer regulatory T cells compared to those of models from tolerance and HCs showing only mild inflammation. Moreover, our model classified stable post-LT patients into severe and mild inflammation groups, which correlated well with liver immunity in these patients. Our models revealed alleviation of inflammation after combination treatment with tacrolimus and biguanide derivatives or monotherapy. Consequently, using our new patient-derived avatar model, we predicted liver immune homeostasis in patients with stable LT without biopsy. Moreover, our avatar model may be useful for preclinical analysis to evaluate treatment responses while reducing risks to patients.
Exploring Macrophage-Dependent Wound Regeneration During Mycobacterial Infection in Zebrafish
Authors: Bohaud Candice , Johansen Matt D. , Varga Béla , Contreras-Lopez Rafael , Barthelaix Audrey , Hamela Claire , Sapède Dora , Cloitre Thierry , Gergely Csilla , Jorgensen Christian , Kremer Laurent , Djouad Farida
Published: March 2022

The molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with tissue degradation or regeneration in an infectious context are poorly defined. Herein, we explored the role of macrophages in orchestrating either tissue regeneration or degradation in zebrafish embryos pre-infected with the fish pathogen Mycobacterium marinum. Zebrafish were inoculated with different infectious doses of M. marinum prior to fin resection. While mild infection accelerated fin regeneration, moderate or severe infection delayed this process by reducing blastemal cell proliferation and impeding tissue morphogenesis. This was correlated with impaired macrophage recruitment at the wound of the larvae receiving high infectious doses. Macrophage activation characterized, in part, by a high expression level of tnfa was exacerbated in severely infected fish during the early phase of the regeneration process, leading to macrophage necrosis and their complete absence in the later phase. Our results demonstrate how a mycobacterial infection influences the macrophage response and tissue regenerative processes.
Using a Gene Network of Pyroptosis to Quantify the Responses to Immunotherapy and Prognosis for Neuroblastoma Patients
Authors: Luo Bingying , Wang Limin , Gao Weijing , Su Yudong , Lu Yao , Zheng Jian , Yin Jie , Zhao Qiang , Li Jie , Da Yurong , Li Long
Published: March 2022

Background

Pyroptosis, as an inflammatory form of cell death, is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in children. In this study, the relationship between pyroptosis and tumor microenvironment in neuroblastoma was systematically studied.

Methods

We integrated four datasets of neuroblastomas. Through robust clustering of the mRNA expression profiles of 24 pyroptosis-related genes, a total of three pyroptosis patterns were identified. We then constructed a novel scoring method named as pyroscore to quantify the level of pyroptosis in neuroblastoma. Multi-omics data and single-cell RNA sequencing were used to accurately and comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of pyroscore. Clinical data sets were used to evaluate the use of pyroscore to predict the responsiveness of immune checkpoint treatment.

Results

High pyroscore was associated with good prognosis, immune activation, and increased response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the pyroscore was an independent prognostic biomarker and could increase the accuracy of clinical prediction models. Etoposide, a drug picked up by our analysis, could increase the sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to pyroptosis. External verification using four cohorts of patients who had received immunotherapy showed that high pyroscore was significantly associated with immunotherapy treatment benefit.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study revealed that pyroptosis-related gene network could quantify the response of neuroblastoma to immune checkpoint blockade therapy and prognosis, and it may be helpful for clinical practitioners to choose treatment strategies for neuroblastoma patients.
Utility of Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Decay Kinetics After Aortic Valve Replacement for Bartonella Endocarditis: Case Report
Authors: Solanky Dipesh , Ahmed Asim A. , Fierer Joshua , Golts Eugene , Jones Meghan , Mehta Sanjay R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Detection and sequencing of circulating microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) in plasma is an increasingly popular tool for diagnosing many infectious diseases, but could also be used to monitor the progress of infection. However, the decay of this microbial cell-free DNA in blood following treatment has not been previously characterized.

Case Presentation

A 53 year-old male was diagnosed withBartonella quintanabioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis by sequencing of the mcfDNA in the blood (Karius, Redwood City, CA). We then monitored the kinetics of decay of mcfDNA after parenteral antibiotics and valve resection in this individual. We measured plasma mcfDNA (Karius) in serial samples obtained in the operating room to calculate mcfDNA half-life after valve resection. After four weeks of parenteral antibiotics,BartonellamcfDNA signal decreased by 78%. The signal subsequently rose during operative manipulation of the infected valve but dropped 81-fold over four hours following valve resection. The half-life of mcfDNA between the time shortly following resection of the infected valve and 24 to 48 hours post-operatively was between 35 and 115 minutes. The trend in mcfDNA signal was characterized by rapid and then slower phases of decay within 24 hours, and little change between 24 and 48 hours.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first to characterize decay kinetics of mcfDNA and highlights the potential of monitoring mcfDNA in addressing major challenges in infective endocarditis management, including monitoring the response to therapy, and as an early screen for recurrence.
Evaluating Conditions for Moored Fish Aggregating Device Fisheries Development in the Caribbean and Bermuda
Authors: Wilson Margaret W. , Lawson Julia M. , Rivera-Hechem María Ignacia , Villaseñor-Derbez Juan Carlos , Gaines Steven D.
Published: March 2022

Moored fish aggregating devices (MFADs) are promoted in small-scale fisheries around the world as tools to increase fisher incomes, enhance food security, and ease pressure on degraded inshore fisheries. Despite their growing popularity, the biophysical and socioeconomic contexts in which MFAD fisheries are implemented - and the implications of these contexts for MFAD fishery success - remain poorly understood. Here we develop a framework identifying and evaluating factors likely to influence MFAD fishery outcomes and apply it across states in the insular Caribbean region. We highlight the heterogeneity in MFAD regulatory strength, catch marketability, social need, and costs among states and discuss best approaches for optimizing MFAD benefits across different socioeconomic scenarios.
Vulnerability Evolution of Coastal Erosion in the Pearl River Estuary Great Bay Area Due to the Influence of Human Activities in the Past Forty Years
Authors: Cao Chao , Zhu Kai , Cai Feng , Qi Hongshuai , Liu Jianhui , Lei Gang , Mao Zijian , Zhao Shaohua , Liu Gen , Su Yan
Published: March 2022

Under the dual effects of global climate change and intensive human development activities, vulnerability to coastal erosion in bay areas is becoming increasingly serious. This study focuses on 15 counties and districts along the coast of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) Great Bay Area and selects 12 evaluation indices from five perspectives for analysis, including coastal characteristics, hydrodynamic forces, economics, population and coastal reconstruction. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, independent weight method, Jenks natural breaks method (Jenks), exposure-sensitivity-adaptation (ESA) model and obstacle degree method are used in conjunction with the above indices to construct a coastal erosion vulnerability evaluation system for the PRE. The results show that coastal erosion vulnerability in the PRE is low in the eastern hilly area and high in the central and western delta areas. Coastal characteristics, coastal lowlands and protection capability are the main controlling elements of erosion. The PRE experienced an era of rapid economic development from 1980 to 2010, and coastal erosion vulnerability gradually increased, with a cost of ecological environment destruction. Then, an era of coastal zone ecological restoration supported by policy protection occurred from 2010 to 2020. Compared with three major bay areas with similar developed economies worldwide, the PRE is characterized by comparatively late but rapid economic development. Notably, the development and utilization efficiency of coastal zones is very high, the duration of damage to the ecological environment is short, and the effects of ecological repair and restoration are obvious. The results of this study provide a reference for economic development and ecological restoration in the bay areas of China and provide scientific guidance for coastal zone development, management and planning.
Temperature Extremes and Sex-Related Physiology, Not Environmental Variability, Are Key in Explaining Thermal Sensitivity of Bimodal-Breathing Intertidal Crabs
Authors: Jimenez Pedro J. , Vorsatz Lyle D. , Costa Tânia M. , Cannicci Stefano
Published: March 2022

Global temperature increases are predicted to have pronounced negative effects on the metabolic performance of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. These metabolic effects may be even more pronounced in intertidal organisms that are subject to multiple, abruptly changing abiotic stressors in the land-sea transition zone. Of the available studies targeting the intertidal environment, emphasis has largely been on water-breathing model organisms and this selective focus resulted in limited reliable forecasts on the impact of global warming on primarily air-breathing intertidal species. We investigated the thermal sensitivity of six phylogenetically related fiddler crab species that occupy different microhabitats on intertidal shores from south America and east Asia to test how bimodal-breathing intertidal ectotherms cope with thermal stress. We examined the metabolic physiology and thermal limits of the crabs by measuring their cardiac function and oxygen consumption along a thermal gradient. Their specific thermal microhabitat was also appraised. We found that subtropical fiddler crab species inhabiting vegetated microhabitats have lower upper lethal temperatures and therefore greater thermal sensitivity in comparison to their tropical counterparts. Additionally, females exhibited higher oxygen consumption and lower lethal temperatures in comparison to males. Our results contradict previous predictions that species from higher latitudes that experience greater temperature variability have broader latitudinal distributions, greater phenotypic plasticity and lower thermal sensitivity. Furthermore, the higher thermal sensitivity demonstrated by female fiddler crabs with respect to males strongly suggests a role of both gametogenesis and physiological dimorphism on the thermal performance of tropical and subtropical intertidal organisms. These observations ultimately, advocates for further studies on sex-biased and development-biased thermal sensitivity before drawing any generalizations based on a single sex or life stage.
The Infrared Electrochromic Properties Based on Acid Doped-Polyaniline Films
Authors: Li Bingzhen , Chen Yuhua , Liu Xinwei , Li Fangyuan , Wang Jijun , Li Yan , Li Ning
Published: March 2022

In recent years, the infrared electrochromic devices based on acid doped polyaniline films have achieved much progress, which has not been summarized before. This is important to accelerate the development of this field. In this paper, we will briefly review some representing work about the infrared electrochromic properties of acid doped polyaniline films, which were reported in the last 5 years.
Quantitative Measurement of Throat and Larynx After Endotracheal Intubation for Palatoplasty
Authors: Lee Pei-Rong , Kuo Chung Feng Jeffrey , Liu Shao-Cheng
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Quantitative morphometric measurements of living human upper airway remain challenging. This study aimed to introduce a special laser projection device that can facilitate computer-assisted, digitalized analysis and provide important information on airway mucosa change, before and after endotracheal intubation for palatoplasty.

Materials and Methods

The laryngeal images were captured before and after surgery. Image processing techniques were used to quantize the post-operative laryngeal variation, with its distinct color space and texture features. Meanwhile, the maximum length of the vocal fold, vocal width at the midpoint, maximum cross-sectional area of the glottic space, maximum cross-sectional area of the oropharyngeal inlet (CSAOI) and the depth of the retropalatal space were determined and calculated. These parameters were analyzed and compared before and after surgery.

Results

A total of 39 subjects were enrolled in this study. The color space and texture analysis all show trends toward higher measures in post-operative images than in pre-operative images, especially in the interarytenoid region. Furthermore, the glottic area showed a significant decrease of 31.2%, while the vocal width showed a significant increase after intubation. The post-operative retropalatal depth and CSAOI were significantly deeper and larger than the baseline, reaching their peak in the 4th week after the surgery, and then slightly reduced in the 12th week.

Conclusion

For the first time we present a series of changes in upper airway after surgery, by using a laser module with quantitative measurement. Our equipment and processing can measure subtle mucosal changes that would allow a clinician to diagnose post-operative airway inflammation in a simpler and less invasive way. Here additional information collected by different imaging modalities would help to solve multiple current unmet needs in post-operative airway inflammation.
Cerebral Microbleed Automatic Detection System Based on the “Deep Learning”
Authors: Fan Pingping , Shan Wei , Yang Huajun , Zheng Yu , Wu Zhenzhou , Chan Shang Wei , Wang Qun , Gao Peiyi , Liu Yaou , He Kunlun , Sui Binbin
Published: March 2022

Objective

To validate the reliability and efficiency of clinical diagnosis in practice based on a well-established system for the automatic segmentation of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs).

Method

This is a retrospective study based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (MRI-SWI) datasets from 1,615 patients (median age, 56 years; 1,115 males, 500 females) obtained between September 2018 and September 2019. All patients had been diagnosed with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) with clear cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) on MRI-SWI. The patients were divided into training and validation cohorts of 1,285 and 330 patients, respectively, and another 30 patients were used for internal testing. The model training and validation data were labeled layer by layer and rechecked by two neuroradiologists with 15 years of work experience. Afterward, a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) was applied to the MRI data from the training and validation cohorts to construct a deep learning system (DLS) that was tested with the 72 patients, independent of the aforementioned MRI cohort. The DLS tool was used as a segmentation program for these 72 patients. These results were evaluated and revised by five neuroradiologists and subjected to an output analysis divided into the missed label, incorrect label, and correct label. The interneuroradiologists DLS agreement rate, which was assessed using the interrater agreement kappas test, was used for the quality analysis.

Results

In the detection and segmentation of the CMBs, the DLS achieved a Dice coefficient of 0.72. In the evaluation of the independent clinical data, the neuroradiologists reported that more than 90% of the lesions were directly detected and less than 10% of lesions were incorrectly labeled or the label was missed by our DLS. The kappa value for interneuroradiologist DLS agreement reached 0.79 on average.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the automatic detection and segmentation of CMBs are feasible. The proposed well-trained DLS system might represent a trusted tool for the segmentation and detection of CMB lesions.
Behavior of the Surviving Population of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium Biofilms Following a Direct Helium-Based Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment
Authors: Govaert Marlies , Smet Cindy , Acquah Cyril , Walsh James L. , Van Impe Jan F. M.
Published: March 2022

Although the Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology proved promising for inactivation of biofilms present on abiotic food contact surfaces, more research is required to examine the behavior of the CAP surviving biofilm-associated cells. It was therefore examined whether (i) CAP treated (Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium) biofilm-associated cells were able to further colonize the already established biofilms during a subsequent incubation period and (ii) isolates of the surviving population became less susceptible toward CAP when the number of biofilm development—CAP treatment cycles increased. For this purpose, a direct treatment was applied using a helium-based Dielectric Barrier Discharge electrode configuration. Results indicated that the surviving population was able to further colonize the already established biofilms, since the cell density of the CAP treated + incubated biofilms equaled the initial density of the untreated biofilms. For the L. monocytogenes biofilms, also the total biomass proved to further increase, which might result in an even further increased resistance. The susceptibility of the biofilm-associated cells proved to be influenced by the specific number of CAP treatment cycles, which might potentially result in an overestimation of the CAP treatment efficacy and, consequently, an increased risk of food contamination.
The Potential of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Methylation as an Epilepsy Biomarker
Authors: Martins-Ferreira Ricardo , Leal Bárbara Guerra , Costa Paulo Pinho
Published: March 2022

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are highly degraded DNA fragments shed into the bloodstream. Apoptosis is likely to be the main source of cfDNA due to the matching sizes of cfDNA and apoptotic DNA cleavage fragments. The study of cfDNA in liquid biopsies has served clinical research greatly. Genetic analysis of these circulating fragments has been used in non-invasive prenatal testing, detection of graft rejection in organ transplants, and cancer detection and monitoring. cfDNA sequencing is, however, of limited value in settings in which genetic association is not well-established, such as most neurodegenerative diseases.Recent studies have taken advantage of the cell-type specificity of DNA methylation to determine the tissue of origin, thus detecting ongoing cell death taking place in specific body compartments. Such an approach is yet to be developed in the context of epilepsy research. In this article, we review the different approaches that have been used to monitor cell-type specific death through DNA methylation analysis, and recent data detecting neuronal death in neuropathological settings. We focus on the potential relevance of these tools in focal epilepsies, like Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Hippocampal Sclerosis (MTLE-HS), characterized by severe neuronal loss. We speculate on the potential relevance of cfDNA methylation screening for the detection of neuronal cell death in individuals with high risk of epileptogenesis that would benefit from early diagnosis and consequent early treatment.
Deciphering Genetic Susceptibility to Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Schurz Haiko , Glanzmann Brigitte , Bowker Nicholas , van Toorn Ronald , Solomons Regan , Schoeman Johan , van Helden Paul D. , Kinnear Craig J. , Hoal Eileen G. , Möller Marlo
Published: March 2022

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) that arises when a caseating meningeal granuloma discharges its contents into the subarachnoid space. It accounts for ~1% of all disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the age of peak incidence is from 2–4 years. The exact pathogenesis of TBM is still not fully understood and the mechanism(s) by which the bacilli initially invade the blood-brain-barrier are still to be elucidated. This study investigated the involvement of the host genome in TBM susceptibility, by considering common variants (minor allele frequency (MAF) >5%) using microarray genotyping and rare variants (MAF <1%) via exome sequencing. A total of 123 TBM cases, 400 pulmonary TB (pTB) cases and 477 healthy controls were genotyped on the MEGA array. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) comparing 114 TBM cases to 395 healthy controls showed no association with TBM susceptibility. A second analysis comparing 114 TBM cases to 382 pTB cases was conducted to investigate variants associated with different TB phenotypes. No significant associations were found with progression from pTB to TBM. Ten TBM cases and 10 healthy controls were exome sequenced. Gene set association tests SKAT-O and SKAT Common Rare were used to assess the association of rare SNPs and the cumulative effect of both common and rare SNPs with susceptibility to TBM, respectively. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of the top-hits of the SKAT-O analysis showed that NOD2 and CYP4F2 are both important in TBM pathogenesis and highlighted these as targets for future study. For the SKAT Common Rare analysis Centriolar Coiled-Coil Protein 110 (CCP110) was nominally associated (p = 5.89x10−6) with TBM susceptibility. In addition, several top-hit genes ascribed to the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and innate immune system regulation were identified. Exome sequencing and GWAS of our TBM cohort has identified a single previously undescribed association of CCP110 with TBM susceptibility. These results advance our understanding of TBM in terms of both variants and genes that influence susceptibility. In addition, several candidate genes involved in innate immunity have been identified for further genotypic and functional investigation.
Case Report: Late-Onset Mitochondrial Disease Uncovered by Metformin Use in a Patient With Acute Verbal Auditory Agnosia
Authors: Lin Wei-Hao , Yang I-Hsiao , Cheng Hui-En , Lin Hsiu-Fen
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Verbal auditory agnosia is rarely caused by mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome. Lactate acidosis, which is the adverse effect of metformin, has proposed links to mitochondrial dysfunction and may trigger clinical features of mitochondrial diseases.

Case Presentation

A 43-year-old right-handed man presented to our emergency department with acute onset fever and headache accompanied by impaired hearing comprehension. He could communicate well through handwritten notes but could not understand what others were saying. He had been diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus 2 months prior to this event. Vildagliptin 100 mg/day and metformin 1,700 mg/day were prescribed for glucose control. Laboratory tests revealed elevated lactate levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. Brain MRI disclosed bilateral temporal lesions. Acute encephalitis with temporal involved was initially diagnosed and acyclovir was given empirically. However, follow-up MRI after acyclovir treatment revealed a progression of prior lesions. Further mitochondrial genome analysis revealed a mitochondrial DNA point mutation at position 3,243 (m.3243A > G) with 25% heteroplasmy, which is compatible with MELAS. His clinical symptoms and serum lactate levels were improved after discontinuing the metformin use.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient having late-onset MELAS syndrome that manifested as acute verbal auditory agnosia, which was identified after the patient began using metformin. Metformin is known to inhibit mitochondrial function and could trigger clinical features of MELAS syndrome. We encourage clinicians to maintain a high level of awareness that diabetes mellitus can be caused by mitochondrial disease and to exercise caution in the prescription of metformin.
The Proactive Synergy Between Action Observation and Execution in the Acquisition of New Motor Skills
Authors: Bazzini Maria Chiara , Nuara Arturo , Scalona Emilia , De Marco Doriana , Rizzolatti Giacomo , Avanzini Pietro , Fabbri-Destro Maddalena
Published: March 2022

Motor learning can be defined as a process that leads to relatively permanent changes in motor behavior through repeated interactions with the environment. Different strategies can be adopted to achieve motor learning: movements can be overtly practiced leading to an amelioration of motor performance; alternatively, covert strategies (e.g., action observation) can promote neuroplastic changes in the motor system even in the absence of real movement execution. However, whether a training regularly alternating action observation and execution (i.e., Action Observation Training, AOT) may surpass the pure motor practice (MP) and observational learning (OL) remains to be established. To address this issue, we enrolled 54 subjects requiring them to learn tying nautical knots via one out of three types of training (AOT, MP, OL) with the scope to investigate which element mostly contributes to motor learning. We evaluated the overall improvement of each group, along with the predictive role that neuropsychological indexes exert on each treatment outcome. The AOT group exhibited the highest performance improvement (42%), indicating that the regular alternation between observation and execution biases participants toward a better performance. The reiteration of this sequence provides an incremental, adjunct value that super-adds onto the efficacy of motor practice or observational learning in isolation (42% > 25% + 10%, i.e., OL + MP). These findings extend the use of the AOT from clinical and rehabilitative contexts to daily routines requiring the learning and perfectioning of new motor skills such as sports training, music, and occupational activities requiring fine motor control.
Influence of Controlled Stomatognathic Motor Activity on Sway, Control and Stability of the Center of Mass During Dynamic Steady-State Balance—An Uncontrolled Manifold Analysis
Authors: Fadillioglu Cagla , Kanus Lisa , Möhler Felix , Ringhof Steffen , Hellmann Daniel , Stein Thorsten
Published: March 2022

Multiple sensory signals from visual, somatosensory and vestibular systems are used for human postural control. To maintain postural stability, the central nervous system keeps the center of mass (CoM) within the base of support. The influence of the stomatognathic motor system on postural control has been established under static conditions, but it has not yet been investigated during dynamic steady-state balance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of controlled stomatognathic motor activity on the control and stability of the CoM during dynamic steady-state balance. A total of 48 physically active and healthy adults were assigned to three groups with different stomatognathic motor conditions: jaw clenching, tongue pressing and habitual stomatognathic behavior. Dynamic steady-state balance was assessed using an oscillating platform and the kinematic data were collected with a 3D motion capturing system. The path length (PL) of the 3D CoM trajectory was used for quantifying CoM sway. Temporal dynamics of the CoM movement was assessed with a detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). An uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis was applied to assess the stability and control of the CoM with a subject-specific anthropometric 3D model. The statistical analysis revealed that the groups did not differ significantly in PL, DFA scaling exponents or UCM parameters. The results indicated that deliberate jaw clenching or tongue pressing did not seem to affect the sway, control or stability of the CoM on an oscillating platform significantly. Because of the task-specificity of balance, further research investigating the effects of stomatognathic motor activities on dynamic steady-state balance with different movement tasks are needed. Additionally, further analysis by use of muscle synergies or co-contractions may reveal effects on the level of muscles, which were not visible on the level of kinematics. This study can contribute to the understanding of postural control mechanisms, particularly in relation to stomatognathic motor activities and under dynamic conditions.
The Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus Plays an Important Role in Unconscious Information Processing: Activation Likelihood Estimation Analysis Based on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Shi Jilong , Huang Haojie , Jiang Ruichen , Mao Xuechen , Huang Qin , Li Anmin
Published: March 2022

Unconsciousness is a kind of brain activity that occurs below the level of consciousness, and the masked priming paradigm is a classic paradigm to study unconscious perceptual processing. With the deepening of unconscious perception research, different researchers mostly use different experimental materials and different masked priming paradigms in a single experiment but not for the comprehensive analysis of the unconscious information processing mechanism itself. Thus, the purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis through a cross-experimental paradigm, cross-experimental materials, and cross-experimental purposes. We used activation likelihood estimation to test functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, involving 361 subjects, 124 foci in eight studies representing direct comparison of unconscious processing with baseline, and 115 foci in 10 studies representing direct comparison of unconscious priming effects. In the comparison of unconscious processing and baseline, clusters formed in the left superior parietal gyrus, the right insular gyrus, and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) triangular part after correcting for familywise error (FWE). In the comparison of priming effects, clusters formed in only the right IFG triangular part after correcting for FWE. Here, we found that ventral and dorsal pathways jointly regulate unconscious perceptual processes, but only the ventral pathway is involved in the regulation of unconscious priming effects. The IFG triangular part is involved in the regulation of unconscious perceptual processing and unconscious priming effects and may be an important brain area in unconscious information processing. These preliminary data provide conditions for further study of the neural correlation of unconscious information processing.
The Molecular Basis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7
Authors: Goswami Rituparna , Bello Abudu I. , Bean Joe , Costanzo Kara M. , Omer Bwaar , Cornelio-Parra Dayanne , Odah Revan , Ahluwalia Amit , Allan Shefaa K. , Nguyen Nghi , Shores Taylor , Aziz N. Ahmad , Mohan Ryan D.
Published: March 2022

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 7 (SCA7) is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the ataxin 7 (ATXN7) gene, which results in polyglutamine expansion at the amino terminus of the ATXN7 protein. Although ATXN7 is expressed widely, the best characterized symptoms of SCA7 are remarkably tissue specific, including blindness and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord. While it is well established that ATXN7 functions as a subunit of the Spt Ada Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) chromatin modifying complex, the mechanisms underlying SCA7 remain elusive. Here, we review the symptoms of SCA7 and examine functions of ATXN7 that may provide further insights into its pathogenesis. We also examine phenotypes associated with polyglutamine expanded ATXN7 that are not considered symptoms of SCA7.
The cAMP Response Element- Binding Protein/Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Pathway in Anterior Cingulate Cortex Regulates Neuropathic Pain and Anxiodepression Like Behaviors in Rats
Authors: Wen Jing , Xu Yaowei , Yu Zhixiang , Zhou Yifan , Wang Wenting , Yang Jingjie , Wang Yiming , Bai Qian , Li Zhisong
Published: March 2022

Neuropathic pain is often accompanied by anxiety and depression-like manifestations. Many studies have shown that alterations in synaptic plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) play a critical role, but the specific underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we showed that cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) acts as a transcription factor contributing to neuropathic pain development. At the same time, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as important targets of CREB, is intricate in neuronal growth, differentiation, as well as the establishment of synaptic plasticity. Here, we found that peripheral nerve injury activated the spinal cord and ACC, and silencing the ACC resulted in significant relief of pain sensitivity, anxiety, and depression in SNI rats. In parallel, the CREB/BDNF pathway was activated in the spinal cord and ACC. Central specific knockdown and peripheral non-specific inhibition of CREB reversed pain sensitivity and anxiodepression induced by peripheral nerve injury. Consequently, we identified cingulate CREB/BDNF as an assuring therapeutic method for treating neuropathic pain as well as related anxiodepression.
Experience-Regulated Neuronal Signaling in Maternal Behavior
Authors: Fuentes Ileana , Morishita Yoshikazu , Gonzalez-Salinas Sofia , Champagne Frances A. , Uchida Shusaku , Shumyatsky Gleb P.
Published: March 2022

Maternal behavior is shaped and challenged by the changing developmental needs of offspring and a broad range of environmental factors, with evidence indicating that the maternal brain exhibits a high degree of plasticity. This plasticity is displayed within cellular and molecular systems, including both intra- and intercellular signaling processes as well as transcriptional profiles. This experience-associated plasticity may have significant overlap with the mechanisms controlling memory processes, in particular those that are activity-dependent. While a significant body of work has identified various molecules and intracellular processes regulating maternal care, the role of activity- and experience-dependent processes remains unclear. We discuss recent progress in studying activity-dependent changes occurring at the synapse, in the nucleus, and during the transport between these two structures in relation to maternal behavior. Several pre- and postsynaptic molecules as well as transcription factors have been found to be critical in these processes. This role reflects the principal importance of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory formation to maternal and other behavioral adaptations.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein-8B Levels at Birth and in the First Year of Life: Relation to Metabolic-Endocrine Variables and Brown Adipose Tissue Activity
Authors: Garcia-Beltran Cristina , Villarroya Joan , Plou Cristina , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Casano Paula , Cereijo Rubén , de Zegher Francis , López-Bermejo Abel , Ibáñez Lourdes , Villarroya Francesc
Published: March 2022

Objective

Bone morphogenetic protein-8B (BMP8B) is an adipokine produced by brown adipose tissue (BAT) contributing to thermoregulation and metabolic homeostasis in rodent models. In humans, BAT activity is particularly relevant in newborns and young infants. We assessed BMP8B levels and their relationship with BAT activity and endocrine-metabolic parameters in young infants to ascertain its potentiality as biomarker in early life.

Materials and Methods

BMP8B concentrations were assessed longitudinally by ELISA in a cohort of 27 girls and 23 boys at birth, and at age 4 and 12 months, together with adiposity parameters (DXA), and circulating endocrine-metabolic variables. BAT activity was measured by infrared thermography. BMP8B gene expression (qRT-PCR) was determined in BAT, white fat, and liver samples from neonatal necropsies, and in placenta and cord blood.

Results

BMP8B levels were high at birth, particularly in boys (P = 0.04 vs. girls), declined progressively, and remained well above those in healthy adults and pregnant women at age 1 year (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Neonatal BMP8B transcript levels were higher in BAT than in white fat, liver and cord blood. Circulating BMP8B levels during the first year of life marginally correlated with bone mineral density and gains in lean mass.

Conclusion

BMP8B levels are high at birth and decline progressively over the first year of life remaining above adult levels. Although changes in BMP8B concentrations overall reflect those in BAT activity during development, BMP8B levels are unlikely to be useful to predict individual variations in endocrine-metabolic status and BAT activity in healthy young infants.
Treatment of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients Using Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study
Authors: Huang Wei , Jiang Bo , Luo Jinli , Luo Meng , Ding Xiaoming , Yang Qian , Zhao Lin-Hua , Sun Qin-Guo , Tong Xiao-Lin
Published: March 2022

Background: To explore the effect of combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in hemodialysis patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: This study was conducted from 27 January 2020 to 17 March 2020 in Wuhan Third Hospital Guanggu Branch, Wuhan, China. Fifty-three patients were included and divided into a control group (CG), which received Western medicine and a combined treatment group, which received TCM and Western medicine (TG). Clinical and laboratory data, TCM symptom scores, and chest computed tomography results were extracted and compared between the two groups.

Results: The TG included 21 (67.7%) men and 10 (32.3%) women with a mean age of 61.02 (standard deviation [SD] 15.07, range 26–89) years. The mean dialysis duration in the TG was 49 (SD 31) months. Of all patients in the TG, 27 (87.1%) had fatigue, 18 (58.1%) had dry cough, 16 (51.6%) had anorexia, 11 (35.5%) had dyspnea, and 11 (35.5%) had fever. The CG included 14 (63.6%) men and 8 (36.4%) women with a mean age of 61.45 (SD 13.78, range 36–84) years. The mean dialysis duration in the CG was 63 (SD 46) months. Of all patients in the CG, 21 (95.5%) had fatigue, 12 (54.5%) had dry cough, 17 (77.3%) had anorexia, 12 (54.5%) had dyspnea, and 7 (31.8%) had fever. After treatment, the TCM symptom scores of the two groups decreased; the anorexia scores were lower in the TG than in the CG (p < 0.05). After treatment, albumin increased and D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase levels decreased in the TG. The d-dimer levels were lower and the albumin level was higher in the TG than in the CG after treatment (p < 0.05). The cure rate was higher, and the mortality rate was lower in the TG than in the CG (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A combination of TCM and Western medicine in hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 could relieve symptoms and help recovery. Further evidence from larger randomized controlled trials is needed to confirm our results.
A Comprehensive Review of BET Protein Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathological Roles
Authors: Ali Hafiz Akbar , Li Yalan , Bilal Akram Hafiz Muhammad , Qin Tingting , Yuan Ziqiao , Zhao Wen
Published: March 2022

Epigenetic modifications, specifically acetylation of histone plays a decisive role in gene regulation and transcription of normal cellular mechanisms and pathological conditions. The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT), being epigenetic readers, ligate to acetylated regions of histone and synchronize gene transcription. BET proteins are crucial for normal cellular processing as they control cell cycle progression, neurogenesis, differentiation, and maturation of erythroids and spermatogenesis, etc. Research-based evidence indicated that BET proteins (mainly BRD4) are associated with numeral pathological ailments, including cancer, inflammation, infections, renal diseases, and cardiac diseases. To counter the BET protein-related pathological conditions, there are some BET inhibitors developed and also under development. BET proteins are a topic of most research nowadays. This review, provides an ephemeral but comprehensive knowledge about BET proteins’ basic structure, biochemistry, physiological roles, and pathological conditions in which the role of BETs have been proven. This review also highlights the current and future approaches to pledge BET protein-related pathologies.
Genetic Dissection of Early Blight Resistance in Tetraploid Potato
Authors: Xue Weiya , Haynes Kathleen G. , Clarke Christopher R. , Qu Xinshun
Published: March 2022

Early blight, caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, is one of the most economically important diseases of potatoes worldwide. We previously identified a tetraploid potato clone, B0692-4, which is resistant to early blight. To dissect the genetic basis of early blight resistance in this clone, a full-sib tetraploid potato population including 241 progenies was derived from a cross between B0692-4 and a susceptible cultivar, Harley Blackwell, in this study. The population was evaluated for foliage resistance against early blight in field trials in Pennsylvania in 2018 and 2019 and relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC) was determined. The distribution of rAUDPC ranged from 0.016 to 0.679 in 2018, and from 0.017 to 0.554 in 2019. Broad sense heritability for resistance, as measured as rAUDPC, was estimated as 0.66–0.80. The population was also evaluated for foliar maturity in field trials in Maine in 2018 and 2020. A moderate negative correlation between rAUDPC and foliar maturity was detected in both years. A genetic linkage map covering a length of 1469.34 cM with 9124 SNP markers was used for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for rAUDPC and foliar maturity. In 2018, three QTLs for early blight were detected; two of them on chromosome 5 overlapped with QTLs for maturity, and one of them on chromosome 7 was independent of maturity QTL. In 2019, six QTLs for early blight were detected; two QTLs on chromosome 5 overlapped with QTLs for maturity, and the other four QTLs did not overlap with QTLs for maturity. The identification of these QTLs provides new insight into the genetic basis of early blight resistance and may serve as sources for marker-assisted selection for early blight resistance breeding.
On the Parental Influence on Children’s Physical Activities and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Khozaei Fatemeh , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: March 2022

Background

While neighborhood safety and stranger danger have been mostly canonized to play a part in parents’ physical activity (PA) avoidance, less is known about the impact of parental stress and perceived risk on children’s PA avoidance and consequently on children’s level of PA and wellbeing. Understanding the contributors to children’s wellbeing during pandemic disease is the first critical step in contributing to children’s health during epidemic diseases.

Methods

This study employed 276 healthy children, aged 10–12 years, and their parents. Data were collected in October and November 2020, about 9 months after the local closing of schools due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Parents and children answered a separate set of questions. Besides the demographic information, the parents responded to questions on their stress level, perceived risk of COVID-19, and PA avoidance for children. Children responded to questions on their PA and wellbeing in the last week. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS and IBM SPSS 22.

Results

The result of the study supported the four directional research hypotheses of the sequential study model. As hypothesized, parents’ stress and perceived risk levels of COVID-19 negatively affected children’s PA. The PA level was shown to predict children’s wellbeing and mental health. Housing type, parents’ job security, number of siblings, number of members living together in-home, and history of death or hospitalization of relatives or family members due to COVID-19 were found to be associated with parents’ stress and children’s mental health.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on parents’ role in children’s wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents with higher stress and high restrictive behaviors might put their children at risk of mental disorders in the end.
A Comparative Study of Three Measurement Methods of Chinese Character Recognition for L2 Chinese Learners
Authors: Zhang Haiwei , Kim Sun-A. , Zhang Xueyan
Published: March 2022

Measuring Chinese character recognition ability is essential in research on character learning among learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL). Three methods are typically used to evaluate character recognition competence by investigating the following properties of a given character: (a) pronunciation (phonological method), (b) meaning (semantic method), and (c) pronunciation and meaning (phonological and semantic or PS method). However, no study has explored the similar or dissimilar outcomes that these three measurements might yield. The current study examined this issue by testing 162 CSL learners with various L1 backgrounds and Chinese proficiency levels. Participants' performance in character recognition measured using a phonological method, a semantic method, and a PS method was compared, which led to two major findings. In terms of similarity, participants' performance in character recognition and the influence of L1 background and Chinese proficiency level on character recognition was similar across the three methods. As for differences, the semantic method could yield a character recognition test with better quality than the other two methods, and the three methods yielded different best fitting models and showed different predictions for Chinese proficiency across different L1 groups. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are proposed.