bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HDAC3 Silencing Enhances Acute B Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cells Sensitivity to MG-132 by Inhibiting the JAK/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Guo Yongling , Li Xinyao , He Zhengchang , Ma Dan , Zhang Zhaoyuan , Wang Weili , Xiong Jie , Kuang Xinyi , Wang Jishi
Published: September 2020

Purpose: HDAC3, which is associated with smurf2, has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in B-ALL. This study examined the efficacy of targeting HDAC3 combined with MG-132 as a possible therapeutic strategy for B-ALL patients. Methods: Real-time PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression of smurf2 and HDAC3 from B-ALL patients bone marrow samples. Sup-B15 and CCRF-SB cells were treated with MG-132, small interfering RNA of smurf2 or HDAC3. A plasmid designed to up-regulate smurf2 expression was transfected into B-ALL cells. Flow cytometry and western blot were used to measure variation due to these treatments in terms of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Results: Expression of Smurf2 and HDAC3 mRNA were inversely related in B-ALL patients. Up-regulation of smurf2 or MG-132 influenced HDAC3, further inhibiting the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal pathway and inducing apoptosis in B-ALL cells. When we treated Sup-B15 and CCRF-SB cells with siHDAC3 and MG-132 for 24 h, silencing HDAC3 enhanced the apoptosis rate induced by MG-132 in B-ALL cells and further inhibited the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Furthermore, MG-132 was observed to cause G2/M phase arrest in B-ALL cells and inhibited the JAK/STAT3 pathway, leading to apoptosis. Conclusions: Silencing of HDAC3 enhanced the sensitivity of B-ALL cells to MG-132. The combination of targeting HDAC3 and MG-132 may provide a new avenue for clinical treatment of acute B lymphocytic leukaemia and improve the poor survival of leukaemia patients.
Increased Insulin Sensitivity by High-Altitude Hypoxia in Mice with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Is Associated with Activated AMPK Signaling and Subsequently Enhanced Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Skeletal Muscles
Authors: Song Kang , Zhang Yifan , Ga Qin , Bai Zhenzhong , Ge Ri-Li
Published: September 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether and how high altitude-associated ambient hypoxia affects insulin sensitivity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Mice were randomly divided into a control group (with normal diet feeding and low-altitude housing), LA/HFD group (with HFD feeding and low-altitude housing), and HA/HFD group (with HFD feeding and high-altitude housing). Results: After 8 weeks, mice in the HA/HFD group showed improved insulin sensitivity-related indices compared with the LA/HFD group. In mice residing in a low-altitude region, HFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiratory function and mitochondrial DNA content in skeletal muscles, which was partially reversed in mice in the HA/HFD group. In addition, the fatty acid oxidation-related enzyme gene CPT1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1) and genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) were upregulated in the skeletal muscles of mice housed at high altitude, in comparison to in the LA/HFD group. Furthermore, AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) signaling was activated in the skeletal muscles, as evidenced by a higher expression of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) and protein kinase B (p-AKT) in the HA/HFD group than in the LA/HFD group. Conclusion: Our study suggests that high-altitude hypoxia improves insulin sensitivity in mice fed an HFD, which is associated with AMPK activation in the skeletal muscle and consequently enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. This work provides a molecular explanation for why high altitude is associated with a reduced incidence of insulin resistance in the obese population.
Fifteen-Year Follow-Up of Stapedotomy Patients: Audiological Outcomes and Associated Factors in a Middle Income Country
Authors: Peñaranda Daniel , Moreno Sergio , Montes Felipe , Garcia Juan Manuel , Rico Zulehima , Peñaranda Augusto
Published: September 2020

Objective: To evaluate the short-term (postoperative), medium-term (5 years), and long-term (10 and 15 years) audiometric results of patients who underwent stapedotomy and to determine specific factors associated with better postoperative outcomes. Methods: This study is a retrospective case review of 486 ears with surgically confirmed stapes fixation who underwent microscopic small fenestra stapedotomy. Preoperative, postoperative, and medium- and long-term air conduction (AC), bone conduction (BC), and air-bone gap (ABG) were assessed. Postoperative factors associated with better postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results: At 10- and 15-year follow-ups, ABG, AC, and BC were significantly deteriorated but clinically preserved in comparison with postoperative results. According to a multiple quantile regression, younger age was associated with better postoperative results at 0.25 kHz (p = 0.003) and 4 kHz (p = 0.028) and a smaller preoperative ABG was associated with better audiometric results at 0.25 kHz (p = 0.048), 0.5 kHz (p = 0.001), and 4 kHz (p = 0.001). In addition, younger age (p = 0.001 for AC and p < 0.001 for BC) and preoperative AC PTA (p < 0.001 for AC) were significantly associated with better postoperative AC and BC PTA. Conclusions: Stapedotomy surgery provides short-, medium-, and long-term hearing benefits in our studied cohort. ABG, AC, and BC thresholds obtained after the surgery are clinically preserved in 5-, 10-, and 15-year follow-ups, with an age-expected BC deterioration. Smaller preoperative ABG and younger age were positive predictors for better postoperative ABG. Future research should address long-term subjective and quality of life outcomes.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Framework for Pathway Analysis in Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Zhang Lei , Papachristou Charalampos , Choudhary Pankaj K. , Biswas Swati
Published: September 2020

Background: Pathway analysis allows joint consideration of multiple SNPs belonging to multiple genes, which in turn belong to a biologically defined pathway. This type of analysis is usually more powerful than single-SNP analyses for detecting joint effects of variants in a pathway. Methods: We develop a Bayesian hierarchical model by fully modeling the 3-level hierarchy, namely, SNP-gene-pathway that is naturally inherent in the structure of the pathways, unlike the currently used ad hoc ways of combining such information. We model the effects at each level conditional on the effects of the levels preceding them within the generalized linear model framework. To deal with the high dimensionality, we regularize the regression coefficients through an appropriate choice of priors. The model is fit using a combination of iteratively weighted least squares and expectation-maximization algorithms to estimate the posterior modes and their standard errors. A normal approximation is used for inference. Results: We conduct simulations to study the proposed method and find that our method has higher power than some standard approaches in several settings for identifying pathways with multiple modest-sized variants. We illustrate the method by analyzing data from two genome-wide association studies on breast and renal cancers. Conclusion: Our method can be helpful in detecting pathway association.
Application of “Tissueoid Cell Culture System” Using a Silicate Fiber Scaffold for Cancer Research
Authors: Murakami Shoko , Mukaisho Ken-ichi , Iwasa Takuya , Kawabe Masaaki , Yoshida Saori , Taniura Naoko , Nakayama Takahisa , Noi Masaharu , Yamamoto Gaku , Sugihara Hiroyuki
Published: September 2020

Background: We developed a 3-dimensional (3D) culture system using a high-purity silica fiber scaffold of unwoven sheets called CellbedTM. Methods: We used adherent colon and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma cells, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) cells, and nonadherent gastric cancer cells. These cells were subjected to staining with various substances and observed by electron microscopy. To evaluate the effects of extracellular matrix in carcinoma tissues, SqCC cells were cultured in Cellbed coated with collagens I, III, and IV. Results: Especially well-differentiated carcinoma cells cultured in this 3D system showed their own unique characteristics: luminal formation in adenocarcinoma cells and cell stratification and keratinization in SqCC cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the proliferation of cancer cells with cytoplasm entwined in Cellbed. Intercellular desmosomes in squamous epithelia were detected by transmission electron microscopy of vertical cross sections. SqCC cells cultured in Cellbed coated with collagen IV showed enhanced invasive and proliferative abilities. Conclusion: Because the morphology of cancer cells cultured in this 3D culture system is similar to that in living organisms, we called the system a “tissueoid cell culture system.” Coating with collagen IV enables the modification of cell-matrix interactions as well as recapitulation of the in vivo microenvironment.
Die Prognose psychotherapeutischer Behandlungsergebnisse im naturalistischen Setting durch Belastungsindikatoren zu Behandlungsbeginn
Authors: Mütze Kaline , Witthöft Michael , Bräscher Anne-Kathrin
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund: Erfolgsprognosen ermöglichen eine stetige Weiterentwicklung und ökonomische Anwendung von Psychotherapie. Deren effizienter Einsatz in der Praxis bedarf einer einfach umzusetzenden Prognosestellung. Die vorliegende Studie prüft die Vorhersage von Therapieerfolg aufgrund des anfänglichen Belastungsniveaus. Methoden: Verwendet wurden Daten aus der Routineevaluation einer psychotherapeutischen Hochschulambulanz von 3’145 PatientInnen (MAlter = 35,8, 67% weiblich). Anhand vor Therapiebeginn vorliegender Kriterien (allgemeine psychische Be­lastung, Symptomatik, Vorbehandlung) wurden niedrig versus hoch belastete PatientInnen differenziert und bezüglich der Erfolgsmaße absolute Belastungsreduktion, (Early) Response, Remission und Therapieabbruch mithilfe von t-Tests und logistischen Regressionsanalysen verglichen. Response und Remission wurden über ein relatives (prozentuale Verbesserung) und ein absolutes Maß (Reliable Change Index, RCI) operationalisiert. Ergebnisse: Hohe psychische Bela­s­tung stand in negativem Zusammenhang mit Response gemäß prozentualer Verbesserung (OR = 0,62) und Remission (OR = 0,34) sowie in positivem Zusammenhang mit absoluter Belastungsreduktion (d = 0,63), RCI-Response (OR = 2,37) und Therapieabbruch (OR = 2,15). Early Response und Therapieabbruch nahmen im Zusammenhang von anfänglichem Belastungsniveau und Behandlungserfolg eine partiell vermittelnde Rolle ein. Schlussfolgerungen: Behandlungserfolge fallen bei hoher anfänglicher psychischer Belastung vergleichsweise geringer aus, wobei die Operationalisierung von Erfolg eine entscheidende Rolle spielt. Die vorgestellte Klassifizierung ist leicht umzusetzen und kann im Ausbildungssetting helfen, einer therapeutischen Überlastung entgegenzuwirken.
SNPs in Sites for DNA Methylation, Transcription Factor Binding, and miRNA Targets Leading to Allele-Specific Gene Expression and Contributing to Complex Disease Risk: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vohra Manik , Sharma Anu Radha , Prabhu B Navya , Rai Padmalatha S.
Published: September 2020

Introduction: The complex genetic diversity among human populations results from an assortment of factors acting at various sequential levels, including mutations, population migrations, genetic drift, and selection. Although there are a plethora of DNA sequence variations identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the challenge remains to explain the mechanisms underlying interindividual phenotypic disparity accounting for disease susceptibility. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the sites for DNA methylation, transcription factor (TF) binding, or miRNA targets can alter the gene expression. The systematic review aimed to evaluate the complex crosstalk among SNPs, miRNAs, DNA methylation, and TFs for complex multifactorial disease risk. Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were used from inception until May 15, 2019. Initially, screening of articles involved studies assessing the interaction of SNPs with TFs, DNA methylation, or miRNAs resulting in allele-specific gene expression in complex multifactorial diseases. We also included the studies which provided experimental validation of the interaction of SNPs with each of these factors. The results from various studies on multifactorial diseases were assessed. Results: A total of 11 articles for SNPs interacting with DNA methylation, 30 articles for SNPs interacting with TFs, and 11 articles for SNPs in miRNA binding sites were selected. The interactions of SNPs with epigenetic factors were found to be implicated in different types of cancers, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and asthma. Conclusion: The systematic review provides evidence for the interplay between genetic and epigenetic risk factors through allele-specific gene expression in various complex multifactorial diseases.
Does a Large (>24 mm) Follicle Yield a Competent Oocyte/Embryo?
Authors: Orvieto Raoul , Mohr-Sasson Aya , Blumenfeld Shlomit , Nahum Ravit , Aizer Adva , Haas Jigal
Published: September 2020

Aim: To evaluate the effect of large follicular size (≥24 mm) at day of oocyte retrieval on oocyte/embryo quality. Patients and Methods: A cohort study was conducted in a single tertiary medical center between July 2018 and May 2019. Before ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration, follicles were measured and divided into 2 groups according to their maximal dimensional size: large: ≥24 mm and normal: <24 mm. Microscopic examination of the follicular aspirates was performed by an embryologist. Each follicle aspirated was evaluated for oocyte maturation, oocyte fertilization, and embryo quality. Results: 428 follicles were measured, including 383 (62.81%) in the normal and 45 (14.06%) in the large follicle groups. Oocytes were achieved during aspiration from 297 (75.5%) and 29 (64.4%) of the normal and large follicle groups, respectively (p = 0.05). No in-between group differences were observed in mature oocyte (MII), fertilization, and top-quality embryo (TQE) rates. Nevertheless, once a zygote (2PN) was achieved, a trend toward a higher TQE rate/2PN was found in the large follicle group (16/19 [84.2%] vs. 115/171 [67.3%]; p = 0.062). Conclusion: While a nonsignificant decrease in oocyte recovery rate was found in follicles ≥24 mm, the zygote and TQE per follicle were comparable.
Automated Recognition of Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities Through Deep Neural Network Interpretation of Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Huang Mu-Shiang , Wang Chi-Shiang , Chiang Jung-Hsien , Liu Ping-Yen , Tsai Wei-Chuan
Published: September 2020

Background:

Automated interpretation of echocardiography by deep neural networks could support clinical reporting and improve efficiency. Whereas previous studies have evaluated spatial relationships using still frame images, we aimed to train and test a deep neural network for video analysis by combining spatial and temporal information, to automate the recognition of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities.

Methods:

We collected a series of transthoracic echocardiography examinations performed between July 2017 and April 2018 in 2 tertiary care hospitals. Regional wall abnormalities were defined by experienced physiologists and confirmed by trained cardiologists. First, we developed a 3-dimensional convolutional neural network model for view selection ensuring stringent image quality control. Second, a U-net model segmented images to annotate the location of each left ventricular wall. Third, a final 3-dimensional convolutional neural network model evaluated echocardiographic videos from 4 standard views, before and after segmentation, and calculated a wall motion abnormality confidence level (0–1) for each segment. To evaluate model stability, we performed 5-fold cross-validation and external validation.

Results:

In a series of 10 638 echocardiograms, our view selection model identified 6454 (61%) examinations with sufficient image quality in all standard views. In this training set, 2740 frames were annotated to develop the segmentation model, which achieved a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.756. External validation was performed in 1756 examinations from an independent hospital. A regional wall motion abnormality was observed in 8.9% and 4.9% in the training and external validation datasets, respectively. The final model recognized regional wall motion abnormalities in the cross-validation and external validation datasets with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.912 (95% CI, 0.896–0.928) and 0.891 (95% CI, 0.834–0.948), respectively. In the external validation dataset, the sensitivity was 81.8% (95% CI, 73.8%–88.2%), and specificity was 81.6% (95% CI, 80.4%–82.8%).

Conclusions:

In echocardiographic examinations of sufficient image quality, it is feasible for deep neural networks to automate the recognition of regional wall motion abnormalities using temporal and spatial information from moving images. Further investigation is required to optimize model performance and evaluate clinical applications.
Single-Cell Genomics Reveals a Novel Cell State During Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Atherosclerosis in Mouse and Human
Authors: Pan Huize , Xue Chenyi , Auerbach Benjamin J. , Fan Jiaxin , Bashore Alexander C. , Cui Jian , Yang Dina Y. , Trignano Sarah B. , Liu Wen , Shi Jianting , Ihuegbu Chinyere O. , Bush Erin C. , Worley Jeremy , Vlahos Lukas , Laise Pasquale , Solomon Robert A. , Connolly Edward S. , Califano Andrea , Sims Peter A. , Zhang Hanrui , Li Mingyao , Reilly Muredach P.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play significant roles in atherosclerosis via phenotypic switching, a pathological process in which SMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. Yet how SMCs contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis remains elusive.

Methods:

To reveal the trajectories of SMC transdifferentiation during atherosclerosis and to identify molecular targets for disease therapy, we combined SMC fate mapping and single-cell RNA sequencing of both mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. We also performed cell biology experiments on isolated SMC-derived cells, conducted integrative human genomics, and used pharmacological studies targeting SMC-derived cells both in vivo and in vitro.

Results:

We found that SMCs transitioned to an intermediate cell state during atherosclerosis, which was also found in human atherosclerotic plaques of carotid and coronary arteries. SMC-derived intermediate cells, termed “SEM” cells (stem cell, endothelial cell, monocyte), were multipotent and could differentiate into macrophage-like and fibrochondrocyte-like cells, as well as return toward the SMC phenotype. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling was identified as a regulator of SMC to SEM cell transition, and RA signaling was dysregulated in symptomatic human atherosclerosis. Human genomics revealed enrichment of genome-wide association study signals for coronary artery disease in RA signaling target gene loci and correlation between coronary artery disease risk alleles and repressed expression of these genes. Activation of RA signaling by all-trans RA, an anticancer drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia, blocked SMC transition to SEM cells, reduced atherosclerotic burden, and promoted fibrous cap stability.

Conclusions:

Integration of cell-specific fate mapping, single-cell genomics, and human genetics adds novel insights into the complexity of SMC biology and reveals regulatory pathways for therapeutic targeting of SMC transitions in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Functional Capacity Past Age 40 in Patients With Congenital Ventricular Septal Defects
Authors: Maagaard Marie , Eckerström Filip , Boutrup Nicolai , Hjortdal Vibeke E.
Published: September 2020

Background

Ventricular septal defects (VSD), when treated correctly in childhood, are considered to have great prognoses, and the majority of patients are discharged from follow‐up when entering their teens. Young adults were previously found to have poorer functional capacity than healthy peers, but the question remains whether functional capacity degenerates further with age.

Methods and Results

A group of 30 patients with surgically closed VSDs (51±8 years) with 30 matched, healthy control participants (52±9 years) and a group of 30 patients with small unrepaired VSDs (55±12 years) and 30 matched control participants (55±10 years) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing using an incremental workload protocol and noninvasive gas measurement. Peak oxygen uptake was lower in participants with closed VSDs than matched controls (24±7 versus 34±9 mL/min per kg,
P
<0.01) and with unrepaired VSDs than matched controls (26±5 versus 32±8 mL/min per kg,
P
<0.01). Patients demonstrated lower oxygen uptake from exercise levels at 20% of maximal workload compared with respective control groups (
P
<0.01). Peak ventilation was lower in patients with surgically closed VSDs than control participants (1.0±0.3 versus 1.4±0.4 L/min per kg,
P
<0.01) but similar in patients with unrepaired VSDs and control participants (
P
=0.14). Exercise capacity was 29% lower in older patients with surgically closed VSDs than healthy peers, whereas younger patients with surgically closed VSDs previously demonstrated 18% lower capacity compared with peers. Older patients with unrepaired VSDs reached 21% lower exercise capacity, whereas younger patients with unrepaired VSDs previously demonstrated 17% lower oxygen uptake than healthy peers.

Conclusions

Patients with VSDs demonstrate poorer exercise capacity than healthy peers. The difference between patients and control participants increased with advancing age—and increased most in patients with operated VSDs—compared with previous findings in younger patients. Results warrant continuous follow‐up for these simple defects.
Severe Aortic Stenosis and Chronic Kidney Disease: Outcomes and Impact of Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Bohbot Yohann , Candellier Alexandre , Diouf Momar , Rusinaru Dan , Altes Alexandre , Pasquet Agnes , Maréchaux Sylvestre , Vanoverschelde Jean‐Louis , Tribouilloy Christophe
Published: September 2020

Background

The prognostic significance of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in severe aortic stenosis is poorly understood and no studies have yet evaluated the effect of aortic‐valve replacement (AVR) versus conservative management on long‐term mortality by stage of CKD.

Methods and Results

We included 4119 patients with severe aortic stenosis. The population was divided into 4 groups according to the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate: no CKD, mild CKD, moderate CKD, and severe CKD. The 5‐year survival rate was 71±1% for patients without CKD, 62±2% for those with mild CKD, 54±3% for those with moderate CKD, and 34±4% for those with severe CKD (
P
<0.001). By multivariable analysis, patients with moderate or severe CKD had a significantly higher risk of all‐cause (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]=1.36 [1.08–1.71];
P
=0.009 and HR [95% CI]=2.16 [1.67–2.79];
P
<0.001, respectively) and cardiovascular mortality (HR [95% CI]=1.39 [1.03–1.88];
P
=0.031 and HR [95% CI]=1.69 [1.18–2.41];
P
=0.004, respectively) than patients without CKD. Despite more symptoms, AVR was less frequent in moderate (
P
=0.002) and severe CKD (
P
<0.001). AVR was associated with a marked reduction in all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality versus conservative management for each CKD group (all
P
<0.001). The joint‐test showed no interaction between AVR and CKD stages (
P
=0.676) indicating a nondifferentialeffect of AVR across stages of CKD. After propensity matching, AVR was still associated with substantially better survival for each CKD stage relative to conservative management (all
P
<0.0017).

Conclusions

In severe aortic stenosis, moderate and severe CKD are associated with increased mortality and decreased referral to AVR. AVR markedly reduces all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality, regardless of the CKD stage. Therefore, CKD should not discourage physicians from considering AVR.
Predictable Patterns of Wintertime Surface Air Temperature in Northern Hemisphere and Their Predictability Sources in the SEAS5
Authors: Fan Hongdou , Wang Lin , Zhang Yang , Tang Youmin , Duan Wansuo , Wang Lei
Published: September 2020

Based on 36-yr hindcasts from the fifth-generation seasonal forecast system of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (SEAS5), the most predictable patterns of the wintertime 2-m air temperature (T2m) in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere are extracted via the maximum signal-to-noise (MSN) empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, and their associated predictability sources are identified. The MSN EOF1 captures the warming trend that amplifies over the Arctic but misses the associated warm Arctic–cold continent pattern. The MSN EOF2 delineates a wavelike T2m pattern over the Pacific–North America region, which is rooted in the tropical forcing of the eastern Pacific-type El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The MSN EOF3 shows a wavelike T2m pattern over the Pacific–North America region, which has an approximately 90° phase difference from that associated with MSN EOF2, and a loading center over midlatitude Eurasia. Its sources of predictability include the central Pacific-type ENSO and Eurasian snow cover. The MSN EOF4 reflects T2m variability surrounding the Tibetan Plateau, which is plausibly linked to the remote forcing of the Arctic sea ice. The information on the leading predictable patterns and their sources of predictability is further used to develop a calibration scheme to improve the prediction skill of T2m. The calibrated prediction skill in terms of the anomaly correlation coefficient improves significantly over midlatitude Eurasia in a leave-one-out cross-validation, implying a possible way to improve the wintertime T2m prediction in the SEAS5.
A Strong Linkage between Seasonal Crop Growth and Groundwater Storage Variability in India
Authors: Asoka Akarsh , Mishra Vimal
Published: September 2020

Groundwater is rapidly depleting in India primarily because of pumping for irrigation. However, the crucial role of crop growth at annual and seasonal time scales in groundwater storage variability remains mostly unexplored. Using the data from the Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites and well observations, we show that crop growth is negatively correlated with groundwater storage at annual and seasonal time scales in north India. Precipitation is positively associated with groundwater storage variability at the yearly time scale in north-central India (NCI) and south India (SI). In contrast, precipitation is negatively correlated with groundwater storage from the GRACE satellites in northwest India (NWI). The negative correlation between precipitation and groundwater from the GRACE in NWI is primarily due to groundwater depletion due to anthropogenic pumping from deep aquifers. Precipitation and groundwater storage from the well observations are positively correlated in all the three regions, indicating the influence of precipitation on shallow aquifers. Analysis of the two main crop growing seasons (Rabi and Kharif) showed that crop growth is negatively related to groundwater storage in both Kharif (June–September) and Rabi seasons in north India (NWI and NCI). Groundwater contributes more than precipitation in NCI during the Kharif season and in NWI and SI during the Rabi season. Granger’s causality test showed that groundwater is a significant contributor to crop growth in NWI and NCI in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Our results highlight the need for agricultural water management in both the crop growing seasons in north India for reducing the rapid groundwater depletion.
Reducing the Statistical Distribution Error in Gridded Precipitation Data for the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Jiapei , Li Hongyi , Wang Jian , Hao Xiaohua , Shao Donghang , Lei Huajin
Published: September 2020

Gridded precipitation data are very important for hydrological and meteorological studies. However, gridded precipitation can exhibit significant statistical bias that needs to be corrected before application, especially in regions where high wind speeds, frequent snowfall, and sparse observation networks can induce significant uncertainties in the final gridded datasets. In this paper, we present a method for the production of gridded precipitation on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). This method reduces the statistical distribution error by correcting for wind-induced undercatch and optimizing the interpolation method. A gridded precipitation product constructed by this method was compared with previous products on the TP. The results show that undercatch correction is necessary for station data, which can reduce the distributional error by 30% at most. A thin-plate splines interpolation algorithm considering altitude as a covariate is helpful to reduce the statistical distributional error in general. Our method effectively inhibits the smoothing effect in gridded precipitation, and compared to previous products, results in a higher mean value, larger 98th percentile, and greater temporal variance. This study can help to improve the quality of gridded precipitation over the TP.
Prevalence of internet addiction in healthcare professionals: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Buneviciene Inesa , Bunevicius Adomas
Published: September 2020

Background:

Internet addition is becoming increasingly recognised as an important mental health problem.

Aim:

This study examined prevalence of internet addiction in healthcare professionals.

Method:

Systematic literature review was undertaken of June 4, 2020 with goal to identify studies that evaluated prevalence of internet addiction or problematic internet use in medical professionals. Reported associations with other mental health symptoms were also considered.

Results:

Prevalence of internet addiction was studied in medical residents only ( n = 770; three studies), faculty members only ( n = 69; one study), nurses only ( n = 564; one study) and mixed samples of medical professionals ( n = 415; three studies). Pooled prevalence rate of internet addiction in 1,818 healthcare professionals was 9.7% (95% confidence interval: 5.8%–13.6%). Internet addiction was associated with greater mental symptom burden and fatigue of healthcare workers.

Conclusion:

Internet addiction is present in healthcare professionals, however, to a lesser extent than in medical students suggesting that increasing clinical responsibilities and increasing age can be important moderators of risk for internet addiction. Internet addiction is associated with greater burden of unfavourable mental health outcomes of healthcare professionals. Further studies exploring global burden of internet addiction in healthcare professionals and possible impact of internet addiction on work performance of healthcare professionals are encouraged.
Social work and COVID-19 pandemic: An action call
Authors: Amadasun Solomon
Published: September 2020

The social work profession, more than any other, is most hurt by the rampaging coronavirus (aka, COVID-19) pandemic given the scourge’s pernicious impact on society’s underserved and undervalued populations. More so, the pandemic has undermined the profession’s historical value commitment to social justice and human rights while overturning our insistence on the importance of human relationships. The purpose of this essay is to explicate the nexus between social work and COVID-19 pandemic. While noting the deafening silence of the profession in the global discourse of the pandemic, it advocates for the urgency of our response if our profession is to attain significant public value amid the current loss of lives and threats to human rights. Strategies for our professional action, in flattening the curve of the contagion, are laid out.
From coronavirus to ‘hunger virus’: Mapping the urgency of social work response amid COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
Authors: Amadasun Solomon
Published: September 2020

Drawing on direct observation and interaction with regular citizens this article discusses the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries. It notes that the global contagion has amplified the perennial but often overlooked social development problems within the region. It is proposed that ‘hunger virus’ will have as deadly an impact as COVID-19 unless urgent policy response is undertaken. Given the grievous fallouts of the pandemic on undervalued groups, strategies for social work intervention are explored.
Associations Between Women’s Obesity Status and Diminished Cutaneous Sensibility Across Foot Sole Regions
Authors: Bueno Jair Wesley Ferreira , Coelho Daniel Boari , Souza Caroline Ribeiro de , Teixeira Luis Augusto
Published: September 2020

People who are obese sustain very high foot pressures when standing, with potential consequences to their feet soles’ cutaneous sensibility. In the current investigation, we performed a detailed assessment of foot sole sensibility in women with morbid obesity ( n = 13; age = 38.85, SD = 8.09 years) status in comparison with leaner women ( n = 13; age = 37.62, SD = 7.10 years). We estimated tactile feet sole sensibility through graduated monofilament light touch applied at several hotspots of both feet soles, covering the toes, metatarsal heads, midfoot internal and lateral arches, and heel. Intergroup comparisons per foot sole region indicated significantly lower sensibility for the group with morbid obesity under the fifth and third metatarsal heads, midfoot lateral and internal arches and heel. We found a large variation across the sole regions, with the lowest difference between the obese and lean groups observed under the hallux (18%) and the largest difference observed under the lateral arch of the midfoot (76%). Correlation analyses between body weight and sensibility scores revealed a significant positive correlation among participants who were leaner ( rs = 0.56, p = 0.05) but not among participants who were obese ( rs = –0.06, p = 0.83). Mainly, our results showed that morbid obesity was associated with significantly higher cutaneous sensibility thresholds, with large variability of the sensibility deficit across different regions of both feet soles. Due to its functional relevance for body balance control, reduced sensibility thresholds among women who are morbidly obese may have implications for stance stability.
Colorblind Racial Ideology, Sense of Belonging, and Racism-Related Stress in Asian Indian International Students
Authors: Aggarwal Aashna , Çiftçi Ayşe
Published: September 2020

International students are an essential part of higher education institutions in the U.S.A., bringing diversity to the educational environment and enhancing the economy. Asian Indian students comprise around 17.3% of all international students, and this population faces a range of unique stressors, with racial and ethnic discrimination being one that is understudied. In the present study, 192 Asian Indian international students completed a survey to understand how colorblind racial ideology and sense of belonging impacted their racism-related stress. We also examined this relationship based on gender and level of education. Our results suggest that colorblind racial ideology, sense of belonging, gender, and level of education significantly explained 32.3% of the variance in racism-related stress. In general, students who identified as women and undergraduate students (versus graduate students) reported higher levels of racism-related stress. Our findings suggests that in addition to the acculturation barriers international students face, Asian Indian international students deal with barriers related to racism. These findings have implications for educators and counselors in higher education institutions that Asian Indian international students have multifaceted identities that impact how they interpret racism.
Self-Efficacy in Parents and Children and Its Relationship to Future Delinquent Behavior in Children
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: September 2020

A moderated mediation analysis was performed on 3,600 (1,829 boys and 1,771 girls) adolescents from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Results from a path analysis revealed that child self-efficacy mediated the relationship between mother control self-efficacy and child delinquency in girls but not in boys and that it mediated the relationship between father control self-efficacy and child delinquency in both boys and girls, with the effect being stronger in girls. Alternately, the direct effect from parental control self-efficacy to child delinquency was stronger in boys than girls. These results suggest that while girls may be discouraged from engaging in delinquency by modeling the self-efficacy of their parents, boys may more likely be dissuaded from delinquency by parenting factors other than modeling.
Sliding mode prediction fault-tolerant control method for multi-delay uncertain discrete system with sensor fault
Authors: Yang Pu , Liu Zhangxi , Li Dejie , Jiang Bin , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we design a novel sliding mode prediction fault-tolerant control algorithm for multi-delays discrete uncertain systems with sensor fault. The global sliding surface is designed to replace the traditional linear sliding surface as a predictive model to ensure the global robustness of the system. For sensor fault and sliding mode buffeting, a power-dependent function reference trajectory with fault compensation is designed to attenuate chattering and achieve better stability. In the process of rolling optimization, an improved whale optimization algorithm is developed. On the premise of obtaining good convergence speed and accuracy, the optimization process can avoid falling into the local minimum value and solve the problem of premature convergence. Finally, the comparison experiments on the quad-rotor simulation platform prove the rationality and superiority of the algorithm.
Age of sign language acquisition has lifelong effect on syntactic preferences in sign language users
Authors: Krebs Julia , Roehm Dietmar , Wilbur Ronnie B. , Malaia Evie A.
Published: September 2020

Acquisition of natural language has been shown to fundamentally impact both one’s ability to use the first language and the ability to learn subsequent languages later in life. Sign languages offer a unique perspective on this issue because Deaf signers receive access to signed input at varying ages. The majority acquires sign language in (early) childhood, but some learn sign language later—a situation that is drastically different from that of spoken language acquisition. To investigate the effect of age of sign language acquisition and its potential interplay with age in signers, we examined grammatical acceptability ratings and reaction time measures in a group of Deaf signers (age range = 28–58 years) with early (0–3 years) or later (4–7 years) acquisition of sign language in childhood. Behavioral responses to grammatical word order variations (subject–object–verb [SOV] vs. object–subject–verb [OSV]) were examined in sentences that included (1) simple sentences, (2) topicalized sentences, and (3) sentences involving manual classifier constructions, uniquely characteristic of sign languages. Overall, older participants responded more slowly. Age of acquisition had subtle effects on acceptability ratings, whereby the direction of the effect depended on the specific linguistic structure.
Long-term function of Hydrofit as hemostatic sealant: abridged republication*
Authors: Sonoda Hiromichi , Ushijima Tomoki , Oishi Yasuhisa , Tatewaki Hideki , Tanoue Yoshihisa , Shiose Akira
Published: September 2020

The newly-designed hemostatic sealant, Hydrofit, was developed in Japan and consists of a urethane-based polymer without blood products. By applying Hydrofit gel to an anastomosis site on the aorta, water contact initiates a chemical change in the forming elastomer which adheres rapidly and tightly. We experienced an extirpation of Hydrofit gel that had been applied 4 years and 8 months previously in a 42-year-old female who underwent aortic valve replacement and graft replacement of the ascending aorta. The Hydrofit left around the aortic graft suture line was without infection and functioned very well as an elastic sealant for a long period.
From the Cabinet of Curiosities: The misdirection of research and policy debates on small firm growth
Authors: Hart Mark , Prashar Neha , Ri Anastasia
Published: September 2020

We would like to thank Professor Mark Hart, Dr Neha Prashar and Dr Anastasia Ri for compiling our Annual Review Article of 2020 which is dedicated to the memory of Michael Anyadike-Danes. Analyses of growth and scalability are of perennial interest given the centrality of this issue and the diverse range of debate it generates; it is clearly of even greater importance during the current pandemic given the disruption to markets and related economic volatility. This review papers offers a refreshing critique of axioms regarding scalability which have been latched onto by policy makers but are not supported by longitudinal evidence and instead, considers alternative pathways for future research. I would like to extend my thanks to the authors and to the referee who commented upon an earlier version of this article, for their valuable contribution to the ISBJ.

Understanding business growth, and particularly the growth of small firms, has been the subject of academic enquiry for over 40 years. Yet, it still creates debate and controversy as academics and policy makers wrestle with a rich, complex evidence base. From a policy perspective, ‘scaling’ is an important dynamic to nurture in the UK economy, but we argue that current discussions about ‘scale-ups’ are profoundly unhelpful from a policy perspective and has misdirected research effort and public policy resources. We step away from growth rates as the central concern – the preoccupation of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) High-Growth Firm metric – towards ‘growth trajectories’ which better captures the interplay between growth and survival. It provides a different approach to measuring the contribution of rapidly growing firms to job creation and economic growth.
Serum apolipoprotein A-II and alpha-2-antiplasmin levels in midtrimester can be used as predictors of preterm delivery
Authors: Huang Jianxia , Yang Yuhong , He Pei
Published: September 2020

Objective

To identify serum protein markers in midtrimester that predict preterm delivery.

Methods

A retrospective case–control study randomly selected patients that experienced spontaneous preterm birth and healthy control patients that experienced a normal delivery at term. A proteomic analysis was undertaken using the data-independent acquisition method.

Results

A total of 30 singleton pregnant women were randomly selected from 12 800 pregnant women: 15 women had a spontaneous preterm birth (group Y) and 15 age- and body mass index-matched women gave birth at term (group D). All of the patients provided serum at 15–20 weeks of gestation. A total of 39 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Compared with group D, 24 proteins were upregulated and 15 were downregulated in the preterm group Y. Using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, the 24 upregulated proteins were significantly enriched in the complement and coagulation cascade pathways. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Furthermore (STRING) analysis showed that apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) and alpha-2-antiplasmin (α2-AP), two upregulated proteins, were key nodes in the STRING protein–protein network.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that apoA-II and α2-AP might be new markers for predicting preterm delivery in the midtrimester.
The Pathology of Cetacean Morbillivirus Infection and Comorbidities in Guiana Dolphins During an Unusual Mortality Event (Brazil, 2017–2018)
Authors: Groch Kátia R. , Díaz-Delgado Josué , Santos-Neto Elitieri B. , Ikeda Joana M. P. , Carvalho Rafael R. , Oliveira Raissa B. , Guari Emi B. , Flach Leonardo , Sierra Eva , Godinho Ana I. , Fernández Antonio , Keid Lara B. , Soares Rodrigo M. , Kanamura Cristina T. , Favero Cíntia , Ferreira-Machado Eduardo , Sacristán Carlos , Porter Brian F. , Bisi Tatiana L. , Azevedo Alexandre F. , Lailson-Brito José , Catão-Dias José L.
Published: September 2020

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV; Paramyxoviridae) is the most significant pathogen of cetaceans worldwide. The novel “multi-host” Guiana dolphin ( Sotalia guianensis; GD)-CeMV strain is reported in South American waters and infects Guiana dolphins and southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis). This study aimed to describe the pathologic findings, GD-CeMV viral antigen distribution and detection by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), and infectious comorbidities in 29 Guiana dolphins that succumbed during an unusual mass-mortality event in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, between November 2017 and March 2018. The main gross findings were lack of ingesta, pulmonary edema, ascites, icterus, hepatic lipidosis, multicentric lymphadenomegaly, as well as pneumonia, polyserositis, and multiorgan vasculitis caused by Halocercus brasiliensis. Microscopically, the primary lesions were bronchointerstitial pneumonia and multicentric lymphoid depletion. The severity and extent of the lesions paralleled the distribution and intensity of morbilliviral antigen. For the first time in cetaceans, morbilliviral antigen was detected in salivary gland, optic nerve, heart, diaphragm, parietal and visceral epithelium of glomeruli, vulva, and thyroid gland. Viral antigen within circulating leukocytes suggested this as a mechanism of dissemination within the host. Comorbidities included disseminated toxoplasmosis, mycosis, ciliated protozoosis, and bacterial disease including brucellosis. These results provide strong evidence for GD-CeMV as the main cause of this unusual mass-mortality event.
Mind-Craft: Exploring the Effect of Digital Visual Experience on Changes to Orientation Sensitivity in Visual Contour Perception
Authors: Hipp D. , Olsen S. , Gerhardstein P.
Published: September 2020

Visual perception depends fundamentally on statistical regularities in the environment to make sense of the world. One such regularity is the orientation anisotropy typical of natural scenes; most natural scenes contain slightly more canonical (horizontal and vertical) information than oblique information. This property is likely a primary cause of the oblique effect in which subjects experience greater perceptual fluency with horizontally and vertically oriented content than oblique. Recent changes in the visual environment, including the “carpentered” content in urban scenes and the framed, caricatured content in digital screen media presentations, may have altered the typical (natural) level of orientation anisotropy. The current work evaluated whether digital visual experience, or visual experience with framed digital content, has the potential to alter the magnitude of the oblique effect in visual perception. Experiment 1 successfully established a novel eye-tracking method capable of indexing the visual oblique effect quickly and reliably and demonstrated the oblique effect. Experiment 2 used this method and found that one session of exposure to a specific video game altered visual orientation perception. Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to the realistic, but caricatured scene statistics of digital screen media, can alter visual contour perception in one session.