bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol attenuates cigarette smoke induced endothelial apoptosis by activating Notch1 signaling mediated autophagy
Authors: Zong Dandan , Liu Xiang-ming , Li Jin-hua , Ouyang Ruo-yun , Long Ying-jiao , Chen Ping , Chen Yan
Published: January 2021

Background: Increasing evidences have showed that endothelial apoptosis contributes to cigarette smoke (CS)-induced disease progression, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our previous studies have validated Notch1 as an anti-apoptotic signaling in CS-induced endothelial apoptosis. Resveratrol (RESV) is a naturally occurring polyphenol that exhibits an anti-apoptotic activity in endothelial cells that exposed to many kinds of destructive stimulus. However, the effects of resveratrol on Notch1 signaling in CS-induced endothelial apoptosis have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether RESV can protect endothelial cells from CS-induced apoptosis via regulating Notch1 signaling. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with RESV for 2 h, followed by cotreatment with 2.5%CSE for 24h to explore the role of RESV in CSE induced endothelial apoptosis. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or rapamycin was used to alter autophagic levels. Lentivirus Notch1 intracellular domain (LV-N1ICD) or γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) were used to change Notch1 expression. The expression of Notch1, autophagic and apoptotic markers were examined by Western blot and the apoptosis rate was detected by Flow cytometry analysis.Results: Our results showed that activating autophagy reduced CSE-induced endothelial apoptosis, while blocking autophagy promoted cell apoptosis in HUVECs. RESV pretreatment attenuated the CSE-induced endothelial apoptosis and activated Notch1 signaling. RESV pretreatment also increased LC3b-II and Beclin1 production, decreased p62 and mTOR expression. 3-MA treatment inhibited autophagy and aggravated CSE induced apoptosis, while rapamycin promoted autophagy, led to a decrease in cell apoptosis. LV-N1ICD transfection upregulated autophagy and reduced apoptosis. However, this protective effect was abolished by 3-MA treatment. In cells treated with DAPT, autophagy was decreased, while apoptosis was increased. RESV partly rescued the DAPT induced apoptosis by activating Notch1 signaling. Conclusion: In HUVECs, RESV attenuates CSE induced endothelial apoptosis by inducing autophagy in a Notch1-dependent manner.
Impact of short-read sequencing on the misassembly of a plant genome
Authors: Wang Peipei , Meng Fanrui , Moore Bethany M. , Shiu Shin-Han
Published: January 2021

Background: Availability of plant genome sequences has led to significant advances. However, with few exceptions, the great majority of existing genome assemblies are derived from short read sequencing technologies with highly uneven read coverages indicative of sequencing and assembly issues that could significantly impact any downstream analysis of plant genomes. In tomato for example, 0.6% (5.1 Mb) and 9.7% (79.6 Mb) of short-read based assembly had significantly higher and lower coverage compared to background, respectively.Results: To understand what the causes may be for such uneven coverage, we first established machine learning models capable of predicting genomic regions with variable coverages and found that high coverage regions tend to have higher simple sequence repeat and tandem gene densities compared to background regions. To determine if the high coverage regions were misassembled, we examined a recently available tomato long-read based assembly and found that 27.8% (1.41 Mb) of high coverage regions were potentially misassembled of duplicate sequences, compared to 1.4% in background regions. In addition, using a predictive model that can distinguish correctly and incorrectly assembled high coverage regions, we found that misassembled, high coverage regions tend to be flanked by simple sequence repeats, pseudogenes, and transposon elements. Conclusions: Our study provides insights on the causes of variable coverage regions and a quantitative assessment of factors contributing to plant genome misassembly when using short reads.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Ethiopian Pediatricians concerning Childhood Eye Diseases
Authors: Regassa Tolosa Tufa , Daba Kumale Tolesa , Fabian Ido Didi , Mengesha Aemero Abateneh
Published: January 2021

Background: Eye examination and vision assessment are vital for the detection of conditions that result in blindness. Childhood blindness seriously impacts the development, education, and future employment opportunities of affected children. Pediatricians’ knowledge of eye diseases is critical for the prevention of blindness through early diagnosis, allowing proper treatment and identification of conditions requiring referral to an ophthalmologist to preserve or restore vision. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Ethiopian pediatricians concerning childhood eye diseases.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study of pediatricians working in various hospitals and clinics in Ethiopia. Participants were selected via a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using both closed and open-ended semi-structured questionnaires. Responses were entered into EpiData 3.1 and transferred to SPSS version 21.0 software for analysis.Results: A total of 79 pediatricians participated in the study. Our findings showed that the attitude of all but 2 participants towards improving the management of childhood eye diseases was positive, even though this was not reflected in actual knowledge or practice. Even though attitudes were positive, knowledge was often poor and practice inadequate owing to barriers such as inadequate undergraduate training, lack of ophthalmology options during pediatric residency, and unavailability of ophthalmic equipment.Conclusions: Participants’ attitudes towards improving treatment for childhood eye diseases are positive, but their insufficient knowledge of eye diseases makes their practice poor in this respect.
Patterns and Correlates of Mis-implementation in State Chronic Disease Public Health Practice in the United States
Authors: Padek Margaret , Mazzucca Stephanie , Allen Peg , Weno Emily Rodriguez , Tsai Edward , Luke Douglas A. , Brownson Ross C.
Published: January 2021

Background: Much of the disease burden in the United States is preventable through application of existing knowledge. State-level public health practitioners are in ideal positions to affect programs and policies related to chronic disease, but the extent to which mis-implementation occurring with these programs is largely unknown. Mis-implementation refers to ending effective programs and policies prematurely or continuing ineffective ones. Methods: A 2018 comprehensive survey assessing the extent of mis-implementation and multi-level influences on mis-implementation was reported by state health departments (SHDs). Questions were developed from previous literature. Surveys were emailed to randomly selected SHD employees across the Unites States. Spearman’s correlation and multinomial logistic regression were used to assess factors in mis-implementation. Results: Half (50.7%) of respondents were chronic disease program managers or unit directors. Forty nine percent reported that programs their SHD oversees sometimes, often or always continued ineffective programs. Over 50% also reported that their SHD sometimes or often ended effective programs. The data suggest the strongest correlates and predictors of mis-implementation were at the organizational level. For example, the number of organizational layers impeded decision-making was significant for both continuing ineffective programs (OR=4.70; 95% CI=2.20, 10.04) and ending effective programs (OR=3.23; 95% CI=1.61, 7.40). Conclusion: The data suggest that changing certain agency practices may help in minimizing the occurrence of mis-implementation. Further research should focus on adding context to these issues and helping agencies engage in appropriate decision-making. Greater attention to mis-implementation should lead to greater use of effective interventions and more efficient expenditure of resources, ultimately to improve health outcomes.
Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Abdominal Pain in IBS Patients by Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Lin Zhongyuan , Wang Yimin , Lin Shiqing , Liu Decheng , Mo Guohui , Zhang Hui , dou Yunling
Published: January 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic abdominal discomfort and pain. The mechanisms of abdominal pain, as a relevant symptom, in IBS are still unclear. We aimed to explore the key genes and neurobiological changes specially involved in abdominal pain in IBS.Methods: Gene expression data (GSE36701) was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Fifty-three rectal mucosa samples from 27 Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients and 40 samples from 21 healthy volunteers (HV) as controls were included. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two groups were identified using the GEO2R online tool. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed on the DAVID database. Then a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and visualized using STRING database and Cytoscape. Results: The microarray analysis demonstrated a subset of genes (CCKBR, CCL13ACPP, BDKRB2, GRPR, SLC1A2, NPFF, P2RX4, TRPA1, CCKBR, TLX2, MRGPRX3, PAX2, CXCR1) specially involved in pain transmission. Among these genes, we identified GRPR, NPFF and TRPA1 genes as potential biomarkers for irritating abdominal pain of IBS patients.Conclusions: Overexpression of certain pain-related genes (GRPR, NPFF and TRPA1) may contribute to chronic visceral hypersensitivity, therefore be partly responsible for recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort in IBS patients. Several synapses modification and biological process of psychological distress may be risk factors of IBS.
Factors associated with quality of life among joint and nuclear families: A population-based study
Authors: Lodhi Fahad Saqib , Rabbani Unaib , Khan Adeel Ahmed , Raza Owais , Naieni Kourosh Holakouie , Yaseri Mehdi , Farooq Umer , Montazeri Ali
Published: January 2021

Background: Family affects the quality of life (QOL) of an individual. However, there is scarcity of literature about QOL among joint and nuclear family systems. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with QOL in joint and nuclear family systems.Methods: We conducted a population based cross sectional study in all 52 Union Councils (UCs) of District Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan from March 2015 to August 2015. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select participants from both nuclear and joint family houses. The validated Urdu version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess quality of life among participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the associations of different socio demographic variables with QOL among both family systems. Also a multilevel linear regression using backward analysis to obtain final model for each domain was performed to find out the variables that are associated with QOL score in each of family systems.Results: A total of 2063 participants were included in this study (51.0% joint family, 49.0% nuclear family) with the response rate of 97.4%. In multiple linear regression analysis of each domain for joint and nuclear family systems, rural residence compared to urban (p < 0.001), being female (p <0.001), older age (p <0.001), having comorbidity (p<0.001) and lower socioeconomic status (p<0.001) were found to be a strong predictor of poorer QOL. Furthermore, social capital (p < 0.001) had a positive effect on joint and nuclear family QOL scores. Conclusion: This study was the first of its kind which determined the factors of QOL in joint and nuclear families using the validated Urdu version of WHOQOL-BREF in Pakistan. Male gender, urban residence, younger age, higher socioeconomic status and social capital were positive predictors of QOL score while older age and presence of illness were associated with lower QOL scores among both family systems.
Associations between metabolic syndrome and type of dementia: Analysis based on the National Health Insurance Service database of Gangwon province in South Korea
Authors: KIM YEO JIN , Kim Sang Mi , Jeong Dae Hyun , Lee Sang-Kyu , Ahn Moo-Eob , Ryu Ohk-Hyun
Published: January 2021

Background

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between metabolic syndrome and dementia has remained controversial. Using nationwide population cohort data, we investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and dementia, according to the dementia type.

Methods

We analyzed data of 84,144 individuals, in the aged group of more than 60 years, between January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009, at Gangwon province by using the information of the (Korean) National Health Insurance Service. After eight years of gap, in 2017, we investigated the relationship between metabolic syndrome and dementia. We classified Dementia either as dementia of the Alzheimer type (AD) or vascular dementia (VD). AD and VD were defined as per the criteria of International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Multiple logistic regression analyses examined the associations between metabolic syndrome or five metabolic syndrome components and dementia. Analyses included factors like age, sex, smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, previous stroke, and previous cardiac disease.

Results

Metabolic syndrome was associated with AD (OR= 11.48, 95% CI 9.03-14.59), not with VD. Each of five components of metabolic syndrome were also associated with AD. (high serum triglycerides: OR= 1.87, 95% CI 1.60-2.19; high blood pressure: OR =1.85, 95% CI 1.55-2.21; high glucose: OR= 1.77, 95% CI 1.52-2.06; abdominal obesity: OR= 1.88, 95% CI 1.57-2.25; low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: OR= 1.91, 95% CI 1.63-2.24) However, among components of metabolic syndrome, only the high glucose level was associated with VD. (OR= 1.26, 95% CI= 1.01-1.56) Body Mass Index (BMI), fasting glucose, and smoking were also associated with AD. (BMI: OR=0.951, 95% CI= 0.927-0.975; fasting glucose: OR=1.003, 95% CI=1.001-1.005; smoking: OR=1.020, 95% CI 1.003-1.039) A history of the previous stroke was associated with both AD and VD. (AD: OR=1.827, 95% CI 1.263-2.644; VD: OR 2.775, 95% CI 1.747-4.406)

Conclusions

Metabolic syndrome was associated with AD but not with VD. Patients with metabolic syndrome had an 11.48 times more likeliness to develop AD compared to those without metabolic syndrome. VD was associated only with several risk factors that could affect the vascular state rather than a metabolic syndrome. We suggested that the associations between metabolic syndrome and dementia would vary depending on the type of dementia.
The microbiologic spectrum of dacryocystitis
Authors: Luo Ban , Li Mu , Xiang Nan , Hu Weikun , Liu Rong , Yan Xiaoqin
Published: January 2021

Background: To investigate the microbiologic spectrum of dacryocystitis in adult and pediatric groups, specifically the microbiologic differences between chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and acute dacryocystitis in pediatric group.Methods: This retrospective study was reviewed for demographic and microbiologic profile of dacryocystitis. The culture results were reported. Results: Sixty-four adults and one hundred and five pediatrics with dacryocystitis were included in this study. Of all adults, only chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO was observed. Of all pediatric patients, 89 had chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and 16 had acute dacryocystitis. Gram positive and negative isolates were numerically equal in adult group (both 36(48.65%)), while gram positive isolates were the major organism in pediatric group (71(58.68%)). Streptococcus pneumonia was the most common isolate in both adult (11(14.86%)) and pediatric (30(24.79%)) dacryocystitis. For both pediatric subgroups, gram positive isolates were the major organism (59(57.84%) for chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and 12 (63.16%) for acute dacryocystitis). However, the leading isolates in those two subgroups were distinct, with Streptococcus pneumonia (29(28.43%)) being most common in chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and Staphylococcus aureus (8(42.11%)) being most common in acute dacryocystitis. Conclusions: In adult group, gram negative isolates were more common in dacryocystitis than before. In pediatric group, gram positive isolates were still the major infection pathogen. Moreover, the more virulent organisms were more common in acute dacryocystitis than chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO.
Transplanted embryonic retinal stem cells have the potential to repair the injured retina in mice
Authors: Feng Xia , Chen Peng , Zhao Xin , Wang Jing , Wang Hong
Published: January 2021

Background: Stem cell transplantation has been reported as one of the promising strategies to treat retinal degenerative diseases. But, the application and the role of retina stem cells (RSCs) in the treatment of patients with retinal degenerative diseases have not been fully revealed. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of transplantation of the embryo-derived RSCs into the vitreous cavity in repairing the damaged retina in mice.Methods: RSCs were isolated from Kunming mice E17 embryonic retina and ciliary body tissues, and labeled with 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridin (BrdU). Retinal optic nerve crush injury was induced in left eyes in male Kunming mice by ring clamping the optic nerve. The 6th-generation of BrdU-labeled RSCs were transplanted into the damaged retina by the intravitreal injection, and saline injected eyes were used as the control. Hematoxylin and eosin histological staining, and BrdU, Nestin and Pax6 immunostaining were performed. Electroretinogram (ERG) was used for assessing the electrical activity of the retina.Results: Embryo-derived RSCs were identified by the positive stains of Pax6 and Nestin. BrdU incorporation was detected in the majority of RSCs. The damaged retina showed cellular nuclear disintegration and fragmentation in the retinal tissue which progressed over the periods of clamping time, and decreased amplitudes of a and b waves in ERG. In the damaged retina with RSCs transplantation, the positive staining for BrdU, Pax6 and Nestin were revealed on the retinal surface. Notably, RSCs migrated into the retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear. Transplanted RSCs significantly elevated the amplitudes of a waves in retina injured eyes.Conclusions: Embryonic RSCs have similar characteristics to neural stem cells. Transplantation of RSCs by intravitreal injection would be able to repair the damaged retina.
Autopsy and Statistical Evidence of Disturbed Hemostasis Progress in COVID-19: Medical Records from 407 Patients
Authors: Jiang Tiebin , Lv Bo , Liu Hongxia , He Shiwen , Zhang Guogang , Li Chanyi , Li Wanqiong , Li Weilin , He Yaqi , Zhang Tong , Wang Yunyun , Mo Wu , yi ning , Peng Luying , Li Ying , Ruan Chunhong , Li Chengyuan , Liu Yaqi , Luo Peipei , Jiang Huan , xue zhigang , Liu Liang , Wang Wenjun
Published: January 2021

Background: The progression of coagulation in COVID-19 patients with confirmed discharge status and the combination of autopsy with complete hemostasis parameters have not been well studied.Objective: To clarify the thrombotic phenomena and hemostasis state in COVID-19 patients based on epidemiological statistics combining autopsy and statistical analysis.Methods: Using autopsy results from 9 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and the medical records of 407 patients, including 39 deceased patients whose discharge status was certain, time-sequential changes in 11 relevant indices within mild, severe and critical infection throughout hospitalization according to the Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) guidelines were evaluated. Statistical tools were applied to calculate the importance of 11 indices and the correlation between those indices and the severity of COVID-19.Results: At the beginning of hospitalization, platelet (PLT) counts were significantly reduced in critically ill patients compared with severely or mildly ill patients. Blood glucose (GLU), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and D-dimer levels in critical patients were increased compared with mild and severe patients during the entire admission period. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score was also high in critical patients. In the relatively late stage of nonsurvivors, the temporal changes in PLT count, PT, and D-dimer levels were significantly different from those in survivors. A random forest model indicated that the most important feature was PT followed by D-dimer, indicating their positive associations with disease severity. Autopsy of deceased patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for DIC revealed microthromboses in multiple organs.Conclusions: Combining autopsy data, time-sequential changes and statistical methods to explore hemostasis-relevant indices among the different severities of the disease helps guide therapy and detect prognosis in COVID-19 infection.
Evaluation of Earth System Model and Atmospheric Inversion using Total Column CO2 Observations from GOSAT and OCO-2
Authors: Patra Prabir K , Hajima Tomohiro , Saito Ryu , Chandra Naveen , Yoshida Yukio , Ichii Kazuhito , Kawamiya Michio , Kondo Masayuki , Ito Akihiko , Crisp David
Published: January 2021

The measurements of one of the major greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), are being made using dedicated satellite remote sensing since the launch of the greenhouse gases observing satellite (GOSAT) by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009 and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2). In the past 10 years, estimation of CO2 fluxes from land and ocean using the earth system models (ESMs) and inverse modelling of in situ atmospheric CO2 data have also made significant progress. We attempt, for the first time, to evaluate the CO2 fluxes simulated by an earth system model (MIROC-ES2L) and the fluxes estimated by an inverse model (MIROC4-Inv) using in situ data by comparing with GOSAT and OCO-2 observations. Both MIROC-ES2L and MIROC4-Inv fluxes are used in the MIROC4-atmospheric chemistry transport model (referred to as ACTM_ES2LF and ACTM_InvF, respectively) for calculating total column CO2 mole fraction (XCO2) that are sampled at the time and location of the satellite measurements. Both the ACTM simulations agreed well with the GOSAT and OCO-2 satellite observations, within 2 ppm for the spatial maps and time evolutions of the zonal mean distributions. Our results suggest that the inverse model using in situ data are more consistent with the OCO-2 retrievals, compared to those of the GOSAT XCO2 data due to the higher accuracy of the former. This suggests that the MIROC4-Inv fluxes are of sufficient quality to evaluate MIROC-ES2L simulated fluxes. The ACTM_ES2LF simulation shows a slightly weaker seasonal cycle for the meridional profiles of CO2 fluxes, compared to that from the ACTM_InvF. This difference is revealed by greater XCO2 differences for ACTM_ES2LF vs GOSAT, compared to those of ACTM_InvF vs GOSAT. Using remote sensing based global products of leaf area index (LAI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) over land, we show a weaker sensitivity of MIROC-ES2L biospheric activities to the weather and climate in the tropical regions. Our results clearly suggest the usefulness of XCO2 measurements by satellite remote sensing for evaluation of large-scale ESMs, which so far remained untested by the sparse in situ data.
Genomic regions associated with stripe rust resistance against the Egyptian race revealed by genome-wide association study
Authors: Mohamed Abou-Zeid A. , Mourad Amira M. I.
Published: January 2021

Background: Wheat stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici), is a major disease that causes huge yield damage. New pathogen races appeared in the last few years and caused a broke down in the resistant genotypes. In Egypt, some of the resistant genotypes began to be susceptible to stripe rust in recent years. This situation increases the need to produce new genotypes with durable resistance. Besides, looking for a new resistant source from the available wheat genotypes all over the world help in enhancing the breeding programs. Results: In the recent study, a set of 103-spring wheat genotypes from different fourteen countries were evaluated to their field resistant to stripe rust for two years. These genotypes included 17 Egyptian genotypes from the old and new cultivars. The 103-spring wheat genotypes were reported to be well adapted to the Egyptian environmental conditions. Out of the tested genotypes, eight genotypes from four different countries were found to be resistant in both years. Genotyping was carried out using genotyping-by-sequencing and a set of 26,703 SNPs were used in the genome-wide association study. Five SNP markers, located on chromosomes 2A and 4A, were found to be significantly associated with the resistance in both years. Three gene models associated with disease resistance and underlying these significant SNPs were identified. One immune Iranian genotype, with the highest number of different alleles from the most resistant Egyptian genotypes, was detected. Conclusion: the high variation among the tested genotypes in their resistance to the Egyptian stripe rust race confirming the possible improvement of stripe rust resistance in the Egyptian wheat genotypes. The identified five SNP markers are stable and could be used in marker-assisted selection after validation in different genetic backgrounds. Crossing between the immune Iranian genotype and the Egyptian genotypes will improve stripe rust resistance in Egypt.
Association between electronic cigarette use and tobacco cigarette smoking initiation in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: O'Brien Doireann , Long Jean , Quigley Joan , Lee Caitriona , McCarthy Anne , Kavanagh Paul
Published: January 2021

Aim: This systematic review of prospective longitudinal primary studies aimed to explore whether electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use by adolescents who had never smoked conventional tobacco cigarettes (tobacco cigarettes) at baseline was associated with subsequent initiation of tobacco cigarette smoking. Methods: This study followed the principles of a systematic review and meta-analysis. A key word search identified peer-reviewed literature published between 1 January 2005 and 2 October 2019 from seven bibliographic databases and one search engine. Using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria two authors independently screened abstracts, and subsequently, full text papers. Eligible papers were quality assessed by two authors. Data on population characteristics, exposure and outcome measures were extracted into an adapted Cochrane Data Extraction Form. Statistical analysis was preceded by a feasibility assessment, and included pairwise random effects meta-analyses, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Findings: From an initial 6,619 studies, 14 unique primary studies in 21 papers were identified. The studies’ populations ages ranged from 13 to 19 years at baseline and comprised teenagers based in Europe and North America. Nine of the 14 unique studies, with follow-up periods between 4 and 24 months, were eligible for inclusion in a meta-analysis of the association between ever use of e-cigarettes and subsequent initiation of tobacco cigarette use. Based on primary study adjusted odds ratios, our meta-analysis calculated a 4.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.00-5.48) times higher odds of initiating tobacco cigarette smoking for those who had ever used e-cigarettes at baseline, although the odds ratio decreased marginally (to 3.71 times odds, 95%CI: 2.83-4. 86) when only the four high-quality studies were analysed. The initial meta-analysis model had a high statistical heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis restricted to high-quality studies had moderate heterogeneity.Conclusion: The systematic review found that e-cigarette use was associated with commencement of tobacco cigarette smoking among teenagers in Europe and North America, identifying an important public health harm. Given the widespread availability and use of e-cigarettes, this study further supports urgent action by policymakers to prevent their use by teenagers to reduce direct harms in this vulnerable population group, as well as to protect gains in reducing tobacco cigarette initiation.
Assessment of heterosis based on parental genetic distance estimated with SSR and SNP markers in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Geng Xiaoli , Qu Yujie , Jia Yinhua , He Shoupu , Pan Zhaoe , Wang Liru , Du Xiongming
Published: January 2021

Background: Heterosis has been extensively utilized in different crops and made a significant contribution to global food security. Genetic distance (GD) is one of the valuable criteria for selecting parents in hybrid breeding. The objectives of this study were to estimate the GD between parents using both simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and to investigate the efficiency of the prediction of hybrid performance based on GD. The experiment comprised of four male parents, 282 female parents and 1128 F1, derived from NCII mating scheme. The hybrids, their parents and two check cultivars were evaluated for two years. Performance of F1, mid-parent heterosis (MPH), and best parent heterosis (BPH) were evaluated for ten agronomic and fiber quality traits, including plant height, boll weight, boll number, lint percentage, fiber length, fiber strength, fiber uniformity, fiber elongation ratio, micronaire, and spinning consistent index. Results: Heterosis was observed in all hybrids and, the traits like plant height, boll number, boll weight and lint percentage exhibited higher heterosis than the fiber quality traits. Correlations were significant between parental and F1 performances. The F­1 performances between three hybrid sets (Elite×Elite, Exotic×Elite, and Historic×Elite) showed significant differences in eight traits, including boll number, lint percentage, fiber length, fiber strength, fiber uniformity, fiber elongation ratio, micronaire, and spinning consistent index. The correlation of the GD assessed by both SSR and SNP markers was significantly positive. The cluster analysis based on GD results estimated using SNP showed that all the female parents divided into five groups and the F1 performance between these five groups showed significant differences in four traits, including lint percentage, micronaire, fiber strength, and fiber elongation ratio. The correlation between GD and F1 performance, MPH and BPH were significant for lint percentage and micronaire. Conclusions: Our results suggested that GD between parents could be helpful in heterosis prediction for certain traits. This study reveals that molecular marker analysis can serve as a basis for assigning germplasm into heterotic groups and to provide guidelines for parental selection in hybrid cotton breeding.
Alteration of Transthyretin and Thyroxine-Binding Globulin in Major Depressive Disorder: Multiple Reaction Monitoring-Based Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Woo Hye In , Park Jisook , Lim Shinn-Won , Kim Doh Kwan , Lee Soo-Youn
Published: January 2021

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD), common mental disorder, lacks objective diagnostic and prognosis biomarkers. The objective of this study was to perform proteomic analysis to identify proteins with changed expression levels after antidepressant treatment and investigate differences in protein expression between MDD patients and healthy individuals.Methods: A total of 111 proteins obtained from literature review were subjected to multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based protein quantitation. Finally, seven proteins were quantified for plasma specimens of 10 healthy controls and 78 MDD patients (those at baseline and at 6 weeks after antidepressant treatment of either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or mirtazapine). Results: Among 78 MDD patients, 35 patients were treated with SSRIs and 43 patients were treated with mirtazapine. Nineteen (54.3%) and 16 (37.2%) patients responded to SSRIs and mirtazapine, respectively. Comparing MDD patients with healthy individuals, alteration of transthyretin was observed in MDD (p = 0.026). A few differences were observed in protein levels related to SSRIs treatment, although they were not statistically significant. Plasma thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) was different between before and after mirtazapine treatment only in responders (p = 0.007).Conclusions: In proteomic analysis of plasma specimens from MDD patients, transthyretin and TBG levels were altered in MDD and changed after antidepressant treatment.
Increased levels of YKL-40 in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Luo Wanwan , Zhang Lingmin , Sheng Lingling , Zhang Zhencheng , Yang Zaixing
Published: January 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) could be classified as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and others according to etiology and pathology. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of DM. YKL-40 is a marker of inflammation and some studies have indicated that DM was related with inflammation. The objective of our study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to confirm the relationship between YKL-40 and DM as well as DN.Methods: Pubmed, Embase, CNKI and Chinese wanfang databases were searched for eligible studies by two independent authors. Studies were included in this meta-analysis if they fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: (1) a study involving the role of YKL-40 in DM (or DN) designed as a case-control study or cohort study; (2) the data of serum YKL-40 levels were available; (3) studies were published in English or Chinese. Finally, twenty-five studies were included in this meta-analysis.Results: Compared with healthy controls, DM patients had significantly higher levels of YKL-40 (DM: SMD=1.62, 95%CI, 1.08 to 2.25, P=0.000; GDM: SMD=2.85, 95%CI, 1.01 to 4.70, P=0.002). Additionally, DM patients with different degree of albuminuria had significantly higher levels of YKL-40 compared with healthy controls (normoalbuminuria: SMD=1.58, 95%CI, 0.59 to 2.56, P=0.002; microalbuminuria: SMD=2.57, 95%CI, 0.92 to 4.22, P=0.002; macroalbuminuria: SMD=2.69, 95%CI, 1.40 to 3.98, P=0.000) and serum YKL-40 levels increased with increasing severity of albuminuria among DM patients (microalbuminuria vs normoalbuminuria: SMD=1.49, 95%CI, 0.28 to 2.71, P=0.016; macroalbuminuria vs microalbuminuria: SMD=0.93, 95%CI, 0.34 to 1.52, P=0.002).Conclusions: Our current meta-analysis demonstrates that serum level of YKL-40 is increased in DM and positively associated with the severe degree of albuminuria. Therefore, we suggest that YKL-40 could be considered to be detected, along with other inflammatory markers, if DM, especially DN, is suspected.
Multilateralism and Megaregionalism from the Grounds-of-Justice Standpoint
Authors: Risse Mathias
Published: January 2021

This paper considers the trend towards megaregionalism (TTIP, TPP) that became prominent in the trade domain in the last years of the Obama administration. While megaregionalism has fallen by the wayside since Trump’s inauguration, the underlying rationale for such treaties will most likely reassert itself rather soon. So there are structural issues that need to be discussed from a standpoint of global justice. In all likelihood, megaregionalism is detrimental to global justice. TTIP in particular, or anything like it, might derail any possibility for a trade organization to aid the pursuit of justice at the global level, and any possibility that trade will be used to that end. From the standpoint of global justice one must hope that megaregionalism does not replace WTO multilateralism. The global-justice framework used here is the grounds-of-justice approach offered in the author’s 2012 On Global Justice.
Injustice and Collectivization in World Politics
Authors: Kahn Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

In Justice and Reconciliation in World Politics Catherine Lu endorses the idea that those who contribute to the reproduction of structural injustice have responsibilities to address that injustice (Lu, 2017). However, in the book, Lu does not explore the grounds and justification for recognising such a responsibility. In order to address this deficit, this paper proposes that those likely to contribute to the reproduction of structural injustice, in the future, have precautionary duties, in the present, that require them to take action aimed at preventing their future contribution. It is proposed that these ‘collectivization duties’ (Collins, 2013) require them to act responsively with a view to forming a collective that can end the structural injustice in question. This account recommends a collective-action solution alongside recognising that each socially connected agent is obliged to act. However, it does not entail that amorphous groups bear responsibilities and is appropriate in its attribution of blame, thus avoiding both Nussbaum’s (2011) critique of perpetually forward-looking accounts and the ‘agency objection’ (Wringe, 2010).
The Statist Approach to the Philosophy of Immigration and the Problem of Statelessness
Authors: Mathis Stephen E
Published: January 2021

The issue of statelessness poses problems for the statist (or nationalist) approach to the philosophy of immigration. Despite the fact that the statist approach claims to constrain the state’s right to exclude with human rights considerations, the arguments statists offer for the right of states to determine their own immigration policies would also justify citizenship rules that would render some children stateless. Insofar as rendering a child stateless is best characterized as a violation of human rights and insofar as some states have direct responsibility for causing such harm, the problem of non-refugee stateless children points to greater constraints than most statists accept on states’ right to determine their own rules for membership. While statists can ultimately account for the right not to be rendered stateless, recognizing these additional human rights constraints ultimately weakens the core of the statist position.
Autonomy Education Beyond Borders
Authors: Zwarthoed Danielle
Published: January 2021

This article examines whether autonomy as an educational aim should be defended at the global scale. It begins by identifying the normative issues at stake in global autonomy education by distinguishing them from the problems of autonomy education in multicultural nation-states. The article then explains why a planet-wide expansion of the ideal of autonomy is conceivable on the condition that the concept of autonomy is widened in a way that renders its precise meaning flexibly adjustable to a variety of distinct social and cultural contexts. A context-transcendent, core meaning of autonomy remains in place, however, according to which a person is only autonomous if she relates to the values and goals that direct her life in a way so that she sees them as her own and is able to identify and critically assess her principal reasons for action. Finally, the article addresses two challenges to the global expansion of autonomy education: the objection that autonomy is presently not the most important educational aim and the objection that global autonomy education is a form of cultural imperialism. It finds both objections wanting.
The Ambivalence of Juridification. On Legitimate Governance in the International Context
Authors: Kreide Regina
Published: January 2021

The paper argues that the current global market is organized by a system of transnational law whose development is best characterized as ambivalent. On the one side, legal juridification can lead to a hegemonic system of international law that lacks legitimacy, paradoxically creates extralegal spheres, promotes the ‘privatization’ of political areas, and, thereby, reduces the competences of states. On the other side, legal codification can also function as an engine of transnational democratization and as a barrier to an unhampered growth of transnational administrative and executive power. Scholarship on the idea of legitimacy in law and transnational governance in political and legal theory has to reflect these aspects of juridification on a world scale. Most approaches to the issue, however, have serious flaws: they neither offer an adequate empirical diagnosis of the de-embedding of international economic and legal processes, nor do they provide convincing proposals as to how such processes could be domesticated. Against this background, the paper lays out a critical analysis of legal codification processes as well as proposing an account of democratic governance, based on a realistic conception of deliberative democracy.
Reinforcing Migrants’ Rights? The EU’s Migration and Development Policy Under Review
Authors: Eisele Katharina
Published: January 2021

This article critically discusses the role and place of migrants’ rights in the EU’s evolving migration and development policy under the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) pursued by the EU.1 The GAMM, which aims to govern migration flows from outside of the EU more effectively, incorporates the field of migration and development as one of four pillars. Only in November of 2011, however, the human rights of migrants were explicitly acknowledged as a cross-cutting theme within the GAMM, which before paid little attention – not to say neglected – the protection of such rights. This contribution analyses how the linkage between migration and development evolved on the international and European level, highlights the EU’s interests in such a policy, and explains the pitfalls of disregarding the protection of migrants’ rights in this context. The article argues that the ‘development burden’ should not be placed on immigrant populations without guaranteeing their secure legal status in the host countries.
Pushed to the Edge: Political Activism of Guatemalan Migrant Farmworkers
Authors: Valarezo Giselle , Hughes Christine
Published: January 2021

This paper explores political engagement by Guatemalans who seasonally migrate to Canada as contracted agricultural workers. Since 2003, an ever-increasing number of Guatemalans have pursued economic opportunities in Canadian fields and greenhouses as participants in a labour migration scheme brokered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called the Temporary Agricultural Workers to Canada (TAWC) Project. While some describe this labour migration as a win-win situation for employers and migrant workers, for too many of these migrants, work in Canada has demanded sacrifices and losses, not the least of which of their human rights and dignity at the hands of employers and administrators of the TAWC Project. While there is a great deal at stake for these migrants should they denounce mistreatment, given the climate of fear created by the employer-driven nature of the TAWC project, a growing number of them have been pushed to do so. With the support of allies that encourage political empowerment of migrant workers, black-listed Guatemalans have formed a political advocacy group - Asociación de Guatemaltecos Unidos por Nuestros Derechos (AGUND) - aimed at fighting for the realization of their rights and redressing cases of wrongdoing. Based on workers’ testimonies and other institutional interviews, this paper outlines the difficulties workers have experienced as labour migrants to Canada, the context of vulnerability that largely impedes them from denouncing mistreatment, and the development and activities of AGUND. Informed by literature on political organizing, it also identifies the factors that have both impeded and encouraged political activity on the part of these disenfranchised yet determined Guatemalan workers.
Hooray for Global Justice? Emerging Democracies in a Multipolar World
Authors: Culp Julian , Plagemann Johannes
Published: January 2021

Rising powers are fundamentally shifting the relations of power in the global economic and political landscape. International political theory, however, has so far failed to evaluate this nascent multipolarity. This article fills this lacuna by synthesizing empirical and normative modes of inquiry. It examines the transformation of sovereignty exercised by emerging democracies and focuses especially on the case of Brazil. The paper shows that – in stark contrast to emerging democracies’ foreign policy rhetoric – the ‘softening’ of sovereignty, which means that emerging powers gain as well as lose certain aspects of sovereignty, has become the norm. The paper explores this softening of sovereignty from the perspective of global justice by assessing it on the basis of globalist, statist, and internationalist conceptions of global justice. We find that the emergent multipolarity contributes in various ways to the realization of the distinct socioeconomic and political criteria of these three conceptions of global justice. However, we also point out that the transformation of sovereignty generates particular problems for the realization of all three conceptions.
Mobilizing Motherhood: The Use of Maternal Myths in Popular Development Discourse
Authors: Potvin Jacqueline Marie
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I examine how maternal myths are deployed in popular development literature. Using critical discourse analysis and working within a feminist postcolonial framework I analyse five texts produced by development organizations for popular consumption. I identify how maternal myths are constructed in each text and conduct a contextual analysis of four myths to identify their ideological significance within the development sector. I conclude that that in their construction of maternal myths, these texts, while intended to elicit support for gender and development interventions, reinforce exploitative gender roles and relations and limit women’s experiences of development.
From Reparations for Slavery to International Racial Justice: A Critical Republican Perspective
Authors: Bessone Magali
Published: January 2021

This paper focuses on demands for reparations for colonial slavery and their public reception in France. It argues that this bottom-up, context-sensitive approach to theorising reparations enables us to formulate a critical republican theory of international racial justice. It contrasts the critical republican perspective on reparations with a nation-state centred approach in which reparations activists are accused of threatening the French republic’s sense of homogeneity and unity, thus undermining the national narrative on the French identity. It also rejects the liberal egalitarian perspective, which itself rejects reparations in favour of focusing on present disadvantages. In so doing, this paper illustrates how the notion of non-domination offers a superior way of conceptualising global racial injustices compared to more traditional distributive outlooks.