bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tian-Huang Formula, a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Prescription, Improves Hepatosteatosis and Glucose Intolerance Targeting AKT-SREBP Nexus in Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Li Kun-Ping , Yu Yang , Yuan Min , Zhang Chu-Mei , Rong Xiang-Lu , Turnbull Jeremy E. , Guo Jiao
Published: March 2021

The progressive increase of metabolic diseases underscores the necessity for developing effective therapies. Although we found Tian-Huang formula (THF) could alleviate metabolic disorders, the underlying mechanism remains to be fully understood. In the present study, firstly, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with high-fat diet plus high-fructose drink (HFF, the diet is about 60% of calories from fat and the drink is 12.5% fructose solution) for 14 weeks to induce hepatosteatosis and glucose intolerance and then treated with THF (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Then, metabolomics analysis was performed with rat liver samples and following the clues illustrated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) with the metabolomics discoveries, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were carried out to validate the putative pathways. Our results showed that THF treatment reduced the body weight from 735.1 ± 81.29 to 616.3 ± 52.81 g and plasma triglyceride from 1.5 ± 0.42 to 0.88 ± 0.33 mmol/L; meanwhile, histological examinations of hepatic tissue and epididymis adipose tissue showed obvious alleviation. Compared with the HFF group, the fasting serum insulin and blood glucose level of the THF group were improved from 20.77 ± 6.58 to 9.65 ± 5.48 mIU/L and from 8.96 ± 0.56 to 7.66 ± 1.25 mmol/L, respectively, so did the serum aspartate aminotransferase, insulin resistance index, and oral glucose tolerance (

p

 = 0.0019, 0.0053, and 0.0066, respectively). Furthermore, based on a list of 32 key differential endogenous metabolites, the molecular networks generated by IPA suggested that THF alleviated glucose intolerance and hepatosteatosis by activating phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) involved pathways. RT-qPCR and Western blotting results confirmed that THF alleviated hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance partly through protein kinase B- (AKT-) sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) nexus. Our findings shed light on molecular mechanisms of THF on alleviating metabolic diseases and provided further evidence for developing its therapeutic potential.
The Incidence of Erosive Esophagitis as a Complication of Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Agrawal Sungeeta , Uysal Serife , Fredette Meghan , Topor Lisa Swartz , Bialo Shara R. , Herzlinger Michael , Shapiro Jason , Snelling Linda K. , Boney Charlotte M. , Quintos Jose Bernardo
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms commonly occur during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and typically resolve with treatment. However, GI complications can persist after DKA resolves. The incidence of upper GI bleeding during DKA in adults has been described, with erosive esophagitis one of the most common lesions. The incidence of GI bleeding or erosive esophagitis in children with DKA has not been previously reported. We performed a retrospective chart review of DKA admissions in children 0 to <18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at a pediatric hospital between January 2009 and July 2016. Among 395 episodes of DKA over 7.5 years, erosive esophagitis occurred during two DKA admissions (0.5%) and there were no episodes of GI bleeding. Case presentations. Both episodes of erosive esophagitis occurred in adolescent males with known T1DM who presented with severe DKA. Both developed odynophagia after resolution of DKA and were readmitted for DKA recurrence. Upper endoscopy for both patients showed erosive esophagitis. Biopsies were negative for infection, though candida was found during one patient’s endoscopy. Both had resolution of their esophagitis symptoms with medication management; neither has had recurrence. Conclusion. Erosive esophagitis, a rare complication of pediatric DKA, can manifest with odynophagia or substernal chest pain. This complication can lead to DKA recurrence, likely due to increased insulin resistance from inflammation and pain and from reduced oral intake and insulin administration. Patients with odynophagia associated with DKA should be monitored closely to allow timely evaluation and treatment of esophagitis.
The Causal Model of Public Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food: An Invariance Analysis
Authors: Hu Longji , Li Hui , Tan Suqiu , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2021

Measurement invariance refers to the equivalence of measurement instrument in different groups. Research on social science often involves comparing different groups, such as whether the relationship between two variables is the same in male and female groups. Measurement invariance is a prerequisite of these studies because if the measurement tools are not equivalent, we cannot distinguish the difference between the degree of measurement tools and the empirical results. The causal model proposed by Michael Siegrist is one of the baseline models for studying public acceptance of genetically modified food, but only a few studies have tested the invariance of the causal model. Thus, it is difficult for researchers to judge the reliability of some conclusions about group comparison, such as whether the risk perception of men is lower than that of women. In this study, we use sample data about China (N = 1091) to test the invariance of the causal model among groups with different genders and knowledge levels. The test results show that the model has full invariance across gender, and only factor loading invariance has no measurement error invariance across knowledge levels. The results of this study show that the conclusion about group comparison on gender in previous studies is credible, but the reliability of the measurement of the differences between knowledge level groups needs to improve before meaningful comparison can be made.
Brown Bowel Syndrome Is a Rare and Commonly Missed Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ponce-Zepeda Joaquin , Guo Wenchang , Carmen Giorgioni , Kim Daniel Moon , Albers Gregory C. , Chandan Vishal Suresh , Li Xiaodong
Published: March 2021

Background. Brown bowel syndrome (BBS) is a rare gastrointestinal condition, and vitamin E deficiency has been considered to be a main contributor. However, vitamin E deficiency has been found in only a few patients throughout the published literature studies and its cutoff lab value for diagnosis is not entirely clarified. Case Presentation. A 56-year-old female patient with a history of congenital bowel obstruction (repaired at birth) presented with bloating, abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea. Endoscopy identified unremarkable gastrointestinal mucosa except a few small polyps in the colon. A partial obstruction was detected by a small bowel follow-through series and then confirmed by CT scan. The resected small bowel was significantly dilated with a thickened brown wall and extensive serosal adhesion. Microscopic examination revealed unremarkable mucosa, but dense granular brown pigments were identified in the cytoplasm of the smooth muscle cells in the muscularis propria. These deposits resulted to be lipofuscin, and BBS was diagnosed. The patient was asymptomatic at 9-month follow-up after surgery without vitamin E supplement. Conclusion. Mitochondrial damage with lipofuscin deposition is at the root of BBS pathogenesis. Any etiology associated with mitochondrial damage can cause this disease, and vitamin E deficiency is just one of them. Dysmotility from extensive serosal adhesion could be a possible etiology for this patient. Due to overlapping symptoms, lipofuscin deposition primarily in the muscularis propria, and unclear serum value of vitamin E, this syndrome is often missed in routine clinical practice from the superficial biopsy. A transmural biopsy is necessary for a definite diagnosis.
Vision‐Based System for Assisting Blind People to Wander Unknown Environments in a Safe Way
Authors: Díaz-Toro Andrés A. , Campaña-Bastidas Sixto E. , Caicedo-Bravo Eduardo F.
Published: March 2021

Vision is the principal source of information of the surrounding world. It facilitates our movement and development of everyday activities. In this sense, blind people have great difficulty for moving, especially in unknown environments, which reduces their autonomy and puts them at risk of suffering an accident. Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs) have emerged and provided outstanding navigation assistance for blind people. In this work, we present the methodology followed for implementing a stereo vision‐based system that assists blind people to wander unknown environments in a safe way, by sensing the world, segmenting the floor in 3D, fusing local 2D grids considering the camera tracking, creating a global occupancy 2D grid, reacting to close obstacles, and generating vibration patterns with an haptic belt. For segmenting the floor in 3D, we evaluate normal vectors and orientation of the camera obtained from depth and inertial data, respectively. Next, we apply RANSAC for computing efficiently the equation of the supporting plane (floor). The local grids are fused, obtaining a global map with data of free and occupied areas along the whole trajectory. For parallel processing of dense data, we leverage the capacity of the Jetson TX2, achieving high performance, low power consumption, and portability. Finally, we present experimental results obtained with ten (10) participants, in different conditions, with obstacles of different height, hanging obstacles, and dynamic obstacles. These results show high performance and acceptance by the participants, highlighting the easiness to follow instructions and the short period of training.
A design methodology for approximate multipliers in convolutional neural networks: A case of MNIST
Authors: Shirane Kenta , Yamamoto Takahiro , Tomiyama Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present a case study on approximate multipliers for MNIST Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). We apply approximate multipliers with different bit-width to the convolution layer in MNIST CNN, evaluate the accuracy of MNIST classification, and analyze the trade-off between approximate multiplier’s area, critical path delay and the accuracy. Based on the results of the evaluation and analysis, we propose a design methodology for approximate multipliers. The approximate multipliers consist of some partial products, which are carefully selected according to the CNN input. With this methodology, we further reduce the area and the delay of the multipliers with keeping high accuracy of the MNIST classification.
Systematising troubleshooting of disputes in network
Authors: B. Sowmya K. , A. Thejaswini
Published: March 2021

With the growing network size, virtualization everywhere, it is getting more difficult to configure and manage the network devices. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a way to address these problems. Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is the Cisco’s solution to SDN, with centralized automation and policy-driven application profiles. If there is any bug in the network or problem with the expected functionality of the network, ACI cases are opened in the Technical Assistance Centre (TAC) for troubleshooting the issue. Engineers currently troubleshoot ACI cases manually by using Command Line Interface (CLI) and trace for different events triggered by the policy pushes by logs generated at different stages of the ACI and from different servers responsible for this, which indeed is a very tedious, time consuming task and is prone to manual errors. This paper describes a way to automate the entire ACI troubleshooting process with the user-friendly GUI which can show the entire information needed for troubleshooting by extracting relevant information at every layer. By making use of FSM models the proposed solution can be extended to other areas which involve log analysis using CLI to extract relevant information and is not just limited to ACI.
Monolayer and bilayer graphene field effect transistor using Verilog-A
Authors: G. H. Nayana , P. Vimala
Published: March 2021

Monolayer and bilayer graphene field effect transistor modeling is presented in this paper. The transport model incorporated, works well for both drift diffusive and ballistic conditions. The validity of the model was checked for various device dimensions and bias voltages. Performance parameters affecting operation of graphene field effect transistor in various region of operation are optimized. Model was developed to verify transfer characteristics for monolayer and bilayer graphene field effect transistor. Results obtained prove the ambipolar property in Graphene. MATLAB is used for numerical modeling for systematic performance evaluation of parameters in graphene. The tool used to simulate the characteristics is cadence Verilog-A which describe analog component structure.
Twelve Basic Philosophical Concepts in Kant and the Compound Yijing
Authors: Palmquist Stephen R.
Published: March 2021

This is the third in a series of articles that correlates Kant’s architectonic with the Yijing’s sixty-four hexagrams (gua 卦). Previous articles explained “architectonic” reasoning, introduced four levels of the “Compound Yijing,” consisting of 0+4+12+(4 × 12=48) gua, and suggested correlating the fourth level’s four sets of twelve to the four “faculties” in Kant’s model of the university. This third paper examines the philosophy faculty, assessing whether the twelve proposed gua meaningfully correlate with twelve basic philosophical concepts that Kant introduces in his three Critiques. A key difference emerges: Kant’s architectonic method aims to produce synthetic a priori knowledge, while the Yijing’s architectonic method aims to produce analytic a posteriori belief.
Moral Action in Zhan Ruoshui’s 湛若水 (1466–1560) Philosophical Anthropology
Authors: Kim Youngmin
Published: March 2021

This article frames Zhan Ruoshui’s philosophical anthropology in a way as to compare it with two competing positions—those of Chen Xianzhang and Wang Yangming—and explores it as an answer to a set of questions many mid-Ming philosophers shared, rather than to perennial, ahistorical philosophical questions. As against Chen Xianzhang and Wang Yangming, Zhan proposes his characteristic motto, suichu tiren tianli, as a way to unite the self and the world. The implication is that moral knowledge must be pursued neither (merely) in the dimension of things and affairs, nor outside the dimension of things and affairs.
A Confucian Perspective on Lebron and Loyalty
Authors: Elstein David
Published: March 2021

This article uses LeBron James’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to examine the question of athletes’ loyalty to their team and to their region. Athletes often face significant criticism when they leave their original team as it supposedly indicates a lack of loyalty. Given Confucian emphasis on the importance of community, it might be expected that Confucians would endorse this criticism. Instead, I argue that properly understood, James’s decision was probably permissible from a Confucian perspective.
When there are no More Cats to Argue About: Chan Buddhist Views of Animals in Relation to Universal Buddhanature
Authors: Heine Steven
Published: March 2021

Chan Buddhist discourse refers repeatedly to many kinds of animals, particularly dogs and cats, as symbols or in fables in order to comment ironically on human attitudes and behavior. These creatures are appreciated for their positive qualities yet are also scathingly criticized for representing a lack of discipline and self-control. This paper considers how a couple of Chan gongan cases featuring animals are related to the Mahayana doctrine of universal Buddha-nature. Does Chan accept and approve or reject and refute the orthodox view, does it craft a standpoint of ironic inconclusiveness that deliberately bypasses and reorients traditional doctrinal disputes, or do these cases primarily express an allegorical message regarding possibilities or challenges for humans seeking to attain an experience of enlightenment?
Henry Bugbee, Wilderness, and the Omnirelevance of the Ten-Thousand Things
Authors: Hatley James
Published: March 2021

In his philosophical journal The Inward Morning, Henry Bugbee appeals to the Daodejing to derive principles, particularly that of ziran, of “self-soing,” by which one is guided in thinking heedfully. In this way, one is called reflexively into responsibility for and by things in what Bugbee terms their “density” and “omnirelevance.” Through Bugbee’s unique notion of wilderness as “emergent togetherness,” the periodicity and fluency cultivated in ecological contemplation refines the practice of natural history, such that it is attuned to the manner in which one is called to be at home and so ecologically responsive among the ten-thousand things.
Rational Mysticism: Hegel on Magic and China
Authors: Wenning Mario
Published: March 2021

Hegel’s conception of a universal history of reason is usually interpreted as a Eurocentric project that is dismissive of the genuine contributions by other cultures. In contrast to this assumption, his views concerning Chinese philosophical traditions evolved significantly in his late Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion. Hegel increasingly acknowledges a unique contribution of Confucianism and especially Daoism. While Confucianism is depicted as a natural religion of magic in which the emperor governs as the supreme magician, Daoism revolts against the emperor’s nepotism and turns to the Dao to elaborate a speculative philosophy of reason. The paper argues that the search for a rational form of mysticism is the basis for increasingly valuing the Chinese contributions to a conception of reason that incorporates mystical elements.
How Leo Strauss Approached Hegel on Faith and God
Authors: Bernstein Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2021

Despite the relative scarcity of references to Hegel in Strauss’s published work, one can (with the aid of his 1958 seminar on Hegel’s Philosophy of History) begin to get a sense of how Strauss regarded Hegel. This paper deals with Strauss’s views concerning the Hegelian construal of faith and God. For Strauss, Hegel’s construal of divine personality as subject rather than substance amounts to something like a rejection of the divine personality (traditionally understood as calling forth religious faith).
Walls and Co-Existence: Chinese and American Footprints
Authors: Christoff Peggy Spitzer
Published: March 2021

By placing the history of American interactions with China in the foreground, this essay aims to bring what is hidden into critical awareness. In this endeavor, I use three elements of historical interpretation—visibility, love, and discipline—and provide examples of how the moral imperative is equalized by the incongruous sides of global consciousness and ethnic identity. I then discuss eight immigration cases from the Chinese Exclusion Period (1882–1943) to describe how anti-immigration efforts attempted to halt Chinese footprints around American walls. Finally, I conclude with a rationale as to why uniting spirit with action deepens co-existence in the present day.
Democracy and Meritocracy: A False Dichotomy
Authors: Zhang Qianfan
Published: March 2021

In this article I refute the conceptual viability of “political meritocracy” and its application to mainland China. I begin with the methodological individualistic definition of “merit,” arguing that electoral democracy based on one-person, one-vote is the genuine form of meritocracy. I then respond to several challenges to electoral democracy and argues that they can—perhaps can only—be properly addressed by improving democracy itself. I further refute the proposition that China is a case for political meritocracy and argue that Singapore would not have been meritocratic but for its functioning (albeit defective) elections based on one-person, onevote. I conclude with a call for contemporary neo-Confucians to develop political doctrines responsibly in order to make Confucianism relevant today.
Ritual, Harmony and Freedom: Rediscovering The Modern Value of Confucianism
Authors: Wang Huaiyu
Published: March 2021

This paper reviews Neville’s metaphysical reconstruction of Confucianism as a global philosophy and his development of a Confucian response to feminist criticisms. While affirming Neville’s account for the importance of sincerity for Confucian ritual, I propose to bring out also the spontaneous dimension of Confucian ritual that is essential for overcoming various authoritarian and abusive practices in the past. This spontaneous dimension of Confucian ritual would disclose also a new understanding of harmony and freedom that would enhance Neville’s project in suggesting an ideal of common good originating in the sensus communis of the human hearts.
Neville’s The Good is One, its Manifestations Many: A Response
Authors: Frisina Warren G.
Published: March 2021

This response to Robert Neville’s recently published The Good Is One, Its Manifestations Many asks two questions. First, does Neville’s ontology of value entail a commitment to an organismic cosmological position consistent with what we see in Chinese traditions like Confucianism and Daoism? Second, is Neville mistaken in favoring Xunzi’s over Mengzi’s understanding of human nature when a rapprochement is possible between them?
Aquinas on Passive Powers
Authors: Frost Gloria
Published: March 2021

Aquinas thinks that if we want to understand causal interactions between material substances, we cannot focus exclusively on agents and their active powers. In his view, there are also passive potencies which enable material substances to be acted upon. He claims that for every type of active potency, there is a corresponding passive potency. This article aims to clarify Aquinas’s views about the passive potencies of material substances. It recovers his thinking on three key questions: first, what is the basis or source of a material substance’s passive potentialities? Put otherwise, what constituents of material substances explain why they have capabilities for being acted upon? Second, how are a material substance’s passive potencies identified and distinguished from one another? Lastly, are passive potencies for undergoing action the same as a substance’s potencies for existing in determinate ways? For example, is a pot of water’s potentiality for being heated the same as its potentiality to be hot?
A new species of Oneilliella from India with description of the female of Trachynotothrips brevispinis Masumoto & Okajima (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: SINGHA DEVKANT , PATIDAR ABHISHEK , TYAGI KAOMUD , KUMAR VIKAS
Published: March 2021

Oneilliella shivii sp.n. (Panchaetothripinae) is described from India as the second species in this genus. Trachynotothrips brevispinis and T. striatus (Thripinae) are newly recorded from India, and the first description provided of the female of T. brevispinis. Partial sequence data of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mtCOI) of these species were generated.
The brief resilience scale is associated with pre- and short-term postoperative outcomes following hip arthroscopy
Authors: Silverman Ariel RC , DeFroda Steven F , Cohen Brian H , Quinn Matthew S , Tabaddor Ramin R
Published: March 2021

Background:

Despite improving diagnostic and surgical techniques, some patients do not respond as well as others following hip arthroscopy. In most musculoskeletal studies, predictors for surgical outcomes focus solely on physical health prior to surgery. However, there likely exists a relationship between a patient’s mental health and their postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Methods:

40 patients who met indications for hip arthroscopy were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. All patients completed a baseline Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and 4validated PROMs: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), Hip Outcomes Score for Activities of Daily Living (HOS-Daily), and Hip Outcomes Score for Sports-Related Activities (HOS-Sport). For a secondary measure of psychometric evaluation, past medical histories of anxiety/depression were recorded. Patients were stratified into Low Resilience (LR < 21), Normal Resilience (NR 22-24), and High Resilience (HR > 25) by tertile to determine differences in PROMs. Comparisons and correlations of pre- and postoperative outcomes between resilience groups were performed.

Results:

In comparing the LR and HR groups, there was a significant relationship between resilience and all PROMs both preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively ( p < 0.05), with the exception of the HOS-Sports. Pearson Correlation Coefficients confirmed this trend in the mHHS and the HOS-Daily. Additionally, there were sixteen patients who were discharged prior to 6-month follow-up with an average resilience above the mean of total population ( p < 0.0001). Resilience was associated with return to activity ( p = 0.017). A past history of anxiety/depression was associated with lower resilience ( p = 0.039).

Conclusions:

This study showed that HR hip arthroscopy patients had better PROMs than LR patients both preoperatively and postoperatively. HR patients were able to return to activity earlier and had lower rates of preoperative anxiety/depression. The BRS is a simple in-office screening tool, which may help guide patient and doctor communication and expectations.
Different dosage regimens of Eptinezumab for the treatment of migraine: a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yan Zeya , Xue Tao , Chen Shujun , Wu Xin , Yang Xingyu , Liu Guangjie , Gao Shan , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong
Published: March 2021

Background

Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases around the world and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in its pathophysiology. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies blocking the CGRP ligand or receptor in episodic and chronic migraine.

Objective

The objective of our study is implementing a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of eptinezumab for the treatment of migraine compared with placebo.

Method

We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which were performed to evaluate eptinezumab versus placebo for migraine up to September 2020. The data was assessed by Review Manager 5.3 software. The risk ratio (RR) and standard mean difference (SMD) were analyzed using dichotomous outcomes and continuous outcomes respectively with a random effect model.

Result

We collected 2739 patients from 4 RCTs: the primary endpoint of efficacy was the change from baseline to week 12 in mean monthly migraine days (MMDs). We found that eptinezumab (30 mg, 100 mg, 300 mg) led to a significant reduction in MMDs (P = 0.0001,P < 0.00001, P < 0.00001) during 12 weeks compared with placebo, especially with 300 mg. For the safety, we compared and concluded the treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of the 4 RCTs. This indicated no evident statistical difference between eptinezumab and placebo.

Conclusions

In the present study, we found that eptinezumab is safe and has significant efficacy in the treatment of migraine, especially the dose of 300 mg.
Fine-Tuning Roles of Osa-miR159a in Rice Immunity Against Magnaporthe oryzae and Development
Authors: Chen Jin-Feng , Zhao Zhi-Xue , Li Yan , Li Ting-Ting , Zhu Yong , Yang Xue-Mei , Zhou Shi-Xin , Wang He , Zhao Ji-Qun , Pu Mei , Feng Hui , Fan Jing , Zhang Ji-Wei , Huang Yan-Yan , Wang Wen-Ming
Published: March 2021

Background

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive diseases of rice. An increasing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to fine-tune rice immunity against M. oryzae and coordinate with growth and development.

Results

Here, we showed that rice microRNA159a (Osa-miR159a) played a positive role in rice resistance to M. oryzae. The expression of Osa-miR159a was suppressed in a susceptible accession at 12, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation (hpi); it was upregulated in a resistant accession of M. oryzae at 24 hpi. The transgenic rice lines overexpressing Osa-miR159a were highly resistant to M. oryzae. In contrast, the transgenic lines expressing a short tandem target mimic (STTM) to block Osa-miR159a showed enhanced susceptibility. Knockout mutations of the target genes of Osa-miR159a, including OsGAMYB, OsGAMYBL, and OsZF, led to resistance to M. oryzae. Alteration of the expression of Osa-miR159a impacted yield traits including pollen and grain development.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that Osa-miR159a positively regulated rice immunity against M. oryzae by downregulating its target genes. Proper expression of Osa-miR159a was critical for coordinating rice blast resistance with grain development.
Urban population exposure to air pollution in Europe over the last decades
Authors: Sicard Pierre , Agathokleous Evgenios , De Marco Alessandra , Paoletti Elena , Calatayud Vicent
Published: March 2021

Background

The paper presents an overview of air quality in the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (previous EU-28), from 2000 to 2017. We reviewed the progress made towards meeting the air quality standards established by the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (European Council Directive 2008/50/EC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines by estimating the trends (Mann-Kendal test) in national emissions of main air pollutants, urban population exposure to air pollution, and in mortality related to exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) and tropospheric ozone (O3).

Results

Despite significant reductions of emissions (e.g., sulfur oxides: ~ 80%, nitrogen oxides: ~ 46%, non-methane volatile organic compounds: ~ 44%, particulate matters with a diameter lower than 2.5 µm and 10 µm: ~ 30%), the EU-28 urban population was exposed to PM2.5 and O3 levels widely exceeding the WHO limit values for the protection of human health. Between 2000 and 2017, the annual PM2.5-related number of deaths decreased (- 4.85 per 106 inhabitants) in line with a reduction of PM2.5 levels observed at urban air quality monitoring stations. The rising O3 levels became a major public health issue in the EU-28 cities where the annual O3-related number of premature deaths increased (+ 0.55 deaths per 106 inhabitants).

Conclusions

To achieve the objectives of the Ambient Air Quality Directives and mitigate air pollution impacts, actions need to be urgently taken at all governance levels. In this context, greening and re‐naturing cities and the implementation of fresh air corridors can help meet air quality standards, but also answer to social needs, as recently highlighted by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
SPRD: a surface plasmon resonance database of common factors for better experimental planning
Authors: Tiwari Purushottam B. , Bencheqroun Camelia , Lemus Mario , Shaw Taryn , Kouassi-Brou Marilyn , Alaoui Adil , Üren Aykut
Published: March 2021

Background

Surface plasmon resonance is a label-free biophysical technique that is widely used in investigating biomolecular interactions, including protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-small molecule binding. Surface plasmon resonance is a very powerful tool in different stages of small molecule drug development and antibody characterization. Both academic institutions and pharmaceutical industry extensively utilize this method for screening and validation studies involving direct molecular interactions. In most applications of the surface plasmon resonance technology, one of the studied molecules is immobilized on a microchip, while the second molecule is delivered through a microfluidic system over the immobilized molecules. Changes in total mass on the chip surface is recorded in real time as an indicator of the molecular interactions.

Main body

Quality and accuracy of the surface plasmon resonance data depend on experimental variables, including buffer composition, type of sensor chip, coupling chemistry of molecules on the sensor surface, and surface regeneration conditions. These technical details are generally included in materials and methods sections of published manuscripts and are not easily accessible using the common internet browser search engines or PubMed. Herein, we introduce a surface plasmon resonance database, www.sprdatabase.info that contains technical details extracted from 5140 publications with surface plasmon resonance data. We also provide an analysis of experimental conditions preferred by different laboratories. These experimental variables can be searched within the database and help future users of this technology to design better experiments.

Conclusion

Amine coupling and CM5 chips were the most common methods used for immobilizing proteins in surface plasmon resonance experiments. However, number of different chips, capture methods and buffer conditions were used by multiple investigators. We predict that the database will significantly help the scientific community using this technology and hope that users will provide feedback to improve and expand the database indefinitely. Publicly available information in the database can save a great amount of time and resources by assisting initial optimization and troubleshooting of surface plasmon resonance experiments.
Key metabolism pathways and regulatory mechanisms of high polysaccharide yielding in Hericium erinaceus
Authors: Gong Ming , Zhang Henan , Wu Di , Zhang Zhong , Zhang Jinsong , Bao Dapeng , Yang Yan
Published: March 2021

Background

Hericium erinaceus, a rare edible and medicine fungus, is widely used in the food and medical field. Polysaccharides from H. erinaceus are the main bioactive compound that exert high bioactive value in the medical and healthcare industries.

Results

The genome of H. erinaceus original strain HEA was reported 38.16 Mb, encoding 9780 predicted genes by single-molecule, real-time sequencing technology. The phylogenomic analysis showed that H. erinaceus had the closest evolutionary affinity with Dentipellis sp. The polysaccharide content in the fermented mycelia of mutated strains HEB and HEC, which obtained by ARTP mutagenesis in our previous study, was improved by 23.25 and 47.45%, and a new β-glucan fraction with molecular weight 1.056 × 106 Da was produced in HEC. Integrative analysis of transcriptome and proteomics showed the upregulation of the carbohydrate metabolism pathway modules in HEB and HEC might lead to the increased production of glucose-6P and promote the repeating units synthesis of polysaccharides. qPCR and PRM analysis confirmed that most of the co-enriched and differentially co-expressed genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism shared a similar expression trend with the transcriptome and proteome data in HEB and HEC. Heatmap analysis showed a noticeably decreased protein expression profile of the RAS-cAMP-PKA pathway in HEC with a highly increased 47.45% of polysaccharide content. The S phase progression blocking experiment further verified that the RAS-cAMP-PKA pathway’s dysfunction might promote high polysaccharide and β-glucan production in the mutant strain HEC.

Conclusions

The study revealed the primary mechanism of the increased polysaccharide synthesis induced by ARTP mutagenesis and explored the essential genes and pathways of polysaccharide synthesis.
A cross-sectional study of foot-ground clearance in healthy community dwelling Japanese cohorts aged 50, 60 and 70 years
Authors: Nagano Hanatsu , Sparrow W. A. , Mizukami Katsuyoshi , Sarashina Eri , Begg Rezaul
Published: March 2021

Background

Falls-related injuries are particularly serious for older people, causing pain, reduced community engagement and associated medical costs. Tripping is the leading cause of falls and the current study examined whether minimum ground clearance (MFC) of the swing foot, indicating high tripping risk, would be differentiated across cohorts of healthy 50-, 60- and 70-years old community residents in Japan.

Methods

A cross-sectional population comprising the three groups (50s, 60s and 70s) of 123 Konosu City residents consented to be recorded when walking on an unobstructed surface at preferred speed. Gait biomechanics was measured using high speed (100 Hz) motion capture (OptiTrack – Natural Point Inc.), including step length and width, double support, foot contact angle and MFC (swing toe height above the ground). Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to confirm ageing effects on MFC and fundamental gait parameters. Pearson’s correlations were performed to identify the relationships between mean MFC and other MFC characteristics (SD and SI), step length, step width, double support time and foot contact angle.

Results

Compared to 50s, lower step length was seen (2.69 cm and 6.15 cm) for 60s and 70s, respectively. No other statistical effects were identified for spatio-temporal parameters between the three groups. The 50s cohort MFC was also significantly higher than 60s and 70s, while step-to-step MFC variability was greater in the 70s than 50s and 60s. Pearson’s correlations demonstrated that more symmetrical gait patterns were associated with greater MFC height, as reflected in greater symmetry in step width (50s), MFC (60s) and foot contact angle (70s). In the 70s increased MFC height correlated with higher MFC variability and reduced foot contact angle.

Conclusions

MFC height reduces from 60 years but more variable MFC appears later, from 70 years. While symmetrical gait was accompanied by increased MFC height, in the 70s group attempts to increase MFC height may have caused more MFC variability and lower foot contact angles, compromising foot-ground clearance. Assessments of swing foot mechanics may be a useful component of community falls prevention.
PD-1 immunobiology in glomerulonephritis and renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Curran Colleen S. , Kopp Jeffrey B.
Published: March 2021

Background

Programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 receptors and ligands on immune cells and kidney parenchymal cells help maintain immunological homeostasis in the kidney. Dysregulated PD-1:PD-L1 binding interactions occur during the pathogenesis of glomerulopathies and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The regulation of these molecules in the kidney is important to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies that treat RCC and may induce glomerulopathies as an adverse event.

Methods

The expression and function of PD-1 molecules on immune and kidney parenchymal cells were reviewed in the healthy kidney, PD-1 immunotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity, glomerulopathies and RCC.

Results

PD-1 and/or its ligands are expressed on kidney macrophages, dendritic cells, lymphocytes, and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Vitamin D3, glutathione and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulate hypoxic cell signals involved in the expression and function of PD-1 molecules. These pathways are altered in kidney disease and are linked to the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, erythropoietin, adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-18, IL-23, and chemokines that bind CXCR3, CXCR4, and/or CXCR7. These factors are differentially produced in glomerulonephritis and RCC and may be important biomarkers in patients that receive PD-1 therapies and/or develop glomerulonephritis as an adverse event

Conclusion

By comparing the functions of the PD-1 axis in glomerulopathies and RCC, we identified similar chemokines involved in the recruitment of immune cells and distinct mediators in T cell differentiation. The expression and function of PD-1 and PD-1 ligands in diseased tissue and particularly on double-negative T cells and parenchymal kidney cells needs continued exploration. The possible regulation of the PD-1 axis by vitamin D3, glutathione and/or AMPK cell signals may be important to kidney disease and the PD-1 immunotherapeutic response.
Between a woman and her fetus: Bedouin women mediators advance the health of pregnant women and babies in their society
Authors: Sharaby Rachel , Peres Hagit
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Bedouin women in Israel confront a challenging circumstance between their traditional patriarchal society and transition to modernity. In terms of reproductive health, they face grave disparities as women, pregnant women and mothers. In this article we aim to understand the challenges of Bedouin women who work as mediators in the promotion of Bedouin women’s perinatal health. We explore their challenges with the dual and often conflictual role as health peer-instructors-mediators in mother-and-child clinics, and also as members of a Bedouin community, embodying a status as women, mothers, and family caretakers. Drawn upon a feminist interpretative framework, the article describes their challenges in matters of perinatal health. Our research question is: how do women who traditionally suffer from blatant gender inequality utilize health-promotion work to navigate and empower themselves and other Bedouin women.

Methods

Based on an interpretive feminist framework, we performed narrative analysis on eleven in-depth interviews with health mediators who worked in a project in the Negev area of Israel. The article qualitatively analyses the ways in which Bedouin women mediators narrate their challenging situations.

Results

This article shows how difficult health mediators’ task may be for women with restricted education who struggle for autonomy and better social and maternal status. Through their praxis, women mediators develop a critical perspective without risking their commitments as women who are committed to their work as well as their society, communities, and families. These health mediators navigate their ways between the demands of their employer (the Israeli national mother and child health services) and their patriarchal Bedouin society. While avoiding open conflictual confrontations with both hegemonic powers, they also develop self-confidence and a critical and active approach.

Conclusions

The article shows the ways by which the mediator’s activity involved in perinatal health-promotion may utilize modern perinatal medical knowledge to increase women’s awareness and autonomy over their pregnant bodies and their role as caregivers. We hope our results will be applicable for other women as well, especially for women who belong to other traditional and patriarchal societies.
LGR5 expression is associated with prognosis in poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ehara Takehito , Uehara Takeshi , Nakajima Tomoyuki , Kinugawa Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Shota , Iwaya Mai , Ota Hiroyoshi , Soejima Yuji
Published: March 2021

Background

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is an important cancer stem cell marker in gastric cancer. However, no detailed studies are available on LGR5 expression in poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma (PD-AC). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between LGR5 expression and clinicopathological data in PD-AC.

Methods

LGR5 mRNA expression levels were quantified in 41 PD-AC specimens using a highly sensitive RNAscope in situ hybridization technique. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection was also detected by EBV in situ hybridization.

Results

LGR5 expression levels were measured in 38 of 41 PD-AC cases, and 17 cases were identified as LGR5 high. The frequency of EBV positivity tended to be higher in the LGR5-low group than in the LGR5-high group (P = 0.0764). Furthermore, the frequency of vascular invasion tended to be higher in the LGR5-high group than in the LGR5-low group (P = 0.0764). The overall survival of PD-AC patients in the LGR5-high group was significantly lower than in the LGR5-low group (log-rank test, P = 0.0108). The Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that the LGR5-low group (HR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11–0.74; P = 0.01) showed independently better OS for PD-AC.

Conclusions

Quantifying the levels of LGR5 expression may facilitate defining prognosis in Japanese patients with PD-AC. Further study of LGR5 in this context is warranted.
Comparison of clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis between mixed predominantly differentiated-type and pure differentiated-type early gastric cancer
Authors: Okagawa Yutaka , Sumiyoshi Tetsuya , Kondo Hitoshi , Tomita Yusuke , Uozumi Takeshi , Iida Reiichi , Sakano Hiroya , Tokuchi Kaho , Jin Takashi , Yoshida Masahiro , Sakurada Akira , Fujii Ryoji , Minagawa Takeyoshi , Morita Kohtaro , Yane Kei , Ihara Hideyuki , Hirayama Michiaki , Oyamada Yumiko , Okushiba Shunichi
Published: March 2021

Background

Recent studies have shown that mixed predominantly differentiated-type (MD) early gastric cancer (EGC) might have more malignant potential than pure differentiated-type (PD) EGC. However, no study has analyzed all differentiated-type EGC cases treated endoscopically and surgically. This study aimed to compare the differences in clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis between MD- and PD-EGC.

Methods

We evaluated all patients with differentiated-type EGCs who were treated endoscopically and surgically in our hospital between January 2010 and October 2014. The clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis of MD-EGC were compared with those of PD-EGC.

Results

A total of 459 patients with 459 lesions were evaluated in this study; of them, 409 (89.1%) and 50 (10.9%) were classified into the PD and MD groups, respectively. Submucosal invasion was found in 96 (23.5%) patients of the PD group and in 33 (66.0%) patients of the MD group (p < 0.01). The rates of positive lymphatic and vascular invasion and ulceration were significantly higher in the MD group than in the PD group (p < 0.01). The proportion of patients with lymph node metastasis was also significantly higher in the MD group than in the PD group (5 (10%) vs 6 (1.5%), p < 0.01). The 5-year overall and EGC-specific survival rates in the PD group were 88.3 and 99.5%, respectively, while they were 94.0 and 98.0% in the MD group, respectively.

Conclusions

MD-EGC has more malignant potential than PD-EGC. However, the long-term prognosis of MD-EGC is good and is not significantly different from that of PD-EGC when treated appropriately.