bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics Analysis of GFAP as a Potential Key Regulator in Different Immune Phenotypes of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yao Wencheng , Li Xiang , Jia Zhankui , Gu Chaohui , Jin Zhibo , Wang Jun , Yuan Bo , Yang Jinjian
Published: June 2021

Tumor immune escape plays an essential role in both cancer progression and immunotherapy responses. For prostate cancer (PC), however, the molecular mechanisms that drive its different immune phenotypes have yet to be fully elucidated. Patient gene expression data were analyzed from The Cancer Genome Atlas‐prostate adenocarcinoma (TCGA‐PRAD) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. We used a Cell‐type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) analysis and an unsupervised clustering analysis to identify patient subgroups with distinct immune phenotypes. These distinct phenotypes were then explored for associations for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and both epigenetic and genetic landscapes. Finally, we used a protein‐protein interaction analysis to identify key hub genes. We identified two patient subgroups with independent immune phenotypes associated with the expression of Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1). Patient samples in Cluster 1 (C1) had higher scores for immune‐cell subsets compared to Cluster 2 (C2), and C2 samples had higher specific somatic mutations, MHC mutations, and genomic copy number variations compared to C1. We also found additional cluster phenotype differences for DNA methylation, microRNA (miRNA) expression, and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression. Furthermore, we established a 4‐gene model to distinguish between clusters by integrating analyses for DEGs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and methylation. Notably, we found that glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) might serve as a key hub gene within the genetic and epigenetic regulatory networks. These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor immune phenotypes that are associated with tumor immune escape. In addition, GFAP may be a potential biomarker for both PC diagnosis and prognosis.
Regulation of Mitochondrial Function by Natural Products for the Treatment of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Shi Tingting , Yu Liping , Zhuang Rangxiao , Xi Jianjun , He Ruoyu , Shao Yidan , Huang Jinsong , Liu Shourong , Yang Xingxin
Published: June 2021

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a multifactorial systemic disorder that occurs in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. The disease is characterized by fatty degeneration and fat accumulation in liver parenchymal cells, the incidence of which is increasing annually, particularly in younger adults. MAFLD is caused by genetic and metabolism related disorders, of which mitochondrial dysfunction is the major contributor. Natural products can relieve MAFLD through restoring mitochondrial function. In this article, we describe the relationship between mitochondria and MAFLD and discuss the beneficial effects of natural products as a future anti-MAFLD strategy. Significance Statement. We herein propose that the development of mitochondrial regulators/nutrients from natural products can remedy mitochondrial dysfunction which represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of MAFLD. Furthermore, the mitochondrial regulation of natural products can provide new insight into the underlying mechanisms of action of natural products used for future MAFLD therapeutics.
Design and Research of Semiactive Quasi‐Zero Stiffness Vibration Isolation System for Vehicles
Authors: Li Shaohua , Feng Guizhen , Zhao Quan
Published: June 2021

The vehicle‐mounted equipment is easy to be disturbed by external vibration excitations during transportation, which is harmful to the measurement accuracy and performance of the equipment. Aiming at the vibration isolation of the vehicle‐mounted equipment, a semiactively controlled quasi‐zero stiffness (QZS) vibration isolator with positive and negative stiffness is proposed. The vertical spring is paralleled with a magnetorheological (MR) damper, and the semiactive on‐off control scheme is adopted to control the vibration. The analytical expression of the isolator’s displacement transmissibility is derived via the averaging method. Then, the vibration isolation performance under different road excitations and different driving speeds is simulated and compared with the uncontrolled passive QZS vibration isolator. In addition, the mechanical structure of the semiactive QZS isolator is designed and manufactured, and the test system is built by LabVIEW software and PXI embedded system. The isolation effect of the semiactive QZS isolator is verified through test data. It is found that the proposed semiactive QZS isolator shows excellent vibration isolation performance under various road excitations, while the passive QZS isolator is effective only under harmonic excitations. The vertical acceleration of vehicle‐mounted device can be decreased over 70% after isolation, and the vibration isolation effect is remarkable. The design idea and research results of the semiactive QZS isolator may provide theoretical guidance and engineering reference for vibration isolation.
Tocilizumab Controls Paraneoplastic Inflammatory Syndrome but Does Not Suppress Tumor Growth of Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma
Authors: Sabe Hideaki , Inoue Akitomo , Nagata Shigenori , Imura Yoshinori , Wakamatsu Toru , Takenaka Satoshi , Tamiya Hironari
Published: June 2021

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare soft tissue tumor that rarely metastasizes but lacks effective systemic therapy once it propagates. In some reports, high interleukin-6 (IL-6) production promotes tumor growth by autocrine stimulation and tocilizumab, an IL-6 receptor antagonist, can control AFH growth. Here, we present a case report on a patient with local recurrence and distant lymph node metastasis of AFH treated with tocilizumab. As a result, the inhibition of the IL-6 signaling pathway controlled paraneoplastic inflammatory syndrome (PIS); however, the local recurrent tumor progressed. This case implied that IL-6 is not necessarily the cause of tumor growth in AFH. Therefore, physicians should bear in mind that watchful observation is needed whether tocilizumab can control tumor progression despite the amelioration of PIS associated with the attenuated effect of IL-6 on AFH.
Aberrant Mitochondrial Dynamics: An Emerging Pathogenic Driver of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Ouyang Mingqi , Wang Mi , Yu Bilian
Published: June 2021

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a progressive segmental dilation of the abdominal aorta and is associated with high mortality. The characterized features of AAA indicate several underlying mechanisms of AAA formation and progression, including reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Mitochondrial functions are critical for determining cell fate, and mitochondrial dynamics, especially selective mitochondrial autophagy, which is termed as mitophagy, has emerged as an important player in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases. The PARKIN/PARIS/PGC1α pathway is associated with AAA formation and has been proposed to play a role in mitochondrial dynamics mediated by the PINK/PARKIN pathway in the pathogenesis underlying AAA. This review is aimed at deepening our understanding of AAA formation and progression, which is vital for the development of potential medical therapies for AAA.
Uncovering the Mechanism of Curcuma in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Technology, and Experiment Verification
Authors: Liu Suxian , Li Qiaodong , Liu Fengzhi , Cao Hui , Liu Jun , Shan Jingyi , Dan Wenchao , Yuan Jianye , Lin Jiang
Published: June 2021

Aim. The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing steadily in developed countries, it is plaguing nearly 1 million people in the United States and European countries, while developing countries have had a rapidly increased incidence over the past decades. Curcuma is widely used in treating malaria, UC, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer, which lead to diarrhea and bloody stool. However, the systemic mechanism of curcuma in treating UC is still unclear. Our work was supposed to expound how does curcuma alleviate UC in a comprehensive and systematic way by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experiment verification. Methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), Shanghai Chemistry & Chemical Industry Data Platform (SGST), and papers published in Chinese Network Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed were used to collect the chemical constituents of curcuma based on ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). And effective targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction to establish the curcuma-related database. The disease targets of UC were screened by GeneCards and DrugBank databases, and Wayne (Venn) analysis was carried out with curcuma targets to determine the intersection targets. AutoDock software and TCMNPAS system were used to dock the core chemical components of curcuma with key UC targets. Protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Gene function GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by using Metascape database. Finally, HE staining was performed to identify the inflammatory infiltration and expression difference in TNF-α and STAT3 before and after the treatment of curcuma which was verified by immunoblotting. Results. Twelve active components containing 148 target genes were selected from curcuma. Potential therapeutic targets of curcuma in the treatment of UC were acquired from 54 overlapped targets from UC and curcuma. Molecular docking was used to filter the exact 24 core proteins interacting with compounds whose docking energy is lower than −5.5 and stronger than that of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). GO and KEGG analyses showed that these targets were highly correlated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Experiments verified curcuma relieved pathological manifestation and decreased the expression of TNF-α and STAT3. Conclusion. Curcuma relieved the colon inflammation of ulcerative colitis via inactivating TNF pathway, inflammatory bowel disease pathway, and epithelial cell signaling in Helicobacter pylori infection pathway, probably by binding to STAT3 and TNF-α.
Initial- and Final-State Temperatures of Emission Source from Differential Cross-Section in Squared Momentum Transfer in High-Energy Collisions
Authors: Wang Qi , Liu Fu-Hu , Olimov Khusniddin K.
Published: June 2021

The differential cross-section in squared momentum transfer of

ρ

,

ρ

0

,

ω

,

ϕ

,

f

0

980

,

f

1

1285

,

f

0

1370

,

f

1

1420

,

f

0

1500

, and

J
/
ψ

produced in high-energy virtual photon-proton (

γ

∗

p

), photon-proton (

γ
p

), and proton-proton (

p
p

) collisions measured by the H1, ZEUS, and WA102 Collaborations is analyzed by the Monte Carlo calculations. In the calculations, the Erlang distribution, Tsallis distribution, and Hagedorn function are separately used to describe the transverse momentum spectra of the emitted particles. Our results show that the initial- and final-state temperatures increase from lower squared photon virtuality to a higher one and decrease with the increase of center-of-mass energy.
Noncontact ECG Monitoring by Capacitive Coupling of Textiles in a Chair
Authors: Su Po-Cheng , Hsueh Ya-Hsin , Ke Ming-Ta , Chen Jyun-Jhe , Lai Ping-Chen
Published: June 2021

Some patients are uncomfortable with being wired to a device to have their heart activity measured. Accordingly, this study adopts a noncontact electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement system using coupled capacitance in a conductive textile. The textiles can be placed on a chair and are able to record some of the patient’s heart data. Height and distance between the conductive textile electrodes were influential when trying to obtain an optimal ECG signal. A soft and highly conductive textile was used as the electrode, and clothing was regarded as capacitance insulation. The conductive textile and body were treated as the two electrode plates. This study found that placing the two conductive textiles at the same height provided better data than different heights. The system also enabled identifying the P, Q, R, S, and T waves of the ECG signal and eliminated unnecessary noise successfully.
Empirical Analysis of Beneficial Equality of the Basic Medical Insurance for Migrants in China
Authors: Gao Jieying , Chu Dongxiao , Ye Tao
Published: June 2021

The fairness of the benefits of basic medical insurance for the migrants is drawing increasing attention. This paper examined the beneficial equality of the basic medical insurance for the floating population in China using the “2014 National Internal Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey.” The Heckman model was employed due to selection bias among inpatients, and the random forest algorithm of machine learning was used to analyze the importance of factors affecting the hospitalization decision-making, hospitalization consumption, and reimbursement proportion of the floating population. The results show significant differences in the fairness of basic medical insurance benefits among different income groups, and the highest-income group benefits the most. In contrast, the higher-income group benefits the least. Further verification by introducing the commercial medical insurance indicated that the differences among different income groups did not disappear but reduced the degree of difference among the groups. Although China’s healthcare reform has progressed greatly, the study’s findings confirm that the government’s fair medical insurance can lead to unfair problems and the phenomena of low-income groups subsidizing high-income groups under the equalized basic medical insurance system. Adjusting the design of equalized medical insurance and allowing different income groups to pay different premium levels according to the payment level may be more conducive to the fairness of benefits based on achieving universal health coverage in China.
The Migration of Human Follicular Dendritic Cell-Like Cell Is Facilitated by Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 Expression That Is Mediated through TNFα-ERK1/2-AP1 Signaling
Authors: Pak Hyo-Kyung , Kim Yong-Woo , Nam Bora , Lee A-Neum , Roh Jin , Gil Minchan , Liu Chaohong , Chung Yoo-Sam , Park Chan-Sik
Published: June 2021

Follicular dendritic cells are important stromal components of the germinal center (GC) and have pivotal roles in maintaining the GC microenvironment for high-affinity antibody production. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is essential for the development and functions of follicular dendritic cells. Despite the importance of follicular dendritic cells in humoral immunity, their molecular control mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated due to the lack of an adequate investigation system. Here, we have used a unique human primary follicular dendritic cell-like cell (FDCLC) to demonstrate that the migration of these cells is enhanced by TNFα-mediated metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) expression. MMP3 was found to be highly expressed in normal human GCs and markedly upregulated in human primary FDCLCs by TNFα. TNFα induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and the transcription of MMP3 through AP1. TNFα treatment increased FDCLC migration, and a knockdown of MMP3 significantly reduced the TNFα-induced migration of FDCLCs. Overall, we have newly identified a control mechanism for the expression of MMP3 in FDCLCs that modulates their migration and may indicate an important role in GC biology. Since GCs are observed in the lesions of autoimmune diseases and lymphomas, targeting the MMP3/TNFα-mediated migration of stromal cells in the B cell follicle may have great potential as a future therapeutic modality against aberrant GC-associated disorders.
Classification of Abnormal Traffic in Smart Grids Based on GACNN and Data Statistical Analysis
Authors: Hu F. F. , Zhang S. T. , Lin X. B. , Wu L. , Liao N. D.
Published: June 2021

With the continuous development of smart grids, communication networks carry more and more power services, and at the same time, they are also facing more and more security issues. For example, some malicious software usually uses encryption technology or tunnel technology to bypass firewalls, intrusion detection systems, etc., thereby posing a serious threat to the information security of smart grids. At present, the classification of network traffic mainly depends on the correct extraction of network protocol characteristics. However, the process of extracting network features by some traditional methods is time-consuming and overly dependent on experience. In order to solve the problem of accurate classification of power network traffic, this paper proposes a method of convolutional neural network based on genetic algorithm optimization (GACNN) and data statistical analysis. This method can simultaneously extract the time characteristics between different packet groups and the spatial characteristics in the same packet group. Therefore, it greatly saves manpower and gets rid of the dependence on experience value. The proposed method has been tested and verified on the UNSW-NB15 dataset and the real dataset collected by the power company. The results show that the proposed method can correctly classify abnormal network flows and is much better than traditional machine learning methods. In large-scale real network flow scenarios, the detection rate of the proposed method exceeds 97%, while the traditional method is generally less than 90%.
Accurate Flexible Temperature Sensor Based on Laser‐Induced Graphene Material
Authors: Kun Huang , Bin Liu , Orban Mostafa , Donghai Qiu , Hongbo Yang
Published: June 2021

Body temperature is an essential physiological index reflecting human health. Accurate measurements of body temperature play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, a temperature sensor manufactured by laser‐induced graphene is introduced. This sensor has high measurement accuracy, simple preparation, and low production cost. The sensor is made of laser‐induced graphene and is easier to fabricate and operate than traditional thermal resistance sensors. The sensor is of high accuracy, is easy to manufacture, and is of low cost. The sensor has high accuracy and is linear between 30°C and 40°C in the human body temperature ranges. Laser‐induced graphene (LIG) sensor’s resistance value is correlated linearly with the temperature value, and compared with the infrared thermometer, the accuracy of the sensor is ±0.15°C while that of the infrared thermometer is ±0.30°C. The sensitivity of the LIG sensor is −0.04145%°C−1.
A Model for Evolutionary Structural Plasticity and Synchronization of a Network of Neurons
Authors: Solís-Perales Gualberto , Estrada Jairo Sánchez
Published: June 2021

A model of time-dependent structural plasticity for the synchronization of neuron networks is presented. It is known that synchronized oscillations reproduce structured communities, and this synchronization is transient since it can be enhanced or suppressed, and the proposed model reproduces this characteristic. The evolutionary behavior of the couplings is comparable to those of a network of biological neurons. In the structural network, the physical connections of axons and dendrites between neurons are modeled, and the evolution in the connections depends on the neurons’ potential. Moreover, it is shown that the coupling force’s function behaves as an adaptive controller that leads the neurons in the network to synchronization. The change in the node’s degree shows that the network exhibits time-dependent structural plasticity, achieved through the evolutionary or adaptive change of the coupling force between the nodes. The coupling force function is based on the computed magnitude of the membrane potential deviations with its neighbors and a threshold that determines the neuron’s connections. These rule the functional network structure along the time.
Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Wastewater Using Periodiated Modified Nanocellulose
Authors: Tsade Kara Hizkeal , Anshebo Sisay Tadesse , Sabir Fedlu Kedir , Adam Workineh Getachew
Published: June 2021

The study was focused on the preparation and characterizations of sodium periodate-modified nanocellulose (NaIO4-NC) prepared from Eichhornia crassipes for the removal of cationic methylene blue (MB) dye from wastewater (WW). A chemical method was used for the preparation of NaIO4-NC. The prepared NaIO4-NC adsorbent was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) instruments. Next, it was tested to the adsorption of MB dye from WW using batch experiments. The adsorption process was performed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models with maximum adsorption efficiency (qmax) of 90.91 mg·g−1 and percent color removal of 78.1% at optimum 30 mg·L−1, 60 min., 1 g, and 8 values of initial concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose, and solution pH, respectively. Pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model was well fitted for the adsorption of MB dye through the chemisorption process. The adsorption process was spontaneous and feasible from the thermodynamic study because the Gibbs free energy value was negative. After adsorption, the decreased values for physicochemical parameters of WW were observed in addition to the color removal. From the regeneration study, it is possible to conclude that NaIO4-NC adsorbent was recyclable and reused as MB dye adsorption for 13 successive cycles without significant efficient loss.
Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy Combinations in the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Disease: Current Status and Future Focus
Authors: Turchan William Tyler , Pitroda Sean P. , Weichselbaum Ralph R.
Published: June 2021

Radiotherapy and immunotherapy benefit subsets of patients with metastatic cancer. Here, we review selected laboratory and clinical studies investigating the utility of combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy in metastatic patients. We examine potential approaches to increase the therapeutic ratio of radioimmunotherapy in the treatment of metastatic cancers moving forward.
ONC212 is a Novel Mitocan Acting Synergistically with Glycolysis Inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ferrarini Isacco , Louie Anna , Zhou Lanlan , El-Deiry Wafik S.
Published: June 2021

ONC212 is a fluorinated imipridone with preclinical efficacy against pancreatic and other malignancies. Although mitochondrial protease ClpP was identified as an ONC212-binding target, the mechanism leading to cancer cell death is incompletely understood. We investigated mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic rewiring triggered by ONC212 in pancreatic cancer, a deadly malignancy with an urgent need for novel therapeutics. We found ClpP is expressed in pancreatic cancer cells and is required for ONC212 cytotoxicity. ClpX, the regulatory binding partner of ClpP, is suppressed upon ONC212 treatment. Immunoblotting and extracellular flux analysis showed ONC212 impairs oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) with decrease in mitochondrial-derived ATP production. Although collapse of mitochondrial function is observed across ONC212-treated cell lines, only OXPHOS-dependent cells undergo apoptosis. Cells relying on glycolysis undergo growth arrest and upregulate glucose catabolism to prevent ERK1/2 inhibition and apoptosis. Glucose restriction or combination with glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose synergize with ONC212 and promote apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, ONC212 is a novel mitocan targeting oxidative metabolism in pancreatic cancer, leading to different cellular outcomes based on divergent metabolic programs.
Anti-Glypican-1 Antibody–drug Conjugate as Potential Therapy Against Tumor Cells and Tumor Vasculature for Glypican-1–Positive Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Yokota Keiichiro , Serada Satoshi , Tsujii Shigehiro , Toya Keisuke , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Matsunaga Takashi , Fujimoto Minoru , Uemura Sunao , Namikawa Tsutomu , Murakami Ichiro , Kobayashi Shogo , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro , Hanazaki Kazuhiro , Naka Tetsuji
Published: June 2021

Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly malignant cancer. Many patients need systemic chemotherapy to prevent tumor development and recurrence; however, their prognosis is poor due to the lack of effective therapy. Therefore, a new treatment option is urgently required. We recently identified glypican-1 (GPC1) as a novel cancer antigen of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. We also demonstrated the efficacy and safety of GPC1-targeted ADC (GPC1–ADC) conjugating anti-GPC1 mAb possessing high internalization activity with monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF), which is a potent tubulin polymerizing inhibitor. In this study, we confirmed that GPC1 was highly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma cells and tissues. IHC analysis of 49 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patient tumor specimens revealed high expression of GPC1 in 47% of patients. These patients demonstrated significantly poorer prognosis compared with the low-expression group in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival (P < 0.05). GPC1 was also expressed in tumor vessels of cholangiocarcinoma, but not on the vessels of nontumor tissues. MMAF-conjugated GPC1–ADC showed potent tumor growth inhibition against GPC1-positive cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. In a GPC1 knockout xenograft model, GPC1–ADC partially inhibited tumor growth. Vascular endothelial cells in tumor tissues of GPC1-negative xenograft mice expressed GPC1 and were arrested in the G2–M phase of cell cycle by GPC1–ADC. GPC1–ADC exhibits direct as well as indirect antitumor effects via inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Our preclinical data highlight GPC1–ADC as a promising therapy for GPC1-positive cholangiocarcinoma.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury in a Patient with Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer after the Self-Administration of Fenbendazole Based on Social Media Information
Authors: Yamaguchi Teppei , Shimizu Junichi , Oya Yuko , Horio Yoshitsugu , Hida Toyoaki
Published: June 2021

Fenbendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic agent, with a broad antiparasitic range in animals such as dogs and pigs. The agent is also reported to exert antitumor effects and inhibit microtubule-associated tubulin polymerization, but its safety and tolerability profile in humans remains unclear. An 80-year-old female patient with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was started on pembrolizumab monotherapy. The patient experienced severe liver injury 9 months later. An interview with her and her family revealed that she had been taking fenbendazole for a month, solely based on social media reports suggesting its effectiveness against cancer. After discontinuation of the self-administration of fenbendazole, the patient’s liver dysfunction spontaneously resolved. The antitumor inhibitory effects of fenbendazole have been reported; however, she did not experience tumor shrinkage. This is the first case report of a patient with advanced NSCLC who self-administered the anthelmintic, fenbendazole. Twitter and Facebook are online social media platforms which have been constructively used to exchange information among cancer patients. However, sources of medical information on these platforms are often unproven, and it is difficult for nonmedical professionals to accurately select and filter complex medical information. Physicians should enquire patients about self-administration of orally ingested products, including dietary supplements, herbs, or bioactive compounds, in cases of unexpected adverse reactions.
Pre- and Postictal Changes in the Innate Immune System: Cause or Effect?
Authors: Lang Johannes D. , Olmes David G. , Proske Manuel , Hagge Mareike , Dogan Onugoren Müjgan , Rothhammer Veit , Schwab Stefan , Hamer Hajo M.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that inflammatory processes might play a role in epileptogenesis. Their role in ictogenesis is much less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate peri-ictal changes of the innate immune system by analyzing changes of immune cells, as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Patients with active epilepsy admitted for video-EEG monitoring for presurgical evaluation were included. Blood was sampled every 20 min for 5 h on 3 consecutive days until a seizure occurred. After a seizure, additional samples were drawn immediately, as well as 1 and 24 h later. To analyze the different populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, all samples underwent FACS for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD14, CD16, and CD19. For cytokine analysis, we used a custom bead-based multiplex immunoassay for IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and TNFα. Results: Fourteen patients with focal seizures during the sampling period were included. Natural killer (NK) cells showed a negative correlation (ρ = −0.3362, p = 0.0195) before seizure onset and an immediate increase to 1.95-fold afterward. T helper (TH) and B cells decreased by 2 and 8%, respectively, in the immediate postictal interval. Nonclassical and intermediate monocytes decreased not until 1 day after the seizures, and cytotoxic T (TC) cells showed a long-lasting postictal increase by 4%. IL-10 and MCP-1 increased significantly after seizures, and IL-12 decreased in the postictal phase. Discussion/Conclusion: Our study argues for a role of the innate immune system in the pre- and postictal phases. NK cells might be involved in preictal changes or be altered as an epiphenomenon in the immediate preictal interval.
Natural Products from Nocardia and Their Role in Pathogenicity
Authors: Engelbrecht Alicia , Saad Hamada , Gross Harald , Kaysser Leonard
Published: June 2021

Nocardia spp. are filamentous Actinobacteria of the order Corynebacteriales and mostly known for their ability to cause localized and systemic infections in humans. However, the onset and progression of nocardiosis is only poorly understood, in particular the mechanisms of strain-specific presentations. Recent genome sequencing has revealed an extraordinary capacity for the production of specialized small molecules. Such secondary metabolites are often crucial for the producing microbe to survive the challenges of different environmental conditions. An interesting question thus concerns the role of these natural products in Nocardia-associated pathogenicity and immune evasion in a human host. In this review, a summary and discussion of Nocardia metabolites is presented, which may play a part in nocardiosis because of their cytotoxic, immunosuppressive and metal-chelating properties or otherwise vitally important functions. This review also contains so far unpublished data concerning the biosynthesis of these molecules that were obtained by detailed bioinformatic analyses.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Severity of Dysphagia, and Their Correlation with Severity of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in a Mexican Cohort
Authors: Parra-Cantu Carolina , Zaldivar-Ruenes Arnulfo , Martinez-Vazquez Manuel , Martinez Hector R.
Published: June 2021

Objectives: Our study aimed to identify the prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and dysphagia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to assess whether a correlation exists between these symptoms and the severity of ALS progression. Methods: The presence and severity of GI symptoms and dysphagia were identified by means of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS). The Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) was utilized to determine the severity of ALS. Analysis of data was performed with Spearman correlations in semi-qualitative variables of clinical scales. ALSFRS-R scores were divided into 2 categories: those with mild to moderate ALS (≥40–30 points) and patients with moderate to advanced ALS (29–≤20 points). Results: We studied 43 patients with definite ALS. The most frequent GI symptoms were constipation (60.5%), rectal tenesmus (57.5%), hard stools (55.0%), and borborygmus (42.5%). The moderate to advanced ALS stage was correlated with constipation (r = 0.334; p = 0.028), acid regurgitation (r = 0.384; p = 0.013), eructation (r = 0.334; p = 0.032), rectal tenesmus (r = 0.498; p = 0.001), and functional dysphagia (r = 0.656; p = <0.001). Conclusions: Early detection of these GI symptoms can guide timely therapeutic decisions to avoid weight loss, a predictor for worse prognosis. This study highlights the relevance of the detection of these symptoms in ALS patients who score ≤29 points in the ALSFRS-R scale to establish an appropriate treatment, prevent systemic complications, provide more comfort, and improve quality of life.
A meritocracia como fator motivacional na administração pública
Authors: Moritz da Silva Christiano , Scherer Flavia Luciane , De Moura Carpes Aletéia
Published: June 2021

A meritocracia é uma ferramenta de gestão de pessoas muito utilizada na iniciativa privada, mas na administração pública encontra certa resistência para sua implantação. Em 2010 o Rio Grande do Sul instituiu a carreira de analista de planejamento, orçamento e gestão na Secretaria de Planejamento, Gestão e Participação Cidadã, visando adotar o sistema de meritocracia na esfera pública estadual. Passados dois anos, foi avaliada a percepção da categoria em relação aos conceitos da meritocracia ao qual estão submetidos. Assim, a pesquisa é norteada pela questão: Qual o grau de motivação dos servidores com o atual plano de carreira meritocrático? Utilizou-se o método de abordagem descritivo, aplicando procedimentos de pesquisa bibliográficos, documentais e de levantamento censitário tipo survey. Foi utilizado o questionário como instrumento para coleta dos dados e um corte-transversal caracterizando a coleta em um só momento. Para a análise e tratamento foram empregados os métodos quantitativo e qualitativo, predominando o primeiro. Verificou-se que o grau de motivação depende mais da forma como o plano de carreira meritocrático é discutido e implementado do que de suas características.
Marcos legais internacionais e nacionais para o enfrentamento à violência contra as mulheres: Um percurso histórico
Authors: De Tilio Rafael
Published: June 2021

O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar àqueles que se iniciam no estudo das políticas públicas e dos direitos para as mulheres uma breve contextualização histórica do modo pelo qual este tema se tornou parte da agenda política internacional e nacional, transformada e viabilizada por meio de tratados e convenções generalistas (de caráter universal) e por meio de políticas e normatizações específicas (de caráter local), no caso, o brasileiro. Assim, são apresentados cronologicamente as principais convenções, tratados, políticas e planos de proteção aos direitos das mulheres, que são resultado de constantes negociações, desejos, necessidades e demandas por uma sociedade menos desigual. Neste sentido, é importante destacar que a(s) luta(s) do(s) movimento(s) feminista(s) possuem uma história que resultou na luta pela equidade de gênero e de oportunidades para as mulheres que, no Brasil, é considerada não só uma questão de direitos, mas também de saúde pública e que está em constante elaboração e discussão por parte da Secretaria de Políticas para as Mulheres, órgão representativo da diversidade das mulheres no contexto nacional.
Comparison of Outcomes of Pediatric Catheter Ablation by Anesthesia Strategy: A Report From the NCDR IMPACT Registry
Authors: Janson Christopher M. , Shah Maully J. , Kennedy Kevin F. , Iyer V. Ramesh , Sweeten Tammy L. , Glatz Andrew C. , Steven James M. , O’Byrne Michael L.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Anesthesia strategies for pediatric ablation procedures include general anesthesia (GA) and monitored anesthesia care (MAC). The effects of anesthesia strategy on arrhythmia inducibility and procedural outcomes have not been investigated.

Methods:

A multicenter retrospective study was performed, using data from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry’s Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment Registry. Data from subjects 1 to 21 years undergoing elective first-time electrophysiology study (EPS) for evaluation of documented supraventricular tachycardia, ectopic atrial tachycardia, or premature ventricular contractions (PVC)/ventricular tachycardia (VT) from April 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, were included, excluding cases with Wolff-Parkinson-White, congenital heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. The primary outcome was a negative EPS, defined as failure to induce the clinical tachyarrhythmia. Secondary outcomes included ablation success and adverse events.

Results:

Six thousand six hundred twenty-one subjects from 78 centers were evaluated: 49% male; mean age 13.3±3.8 years. GA was used in 5913 (89%), with MAC in 708 (11%). A negative EPS occurred in 9% of cases overall, with no difference by anesthesia strategy (9% GA versus 10% MAC,
P
=0.2). In supraventricular tachycardia and ectopic atrial tachycardia, there was no significant difference in likelihood of a negative EPS by anesthesia strategy. In PVC/VT, there was a higher rate of negative EPS under GA (28% GA versus 16% MAC,
P
=0.02), translating to a higher rate of nonablation (34% GA versus 14% MAC,
P
<0.001). In multivariable models, GA was associated with negative EPS in PVC/VT (odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1–4.4],
P
=0.03) but not in supraventricular tachycardia or ectopic atrial tachycardia. Acute ablation success was not different between strategies (94% GA versus 94% MAC,
P
=0.2). Major adverse events were rare, with no differences between GA and MAC.

Conclusions:

In this first report on pediatric ablation data in the Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment Registry, there were no differences between GA and MAC in supraventricular tachycardia or ectopic atrial tachycardia inducibility, acute ablation success, or major adverse events. GA was associated with higher rates of noninducibility and nonablation in PVC/VT cases. A MAC strategy should be considered for PVC/VT ablation in the pediatric population.
Advancing the Use of Games as a Model for Scientific Practice
Authors: Queiroz Francisco , Spitz Rejane
Published: June 2021

Science is similar to a game, as both involve rules-based participation in search of optimal outcomes. Supported by key texts in history and philosophy of science, the authors propose a game-based model for understanding scientific inquiry and practice, particularly through computational resources. They conclude that this model creates space for more speculative and reflective approaches to scientific practice and can contribute to the design and development of better scientific software, simulation and visualization.
Bernard Stiegler, la technique, la culture et le temps: Une introduction à l’œuvre
Authors: Tron Colette
Published: June 2021

Décédé brutalement le 5 août 2020, le philosophe Bernard Stiegler aura eu une activité incessante et acharnée, une vie et une œuvre intenses et prolifiques, qu’il a transmises à ses contemporains et vers les générations futures. Soucieux d’un monde “non-inhumain,” de ses dits et écrits à ses actions et expérimentations, ses positions et propositions étaient étayées et son acuité en permanence vivace face à “la complexité de ce qui arrive”.
Remote cognitive behavioral therapy for viral anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Melehin Alexey I.
Published: June 2021

Relevance. The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental health of the population leading to an increase in anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders and alcohol abuse. This situation urgently demanded the introduction of a new method of providing psychological assistance, taking into account the inaccessibility of its full-time forms (“face to face”) in an epidemic. The objective of the article is to acquaint Russian mental health professionals with the specifics of the application and the effectiveness of short-term distance cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy in minimizing viral anxiety associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Results. The general specificity of conducting distance cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is described, its advantages and disadvantages are highlighted. The components of remote examination of the mental state of a patient with viral anxiety are described. The modules are presented and the effectiveness of the E.M. Anderson short-term protocol of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is shown. It is aimed at influencing the patient’s anxiety caused by the virus by minimizing dysfunctional strategies for regulating negative emotions (anxious rumination, catastrophization, health anxiety) and replacing them with more flexible ones (acceptance and responsibility, a sense of optimal awareness, a positive time perspective for the future, decatastrophization). Conclusions. The available data show that in the digital age, the use of adapted distance protocols of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy can be an effective tactic for reducing dysfunctional viral anxiety by promoting adaptive emotion regulation strategies, which has significant potential for improving public health in Russia.
Individual features of geometric figures discrimination by three species of reptiles
Authors: Zhelankin Roman.V. , Skotnikova Irina G. , Selivanova Lyubov A. , Dmitrieva Anastasia S.
Published: June 2021

Background (context). The individual characteristics of reptiles have been studied less than that of other classes of animals. One of the basic properties of their individuality, impulsivity, on which behavior and the solution of cognitive tasks in humans and animals significantly depend, has not been practically investigated. Objective. To study manifestations of impulsivity in decision-making in visual recognition in three types of reptiles. Design. In ten experiments, each of six individuals of three reptile species chose one of two paths in the task of distinguishing geometric shapes in mazes. The indicators of the percentage of erroneous choices and the average time for making choices were evaluated relative to the corresponding median values, similar to the study of a person’s impulsivity when choosing among similar visual images in the Kagan test. Results. Among the individuals of each species, four individual typological groups were distinguished: impulsive, slow — accurate, fast — accurate, and slow — inaccurate. This confirmed the authors’ hypothesis based on their study of color recognition in common grass snakes. In slow — accurate and slow — inaccurate individuals, repeated turns to the stimuli being compared were observed before they made a decision, apparently reflecting the expanded analysis of visual information, unlike in most impulsive and fast-accurate individuals. Conclusions. The four individual-typological groups identified in the three types of reptiles in the task of visual recognition are similar in terms of impulsivity to the known groups of people identified in a similar task. The differences in the behavioral reactions of individuals of the four typological groups of reptiles before making a decision correspond to the different psychological content of such a choice in these groups. Our results, which were obtained for reptiles for the first time, confirm the concept of impulsivity as one of the fundamental biologically determined characteristics of individuality, which is valid for other species of animals and humans. In the future it would be useful to find out: 1. Whether the following methods of studying impulsivity evaluate the same individual characteristic of animals: the well-known method of choosing the type of reinforcement and the auto method of choosing the path in the labyrinth with visual discrimination; 2. Do the assessments of impulsivity by these methods correlate with assessments of courage in reactions to a new object, territory and food? The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that knowledge of the individual characteristics of reptiles allows us to develop scientifically based recommendations for maintaining their well-being in zoos and nurseries.
“People Want a Clean Environment”: Historical Roots of the Environmental Crisis and the Emergence of Eco-Resistances in Tunisia
Authors: Pepicelli Renata
Published: June 2021

In Tunisia since the 2010–11 revolution, the relationship between activism and territories has emerged as central in the redefinition of social conflicts. The present essay analyses the growing environmental protests, focusing on a series of movements in defence of urban and rural regions which, although different from each other, share the centrality of the local dimension in defining new forms of conflict and the environmentalist theme as the guiding thread of their struggles. Based on a historical analysis of the roots of the environmental crisis and inequalities in the country, on the one hand, and on the results of fieldwork on the ongoing environmental protests, on the other hand, the aim of this study is to give an enlarged image of the plural forms of eco-resistance that are taking place in Tunisia.
Donadinia echinacea and Plectania sichuanensis, two novel species of Sarcosomataceae from southwestern China
Authors: ZENG MING , GENTEKAKI ELENI , HYDE KEVIN D. , ZHAO QI
Published: June 2021

This paper describes five sarcosomataceous samples collected from southwestern China and provides an updated two locus phylogeny of Sarcosomataceae. Two new species, Donadinia echinacea and Plectania sichuanensis, are described based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Donadinia echinacea is a dematiaceous hyphomycete with pleurogenous, guttulate conidia. Plectania sichuanensis is a cup-fungus distinguished by its ochre hymenium and ellipsoid ascospores with small multiple oil droplets. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and LSU sequence data using broad taxon sampling supports establishment of the new species along with eight distinct clades within Sarcosomataceae.