bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quorum sensing system luxS gene contributes to the environmental fitness of Streptococcus suis
Authors: Li Jinpeng , Wang Yuxin , Du Yanbin , Zhang Hui , Fan Qingyin , Sun Liyun , Yi Li , Wang Shaohui , Wang Yang
Published: October 2020

Background: Streptococcus suis type 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen. We have previously reported the structure of LuxS protein and found that the luxS gene is closely related to biofilm, virulence gene expression and drug resistance of SS2. However, the mechanism of luxS mediated SS2 stress response is unclear. Therefore, this experiment performed stress response to luxS mutant (ΔluxS) and complement strain (CΔluxS), overexpression strain (luxS+) and wild-type SS2 strain HA9801, and analyzed the differential phenotypes in combination with transcriptome data.Results: The results indicate that the luxS gene causes a wide range of phenotypic changes, including chain length. RNA sequencing identified 278 luxS-regulated genes, of which 179 were up-regulated and 99 were down-regulated. Differential genes focus on bacterial growth, stress response, metabolic mechanisms and drug tolerance. Multiple mitotic genes were down-regulated; while the ABC transporter system genes, cobalamin /Fe3+-iron carrier ABC transporter ATPase and oxidative stress regulators were up-regulated. The inactivation of the luxS gene caused a significant reduction in the growth and survival in the acid and iron stress environments. However, the mutant strain ΔluxS showed increased antioxidant activity to H2O2. Conclusions: The luxS gene in SS2 appears to play roles in iron metabolism and protective responses to acidic and oxidative environmental conditions.
Impact involving the community in entomological surveillance of the Triatoma infestans vectorial control
Authors: Abrahan Luciana , Cavallo María José , Amelotti Ivana
Published: October 2020

BackgroundVectorial transmission is the principal way of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the parasite that cause Chagas disease. In Argentina, Triatoma infestans is the principal vector, for this reason, vector control is the main strategy for the prevention of this illness. Provincial Program of Chagas La Rioja (PPCHLR) carries out entomological evaluation of domiciliary units (DU) and spraying those where T. infestans are found. The lack of government funds generated low visit frequency of PPCHLR, especially in areas with a low infestation that they were not prioritized. For this reason, seeking possible alternatives to complement control activities are necessary. Involving householders in entomologic evaluation would be a control alternative. The major objective was to determine the cost of entomological evaluation with and without community participation.MethodsFor entomological evaluation without community participation, PPCHLR data collected in February 2017 over 359 DU of Castro Barros Department (CBD) were used. For entomological evaluation with community participation, 434 DU of the same department were selected in November 2017. Each householder was trained in the insect collection that were kept in labelled plastic bags and recovered after two weeks to analyse T. cruzi presence in laboratory. Entomological evaluation costs with and without community participation over DU visited number, over DU evaluated number, and over DU sprayed were calculated and compared between methodologies. In addition, DU evaluated number out DU visited number was compared. ResultsThe results showed that the triatomines did not show evidence of T. cruzi infection. Costs in relation to DU visited, to those evaluated and to those sprayed, were lowered with community participation (p< 0.05). In addition, a greater number of DU evaluated in relation to those visited as well as greater surface were covered with community participation. ConclusionThe participation of the community in the infestation survey is an efficient complement of vertical control, allowing the spraying to be focused on infested houses and thus reducing costs and intervention times by PPCHLR.
Evidence that Maackia amurensis seed lectin (MASL) exerts pleiotropic actions on oral squamous cells to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease progression
Authors: Sheehan Stephanie A. , Hamilton Kelly L. , Retzbach Edward P. , Balachandran Premalatha , Krishnan Harini , Leone Paola , Goldberg Gary S.
Published: October 2020

COVID-19 was declared an international public health emergency in January, and a pandemic in March of 2020. There are over 23 million confirmed COVID-19 cases that have cause over 800 thousand deaths worldwide as of August 19th, 2020. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 presents a surface “spike” protein that binds to the ACE2 receptor to infect host cells. In addition to the respiratory tract, SARS-Cov-2 can also infect cells of the oral mucosa, which also express the ACE2 receptor. The spike and ACE2 proteins are highly glycosylated with sialic acid modifications that direct viral-host interactions and infection. Maackia amurensis seed lectin (MASL) has a strong affinity for sialic acid modified proteins and can be used as an antiviral agent. Here, we report that MASL targets the ACE2 receptor, decreases ACE2 expression and glycosylation, suppresses binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and decreases expression of inflammatory mediators by oral epithelial cells that cause ARDS in COVID-19 patients. This work identifies MASL as an agent with potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 related inflammatory syndromes.
Glucose Transporter 1 and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α is Indicators of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Aggressiveness and Poor Prognosis: A Case Control Study
Authors: Liu Jia , Xu Qiong , Luo Yun-Zhen , Yao Hong-Tian , Zhou Shui-Hong
Published: October 2020

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common and aggressive malignancy with a high morbidity and mortality profile. Increased levels of expression of the tumor hypoxia markers, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), are indicators of poor prognosis in carcinoma.Materials and methods: This study involved detection of HIF-1α and GLUT-1 expression with a mean follow-up period of 10 years in 69 cases of HNSCC (23 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma and 46 of laryngeal carcinoma) and 30 controls (15 cases of vocal cord polyps and 15 of leukoplakia). The χ2 test, Fisher’s exact probability method, Pearson’s test, Kaplan–Meier method, Cox proportional hazards regression model of SPSS version 22.0 was used. In all analyses, P < 0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance.Results: Compared with inflammatory and precancerous lesion tissues, the levels of GLUT-1 and HIF-1α expression were significantly increased in HNSCC (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between HIF-1α and GLUT-1 (r = 0.338, P = 0.004). GLUT-1 expression was significantly associated with primary tumor site (P = 0.032), clinical stage (P = 0.036), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.032), and distant metastasis (P = 0.002). HIF-1α expression was significantly related to recurrence (P = 0.013), distant metastasis (P = 0.044), second primary cancer (P = 0.040), and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.029). The OS of the 69 patients with HNSCC was significantly associated with the primary tumor site (P = 0.024), clinical stage (P = 0.041), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.039). Conclusion: The increased levels of GLUT-1 and HIF-1α expression may serve as molecular markers for diagnosis of HNSCC. High GLUT-1 and HIF-1α expression, especially HIF-1α expression, may be indicators of HNSCC aggressiveness and poor prognosis.
Midterm Outcomes of Early Versus Late Surgery for Infective Endocarditis with Neurologic Complications: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Yokoyama Yujiro , Goto Taichiro
Published: October 2020

Background: Cerebral infarction (CI) remains one of the most common and fatal complications of infective endocarditis (IE), and the timing of surgery for IE with neurologic complications is controversial. As outcomes beyond the perioperative period have not been assessed with a meta-analysis previously, we conducted a meta-analysis comparing mid- to long-term outcomes of early and late surgery in patients with IE and neurologic complications.Methods: All studies that investigated early and late surgery in patients with IE and neurologic complications were identified. The primary and secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality and recurrence, respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and recurrence were extracted from each study. Results: Our search identified five eligible studies, which were all observational studies consisting of a total of 624 patients with IE and neurologic complications. Pooled analyses demonstrated that all-cause mortality was similar between the early and late surgery groups (HR [95% confidence interval [CI]]=0.90 [0.49-1.64]; P=0.10; I2=49%). Similarly, the recurrence rates were similar between both groups (HR [95% CI]=1.86 [0.76-4.52]; P=0.43; I2=0%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed similar mortality and recurrent rates between the early and late surgery groups. The optimal timing of surgery should be individualized on a case-to-case basis.
Repair Technique for Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Associated with a Rare Retroaortic Innominate Vein
Authors: Jung Hanna , Cho Joon Yong , Lee Youngok
Published: October 2020

Background Retroaortic innominate vein (RIV) is a rare vascular abnormality. Although RIV itself is asymptomatic, its presence in patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) to the superior vena cava (SVC) is surgically challenging because a simple Warden procedure is impossible. Case presentationA 16-year-old girl was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, secundum, and sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) at birth. She underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot and ASD closure at the age of 14-months. However, the diagnosis of PAPVR was missed. At the age of 16, she developed dyspnea on exercise. Echocardiography demonstrated severe pulmonary regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, and D-shaped left ventricle with paradoxical septal motion along with RIV and sinus venous ASD. Computed tomography confirmed RIV and PAPVR. Systemic and pulmonary venous blood pathways were separated by bovine pericardial patch, and pulmonary valve replacement was performed. Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated improvement of D-shaped left ventricle and laminar flow through the SVC and pulmonary veins. Postoperative computed tomography showed a well-reconstructed SVC and pulmonary venous pathway without stenosis. After an uneventful postoperative course, patient was discharged.ConclusionsRIV in patients with PAPVR may be surgically challenging to repair. We report the first case of successfully repaired PAPVR associated with a rare RIV.
Banking Sector Intermediation Development and Growth of a Developing Economy: An Empirical Investigation of Nigeria
Authors: Azolibe Chukwuebuka Bernard
Published: October 2020

In developing economies, banks act as a conduit for the efficient mobilization of financial resources from the surplus sectors for effective allocation to the deficit sectors for productive investment that will in turn lead to economic growth. Thus, the study is aimed at evaluating whether development in the banking sector intermediation process in the form of increase in the number of branches, credit to private sectors, intermediation efficiency and total assets stimulates economic growth in Nigeria during the period of 1987 to 2018. The study employed the Johansen cointegration test, dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) regression and error correction model in determining the relationship between the variables. The results of the cointegration test confirmed the existence of long-run relationship between banking sector development indicators and economic growth in Nigeria. Whereas, in the short run, only number of bank branches and bank’s total asset have a positive and significant impact on economic growth signifying that much of Nigeria’s superior growth performance is attributed to increase in the number of bank branches and growth in bank’s assets. Credit to private sector has negative and insignificant relationship with economic growth while bank’s intermediation efficiency has positive and insignificant relationship with economic growth.
Contact residue contributions to interaction energies between SARS-CoV-1 spike proteins and human ACE2 receptors
Authors: Rodriguez Jorge H. , Gupta Akshita
Published: October 2020

Several viruses of the corona family interact, via their spike (S) proteins, with human cellular receptors. Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 virions, being structurally related but not identical, mediate attachment to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor in similar but non-identical ways. Molecular-level understanding of interactions between spike proteins and hACE2 can aid strategies for blocking attachment of SARS-CoV-1, a potentially reemerging health threat, to human cells. We have uniquely identified dominant molecular-level interactions, some attractive and some repulsive, between the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-1 spike proteins (S-RBD) and hACE2. We performed fragment-based quantum-biochemical calculations which directly relate biomolecular structure with the hACE2...S-RBD interaction energy. Consistent with X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, the interaction energy between hACE2 and S-RBD (≈−26 kcal/mol) corresponds to a net intermolecular attraction which is significantly enhanced by inclusion of dispersion van der Waals forces. Protein fragments, at the hACE2...S-RBD interface, that dominate host-virus attraction have been identified together with their constituent amino acid residues. Two hACE2 fragments which include residues (GLU37, ASP38, TYR41, GLN42) and (GLU329, LYS353, GLY354), respectively, as well as three S-RBD fragments which include residues (TYR436), (ARG426) and (THR487, GLY488, TYR491), respectively, have been identified as primary attractors at the hACE2...S-RBD interface.
CircRNA MFACR is Upregulated in Myocardial Infarction and Downregulates miR-125b to Promote Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis-induced by Hypoxia
Authors: Wang Shujuan , Li Long , Deng Weijie , Jiang Minhua
Published: October 2020

Background：CircRNA MFACR promotes cardiomyocyte death, which contributes to myocardial infarction (MI). This study was carried out to explore the involvement of MFACR in MI.RT-qPCRs were performed to analyze the expression of MFACR and miR-125b in plasma samples from both MI patients (n=61) and healthy controls (n=61). MFACR and miR-125b were overexpressed in AC16 cells (cardiomyocytes) to study the interactions between them. The role of MFACR in regulating the methylation of miR-125b gene was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR. Cell apoptosis after transfections was analyzed by cell apoptosis assay.Result ：MFACR was overexpressed in MI and inversely correlated with miR-125b. In AC16 cells, hypoxia treatment increased MFACR expression and decreased miR-125b expression. In AC16 cells, MFACR overexpression decreased miR-125b expression and increased the methylation of miR-125b gene. Under hypoxia, MFACR overexpression increased AC16 cell apoptosis, and miR-125b overexpression decreased cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-125b overexpression reversed the effects of MFACR overexpression on cell apoptosis.Conclusions： MFACR may downregulate miR-125b through methylation to promote the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in MI.
miR-193b-3p Promotes Proliferation of Goat Myoblast Through Directly Targeting IGF2BP1 and Activating Its Transcription
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Xiao , Yang Hailong , Xu Xiaoli , Chen Yuan , Dai Dinghui , Zhan Siyuan , Guo Jiazhong , Zhong Tao , Wang Linjie , Cao Jiaxue , Zhang Hongping
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAs a well-known cancer-related miRNA, miR-193b-3p is enriched in skeletal muscle but dysregulated in muscle disease. However, mechanism underpinning has not been addressed so far. MethodsHere, we probed the impact of miR-193b-3p on myogenesis by mainly using goat tissues and skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), with combined methods including RNA-seq to profile the transcriptome affected by miR-193b-3p, cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) for cell proliferation assay, and RNA-RNA dual-labeled fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for RNA colocalization. ResultsmiR-193b-3p is highly enriched in goat skeletal muscles, and ectopic miR-193b-3p promotes MuSCs proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) is the most activated insulin signaling genes when overexpression miR-193b-3p and the miRNA recognition element (MRE) within IGF1BP1 3ʹ untranslated region (UTR) is indispensable for its activation caused by miR-193b-3p. Consistently, expression patterns and function of IGF2BP1 were similar to those of miR-193b-3p in tissues and MuSCs. While the overexpression of miR-193b-3p failed to induce pax7 expression and myoblast proliferation when IGF2BP1 knockdown. Furthermore, miR-193b-3p destabilized IGF2BP1 mRNA but unexpectedly promoted levels of IGF2BP1 heteronuclear RNA (hnRNA) dramatically. Moreover, miR-193b-3p could enhance fly luciferase activity when inserted upstream of its promoter, and induce neighboring genes of itself. However, miR-193b-3p inversely regulated IGF2BP1 and myoblast proliferation in mouse C2C12 myoblast. These data unveil that goat miR-193b-3p promotes myoblast proliferation via activating IGF2BP1 by binding on its 3ʹ UTR.ConclusionsOur novel findings highlight the positive regulation between miRNA and its target genes in muscle development, which further extends the repertoire of miRNA functions.
Workplace Violence Among Frontline Clinicians in Emergency Departments Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Li Yue , Liu Rui , An Ying , Zhang Ling , An Feng-Rong , Wang Aiping , Zhao Yan-Jie , Yuan Anzhe , Cheung Teris , Ungvari Gabor S. , Qin Ming-Zhao , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: October 2020

Background: Frontline clinicians working in the emergency department (ED) were at disportionate risk of workplace violence (WPV). This study investigated the prevalence of WPV and its association on quality of life (QOL) among this population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: The overall prevalence of WPV was 29.2% (95%CI: 26.5%-31.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having family/friends/colleagues infected with COVID-19 (OR=1.81, P=0.01), current smoking status (OR=3.24, P<0.01) and severity of anxiety symptoms (OR=1.13, P<0.01) were positively associated with WPV. Working in inpatient ED units (OR=0.45, P<0.01) was negatively associated with WPV. After controlling for covariates, clinicians experiencing WPV had a lower overall QOL compared to those without (F (1, 1103) =14.2, P<0.01).Conclusions: Prevalence of workplace violence was common among ED clinicians in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the negative impact of WPV on QOL and care quality, timely preventive measures should be undertaken for ED clinicians.
Identification and Clinical Validation of Genes Signatures With Grade and Survival in Head and Neck Carcinomas
Authors: Ma Wei , Cao Qing , She Wandong
Published: October 2020

Background: The mechanism of transition from low-grade to high-grade head and neck carcinomas (HNC) still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the genes expression profiles that drive malignancy from low to high-grade HNC, as well as analyze their correlations with the survival.Methods: Gene expressions and clinical data of HNC were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. The significantly differential genes (SDGs) between low and high-grade HNC were screened by GEO2R and R software. Bioinformatics functions of SDGs were investigated by the enrichment analyses. Univariate and multivariate cox regressions were performed to identify prognostic SDGs of progression free survival (PFS) and disease specific survival (DSS). ROC curve was established to evaluate the ability to predict the prognosis. Then, the correlations between SDGs and clinical features were evaluated. The genes were experimentally validated by RT-PCR in clinical specimens’ tissues at last.Results: Thirty-five SDGs were identified in 47 low-grade and 30 high-grade HNC samples. Enrichment analysis showed these SDGs were mainly enriched in the DNA repair pathway and the regulation of I−kappaB kinase/NF−kappaB signaling pathway. Cox regression analyses showed that CXCL14, SLC44A1 and UBD were significantly associated with DSS, and PPP2R2C and SLC44A1 were associated with PFS. Patients at a high-risk or low-risk for prognosis were established based on genes signatures. High-risk patients had significantly shorter DSS and PFS than low-risk patients (P=0.033, 0.010 respectively). Multivariate cox regression showed HPV (P=0.033), lymph node status (P=0.032) and residual status (P＜0.044) were independent risk factors for PFS. ROC curves showed the risk score had better efficacy to predict survival both for DSS and PFS (AUC=0.858, 0.901 respectively). In addition, we found UBD, PPP2R2C and risk score were significantly associated with HPV status (all P＜0.05). The experiment results showed CXCL14 and SLC44A1 were significantly overexpressed in the HNC grade I/II tissues and the UBD were overexpressed in the HNC grade III/IV tissues.Conclusions: Our results suggested that SDGs had different expression profiles between the low-grade and high-grade HNC, and these genes may serve as prognostic biomarker to predict the survival.
A Novel Density Peaks Clustering Algorithm Based on K Nearest Neighbors With Adaptive Merging Strategy
Authors: Yuan Xiaoning , Yu Hang , Liang Jun , Xu Bing
Published: October 2020

Recently the density peaks clustering algorithm (dubbed as DPC) attracts lots of attention. The DPC is able to quickly find cluster centers and complete clustering tasks. And the DPC is suitable for many clustering tasks. However, the cutoff distance 𝑑𝑑𝑐𝑐 is depends on human experience which will greatly affect the clustering results. In addition, the selection of cluster centers requires manual participation which will affect the clustering efficiency. In order to solve these problem, we propose a density peaks clustering algorithm based on K nearest neighbors with adaptive merging strategy (dubbed as KNN-ADPC). We propose a clusters merging strategy to automatically aggregate the over-segmented clusters. Additionally, the K nearest neighbors is adopted to divide points more reasonably. The KNN-ADPC only has one parameter and the clustering task can be conducted automatically without human involvement. The experiment results on artificial and real-world datasets prove the higher accuracy of KNN-ADPC compared with DBSCAN, K-means++, DPC and DPC-KNN.
Optimising microalgal cultivation for biofuels production: the biorefinery paradigm
Authors: Figueroa-Torres Gonzalo M. , Pittman Jon , Theodoropoulos Constantinos
Published: October 2020

Background: Microalgae are regarded as a viable biorefinery platform for the sustainable and cost-effective production of biofuels and other value-added chemicals. However, to allow this promising biomass to compete with existing biofuel feedstock technologies, it is necessary to exploit multi-product platforms and to identify optimal microalgal cultivation strategies maximising the microalgal metabolites from which biofuels are obtained: starch and lipids. Whilst nutrient limitation is widely known for increasing starch and lipid formation, this cultivation strategy can greatly reduce microalgal growth. This work presents an optimisation framework combining predictive modelling and experimental methodologies to simulate microalgal growth dynamics and identify optimal cultivation strategies.Results: Microalgal cultivation strategies for maximised starch and lipid formation were successfully established by developing a multi-parametric kinetic model suitable for the prediction of mixotrophic microalgal growth dynamics co-limited by nitrogen and phosphorus. The model’s high predictive capacity was experimentally validated against various datasets obtained from laboratory-scale cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtti CCAP 11/32C subject to different initial nutrient regimes. The identified model-based optimal cultivation strategies were further validated experimentally and yielded significant increases in starch (+270 %) and lipid (+74 %) production against a non-optimised strategy.Conclusions: The optimised microalgal cultivation scenarios for maximised starch and lipids, as identified by the kinetic model presented here, highlight the benefits of exploiting modelling frameworks as optimisation tools that facilitate the development and commercialisation of microalgae-to-fuel technologies.
Qualitative exploration of the factors influencing the use of dietary supplements in Iranian women: introduction to areas of focus for developing interventions
Authors: Hoseini Akramsadat , Dehdari Tahereh , Solhi Mahnaz , Rahideh Seyedeh Tayebeh , Janani Leila
Published: October 2020

Background: Literature shows that the consumption of Dietary Supplements (DS) is more common in Iran. This study aimed to explore the experiences of a sample of Iranian women regarding the factors influencing the use of DS.Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted in Qods city, Tehran province, Iran from January to March 2020. Forty-two semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed with women. The participants were asked about their experiences about the determinants of the consumption of DS. After the first round of the interviews was done, we performed content analysis of the data and continued up to data saturation.Results: Two main themes including personal factors (with 5 subthemes including sociodemographic characteristics, perceived benefits of DS, history of illness, physiological conditions, and lifestyle factors) and socio-economic factors (with 3 subthemes including subjective norms, the price of food and commercial considerations of the sectors involved in the production and sale of DS) emerged as the experiences of the participants as to the intake of DS.Conclusions: These variables may suggest areas which need to be focused on for performing more effective interventions to affect appropriate consumption of DS in Iran.
Camouflaging Behaviours Used by Autistic Adults During Everyday Social Interactions
Authors: Cook Julia , Crane Laura , Hull Laura , Bourne Laura , Mandy William
Published: October 2020

Background Autistic people may modify their innate autistic social behaviours in order to adapt to, cope within, and/or influence the predominately neurotypical social landscape. We term such modified or changed behaviour “camouflaging behaviour.” Conceptualisations and definitions of camouflaging behaviours are in their infancy. Existing qualitative research examining camouflaging behaviours relies solely on retrospective accounts of camouflaging experiences. Methods Using Interpersonal Process Recall methodology (Kegan, 1969), 17 autistic adults (8 women, 6 men, and 3 agender/gender neutral) participated in a brief social task designed to replicate a common day-to-day social situation. Participants then watched a video of their interaction with a researcher, actively identifying and describing camouflaging behaviours. Interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Detailed descriptions of 37 camouflaging behaviours were generated. These behaviours were grouped into four categories: masking (hide particular behaviours and/or aspects of one’s identity); innocuous engagement (facilitate passive, conservative, and superficial engagement in social interactions); neurotypical communication (involve communicating in line with non-autistic norms and preferences); and active self-presentation (facilitate active, open, and reciprocal participation in social interactions). Limitations Given the IPR methodology utilised in the study, the results may not generalise to all social environments or autistic individuals. Conclusions This study extends the current understanding of camouflaging by generating novel, specific, and detailed information about camouflaging behaviours. These camouflaging behaviours are discussed with reference to literature concerning interpersonal research and theory within and outside the field of autism.
A Comprehensive Systematic Review of CSF analysis that defines Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19
Authors: Tandon Medha , Mehta Tejas R , Daimee Maha , Patel Viral , Prasad Apoorv , Chowdhary Anisa , Kataria Saurabh , Sriwast Shitiz
Published: October 2020

Background: Here we performed a systematic review of literature of CSF findings associated with neurological complications in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) to establish a pattern and understand the significance of CSF analysis which can possibly be useful in deciding prognosis and exploring therapeutic options in the future. Methods: We screened all articles resulting from a search of PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, using the keywords “SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid”, “SARS-CoV-2 and CNS Complication”.Results: We performed CSF analysis results in total of 113 patients from 67 papers. There were 7 patients out of 113 patients (6.2 %) were fatal and 35 patients (31 %) were considered severe and rest non-severe. Elevated cell counts (>5 cells/µL) were found in 43% (3/7) of the fatal cases, 25.7% (9/35) of the severe cases and 29.4% (15/51) of non-severe cases. The average CSF protein of 110.0 mg/dl found in fatal, and in 85.4mg/dl in non-fatal cases. Whereas, average CSF protein levels were 78 mg/dl in severe and 103 mg/dl in non-severe cases. In addition, 76.5% (13/17) of the patients with CNS complications and 74.1% (40/54) of the patients with a PNS manifestation showed elevated protein levels.Conclusion: The most common finding of CSF analysis in the setting of neurological manifestations in Covid-19 is noted to be elevated CSF protein with occasionally elevated, predominantly lymphocytic cell count. Interestingly, CSF protein is noted to be majorly elevated in all spectrums of severity of neurological illness including CNS and PNS complications. This may be indicative of only one common pathophysiological mechanism of neurological illness. In future, A combination of SARS-CoV-2 CSF RT-PCR, CSF IgM testing, and CNS targeting antibodies should be further studied to understand pathophysiology of neurological complications in Covid-19.
Successful treatment of intubation-induced severe neurogenic post-extubation dysphagia using Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation in a COVID-19 survivor: a case report
Authors: Traugott Marianna , Hoepler Wolfgang , Kitzberger Reinhard , Pavlata Sophie , Seitz Tamara , Baumgartner Sebastian , Placher-Sorko Gudrun , Pirker-Krassnig Daniela , Ehehalt Urs , Grasnek Andreas , Grieb Alexander , Beham-Kacerovsky Michaela , Friese Emanuela , Wenisch Christoph , Neuhold Stephanie
Published: October 2020

Background A significant portion of critically ill patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of developing ICU-acquired swallowing dysfunction (neurogenic dysphagia) as a consequence of requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (PES) is a simple and safe treatment for neurogenic dysphagia. Previously it has been shown that PES can restore safe swallowing in orally intubated or tracheotomised ICU-patients with neurogenic dysphagia following severe stroke. We report the case of a patient with severe neurogenic post-extubation dysphagia (PED) due to prolonged intubation and severe general muscle weakness related to COVID-19, which was successfully treated using PES.Case Presentation A 71-year-old female patient with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection developed neurogenic dysphagia following prolonged intubation in the ICU. To avoid aerosol generating procedures, her swallowing function was evaluated non-instrumentally as recommended by recently published international guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her swallowing function was markedly impaired and PES therapy was recommended. PES led to a rapid improvement of the post-extubation dysphagia (PED), as evaluated by bedside swallowing assessments using the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS), Dysphagia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) and diet screening using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). The improved swallowing, as reflected by these measures, allowed this patient to transfer from the ICU to a non-intensive medical department five days after completing PES treatment.Conclusions PES treatment contributed to the restoration of a safe swallowing function in this critically ill patient with COVID-19 and ICU-acquired swallowing dysfunction. Early clinical bedside swallowing assessment and dysphagia intervention in COVID-19 patients is crucial to optimise their full recovery. Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation may contribute to a safe and earlier ICU discharge of patients with ICU-acquired swallowing dysfunction. Earlier ICU discharge and reduced rates of re-intubation following PES can help alleviate some of the pressure on ICU bed capacity, which is critical in times of a health emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 in rheumatic patients on synthetic and biologics Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Santana Felipe M , Lopes Jaqueline B , Perez Mariana O , Campana Gustavo , Levi José Eduardo , Lopes Flávia PPL , Gebara Otávio , Cobra Jayme F , Figueiredo Camille P
Published: October 2020

Introduction - To date, there is a lack of information on how immunomodulatory drugs for autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) impair humoral immune response following SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Hence, we examined anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM positivity in ARD patients on Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs).Methods - We conducted a prospective study with ARD patients on different synthetic or biologic DMARDs (sDMARDs or bDMARDs) and control patients without DMARDs. All patients underwent a clinical baseline interview. They were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM at baseline and three months later. Patients were monitored for incident respiratory symptoms during the follow-up. rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was performed for suspected COVID-19 infection. A univariate analysis was conducted according to antibody positivity to find significant associations for seroconversion. Results - We included one hundred patients for the analysis. Half of the patients who turned IgG positive in the study remained asymptomatic. All positive rRT-PCR patients showed seroconversion for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. A borderline significant association was found for bDMARD use in IgG positive patients (42.9% vs. 19.8%, p=0.056). On the other hand, none of the patients on non-antimalarial sDMARD had detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG as compared to 35.4% of the remainder sample, reaching borderline statistical significance (0.0% vs. 35.4%, p=0.050). Conclusions - Serology for COVID-19 yielded a 14% incidence in our sample, half evolving asymptomatically. Temporally withholding bDMARD therapy in ARD patients during the pandemic based on possible humoral response impairment is not suitable. sDMARD was associated with a lower incidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity and further studies on this possible impact is warranted.
Ethanol-induced CYP2E1 Expression is Reduced by Lauric Acid via PI3K Pathway in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Lua Ying-Huan , Ong Wei-Wah , Wong Hong-Kin , Chew Choy-Hoong
Published: October 2020

The metabolism of alcohol involves cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-induced oxidative stress, with the association of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling pathways. CYP2E1 is primarily involved in the microsomal ethanol oxidising system, which generates massive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ultimately leads to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Lauric acid, a major fatty acid in palm kernel oil, has been shown as a potential antioxidant. Here, we aimed to evaluate the use of lauric acid as a potential antioxidant against ethanol-mediated oxidative stress by investigating its effect on CYP2E1 mRNA expression and the signalling pathway in ethanol-induced HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were firstly treated with different concentrations of ethanol, and subsequently co-treated with different concentrations of lauric acid for 24 h. Total cellular RNA and total protein were extracted, and qPCR and Western blot was carried out. Ethanol induced the mRNA expression of CYP2E1 significantly, but lauric acid was able to downregulate the induced CYP2E1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, Western blot analysis and densitometry analysis showed that the phosphorylated PI3K p85 (Tyr458) protein was significantly elevated in ethanol-treated HepG2 cells, but co-treatment with lauric acid repressed the activation of PI3K. However, there was no significant difference in NFκB pathway, in which the normalised NFκB p105 (Ser933) phosphorylation remained constant in any treatment conditions in this study. This suggests that ethanol induced CYP2E1 expression by activating PI3K p85 (Tyr458) pathway, but not the NFκB p105 (Ser933) pathway in HepG2 cells.
The Denser Canopy of Mangrove Drives the Structure of Insect Communities
Authors: Yendra Pratama Setyawan  , Wakhid  , Suhadi
Published: October 2020

Mangrove restoration in Trenggalek, East Java has resulted an age variation of mangrove ecosystem. Diverse species of insects predominantly found in mangroves were collected using yellow pan traps, swipe nets and by direct picking from three different sites. This research was conducted from April until August 2015. There are 9,181 individual insects associated with mangroves comprised of 42 species from 31 families and eight orders. The first site or the 15 years old mangrove (66.22% canopy cover) indicated the highest Shannon diversity index at 2.54, Evenness index of 0.32 and Margalef richness index of 4.84. The lowest diversity was recorded in the third site or the five years old mangrove (19.65% canopy cover), with the Shannon diversity index at 2.28, Evenness index at 0.26 and Margalef richness index at 4.59. The most abundant species located was the Eristena mangalis, with 1,724 individuals (relative abundance of 18.78%), followed by Monolepta sp. with 1,649 individuals (relative abundance of 17.96%). These are the phytophagous insects associated with mangrove leaves. This study concluded that the older mangrove ecosystem have a denser canopy that supports insect life.
Fumonisin B1 Production by Fusarium Species and Mycotoxigenic Effect on
Larval Zebrafish
Authors: Azman Najihah , Mohd Zainudin Nur Ain Izzati , Wan Ibrahim Wan Norhamidah
Published: October 2020

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a common mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species particularly F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides. The toxin produced can cause adverse effects on humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to detect the production of FB1 based on the amplification of FUM1 gene, to quantify FB1 produced by the isolates using Ultra-fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC) analysis, to examine the embryotoxicity effect of FB1 and to determine EC50 toward the larvae of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fifty isolates of Fusarium species were isolated from different hosts throughout Malaysia. Successful amplification of the FUM1 gene showed the presence of this gene (800 bp) in the genome of 48 out of 50 isolates. The highest level of FB1 produced by F. proliferatum isolate B2433 was 6677.32 ppm meanwhile F. verticillioides isolate J1363 was 954.01 ppm. From the assessment of embryotoxicity test of FB1 on larvae of zebrafish, five concentrations of FB1 (0.43 ppm, 0.58 ppm, 0.72 ppm, 0.87 ppm and 1.00 ppm) were tested. Morphological changes of the FB1 exposed-larvae were observed at 24 to 168 hpf. The mortality rate and abnormality of zebrafish larvae were significantly increased at 144 hpf exposure. Meanwhile, the spontaneous tail coiling showed a significant difference. There were no significant differences in the heartbeat rate. As a conclusion, the presence of FUM1 in every isolate can be detected by FUM1 gene analysis and both of the species produced different concentrations of FB1. This is the first report of FB1 produced by Fusarium species gave a significant effect on zebrafish development.
The Assessment of the Fifth-Grade Students’ Science Critical Thinking Skills through Design-Based STEM Education
Authors: SAVRAN GENCER Ayşe , DOĞAN Hilmi
Published: October 2020

Critical thinking has been one of the 21st-century skills consistently associated with students’ future career advancement as a positive student outcome of STEM education. The aim of the study is to develop and validate science critical thinking skill instruments to assess the improvement in the subject of living organisms and force and friction through design-based STEM education. In this design-based research study, the student’s modules were developed by the integrated STEM education principles involving the activities and worksheets in line with the frame of critical thinking approach. The kappa statistics for content validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity, and item and reliability analysis for the quality of items were used in the development stage of instruments. The results of these analyses endorsed the 15 two-tier item for each test of Living Things Critical Thinking (LTCT) and Measuring Force and Friction Critical Thinking (MFFCT) as unidimensional constructs to produce valid and reliable data to measure the fifth grade students' critical thinking skills in the related science content. Comparing the pre and post applications of instruments in the study group indicated that STEM modules improved the students’ science critical thinking skills such as interpretation, analysis, and inference. In this respect, developing and validating instruments to assess the integrated critical thinking skills will contribute to the empirical examination of this construct within the context of school science learning.
Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics
Authors: Plotnikova E. Yu. , Zakharova Yu. V.
Published: October 2020

Today, there is an explosion of discoveries related to a growing understanding of the role of microbial communities, key species of bacteria, products or metabolites derived from commensals, and in particular the relationship between some of these components and painful conditions in humans. Microbiota plays a fundamental role in the induction, training and functioning of the host’s immune system. In turn, the immune system has evolved significantly as a means of maintaining the host’s symbiotic relations with these very diverse and developing microbes. At optimal performance, this alliance of the immune system and microbiota allows to induce protective reactions to pathogens and maintain regulatory pathways involved in maintaining tolerance to harmless antigens. In this review, we outline the role of the intestinal microbiota in the immune system, starting with initial information supporting further insights into the effects of intestinal microbiota dysbacteriosis on the host’s susceptibility to infection. Probiotics are considered a good form of therapy to control harmful intestinal microorganisms, improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients. The beneficial effects of probiotics have been demonstrated in many diseases. One of the main mechanisms of probiotics is the regulation of the immune response of the host. The article reviews and discusses the regulatory role of probiotics in the “intestine-lungs” system and the immune system of mucous membranes for potential antiviral mechanisms. The unique role of probiotics in modulation of intestinal microbes and establishment of intestinal homeostasis and production of interferon as antiviral mechanism is described. In addition, the regulatory role of probiotics in the system «intestine-lungs» and the immune system of the mucous membranes for potential antiviral mechanisms, including in COVID-19 is considered and discussed. Symbiotic products Bac-Set® Forte and Bac-Set® Cold/Flu are described.
Dietary management of digestive and gastrointestinal disorders after long-term self-isolation and lockdown as well as patients with SARS-CoV-2 during the rehabilitation period
Authors: Pilat T. L. , Radysh I. V. , Surovtsev V. V. , Korosteleva M. M. , Khanferyan R. A.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. The article examines disorders of the digestive function, diet regimes, appetite in conditions of prolonged self-isolation and quarantine during a coronavirus pandemic. The article analyzes the clinical efficacy and safety of the use of specialized dietary therapeutic and dietary preventive food products in conditions of self-isolation and quarantine.

Methods. A survey was conducted of 620 individuals of various ages who were in self-isolation and quarantine from 1 to 1.5 months. All participants were questioned, examined by a gastroenterologist and therapist, biochemical and clinical blood tests, endoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenum, ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Results. A survey of 620 individuals showed that self-isolation / quarantine can lead to changes in diets, dietary patterns, changes in eating habits, the development of a number of symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract and other organs, changes in body weight, and chronicity. a number of previously existing diseases. The use of dietary food leads to an improvement in the antitoxic function of the liver, anti-inflammatory effects, and an improvement in the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases.

Discussion. Clinical and laboratory data make it possible to state the need for the use of specialized dietary products of domestic production in the diet prophylactically in people from risk groups, as well as in patients with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract both during illness and for the purpose of rehabilitation.

Conclusion. Data on the efficacy and safety of dietary food products give reason to recommend them for inclusion in the diets of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, both during illness, in order to prevent complications and improve the effectiveness of treatment and subsequent rehabilitation of patients, as well as for the rehabilitation of individuals, who were in self-isolation and quarantine for a long time.
Bicyclol in the treatment of patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases
Authors: Maevskaya M. V. , Lunkov V. D. , Geyvandova N. I. , Palgova L. K. , Pirogova I. Yu. , Prashnova M. K. , Marchenko N. V. , Zinovieva E. N. , Ilchishina T. A. , Ivashkin V. T. , Koroy P. V.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. The increase in serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and the persistence of their high values is associated with morbidity and mortality from liver diseases. Bicyclol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which formed the basis for this study.

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 51 patients (MELD < 19); hepatitis stage – 84.4%, cirrhosis – 15.6%. Treatment: Bicyclol 75 mg/day for 12 weeks. Criteria of efficacy: dynamics of ALT, AST, CRP; general well-being (D-FIS scale).

Results. After 4 weeks of treatment the share of patients with ALT normalization was 50,9% (p < 0,001); with AST normalization – 62.7% (p < 0.001); after 12 weeks - 79,5% and 89,7% respectively (p < 0,001). CRP decreased statistically significantly after 2 and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. The D-FIS questionnaire was filled in by 36 patients at the beginning of the study, in 4 weeks - by 35 patients, in 12 weeks – by 32 patients. Median D-FIS decreased from 12 (8.2; 32.2) to 8 (5; 29) points (p < 0,001) after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks – to 6.5 (3; 28.5) points (p < 0.001). The CRP was positively correlated with the D-FIS value. Fibrosis (“Fibromax”, “Fibroscan”) was studied in 10 additional patients, the dose of Bicyclol was 150/75 mg/day during 6 months, the result was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion. Application of Bicyclol leads to reduction of fatigue, local and systemic inflammation, fibrosis in chronic diffuse liver diseases regardless of etiology.