bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Position Locking/Channelling Optomechanically Gain-Assisted of Plasmonic/Dielectric Nanoshells in a Optical Tweezers
Authors: Polimeno P. , Patti F. , Infusino M. , Sánchez J. , Iatì M. A. , Saija R. , Volpe G. , Maragò O. M. , Veltri A.
Published: January 2021

We investigate theoretically the non-linear optical trapping of dye enriched metal/dielectric nanoshells in extended optical potentials. Moreover, we show that both trapping and channelling is achieved by changing the light wavelength at high gains.
Temperature regulates synaptic subcellular specificity mediated by inhibitory glutamate signaling
Authors: Wang Mengqing , Witvliet Daniel , Wu Mengting , Kang Lijun , Shao Zhiyong
Published: January 2021

Environmental factors such as temperature affect neuronal activity and development. However, it remains unknown whether and how they affect synaptic subcellular specificity. Here, using the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansAIY interneurons as a model, we found that high cultivation temperature robustly induces defects in synaptic subcellular specificity through glutamatergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, we determined that the functional glutamate is mainly released by the ASH sensory neurons and sensed by two conserved inhibitory glutamate-gated chloride channels GLC-3 and GLC-4 in AIY. Our work not only presents a novel neurotransmission-dependent mechanism underlying the synaptic subcellular specificity, but also provides a potential mechanistic insight into high-temperature-induced neurological defects.
Novel candidates of pathogenic variants of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes from a dataset of 3,552 Japanese whole genomes (3.5KJPNv2)
Authors: Tokunaga Hideki , Iida Keita , Hozawa Atsushi , Ogishima Soichi , Watanabe Yoh , Shigeta Shogo , Shimada Muneaki , Yamaguchi-Kabata Yumi , Tadaka Shu , Katsuoka Fumiki , Ito Shin , Kumada Kazuki , Hamanaka Yohei , Fuse Nobuo , Kinoshita Kengo , Yamamoto Masayuki , Yaegashi Nobuo , Yasuda Jun
Published: January 2021

Identification of the population frequencies of definitely pathogenic germline variants in two major hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) genes, BRCA1/2, is essential to estimate the number of HBOC patients. In addition, the identification of moderately penetrant HBOC gene variants that contribute to increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in a population is critical to establish personalized health care. A prospective cohort subjected to genome analysis can provide both sets of information. Computational scoring and prospective cohort studies may help to identify such likely pathogenic variants in the general population. We annotated the variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes from a dataset of 3,552 whole-genome sequences obtained from members of a prospective cohorts with genome data in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project (TMM) with InterVar software. Computational impact scores (CADD_phred and Eigen_raw) and minor allele frequencies (MAFs) of pathogenic (P) and likely pathogenic (LP) variants in ClinVar were used for filtration criteria. Familial predispositions to cancers among the 35,000 TMM genome cohort participants were analyzed to verify the identified pathogenicity. Seven potentially pathogenic variants were newly identified. The sisters of carriers of these moderately deleterious variants and definite P and LP variants among members of the TMM prospective cohort showed a statistically significant preponderance for cancer onset, from the self-reported cancer history. Filtering by computational scoring and MAF is useful to identify potentially pathogenic variants in BRCA genes in the Japanese population. These results should help to follow up the carriers of variants of uncertain significance in the HBOC genes in the longitudinal prospective cohort study.
The role of partner influence in contraceptive adoption, discontinuation, and switching in a nationally representative cohort of Ugandan women
Authors: Sarnak Dana O. , Wood Shannon N. , Zimmerman Linnea A. , Karp Celia , Makumbi Fredrick , Kibira Simon P. S. , Moreau Caroline
Published: January 2021

Background

Understanding contraceptive use dynamics is critical to addressing unmet need for contraception. Despite evidence that male partners may influence contraceptive decision-making, few studies have prospectively examined the supportive ways that men influence women’s contraceptive use and continuation.

Objective

This study sought to understand the predictive effect of partner influence, defined as partner’s fertility intentions and support for contraception, and discussions about avoiding pregnancy prior to contraceptive use, on contraceptive use dynamics (continuation, discontinuation, switching, adoption) over a one-year period.

Methods

This study uses nationally representative longitudinal data of Ugandan women aged 15–49 collected in 2018–2019 (n = 4,288 women baseline; n = 2,755 women one-year follow-up). Two analytic sub-samples of women in union and in need of contraception at baseline were used (n = 618 contraceptive users at baseline for discontinuation/switching analysis; n = 687 contraceptive non-users at baseline for adoption analysis). Primary dependent variables encompassed contraceptive use dynamics (continuation, discontinuation, switching, and adoption); three independent variables assessed partner influence. For each sub-sample, bivariate associations explored differences in sociodemographic and partner influences by contraceptive dynamics. Multinomial regression models were used to examine discontinuation and switching for contraceptive users at baseline; logistic regression identified predictors of contraceptive adoption among non-users at baseline.

Results

Among users at baseline, 26.3% of women switched methods and 31.5% discontinued contraceptive use by follow-up. Multinomial logistic regression, adjusting for women’s characteristics, indicated the relative risk of contraceptive discontinuation doubled when women did not discuss pregnancy avoidance with their partner prior to contraceptive use. Partner influence was not related to method switching. Among non-users at baseline, partner support for future contraceptive use was associated with nearly three-fold increased odds of contraceptive adoption.

Significance

These results highlight the potentially supportive role of male partners in contraceptive adoption. Future research is encouraged to elucidate the complex pathways between couple-based decision-making and contraceptive dynamics through further prospective studies.
Expression of a gene for an MLX56 defense protein derived from mulberry latex confers strong resistance against a broad range of insect pests on transgenic tomato lines
Authors: Murata Mika , Konno Kotaro , Wasano Naoya , Mochizuki Atsushi , Mitsuhara Ichiro
Published: January 2021

Insect pests cause serious damage in crop production, and various attempts have been made to produce insect-resistant crops, including the expression of genes for proteins with anti-herbivory activity, such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxins. However, the number of available genes with sufficient anti-herbivory activity is limited. MLX56 is an anti-herbivory protein isolated from the latex of mulberry plants, and has been shown to have strong growth-suppressing activity against the larvae of a variety of lepidopteran species. As a model of herbivore-resistant plants, we produced transgenic tomato lines expressing the gene for MLX56. The transgenic tomato lines showed strong anti-herbivory activities against the larvae of the common cutworm,Spodoptera litura. Surprisingly, the transgenic tomato lines also exhibited strong activity against the attack of western flower thrips,Frankliniera occidentalis. Further, growth of the hadda beetle,Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, fed on leaves of transgenic tomato was significantly retarded. The levels of damage caused by both western flower thrips and hadda beetles were negligible in the high-MLX56-expressing tomato line. These results indicate that introduction of the gene for MLX56 into crops can enhance crop resistance against a wide range of pest insects, and that MLX56 can be utilized in developing genetically modified (GM) pest-resistant crops.
Undernutrition and its determinants among adolescent girls in low land area of Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Handiso Yoseph Halala , Belachew Tefera , Abuye Cherinet , Workicho Abdulhalik , Baye Kaleab
Published: January 2021

Background

Undernutrition is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescent girls worldwide, especially in South-East Asia and Africa. Even though adolescence is a window of opportunity to break the intergenerational cycle of undernutrition, adolescent girls are a neglected group. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and associated factors among adolescent girls in the Wolaita and Hadiya zones of Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, and a multistage random sampling method was used to select a sample of843adolescent girls. Anthropometric measurements were collected from all participants and entered in the WHO Anthro plus software for Z-score analysis. The data was analyzed using EPI-data 4.4.2 and SPSS version 21.0. The odds ratios for logistic regression along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were generated. A P-value < 0.05 was declared as the level of statistical significance.

Result

Thinness (27.5%) and stunting (8.8%) are found to be public health problems in the study area. Age [AOR(adjusted odds ratio) (95% CI) = 2.91 (2.03–4.173)], large family size [AOR (95% CI) = 1.63(1.105–2.396)], low monthly income [AOR (95% CI) = 2.54(1.66–3.87)], not taking deworming tablets [AOR (95% CI) = 1.56(1.11–21)], low educational status of the father [AOR (95% CI) = 2.45(1.02–5.86)], the source of food for the family only from market [AOR (95% CI) = 5.14(2.1–12.8)], not visited by health extension workers [AOR (95% CI) = 1.72(1.7–2.4)], and not washing hand with soap before eating and after using the toilet [AOR (95% CI) = 2.25(1.079–4.675)] were positively associated with poor nutritional status of adolescent girls in the Wolaita and Hadiya zones, Southern Ethiopia.

Conclusion

Thinness and stunting were found to be high in the study area. Age, family size, monthly household income, regularly skipping meals, fathers’ educational status, visits by health extension workers, and nutrition services decision-making are the main predictors of thinness. Hand washing practice, visits by health extension workers, and nutrition services decision-making are the main predictors of stunting among adolescent girls. Multisectoral community-based, adolescent health and nutrition programs should be implemented.
Smoking, development of or recovery from metabolic syndrome, and major adverse cardiovascular events: A nationwide population-based cohort study including 6 million people
Authors: Park Sehoon , Han Kyungdo , Lee Soojin , Kim Yaerim , Lee Yeonhee , Kang Min Woo , Park Sanghyun , Kim Yong Chul , Han Seung Seok , Lee Hajeong , Lee Jung Pyo , Joo Kwon Wook , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Kim Dong Ki
Published: January 2021

Smoking, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are important global health problems. We aimed to investigate the association between smoking, alteration in MetS status, and the consequent risk of MACE. We performed a nationwide observational cohort study based on the claims database of Korea. We included people with ≥ 3 national health screenings from 2009 to 2013. Total 6,099,717 people, including 3,576,236 nonsmokers, 862,210 ex-smokers, 949,586 light-to-moderate smokers, and 711,685 heavy smokers, at the first health screening, were investigated. First, we performed a logistic regression analysis using smoking status at the first screening as the exposure variable and MetS development or recovery as the outcome variable. Second, we performed a Poisson regression using smoking status at the third screening as the exposure variable and the outcome was risk of incident MACEs. Among those previously free from MetS (N = 4,889,493), 347,678 people developed MetS, and among those who had previous MetS (N = 1,210,224), 347,627 people recovered from MetS. Smoking was related to a higher risk of MetS development [for heavy smokers: adjusted OR 1.71 (1.69 to 1.73)] and a lower probability of MetS recovery [for heavy smokers: adjusted OR 0.68 (0.67 to 0.69)]. Elevated triglycerides was the MetS component with the most prominent association with smoking. The risk for incident MACEs (78,640 events during a median follow-up of 4.28 years) was the highest for heavy smokers, followed in order by light-to-moderate, ex-smokers and nonsmokers, for every MetS status. Therefore, smoking may promote MetS or even hinder recovery from MetS. Smoking cessation should be emphasized to reduce MACE risk even for those without MetS.
HRSA’s evidence-based tele-emergency network grant program: Multi-site prospective cohort analysis across six rural emergency department telemedicine networks
Authors: Heppner Sarah , Mohr Nicholas M. , Carter Knute D. , Ullrich Fred , Merchant Kimberly A. S. , Ward Marcia M.
Published: January 2021

Background

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) funded the Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program (EB TNGP) to serve the dual purpose of providing telehealth services in rural emergency departments (teleED) and systematically collecting data to inform the telehealth evidence base. This provided a unique opportunity to examine trends across multiple teleED networks and examine heterogeneity in processes and outcomes.

Method and findings

Six health systems received funding from HRSA under the EB TNGP to implement teleED services and they did so to 65 hospitals (91% rural) in 11 states. Three of the grantees provided teleED services to a general patient population while the remaining three grantees provided teleED services to specialized patient populations (i.e., stroke, behavioral health, critically ill children). Over a 26-month period (November 1, 2015 –December 31, 2017), each grantee submitted patient-level data for all their teleED encounters on a uniform set of measures to the data coordinating center. The six grantees reported a total of 4,324 teleED visits and 99.86% were technically successful. The teleED patients were predominantly adult, White, not Latinx, and covered by Medicare or private insurance. Across grantees, 7% of teleED patients needed resuscitation services, 58% were rated as emergent, and 30% were rated as urgent. Across grantees, 44.2% of teleED patients were transferred to another inpatient facility, 26.0% had a routine discharge, and 24.5% were admitted to the local inpatient facility. For the three grantees who served a general patient population, the most frequent presenting complaints for which teleED was activated were chest pain (25.7%), injury or trauma (17.1%), stroke symptoms (9.9%), mental/behavioral health (9.8%), and cardiac arrest (9.5%). The teleED consultation began before the local clinician exam in 37.8% of patients for the grantees who served a general patient population, but in only 1.9% of patients for the grantees who provided specialized services.

Conclusions

Grantees used teleED services for a representative rural population with urgent or emergent symptoms largely resulting in transfer to a distant hospital or inpatient admission locally. TeleED was often available as the first point of contact before a local provider examination. This finding points to the important role of teleED in improving access for rural ED patients.
Comparative proteomics analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of enhanced cold tolerance through ROS scavenging in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Mi Wenbo , Liu Zigang , Jin Jiaojiao , Dong Xiaoyun , Xu Chunmei , Zou Ya , Xu Mingxia , Zheng Guoqiang , Cao Xiaodong , Fang Xinling , Zhao Caixia , Mi Chao
Published: January 2021

Two winter rapeseed cultivars, “NS” (cold tolerant) and “NF” (cold sensitive), were used to reveal the morphological, physiological, and proteomic characteristics in leaves of plants after treatment at -4°C for 12 h(T1) and 24 h(T2), and at room temperature(T0), to understand the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance. Antioxidant activity and osmotic adjustment ability were higher, and plasma membrane injury was less obvious, in NS than in NF under cold stress. We detected different abundant proteins (DAPs) related to cold tolerance in winter rapeseed through data-independent acquisition (DIA). Compared with NF, A total of 1,235 and 1,543 DAPs were identified in the NSs under T1 and T2, respectively. Compared with NF, 911 proteins were more abundant in NS only after cold treatment. Some of these proteins were related to ROS scavenging through four metabolic pathways: lysine degradation; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; flavonoid biosynthesis; and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis. Analysis of these proteins in the four candidate pathways revealed that they were rapidly accumulated to quickly enhance ROS scavenging and improve the cold tolerance of NS. These proteins were noticeably more abundant during the early stage of cold stress, which was critical for avoiding ROS damage.
Lessons learned: Chronic idiopathic constipation patient experiences with over-the-counter medications
Authors: Lacy Brian E. , Shea Elizabeth P. , Manuel Machelle , Abel Jessica L. , Jiang Hancheng , Taylor Douglas C. A.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder diagnosed based on patient-reported symptoms and the absence of structural gastrointestinal abnormalities. Individuals with CIC typically institute dietary changes and use stool softeners or over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives, possibly at the direction of a healthcare provider, before prescription medications for CIC are initiated. Although highly prevalent, there is limited information regarding CIC patient experiences with OTC medications.

Methods

This post-hoc analysis used patient-reported data from a questionnaire administered during patient screening for a prospective linaclotide Phase 3b clinical trial in patients with CIC (N = 1482 screened). The questionnaire asked patients to report their experiences with OTC CIC medications over the preceding 6 months.

Results

Among patients with screening responses (N = 1423), most were female (85%) and white (66%), with a mean age of 48.9 years. A high proportion of patients had used one or more OTC medications (70% had ≥1 OTC; 19% had ≥3 OTCs), with the majority being bisacodyl (33%) and polyethylene glycol (30%). The most commonly cited reason for stopping an OTC medication was insufficient symptom relief (17–40%). The majority of patients taking OTC medications reported no or little satisfaction with the medication’s effect on their constipation (62%) and CIC-specific abdominal symptoms (78%). Many patients had little to no confidence in bowel movement (BM) frequency after taking OTC medications and their confidence in their ability to predict BM timing was also low (49–81% not at all confident).

Conclusions

Treatment effects on individual CIC symptoms, predictability of bowel habits, and satisfaction with treatment are all important factors for healthcare providers and patients to consider when establishing an effective treatment regimen for CIC.

Trial registration number

NCT01642914
Pharmacologic interventions for postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Cho Ye Jin , Choi Geun Joo , Ahn Eun Jin , Kang Hyun
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of pharmacologic interventions for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Design

Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar.

Eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions

Randomized clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions in preventing PONV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy were included. The primary endpoints were the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative nausea (PON), postoperative vomiting (POV), use of rescue antiemetics, and incidence of complete response in the overall postoperative phases. The secondary endpoints were the same parameters assessed in the early, middle, and late postoperative phases. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values and rankograms were used to present the hierarchy of pharmacologic interventions.

Results

Twenty-six studies (n = 3,467 patients) that investigated 17 different pharmacologic interventions were included. According to the SUCRA values, the incidence of PONV among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with propofol alone (16.1%), followed by palonosetron (27.5%), and with tropisetron (28.7%). The incidence of PON among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with propofol alone (11.8%), followed by tropisetron and propofol combination (14%), and ramosetron and dexamethasone combination (18.0%). The incidence of POV among the overall postoperative phases was lowest with tropisetron and propofol combination (2.2%), followed by ramosetron and dexamethasone combination (23.2%), and tropisetron alone (37.3%). The least usage of rescue antiemetics among the overall postoperative phases and the highest complete response was observed with tropisetron and propofol combination (3.9% and 96.6%, respectively).

Conclusion

Propofol and tropisetron alone and in combination, and the ramosetron and dexamethasone combination effectively prevented PONV, PON, POV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy, with some heterogeneity observed in this NMA of full-text reports. Their use minimized the need for rescue antiemetics and enhanced the complete response.

Trial registration number

CRD42018100002.
Identification of biomarkers and construction of a microRNA‑mRNA regulatory network for clear cell renal cell carcinoma using integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Han Miaoru , Yan Haifeng , Yang Kang , Fan Boya , Liu Panying , Yang Hongtao
Published: January 2021

With the recent research development, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in renal clear cell carcinoma (CCRCC) has become widely known. The purpose of this study is to screen out the potential biomarkers of renal clear cell carcinoma (CCRCC) by microarray analysis. The miRNA chip (GSE16441) and mRNA chip (GSE66270) related to CCRCC were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After data filtering and pretreating, R platform and a series of analysis tools (funrich3.1.3, string, Cytoscape_ 3.2.1, David, etc.) were used to analyze chip data and identify the specific and highly sensitive biomarkers. Finally, by constructing the miRNA -mRNA interaction network, it was determined that five miRNAs (hsa-mir-199a-5p, hsa-mir-199b-5p, hsa-mir-532-3p and hsa-mir-429) and two key genes (ETS1 and hapln1) are significantly related to the overall survival rate of patients.
Intraoperative subcutaneous culture as a predictor of surgical site infection in open gynecological surgery
Authors: Sainz de la Cuesta Ricardo , Mohedano Rosa , Sainz de la Cuesta Sylvia , Guzman Belen , Serrera Alicia , Paulos Silvia , Rubio Margarita
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To analyze the relationship between intraoperative cultures and the development of surgical site infection (SSI) in women undergoing laparotomy for gynecological surgery.

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study. Over a six-year period, women who underwent elective laparotomy at our hospital were included. Patients’ demographics, underlying co-morbidities, surgical variables, type and etiology of postoperative surgical site infections were collected. Skin and subcutaneous samples were taken just prior to skin closure and processed for microbiological analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses (logistic regression model) were conducted to explore the association of the studied variables with SSIs.

Results

284 patients were included in our study, of which 20 (7%) developed surgical site infection, including 11 (55%) superficial and nine (45%) organ-space. At univariate analysis, length of surgery, colon resection, transfusion and positive intraoperative culture were associated with surgical site infection occurrence. Skin and subcutaneous cultures were positive in 25 (8.8%) and 20 (7%) patients, respectively. SSI occurred in 35% of women with positive subcutaneous culture and in 20% of those with positive skin cultures. Using multivariate analysis, the only independent factor associated with surgical site infection was a positive subcutaneous culture (OR 10.4; 95% CI 3.5–30.4; P<0.001).

Conclusion

Intraoperative subcutaneous cultures before skin closure may help early prediction of surgical site infection in open gynecological procedures.
VCC-BPS: Vertical Collaborative Clustering using Bit Plane Slicing
Authors: ISHAQ WAQAR , BUYUKKAYA ELIYA , ALI MUSHTAQ , KHAN ZAKIR
Published: January 2021

The vertical collaborative clustering aims to unravel the hidden structure of data (similarity) among different sites, which will help data owners to make a smart decision without sharing actual data. For example, various hospitals located in different regions want to investigate the structure of common disease among people of different populations to identify latent causes without sharing actual data with other hospitals. Similarly, a chain of regional educational institutions wants to evaluate their students’ performance belonging to different regions based on common latent constructs. The available methods used for finding hidden structures are complicated and biased to perform collaboration in measuring similarity among multiple sites. This study proposes vertical collaborative clustering using a bit plane slicing approach (VCC-BPS), which is simple and unique with improved accuracy, manages collaboration among various data sites. The VCC-BPS transforms data from input space to code space, capturing maximum similarity locally and collaboratively at a particular bit plane. The findings of this study highlight the significance of those particular bits which fit the model in correctly classifying class labels locally and collaboratively. Thenceforth, the data owner appraises local and collaborative results to reach a better decision. The VCC-BPS is validated by Geyser, Skin and Iris datasets and its results are compared with the composite dataset. It is found that the VCC-BPS outperforms existing solutions with improved accuracy in term of purity and Davies-Boulding index to manage collaboration among different data sites. It also performs data compression by representing a large number of observations with a small number of data symbols.
Characteristics and expression patterns of six α-galactosidases in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Zhang Zhi-ping , Liu Yan-cheng , Dai Hai-bo , Miao Min-min
Published: January 2021

Six putative α-galactosidase genes (α-Gals), three acid forms (CsGAL1, CsGAL2, CsGAL3) and three alkaline forms (CsAGA1, CsAGA2, CsAGAL3), were found in the cucumber genome. It is interesting to know the expression pattern and possible function of these α-Gals in the cucumber plant since it is a stachyose-translocating species. In this study, full-length cDNAs of six α-Gals were cloned and heterologously expressed. The result showed that all recombinant proteins revealed acid or alkaline α-Gal activities with different substrate specificities and pH or temperature responding curves, indicating their distinct roles in cucumber plants. Phylogenetic analysis of collected α-Gal amino acid sequences from different plants indicated that the ancestor of both acid and alkaline α-Gals existed before monocots and dicots separated. Generally, six α-Gal genes are universally expressed in different cucumber organs. CsGAL2 highly expressed in fasting-growing leaves, fruits and germinating seeds; CsGAL3 mainly distributes in vacuoles and significantly expressed in cucumber fruits, senescent leaves and seeds during late stage germination; The expression of CsAGA1 increased from leaf 1 to leaf 3 (sink leaves) and then declined from leaf 4 to leaf 7 (source leaves), and this isoform also highly expressed in male flowers and germinating seeds at early stage; CsAGA2 significantly expressed in cucumber leaves and female flowers; CsAGA3 is localized in plastids and also actively expressed in senescent leaves and germinating seeds; The role of CsGAL1 in cucumber plants is now unclear since its expression was relatively low in all organs. According to their expression patterns, subcellular localizations and previously reported functions of these isoforms in other plants, combining the data of soluble sugars contents in different tissues, the possible functions of these α-Gals were discussed.
Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction alters amygdala functional connectivity during weight loss maintenance in a randomized control trial
Authors: Chumachenko Serhiy Y. , Cali Ryan J. , Rosal Milagros C. , Allison Jeroan J. , Person Sharina J. , Ziedonis Douglas , Nephew Benjamin C. , Moore Constance M. , Zhang Nanyin , King Jean A. , Fulwiler Carl
Published: January 2021

Obesity is associated with significant comorbidities and financial costs. While behavioral interventions produce clinically meaningful weight loss, weight loss maintenance is challenging. The objective was to improve understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms modified by mindfulness that may predict clinical outcomes. Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight were randomized to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or a control healthy living course. Anthropometric and psychological factors were measured at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months. Functional connectivity (FC) analysis was performed at baseline and 8 weeks to examine FC changes between regions of interest selected a priori, and independent components identified by independent component analysis. The association of pre-post FC changes with 6-month weight and psychometric outcomes was then analyzed. Significant group x time interaction was found for FC between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, such that FC increased in the MBSR group and decreased in controls. Non-significant changes in weight were observed at 6 months, where the mindfulness group maintained their weight while the controls showed a weight increase of 3.4% in BMI. Change in FC at 8-weeks between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and several ROIs was associated with change in depression symptoms but not weight at 6 months. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence of neural mechanisms that may be involved in MBSR’s impact on weight loss maintenance that may be useful for designing future clinical trials and mechanistic studies.
Development of standard indicators to assess use of electronic health record systems implemented in low-and medium-income countries
Authors: Ngugi Philomena , Babic Ankica , Kariuki James , Santas Xenophon , Naanyu Violet , Were Martin C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs) are being rolled out nationally in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) yet assessing actual system usage remains a challenge. We employed a nominal group technique (NGT) process to systematically develop high-quality indicators for evaluating actual usage of EHRs in LMICs.

Methods

An initial set of 14 candidate indicators were developed by the study team adapting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting indicators format. A multidisciplinary team of 10 experts was convened in a two-day NGT workshop in Kenya to systematically evaluate, rate (using Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) criteria), prioritize, refine, and identify new indicators. NGT steps included introduction to candidate indicators, silent indicator ranking, round-robin indicator rating, and silent generation of new indicators. 5-point Likert scale was used in rating the candidate indicators against the SMART components.

Results

Candidate indicators were rated highly on SMART criteria (4.05/5). NGT participants settled on 15 final indicators, categorized as system use (4); data quality (3), system interoperability (3), and reporting (5). Data entry statistics, systems uptime, and EHRs variable concordance indicators were rated highest.

Conclusion

This study describes a systematic approach to develop and validate quality indicators for determining EHRs use and provides LMICs with a multidimensional tool for assessing success of EHRs implementations.
The impact of Fosetyl-Aluminium application timing on Karnal bunt suppression and economic returns of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Arif Muhammad , Atta Sagheer , Bashir Muhammad Amjad , Khan Muhammad Ifnan , Hussain Ansar , Shahjahan Muhammad , Alwahibi Mona S. , Elshikh Mohamed Soliman
Published: January 2021

Fungal pathogens exert severe qualitative and quantitative damages to wheat crop. Karnal bunt of wheat caused by Tilletia indica Mitra, Mundkur is a severe threat to global food security. Nonetheless, T. indica is regulated as a quarantine pest in numerous countries, which further aggravates the situation. Tolerant varieties and appropriate management practices for Karnal bunt are imperative to meet the global wheat demands. This two-year study explored the impact of fungicide [Fosetyl-Aluminium (Aliette)] application timing on allometric traits, disease suppression and economic returns of bread wheat. Four bread wheat cultivars differing in their tolerance to Karnal bunt were used in the study. Fungicide was applied as either seed treatment (ST), foliar application at heading (FAH) or ST + FAH, whereas no application (NA) was taken as control. Lasani-08 performed better than the rest of the cultivars in terms of allometric traits (plant height, leaf area, crop growth rate, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll content), yield and economic returns. Nonetheless, minimal disease severity was recorded for Lasani-08 compared to other cultivars during both years. The ST improved allometric traits of all cultivars; however, ST + FAH resulted in higher yield and economic returns. Cultivar Pasban-90 observed the highest disease severity and performed poor for allometric traits, yield and economic returns. It is concluded that ST + FAH of Fosetyl-Aluminium could be a pragmatic option to cope Karnal bunt of wheat. Nonetheless, Pasban-90 must not be used for cultivation to avoid yield and quality losses.
Does time management work? A meta-analysis
Authors: Aeon Brad , Faber Aïda , Panaccio Alexandra
Published: January 2021

Does time management work? We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of time management on performance and well-being. Results show that time management is moderately related to job performance, academic achievement, and wellbeing. Time management also shows a moderate, negative relationship with distress. Interestingly, individual differences and contextual factors have a much weaker association with time management, with the notable exception of conscientiousness. The extremely weak correlation with gender was unexpected: women seem to manage time better than men, but the difference is very slight. Further, we found that the link between time management and job performance seems to increase over the years: time management is more likely to get people a positive performance review at work today than in the early 1990s. The link between time management and gender, too, seems to intensify: women’s time management scores have been on the rise for the past few decades. We also note that time management seems to enhance wellbeing—in particular, life satisfaction—to a greater extent than it does performance. This challenges the common perception that time management first and foremost enhances work performance, and that wellbeing is simply a byproduct.
The association of cadmium and lead exposures with red cell distribution width
Authors: Peters Junenette L. , Perry Melissa J. , McNeely Eileen , Wright Robert O. , Heiger-Bernays Wendy , Weuve Jennifer
Published: January 2021

Elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW), traditionally an indicator of anemia, has now been recognized as a risk marker for cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. Experimental and acute exposure studies suggest that cadmium and lead individually affect red blood cell production; however, associations between environmental exposures and RDW have not been explored. We evaluated relationships of environmental cadmium and lead exposures to RDW. We used data from 24,607 participants aged ≥20 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2016) with information on blood concentrations of cadmium and lead, RDW and socio-demographic factors. In models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, poverty income ratio, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking status and serum cotinine, RDW was increasingly elevated across progressively higher quartiles of blood cadmium concentration. A doubling of cadmium concentration was associated with 0.16 higher RDW (95% CI: 0.14, 0.18) and a doubling of lead concentration with 0.04 higher RDW (95% CI: 0.01, 0.06). Also, higher cadmium and lead concentrations were associated with increased odds of high RDW (RDW>14.8%). The associations were more pronounced in women and those with low-to-normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and held even after controlling for iron, folate or vitamin B12 deficiencies. In analysis including both metals, cadmium remained associated with RDW, whereas the corresponding association for lead was substantially attenuated. In this general population sample, blood cadmium and lead exposures were positively associated with RDW. The associations may indicate hemolytic or erythropoietic mechanisms by which exposure increases mortality risk.
Intermanual transfer and retention of visuomotor adaptation to a large visuomotor distortion are driven by explicit processes
Authors: Bouchard Jean-Michel , Cressman Erin K.
Published: January 2021

Reaching with a visuomotor distortion in a virtual environment leads to reach adaptation in the trained hand, and in the untrained hand. In the current study we asked if reach adaptation in the untrained (right) hand is due to transfer of explicit adaptation (EA; strategic changes in reaches) and/or implicit adaptation (IA; unconscious changes in reaches) from the trained (left) hand, and if this transfer changes depending on instructions provided. We further asked if EA and IA are retained in both the trained and untrained hands. Participants (n = 60) were divided into 3 groups (Instructed (provided with instructions on how to counteract the visuomotor distortion), Non-Instructed (no instructions provided), and Control (EA not assessed)). EA and IA were assessed in both the trained and untrained hands immediately following rotated reach training with a 40° visuomotor distortion, and again 24 hours later by having participants reach in the absence of cursor feedback. Participants were to reach (1) so that the cursor landed on the target (EA + IA), and (2) so that their hand landed on the target (IA). Results revealed that, while initial EA observed in the trained hand was greater for the Instructed versus Non-Instructed group, the full extent of EA transferred between hands for both groups and was retained across days. IA observed in the trained hand was greatest in the Non-Instructed group. However, IA did not significantly transfer between hands for any of the three groups. Limited retention of IA was observed in the trained hand. Together, these results suggest that while initial EA and IA in the trained hand are dependent on instructions provided, transfer and retention of visuomotor adaptation to a large visuomotor distortion are driven almost exclusively by EA.
Efficient induction of pancreatic alpha cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by controlling the timing for BMP antagonism and activation of retinoic acid signaling
Authors: Yabe Shigeharu G. , Fukuda Satsuki , Nishida Junko , Takeda Fujie , Nashiro Kiyoko , Okochi Hitoshi
Published: January 2021

Diabetes mellitus is caused by breakdown of blood glucose homeostasis, which is maintained by an exquisite balance between insulin and glucagon produced respectively by pancreatic beta cells and alpha cells. However, little is known about the mechanism of inducing glucagon secretion from human alpha cells. Many methods for generating pancreatic beta cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been reported, but only two papers have reported generation of pancreatic alpha cells from hPSCs. Because NKX6.1 has been suggested as a very important gene for determining cell fate between pancreatic beta and alpha cells, we searched for the factors affecting expression of NKX6.1 in our beta cell differentiation protocols. We found that BMP antagonism and activation of retinoic acid signaling at stage 2 (from definitive endoderm to primitive gut tube) effectively suppressed NKX6.1 expression at later stages. Using two different hPSCs lines, treatment with BMP signaling inhibitor (LDN193189) and retinoic acid agonist (EC23) at Stage 2 reduced NKX6.1 expression and allowed differentiation of almost all cells into pancreatic alpha cells in vivo after transplantation under a kidney capsule. Our study demonstrated that the cell fate of pancreatic cells can be controlled by adjusting the expression level of NKX6.1 with proper timing of BMP antagonism and activation of retinoic acid signaling during the pancreatic differentiation process. Our method is useful for efficient induction of pancreatic alpha cells from hPSCs.
A new analysis method for evaluating bacterial growth with microplate readers
Authors: Krishnamurthi Venkata Rao , Niyonshuti Isabelle I. , Chen Jingyi , Wang Yong
Published: January 2021

Growth curve measurements are commonly used in microbiology, while the use of microplate readers for such measurements provides better temporal resolution and higher throughput. However, evaluating bacterial growth with microplate readers has been hurdled by barriers such as multiple scattering. Here, we report our development of a method based on the time derivatives of the optical density (OD) and/or fluorescence (FL) of bacterial cultures to overcome these barriers. First, we illustrated our method using quantitative models and numerical simulations, which predicted the number of bacteria and the number of fluorescent proteins in time as well as their time derivatives. Then, we systematically investigated how the time derivatives depend on the parameters in the models/simulations, providing a framework for understanding the FL growth curves. In addition, as a demonstration, we applied our method to study the lag time elongation of bacteria subjected to treatment with silver (Ag+) ions and found that the results from our method corroborated well with that from growth curve fitting by the Gompertz model that has been commonly used in the literature. Furthermore, this method was applied to the growth of bacteria in the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at various concentrations, where the OD curve measurements failed. We showed that our method allowed us to successfully extract the growth behavior of the bacteria from the FL measurements and understand how the growth was affected by the AgNPs.
Comparison of alemtuzumab, anti-thymocyte globulin, and post-transplant cyclophosphamide for graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukemia in murine models
Authors: Mashima Kiyomi , Oh Iekuni , Fujiwara Ken , Izawa Junko , Takayama Norihito , Nakano Hirofumi , Kawasaki Yasufumi , Minakata Daisuke , Yamasaki Ryoko , Morita Kaoru , Ashizawa Masahiro , Yamamoto Chihiro , Hatano Kaoru , Sato Kazuya , Ohmine Ken , Fujiwara Shin-Ichiro , Ohno Nobuhiko , Kanda Yoshinobu
Published: January 2021

Graft-versus-host disease is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as anti-thymocyte globulin, alemtuzumab, and post-transplant cyclophosphamide, have been used to prevent graft-versus-host disease in HLA-mismatched haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here, we investigated whether these drugs could ameliorate graft-versus-host disease without diminishing the graft-versus-leukemia effect by using a xenogeneic transplanted graft-versus-host disease/graft-versus-leukemia model. Anti-thymocyte globulin treatment diminished graft-versus-host disease symptoms, completely depleted the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver and intestine, and led to prolonged survival. By contrast, improvement after post-transplant cyclophosphamide treatment remained minimal. Alemtuzumab treatment modestly prolonged survival despite an apparent decrease of Tregs. In the graft-versus-leukemia model, 1.5 to 2.0 mg/kg of anti-thymocyte globulin and 0.6 to 0.9 mg/kg of alemtuzumab reduced graft-versus-host disease with minimal loss of graft-versus-leukemia effect. Mice treated with 400 mg/kg of post-transplant cyclophosphamide did not develop graft-versus-host disease or leukemia, but it was difficult to evaluate the graft-versus-leukemia effect due to the sensitivity of A20 cells to cyclophosphamide. Although the current settings provide narrow optimal therapeutic windows, further studies are warranted to maximize the benefits of each immunosuppressant.
Characteristics and driving mechanisms of species beta diversity in desert plant communities
Authors: Jiang Lamei , Lv Guanghui , Gong Yanming , Li Yan , Wang Hengfang , Wu Deyan
Published: January 2021

Species dissimilarity (beta diversity) primarily reflects the spatio–temporal changes in the species composition of a plant community. The correlations between β diversity and environmental factors and spatial distance can be used to explain the magnitudes of environmental filtering and dispersal. However, little is known about the relative roles and importance of neutral and niche-related factors in the assemblage of plant communities with different life forms in deserts. We found that in desert ecosystems, the β diversity of herbaceous plants was the highest, followed by that of shrubs and trees. The changes in the β diversity of herbs and shrubs had stronger correlations with the environment, indicating that community aggregation was strongly affected by niche processes. The soil water content and salt content were the key environmental factors affecting species distributions of the herb and shrub layers, respectively. Spatial distance explained a larger amount of the variation in tree composition, indicating that dispersal limitation was the main factor affecting the construction of the tree layer community. The results suggest that different life forms may determine the association between organisms and the environment. These findings suggest that the spatial patterns of plant community species in the Ebinur Lake desert ecosystem are the result of the combined effects of environmental filtering and dispersal limitation.