bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Classify and Define Pituitary Tumors: Recent Advances and Current Controversies
Authors: Dai Congxin , Kang Jun , Liu Xiaohai , Yao Yong , Wang Haijun , Wang Renzhi
Published: March 2021

Pituitary tumors are very complex and heterogeneous and have a very wide range of proliferative and aggressive behaviors, and how to define and classify these tumors remains controversial. This review summarizes the epidemiology and progress in the classification and definition of pituitary tumors, as well as controversial issues. Based on the results of radiologic and autopsy studies, the prevalence of pituitary tumors has recently increased significantly. However, the majority of pituitary tumors are incidentally discovered and asymptomatic, and such tumors are called pituitary incidentalomas. Most of these incidentalomas do not induce symptoms, remain stable in size, and do not need treatment. The recent revised classification strategies mainly depend on immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect pituitary hormones and pituitary transcription factors; therefore, the accuracy of diagnosing pituitary tumors has improved. Although new classification strategies and definitions for pituitary tumors have been presented, there are still some controversies. The term pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) was proposed by the International Pituitary Pathology Club, and this terminology can encompass the unpredictable malignant behavior seen in the subset of aggressive pituitary adenomas (PAs). However, some endocrinologists who oppose this change in terminology have argued that the use of tumor in the terminology is misleading, as it gives PAs a harmful connotation when the majority are not aggressive. Such terminology may add new ambiguity to the origin of PAs and unnecessary anxiety and frustration for the majority of patients with benign PAs. The classification of aggressive PAs mainly relies on subjective judgment of clinical behavior and lacks objective biomarkers and unified diagnostic criteria. However, the term “refractory” could more accurately represent the characteristics of these tumors, including their clinical behaviors, radiological features, and pathologic characteristics. Moreover, the diagnostic criteria for refractory PAs are stricter, more objective, and more accurate than those for aggressive PAs. Early identification of patients with these tumors through recognition and increased awareness of the definition of refractory PAs will encourage the early use of aggressive therapeutic strategies.
Endocrine Complications in Children and Adolescents With Non-Central Nervous System Solid Tumors
Authors: Lee Yena , Shin Juhee , Choi Yunha , Kim Hyery , Koh Kyung-Nam , Im Ho Joon , Yoo Han-Wook , Choi Jin-Ho
Published: March 2021

Background

Due to remarkable progress in cancer treatment, endocrine complications are now the major medical issues facing childhood cancer survivors. Although non-central nervous system solid tumors (NCSTs) account for approximately 40% of all pediatric cancers, there have been few studies on endocrine complications associated with NCSTs. This study investigated endocrinopathies following the treatment of pediatric NCSTs.

Design and setting

Retrospective study in a single academic center.

Methods

This study analyzed 253 survivors of childhood NCSTs who were diagnosed between January of 2000 and December of 2018. The medical charts were reviewed regarding the frequency of endocrinopathies and treatment modalities. The hazard ratios were assessed by multivariable Cox regression analysis. The final height-SDS were analyzed by multivariable linear regression analysis.

Results

There were 76 patients (30%) that developed at least one endocrine complication. Forty-four patients (17.4%) experienced endocrine complications within five years of their cancer diagnosis. The most common endocrine complication was growth failure (n = 35), followed by obesity (n = 18), and primary gonadal failure (n = 16). High cumulative doses of alkylating agents increased the risk of developing at least one endocrine complication. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was an important risk factor for primary gonadal failure.

Conclusions

This study described the comprehensive endocrine outcomes, including growth failure, obesity, primary gonadal failure, primary hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis, following the treatment of childhood NCSTs. As endocrinopathies occurred within five years of primary tumor diagnosis, surveillance for endocrine dysfunction is required for early intervention and management.
Safety of Ovaleap® (Follitropin Alfa) in Infertile Women Undergoing Superovulation for Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Multinational Comparative, Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kaplan Sigal , Levy-Toledano Rachel , Davies Miranda , Roy Debabrata , Howles Colin M. , Lass Amir
Published: March 2021

Background

Ovaleap® (follitropin alfa), a recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone, is a biosimilar medicinal product to Gonal-f® and is used for ovarian stimulation. The main objective of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of Ovaleap® compared to Gonal-f® in one treatment cycle in routine clinical practice.

Methods

Safety of Ovaleap® Follitropin alfa in Infertile women undergoing superovulation for Assisted reproductive technologies (SOFIA) was a prospective cohort study conducted in six European countries. Eligible patients were infertile women undergoing superovulation for assisted reproductive technology, who were administered Ovaleap® or Gonal-f® for ovarian stimulation and were naïve to follicle stimulating hormone treatment. The recruitment ratio was 1:1. The primary endpoint was incidence proportion of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and the secondary endpoint was OHSS severity (Grades I, II, III). The effect of risk factors or potential confounders on the odds ratio for OHSS incidence as well as treatment effect on OHSS incidence was explored using univariate logistic regression. Pregnancy and live birth rates were also assessed.

Results

A total of 408 women who were administered Ovaleap® and 409 women who were administered Gonal-f® were eligible for analysis. The incidence proportion of OHSS was 5.1% (95% CI: 3.4, 7.7) in the Ovaleap® cohort and 3.2% (95% CI: 1.9, 5.4) in the Gonal-f® cohort. This difference in OHSS incidence proportion between the two cohorts was not statistically significant neither before (p = 0.159) nor after univariate adjustment for each potential confounder (p > 0.05). The incidence proportion of OHSS severity grades was similar in the two treatment groups (3.4% versus 2.0% for Grade I, 1.2% versus 1.0% for Grade II, and 0.5% versus 0.2% for Grade III, in the Ovaleap® and Gonal-f® cohorts, respectively), without a significant statistical difference (p = 0.865, for each grade). Among patients who had embryo transfer, clinical pregnancy rates were 33% and 31% and live birth rates were 27% and 26%, in the two cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

Findings from the SOFIA study indicate that the incidence proportions of OHSS and OHSS severity, as well as pregnancy and live birth rates, are similar between Ovaleap® and Gonal-f® treatments and corroborate the safety and effectiveness of Ovaleap® as a biosimilar to Gonal-f®.
A Framework for Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis in Nuclear Power Plants Based on Signed Directed Graph Methods
Authors: Guohua Wu , Diping Yuan , Jiyao Yin , Yiqing Xiao , Dongxu Ji
Published: March 2021

When nuclear power plants (NPPs) are in a state of failure, they may release radioactive material into the environment. The safety of NPPs must thus be maintained at a high standard. Online monitoring and fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) are important in helping NPP operators understand the state of the system and provide online guidance in a timely manner. Here, to mitigate the shortcomings of process monitoring in NPPs, five-level threshold, qualitative trend analysis (QTA), and signed directed graph (SDG) inference are combined to improve the veracity and sensitivity of process monitoring and FDD. First, a three-level threshold is used for process monitoring to ensure the accuracy of an alarm signal, and candidate faults are determined based on SDG backward inference from the alarm parameters. According to the candidate faults, SDG forward inference is applied to obtain candidate parameters. Second, a five-level threshold and QTA are combined to determine the qualitative trend of candidate parameters to be utilized for FDD. Finally, real faults are identified by SDG forward inference on the basis of alarm parameters and the qualitative trend of candidate parameters. To verify the validity of the method, we have conducted simulation experiments, which comprise loss of coolant accident, steam generator tube rupture, loss of feed water, main steam line break, and station black-out. This case study shows that the proposed method is superior to the conventional SDG method and can diagnose faults more quickly and accurately.
Biological Nitrate Removal With Emerald Ash Borer-Killed Ash and High-Tannin Oak Woodchips
Authors: Wickramarathne Niranga M. , Christianson Laura E. , Foltz Mary E. , Zilles Julie L. , Christianson Reid D. , Cooke Richard A. C.
Published: March 2021

Two common tree species, ash (Fraxinus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.), could provide readily available media for denitrifying bioreactors that use wood-based carbon for biological nitrate treatment. However, it is not known if the wood from Emerald Ash Borer-killed (EAB-killed) ash trees is an effective carbon source for nitrate removal compared to other wood species or if the high-tannin nature of oak inhibits denitrification potential. This lab-scale study showed that EAB-killed ash woodchips did not significantly differ in nitrate removal or denitrification potential compared to a commercially available blend of hardwood chips. However, neither treatment performed as well as oak woodchips in these metrics. Use of high-tannin oak in bioreactors is currently restricted by a federal standard in the United States. Ash woodchips beneficially exhibited the lowest nitrous oxide production potential, and their dissolved phosphorus leaching fell within the range of other woodchip types. Emerald ash borer-killed ash wood could be an effective source for denitrifying bioreactors located within affected regions and oak woodchips merit additional investigation for the application of denitrifying bioreactors.
Bioavailable Strontium, Human Paleogeography, and Migrations in the Southern Andes: A Machine Learning and GIS Approach
Authors: Barberena Ramiro , Cardillo Marcelo , Lucero Gustavo , le Roux Petrus J. , Tessone Augusto , Llano Carina , Gasco Alejandra , Marsh Erik J. , Nuevo-Delaunay Amalia , Novellino Paula , Frigolé Cecilia , Winocur Diego , Benítez Anahí , Cornejo Luis , Falabella Fernanda , Sanhueza Lorena , Santana Sagredo Francisca , Troncoso Andrés , Cortegoso Valeria , Durán Víctor A. , Méndez César
Published: March 2021

The Andes are a unique geological and biogeographic feature of South America. From the perspective of human geography, this mountain range provides ready access to highly diverse altitudinally arranged ecosystems. The combination of a geologically and ecologically diverse landscape provides an exceptional context to explore the potential of strontium isotopes to track the movements of people and the conveyance of material culture. Here we develop an isotopic landscape of bioavailable strontium (87Sr/86Sr) that is applied to reconstruct human paleogeography across time in the southern Andes of Argentina and Chile (31°–34°S). These results come from a macro-regional sampling of rodents (N = 65) and plants (N = 26) from modern and archeological contexts. This “Southern Andean Strontium Transect” extends over 350 km across the Andes, encompassing the main geological provinces between the Pacific coast (Chile) and the eastern lowlands (Argentina). We follow a recently developed approach to isoscape construction based on Random Forest regression and GIS analysis. Our results suggest that bioavailable strontium is tightly linked with bedrock geology and offers a highly resolved proxy to track human paleogeography involving the levels of territories or daily mobility and anomalous events that disrupt home ranges, such as migration. The southern Andes provide an ideal geological setting to develop this approach, since the geological variation in rock age and composition produces distinctive isotopic signatures for each main biogeographical region. Finally, we apply this framework to a set of results from human remains from the Uspallata Valley in Mendoza (Argentina), to assess the incidence of migration in the key period of the consolidation of agropastoral economies between AD 800 and 1400. The application of the isoscape to the values from human remains confirms the persistence of human groups with relatively restricted territories encompassing Uspallata and the adjacent Precordillera between AD 800 and 1500. We also identify a pulse of human migration between AD 1280 and 1420, shortly preceding the Inka conquest. Looking forward, we expect to converge with ongoing efforts in South America to build a continental research framework to track the movement of people, animals, and artifacts across space and time.
Promotion of in situ Forest Farmed American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) as a Sustainable Use Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Liu Hong , Burkhart Eric P. , Chen Vivian Yi Ju , Wei Xi
Published: March 2021

The cultivation of wild-harvested plant species is one strategy to achieve species conservation while meeting continued demand. A limitation to this approach for species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, however, is that products produced under ex situ artificial agricultural conditions are often not a perfect replacement for their wild-collected counterparts, so demand for wild-harvested materials persists. This situation applies to American ginseng, an internationally protected species by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1975. In this paper, we trace the trade the history and conservation need for American ginseng in North America, including a summary of the development and evolution of in and ex situ cultivation methods. We report results from a preliminary survey of product labeling of American ginseng sold online in China and adjacent regions and provide recommendations for promoting forest farmed ginseng to consumers as a sustainable use strategy. We suggest that the use of CITES’s new “human assisted” production category amongst trade partners, coupled with “green” product certification and e-commerce platforms, provides a new opportunity to encourage consumption of wild-cultivated rather than wild ginseng in east Asia, and the continued development of ginseng forest farming and supply transparency mechanisms in the eastern United States.
Method for Essential Protein Prediction Based on a Novel Weighted Protein-Domain Interaction Network
Authors: Meng Zixuan , Kuang Linai , Chen Zhiping , Zhang Zhen , Tan Yihong , Li Xueyong , Wang Lei
Published: March 2021

In recent years a number of calculative models based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks have been proposed successively. However, due to false positives, false negatives, and the incompleteness of PPI networks, there are still many challenges affecting the design of computational models with satisfactory predictive accuracy when inferring key proteins. This study proposes a prediction model called WPDINM for detecting key proteins based on a novel weighted protein-domain interaction (PDI) network. In WPDINM, a weighted PPI network is constructed first by combining the gene expression data of proteins with topological information extracted from the original PPI network. Simultaneously, a weighted domain-domain interaction (DDI) network is constructed based on the original PDI network. Next, through integrating the newly obtained weighted PPI network and weighted DDI network with the original PDI network, a weighted PDI network is further constructed. Then, based on topological features and biological information, including the subcellular localization and orthologous information of proteins, a novel PageRank-based iterative algorithm is designed and implemented on the newly constructed weighted PDI network to estimate the criticality of proteins. Finally, to assess the prediction performance of WPDINM, we compared it with 12 kinds of competitive measures. Experimental results show that WPDINM can achieve a predictive accuracy rate of 90.19, 81.96, 70.72, 62.04, 55.83, and 51.13% in the top 1%, top 5%, top 10%, top 15%, top 20%, and top 25% separately, which exceeds the prediction accuracy achieved by traditional state-of-the-art competing measures. Owing to the satisfactory identification effect, the WPDINM measure may contribute to the further development of key protein identification.
Göttingen Minipigs as a Model to Evaluate Longevity, Functionality, and Memory of Immune Response Induced by Pertussis Vaccines
Authors: Vaure Céline , Grégoire-Barou Véronique , Courtois Virginie , Chautard Emilie , Dégletagne Cyril , Liu Yuanqing
Published: March 2021

Evaluation of the short-term and long-term immunological responses in a preclinical model that simulates the targeted age population with a relevant vaccination schedule is essential for human vaccine development. A Göttingen minipig model was assessed, using pertussis vaccines, to demonstrate that vaccine antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses, including IgG titers, functional antibodies, Th polarization and memory B cells can be assessed in a longitudinal study. A vaccination schedule of priming with a whole cell (DTwP) or an acellular (DTaP) pertussis vaccine was applied in neonatal and infant minipigs followed by boosting with a Tdap acellular vaccine. Single cell RNAsequencing was used to explore the long-term maintenance of immune memory cells and their functionality for the first time in this animal model. DTaP but not DTwP vaccination induced pertussis toxin (PT) neutralizing antibodies. The cellular immune response was also characterized by a distinct Th polarization, with a Th-2-biased response for DTaP and a Th-1/Th-17-biased response for DTwP. No difference in the maintenance of pertussis-specific memory B cells was observed in DTaP- or DTwP-primed animals 6 months post Tdap boost. However, an increase in pertussis-specific T cells was still observed in DTaP primed minipigs, together with up-regulation of genes involved in antigen presentation and interferon pathways. Overall, the minipig model reproduced the humoral and cellular immune responses induced in humans by DTwP vs. DTaP priming, followed by Tdap boosting. Our data suggest that the Göttingen minipig is an attractive preclinical model to predict the long-term immunogenicity of human vaccines againstBordetella pertussisand potentially also vaccines against other pathogens.
Decreased Peripheral Naïve T Cell Number and Its Role in Predicting Cardiovascular and Infection Events in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Xiang Fangfang , Cao Xuesen , Chen Xiaohong , Zhang Zhen , Ding Xiaoqiang , Zou Jianzhou , Shen Bo
Published: March 2021

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and infectious diseases, which have been found to be associated with a disturbed immune response. Accelerated T-cell senescence is prevalent in these patients and considered a significant factor contributing to increased risk of various morbidities. Nevertheless, few studies have explicated the relevance of T-cell senescence to these fatal morbidities in ESRD patients. In this study, we designed a longitudinal prospective study to evaluate the influence of T-cell senescence on cardiovascular events (CVEs) and infections in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Clinical outcomes of 404 patients who had been on HD treatment for at least 6 months were evaluated with respect to T-cell senescence determined using flow cytometry. We found that T-cell senescence was associated with systemic inflammation. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was positively associated with decreased naïve T cell levels. Elevated tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 levels were significantly associated with lower central memory T cell and higher T effector memory CD45RA cell levels. Decreased CD4+naïve T cell count was independently associated with CVEs, whereas decreased CD8+naïve T cell count was independently associated with infection episodes in HD patients. In conclusion, HD patients exhibited accelerated T-cell senescence, which was positively related to inflammation. A reduction of naïve T cell could be a strong predictor of CVEs and infection episodes in HD patients.
Bovine Neutrophils Release Extracellular Traps and Cooperate With Macrophages in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis clearance In Vitro
Authors: Ladero-Auñon Iraia , Molina Elena , Holder Angela , Kolakowski Jeannine , Harris Heather , Urkitza Alfonso , Anguita Juan , Werling Dirk , Elguezabal Natalia
Published: March 2021

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) is the underlying pathogen causing bovine paratuberculosis (PTB), an enteric granulomatous disease that mainly affects ruminants and for which an effective treatment is needed. Macrophages are the primary target cells for Map, which survives and replicates intracellularly by inhibiting phagosome maturation. Neutrophils are present at disease sites during the early stages of the infection, but seem to be absent in the late stage, in contrast to healthy tissue. Although neutrophil activity has been reported to be impaired following Map infection, their role in PTB pathogenesis has not been fully defined. Neutrophils are capable of releasing extracellular traps consisting of extruded DNA and proteins that immobilize and kill microorganisms, but this mechanism has not been evaluated against Map. Our main objective was to study the interaction of neutrophils with macrophages during an in vitro mycobacterial infection. For this purpose, neutrophils and macrophages from the same animal were cultured alone or together in the presence of Map or Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus-Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Extracellular trap release, mycobacteria killing as well as IL-1β and IL-8 release were assessed. Neutrophils released extracellular traps against mycobacteria when cultured alone and in the presence of macrophages without direct cell contact, but resulted inhibited in direct contact. Macrophages were extremely efficient at killing BCG, but ineffective at killing Map. In contrast, neutrophils showed similar killing rates for both mycobacteria. Co-cultures infected with Map showed the expected killing effect of combining both cell types, whereas co-cultures infected with BCG showed a potentiated killing effect beyond the expected one, indicating a potential synergistic cooperation. In both cases, IL-1β and IL-8 levels were lower in co-cultures, suggestive of a reduced inflammatory reaction. These data indicate that cooperation of both cell types can be beneficial in terms of decreasing the inflammatory reaction while the effective elimination of Map can be compromised. These results suggest that neutrophils are effective at Map killing and can exert protective mechanisms against Map that seem to fail during PTB disease after the arrival of macrophages at the infection site.
Short-Term Spatiotemporal Variability in Picoplankton Induced by a Submesoscale Front South of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)
Authors: Hernández-Hernández Nauzet , Santana-Falcón Yeray , Estrada-Allis Sheila , Arístegui Javier
Published: March 2021

The distribution and variability of phytoplankton in the upper layers of the ocean are highly correlated with physical processes at different time and spatial scales. Model simulations have shown that submesoscale features play a pivotal role on plankton distribution, metabolism and carbon fluxes. However, there is a lack of observational studies that provide evidence for the complexity of short-term phytoplankton distribution and variability inferred from theoretical and modeling approaches. In the present study, the development and decay of a submesoscale front south of Gran Canaria Island is tracked at scales not considered in regular oceanographic samplings in order to analyze the picoplankton response to short-term variability. Likewise, the contribution of each scale of variability to the total variance of the picophytoplankton community has been quantified. We observe statistically different picophytoplankton assemblages across stations closer than 5 km, and between time periods shorter than 24 h, which were related to high physical spatiotemporal variability. Our results suggest that both temporal and spatial variability may equally contribute to the total variance of picoplankton community in the mixed layer, while time is the principal contributor to total variance in the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM).
A Convolutional Neural Network for Automated Detection of Humpback Whale Song in a Diverse, Long-Term Passive Acoustic Dataset
Authors: Allen Ann N. , Harvey Matt , Harrell Lauren , Jansen Aren , Merkens Karlina P. , Wall Carrie C. , Cattiau Julie , Oleson Erin M.
Published: March 2021

Passive acoustic monitoring is a well-established tool for researching the occurrence, movements, and ecology of a wide variety of marine mammal species. Advances in hardware and data collection have exponentially increased the volumes of passive acoustic data collected, such that discoveries are now limited by the time required to analyze rather than collect the data. In order to address this limitation, we trained a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify humpback whale song in over 187,000 h of acoustic data collected at 13 different monitoring sites in the North Pacific over a 14-year period. The model successfully detected 75 s audio segments containing humpback song with an average precision of 0.97 and average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.992. The model output was used to analyze spatial and temporal patterns of humpback song, corroborating known seasonal patterns in the Hawaiian and Mariana Islands, including occurrence at remote monitoring sites beyond well-studied aggregations, as well as novel discovery of humpback whale song at Kingman Reef, at 5∘ North latitude. This study demonstrates the ability of a CNN trained on a small dataset to generalize well to a highly variable signal type across a diverse range of recording and noise conditions. We demonstrate the utility of active learning approaches for creating high-quality models in specialized domains where annotations are rare. These results validate the feasibility of applying deep learning models to identify highly variable signals across broad spatial and temporal scales, enabling new discoveries through combining large datasets with cutting edge tools.
In situ Tribo-Fluorination for Oil-Less Hermetic Compressor Applications
Authors: Borges Gabriel , Salvaro Diego , Binder Roberto , Binder Cristiano , Klein Aloisio N. , de Mello Jose D. B.
Published: March 2021

In the present work, we overview the multidisciplinary development of a regular, lubricated, hermetic compressor which works in an on-off cycle, circular motion, single-speed, many tribological contacts, into an innovative, linear motion, variable displacement, single tribological contact, oil-less hermetic compressor presenting high versatility in terms of refrigerator design, sustainability and improved efficiency. The original approach encompassed the development of new surface engineering procedures applying purpose-oriented phases to soft substrates. Particular emphasis is given to the in situ fluorination of the tribolayer formed in the piston-cylinder tribopair. Although chlorinated halocarbons (CFC) are efficient refrigerants from a thermodynamic point of view, they do have serious environmental implications that have forced the refrigeration industry to switch to more environmentally friendly hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based refrigerants. The first and most successful alternative to the CFCs was tetrafluorocarbon, particularly tetrafluoroethane (CF3CH2F), aka R134a refrigerant. The current trend to downsizing mechanical systems, smaller clearances, and increased speeds leading to greater energy efficiencies associated with miscibility issues imposing the use of costly, fully synthetic lubricants with the R134a refrigerant gas led to the introduction of a new hermetic compressor design, the Wisemotion®, the first, and until now, unique, oil-free hermetic compressor on the world market. In this context different types of multi-layers, their thickness, substrate material, processing routes, etc., have been studied and optimized. Si-rich hydrogenated DLC (a:C-H) presented enhanced tribological properties when tested under fluorine-rich atmospheres, and semi-industrial scale tests have been carried out to understand this point further. A homemade tribological emulator was developed allowing close-to-real tribopair, atmosphere, and imposed mechanical conditions used in an oil-free commercial hermetic compressor. The tests were carried under different stroke frequencies (5, 20, and 40 Hz) and atmospheres (R134a, ambient air, and argon). Results showed a strong influence of both atmosphere and stroke frequencies. The friction coefficients were significantly lower (~3.8X) for the refrigerant gas atmosphere, attributed to the fluorine and highly disordered graphitic structures rich tribolayers. Under the high frequency (40 Hz), the energy input seems to be a deterrent to the formation of stable tribolayers, and the DLC coating shatters on the first few sliding meters.
Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Pathogenic Bacteria in Patients With Chronic Cutaneous Wounds in China
Authors: Guan Haonan , Dong Wei , Lu Yechen , Jiang Minfei , Zhang Di , Aobuliaximu Yakupu , Dong Jiaoyun , Niu Yiwen , Liu Yingkai , Guan Bingjie , Tang Jiajun , Lu Shuliang
Published: March 2021

Background: To determine the distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of pathogenic bacteria in patients with chronic cutaneous wounds on a national scale.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the data recorded between January 1, 2018 and January1, 2020 in 195 hospitals across China. After screening the data, 815 patients with chronic wounds were finally analyzed. The data collected included information about the patients' general condition and local cutaneous wound assessments, especially microbial culture and antibiotic susceptibility tests. The analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26.

Results: The study included 815 patients (290 [35.6%] females; 63 [50–74] years). The most common causes of chronic cutaneous wounds were diabetes (183, 22.5%), infection (178, 21.8%), and pressure (140, 17.2%). Among these, 521(63.9%) samples tested yielded microbial growth, including 70 (13.4%) polymicrobial infection and 451 (86.6%) monomicrobial infection. The positive rate of microbial culture was highest in wound tissue of ulcers caused by infection (87.6%), followed by pressure (77.1%), diabetes (68.3%), and venous diseases (67.7%). Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool (BWAT) scores >25 and wounds that lasted for more than 3 months had a higher positive rate of microbial culture. BWAT scores >25 and wounds in the rump, perineum, and feet were more likely to exhibit polymicrobial infection. A total of 600 strains were isolated, of which 46.2% (277 strains) were Gram-positive bacteria, 51.3% (308 strains) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 2.5% (15 strains) were fungi. The most common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (29.2%), Escherichia coli (11.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.0%), Proteus mirabilis (8.0%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.8%). The susceptibility tests showed that 116 cultured bacteria were Multidrug resistant (MDR) strains. The resistance rates of S. aureus were 92.0% (161/175) to penicillin, 58.3% (102/175) to erythromycin, and 50.9% (89/175) to clindamycin. Vancomycin was the most effective antibiotic (0% resistance rate) against all Gram-positive bacteria. Besides, the resistance rates of E. coli were 68.1% (47/69) to ampicillin, 68.1% (47/69) to ciprofloxacin, 60.9% (42/69) to levofloxacin. However, all the isolated Gram-negative bacteria showed low resistance rates to tigecycline (3.9%) and amikacin (3.6%).

Conclusions: The distribution of bacteria isolated from chronic cutaneous wounds varies with the BWAT scores, causes, duration, and the location of wounds. Multidrug resistance is a serious health issue, and therefore antibiotics used in chronic wounds must be under strict regulation. Our findings may help clinicians in making informed decisions regarding antibiotic therapy.
Deficits in Monocyte Function in Age Related Macular Degeneration: A Novel Systemic Change Associated With the Disease
Authors: Gu Ben J. , Huang Xin , Avula Pavan K. , Caruso Emily , Drysdale Candace , Vessey Kirstan A. , Ou Amber , Fowler Christopher , Liu Tian-Hua , Lin Yong , Horton Adam , Masters Colin L. , Wiley James S. , Guymer Robyn H. , Fletcher Erica L.
Published: March 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by the accumulation of debris in the posterior eye. In this study we evaluated peripheral blood monocyte phagocytic function at various stages of AMD and in aged matched control participants. Real-time tri-color flow cytometry was used to quantify phagocytic function of peripheral blood monocyte subsets (non-classic, intermediate and classic) isolated from subjects with intermediate or late AMD and compared with age matched healthy controls. Assessment of phagocytic function of monocytes isolated from those with and without reticular pseudodrusen was also made, and the effect of glatiramer acetate on phagocytic function assessed. Phagocytic function was reduced in all subjects with AMD, irrespective of stage of disease. However, there was no correlation between phagocytic function and drusen load, nor any difference between the level of phagocytosis in those with or without reticular pseudodrusen. Treatment with glatiramer acetate increased phagocytosis of classical and non-classical monocytes, normalizing the reduction in phagocytosis observed in those with AMD. These findings suggest that defective systemic phagocytosis is associated with both intermediate and late stages of AMD, highlighting a potential role in the accumulation of debris that occurs early in the disease process. Assessing peripheral monocyte phagocytic function provides further insights into the etiology of this disease and offer a novel therapeutic target.
Effects of an Automated External Defibrillator With Additional Video Instructions on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Ettl Florian , Fischer Eva , Losert Heidrun , Stumpf Dominik , Ristl Robin , Ruetzler Kurt , Greif Robert , Fischer Henrik
Published: March 2021

Aim of the Study: The aim was to compare cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality of an automated external defibrillator (AED) with and without additional video instruction during basic life support (BLS) by laypersons.

Methods: First-year medical students were randomized either to an AED with audio only or audio with additional video instructions during CPR. Each student performed 4 min of single-rescuer chest compression only BLS on a manikin (Ambu Man C, Ballerup, Denmark) using the AED. The primary outcome was the effective compression ratio during this scenario. This combined parameter was used to evaluate the quality of chest compressions by multiplying compressions with correct depth, correct hand position, and complete decompression by flow time. Secondary outcomes were percentages of incomplete decompression and hand position, mean compression rate, time-related parameters, and subjective assessments.

Results: Effective compression ratio did not differ between study groups in the overall sample (p = 0.337) or in students with (p = 0.953) or without AED experience (p = 0.278). Additional video instruction led to a higher percentage of incorrect decompressions (p = 0.014). No significant differences could be detected in time-related resuscitation parameters. An additional video was subjectively rated as more supporting (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Audio–video instructions did not significantly improve resuscitation quality in these laypersons despite that it was felt more supportive. An additional video to the verbal AED prompts might lead to cognitive overload. Therefore, future studies might target the influence of the video content and the potential benefits of video instructions in specific populations.
Uncovering Competitive and Restorative Effects of Macro- and Micronutrients on Sodium Benzoate Biodegradation
Authors: Zaveri Purvi , Iyer Aishwarya Raghu , Patel Rushika , Munshi Nasreen Shakil
Published: March 2021

A model aromatic compound, sodium benzoate, is generally used for simulating aromatic pollutants present in textile effluents. Bioremediation of sodium benzoate was studied using the most abundant bacteria, Pseudomonas citronellolis, isolated from the effluent treatment plants of South Gujarat, India. Multiple nutrients constituting the effluent in actual conditions are proposed to have interactive effects on biodegradation which needs to be analyzed strategically for successful field application of developed bioremediation process. Two explicitly different sets of fractional factorial designs were used to investigate the interactive influence of alternative carbon, nitrogen sources, and inorganic micronutrients on sodium benzoate degradation. The process was negatively influenced by the co-existence of other carbon sources and higher concentration of KH2PO4 whereas NH4Cl and MgSO4 exhibited positive effects. Optimized concentrations of NH4Cl, MgSO4, and KH2PO4 were found to be 0.35, 1.056, and 0.3 mg L–1 respectively by central composite designing. The negative effect of high amount of KH2PO4 could be ameliorated by increasing the amount of NH4Cl in the biodegradation milieu indicating the possibility of restoration of the degradation capability for sodium benzoate degradation in the presence of higher phosphate concentration.
The Phylogenetic Relationship Revealed Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungal Species From Genus Trechispora
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhao Chang-Lin
Published: March 2021

Wood-inhabiting fungi play a significant role in wood degradation and the cycle of matter in the ecological system. In the present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Trechispora bambusicola, Trechispora fimbriata, and Trechispora fissurata spp. nov., are nested in Trechispora, which are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nLSU) regions of the studied samples were generated, and the phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS showed that T. bambusicola was sister to Trechispora stevensonii, T. fimbriata grouped with Trechispora nivea, and T. fissurata grouped with Trechispora echinospora. The phylogenetic tree based on ITS + nLSU sequences demonstrated that T. bambusicola formed a single lineage and then grouped with Trechispora rigida and T. stevensonii. T. fimbriata was sister to T. nivea. T. fissurata grouped with Trechispora thelephora.
The Origin of Niches and Species in the Bacterial World
Authors: Baquero Fernando , Coque Teresa M. , Galán Juan Carlos , Martinez Jose L.
Published: March 2021

Niches are spaces for the biological units of selection, from cells to complex communities. In a broad sense, “species” are biological units of individuation. Niches do not exist without individual organisms, and every organism has a niche. We use “niche” in the Hutchinsonian sense as an abstraction of a multidimensional environmental space characterized by a variety of conditions, both biotic and abiotic, whose quantitative ranges determine the positive or negative growth rates of the microbial individual, typically a species, but also parts of the communities of species contained in this space. Microbial organisms (“species”) constantly diversify, and such diversification (radiation) depends on the possibility of opening up unexploited or insufficiently exploited niches. Niche exploitation frequently implies “niche construction,” as the colonized niche evolves with time, giving rise to new potential subniches, thereby influencing the selection of a series of new variants in the progeny. The evolution of niches and organisms is the result of reciprocal interacting processes that form a single unified process. Centrifugal microbial diversification expands the limits of the species’ niches while a centripetal or cohesive process occurs simultaneously, mediated by horizontal gene transfers and recombinatorial events, condensing all of the information recovered during the diversifying specialization into “novel organisms” (possible future species), thereby creating a more complex niche, where the selfishness of the new organism(s) establishes a “homeostatic power” limiting the niche’s variation. Once the niche’s full carrying capacity has been reached, reproductive isolation occurs, as no foreign organisms can outcompete the established population/community, thereby facilitating speciation. In the case of individualization-speciation of the microbiota, its contribution to the animal’ gut structure is a type of “niche construction,” the result of crosstalk between the niche (host) and microorganism(s). Lastly, there is a parallelism between the hierarchy of niches and that of microbial individuals. The increasing anthropogenic effects on the biosphere (such as globalization) might reduce the diversity of niches and bacterial individuals, with the potential emergence of highly transmissible multispecialists (which are eventually deleterious) resulting from the homogenization of the microbiosphere, a possibility that should be explored and prevented.
Bottom-Up Coarse-Grained Modeling of DNA
Authors: Sun Tiedong , Minhas Vishal , Korolev Nikolay , Mirzoev Alexander , Lyubartsev Alexander P. , Nordenskiöld Lars
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in methodology enable effective coarse-grained modeling of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based on underlying atomistic force field simulations. The so-called bottom-up coarse-graining practice separates fast and slow dynamic processes in molecular systems by averaging out fast degrees of freedom represented by the underlying fine-grained model. The resulting effective potential of interaction includes the contribution from fast degrees of freedom effectively in the form of potential of mean force. The pair-wise additive potential is usually adopted to construct the coarse-grained Hamiltonian for its efficiency in a computer simulation. In this review, we present a few well-developed bottom-up coarse-graining methods, discussing their application in modeling DNA properties such as DNA flexibility (persistence length), conformation, “melting,” and DNA condensation.
Reduced Cerebral Glucose Uptake in an Alzheimer’s Rat Model With Glucose-Weighted Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging
Authors: Chen Peidong , Shen Zhiwei , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Bingna , Zhuang Zerui , Lin Jiefen , Shen Yuanyu , Chen Yanzhi , Dai Zhuozhi , Wu Renhua
Published: March 2021

A correlation between the abnormal cerebral glucose metabolism and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been found in previous studies, suggesting that glucose alterations may be used to predict the histopathological diagnosis in AD. In this study, we investigated the dynamic changes of cerebral glucose uptake in vivo using MR glucose chemical exchange saturation transfer (glucoCEST) imaging in a rat model of AD with an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of amyloid Aβ-protein (25–35), confirmed by Morris water maze and Nissl staining. In total, 6 rats in the AD group and 6 rats in the control group that were given an injection of sterile normal saline were included. At 28 days after injection, all rats performed a 7.0 T MR exanimation, including glucoCEST, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and hippocampus magnetic resonance spectra (MRS), to detect the possible metabolic and structural changes in the rat brain. A significantly elevated brain glucoCEST signal in the brain of AD rats was observed, and a decreased brain glucose uptake was also explored during the progression of glucose infusion compared with those in rats of the control group. In addition, there is a significant positive correlation between glucoCEST enhancement (GCE) and myo-Inosito (Ins) in the AD group and the control group (P < 0.05). A significantly reduced number of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus in AD rats combined with the significantly longer escape and a decreased number of crossings were verified at 28 days after Aβ25–35 injection by Nissl staining and Morris water maze, respectively. Our results indicated that an abnormal brain glucose mechanism in AD rats could be detected by glucoCEST imaging, suggesting a new method to explore the occurrence and progress of diabetes-related AD or dementia.
Rapid and Efficient Generation of Myelinating Human Oligodendrocytes in Organoids
Authors: Shaker Mohammed R. , Pietrogrande Giovanni , Martin Sally , Lee Ju-Hyun , Sun Woong , Wolvetang Ernst J.
Published: March 2021

Human stem cell derived brain organoids are increasingly gaining attention as an ideal model system for investigating neurological diseases, particularly those that involve myelination defects. However, current protocols for generating brain organoids with sufficiently mature oligodendrocytes that deposit myelin on endogenously produced neurons are lengthy and complicated. Taking advantage of a human pluripotent stem cell line that reports on SOX10 expression, we developed a protocol that involves a 42 day exposure of neuroectoderm-derived organoids to a cocktail of growth factors and small molecules that collectively foster oligodendrocyte specification and survival. Importantly, the resulting day 42 brain organoids contain both myelinating oligodendrocytes, cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. These oligodendrocyte brain organoids therefore constitute a valuable and tractable platform for functional neurogenomics and drug screening for white matter diseases.
Case Report: Multi-Orifices Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula With Severe Scoliosis in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Might Be a Congenital Disease With Mesodermal Dysplasia
Authors: Wang Yingjin , Yuan Changwei , Shen Shengli , Zhang Yang , Zhang Jiayong , Duan Hongzhou
Published: March 2021

Background: Vertebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a rare condition in the previous reports. However, whether vertebral AVF in NF-1 is congenital or NF-1 disease progression hasn't been clarified.

Case Description: We reported a 48-year-old male case of vertebral AVF simultaneously combined with thoracic scoliosis and NF-1. Preoperative CT angiography showed the AVF with multiple orifices located on the vessel wall of the vertebral artery, which was proved during the procedure of endovascular treatment. By occluding the parent vertebral artery, the AVF was finally cured. Further whole-exome sequencing identified a novel germline heterozygous point nonsense mutation, c.G397T(p.E133X), in the NF1(NM_000267) gene exon4.

Conclusions: From this patient, we speculate that vertebral AVF associated with NF-1 might be a congenital disease as a manifestation of mesodermal dysplasia.