bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Nutritional Status of Children: A Systematic Review and Mata-Analysis
Authors: Khanna Anoop , Singh J P , Sharma Neeraj
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women is a universal problem and an important social determinant of health. Studies indicate a relationship between maternal exposure to IPV and negative pregnancy and child health outcomes. The present review is aimed at doing a comprehensive review to assess the evidence for the association of IPV with the nutritional status of children.

Methodology

Data on the association between IPV and nutritional outcomes were extracted from 24 studies. Separate sub-group analyses were conducted for studies measuring IPV and different nutritional measures (Stunting, Underweight, and Wasting). A random-effect model was used for analysing the effect-size and the pooled effect for each subgroup.

Findings

The pooled estimates of ‘any violence’ [OR=1.16 (1.08-1.25)], ‘physical violence’ [OR=1.12 (1.07-1.18)] and ‘sexual violence’ [OR=1.21 (1.03-1.43)] indicated significant relationship with nutritional status of children. The relationship was found significant for stunting and underweight, but not for wasting. Values of I2 indicated a high level of heterogeneity across the studies on stunting and underweight.

Conclusion

The present review contributes to a better understanding of the nutritional outcomes for children exposed to maternal IPV. It emphasises the need to intervene for improving the well-being of these individuals as children and, subsequently, as adults.
Associations between health literacy and sociodemographic factors: A cross-sectional study in Malaysia utilising the HLS-M-Q18
Authors: Azlan Arina Anis , Hamzah Mohammad Rezal , Sern Tham Jen , Ayub Suffian Hadi , Ahmad Abdul Latiff , Mohamad Emma
Published: February 2021

Health literacy is progressively seen as an indicator to describe a nation’s health status. To improve health literacy, countries need to address health inequalities by examining different social demographic factors across the population. This assessment is crucial to identify and evaluate strengths and limitations of a country in addressing health issues. By addressing these health inequalities, a country would be better informed to take necessary steps to improve the nation’s health literacy. This study examines health literacy levels in Malaysia and analyses socio-demographic factors that are associated with health literacy. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using the HLS-M-Q18 instrument which was validated for the Malaysian population. Multi-stage random sampling strategy was used in this study utilising several sampling techniques including quota sampling, cluster sampling and simple random sampling to allow random data collection. A total of 855 respondents were sampled. Results found significant associations between health literacy and age, health status and health problems. Findings also suggest that lower health literacy levels were found to be associated with the younger generation. The findings of this study have provided baseline data of the health literacy of Malaysians and provide evidence toward potential areas of intervention.
Anti-cardiolipin and other anti-phospholipid antibodies in critically ill COVID-19 positive and negative patients
Authors: Trahtemberg Uriel , Rottapel Robert , Santos Claudia C dos , Slutsky Arthur S. , Baker Andrew J , Fritzler Marvin J
Published: February 2021

Background

Reports of severe COVID-19 being associated with thrombosis, anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA), anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) have yielded disparate conclusions. Studies comparing COVID-19 patients with contemporaneous controls of similar severity are lacking.

Methods

22 COVID+ and 20 COVID− patients with respiratory failure admitted to intensive care were studied longitudinally. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the day of admission. APLA testing included anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2glycoprotien 1 (β2GP1), anti-domain 1 beta2 glycoprotein 1 (β2GP1) and anti-phosphatidyl serine/prothrombin complex (PS/PT). Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected by immunofluorescence and antibodies to cytokines by a commercially available multiplexed array. ANOVA was used for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables with α=0.05 and the false discovery rate at q=0.05.

Results

APLA were predominantly IgG aCL (48%) followed by IgM (21%) in all patients, with a tendency toward higher frequency among the COVID+. aCL was not associated with surrogate markers of thrombosis but IgG aCL was strongly associated with worse disease severity and higher ANA titers regardless of COVID-19 status. An association between aCL and anti-cytokine autoantibodies tended to be higher among the COVID+.

Conclusions

Positive APLA serology was associated with more severe disease regardless of COVID-19 status.

KEY MESSAGES

What is already known about this subject?

COVID-19 is associated with coagulopathy and high morbidity and mortality.

COVID-19 shares some of these clinical features with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Reports of an association of anti-phospholipid antibodies with high risk COVID-19 have yielded disparate conclusions, but they lacked longitudinal follow up and control groups of similar severity.

What does this study add?

Anti-phospholipid syndrome serology assessed longitudinally was predominantly anticardiolipin IgG autoantibodies, in 48% of patients.

Anticardiolipin serology was associated with worse disease severity in both COVID-19 positive and negative patients.

How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments?

The use of anti-phospholipid antibodies tests in the COVID-19 clinical setting needs to be taken in context; whereas they are associated with more serve disease, they do not discriminate between COVID-19 positive and negative patients.
Wastewater Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 from Acute Care Hospitals Identifies Nosocomial Transmission and Outbreaks
Authors: Acosta Nicole , A. Bautista María , Hollman Jordan , McCalder Janine , Beaudet Alexander Buchner , Man Lawrence , Waddell Barbara J. , Chen Jianwei , Li Carmen , Kuzma Darina , Bhatnagar Srijak , Leal Jenine , Meddings Jon , Hu Jia , Cabaj Jason L. , Ruecker Norma J. , Naugler Christopher , Pillai Dylan R. , Achari Gopal , Ryan M. Cathryn , Conly John M. , Frankowski Kevin , Hubert Casey RJ , Parkins Michael D.
Published: February 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in wastewater and its abundance correlated with community COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. We sought to use wastewater-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 to assess the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals.

Methods

Between August and December 2020, twice-weekly wastewater samples from three tertiary-care hospitals (totaling >2100 dedicated inpatient beds) were collected. Wastewater samples were concentrated and cleaned using the 4S-silica column method and assessed for SARS-CoV-2 gene-targets (N1, N2 and E) and controls using RT-qPCR. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 as measured by quantification cycle (Cq), genome copies and genomes normalized to the fecal biomarker PMMoV were compared to the total daily number of patients hospitalized with active COVID-19, confirmed cases of hospital-acquired infection, and the occurrence of unit-specific outbreaks.

Results

Of 165 wastewater samples collected, 159 (96%) were assayable. The N1-gene from SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 64.1% of samples, N2 in 49.7% and E in 10%. N1 and N2 in wastewater increased over time both in terms of amount of detectable virus and the proportion of samples that were positive, consistent with increasing hospitalizations (Pearson’s r=0.679, P<0.0001, Pearson’s r=0.728, P<0.0001, respectively). Despite increasing hospitalizations through the study period, wastewater analysis was able to identify incident nosocomial-acquired cases of COVID-19 (Pearson’s r =0.389, P<0.001) and unit-specific outbreaks by increases in detectable SARS-CoV-2 N1-RNA (median 112 copies/ml) versus outbreak-free periods (0 copies/ml; P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Wastewater-based monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 represents a promising tool for SARS-CoV-2 passive surveillance and case identification, containment, and mitigation in acute-care medical facilities.

Supplemental Material included

Key-points summary

SAS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in hospital wastewater. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA increases in conjunction with COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Spikes in SARS-CoV-2 wastewater signal correspond to incident hospital-acquired cases and outbreaks, suggesting passive surveillance via wastewater has great promise for COVID-19 monitoring.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Considering Shared Chairs in Outpatient Dialysis: A Real-World Case-Control Study
Authors: Thadhani Ravi , Willetts Joanna , Wang Catherine , Larkin John , Zhang Hanjie , Fuentes Lemuel Rivera , Usvyat Len , Belmonte Kathleen , Wang Yuedong , Kossmann Robert , Hymes Jeffrey , Kotanko Peter , Maddux Franklin
Published: February 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted through aerosolized droplets; however, the virus can remain transiently viable on surfaces.

Objective

We examined transmission within hemodialysis facilities, with a specific focus on the possibility of indirect patient-to-patient transmission through shared dialysis chairs.

Design

We used real-world data from hemodialysis patients treated between February 1stand June 8th, 2020 to perform a case-control study matching each SARS-CoV-2 positive patient (case) to a non-SARS-CoV-2 patient (control) in the same dialysis shift and traced back 14 days to capture possible exposure from chairs sat in by SARS-CoV-2 patients. Cases and controls were matched on age, sex, race, facility, shift date, and treatment count.

Setting

2,600 hemodialysis facilities in the United States.

Patients

Adult (age ≥18 years) hemodialysis patients.

Measurements

Conditional logistic regression models tested whether chair exposure after a positive patient conferred a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection to the immediate subsequent patient.

Results

Among 170,234 hemodialysis patients, 4,782 (2.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (mean age 64 years, 44% female). Most facilities (68.5%) had 0 to 1 positive SARS-CoV-2 patient. We matched 2,379 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases to 2,379 non-SARS-CoV-2 controls; 1.30% (95%CI 0.90%, 1.87%) of cases and 1.39% (95%CI 0.97%, 1.97%) of controls were exposed to a chair previously sat in by a shedding SARS-CoV-2 patient. Transmission risk among cases was not significantly different from controls (OR=0.94; 95%CI 0.57 to 1.54; p=0.80). Results remained consistent in adjusted and sensitivity analyses.

Limitation

Analysis used real-world data that could contain errors and only considered vertical transmission associated with shared use of dialysis chairs by symptomatic patients.

Conclusions

The risk of indirect patient-to-patient transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from dialysis chairs appears to be low.

Primary Funding Source

Fresenius Medical Care North America; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK130067)
Opioid distribution trends in California post recreational marijuana legalization
Authors: Anyaehie Michelle N. , Pardo Christian , Johnson Elijah J , Anachebe Chucks , Piper Brian J.
Published: February 2021

The opioid epidemic has risen to an all-time high. Harm reduction and prevention policies have not alleviated this crisis. Recent investigations have highlighted the efficacy and safety of marijuana-based products for pain management. Providing alternative pain treatment options may help mitigate the opioid epidemic. The distribution of codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone per 100K people and by 3-digit zip codes and overdose rates from 2014 to 2018 in California, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, were compared to Texas, where marijuana is functionally prohibited. Drug weights were obtained from the Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System and converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents. Overdose data was retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control’s WONDER database. California (−43.7%) and Texas (−27.3%) showed significant reductions in cumulative opioid distribution from 2014 to 2018. Opioid distribution per 100K people decreased −38.9% in California relative to −26.4% in Texas. Opioid and heroin overdoses increased between 1999 and 2019 by +11.6% in California but +272.7% in Texas. This evidence supports marijuana legalization as a mitigating factor to the opioid epidemic. Continued studies on safer pain management alternatives and policies will help identify measures that help combat the opioid epidemic.
Impact of exposures to persistent endocrine disrupting compounds on the sperm methylome in regions associated with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Maggio Angela G. , Shu Henry T. , Laufer Benjamin I. , Hwang Hyeyeon , Bi Chongfeng , Lai Yinglei , LaSalle Janine M. , Hu Valerie W.
Published: February 2021

Background

Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is among the most heritable of neurodevelopmental disorders, the rapidly rising prevalence of ASD suggests that environmental factors may interact with genetic risk for ASD. Environmental factors may impact both gene expression and phenotypes in ASD through epigenetic modifications that, in turn, could lead to intergenerational effects influencing risk for ASDs. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as the long-lived organochlorines, are of particular interest with respect to risk for autism because of their ability to interfere with sex hormones that have been implicated in the regulation ofRORA, a dysregulated gene in ASD that is a master regulator of many other ASD risk genes.

Objectives

The specific aims of this study are to: 1) investigate whether high versus low exposures to the persistent organochlorine 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) are associated with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in sperm from a Faroese cohort whose natural diet of pilot whale meat and blubber exposes them to higher than average levels of organic pollutants; 2) determine if genes associated with DDE DMRs are enriched for ASD risk genes; 3) identify pathways and functions over-represented among genes associated with DMRs.

Methods

Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was used to identify genome-wide DMRs in sperm from individuals divided by high and low exposure levels. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were used to determine enrichment in functional relationships to ASD.

Results

Genes in DMRs not only could discriminate between high and low exposures to DDE, but also were enriched in autism risk genes. Gene ontology and pathway analyses of these genes show significant enrichment for neurodevelopmental processes frequently impacted by ASD.

Conclusion

Results of this study show that elevated exposure to certain organochlorines is associated with genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in sperm affecting genes involved in neurological functions and developmental disorders, including ASD.
Prevalence of cancer susceptibility variants in patients with multiple Lynch syndrome related cancers
Authors: Choi Yoon Young , Shin Su-Jin , Lee Jae Eun , Madlensky Lisa , Lee Seung-Tae , Park Ji Soo , Jo Jeong-Hyeon , Kim Hyunki , Nachmanson Daniela , Xu Xiaojun , Noh Sung Hoon , Cheong Jae-Ho , Harismendy Olivier
Published: February 2021

Background

Along with early onset cancers, multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are likely resulting from increased genetic susceptibility; however, the associated predisposition genes or prevalence of the pathogenic variants genes in MPC patients are often unknown.

Methods

We screened 71 patients with MPC of the stomach, colorectal, and endometrium, sequencing 65 cancer predisposition genes. A subset of 19 patients with early onset MPC of stomach and colorectum were further evaluated for at DNA repair and cancer related genes using both normal (germline) and tumor (somatic) whole exome sequencing.

Results

Among 71 patients with MPCs, variants predicted to be pathogenic were observed in 15 (21.1%) patients and affected Lynch Syndrome (LS) genes:MLH1(n=10),MSH6(n=2),PMS2(n=2), andMSH2(n=1). All carriers had tumors with high microsatellite instability and 13 of them (86.7%) were early-onset, consistent with LS. In 19 patients with early-onset MPCs, loss of function (LoF) variants inRECQL5, including a rare East-Asian specific variant, were more prevalent in non-LS MPC than in matched sporadic cancer patients (OR=31.6, p=0.001). Additional evaluation of bi-allelic alterations in the tumor correctly identified LS genes in LS patients and candidates genes in non-LS patients including high-confidence LoF variants in 2 patients,FANCG(c.307+1G>C) andCASP8(p.R221Sfs*17) both accompanied by somatic loss of heterozygosity in a gastric and a colorectal tumor, respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggest that genetic screening should be considered for synchronous cancers and metachronous MPCs of the LS tumor spectrum, particularly in early-onset patients. Susceptibility variants in non-LS genes for MPC patients may exist, but evidence for their role is more elusive than for LS patients.
Critical COVID-19 represents an endothelial disease with high similarity to kidney disease on the molecular level
Authors: Siwy Justyna , Wendt Ralph , Albalat Amaya , He Tianlin , Mischak Harald , Mullen William , Latosińska Agnieszka , Lübbert Christoph , Kalbitz Sven , Mebazaa Alexandre , Peters Björn , Stegmayr Bernd , Spasovski Goce , Wiech Thorsten , Staessen Jan A. , Wolf Johannes , Beige Joachim
Published: February 2021

In patients with critical or mild COVID19 (WHO stages 6-8 [n=53] and stages 1-3 [n=66]), 593 urinary peptides significantly affected by disease severity were identified, reflecting the molecular pathophysiology associated with the course of the infection. The peptide profiles were similar compared with those observed in kidney disease, a prototype of target organ damage with major microvascular involvement, thereby confirming the observation that endothelial damage is a hallmark of COVID19. The clinical corollary is that COVID19 is an indication for anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive treatment modalities protecting the endothelial lining.
Neutralizing antibody responses 10 months after mild and moderately-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Dehgani-Mobaraki Puya , Zaidi Asiya Kamber , Porreca Annamaria , Floridi Alessandro , Floridi Emanuela
Published: February 2021

Improved understanding of immunity offered by the antibodies developed against SARS-CoV-2 is critical. Our study aimed at longitudinal analysis of presence and persistence of neutralizing antibodies over ten months in mild and moderately-severe COVID-19 recovered patients using two immunoassays.

Article Summary Line

Neutralizing IgG antibody persistency was demonstrated in 63.3% of the subjects (19 out of 30) at ten months post-infection with zero re-infections.
TPX2 Amplification-Driven Aberrant Mitosis in Long-Term Cultured Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Jeong Ho-Chang , Go Young-Hyun , Shin Joong-Gon , Kim Yun-Jeong , Cho Min-Guk , Gwon Dasom , Cheong Hyun Sub , Lee Haeseung , Lee Jae-Ho , Jang Chang-Young , Shin Hyoung Doo , Cha Hyuk-Jin
Published: February 2021

Although human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are equipped with highly effective machinery for the maintenance of genome integrity, the frequency of genetic aberrations during long-termin vitrohESC culture has been a serious issue that raises concerns over their safety in future clinical applications. By passaging hESCs over a broad range of timepoints, we found that mitotic aberrations, such as the delay of mitosis, multipolar centrosomes, and chromosome mis-segregation, were increased in the late-passaged hESCs (LP-hESCs) in parallel with polyploidy compared to early-passaged hESCs (EP-hESCs). Through high-resolution genome-wide approaches and by following transcriptome analysis, we found that LP-hESCs with a minimal amplicon in chromosome 20q11.21 highly expressedTPX2(targeting protein for Xklp2), a key protein for governing spindle assembly and cancer malignancy. Consistent with these findings, the inducible expression of TPX2 in EP-hESCs reproduced aberrant mitotic events, such as the delay of mitotic progression, spindle stability, misaligned chromosomes, and polyploidy. This data suggests that the amplification and increased transcription of theTPX2gene at 20q11.21 could contribute to an increase in aberrant mitosis due to altered spindle dynamics.
A “spindle and thread”-mechanism unblocks translation of N-terminally disordered proteins
Authors: Kaldmäe Margit , Vosselman Thibault , Zhong Xueying , Lama Dilraj , Chen Gefei , Saluri Mihkel , Kronqvist Nina , Siau Jia Wei , Ng Aik Seng , Ghadessy Farid J. , Sabatier Pierre , Vojtesek Borivoj , Sarr Médoune , Sahin Cagla , Österlund Nicklas , Ilag Leopold L. , Väänänen Venla A. , Sedimbi Saikiran , Zubarev Roman A. , Nilsson Lennart , Koeck Philip J. B. , Rising Anna , Fritz Nicolas , Johansson Jan , Lane David P. , Landreh Michael
Published: February 2021

Protein disorder is a major hurdle for structural biology. A prominent example is the tumour suppressor p53, whose low expression levels and poor conformational stability due to a high degree of disorder pose major challenges to the development of cancer therapeutics. Here, we address these issues by fusing p53 to an engineered spider silk domain termed NT*. The chimeric protein displays highly efficient translationin vitroand inE. coliand is fully active in human cancer cells. The transmission electron microscopy structure and native mass spectrometry reveal that the full-length p53 fusion protein adopts a compact conformation. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the disordered transactivation domain of p53 is wound around the NT*domain via a series of folding events, resulting in a globular structure. We find that expression of B-Raf, another partially disordered cancer target, is similarly enhanced by fusion to NT*. In summary, we demonstrate how inducing co-translational folding via a molecular “spindle and thread” mechanism can overcome poor translation efficiency of partially disordered proteins.
Systems approaches identify the consequences of monosomy in somatic human cells
Authors: Chunduri Narendra Kumar , Menges Paul , Gotsmann Vincent Leon , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Mardin Balca R. , Buccitelli Christopher , Korbel Jan O. , Willmund Felix , Kschischo Maik , Raeschle Markus , Storchova Zuzana
Published: February 2021

Chromosome loss that results in monosomy is detrimental to viability, yet, it is frequently observed in cancers. How cancers survive with monosomy is unknown. Using p53 deficient monosomic cell lines, we found that chromosome loss impairs proliferation and genomic stability. Transcriptome and proteome analysis revealed a partial compensation of the gene dosage changes that mitigates the effects of chromosome loss. Monosomy triggers global gene expression changes that differ from the effects of trisomy. We show that ribosome biogenesis and translation were commonly downregulated in monosomic cells, likely due to haploinsufficiency of ribosomal genes. The ensuing ribosome biogenesis stress triggers the p53 pathway and G1 arrest whenTP53is reintroduced into monosomic cells. Accordingly, impaired ribosome biogenesis and p53 inactivation are associated with monosomy in cancer. Our first systematic study of monosomy in human cells explains why monosomy is so detrimental and how loss of p53 enables its incidence in cancer.
Sulfur limitation increases duckweed starch accumulation without compromising growth
Authors: Sun Zuoliang , Guo Wenjun , Zhao Xuyao , Yang Jingjing , Duan Pengfei , Xu Shuqing , Hou Hongwei
Published: February 2021

Duckweeds contain relatively high levels of starch and are a potential biomass feedstock for biofuel production. Here, the biomass and starch yield of duckweed under three different nutrient-limited conditions were analyzed to investigate possible ways of further increasing the efficiency of starch production. The results showed that sulfur limitation resulted in the highest starch yield, which was 42% and 73% higher than in nitrogen or phosphorus limitation, respectively. The high yield of sulfur-limited duckweed is largely due to the combinations of little effects on biomass and high accumulations of starch. Although nitrogen limitation led to higher starch content (67.4%), it severely reduced biomass production. The photosynthetic performance indicatorFv/Fmwas a simple and sensitive indicator of starch content in nutrient-limited duckweed. Taken together, this study demonstrates that sulfur limitation is a simple and efficient way to increase starch yield, highlighting the great potential of duckweed for biofuel production. We report that sulfur limitation is a practical approach to increase starch yields in duckweed without affecting growth or biomass.

Highlights

Sulfur limitation induces starch production in a duckweed specie.

Nitrogen limitation triggers the highest starch content, but limits growth.

Sulfur limitation results in the highest starch yield.

Fv/Fmis a rapid and robust proxy of starch content in nutrient-limited duckweed.
Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces ACE2 blocking antibodies in mice
Authors: Scheiblhofer Sandra , Drothler Stephan , Braun Werner , Braun Reinhard , Boesch Maximilian , Weiss Richard
Published: February 2021

The skin represents an attractive target tissue for vaccination against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization (EPI) has been established as a novel technology to overcome the skin barrier, which combines efficient delivery via micropores with an inherent adjuvant effect due to the release of danger-associated molecular patterns. Here we delivered the S1 subunit of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the skin of BALB/c mice via laser-generated micropores with or without CpG-ODN1826 or the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin of E.coli (LT-B). EPI induced serum IgG titers of 1:3200 that could be boosted 5 to 10-fold by co-administration of LT-B and CpG, respectively. Sera were able to inhibit binding of the spike protein to its receptor ACE2. Our data indicate that delivery of recombinant spike protein via the skin may represent an alternative route for vaccines against Covid-19.
Suppression of alpha-band power underlies exogenous attention to emotional distractors
Authors: Arana Lydia , Melcón María , Kessel Dominique , Hoyos Sandra , Albert Jacobo , Carretié Luis , Capilla Almudena
Published: February 2021

Alpha-band oscillations (8-14 Hz) are essential for attention and perception processes by facilitating the selection of relevant information. Directing visuospatial endogenous (voluntary) attention to a given location consistently results in a power suppression of alpha activity over occipito-parietal areas contralateral to the attended visual field. In contrast, the neural oscillatory dynamics underlying the involuntary capture of attention, or exogenous attention, are currently under debate. By exploiting the inherent capacity of emotionally salient visual stimuli to capture attention, we aimed to investigate whether exogenous attention is characterized by either a reduction or an increase in alpha-band activity. Electroencephalographic activity was recorded while participants completed a Posner visuospatial cueing task, in which a lateralized image with either positive, negative, or neutral emotional content competed with a target stimulus presented in the opposite hemifield. Compared with trials with no distractors, alpha power was reduced over occipital regions contralateral to distracting images. This reduction of alpha activity turned out to be functionally relevant, as it correlated with impaired behavioural performance on the ongoing task and was enhanced for distractors with negative valence. Taken together, our results demonstrate that visuospatial exogenous attention is characterized by a suppression of alpha-band activity contralateral to distractor location, similar to the oscillatory underpinnings of endogenous attention. Further, these results highlight the key role of exogenous attention as an adaptive mechanism for the efficient detection of biologically salient stimuli.

Highlights

Exogenous attention is indexed by alpha suppression contralateral to distractors.

Alpha power decrease is enhanced by distractors with negative emotional valence.

Lower levels of alpha power correlate with poorer task performance accuracy.

The negativity bias in exogenous attention might reflect an adaptive mechanism.
Milk-Way Algorithm applied in Imbalanced Dataset
Authors: Leite Carmelina Figueiredo Vieira , dos Santos Marcos Augusto
Published: February 2021

We wish to evaluate the algorithm Milk-Way, using a known dataset deposited in a public repository. The new algorithm, which converges various techniques from different areas of knowledge, can classify ligands and select potential new drugs. It was used a dataset of ligands, organized by 15 Bioassays and described by different fingerprints. Full details of the dataset architecture were already published in a public repository. Through the stratified feature selection, using the Milk-Way algorithm, the True Positive and False Positive Rates reached a higher performance compared to the published paper. Using all the features available for each Bioassay, we reached the lowest metrics in all of them. We demonstrated that adding more features have not made a significant impact on the performance. In all the Bioassays, the True Positives and False Positives reached 100% and 0%, respectively, only using 50% and 75% of the features available. The Milk-Way algorithm suggests a holistic approach, which will contribute to the machine-learning area, namely to classified ligands in the virtual screening.
Female manipulation of offspring sex ratio in the gregarious parasitoidAnaphes flavipesfrom a new two-generation approach
Authors: Samková Alena , Raška Jan , Hadrava Jiří , Skuhrovec Jiří , Janšta Petr
Published: February 2021

Both theoretical and empirical work suggests that offspring sex ratio has important consequences on fitness. Within insects, gregarious parasitoids with haplodiploid sex determination represent an ideal model for studying the decision-making process behind the assignment of offspring sex. To gain insight into the offspring sex ratio of gregarious parasitoids, we performed experiments onAnaphes flavipes, interpreting our results through a two-generation approach. We confirm the existence of a relationship between offspring sex ratio and clutch size: the proportion of males increases with larger clutch size. Based on this finding, we assumed that the proportion of males among one female’s offspring would also increase with external factors such as a low population density of the host or the presence of the host’s predator, which may pressure the mothers to lay a higher-sized clutch. Contrary to our initial expectations, we show that if it is the pressure of external factors that leads to an increase in clutch size, these larger clutches tend to be more female-biased and the overall offspring sex ratio of a particular female does not change. While in our previous work, we showed that higher clutch sizes reduce body sizes of the offspring and their future fertility, here we conclude that the differences in fertility affect the offspring sex ratio. Taken together, we highlight our two-generation approach which reveals that while the above external factors do not affect the sex ratio ofA. flavipesin the F1 generation, they do have an effect in the F2 generation.
Dietary Vitamin B12reduces amyloid-β proteotoxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Lam Andy B. , Kervin Kirsten , Tanis Jessica E.
Published: February 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder with no effective treatment. Diet, as a modifiable risk factor for AD, could potentially be targeted to slow disease onset and progression. However, complexity of the human diet and indirect effects of the microbiome make it challenging to identify protective nutrients. Multiple factors contribute to AD pathogenesis including amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Here we usedCaenorhabditis elegansto define the impact of diet on Aβ proteotoxicity. We discovered that dietary vitamin B12alleviated mitochondrial fragmentation, bioenergetic defects, and oxidative stress, delaying Aβ-induced paralysis without affecting Aβ accumulation. Vitamin B12had this protective effect by acting as a cofactor for methionine synthase rather than as an antioxidant. Vitamin supplementation of B12deficient adult Aβ animals was beneficial, demonstrating potential for vitamin B12as a therapy to target pathogenic features of AD triggered by both aging and proteotoxic stress.
Hydrophobic-cationic peptides enhance RNA polymerase ribozyme activity by accretion
Authors: Li Peiying , Holliger Philipp , Tagami Shunsuke
Published: February 2021

Accretion and the resulting increase in local concentration to enhance target stability and function is a widespread mechanism in biology (for example in the liquid-liquid demixing phases and coacervates). It is widely believed that such macromolecular aggregates (formed through ionic and hydrophobic interactions) may have played a role in the origin of life. Here, we report on the behaviour of a hydrophobic-cationic RNA binding peptide selected by phage display (P43: AKKVWIIMGGS) that forms insoluble aggregates, accrete RNA on their surfaces in a size-dependent manner, and thus enhance the activities of various ribozymes. At low Mg2+concentrations ([Mg2+]: 25 mM MgCl2), the activity of a small ribozyme (hammerhead ribozyme) was enhanced by P43, while larger ribozymes (RNA polymerase ribozyme (RPR), RNase P, F1* ligase) were inhibited. In contrast, at high [Mg2+] (≥200 mM), the RPR activity was enhanced. Another hydrophobic-cationic peptide with a simpler sequence (K2V6: KKVVVVVV) also exhibited similar regulatory effects on the RPR activity. Furthermore, inactive RPR captured on P43 aggregates at low [Mg2+] could be reactivated in a high [Mg2+] buffer. Therefore, in marked contrast to previously studied purely cationic peptides (like K10) that enhance RPR only at low ionic strength, hydrophobic-cationic peptides can reversibly concentrate RNA and enhance the RPR activity even at high ionic strength conditions such as in eutectic ice phases. Such peptides could have aided the emergence of longer and functional RNAs in a fluctuating environment (e.g., dry-wet / freeze-thaw cycles) on the prebiotic earth.
Mass cytometry reveals immunological response to radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis in mice
Authors: Tang Yi , Wang Bing , Sun Mingjiao , Liu Pan , Zhang Xue , You Mingliang , Xia Bing
Published: February 2021

Background

Radiation-induced cardiac injury results in complex clinical presentations, unique management issues, and increased morbidity and mortality. But the underlying mechanism of radiation-induced cardiac injury is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explain the compositional alterations of innate and adaptive cells after thoracic irradiation and the relationship of macrophage with other adaptive cells.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized and performed with 20Gy single dose cardiac irradiation. We carried out mice echocardiography to examine cardiac function. Masson and immunohistochemical staining were adopted to analyze cardiac fibrosis. Blood and cardiac tissue were collected 7 days, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after irradiation and sham-irradiated mice were set as a control group. Part of blood and tissue samples were analyzed with mass cytometry. We also used remaining blood samples to measure pro-fibrotic cytokines.

Results

We observed reduced cardiac diastolic function and pathologically confirmed cardiac fibrosis after thoracic irradiation. Through mass cytometry, we identified that the proportion of neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes elevated. The ratio of T and B cells decreased after irradiation in the blood samples. For tissue samples, the proportion of macrophages, monocytes and neutrophils increased, endothelial cells reduced, but T and B cells also increased. The level of TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6 climbed considerably, all of them are closely associated with the evolution of macrophage function during recovering phase of cardiac injury. In the correlation plot, we also discovered that CD4+T and CD8+T cells were strongly positively correlated with macrophages.

Conclusion

We illustrated the immunological response after radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis, and macrophage may play a crucial role during the process. The results might have therapeutic potential for targeting macrophages in order to reduce radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis.
Cross-sectional analysis of the microbiota of human gut and their direct environment (exposome) in a household cohort in northern Vietnam
Authors: Bich Vu Thi Ngoc , Hai Ho Bich , Galazzo Gianluca , Viet Dung Vu Tien , Oomen Melissa , Nguyen Minh Trang Nghiem , Hoang Tran Huy , van Doorn H. Rogier , Wertheim Heiman FL , Penders John
Published: February 2021

Comprehensive insight into the human gut microbiota and the interaction with their environment in communities with a high background of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance genes is currently largely lacking. In a cohort (Vietnam), individuals within the same household, also individuals within their geographical cluster share more bacterial taxa than individuals from different households or geographical clusters. The microbial diversity among individuals who used antibiotics in the past four months was significantly lower than those who did not. Fecal microbiota of humans was more diverse than non-human samples, shared a small part of its amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with feces from animals (7.4%), water (2.2%) and food (3.1%). Sharing of ASVs between humans and companion animals was not associated with household. There is a correlation between an Enterobacteriaceae ASV and the presence of blactx-m-2 in feces from humans and animals, hinting towards an exchange of antimicrobial resistant strains between reservoirs.
Structural and functional characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RBD domains produced in mammalian cells
Authors: Gstöttner Christoph , Zhang Tao , Resemann Anja , Ruben Sophia , Pengelley Stuart , Suckau Detlev , Welsink Tim , Wuhrer Manfred , Domínguez-Vega Elena
Published: February 2021

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still ongoing and dramatically influences our life, the need for recombinant proteins for diagnostics, vaccine development, and research is very high. The spike (S) protein, and particularly its receptor binding domain (RBD), mediates the interaction with the ACE2 receptor on host cells and may be modulated by its structural features. Therefore, well characterized recombinant RBDs are essential. We have performed an in-depth structural and functional characterization of RBDs expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. To structurally characterize the native RBDs (comprisingN- andO-glycans and additional posttranslational modifications) a multilevel mass spectrometric approach was employed. Released glycan and glycopeptide analysis were integrated with intact mass analysis, glycan-enzymatic dissection and top-down sequencing for comprehensive annotation of RBD proteoforms. The data showed distinct glycosylation for CHO- and HEK293-RBD with the latter exhibiting antenna fucosylation, higher level of sialylation and a combination of core 1 and core 2 typeO-glycans. Additionally, from both putativeO-glycosylation sites, we could confirm thatO-glycosylation was exclusively present at T323, which was previously unknown. For both RBDs, the binding to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of positive patients and affinity to ACE2 receptor was addressed showing comparable results. This work not only offers insights into RBD structural and functional features but also provides a workflow for characterization of new RBDs and batch-to-batch comparison.
Stabilin-1 plays a protective role againstListeriamonocytogenes infection through the regulation of cytokine and chemokine production and immune cell recruitment
Authors: Pombinho Rita , Pinheiro Jorge , Resende Mariana , Meireles Diana , Jalkanen Sirpa , Sousa Sandra , Cabanes Didier
Published: February 2021

Scavenger receptors are part of a complex surveillance system expressed by host cells to efficiently orchestrate innate immune response against bacterial infections. Stabilin-1 (STAB-1) is a scavenger receptor involved in cell trafficking, inflammation and cancer, however its role in infection remains to be elucidated.Listeria monocytogenes(Lm) is a major intracellular human food-borne pathogen causing severe infections in susceptible hosts. Using a mouse model of infection, we demonstrate here that STAB-1 controlsLm-induced cytokine and chemokine production and immune cell accumulation inLm-infected organs. We show that STAB-1 also regulates the recruitment of myeloid cells in response toLminfection and contributes to clear circulating bacteria. In addition, whereas STAB-1 appears to promote bacterial uptake by macrophages, infection by pathogenicListeriainduces the down regulation of STAB-1 expression and its delocalization from the host cell membrane.

We propose STAB-1 as a new SR involved in the control ofLminfection through the regulation of host defense mechanisms, a process that would be targeted by bacterial virulence factors to promote infection.
Prevention of quality loss and melanosis of white leg shrimp by Sargassum horneri extracts
Authors: Fang Hua , Zhang Jianyu , Hong Zhuan , Chen Weizhu , Zhang Yiping , Fang Meijuan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Being interested in developing a natural preservative for the prolongation of shrimp shelf life, this study aims to evaluate the Sargassum horneri extracts for their antioxidant effect, copper reducing power, copper chelating activity and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibitory activity, as well as explored their potential preservative activity in white leg shrimp.

Design/methodology/approach

The antioxidant properties of Sargassum horneri 75% ethanol aqueous extracts were measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and PPO inhibitory activity. Sample III displayed the highest antioxidant activity, PPO inhibitory activity, copper reducing power and copper chelating activity, so it was selected for further studying its impact on shrimp's quality changes such as pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), melanosis and sensory score during storage at 4°C.

Findings

Among all three samples, sample III containing 49.88% total phenolic contents was selected for the further study on the prevention of quality loss and melanosis of shrimp, because it yielded the highest antioxidant activity, PPO inhibitory activity, copper reducing power and copper chelating activity than the other two samples (samples II and IV). It was found that shrimp treated with 0.2% sample III had the lowest melanosis scores throughout the storage (p < 0.05). During ten days of storage at 4°C, shrimp treated with 0.2% sample III had a higher score in sensory properties (color, segments, texture and odor), compared with the control, 0.1% kojic acid and 0.1% sample III treated shrimp (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the treatment of shrimp with 0.2% sample III could extend the shelf life to eight days at 4°C.

Social implications

The extracts of Sargassum horneri displayed potent PPO inhibition, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Importantly, the 75% extracts of Sargassum horneri could extend the shelf life. Considering these results, the extracts of Sargassum horneri may be used as natural preservatives in the food industry after further evaluation of their other properties such as toxicity, as well as provide a choice target to source natural products intended for cosmetics.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in the development and application of the extracts of edible algae. To extend the shelf life of seafood, the polyphenolic-rich extract of Sargassum horneri provided another possible selection.
Extending the theory of planned behaviour to understand the effects of barriers towards sustainable fashion consumption
Authors: Brandão Amélia , Costa Ana Gonçalves da
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Extending the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this paper aims to measure the relative importance of different barriers to sustainable fashion consumption (SFC).

Design/methodology/approach

Existing studies have mainly adopted a qualitative methodology for identifying barriers to uptake of SFC, this study uses six of the main identified barriers: environmental apparel knowledge, perceived value, price sensitivity, product attributes and variety, availability and scepticism into the TPB framework to test and reveal which barriers have the greater impact on the TPB cognitions and consequently on building intention towards SFC. To test this model a survey study among 669 consumers from Europe, Asian and North America was conducted, structural equation modelling is used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Findings confirm the role of TPB cognitions on predicting intention and show that the proposed barriers provide a satisfactory explanation of the TPB model. Furthermore, results show that product attributes and variety and environmental apparel knowledge have the greatest impact on the TPB cognitions and on building intention towards SFC. Differences were found between the impacts of the price for the three continents.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the emerging sustainable fashion literature by examining the impact of different barriers to SFC in an extended TPB framework. To the best of our knowledge price sensitivity, availability and scepticism have never been studied in the context of sustainable fashion. It also provides a multifactor group analysis which uncovers differences among consumers from different continents.