bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconfiguration of Dynamic Functional Connectivity States in Patients With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation
Authors: Lu Jiaming , Chen Qian , Li Danyan , Zhang Wen , Xing Siyan , Wang Junxia , Zhang Xin , Liu Jiani , Qing Zhao , Dai Yutian , Zhang Bing
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Neuroimaging has demonstrated altered static functional connectivity in patients with premature ejaculation (PE), while studies examining dynamic changes in spontaneous brain activity in PE patients are still lacking. We aimed to explore the reconfiguration of dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) states in lifelong PE (LPE) patients and to distinguish LPE patients from normal controls (NCs) using a machine learning method based on DFC state features.

Methods: Thirty-six LPE patients and 23 NCs were recruited. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, the clinical rating scores on the Chinese Index of PE (CIPE), and intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) were collected from each participant. DFC was calculated by the sliding window approach. Finally, the Lagrangian support vector machine (LSVM) classifier was applied to distinguish LPE patients from NCs using the DFC parameters. Two DFC state metrics (reoccurrence times and transition frequencies) were introduced and we assessed the correlations between DFC state metrics and clinical variables, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the LSVM classifier.

Results: By k-means clustering, four distinct DFC states were identified. The LPE patients showed an increase in the reoccurrence times for state 3 (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) but a decrease for state 1 (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) compared to the NCs. Moreover, the LPE patients had significantly less frequent transitions between state 1 and state 4 (p < 0.05, uncorrected) while more frequent transitions between state 3 and state 4 (p < 0.05, uncorrected) than the NCs. The reoccurrence times and transition frequencies showed significant associations with the CIPE scores and IELTs. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the LSVM classifier were 90.35, 87.59, and 85.59%, respectively.

Conclusion: LPE patients were more inclined to be in DFC states reinforced intra-network and inter-network connection. These features correlated with clinical syndromes and can classify the LPE patients from NCs. Our results of reconfiguration of DFC states may provide novel insights for the understanding of central etiology underlying LPE, indicate neuroimaging biomarkers for the evaluation of clinical severity of LPE.
Functional Activities Detected in the Olfactory Bulb and Associated Olfactory Regions in the Human Brain Using T2-Prepared BOLD Functional MRI at 7T
Authors: Miao Xinyuan , Paez Adrian G. , Rajan Suraj , Cao Di , Liu Dapeng , Pantelyat Alex Y. , Rosenthal Liana I. , van Zijl Peter C. M. , Bassett Susan S. , Yousem David M. , Kamath Vidyulata , Hua Jun
Published: September 2021

Olfaction is a fundamental sense that plays a vital role in daily life in humans, and can be altered in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using conventional echo-planar-imaging (EPI) based sequences can be challenging in brain regions important for olfactory processing, such as the olfactory bulb (OB) and orbitofrontal cortex, mainly due to the signal dropout and distortion artifacts caused by large susceptibility effects from the sinonasal cavity and temporal bone. To date, few studies have demonstrated successful fMRI in the OB in humans. T2-prepared (T2prep) BOLD fMRI is an alternative approach developed especially for performing fMRI in regions affected by large susceptibility artifacts. The purpose of this technical study is to evaluate T2prep BOLD fMRI for olfactory functional experiments in humans. Olfactory fMRI scans were performed on 7T in 14 healthy participants. T2prep BOLD showed greater sensitivity than GRE EPI BOLD in the OB, orbitofrontal cortex and the temporal pole. Functional activation was detected using T2prep BOLD in the OB and associated olfactory regions. Habituation effects and a bi-phasic pattern of fMRI signal changes during olfactory stimulation were observed in all regions. Both positively and negatively activated regions were observed during olfactory stimulation. These signal characteristics are generally consistent with literature and showed a good intra-subject reproducibility comparable to previous human BOLD fMRI studies. In conclusion, the methodology demonstrated in this study holds promise for future olfactory fMRI studies in the OB and other brain regions that suffer from large susceptibility artifacts.
Effective Connectivity of Right Amygdala Subregions Predicts Symptom Improvement Following 12-Week Pharmacological Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Xiao Yang , Zhao Lei , Wang Donglin , Xue Shao-Wei , Tan Zhonglin , Lan Zhihui , Kuai Changxiao , Wang Yan , Li Hanxiaoran , Pan Chenyuan , Fu Sufen , Hu Xiwen
Published: September 2021

The low rates of treatment response still exist in the pharmacological therapy of major depressive disorder (MDD). Exploring an optimal neurological predictor of symptom improvement caused by pharmacotherapy is urgently needed for improving response to treatment. The amygdala is closely related to the pathological mechanism of MDD and is expected to be a predictor of the treatment. However, previous studies ignored the heterogeneousness and lateralization of amygdala. Therefore, this study mainly aimed to explore whether the right amygdala subregion function at baseline can predict symptom improvement after 12-week pharmacotherapy in MDD patients. We performed granger causality analysis (GCA) to identify abnormal effective connectivity (EC) of right amygdala subregions in MDD and compared the EC strength before and after 12-week pharmacological therapy. The results show that the abnormal EC mainly concentrated on the frontolimbic circuitry and default mode network (DMN). With relief of the clinical symptom, these abnormal ECs also change toward normalization. In addition, the EC strength of right amygdala subregions at baseline showed significant predictive ability for symptom improvement using a regularized least-squares regression predict model. These findings indicated that the EC of right amygdala subregions may be functionally related in symptom improvement of MDD. It may aid us to understand the neurological mechanism of pharmacotherapy and can be used as a promising predictor for symptom improvement in MDD.
Exploration of the Proteomic Landscape of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Serum as Biomarkers for Early Detection of Colorectal Neoplasia
Authors: Chang Li-Chun , Hsu Yi-Chiung , Chiu Han-Mo , Ueda Koji , Wu Ming-Shiang , Kao Chiun-How , Shen Tang-Long
Published: September 2021

Background

Patient participation in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening via a stool test and colonoscopy is suboptimal, but participation can be improved by the development of a blood test. However, the suboptimal detection abilities of blood tests for advanced neoplasia, including advanced adenoma (AA) and CRC, limit their application. We aimed to investigate the proteomic landscape of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from the serum of patients with colorectal neoplasia and identify specific sEV proteins that could serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 100 patients including 13 healthy subjects, 12 non-AAs, 13 AAs, and 16 stage-I, 15 stage-II, 16 stage-III, and 15 stage-IV CRCs. These patients were classified as normal control, early neoplasia, and advanced neoplasia. The sEV proteome was explored by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized association plots were used to integrate the clustering methods, visualize the data matrix, and analyze the relationship. The specific sEV biomarkers were identified by a decision tree via Orange3 software. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted by using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis platform.

Results

The sEV protein matrix was identified from the serum of 100 patients and contained 3353 proteins, of which 1921 proteins from 98 patients were finally analyzed. Compared with the normal control, subjects with early and advanced neoplasia exhibited a distinct proteomic distribution in the data matrix plot. Six sEV proteins were identified, namely, GCLM, KEL, APOF, CFB, PDE5A, and ATIC, which properly distinguished normal control, early neoplasia, and advanced neoplasia patients from each other. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that APOF+ and CFB+ sEV associated with clathrin-mediated endocytosis signaling and the complement system, which have critical implications for CRC carcinogenesis.

Conclusion

Patients with colorectal neoplasia had a distinct sEV proteome expression pattern in serum compared with those patients who were healthy and did not have neoplasms. Moreover, the six identified specific sEV proteins had the potential to discriminate colorectal neoplasia between early-stage and advanced neoplasia. Collectively, our study provided a six-sEV protein biomarker panel for CRC diagnosis at early or advanced stages. Furthermore, the implication of the sEV proteome in CRC carcinogenesis via specific signaling pathways was explored.
Clinical Relevance of New World Health Organization Classification System for Pituitary Adenomas: A Validation Study With 2-Year Experience
Authors: Hong Seung Woo , Kim Se Hoon , Lim Seung Hoon , Lee Eun Jig , Kim Sun Ho , Ku Cheol Ryong , Kim Eui Hyun
Published: September 2021

Background

The new World Health Organization (WHO) classification system proposed a cell lineage-based classification scheme for pituitary adenomas in which transcription factors (TFs) play a major role as key classifiers. We aimed to evaluate clinical relevance of the new classification system in a clinical setting.

Methods

TF staining was retrospectively performed for 153 clinically and histologically well characterized pituitary adenomas. Then, 484 pituitary adenomas were prospectively stained for TFs and then for relevant pituitary hormones. TF and hormone stain-based diagnoses were compared, and differences in clinical manifestations were evaluated.

Results

The accuracies of antibodies for three TFs were successfully validated and had an overall matching rate was 89.6%. We identified 50 (10.4%) cases with discrepancies between TF and pituitary hormone stains. Gonadotroph adenomas lacking follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone stains account for most discrepancies. Null cell adenomas may be more prevalent than reported and may be clinically more aggressive than gonadotroph adenomas.

Conclusion

The new WHO classification is mostly well matched with the traditional classification. However, until the new classification is further validated and interpreted in the context of long-term clinical outcomes, routine histological examination should include full slate of immunostains for pituitary hormones as well as TFs.
Predictive Value of C-Reactive Protein for Early Postoperative Complications in Children After Hypospadias Surgery
Authors: Ji Fengming , Tang Haoyu , Wu Chengchuang , Chen Li , Wang Huake , Yan Bing
Published: September 2021

Background: This study explored the predictive value of postoperative C-reactive protein in children with hypospadias for postoperative complications and the risk factors.

Methods: The clinical and follow-up data of 106 children with hypospadias who were treated with operations at Kunming Children's Hospital in 2020 were, respectively, analyzed. According to the occurrence of postoperative complications, the patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients with postoperative complications were the complications group, and 81 without postoperative complications were the control group. The baseline data, clinical characteristics, laboratory test indexes, and outcome of the two groups were collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to calculate the optimal cutoff value of C-reaction protein (CRP). Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of hypospadias after surgery. A probability value (P) < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: According to the result of the ROC curve, the optimal cutoff value of CRP was 11.7 mg/L. Logistic regression showed that the length of urethral defect, the urethral material, the operative produce, and the postoperative CRP level were related to the occurrence of postoperative complications of patients with DCC. The length of the urethral defect and the CRP level were the independent risk factors of the prognosis of hypospadias patients. The CRP level was related to the occurrence of postoperative complications and fistula.

Conclusions: Postoperative CRP level can be used as a reliable marker for predicting the prognosis of hypospadias patients.
Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Pacifier Removal on Oro-Dentofacial Structures: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Scudine Kelly Guedes de Oliveira , Freitas Camila Nobre de , Nascimento de Moraes Kizzy Silva Germano , Bommarito Silvana , Possobon Rosana de Fátima , Boni Rosana Cristina , Castelo Paula Midori
Published: September 2021

It is well recognized that pacifier habit leads to occlusal and orofacial functional changes in children. However, the effects of the interruption of prolonged pacifier habit on the development of the dento-facial complex has not yet been fully characterized. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pacifier removal on aspects of oro-dentofacial morphology and function in preschool children. For that, a pacifier group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 32) of 4-year-old children with and without pacifier habit, respectively, were followed up by a group of dentists and speech therapists at baseline, 6 and 12 months after habit removal. Bite force and lip pressure were assessed using digital systems, and the evaluation of breathing and speech functions was performed using validated protocols, together with the measurements of dental casts and facial anthropometry. The Two-way mixed model ANOVA was used in data analysis. After 12 months, a decrease in malocclusion frequency was observed in pacifier group. Additionally, a change over time was observed in facial, intermolar and palate depth measurements, as well in bite and lip forces and speech function scores, increasing in both groups (p < 0.01). The upper and lower intercanine widths and breathing scores differed between groups at baseline and changed over time reducing the differences. The presence of speech distortions was more frequent in the pacifier group at baseline and decreased over time (p < 0.05). The interruption of pacifier habit improved the maxillary and mandibular intercanine widths, as well as the breathing and speech functions, overcoming the oro-dentofacial changes found.

Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC; http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/), protocol no. RBR-728MJ2.
Utilizing Network Pharmacology to Explore the Possible Mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Fan Xue , Guo Xin , Li Ying , Xu Mingguo
Published: September 2021

Background: The purpose of the research is to identify the main active ingredients in Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and explore the possible molecular mechanisms in the treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD).

Materials and Methods: A total of 58 children with KD were randomly divided into a control group and a Berberine treatment group. The therapeutic indicators of the two groups before and after treatment were compared. Then, compounds and drug targets of CR from the TCMSP, SWISS, SEA, and the STITCH were collected, and targeted KD genes were retrieved from the DisGeNET, DrugBank, and GeneCards databases. The network pharmacology approach involved network construction, target prediction, and module analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed to investigate the possible pathways related to CR for KD treatments. Finally, protein expression was determined to verify the core targets using Western blotting in the cell experiment.

Results: In total, nine compounds, 369 relative drug targets, and 624 KD target genes were collected in the above database. The network analysis revealed that 41 targets might be the therapeutic targets of CR on KD. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the biological processes, namely, response to hormone, response to inorganic substance, and enzyme-linked receptor protein signaling pathway, and Pathways in cancer, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and Pancreatic cancer are the most significant. Protein expression of CASP3, PTGS2, and SRC was upregulated and AKT1 and ERK were downregulated.

Conclusion: We provided useful resources to understand the molecular mechanism and the potential targets for novel therapy of KD.
Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Autophagy: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Qiao Dan , Zhang Ziwei , Zhang Yali , Chen Qian , Chen Yujun , Tang Yingjue , Sun Xiong , Tang Zhipeng , Dai Yancheng
Published: September 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammation that mainly affects the mucosa and submucosa of the rectum and colon. Numerous studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced autophagy plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of UC. ERS is the imbalance of internal balance caused by misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).Excessive ERS triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), an increase in inositol-requiring enzyme 1, and a Ca2+ overload, which activates the autophagy pathway. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved method of cellular self-degradation. Dysregulated autophagy causes inflammation, disruption of the intestinal barrier, and imbalance of intestinal homeostasis, therefore increasing the risk of colonic diseases. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ERS, UPR, and ERS-related autophagy in UC, providing potential new targets and more effective treatment options for UC.
Renoprotective Effects of Maslinic Acid on Experimental Renal Fibrosis in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model via Targeting MyD88
Authors: Sun Wenjuan , Byon Chang Hyun , Kim Dong Hyun , Choi Hoon In , Park Jung Sun , Joo Soo Yeon , Kim In Jin , Jung Inae , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Kim Soo Wan
Published: September 2021

Maslinic acid (MA), also named crategolic acid, is a pentacyclic triterpene extracted from fruits and vegetables. Although various beneficial pharmacological effects of MA have been revealed, its effect on renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study was designed to clarify whether MA could attenuate renal fibrosis and determine the putative underlying molecular mechanisms. We demonstrated that MA-treated mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) developed a histological injury of low severity and exhibited downregulated expression of fibrotic markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and fibronectin by 38, 44 and 40%, and upregulated expression of E-cadherin by 70% as compared with untreated UUO mice. Moreover, MA treatment restored the expression levels of α-SMA, connective tissue growth factor, and vimentin to 10, 7.8 and 38% of those induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in NRK49F cells. MA decreased expression of Smad2/3 phosphorylation and Smad4 in UUO kidneys and TGF-β treated NRK49F cells (p < 0.05, respectively). Notably, MA specifically interferes with MyD88, an adaptor protein, thereby mitigating Smad4 nuclear expression (p < 0.01 compared to TGF-β treated group) and ameliorating renal fibrotic changes (p < 0.01 for each fibrotic markers compared to TGF-β induced cells). In addition, in the UUO model and lipopolysaccharide-induced NRK49F cells, MA treatment decreased the expression of IL-1β, TGF-α and MCP-1, ICAM-1, associated with the suppression of NF-κB signaling. These findings suggest that MA is a potential agent that can reduce renal interstitial fibrosis, to some extent, via targeting TGF-β/Smad and MyD88 signaling.
CircRNA Microarray Profiling Reveals hsa_circ_0058493 as a Novel Biomarker for Imatinib-Resistant CML
Authors: Zhong An-Ni , Yin Yi , Tang Bing-Jie , Chen Lei , Shen Hong-Wei , Tan Zhi-Ping , Li Wen-Qun , He Qun , Sun Bao , Zhu Yan , Xiao Jie , Jiang Zhi-Ping , Xu Ping
Published: September 2021

Background: CircRNA has appeared as a critical molecular in the development of various cancers. However, the cellular function of circRNAs and exosomal circRNAs has not been well explored in Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods: Differentially expressed circRNAs were identified by a human circRNA microarray analysis. The expression of hsa_circ_0058493 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and exosomes was verified using quantitative real-time PCR. Short hairpin RNAs against hsa_circ_0058493 were constructed to silence the expression of circ_0058493. CCK8, flow cytometry and EdU assay were performed to investigate the biological functions of circ_0058493.

Results: Hsa_circ_0058493 was significantly overexpressed in the PBMCs of CML patients and high level of circ_0058493 was associated with the poor clinical efficacy of imatinib. Silencing the expression of circ_0058493 significantly inhibited the development of imatinib-resistant CML cells. miR-548b-3p was overexpressed in circ_0058493-downregulated CML cells. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that circ_0058493 might exert its regulatory function acting as a “sponge” of miR-548b-3p. Moreover, hsa_circ_0058493 was significantly enriched in the exosomes derived from imatinib-resistant CML cells.

Conclusion: Hsa_circ_0058493 in PBMCs could be a promising prognostic biomarker and might provide a therapeutic target for CML treatment.
Nimodipine Promotes Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Guo Fangliang , Zheng Xiaolong , He Ziyu , Zhang Ruoying , Zhang Song , Wang Minghuan , Chen Hong , Wang Wei
Published: September 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that results in severe motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. The L-/T-type calcium channel blocker nimodipine (NMD) exerts a protective effect on neuronal injury; however, the protective effects of long-term administration of NMD in subjects with SCI remain unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of long-term treatment with NMD on a clinically relevant SCI model. Female rats with SCI induced by 25 mm contusion were subcutaneously injected with vehicle or 10 mg/kg NMD daily for six consecutive weeks. We monitored the motor score, hind limb grip strength, pain-related behaviors, and bladder function in this study to assess the efficacy of NMD in rats with SCI. Rats treated with NMD showed improvements in locomotion, pain-related behaviors, and spasticity-like symptoms, but not in open-field spontaneous activity, hind limb grip strength or bladder function. SCI lesion areas and perilesional neuronal numbers, gliosis and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP+) fiber sprouting in the lumbar spinal cord and the expression of K+–Cl− cotransporter 2 (KCC2) on lumbar motor neurons were also observed to further explore the possible protective mechanisms of NMD. NMD-treated rats showed greater tissue preservation with reduced lesion areas and increased perilesional neuronal sparing. NMD-treated rats also showed improvements in gliosis, CGRP+ fiber sprouting in the lumbar spinal cord, and KCC2 expression in lumbar motor neurons. Together, these results indicate that long-term treatment with NMD improves functional recovery after SCI, which may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCI.
Kanglaite Combined With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Stage III/IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A PRISMA-Compliant Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kong Fanming , Wang Chaoran , Li Xiaojiang , Jia Yingjie
Published: September 2021

Objective: Kanglaite(KLT), a type of Chinese medicine preparation, is considered as an adjuvant therapeutic option for malignant cancer treatment. This study aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination of KLT and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for the treatment of stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared KLT plus EGFR-TKI with EGFR-TKI alone for the treatment of stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer were reviewed. Literature searches (up to July 10, 2021) were performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and the Chinese Scientific Journal Database. Two researchers independently assessed the risk of bias with the tool of Cochrane Collaboration. RevMan 5.3.0 was used in the analysis of the included trial data.

Results: 12 RCTs recruiting 1,046 patients with stage III/IV NSCLC were included. Results showed that compared with EGFR-TKI alone, KLT plus EGFR-TKI significantly increased the disease control rate (DCR) (odds ratio [OR]=3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.22–4.77; p < 0.00001), the objective response rate (ORR) (OR=2.59; 95% CI:1.87–3.58; p < 0.00001) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (OR = 2.76; 95% CI:1.73–4.39; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, patient immunity was enhanced with KLT plus EGFR-TKI. The combined treatment increased the percentage of CD4 + T cells (weighted mean difference [WMD]=5.36; 95% CI:3.60–7.13; p < 0.00001),the CD4+/CD8 + ratio (WMD = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08–0.27; p = 0.004), and percentage of NK cells (WMD=4.84; 95% CI: 3.66–6.02; p < 0.00001).With regard to drug toxicity, the occurrence rate of nausea and vomiting was significantly reduced by KLT plus EGFR-TKI (OR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.16–0.86; p = 0.02).

Conclusion: KLT plus EGFR-TKI was effective in treating stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer. Thus, its application in these patients is worth promoting. Additional double-blind, well-designed and multicenter RCTs are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this treatment.
Reconfigurable Circular-Ring Feed Patch Antenna with Tri-Polarization Diversity
Authors: Gu Hui , Ge Lei , Zhang Jihong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a reconfigurable circular-ring feed patch antenna for polarization diversity applications is proposed. The reconfigurability is realized by using only two p-i-n diodes which are inserted into the circular feed ring of the aperture-coupled patch antenna. With the help of the p-i-n diodes, the polarization of the antenna is able to be altered among 45° linearly polarized (LP), left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP), and right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) states. A fully-functional prototype is fabricated and measured. The measurement agrees well with the simulation and three polarization states are obtained. Owing to the merits of tri-polarization diversity, low profile and simple structure, the proposed design is a great candidate for future wireless systems.
Lifelong Adaptation of Gastric Cell Proliferation and Mucosa Structure to Early Weaning-Induced Effects
Authors: Mesquita da Silva Kethleen , Rattes Isadora Campos , Pereira Gizela Maria Agostini , Gama Patrícia
Published: September 2021

The gastric mucosa is disturbed when breastfeeding is interrupted, and such early weaning (EW) condition permanently affects the differentiation of zymogenic cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of EW on gastric cell proliferation, considering the molecular markers for cell cycle, inflammation, and metaplasia. Overall, we investigated the lifelong adaptation of gastric growth. Wistar rats were divided into suckling-control (S) and EW groups, and gastric samples were collected at 18, 30, and 60 days for morphology, RNA, and protein isolation. Inflammation and metaplasia were not identified, but we observed that EW promptly increased Ki-67-proliferative index (PI) and mucosa thickness (18 days). From 18 to 30 days, PI increased in S rats, whereas it was stable in EW animals, and such developmental change in S made its PI higher than in EW. At 60 days, the PI decreased in S, making the indices similar between groups. Spatially, during development, proliferative cells spread along the gland, whereas, in adults, they concentrate at the isthmus-neck area. EW pushed dividing cells to this compartment (18 days), increased PI at the gland base (60 days), but it did not interfere in expression of cell cycle molecules. At 18 days, EW reduced Tgfβ2, Tgfβ3, and Tgfbr2 and TβRII and p27 levels, which might regulate the proliferative increase at this age. We demonstrated that gastric cell proliferation is immediately upregulated by EW, corroborating previous results, but for the first time, we showed that such increased PI is stable during growth and aging. We suggest that suckling and early weaning might use TGFβs and p27 to trigger different proliferative profiles during life course.
Epigenomic Regulators Elongator Complex Subunit 2 and Methyltransferase 1 Differentially Condition the Spaceflight Response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Paul Anna-Lisa , Haveman Natasha , Califar Brandon , Ferl Robert J.
Published: September 2021

Background:Plants subjected to the novel environment of spaceflight show transcriptomic changes that resemble aspects of several terrestrial abiotic stress responses. Under investigation here is whether epigenetic modulations, similar to those that occur in terrestrial stress responses, have a functional role in spaceflight physiological adaptation. The Advanced Plant Experiment-04 – Epigenetic Expression experiment examined the role of cytosine methylation in spaceflight adaptation. The experiment was conducted onboard the International Space Station, and evaluated the spaceflight-altered, genome-wide methylation profiles of two methylation-regulating gene mutants [methyltransferase 1 (met1-7)and elongator complex subunit 2 (elp2-5)] along with a wild-type Col-0 control.

Results:Theelp2-5plants suffered in their physiological adaptation to spaceflight in that their roots failed to extend away from the seed and the overall development of the plants was greatly impaired in space. Themet1-7plants suffered less, with their morphology affected by spaceflight in a manner similar to that of the Col-0 controls. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in spaceflight were dramatically different in theelp2-5andmet1-7plants compared to Col-0, indicating that the disruptions in these mutants resulted in a reprogramming of their spaceflight responses, especially inelp2-5. Many of the genes comprising the spaceflight transcriptome of each genotype were differentially methylated in spaceflight. In Col-0 the majority of the DEGs were representative of the now familiar spaceflight response, which includes genes associated with cell wall remodeling, pathogen responses and ROS signaling. However, the spaceflight transcriptomes ofmet1-7andelp2-5each presented patterns of DEGs that are almost completely different than Col-0, and to each other. Further, the DEGs of the mutant genotypes suggest a more severe spaceflight stress response in the mutants, particularly inelp2-5.

Conclusion:Arabidopsis physiological adaptation to spaceflight results in differential DNA methylation in an organ-specific manner. Disruption of Met1 methyltransferase function does not dramatically affect spaceflight growth or morphology, yetmet1-7reprograms the spaceflight transcriptomic response in a unique manner. Disruption ofelp2-5results in poor development in spaceflight grown plants, together with a diminished, dramatically reprogrammed transcriptomic response.
PoRal2 Is Involved in Appressorium Formation and Virulence via Pmk1 MAPK Pathways in the Rice Blast Fungus Pyricularia oryzae
Authors: Qu Yingmin , Wang Jing , Huang Pengyun , Liu Xiaohong , Lu Jianping , Lin Fu-Cheng
Published: September 2021

Pyricularia oryzae is an important plant pathogenic fungus that can severely damage rice and wheat crops, leading to significant reductions in crop productivity. To penetrate into and invade tissues of its plant host, this fungus relies on an invasive structure known as an appressorium. Appressorium formation is rigorously regulated by the cAMP-PKA and Pmk1 MAPK pathways. Here, we identified PoRal2, a homologous protein of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Ral2, and characterized its roles in fungal development and virulence in P. oryzae. PoRal2 contains N-terminal kelch repeats and C-terminal BTB domains. PoRal2 is involved in sporulation, aerial hypha and conidiophore differentiation, appressorium formation, plant penetration, and virulence. During appressorium formation, ∆Poral2 mutants generate appressoria with long germ tubes on hydrophobic surfaces. ∆Poral2 mutants exhibited a defective response to exogenous cAMP and the activated RAS2G18V on a hydrophilic surface, indicating impairment in the cAMP-PKA or Pmk1 MAPK signaling pathways. Deletion of PoRAL2 leads to lowered Pmk1 phosphorylation level in the mutant. Moreover, PoRal2 is found to interact with Scd1, Smo1, and Mst50, which are involved in activation of Pmk1. In addition, the expression levels of MPG1, WISH, and PDEH in the cAMP-PKA pathway, RAS2 in both the cAMP-PKA and Pmk1 MAPK pathways, and melanin biosynthesis genes (ALB1, BUF1, and RSY1) were significantly down-regulated in the ∆Poral2. Therefore, PoRal2 is involved in fungal development and virulence by its crosstalk in the cAMP-PKA and Pmk1 MAPK signaling pathways.
Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of the Trans-Isopentenyl Diphosphate Synthases Gene Family in Cinnamomum camphora
Authors: Yang Zerui , Xie Chunzhu , Zhan Ting , Li Linhuan , Liu Shanshan , Huang Yuying , An Wenli , Zheng Xiasheng , Huang Song
Published: September 2021

Trans-isopentenyl diphosphate synthases (TIDSs) genes are known to be important determinants for terpene diversity and the accumulation of terpenoids. The essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora, which is rich in monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and other aromatic compounds, has a wide range of pharmacological activities and has therefore attracted considerable interest. However, the TIDS gene family, and its relationship to the camphor tree (C. camphora L. Presl.), has not yet been characterized. In this study, we identified 10 TIDS genes in the genome of the C. camphora borneol chemotype that were unevenly distributed on chromosomes. Synteny analysis revealed that the TIDS gene family in this species likely expanded through segmental duplication events. Furthermore, cis-element analyses demonstrated that C. camphora TIDS (CcTIDS) genes can respond to multiple abiotic stresses. Finally, functional characterization of eight putative short-chain TIDS proteins revealed that CcTIDS3 and CcTIDS9 exhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) activity, while CcTIDS1 and CcTIDS2 encode geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases (GGPPS). Although, CcTIDS8 and CcTIDS10 were found to be catalytically inactive alone, they were able to bind to each other to form a heterodimeric functional geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS) in vitro, and this interaction was confirmed using a yeast two-hybrid assay. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that the CcTIDS3, CcTIDS8, CcTIDS9, and CcTIDS10 genes were found to be more active in C. camphora roots as compared to stems and leaves, which were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These novel results provide a foundation for further exploration of the role of the TIDS gene family in camphor trees, and also provide a potential mechanism by which the production of camphor tree essential oil could be increased for pharmacological purposes through metabolic engineering.
Silicon Alleviates the Disease Severity of Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Rapeseed
Authors: Feng Yuxia , Hu Yuxin , Fang Pengpeng , Zuo Xiangjun , Wang Jinxiong , Li Jiana , Qian Wei , Mei Jiaqin
Published: September 2021

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a devastating disease in rapeseed. The objective of this study was to investigate the role and the mechanism of silicon (Si) in alleviating the disease severity of S. sclerotiorum in rapeseed. In the absorption assays, the rapeseed that absorbed 10 mM of K2SiO3 exhibited an 86% decrease in lesion size on infected leaves as compared with controls. In the spray assay, the lesion length on rapeseed stems was reduced by 30.5–32.9% with the use of 100 mM of a foliar Si fertilizer as compared with controls. In the pot assay, the lesion length on rapeseed stems was reduced by 34.9–38.3% when using the Si fertilizer as basal fertilizer. In the field assay, both the disease incidence and disease index of sclerotinia stem rot were significantly reduced with the usage of a solid Si fertilizer, Si foliar fertilizer, and the application of both, without negative affection on the main agronomic traits and seed quality of rapeseed. The transcriptome sequencing, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and biochemical assays between K2SO4- and K2SiO3- treated rapeseed leaves revealed that Si promoted the biosynthesis of defense-related substances and enhanced the antioxidation and detoxification abilities of rapeseed after infection. Thus, this study concluded that Si can alleviate the disease severity of S. sclerotiorum in rapeseeds, partially due to the induced defense responses.
Response of Lignin Metabolism to Light Quality in Wheat Population
Authors: Li Chunhui , Luo Yongli , Jin Min , Sun Shufang , Wang Zhenlin , Li Yong
Published: September 2021

The low red/far-red (R/FR) light proportion at the base of the high-density wheat population leads to poor stem quality and increases lodging risk. We used Shannong 23 and Shannong 16 as the test materials. By setting three-light quality treatments: normal light (CK), red light (RL), and far-red light (FRL), we irradiated the base internodes of the stem with RL and FRL for 7h. Our results showed that RL irradiation enhanced stem quality, as revealed by increased breaking strength, stem diameter, wall thickness and, dry weight per unit length, and the total amount of lignin and related gene expression increased, at the same time. The composition of lignin subunits was related to the lodging resistance of wheat. The proportion of S+G subunits and H subunits played a key role in wheat lodging resistance. RL could increase the content of S subunits and G subunits and the proportion of S+G subunits, reduce the proportion of H subunits. We described here, to the best of our knowledge, the systematic study of the mechanism involved in the regulation of stem breaking strength by light quality, particularly the effect of light quality on lignin biosynthesis and its relationship with lodging resistance in wheat.
Beyond the Boom: Dependent Development and Political Change in Argentina (2010–2015)
Authors: Peña Alejandro Milcíades , Barlow Matthew
Published: September 2021

The integration of Latin American countries into the global economy has historically proceeded through the export of primary commodities, a dependency that has long exposed them to developments in core industrial nations, changing terms of trade, and “resource curse” externalities. However, in the early 2000s, a new commodity boom coincided with the arrival of left-of-centre administrations across the region forwarding post-neoliberal visions of development where extraordinary export rents were destined to expand public spending and progressive welfare policies. While the relationship between Latin America’s left turn and this latest boom has been well-covered in the literature, much less has been said about developments in the 2010s, when the end of that boom sent many of these projects tumbling, fuelling political discontent and facilitating the arrival of conservative administrations in places like Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, among others. Thus, this article explores the relationship between global integration and political change by looking at the case of Argentina, and developments during the second presidency of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (2011–2015), when falling agricultural commodity prices aggravated social tensions and political conflicts as the government sought to navigate a “governance puzzle” through which it attempted to square high public expectations for revenue redistribution with falling fiscal collection. In particular, we analyse the co-evolution of global economic conditions, macroeconomic disequilibria, and domestic political pressures, considering how this led the government to lock itself into a distributive conflict pattern that dissatisfied both opposition sectors and important segments of its support base. As such, this case study illuminates the structural challenges confronted by governments in developing economies pursuing ambitious developmental and socially-progressive agendas, while elaborating the political implications that current account and fiscal disequilibria may produce in these contexts.
COVID-19-Related Daily Stress Processes in College-Aged Adults: Examining the Role of Depressive Symptom Severity
Authors: Greaney Jody L. , Darling Ashley M. , Turner Jennifer R. , Saunders Erika F. H. , Almeida David M. , Mogle Jacqueline
Published: September 2021

Exposure to daily stressors specific to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., threat of infection) is associated with emotional distress, heightened stress reactivity, and increased depressive symptomology. Herein, we examined whether current depressive symptomology modulates the association between COVID-19-related daily stressor exposure and negative affective reactivity in young, otherwise healthy, college-aged adults. Fifty-eight adults (21 men; 22±3years) completed a daily web-based interview for eight consecutive days to assess COVID-19-related daily stress exposure and emotional responsiveness (September–November 2020). Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and a score of ≥10 (range: 0–27) was used to define adults with a depressive episode (n=20). Participants reported at least one COVID-19-related stressor on 35.8% of interview days. Depressive symptomology did not predict the likelihood of exposure to a COVID-19-related stressor (p=0.46; OR=1.52; 95% CI: 0.492–4.718). However, negative affect (NA) was greater on days with an exposure to any COVID-19-specific daily stressor in adults with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (b=0.28, SE=0.093, p=0.003) but not in those without (b=0.009, SE=0.074, p=0.90), such that negative affective reactivity to COVID-19-related stressors was amplified in adults with a current depressive episode (p=0.019). Depressive symptomology did not moderate positive affective reactivity (p=0.686). Taken together, these data suggest that exposure to daily stressors related to COVID-19 further worsens NA in adults with a current depressive episode, potentially rendering them more susceptible to adverse mental health outcomes during the pandemic.
Joint Growth Trajectories of Trait Emotional Intelligence Subdomains Among L2 Language Learners: Estimating a Second-Order Factor-of-Curves Model With Emotion Perception
Authors: Taherian Tahereh , Fazilatfar Ali Mohammad , Mazdayasna Golnar
Published: September 2021

The present study assessed the developmental dynamics of trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and its subdomains during English as a foreign language (EFL) learning in a longitudinal study. A sample of 309 EFL learners (217 females, 92 males) was used to assess the trajectories of the global factor of TEI and the parallel development of the TEI subdomains over 1 year in the context of the EFL classroom using parallel process modeling (PPM) and factor of curve modeling (FCM). Additionally, emotion perception (EP) was used as a distal outcome to investigate how growth parameters, including intercept and slope factors in a TEI-FCM, influence the distal outcome of EP. The results revealed that there was sufficient inter-individual variation and intra-individual trends within each subdomain and a significant increase over time across the four subdomains. Additionally, concerning the covariances within and among the subdomains of TEI, the PPM results revealed moderate to high associations between the intercept and slope growth factors within and between these subdomains. Finally, regarding the direct association of the global growth factors (intercept and slope) of TEI on EP, the results indicated that the intercept and slope of global TEI were associated with EP (γ0= 1.127,p< 0.001; γ1= 0.321,p< 0.001). Specifically, the intercepts and slopes of emotionality and sociability turned out to be significantly linked to EP (γ03= 1.311,p< 0.001; γ13= 0.684,p< 0.001; γ04= 0.497,p< 0.001; γ14= 0.127,p< 0.001). These results suggest the dynamicity of TEI during learning a foreign language are discussed in this study in light of the potential variables associated with TEI and its related literature.
The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Investor Sentiment—Evidence From A-Share Listed Companies in China
Authors: Song Yuegang , Hao Xiazhen , Lu Zhou
Published: September 2021

In a DID model, this study examines the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the investor sentiment in the financial market of China using monthly panel data on newly listed Chinese companies between October 2019 and June 2020. The outbreak of the pandemic is shown to exert a significant negative impact on investor sentiment. A future industry heterogeneity analysis shows that the pandemic has driven up investor sentiment in the pharmaceutical sector while having a significantly negative impact on non-pharmaceutical sectors. The pandemic is shown to have a negative impact on the private sector and foreign-invested sector in China while a significantly positive impact on the state-owned sector. This study contributes to the existing literature on the investigation of how significant the impact of public health emergencies on investor sentiment is.
Depression and Deliberate Self-Harm Among Rural Adolescents of Sichuan Province in Western China: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lai Shimin , Su Chang , Song Shasha , Yan Mingxia , Tang Chengmeng , Zhang Qiang , Yin Fei , Liu Qiaolan
Published: September 2021

Objective: To explore the change in the prevalence and association of depression and deliberate self-harm and their common and independent influencing factors among western Chinese rural adolescents.

Methods: A total of 2,744 junior and senior high school students from two rural schools in Sichuan Province, China, participated in the baseline survey and were invited to participate in two follow-up surveys. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, a deliberate self-harm item, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were administered. A bivariate four-level logistic regression model was used for analysis.

Results: The prevalence of depression and deliberate self-harm were 39.6 and 21.2%, respectively. Regular physical exercise, a good relationship with parents, high resilience, and high self-esteem were common protective factors for both depression and deliberate self-harm. Feeling disliked by teachers was a common risk factor for both. Being female, having a mother who emigrated as a migrant worker before the student was 3 years old, feeling disliked by classmates and having a poor family economic status were associated only with an increased risk of depression. Participants with medium social support were less likely to report deliberate self-harm than those with low or high support. Depression and deliberate self-harm were clustered at the class level.

Conclusions: The comorbidity of depression and deliberate self-harm in rural adolescents should be given ample attention. Interventions should consider the class clustering of depression and deliberate self-harm and their common and unique influencing factors.