bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Immune Atlas of Human Deciduas With Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Zhou Liying , Chen Jiying , Lu Ying , Cao Chaoxia , Lv Shuangli , Wei Zhihong , Wang Liping , Chen Jiao , Hu Xinglin , Wu Zijing , Zhou Xiaohua , Su Danna , Deng Xuefeng , Zeng Changchun , Wang Huiyun , Pu Zuhui , Diao Ruiying , Mou Lisha
Published: June 2021

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common fertility problem that affects 1%-2% of couples all over the world. Despite exciting discoveries regarding the important roles of the decidual natural killer cell (dNK) and regulatory T cell in pregnancy, the immune heterogeneity in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) remains elusive. Here, we profiled the transcriptomes of 13,953 CD45+ cells from three normal and three URPL deciduas. Based on our data, the cellular composition revealed three major populations of immune cells including dNK cell, T cell, and macrophage, and four minor populations including monocytes, dendritic cell (DC), mast cell, and B cell. Especially, we identified a subpopulation of CSF1+ CD59+ KIRs-expressing dNK cells in normal deciduas, while the proportion of this subpopulation was decreased in URPL deciduas. We also identified a small subpopulation of activated dDCs that were accumulated mainly in URPL deciduas. Furthermore, our data revealed that in decidua at early pregnancy, CD8+ T cells exhibited cytotoxic properties. The decidual macrophages expressed high levels of both M1 and M2 feature genes, which made them unique to the conventional M1/M2 classification. Our single-cell data revealed the immune heterogeneity in decidua and the potentially pathogenic immune variations in URPL.
Antireflective Self-Cleaning TiO2 Coatings for Solar Energy Harvesting Applications
Authors: Afzal Adeel , Habib Amir , Ulhasan Iftikhar , Shahid Muhammad , Rehman Abdul
Published: June 2021

Titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2, titania) is well-known for its excellent photocatalytic properties, wide bandgap, chemical resistance, and photostability. Nanostructured TiO2 is extensively utilized in various electronic and energy-related applications such as resistive switching memory devices, flat panel displays, photodiodes, solar water-splitting, photocatalysis, and solar cells. This article presents recent advances in the design and nanostructuring of TiO2-containing antireflective self-cleaning coatings for solar cells. In particular, the energy harvesting efficiency of a solar cell is greatly diminished by the surface reflections and deposition of environmental contaminants over time. Nanostructured TiO2 coatings not only minimize reflection through the graded transition of the refractive index but simultaneously improve the device’s ability to self-clean and photocatalytically degrade the pollutants. Thus, novel approaches to achieve higher solar cell efficiency and stability with pristine TiO2 and TiO2-containing nanocomposite coatings are highlighted herein. The results are compared and discussed to emphasize the key research and development shortfalls and a commercialization perspective is considered to guide future research.
Hyperoxemia Is Associated With Mortality in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Pelletier Jonathan H. , Ramgopal Sriram , Horvat Christopher M.
Published: June 2021

Multiple studies among adults have suggested a non-linear relationship between arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and clinical outcomes. Meta-analyses in this population suggest that high levels of supplemental oxygen resulting in hyperoxia are associated with mortality. This mini-review focuses on the non-neonatal pediatric literature examining the relationship between PaO2 and mortality. While only one pilot pediatric randomized-controlled trials exists, over the past decade, there have been at least eleven observational studies examining the relationship between PaO2 values and mortality in critically ill children. These analyses of mixed-case pediatric ICU populations have generally reported a parabolic (“u-shaped”) relationship between PaO2 and mortality, similar to that seen in the adult literature. However, the estimates of the point at which hyperoxemia becomes deleterious have varied widely (300–550 mmHg). Where attempted, this effect has been robust to analyses restricted to the first PaO2 value obtained, those obtained within 24 h of admission, anytime during admission, and the number of hyperoxemic blood gases over time. These findings have also been noted when using various methods of risk-adjustment (accounting for severity of illness scores or complex chronic conditions). Similar relationships were found in the majority of studies restricted to patients undergoing care after cardiac arrest. Taken together, the majority of the literature suggests that there is a robust parabolic relationship between PaO2 and risk-adjusted pediatric ICU mortality, but that the exact threshold at which hyperoxemia becomes deleterious is unclear, and likely beyond the typical target value for most clinical indications. Findings suggest that clinicians should remain judicious and thoughtful in the use of supplemental oxygen therapy in critically ill children.
Management of Sjögren's Syndrome: Present Issues and Future Perspectives
Authors: Vitali Claudio , Minniti Antonina , Pignataro Francesca , Maglione Wanda , Del Papa Nicoletta
Published: June 2021

In view of the new possibilities for the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) given by the availability of new biotechnological agents targeting the various molecular and cellular actors of the pathological process of the disease, classification criteria aimed at selecting patients to be enrolled in therapeutic trials, and validated outcome measures to be used as response criteria to these new therapies, have been developed and validated in the last decades. Unfortunately, the therapeutic trials so far completed with these new treatments have yielded unsatisfactory or only partially positive results. The main issues that have been evoked to justify the poor results of the new therapeutic attempts are: (i) the extreme variability of the disease phenotypes of the patients enrolled in the trials, which are dependent on different underlying patterns of biological mechanisms, (ii) the fact that the disease has a long indolent course, and that most of the enrolled patients might already have irreversible clinical features. The advances in the research of new disease biomarkers that can better distinguish the different clinical phenotypes of patients and diagnose the disease in an earlier phase are also discussed.
Novel Proteome and N-Glycoproteome of the Thermophilic Fungus Chaetomium thermophilum in Response to High Temperature
Authors: Gao Jinpeng , Li Qingchao , Li Duochuan
Published: June 2021

Thermophilic fungi are eukaryotic species that grow at high temperatures, but little is known about the underlying basis of thermophily at cell and molecular levels. Here the proteome and N-glycoproteome of Chaetomium thermophilum at varying culture temperatures (30, 50, and 55°C) were studied using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography enrichment and high-resolution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy analysis. With respect to the proteome, the numbers of differentially expressed proteins were 1,274, 1,374, and 1,063 in T50/T30, T55/T30, and T55/T50, respectively. The upregulated proteins were involved in biological processes, such as protein folding and carbohydrate metabolism. Most downregulated proteins were involved in molecular functions, including structural constituents of the ribosome and other protein complexes. For the N-glycoproteome, the numbers of differentially expressed N-glycoproteins were 160, 176, and 128 in T50/T30, T55/T30, and T55/T50, respectively. The differential glycoproteins were mainly involved in various types of N-glycan biosynthesis, mRNA surveillance pathway, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicated that an efficient protein homeostasis pathway plays an essential role in the thermophily of C. thermophilum, and N-glycosylation is involved by affecting related proteins. This is the novel study to reveal thermophilic fungi’s physiological response to high-temperature adaptation using omics analysis, facilitating the exploration of the thermophily mechanism of thermophilic fungi.
Dynamics of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities During the Secondary Succession Following Swidden Agriculture IN Lowland Forests
Authors: Lin Qiang , Baldrian Petr , Li Lingjuan , Novotny Vojtech , Heděnec Petr , Kukla Jaroslav , Umari Ruma , Meszárošová Lenka , Frouz Jan
Published: June 2021

Elucidating dynamics of soil microbial communities after disturbance is crucial for understanding ecosystem restoration and sustainability. However, despite the widespread practice of swidden agriculture in tropical forests, knowledge about microbial community succession in this system is limited. Here, amplicon sequencing was used to investigate effects of soil ages (spanning at least 60 years) after disturbance, geographic distance (from 0.1 to 10 km) and edaphic property gradients (soil pH, conductivity, C, N, P, Ca, Mg, and K), on soil bacterial and fungal communities along a chronosequence of sites representing the spontaneous succession following swidden agriculture in lowland forests in Papua New Guinea. During succession, bacterial communities (OTU level) as well as its abundant (OTU with relative abundance > 0.5%) and rare (<0.05%) subcommunities, showed less variation but more stage-dependent patterns than those of fungi. Fungal community dynamics were significantly associated only with geographic distance, whereas bacterial community dynamics were significantly associated with edaphic factors and geographic distance. During succession, more OTUs were consistently abundant (n = 12) or rare (n = 653) for bacteria than fungi (abundant = 6, rare = 5), indicating bacteria were more tolerant than fungi to environmental gradients. Rare taxa showed higher successional dynamics than abundant taxa, and rare bacteria (mainly from Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia) largely accounted for bacterial community development and niche differentiation during succession.
It Takes Two to Tango: How a Dysregulation of the Innate Immunity, Coupled With Candida Virulence, Triggers VVC Onset
Authors: Ardizzoni Andrea , Wheeler Robert T. , Pericolini Eva
Published: June 2021

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a symptomatic inflammation of the vagina mainly caused by C. albicans. Other species, such as C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei, are mainly associated to the recurrent form of the disease (RVVC), although with a lower frequency. In its yeast form, C. albicans is tolerated by the vaginal epithelium, but switching to the invasive hyphal form, co-regulated with the expression of genes encoding virulence factors such as secreted aspartyl proteases (Sap) and candidalysin, allows for tissue damage. Vaginal epithelial cells play an important role by impairing C. albicans tissue invasion through several mechanisms such as epithelial shedding, secretion of mucin and strong interepithelial cell connections. However, morphotype switching coupled to increasing of the fungal burden can overcome the tolerance threshold and trigger an intense inflammatory response. Pathological inflammation is believed to be facilitated by an altered vaginal microbiome, i.e., Lactobacillus dysbiosis. Notwithstanding the damage caused by the fungus itself, the host response to the fungus plays an important role in the onset of VVC, exacerbating fungal-mediated damage. This response can be triggered by host PRR-fungal PAMP interaction and other more complex mechanisms (i.e., Sap-mediated NLRP3 activation and candidalysin), ultimately leading to strong neutrophil recruitment. However, recruited neutrophils appear to be ineffective at reducing fungal burden and invasion; therefore, they seem to contribute more to the symptoms associated with vaginitis than to protection against the disease. Recently, two aspects of the vulvovaginal environment have been found to associate with VVC and induce neutrophil anergy in vitro: perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and heparan sulfate. Interestingly, CAGTA antibodies have also been found with higher frequency in VVC as compared to asymptomatic colonized women. This review highlights and discusses recent advances on understanding the VVC pathogenesis mechanisms as well as the role of host defenses during the disease.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Emaravirus From Grapevine Showing Chlorotic Mottling Symptoms
Authors: Fan Xudong , Li Chen , Zhang Zunping , Ren Fang , Hu Guojun , Shen Hailin , Zhang Baodong , Dong Yafeng
Published: June 2021

A novel negative-sense, single-stranded (ss) RNA virus was identified in a “Shennong Jinhuanghou” (SJ) grapevine showing severe chlorotic mottling symptoms by integrating high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and conventional Sanger sequencing of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products. The virus was provisionally named as “grapevine emaravirus A” (GEVA). GEVA had a genome comprising five genomic RNA segments, each containing a single open reading frame on the viral complementary strand and two untranslated regions with complementary 13- nt stretches at the 5′ and 3′ terminal ends. RNA1 (7,090 nt), RNA2 (2,097 nt), RNA3 (1,615 nt), and RNA4 (1,640 nt) encoded putative proteins P1–P4 that, based on their conserved motifs, were identified as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, glycoprotein, nucleocapsid protein, and movement protein, respectively. However, the functional role of protein P5 encoded by RNA5 (1,308 nt) could not be determined. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on amino acids of P1 to P4, allocated GEVA in clade I, together with other species-related emaraviruses. These data support the proposal that GEVA is a representative member of a novel species in the genus Emaravirus of the family Fimoviridae. Moreover, when GEVA was graft-transmitted to SJ and “Beta” grapevines, all grafted plants showed the same symptoms, similar to those observed in the source of the inoculum. This is the first report to our knowledge of an emaravirus infecting grapevine and its possible association with chlorotic mottling symptoms.
The Ependymal Region Prevents Glioblastoma From Penetrating Into the Ventricle via a Nonmechanical Force
Authors: Li Kaishu , Song Haimin , Wang Chaohu , Lin Zhiying , Yi Guozhong , Yang Runwei , Ni Bowen , Wang Ziyu , Zhu Taichen , Zhang Wanghao , Wang Xiran , Liu Zhifeng , Huang Guanglong , Liu Yawei
Published: June 2021

Background

Intraventricular penetration is rare in glioblastoma (GBM). Whether the ependymal region including the ependyma and subventricular zone (SVZ) can prevent GBM invasion remains unclear.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and haematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining were performed to evaluate the size and anatomical locations of GBM. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between tumor-ependyma contact, ventricle penetration and clinical characteristics. Cell migration and invasion were assessed via Transwell assays and an orthotopic transplantation model.

Results

Among 357 patients with GBM, the majority (66%) showed ependymal region contact, and 34 patients (10%) showed ventricle penetration of GBM. GBM cells were spread along the ependyma in the orthotopic transplantation model. The longest tumor diameter was an independent risk factor for GBM-ependymal region contact, as demonstrated by univariate (OR = 1.706, p < 0.0001) and multivariate logistic regression analyses (OR = 1.767, p < 0.0001), but was not associated with ventricle penetration. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could significantly induce tumor cell migration (p < 0.0001), and GBM could grow in CSF. Compared with those from the cortex, cells from the ependymal region attenuated the invasion of C6 whether cocultured with C6 or mixed with Matrigel (p = 0.0054 and p = 0.0488). Immunofluorescence analysis shows a thin gap with GFAP expression delimiting the tumor and ependymal region.

Conclusion

The ependymal region might restrict GBM cells from entering the ventricle via a non-mechanical force. Further studies in this area may reveal mechanisms that occur in GBM patients and may enable the design of new therapeutic strategies.
Calcium Signals in Astrocyte Microdomains, a Decade of Great Advances
Authors: Lia Annamaria , Henriques Vanessa Jorge , Zonta Micaela , Chiavegato Angela , Carmignoto Giorgio , Gómez-Gonzalo Marta , Losi Gabriele
Published: June 2021

The glial cells astrocytes have long been recognized as important neuron-supporting elements in brain development, homeostasis, and metabolism. After the discovery that the reciprocal communication between astrocytes and neurons is a fundamental mechanism in the modulation of neuronal synaptic communication, over the last two decades astrocytes became a hot topic in neuroscience research. Crucial to their functional interactions with neurons are the cytosolic Ca2+ elevations that mediate gliotransmission. Large attention has been posed to the so-called Ca2+microdomains, dynamic Ca2+ changes spatially restricted to fine astrocytic processes including perisynaptic astrocytic processes (PAPs). With presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic neuronal membranes, PAPs compose the tripartite synapse. The distinct spatial-temporal features and functional roles of astrocyte microdomain Ca2+ activity remain poorly defined. However, thanks to the development of genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs), advanced microscopy techniques, and innovative analytical approaches, Ca2+ transients in astrocyte microdomains were recently studied in unprecedented detail. These events have been observed to occur much more frequently (∼50–100-fold) and dynamically than somatic Ca2+ elevations with mechanisms that likely involve both IP3-dependent and -independent pathways. Further progress aimed to clarify the complex, dynamic machinery responsible for astrocytic Ca2+ activity at microdomains is a crucial step in our understanding of the astrocyte role in brain function and may also reveal astrocytes as novel therapeutic targets for different brain diseases. Here, we review the most recent studies that improve our mechanistic understanding of the essential features of astrocyte Ca2+ microdomains.
Visuomotor Adaptation Brain Changes During a Spaceflight Analog With Elevated Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A Pilot Study
Authors: Salazar Ana Paula , Hupfeld Kathleen E. , Lee Jessica K. , Banker Lauren A. , Tays Grant D. , Beltran Nichole E. , Kofman Igor S. , De Dios Yiri E. , Mulder Edwin , Bloomberg Jacob J. , Mulavara Ajitkumar P. , Seidler Rachael D.
Published: June 2021

Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) must adapt to several environmental challenges including microgravity, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), and isolation while performing highly controlled movements with complex equipment. Head down tilt bed rest (HDBR) is an analog used to study spaceflight factors including body unloading and headward fluid shifts. We recently reported how HDBR with elevated CO2 (HDBR+CO2) affects visuomotor adaptation. Here we expand upon this work and examine the effects of HDBR+CO2 on brain activity during visuomotor adaptation. Eleven participants (34 ± 8 years) completed six functional MRI (fMRI) sessions pre-, during, and post-HDBR+CO2. During fMRI, participants completed a visuomotor adaptation task, divided into baseline, early, late and de-adaptation. Additionally, we compare brain activity between this NASA campaign (30-day HDBR+CO2) and a different campaign with a separate set of participants (60-day HDBR with normal atmospheric CO2 levels, n = 8; 34.25 ± 7.9 years) to characterize the specific effects of CO2. Participants were included by convenience. During early adaptation across the HDBR+CO2 intervention, participants showed decreasing activation in temporal and subcortical brain regions, followed by post- HDBR+CO2 recovery. During late adaptation, participants showed increasing activation in the right fusiform gyrus and right caudate nucleus during HDBR+CO2; this activation normalized to baseline levels after bed rest. There were no correlations between brain changes and adaptation performance changes from pre- to post HDBR+CO2. Also, there were no statistically significant differences between the HDBR+CO2 group and the HDBR controls, suggesting that changes in brain activity were due primarily to bed rest rather than elevated CO2. Five HDBR+CO2 participants presented with optic disc edema, a sign of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). An exploratory analysis of HDBR+CO2 participants with and without signs of SANS revealed no group differences in brain activity during any phase of the adaptation task. Overall, these findings have implications for spaceflight missions and training, as ISS missions require individuals to adapt to altered sensory inputs over long periods in space. Further, this is the first study to verify the HDBR and elevated CO2 effects on the neural correlates of visuomotor adaptation.
Clinical Subtypes and vHIT Parameters in a Population With Bilateral Vestibulopathy
Authors: Mancino-Moreira Fiorella , Rueda Almudena , Esteban-Sanchez Jonathan , Martin-Sanz Eduardo
Published: June 2021

Objective:To evaluate the different peripheral, neurological, genetic, and systemic etiologies of bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) and the value of vHIT in the diagnostic process.

Materials and methods:A retrospective case review was performed on 176 patients diagnosed with BVP in a tertiary referral center, between 2010 and 2020. Inclusion criteria comprised imbalance and/or oscillopsia during locomotion and horizontal angular VOR gain on both sides <0.8. We classified patients into different groups according to (1) their fulfillment of the Barany guideline for bilateral vestibulopathy (2) the definite etiology of BVP and (3) the four clinical subtypes distributed in our population (recurrent vertigo with BVP, rapidly progressive BVP, slowly progressive BVP, and slowly progressive BVP with ataxia). Medical history of vertigo, hypoacusis or migraine, and family background of imbalance and/or oscillopsia were assessed. Horizontal, posterior, and superior semicircular canal angular VOR gain was registered along with saccadic parameters such as velocity, and dispersion of the saccades' latency values.

Results:Barany's Society diagnostic criteria for BVP was accomplished in 89 patients. Among our patients, 13.6% had migraines in their medical history and the idiopathic group accounted for 50% of the population. All four clinical subtypes were found in our population, slowly progressive bilateral vestibulopathy without vertigo was the most frequent one. A percentage of our population could not be categorized into any of the former subtypes, many of these patients were diagnosed with BVP after suffering a single vertigo episode. Lower vHIT gains were found in those patients with Barany's criteria for BVP and oscillopsia was significantly more prevalent in this group.

Conclusions:Bilateral vestibulopathy manifests with very different patterns representing a very heterogeneous condition. The distribution of the clinical subtypes and Barany's criteria are a useful clinical tool to differentiate groups of patients. The vHIT can serve as an initial tool for identifying patients with BVP. The finding of bilateral vestibular involvement in a clinically suspected unilateral vestibulopathy should be considered in some patients.
The Role of B Cells in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Holloman Jameson P. , Axtell Robert C. , Monson Nancy L. , Wu Gregory F.
Published: June 2021

The success of ocrelizumab in reducing confirmed disability accumulation in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) via CD20-targeted depletion implicates B cells as causal agents in the pathogenesis of PPMS. This review explores the possible mechanisms by which B cells contribute to disease progression in PPMS, specifically exploring cytokine production, antigen presentation, and antibody synthesis. B cells may contribute to disease progression in PPMS through cytokine production, specifically GM-CSF and IL-6, which can drive naïve T-cell differentiation into pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 cells. B cell production of the cytokine LT-α may induce follicular dendritic cell production of CXCL13 and lead indirectly to T and B cell infiltration into the CNS. In contrast, production of IL-10 by B cells likely induces an anti-inflammatory effect that may play a role in reducing neuroinflammation in PPMS. Therefore, reduced production of IL-10 may contribute to disease worsening. B cells are also capable of potent antigen presentation and may induce pro-inflammatory T-cell differentiation via cognate interactions. B cells may also contribute to disease activity via antibody synthesis, although it's unlikely the benefit of ocrelizumab in PPMS occurs via antibody decrement. Finally, various B cell subsets likely promulgate pro- or anti-inflammatory effects in MS.
Clinical Outcome in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage Stratified by Type of Antithrombotic Therapy
Authors: Baharoglu Merih Irem , Coutinho Jonathan M. , Marquering Henk A. , Majoie Charles B. , Roos Yvo B.
Published: June 2021

Background: Antithrombotic therapy influences clinical outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, evidence on the effect of different antithrombotic therapies on outcome and a comparison between different therapies is scarce, while this is important for medical decision making. Therefore, we investigated clinical outcome after ICH stratified by type of antithrombotic therapy.

Patients/Methods: We performed a cohort study selecting consecutive ICH patients from our database, excluding patients without data on medication or therapeutic heparin use. Primary outcome was poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥ 4) after 90 days. Secondary outcome was mortality at 90 days. We analyzed outcome and survival in patients with ICH using vitamin K antagonists (VKA), antiplatelet therapy (AP), and direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) compared to no antithrombotic therapy adjusted for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), infratentorial localization, intraventricular extension, history of hypertension, diabetes, or stroke, and interaction between age and NIHSS.

Results: We included 916 patients (223 AP, 161 VKA, and 40 DOAC). VKA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–6.3) and AP (aOR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.1–3.7) were associated with poor outcome. DOAC use did not reach statistical significance (aOR = 2.4, 95%CI: 0.8–7.7). Patients who used any antithrombotic therapy had poorer survival compared to patients without antithrombotic treatment and patients using AP and DOAC had better survival compared to VKA after adjustment.

Conclusions: Patients with antithrombotic therapy have worse clinical outcome after ICH. Patients using VKA have higher risk of poor outcome and mortality compared to patients using AP. These findings highlight the deleterious effect of antithrombotic therapy in patients with ICH and stress the need for effective therapies for ICH patients.
Selective Attention Measurement of Experienced Simultaneous Interpreters Using EEG Phase-Locked Response
Authors: Yagura Haruko , Tanaka Hiroki , Kinoshita Taiki , Watanabe Hiroki , Motomura Shunnosuke , Sudoh Katsuhito , Nakamura Satoshi
Published: June 2021

We quantified the electroencephalogram signals associated with the selective attention processing of experienced simultaneous interpreters and calculated the phase-locked responses evoked by a 40-Hz auditory steady-state response (40-Hz ASSR) and the values of robust inter-trial coherence (ITC) for environmental changes. Since we assumed that an interpreter's attention ability improves with an increase in the number of years of experience of simultaneous interpretation, we divided the participants into two groups based on their simultaneous interpretation experience: experts with more than 15 years of experience (E group; n = 7) and beginners with <1 year (B group; n = 15). We also compared two conditions: simultaneous interpretation (SI) and shadowing (SH). We found a significant interaction in the ITC between years of SI experience (E and B groups) and tasks (SI and SH). This result demonstrates that the number of years of SI experience influences selective attention during interpretation.
Gray Matter Abnormalities in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: A Dual Disorder ALE Quantification
Authors: Yu Kevin K. K. , Cheing Gladys L. Y. , Cheung Charlton , Kranz Georg S. , Cheung Alex Kwok-Kuen
Published: June 2021

Aims/hypothesis: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with comorbid brain disorders. Neuroimaging studies in DM revealed neuronal degeneration in several cortical and subcortical brain regions. Previous studies indicate more pronounced brain alterations in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, a comparison of both types of DM in a single analysis has not been done so far. The aim of this meta-analysis was to conduct an unbiased objective investigation of neuroanatomical differences in DM by combining voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies of T1DM and T2DM using dual disorder anatomical likelihood estimation (ALE) quantification.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Medline were systematically searched for publications until June 15, 2020. VBM studies comparing gray matter volume (GMV) differences between DM patients and controls at the whole-brain level were included. Study coordinates were entered into the ALE meta-analysis to investigate the extent to which T1DM, T2DM, or both conditions contribute to gray matter volume differences compared to controls.

Results: Twenty studies (comprising of 1,175 patients matched with 1,013 controls) were included, with seven studies on GMV alterations in T1DM and 13 studies on GMV alterations in T2DM. ALE analysis revealed seven clusters of significantly lower GMV in T1DM and T2DM patients relative to controls across studies. Both DM subtypes showed GMV reductions in the left caudate, right superior temporal lobe, and left cuneus. Conversely, GMV reductions associated exclusively with T2DM (>99% contribution) were found in the left cingulate, right posterior lobe, right caudate and left occipital lobe. Meta-regression revealed no significant influence of study size, disease duration, and HbA1c values.

Conclusions/interpretation: Our findings suggest a more pronounced gray matter atrophy in T2DM compared to T1DM. The increased risk of microvascular or macrovascular complications, as well as the disease-specific pathology of T2DM may contribute to observed GMV reductions.

Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42020142525].
Radiomics Nomogram for Identifying Sub-1 cm Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions
Authors: Wu Xinxin , Li Jingjing , Mou Yakui , Yao Yao , Cui Jingjing , Mao Ning , Song Xicheng
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram for identifying sub-1 cm benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

Method

A total of 171 eligible patients with sub-1 cm thyroid lesions (56 benign and 115 malignant) who were treated in Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between January and September 2019 were retrospectively collected and randomly divided into training (n = 136) and validation sets (n = 35). The radiomics features were extracted from unenhanced and arterial contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of each patient. In the training set, one-way analysis of variance and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression were used to select the features related to benign and malignant lesions, and the LASSO algorithm was used to construct the radiomics signature. Combined with clinical independent predictive factors, a radiomics nomogram was constructed with a multivariate logistic regression model. The performance of the radiomics nomogram was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves in the training and validation sets. The clinical usefulness was evaluated by using decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The radiomics signature consisting of 13 selected features achieved favorable prediction efficiency. The radiomics nomogram, which incorporated radiomics signature and clinical independent predictive factors including age and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System category, showed good calibration and discrimination in the training (area under the ROC [AUC]: 0.853; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.797, 0.899) and validation sets (AUC: 0.851; 95% CI: 0.735, 0.931). DCA demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion

As a noninvasive preoperative prediction tool, the radiomics nomogram incorporating radiomics signature and clinical predictive factors shows favorable predictive efficiency for identifying sub-1 cm benign and malignant thyroid lesions.
Training and Validation of Deep Learning-Based Auto-Segmentation Models for Lung Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Using Retrospective Radiotherapy Planning Contours
Authors: Wong Jordan , Huang Vicky , Giambattista Joshua A. , Teke Tony , Kolbeck Carter , Giambattista Jonathan , Atrchian Siavash
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Deep learning-based auto-segmented contour (DC) models require high quality data for their development, and previous studies have typically used prospectively produced contours, which can be resource intensive and time consuming to obtain. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using retrospective peer-reviewed radiotherapy planning contours in the training and evaluation of DC models for lung stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods

Using commercial deep learning-based auto-segmentation software, DC models for lung SABR organs at risk (OAR) and gross tumor volume (GTV) were trained using a deep convolutional neural network and a median of 105 contours per structure model obtained from 160 publicly available CT scans and 50 peer-reviewed SABR planning 4D-CT scans from center A. DCs were generated for 50 additional planning CT scans from center A and 50 from center B, and compared with the clinical contours (CC) using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD).

Results

Comparing DCs to CCs, the mean DSC and 95% HD were 0.93 and 2.85mm for aorta, 0.81 and 3.32mm for esophagus, 0.95 and 5.09mm for heart, 0.98 and 2.99mm for bilateral lung, 0.52 and 7.08mm for bilateral brachial plexus, 0.82 and 4.23mm for proximal bronchial tree, 0.90 and 1.62mm for spinal cord, 0.91 and 2.27mm for trachea, and 0.71 and 5.23mm for GTV. DC to CC comparisons of center A and center B were similar for all OAR structures.

Conclusions

The DCs developed with retrospective peer-reviewed treatment contours approximated CCs for the majority of OARs, including on an external dataset. DCs for structures with more variability tended to be less accurate and likely require using a larger number of training cases or novel training approaches to improve performance. Developing DC models from existing radiotherapy planning contours appears feasible and warrants further clinical workflow testing.
Case Report: Eighteen Month Relapse- Free Survival Following Radical Multidisciplinary Oncological Treatment in a 68-Year-Old Male Patient With Histiocytic Sarcoma
Authors: Wehrmann Stefan , Rudolph Hagen , Ernst Dominikus , Siepmann Timo , Kaltofen Dorothea , Hänel Mathias , Mirow Lutz
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Histiocytic Sarcoma (HS) is a rare and aggressive malignancy, and patients can present with rapid tumor growth and invasion. The optimal diagnostic and therapeutic management is unknown since only a few cases have been published. Here we report a patient with histiocytic sarcoma of the right groin.

Case

A 68 year-old male patient presented to our hospital with suspicion of a superinfected atheroma of the right groin. Computed tomography showed an abdominal tumor of unknown entity. Detailed assessment including immunohistochemically evaluation of biopsy material confirmed HS. The patient underwent radical tumor resection including compartment-resection of the right thigh. During five additional cycles of chemotherapy over a period of 1.5 years he remained relapse-free.

Diagnostic work up and treatment of HS is challenging, as there is a paucity of clinical reports and lack of standard guidelines for care. In the present case report, aggressive multidisciplinary treatment resulted in good clinical outcome, however, further studies evaluating this approach in similar patients are needed.
Determining Clinical Patient Selection Guidelines for Head and Neck Adaptive Radiation Therapy Using Random Forest Modelling and a Novel Simplification Heuristic
Authors: Weppler Sarah , Quon Harvey , Schinkel Colleen , Ddamba James , Harjai Nabhya , Vigal Clarisse , Beers Craig A. , Van Dyke Lukas , Smith Wendy
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To determine which head and neck adaptive radiotherapy (ART) correction objectives are feasible and to derive efficient ART patient selection guidelines.

Methods

We considered various head and neck ART objectives including independent consideration of dose-sparing of the brainstem/spinal cord, parotid glands, and pharyngeal constrictor, as well as prediction of patient weight loss. Two-hundred head and neck cancer patients were used for model development and an additional 50 for model validation. Patient chart data, pre-treatment images, treatment plans, on-unit patient measurements, and combinations thereof were assessed as potential predictors of each objective. A stepwise approach identified combinations of predictors maximizing the Youden index of random forest (RF) models. A heuristic translated RF results into simple patient selection guidelines which were further refined to balance predictive capability and practical resource costs. Generalizability of the RF models and simplified guidelines to new data was tested using the validation set.

Results

Top performing RF models used various categories of predictors, however, final simplified patient selection guidelines only required pre-treatment information for ART predictions, indicating the potential for significant ART process streamlining. The simplified guidelines for each objective predicted which patients would experience increases in dose to: brainstem/spinal cord with sensitivity = 1.0, specificity = 0.66; parotid glands with sensitivity = 0.82, specificity = 0.70; and pharyngeal constrictor with sensitivity = 0.84, specificity = 0.68. Weight loss could be predicted with sensitivity = 0.60 and specificity = 0.55. Furthermore, depending on the ART objective, 28%-58% of patients required replan assessment, less than for previous studies, indicating a step towards more effective patient selection.

Conclusions

The above ART objectives appear to be practically achievable, with patients selected for ART according to simple clinical patient selection guidelines. Explicit ART guidelines are rare in the literature, and our guidelines may aid in balancing the potential clinical gains of ART with high associated resource costs, formalizing ART trials, and ensuring the reproducibility of clinical successes.
From “Dark Matter” to “Star”: Insight Into the Regulation Mechanisms of Plant Functional Long Non-Coding RNAs
Authors: Chen Qingshuai , Liu Kui , Yu Ru , Zhou Bailing , Huang Pingping , Cao Zanxia , Zhou Yaoqi , Wang Jihua
Published: June 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a vital role in a variety of biological functions in plant growth and development. In this study, we provided an overview of the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in interacting with other biomolecules with an emphasis on those lncRNAs validated only by low-throughput experiments. LncRNAs function through playing multiple roles, including sponger for sequestering RNA or DNA, guider or decoy for recruiting or hijacking transcription factors or peptides, and scaffold for binding with chromatin modification complexes, as well as precursor of microRNAs or small interfering RNAs. These regulatory roles have been validated in several plant species with a comprehensive list of 73 lncRNA–molecule interaction pairs in 16 plant species found so far, suggesting their commonality in the plant kingdom. Such initial findings of a small number of functional plant lncRNAs represent the beginning of what is to come as lncRNAs with unknown functions were found in orders of magnitude more than proteins.
Accepting Restrictions and Compliance With Recommended Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19: A Discussion Based on the Key Approaches and Current Research on Fear Appeals
Authors: Demirtaş-Madran H. Andaç
Published: June 2021

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is a novel coronavirus which was first detected in late December 2019 in the Wuhan Province of China. This novel coronavirus, caused by a zoonotic beta-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-), is described as highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) named the novel coronavirus as COVID-19 on February 11, 2020, and declared it as a “pandemic.” Almost all countries have undertaken wide-scale precautions so as to prevent or limit the spread of the virus, with most having practiced some form of “lockdown” along with “social distancing,” as well as dispensed recommendations for proper hand washing, avoiding touching the face, wearing facemasks, and using disposable tissues when either coughing or sneezing. Whereas it is well known that slowing the spread of this new epidemic requires the cooperation of all citizens, some people still seem to willfully disregard the rules and guidelines, and thereby ignore the health risks posed to both themselves and to others they come into contact with. People have responded differently to lockdown rules and social distancing practices. Whilst the majority follow the rules and recommendations with great care, others are more lax or simply refuse to comply. These differences might be accounted for according to a number of factors including personal, social, cultural, mental, and economic variables. Being persuaded to comply with preventive rules, especially those concerned with health-related behaviors, also bring certain other factors into play. Fear is one of those factors, and is one of the most powerful. It is well known that fear-based appeals can be effective in inculcating health behaviors, with many theories having been developed in this area. However, both the content of the message (the level of the fear it contains) and certain personal variables can determine the persuasive power of the fear appeal. It can even have an adverse effect if not properly applied. Many theories have been developed to address the persuasive effectiveness of the fear appeal (e.g., fear-drive theory, protection-motivation theory), and this study aims to discuss these individual differences in precautionary and preventive measures for the COVID-19 pandemic within the framework of the basic assumptions of these theoretical approaches.
Neural Evidence of Language Membership Control in Bilingual Word Recognition: An fMRI Study of Cognate Processing in Chinese–Japanese Bilinguals
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Che , Jeong Hyeonjeong , Sugiura Motoaki , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: June 2021

This study aims to examine the neural mechanisms of resolving response competition during bilingual word recognition in the context of language intermixing. During fMRI scanning, Chinese–Japanese unbalanced bilinguals were required to perform a second-language (L2) lexical decision task composed of cognates, interlingual homographs, matched control words from both Chinese (first language) and Japanese (L2), and pseudowords. Cognate word processing showed longer reaction times and greater activation in the supplementary motor area (SMA) than L2 control word processing. In light of the orthographic and semantic overlap of cognates, these results reflect the cognitive processing involved in resolving response conflicts enhanced by the language membership of non-target language during bilingual word recognition. A significant effect of L2 proficiency was also observed only in the SMA, which is associated with the task decision system. This finding supports the bottom-up process in the BIA+ model and the Multilink model. The task/decision system receives the information from the word identification system, making appropriate responses during bilingual word recognition.
The Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation of the Brain on Sleep: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dondé Clément , Brunelin Jerome , Micoulaud-Franchi Jean-Arthur , Maruani Julia , Lejoyeux Michel , Polosan Mircea , Geoffroy Pierre A.
Published: June 2021

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) is a promising non-invasive brain modulation tool. Over the past years, there have been several attempts to modulate sleep with tES-based approaches in both the healthy and pathological brains. However, data about the impact on measurable aspects of sleep remain scattered between studies, which prevent us from drawing firm conclusions. We conducted a systematic review of studies that explored the impact of tES on neurophysiological sleep oscillations, sleep patterns measured objectively with polysomnography, and subjective psychometric assessments of sleep in both healthy and clinical samples. We searched four main electronic databases to identify studies until February 2020. Forty studies were selected including 511 healthy participants and 452 patients. tES can modify endogenous brain oscillations during sleep. Results concerning changes in sleep patterns are conflicting, whereas subjective assessments show clear improvements after tES. Possible stimulation-induced mechanisms within specific cortico-subcortical sleep structures and networks are discussed. Although these findings cannot be directly transferred to the clinical practice and sleep-enhancing devices development for healthy populations, they might help to pave the way for future researches in these areas. PROSPERO registration number 178910.