bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells stimulate regenerative wound healing via transforming growth factor-β receptor inhibition
Authors: Zhang Yan , Pan Yingjin , Liu Yanhong , Li Xiheng , Tang Liang , Duan Mengna , Li Jiang , Zhang Guokun
Published: August 2021

Background

Scar formation is a common consequence of skin wound healing, and no effective treatment exists. Umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) can improve wound healing; however, the role of UCB-MSCs remains unclear and whether they can ameliorate scar formation has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

To determine the function of UCB-MSCs, we examined and compared the therapeutic effects of UCB-MSCs and UCB-MSC-derived exosomes (UCB-MSC-exo) on skin healing in rats. Moreover, UCB-MSC-exo-specific miRNAs were identified and their effects in inhibiting the human dermal fibroblast (HDF) differentiation into myofibroblasts were investigated.

Results

Both UCB-MSCs and UCB-MSC-exo accelerated wound closure; reduced scar formation; improved the regeneration of skin appendages, nerves, and vessels; and regulated the natural distribution of collagen fibers in wound healing. Additionally, UCB-MSC-exo suppressed the excessive formation of myofibroblasts and collagen I and increased the proliferation and migration of skin cells in vivo and in vitro. Functional analysis showed that UCB-MSC-derived miRNAs were closely related to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, which could induce myofibroblast differentiation. We identified abundant miRNAs that were highly expressed in UCB-MSC-exo. miR-21-5p and miR-125b-5p were predicted to contribute to TGF-β receptor type II (TGFBR2) and TGF-β receptor type I (TGFBR1) inhibition, respectively. Using miRNA mimics, we found that miR-21-5p and miR-125b-5p were critical for anti-myofibroblast differentiation in the TGF-β1-induced HDF.

Conclusion

The effect of UCB-MSCs in stimulating regenerative wound healing might be achieved through exosomes, which can be, in part, through miR-21-5p- and miR-125b-5p-mediated TGF-β receptor inhibition, suggesting that UCB-MSC-exo might represent a novel strategy to prevent scar formation during wound healing.
Investigating the correlation of muscle function tests and sarcomere organization in C. elegans
Authors: Lesanpezeshki Leila , Qadota Hiroshi , Darabad Masoud Norouzi , Kashyap Karishma , Lacerda Carla M. R. , Szewczyk Nathaniel J. , Benian Guy M. , Vanapalli Siva A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Caenorhabditis eleganshas been widely used as a model to study muscle structure and function. Its body wall muscle is functionally and structurally similar to vertebrate skeletal muscle with conserved molecular pathways contributing to sarcomere structure, and muscle function. However, a systematic investigation of the relationship between muscle force and sarcomere organization is lacking. Here, we investigate the contribution of various sarcomere proteins and membrane attachment components to muscle structure and function to introduceC.elegansas a model organism to study the genetic basis of muscle strength.

Methods

We employ two recently developed assays that involve exertion of muscle forces to investigate the correlation of muscle function to sarcomere organization. We utilized a microfluidic pillar-based platform called NemaFlex that quantifies the maximum exertable force and a burrowing assay that challenges the animals to move in three dimensions under a chemical stimulus. We selected 20 mutants with known defects in various substructures of sarcomeres and compared the physiological function of muscle proteins required for force generation and transmission. We also characterized the degree of sarcomere disorganization using immunostaining approaches.

Results

We find that mutants with genetic defects in thin filaments, thick filaments, and M-lines are generally weaker, and our assays are successful in detecting the functional changes in response to each sarcomere location tested. We find that the NemaFlex and burrowing assays are functionally distinct informing on different aspects of muscle physiology. Specifically, the burrowing assay has a larger bandwidth in phenotyping muscle mutants, because it could pick ten additional mutants impaired while exerting normal muscle force in NemaFlex. This enabled us to combine their readouts to develop an integrated muscle function score that was found to correlate with the score for muscle structure disorganization.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the suitability of NemaFlex and burrowing assays for evaluating muscle physiology ofC.elegans. Using these approaches, we discuss the importance of the studied sarcomere proteins for muscle function and structure. The scoring methodology we have developed enhances the utility of C.elegansas a genetic model to study muscle function.
Distributional health and financial consequences of increased cigarette tax in Iran: extended cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Raei Behzad , Emamgholipour Sara , Takian Amirhossein , Yaseri Mehdi , Abdoli Ghahreman , Alizadeh Ahad
Published: August 2021

Background

To assess the potential impact of a tax-induced cigarette price increase on financial and health outcomes by different socioeconomic groups.

Methods

In a modeled condition using pooled cross-section data from Household Income and Expenditure Survey (2002–2017) and Iran 2019 population data, a methodology of an extended cost effectiveness analysis (ECEA) was applied to model the impact on cigarette consumption of hypothetically increased cigarette tax. The methodology was employed to evaluate: [1] health benefits (premature deaths averted); [2] health expenditures regarding smoking-related disease treatment averted; [3] additional tax revenues raised; [4] change in household expenditures on cigarettes; and [5] financial risk protection among male Iranian smokers in a time span of 60 years following a one-time increase in cigarette price of 75%. The Stata version 15.1 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA) was used to perform the relevant analysis and estimate regression models.

Results

A 75% increase in cigarettes price through taxation would reduce the number of smokers by more than half a million, 11% of them in the poorest quintile; save about 1.9 million years of life (11% of which would be gained in the lowest quintile compared to 20% in the highest one); eliminate a total of US$196.4 million of health expenditures (9% of which would benefit the bottom quintile). Such a policy could raise the additional annual tax revenues by roughly US$ 1 billion, where the top two quintiles bear around 46% of the total tax burden. We estimated that the tax increase would avert an estimated 56,287 cases of catastrophic expenditure that wholly concentrated among the bottom two expenditure quintiles.

Conclusion

Increasing cigarette tax can provide health and financial benefits, and would be pro-poor in terms of health gains, Out-of-Pocket (OOP) savings, and financial risk protection against smoking-related diseases.
Escherichia coli AraJ boosts utilization of arabinose in metabolically engineered cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Ranade Saurabh , He Qingfang
Published: August 2021

Lignocellulosic biomass can serve as an inexpensive and renewable source of carbon for the biosynthesis of commercially important compounds. L-arabinose is the second most abundant pentose sugar present in the plant materials. Model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is incapable of catabolism of L-arabinose as a source of carbon and energy. In this study, all the heterologous genes expressed in Synechocystis were derived from Escherichia coli K-12. Initially we constructed four Synechocystis strains that expressed AraBAD enzymes involved in L-arabinose catabolism, either in combination with or without one of the three arabinose transporters, AraE, AraFGH or AraJ. Among the recombinants, the strain possessing AraJ transporter was observed to be the most efficient in terms of dry biomass production and L-arabinose consumption. Later, an additional strain was generated by the expression of AraJ in the AraE-possessing strain. The resultant strain was shown to be advantageous over its parent. This study demonstrates that AraJ, a protein with hitherto unknown function plays a role in the uptake of L-arabinose to boost its catabolism in the transgenic Synechocystis strains. The work also contributes to the current knowledge regarding metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria for the utilization of pentose sugars.
Novel phenotypes of coronavirus disease: a temperature-based trajectory model
Authors: Shen Yanfei , Chen Dechang , Huang Xinmei , Cai Guolong , Xu Qianghong , Hu Caibao , Yan Jing , Liu Jiao
Published: August 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease has heterogeneous clinical features; however, the reasons for the heterogeneity are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify clinical phenotypes according to patients’ temperature trajectory.

Method

A retrospective review was conducted in five tertiary hospitals in Hubei Province from November 2019 to March 2020. We explored potential temperature-based trajectory phenotypes and assessed patients’ clinical outcomes, inflammatory response, and response to immunotherapy according to phenotypes.

Results

A total of 1580 patients were included. Four temperature-based trajectory phenotypes were identified: normothermic (Phenotype 1); fever, rapid defervescence (Phenotype 2); gradual fever onset (Phenotype 3); and fever, slow defervescence (Phenotype 4). Compared with Phenotypes 1 and 2, Phenotypes 3 and 4 had a significantly higher C-reactive protein level and neutrophil count and a significantly lower lymphocyte count. After adjusting for confounders, Phenotypes 3 and 4 had higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval 2.1, 1.1–4.0; and 3.3, 1.4–8.2, respectively), while Phenotype 2 had similar mortality, compared with Phenotype 1. Corticosteroid use was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality in Phenotypes 1 and 2, but not in Phenotypes 3 or 4 (p for interaction < 0.01). A similar trend was observed for gamma-globulin.

Conclusions

Patients with different temperature-trajectory phenotypes had different inflammatory responses, clinical outcomes, and responses to corticosteroid therapy.
A parallel hybrid accelerated extragradient algorithm for pseudomonotone equilibrium, fixed point, and split null point problems
Authors: Arfat Yasir , Kumam Poom , Khan Muhammad Aqeel Ahmad , Ngiamsunthorn Parinya Sa , Kaewkhao Attapol
Published: August 2021

This paper provides iterative construction of a common solution associated with the classes of equilibrium problems (EP) and split convex feasibility problems. In particular, we are interested in the EP defined with respect to the pseudomonotone bifunction, the fixed point problem (FPP) for a finite family of "Equation missing"-demicontractive operators, and the split null point problem. From the numerical standpoint, combining various classical iterative algorithms to study two or more abstract problems is a fascinating field of research. We, therefore, propose an iterative algorithm that combines the parallel hybrid extragradient algorithm with the inertial extrapolation technique. The analysis of the proposed algorithm comprises theoretical results concerning strong convergence under a suitable set of constraints and numerical results.
Boundary value problem for nonlinear fractional differential equations of variable order via Kuratowski MNC technique
Authors: Benkerrouche Amar , Baleanu Dumitru , Said Souid Mohammed , Hakem Ali , Inc Mustafa
Published: August 2021

In the present research study, for a given multiterm boundary value problem (BVP) involving the Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equation of variable order, the existence properties are analyzed. To achieve this aim, we firstly investigate some specifications of this kind of variable-order operators, and then we derive the required criteria to confirm the existence of solution and study the stability of the obtained solution in the sense of Ulam-Hyers-Rassias (UHR). All results in this study are established with the help of the Darbo’s fixed point theorem (DFPT) combined with Kuratowski measure of noncompactness (KMNC). We construct an example to illustrate the validity of our observed results.
On the perturbations of maps obeying Shannon–Whittaker–Kotel’nikov’s theorem generalization
Authors: Antuña Almudena , Guirao Juan L. G. , López Miguel A.
Published: August 2021

Let$f: \mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$f:R→Rbe a map and$\tau \in \mathbb{R}^{+}$τ∈R+. The mapfobeys the Shannon–Whittaker–Kotel’nikov theorem generalization (SWKTG) if$f(t)=\lim_{n\to \infty } ( \sum_{k\in \mathbb{Z}} f^{ \frac{1}{n}} (\frac{k}{\tau } ) \operatorname{sinc} (\tau t-k) )^{n}$f(t)=limn→∞(∑k∈Zf1n(kτ)sinc(τt−k))nfor every$t\in \mathbb{R}$t∈R. The aim of the present paper is to characterize the perturbations of the mapfthat obeys SWKTG. Our results enlarge the catalog of maps that can be recomposed using SWKTG. We underline that maps obeying SWKTG play a central role in applications to chemistry and signal theory between other fields.
Metapangenomics reveals depth-dependent shifts in metabolic potential for the ubiquitous marine bacterial SAR324 lineage
Authors: Boeuf Dominique , Eppley John M. , Mende Daniel R. , Malmstrom Rex R. , Woyke Tanja , DeLong Edward F.
Published: August 2021

Background

Oceanic microbiomes play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle and are central to the transformation and recycling of carbon and energy in the ocean’s interior. SAR324 is a ubiquitous but poorly understood uncultivated clade of Deltaproteobacteria that inhabits the entire water column, from ocean surface waters to its deep interior. Although some progress has been made in elucidating potential metabolic traits of SAR324 in the dark ocean, very little is known about the ecology and the metabolic capabilities of this group in the euphotic and twilight zones. To investigate the comparative genomics, ecology, and physiological potential of the SAR324 clade, we examined the distribution and variability of key genomic features and metabolic pathways in this group from surface waters to the abyss in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, one of the largest biomes on Earth.

Results

We leveraged a pangenomic ecological approach, combining spatio-temporally resolved single-amplified genome, metagenomic, and metatranscriptomic datasets. The data revealed substantial genomic diversity throughout the SAR324 clade, with distinct depth and temporal distributions that clearly differentiated ecotypes. Phylogenomic subclade delineation, environmental distributions, genomic feature similarities, and metabolic capacities revealed strong congruence. The four SAR324 ecotypes delineated in this study revealed striking divergence from one another with respect to their habitat-specific metabolic potentials. The ecotypes living in the dark or twilight oceans shared genomic features and metabolic capabilities consistent with a sulfur-based chemolithoautotrophic lifestyle. In contrast, those inhabiting the sunlit ocean displayed higher plasticity energy-related metabolic pathways, supporting a presumptive photoheterotrophic lifestyle. In epipelagic SAR324 ecotypes, we observed the presence of two types of proton-pumping rhodopsins, as well as genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological evidence for active photoheterotrophy, based on xanthorhodopsin-like light-harvesting proteins.

Conclusions

Combining pangenomic and both metagenomic and metatranscriptomic profiling revealed a striking divergence in the vertical distribution, genomic composition, metabolic potential, and predicted lifestyle strategies of geographically co-located members of the SAR324 bacterial clade. The results highlight the utility of metapangenomic approaches employed across environmental gradients, to decipher the properties and variation in function and ecological traits of specific phylogenetic clades within complex microbiomes.
The color change analysis of historic wooden remains after fire-suppression by fluorinated chemical gases
Authors: Ke Wei , Yang Wanyu , Zhou Biao , Wang Kai , Sun Jiazhi , Sun Xukun , Xu Min , Chen Qingqing , Qiu Bo , Wang Wei , Wang Xuan
Published: August 2021

Many wooden Chinese historic buildings are destroyed due to the ravages of frequent fire disasters. The fire risk of historic buildings are highly enlarged since a long-time weathered wooden structures in the natural environment. The clean fire-extinguishing technology using fluorinated chemical gases to put out a historic building fire rapidly at the initial stage is highly recommended and widely used. However, the gaseous hydrogen fluoride (HF) yielded during the fire suppression process could be a potential method to result in secondary damage due to its corrosiveness. Nowadays, experiments were employed to clarify the effect of fire suppression on the surface of historic wooden buildings. Five traditional fluorinated chemical gases, H-37, FK-5-1-12, H-1323, H-2402, and H-1301, are used to suppress a fixed flame. The wooden samples, including a Dao Talisman board, a painting paper, and wooden chips, are placed in a chamber. Wooden chips consist of traditional and weathered samples (acting as the Chinese historic buildings). The concentration of gaseous products yielded from fire suppression are monitored by a gas-FTIR from ABB, and the surface analysis is conducted by a Quanta FEG SEM–EDX from FEI. It is observed that flame enhancement happens at the early stage of fire suppression and varies with fire agents. The amount of F-deposited on the wooden surface is positively correlated with a total amount of gaseous HF. The color change mechanism of the wooden surface is comprehensive, although the amount of HF is a leading factor. The influence of HF on color change depends on the amount of both gaseous H2O and HF. It is concluded that the value of L* of the traditional chip is much easier to be reduced comparing with weathered samples with the same wood grain. The reduction of

$${\mathrm{b}}^{*}$$

b

∗

value of weathered samples is much larger than the traditional ones. It suggests the weathered chips show a color shift toward blue because of fire suppression. The present study hopes to provide a basic acknowledgment for the comprehensive understanding of secondary damage caused by fire suppression.
Immunoassay-based approaches for development of screening of chlorpyrifos
Authors: Khan Noor Saba , Pradhan Dibyabhaba , Choudhary Saumya , Saxena Pallavi , Poddar Nitesh Kumar , Jain Arun Kumar
Published: August 2021

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an extensively used organophosphate pesticide for crop protection. However, there are concerns of it contaminating the environment and human health with estimated three lakh deaths annually. Detection of CPF in blood samples holds significance to avoid severe health outcomes due to continuous exposure. The most common techniques for CPF detection are Gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, these techniques might not be feasible at the community healthcare level due to high-cost instrumentation, time-consuming sample preparation protocol and skilled analysts. Therefore, rapid, effective and economical methods such as immunoassay would be imperative for CPF detection in biological samples. The vital step in immunoassay development is the design of a potent immunogen from non-immunogenic molecules. The molecular modelling protocol could assist in redesigning known CPF linkers and inserting them at different substitutable positions of CPF to get distinctive CPF derivatives. Molecular docking and binding free energy analysis can be used to identify the CPF derivatives having a better binding affinity with carrier protein compared to CPF. The top-ranked CPF derivatives based on docking score and binding energy could be ideal for synthesis and immunogen development. The present review will comprehend technological trends in immunoassay kits for detecting chlorpyrifos from biological samples.
A novel scale-up strategy for cultivation of BHK-21 cells based on similar hydrodynamic environments in the bioreactors
Authors: Teng Xiaonuo , Li Chao , Yi Xiaoping , Zhuang Yingping
Published: August 2021

The scale-up of animal cell cultivation is important but remains complex and challenging. In the present study, we propose a novel scale-up strategy for baby hamster Syrian kidney-21 (BHK-21) cell cultivation based on similar hydrodynamic environments. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the different scale bioreactors were determined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and further correlated with the agitation speed. The optimal hydrodynamic environment for cell cultivation and vaccine production was determined from the cultivation experiments of BHK-21 cells in 5-L laboratory-scale bioreactors equipped with different impellers at various agitation speeds. BHK-21 cell cultivation was scaled up from 5-L to 42-, 350-, and 1000-L bioreactors by adjusting the agitation speed to make the hydrodynamic features similar to those in the 5-L bioreactor, especially for the shear rate in the impeller zone (γimp) and energy dissipation rate in the tank bulk zone (εtan). The maximum cell density and cell aggregation rate in these scaled-up bioreactors were in the range of 4.6 × 106 ~ 4.8 × 106 cells/mL and 16 ~ 20%, which are comparable to or even better than those observed in the 5-L bioreactor (maximum cell density 4.8 × 106 cells/mL, cell aggregation rate 21%). The maximum virus titer of 108.0 LD50/mL achieved in the 1000-L bioreactor was close to 108.3 LD50/mL that obtained in the 5-L bioreactor. Hence, the scale-up strategy proposed in this study is feasible and can efficiently facilitate the scale-up processes of animal cell cultivation.
What’s in a face? The role of facial features in ratings of dominance, threat, and stereotypicality
Authors: Kleider-Offutt Heather , Meacham Ashley M. , Branum-Martin Lee , Capodanno Megan
Published: August 2021

Faces judged as stereotypically Black are perceived negatively relative to less stereotypical faces. In this experiment, artificial faces were constructed to examine the effects of nose width, lip fullness, and skin reflectance, as well as to study the relations among perceived dominance, threat, and Black stereotypicality. Using a multilevel structural equation model to isolate contributions of the facial features and the participant demographics, results showed that stereotypicality was related to wide nose, darker reflectance, and to a lesser extent full lips; threat was associated with wide nose, thin lips, and low reflectance; dominance was mainly related to nose width. Facial features explained variance among faces, suggesting that face-type bias in this sample was related to specific face features rather than particular characteristics of the participant. People’s perceptions of relations across these traits may underpin some of the sociocultural disparities in treatment of certain individuals by the legal system.
Health-related quality of life in Chinese workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Su Ya , Liu Meng-Shuang , De Silva Pinnaduwage Vijitha , Østbye Truls , Jin Ke-Zhi
Published: August 2021

Background

Studies of health-related quality of life among workers have generated varying results. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to synthesize the scores of health-related quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire among Chinese workers and compare the results across gender, age, occupation and region.

Methods

Six databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, Web of science and Scopus were searched for relevant publications in both English and Chinese from their inception to February 2021. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, and study and participant characters as well as health-related quality of life scores were extracted from included publications. Study quality was assessed by using the Crombie tool. The meta-analysis including individual publications used random-effects models. Subgroups analyses by gender, age, occupation and region were also conducted to explore the source of heterogeneity.

Results

One hundred thirty-nine out of 1437 potential publications were included. The pooled mean scores of health-related quality of life were 14.1 for the physical domain (95%CI: 13.9–14.3), 13.7 for the psychological domain (95%CI: 13.5–13.8), 14.0 for the social relationship domain (95%CI: 13.8–14.2), 12.3 for the environment domain (95%CI: 12.1–12.5). No significant statistical difference was found between the different subgroups. Publication bias was present in the independence domain and the pooled scores were corrected to 15.0 (95%CI: 14.6–15.5) using the trim and fill method. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of the meta-analysis were stable. Region might be a source of heterogeneity. Workers in northeast China reported higher scores in the social relationship domain, and those in the central region reported lower scores in the environmental domain.

Conclusions

Chinese workers reported lower scores in four health-related quality of life domains than the general population. Region might be a potential influencing factor for workers’ scores different, which needs further study. The pooled scores can served as benchmarks for workplace health promotion programes in Chinese workers and global occupational health studies.
Human identification from washed blood stains
Authors: Ünsal Sapan Tuğba , Erdoğan Işıl Tuna , Atasoy Sevil
Published: August 2021

Background

Among the physical evidence, bloodstain is one of the most common biological pieces of evidence at the crime scene, especially in violent crimes. Bloodstains are frequently seen at the crime scene and can be easily detected due to their color and structure. Because blood and bloodstains can potentially be evidence of a crime, offenders often tend to clean or wash them to get rid of relevant evidence. Some researchers think that washed bloodstains cannot obtain enough quality DNA for DNA profiling. However, some studies have shown that bloodstains on a piece of fabric can be used for DNA profiling even after washing. This study, it is aimed to determine whether a sufficient amount of DNA can be obtained for DNA profiling used for forensic purposes from blood-stained nylon and cotton fabrics washed at different temperatures such as 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C.

Results

In this study, bloodstains were created on cotton and nylon fabrics in a representative crime scene. After washing with laundry detergent at 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C was performed, studies were conducted in order to make bloodstains visible and obtain DNA for genetic profiling. The result is that more DNA is lost due to easy exposure to external factors in the non-absorbent nylon fabric type compared to the absorbent cotton fabric. Moreover, the rates of obtaining DNA from bloodstains on different types of fabrics washed at several temperatures are shown in this study.

Conclusions

It was determined that while a sufficient amount of DNA for the forensic genetic profiling can be obtained from cotton and nylon fabrics washed at 40 and 60 °C, a sufficient amount could not be obtained from the ones washed at 90 °C. And that shows even if bloodstained fabrics are washed at 60 °C, the fabrics still can be considered as physical evidence of the crime and can be associated with the scene, perpetrator and victim triangle.
Zinc finger transcription factor ZAT family genes confer multi-tolerances in Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: FAN Yapeng , ZHANG Yuexin , RUI Cun , XU Nan , ZHANG Hong , WANG Jing , MALIK Waqar Afzal , HAN Mingge , ZHAO Lanjie , LU Xuke , CHEN Xiugui , CHEN Chao , YE Wuwei
Published: August 2021

ZAT (Zinc Finger of Arabidopsis thaliana) proteins are composed of a plant-specific transcription factor family, which play an important role in plant growth, development, and stress resistance. To study the potential function of ZAT family in cotton, the whole genome identification, expression, and structure analysis of ZAT gene family were carried out. In this study, our analysis revealed the presence of 115, 56, 59, and 115 ZAT genes in Gossypium hirsutum, G. raimondii, G. arboreum and G. barbadense, respectively. According to the number of domains and phylogenetic characteristics, we divided ZAT genes of four Gossypium species into 4 different clades, and further divided them into 11 subfamilies. The results of collinearity analysis showed that segmental duplication was the main method to amplify the cotton ZAT genes family. Analysis of cis-elements of promoters indicated that most GhZAT genes contained cis-elements related to plant hormones and abiotic stress. According to heatmap analysis, the expression patterns of GhZAT genes under different stresses indicated that GhZAT genes were significantly involved in the response to cold, heat, salt, and PEG stress, possibly through different mechanisms. Among the highly expressed genes, we cloned a G. hirsutum gene GhZAT67. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we found that its expression level decreased significantly after being silenced. Under alkaline treatment, the wilting degree of silenced plants was even greater than the wild type, which proved that GhZAT67 gene was involved in the response to alkaline stress.
Post-warming survival rates and clinical outcomes of human cleavage stage embryos vitrified/warmed using CryoTouch and Cryotop methods
Authors: Keshavarzi Somayeh , Dokht Eftekhari Azadeh , Vahabzadeh Hajar , Mehrafza Marzieh , Taheripanah Robabeh , Asgharnia Masoumeh , Esfandyari Sahar , Ghazifard Alaleh , Hosseinirad Hossein , Paktinat Shahrokh
Published: August 2021

Background

Vitrification has become the method of choice for cryopreservation of human embryos and gametes. There are multiple commercial media, containing different combinations and concentrations of cryoprotectants, available for vitrification and warming procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare post-warming survival rate and clinical outcomes of cleavage stage embryos vitrified/warmed using two different commercial methods (CryoTouch and Cryotop) during intracytoplasmic sperm injection/frozen embryo transfer (ICSI/FET) cycles. This retrospective study evaluated a total of 173 FET cycles performed on 446 warmed cleavage stage embryos between January 2018 and December 2020. Post-warming embryo survival rate and clinical outcomes including clinical pregnancy, implantation, and live birth rates were calculated.

Results

The results showed no significant differences between two groups in terms of post-warming survival rate (p value = 0.5020), clinical pregnancy rate (p value = 0.7411), implantation rate (p value = 0.4694), and live birth rate (p value = 0.5737).

Conclusions

Collectively, high successful rates were observed in outcomes of vitrified/warmed cleavage stage embryos using both CryoTouch and Cryotop commercial methods.
DWI and ADC value versus ADC ratio in the characterization of solid renal masses: radiologic-pathologic correlation
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed Samir , Ayad Viviane George Adly , Sharafeldeen Mohamed , Salem Mona A. , Atta M. A. , Ramadan Adel A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Renal masses are becoming an increasingly common finding on cross-sectional images. Characterization of the nature of the lesion either neoplastic or not, benign or malignant as well as further subtype characterization is becoming an important factor in determining management plan. The purpose of our study with to assess the sensitivity and specificity of both ADC mean value and ADC ratio in such characterization along with the calculation of different cutoff values to differentiate between different varieties, using pathological data as the main gold standard for diagnosis.

Results

Our study included 50 patients with a total of 72 masses. A final diagnosis was reached in 69 masses by pathological examination and three masses had clinical and laboratory signs of infection. We had a total of 49 malignant lesions (68%) and 23 benign lesions (32%). The ADC value of ccRCC (1.4 × 10−3 mm2/s) was significantly higher than all other renal masses. A cutoff ADC value of > 1.1 and a cutoff ADC ratio of > 0.56 can be used to differentiate between clear cell renal cell carcinoma and other lesions and an ADC value of < 0.8 and an ADC ratio of ≤ 0.56 to differentiate papillary renal cell carcinoma from other masses. There was no statistically significant ADC value to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions but a statistically significant ADC ratio (> 0.52) was reached.

Conclusion

ADC value and ADC ratio can be used as an adjunct tool in the characterization of different renal masses, with ADC ratio having a higher sensitivity, which can affect the prognosis and management of the patient.
Anatomical variations of cystic duct insertion and their relationship with choledocholithiasis: an MRCP study
Authors: Gündüz Nesrin , Doğan Mahmut Bilal , Alacagöz Mine , Yağbasan Merve , Orhan Söylemez Umut Perçem , Atalay Başak
Published: August 2021

Background

The frequency of insertion variations of cystic duct (CD) is inconsistent between studies caused to some extent by the way they give the relative frequency of the variations. Moreover, certain insertion variations have been reported to be associated with choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to assess the frequency of CD insertion variations with a comprehensive way of classification in an unselected population in whom MRCP was performed. Moreover, the relationship between the types of variant insertions and choledocholithiasis using MRCP was also assessed. Patients undergoing magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists who were blinded to the clinical data. The normal insertion was defined as the union through middle one third of the lateral border of the extrahepatic bile duct. The transverse site (lateral, medial, anterior, and posterior) and the craniocaudal level (high, mid and low) of insertions and their intersections were assessed using axial and coronal slices, respectively. In addition, the frequencies of the CD insertion variations were compared between choledocholithiasis and control (no-choledocholithiasis) groups.

Results

A total of 307 patients (124 with choledocholithiasis and 183 controls) were analyzed. A true variant insertion was found in 149 (48.5%) cases. The insertion variations were less frequent in the choledocholithiasis group [50 (40.3%) vs. 99 (54.1%), respectively, p = 0.018]. The frequencies of craniocaudal level of insertion differed significantly between groups (p = 0.014) that was driven by a lower rate of low medial insertion (1.6% vs. 9.8%, respectively) in the choledocholithiasis group. The frequencies of transverse site of insertion were similar between groups (p = 0.314). The low medial insertion was 80.7% less likely associated with choledocholithiasis even after adjustment for age (Odds ratio: 0.193, 95% Confidence interval: 0.039–0.954, p = 0.044). The interreader agreement for insertion assessment was good (Cohen’s Kappa: 0.748, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of CD insertion variations in an unselected population undergoing MRCP is quite high and a mid-posterior insertion is the most common variant type. Insertion variations of CD, the low medial insertion in particular, are less common in patients with choledocholithiasis than controls.
Predicted Risks of Cardiovascular Disease Following Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in the UK NCRI RAPID Trial of Positron Emission Tomography–Directed Therapy for Early-Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Cutter David J. , Ramroth Johanna , Diez Patricia , Buckle Andy , Ntentas Georgios , Popova Bilyana , Clifton-Hadley Laura , Hoskin Peter J. , Darby Sarah C. , Radford John , Illidge Tim
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

The contemporary management of early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (ES-HL) involves balancing the risk of late adverse effects of radiotherapy against the increased risk of relapse if radiotherapy is omitted. This study provides information on the risk of radiation-related cardiovascular disease to help personalize the delivery of radiotherapy in ES-HL.

METHODS

We predicted 30-year absolute cardiovascular risk from chemotherapy and involved field radiotherapy in patients who were positron emission tomography (PET)–negative following three cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy within a UK randomized trial of PET-directed therapy for ES-HL. Cardiac and carotid radiation doses and chemotherapy exposure were combined with established dose-response relationships and population-based mortality and incidence rates.

RESULTS

Average mean heart dose was 4.0 Gy (range 0.1-24.0 Gy) and average bilateral common carotid artery dose was 21.5 Gy (range 0.6-38.1 Gy), based on individualized cardiovascular dosimetry for 144 PET-negative patients receiving involved field radiotherapy. The average predicted 30-year radiation-related absolute excess overall cardiovascular mortality was 0.56% (range 0.01%-6.79%; < 0.5% in 67% of patients and > 1% in 15%), whereas average predicted 30-year excess incidence was 6.24% (range 0.31%-31.09%; < 5% in 58% of patients and > 10% in 24%). For cardiac disease, the average predicted 30-year radiation-related absolute excess mortality was 0.42% (0.79% with mediastinal involvement and 0.05% without) and for stroke, it was 0.14%.

CONCLUSION

Predicted excess cardiovascular risk is small for most patients, so radiotherapy may provide net benefit. However, for a minority of patients receiving high doses of radiation to cardiovascular structures, it may be preferable to consider advanced radiotherapy techniques to reduce doses or to omit radiotherapy and accept the increased relapse risk. Individual assessment of cardiovascular and other risks before treatment would allow personalized decision making about radiotherapy in ES-HL.
An Alternative Data Transformation Approach for ADA Cut Point Determination: Why Not Use a Weibull Transformation?
Authors: Jordan Gregor , Staack Roland F.
Published: August 2021

The testing of protein drug candidates for inducing the generation of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) plays a fundamental role in drug development. The basis of the testing strategy includes a screening assay followed by a confirmatory test. Screening assay cut points (CP) are calculated mainly based on two approaches, either non-parametric, when the data set does not appear normally distributed, or parametric, in the case of a normal distribution. A normal distribution of data is preferred and may be achieved after outlier exclusion and, if necessary, transformation of the data. The authors present a Weibull transformation and a comparison with a decision tree-based approach that was tested on 10 data sets (healthy human volunteer matrix, different projects). Emphasis is placed on a transformation calculation that can be easily reproduced to make it accessible to non-mathematicians. The cut point value and the effect on the false positive rate as well as the number of excluded samples of both methods are compared.
Inhibiting Kiss1 Neurons With Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists to Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Vasomotor Symptoms
Authors: McCarthy Elizabeth A , Dischino Daniel , Maguire Caroline , Leon Silvia , Talbi Rajae , Cheung Eugene , Schteingart Claudio D , Rivière Pierre J M , Reed Susan D , Steiner Robert A , Navarro Victor M
Published: August 2021

Context

Recent evidence suggests that vasomotor symptoms (VMS) or hot flashes in the postmenopausal reproductive state and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the premenopausal reproductive state emanate from the hyperactivity of Kiss1 neurons in the hypothalamic infundibular/arcuate nucleus (KNDy neurons).

Objective

We demonstrate in 2 murine models simulating menopause and PCOS that a peripherally restricted kappa receptor agonist (PRKA) inhibits hyperactive KNDy neurons (accessible from outside the blood–brain barrier) and impedes their downstream effects.

Design

Case/control.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Mice.

Interventions

Administration of peripherally restricted kappa receptor agonists and frequent blood sampling to determine hormone release and body temperature.

Main Outcome Measures

LH pulse parameters and body temperature.

Results

First, chronic administration of a PRKA to bilaterally ovariectomized mice with experimentally induced hyperactivity of KNDy neurons reduces the animals’ elevated body temperature, mean plasma LH level, and mean peak LH per pulse. Second, chronic administration of a PRKA to a murine model of PCOS, having elevated plasma testosterone levels and irregular ovarian cycles, suppresses circulating levels of LH and testosterone and restores normal ovarian cyclicity.

Conclusion

The inhibition of kisspeptin neuronal activity by activation of kappa receptors shows promise as a novel therapeutic approach to treat both VMS and PCOS in humans.
Unusual Manifestations of the Trigeminocardiac Reflex During Awake Craniotomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sahu Anirban , Koht Antoun H.
Published: August 2021

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is triggered by stimulation of a branch of the trigeminal nerve and results in vagally mediated bradycardia, hypotension, apnea, and gastrointestinal hypermotility. In the operating theatre, patients susceptible to TCR are typically under general anesthesia; thus, cardiac abnormalities are the most common manifestation. Our case highlights the less common intraoperative manifestations of gastric hypermotility and apnea in a patient undergoing awake craniotomy for tumor resection. Prompt recognition, removal of stimuli, and airway management prevented catastrophic complications while facilitating completion of the procedure.
Women's Experience of Child Death Over the Life Course: A Global Demographic Perspective
Authors: Alburez-Gutierrez Diego , Kolk Martin , Zagheni Emilio
Published: August 2021

The death of a child affects the well-being of parents and families worldwide, but little is known about the scale of this phenomenon. Using a novel methodology from formal demography applied to data from the 2019 Revision of the United Nations World Population Prospects, we provide the first global overview of parental bereavement, its magnitude, prevalence, and distribution over age for the 1950–2000 annual birth cohorts of women. We project that the global burden of parental bereavement will be 1.6 times lower for women born in 2000 than for women born in 1955. Accounting for compositional effects, we anticipate the largest improvements in regions of the Global South, where offspring mortality continues to be a common life event. This study quantifies an unprecedented shift in the timing of parental bereavement from reproductive to retirement ages. Women in the 1985 cohort and subsequent cohorts will be more likely to lose an adult child after age 65 than to lose a young child before age 50, reversing a long-standing global trend. “Child death” will increasingly come to mean the death of adult offspring. We project persisting regional inequalities in offspring mortality and in the availability of children in later life, a particular concern for parents dependent on support from their children after retirement. Nevertheless, our analyses suggest a progressive narrowing of the historical gap between the Global North and South in the near future. These developments have profound implications for demographic theory and highlight the need for policies to support bereaved older parents.
Methods and guidance on conducting, reporting, publishing and appraising living systematic reviews: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Iannizzi Claire , Akl Elie A , Kahale Lara A , Dorando Elena , Mosunmola Aminat Abina , Barker James M , McKenzie Joanne E. , Haddaway Neal R , Piechotta Vanessa , Skoetz Nicole
Published: August 2021

Background: The living systematic review (LSR) approach is based on an ongoing surveillance of the literature and continual updating. A few guidance documents address the conduct, reporting, publishing and appraisal of systematic reviews (SRs), but the methodology described is either not up-to date or not suitable for LSRs and misses additional LSR-specific considerations. The objective of this scoping review is to systematically collate methodological literature and guidance on how to conduct, report, publish and appraise the quality of LSRs. The scoping review will allow the mapping of the existing evidence on the topic to support LSRs authors seeking guidance and identify related gaps. 

Methods: To achieve our objectives, we will conduct a scoping review to survey and evaluate existing evidence, using the standard scoping review methodology. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane using the OVID interface. The search strategy was developed by a researcher experienced in developing literature search strategies with the help of an information specialist. As for searching grey literature, we will seek existing guidelines and handbooks on LSRs from organizations that conduct evidence syntheses using the Lens.org website. Two review authors will extract and catalogue the study data on LSR methodological aspects into a standardized and pilot-tested data extraction form. The main categories will reflect proposed methods for (i) conducting LSRs, (ii) reporting of LSRs, (iii) publishing and (iv) appraising the quality of LSRs.

Data synthesis and conclusion: By collecting these data from methodological surveys and papers, as well as existing guidance documents and handbooks on LSRs, we might identify specific issues and components lacking within current LSR methodology. Thus, the systematically obtained findings of the scoping review could be used as basis for the revision of existing methods tools on LSR, for instance a PRISMA statement extension for LSRs.
Fair and Square: A Retention Model of Managerial Compensation
Authors: Ellingsen Tore , Kristiansen Eirik Gaard
Published: August 2021

We propose a model of how the retention motive shapes managerial compensation contracts. Once employed, a risk-averse manager acquires imperfectly portable skills whose value is stochastic because of industry-wide demand shocks. The manager’s actions are uncontractible, and the perceived fairness of the compensation contract affects the manager’s motivation. If the volatility of profits is sufficiently large and outside offers are sufficiently likely, the equilibrium contract combines a salary with an own-firm stock option. The model’s predictions are consistent with empirical regularities concerning contractual shape, the magnitude of variable pay, the lack of indexation, and the prevalence of discretionary severance pay.

This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
The ‘myth-busting’ guide to assessment
Authors: Caswell Jo
Published: August 2021

In this month's article on inspection, Jo Caswell discusses the common myths around assessment and Ofsted's ‘expectations’. This is a big topic at the moment, but it seems that not much has changed. It is important to reflect on why we do what we do, and whether it is right for our setting.
REVIEWS
Authors: Bradbury Aaron , Celinska Angelica
Published: August 2021

This month I am thrilled to have Aaron Bradbury back again with another insightful review, alongside a fantastic home-learning companion book which I share a snippet from here. As for our picture books, take a look at a hand-picked selection of recently published children's texts focusing on two important areas: friendships and feelings.
The Subtleties of Racism in the South African Workplace
Authors: Mokoena Kgomotso Busisiwe
Published: August 2021

South Africa is a country known for its history of racial discrimination in addition to its increasingly diverse society, values and socio-economic contexts. This diversity and the acceptance thereof were hard won by many South Africans during the struggle against the brutality of the apartheid regime. What is also clear from interactions between many South Africans is that much of the racism which existed in apartheid South Africa is unfortunately not a thing of the past.