bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological changes in a macro-tidal estuary during extreme flooding events
Authors: Du Yixiao , Cheng Zhixin , You Zaijin
Published: January 2023

River discharge is a controlling factor in estuarine morphological changes; estuarine topography can be significantly altered even by only one flooding event. However, the mechanism of morphological changes in mountain-stream macro-tidal estuaries during wet seasons is not fully understood. Taking the Yalu River Estuary (YRE), China, as an example, this study aims to explore the effects of extreme flooding events on estuarine morphology. An improved Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was applied in the YRE to reproduce the distribution of bed sediment erosion and deposition during dry years, normal years, and wet years. Sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the responses of the estuarine system to river discharge. The influence of the Yalu River on the magnitude of estuarine bed change was examined. With an increase in river discharge, the bed thickness in the main estuarine channel first increased and then decreased after reaching a threshold of 0.4 × 104m3/s. Simultaneously, density stratification became stronger with the increase in runoff. Subsequently, vertical mixing of water was weakened after a certain threshold, which in turn, enhanced the density stratification and changed the location of the Estuarine Turbidity Maxima (ETM). In addition, river effects contributed to nearly half of the bed erosion under 0.6 × 104m3/s (flooding with 50-year return period). The ETM extended and moved approximately 8 km seaward during flooding events. The West River channel experienced strong siltation, which was more significant during flood events. The results of this study demonstrate that estuarine circulation plays a key role in morphology change. The magnitude of bed thickness erosion can reach 22% of the total initial thickness during one flooding event. This rapid change is a threat to the stability of port infrastructures, and actions should be taken to maintain the safety of coastal construction.
A unified non-empirical strength model
Authors: Feng Xing , Sun Guangpeng , Zhang Sitong , Wen Bin
Published: January 2023

Strength, as an important indicator of structural materials, has always been an important research topic in materials science. Theoretically, building a strength model is a rewarding method to understand the relationship between the mechanical properties and microstructure of materials. Although many strength models can reduplicate experimental values very well, they are empirical models, and their applicability is limited to materials for which empirical parameters have been obtained. Here, a non-empirical strength model is proposed based on the two-dimensional (2D) displacement potential of dislocation slipping, which can be applied to different chemically bonded crystals. Owing to the large electron localization function (ELF), covalent and ionic crystals have a high 2D displacement potential of dislocation slipping, and their dislocation slip mode prefers the kink-pair mode, further exhibiting a high critical resolved shear stress (CRSS). In contrast, metallic crystals with a small ELF have a low 2D displacement potential of dislocation slipping, and their dislocation slip mode is more inclined to the string mode, showing a low CRSS. This work provides new insights into dislocation-slipping configurations that will be useful for the development of new high-performance structural materials.
Development of magnetorheological elastomer railway pads with a tunable stiffness/damping property for railway fastening systems
Authors: Cui Shukun , Liu Bingtong , Zhou Yao , Liu Changxi , Wang Yazhou , Xiao Junheng
Published: January 2023

The railway pad plays an irreplaceable role in isolating the vibration and noise from rail/wheel interaction in railway components. A railway pad with variable stiffness and damping properties can adapt to various railway operating conditions for suppressing of railway noise and vibration. Unfortunately, to meet the practical requirements in railway fastening systems, which the railway pad should be able to bear heavy loads with low stiffness, both the material development and structural design need to be addressed for the application of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). In this work, an MRE railway pad is designed, developed and experimentally tested. As illustrated by experimental results, the obtained MRE materials illustrate an obvious magnetorheological effect with the highest efficiency of 171% on storage modulus and 70% on loss factor. Coupling with the magnet controlling unit, the MRE railway pad is capable to control the stiffness and damping property under high loads. By adjusting the coil’s current from 0 A to 5 A, its static stiffness exhibits an enhancement from 37.9 kN/mm to 68.4 kN/mm, and the damping property increases from 8776.3 N•s/m to 10866.3 N•s/m. These results in this study are not only a successful demonstration of delivering a tunable stiffness and damping capability of the railway pad, but also pave the way for the development of MRE materials to achieve more rational applications.
Impact of manganese diffusion into non-oriented electrical steel on power loss and permeability at different temperatures
Authors: Elgamli Elmazeg , Anayi Fatih , Shouran Mokhtar
Published: January 2023

Minimising power losses and their consequences is a significant matter in electrical steel applications. Increasing the resistivity of the steel strips has been confirmed as a successful method to overcome the problem of power losses. To increase the resistivity of the strip, different effective methods have been proposed and tested. In this work, a new material has been proposed to achieve the objective of increasing the resistivity of the steel samples by adding Manganese (IV) oxide based on a diffusion technique. The surface of the samples is to be coated with the proposed Manganese oxide. This should guarantee an increase in the resistivity of the samples, which in turn reduces the power losses caused by the eddy current. The samples tested were of non-oriented electrical steels containing 2.4 wt% Si-Fe (with a thickness of 0.305 mm*300 mm*30 mm). It was measured for losses and permeability before and after treatment by a Single Strip Tester (SST) at 0.5–1.7 T using an Alternating Current magnetic properties measurement system under controlled sinusoidal at different frequencies. The obtained results revealed that the depth of Manganese oxide diffusion is inversely proportional to the increase in the temperature. It was demonstrated that the best amount of diffusion of the element into the strips was achieved at 525°C, which was 60 weight % in comparison with 700°C which was 20 wt%. Likewise, at 800°C it was 7 wt%. However, the depth of diffusion of the manganese was the same at those tested temperatures, which were equal to 200 µm deep on each of the side strips. The diffusion of the material was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, from the results, it was concluded that the power losses in the coating samples were improved by 9% as compared with uncoated samples.
A two-scale FEM-BAM approach for fingerpad friction under electroadhesion
Authors: Forsbach Fabian , Heß Markus , Papangelo Antonio
Published: January 2023

The complex physics behind electroadhesion-based tactile displays poses an enormous modeling challenge since not only the fingerpad structure with multiple non-linear layers, but also the roughness at the microscopic scale play a decisive role. To investigate tactile perception, a potential model should also offer the possibility to extract mechanical stimuli at the sites of the relevant mechanoreceptors. In this paper, we present a two-scale approach that involves a finite element model (FEM) at the macroscopic scale and a simple bearing area model (BAM) that accounts for the measured roughness on the papillary ridges. Both separate scales couple in an iterative way using the concept of an equivalent air gap. We show that the electroadhesion-induced changes in friction and contact area predicted by the proposed model are in qualitative agreement with recent experimental studies. In a simple example, we demonstrate that the model can readily be extended by a neural dynamics model to investigate the tactile perception of electroadhesion.
Moist exposed burn ointment accelerates diabetes-related wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization
Authors: Gong Yuanxun , Jiang Yan , Huang Jinmei , He Zuofen , Tang Qianli
Published: January 2023

Background

The incidence of diabetes-related wounds is widespread, and the treatment is challenging. We found that Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) promotes the healing of diabetes-related wounds, but the mechanism is not clear.

Methods

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of MEBO on diabetic wound healing, which may be related to the promotion of re-epithelialization. A full-thickness skin resection model was established in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. MEBO and Kangfuxin (KFX) were applied to the wound area, and the wound healing rate was analyzed by photographing. The granulation tissue and epidermal thickness, the collagen remodeling rate, and the expression of cytokeratin 10 (CK10), cytokeratin 14 (CK14), Ki67, Collagen I, and Collagen III in the regenerated skin were detected by H&E staining, Masson staining, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. MEBO and KFX were applied to human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT), mouse dermal fibrolasts (MDF) cells, and cell viability, cell migration, and differentiation were determined by CCK-8, scratching assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blot (WB), respectively.

Results

We found that MEBO significantly promoted the formation of wound granulation tissue and collagen remodeling in diabetic mice. The application of MEBO to diabetic wounds not only promoted the formation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands but also promoted the expression of Ki67, CK10, and CK14 in epidermal cells. MEBO had no significant effect on the differentiation process of keratinocytes.

Conclusion

Our study further proved that MEBO plays a positive role in diabetic wound healing, and its excellent ability to promote re-epithelialization may be an important reason for promoting wound healing.
Trained immunity as a possible newcomer in autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases pathophysiology
Authors: Beignon Anne-Sophie , Galeotti Caroline , Menager Mickael M. , Schvartz Adrien
Published: January 2023

Autoimmune disorders have been well characterized over the years and many pathways—but not all of them–have been found to explain their pathophysiology. Autoinflammatory disorders, on the other hand, are still hiding most of their molecular and cellular mechanisms. During the past few years, a newcomer has challenged the idea that only adaptive immunity could display memory response. Trained immunity is defined by innate immune responses that are faster and stronger to a second stimulus than to the first one, being the same or not. In response to the trained immunity inducer, and through metabolic and epigenetic changes of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow that are transmitted to their cellular progeny (peripheral trained immunity), or directly of tissue-resident cells (local innate immunity), innate cells responsiveness and functions upon stimulation are improved in the long-term. Innate immunity can be beneficial, but it could also be detrimental when maladaptive. Here, we discuss how trained immunity could contribute to the physiopathology of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.
Case report: Mounded and refractory keratoses (MARK), a novel presentation of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Le Stephanie T. , Toussi Atrin M. , Nava Jordan E. , Downing Lauren A. , Fung Maxwell A.
Published: January 2023

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare immunobullous disease. Although it classically presents as generalized flaccid blisters affecting the skin and mucosae, atypical cases of PV can be diagnostically challenging. Herein, we report an underrecognized non-blistering manifestation of pemphigus vulgaris, which we call mounded and refractory keratoses (MARK). MARK presents as exuberant scaling plaques on the scalp, often in the skin of color. When MARK features are present, pemphigus vulgaris is prone to misdiagnosis, clinically and histopathologically, leading to delays in appropriate treatment. Specifically, biopsies from these patients may resemble acantholytic dyskeratosis, resulting in initial misdiagnosis. Thus, recognizing this presentation may aid physicians in diagnosing and monitoring the recurrence of pemphigus vulgaris.
Prediction model for postoperative atrial fibrillation in non-cardiac surgery using machine learning
Authors: Oh Ah Ran , Park Jungchan , Shin Seo Jeong , Choi Byungjin , Lee Jong-Hwan , Yang Kwangmo , Kim Ha Yeon , Sung Ji Dong , Lee Seung-Hwa
Published: January 2023

Some patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after non-cardiac surgery need treatment, and a predictive model for these patients is clinically useful. Here, we developed a predictive model for POAF in non-cardiac surgery based on machine learning techniques. In a total of 201,864 patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery between January 2011 and June 2019 at our institution, 5,725 (2.8%) were treated for POAF. We used machine learning with an extreme gradient boosting algorithm to evaluate the effects of variables on POAF. Using the top five variables from this algorithm, we generated a predictive model for POAF and conducted an external validation. The top five variables selected for the POAF model were age, lung operation, operation duration, history of coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The optimal threshold of probability in this model was estimated to be 0.1, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was 0.80 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.78–0.81. Accuracy of the model using the estimated threshold was 0.95, with sensitivity and specificity values of 0.28 and 0.97, respectively. In an external validation, the AUROC was 0.80 (0.78–0.81). The working predictive model for POAF requiring treatment in non-cardiac surgery based on machine learning techniques is provided online (https://sjshin.shinyapps.io/afib_predictor_0913/). The model needs further verification among other populations.
Local and global distensibility assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in vivo from probe tracked 2D ultrasound images
Authors: Jansen Larissa C. , Schwab Hans-Martin , van de Vosse Frans N. , van Sambeek Marc R. H. M. , Lopata Richard G. P.
Published: January 2023

Rupture risk estimation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients is currently based on the maximum diameter of the AAA. Mechanical properties that characterize the mechanical state of the vessel may serve as a better rupture risk predictor. Non-electrocardiogram-gated (non-ECG-gated) freehand 2D ultrasound imaging is a fast approach from which a reconstructed volumetric image of the aorta can be obtained. From this 3D image, the geometry, volume, and maximum diameter can be obtained. The distortion caused by the pulsatility of the vessel during the acquisition is usually neglected, while it could provide additional quantitative parameters of the vessel wall. In this study, a framework was established to semi-automatically segment probe tracked images of healthy aortas (N = 10) and AAAs (N = 16), after which patient-specific geometries of the vessel at end diastole (ED), end systole (ES), and at the mean arterial pressure (MAP) state were automatically assessed using heart frequency detection and envelope detection. After registration AAA geometries were compared to the gold standard computed tomography (CT). Local mechanical properties, i.e., compliance, distensibility and circumferential strain, were computed from the assessed ED and ES geometries for healthy aortas and AAAs, and by using measured brachial pulse pressure values. Globally, volume, compliance, and distensibility were computed. Geometries were in good agreement with CT geometries, with a median similarity index and interquartile range of 0.91 [0.90–0.92] and mean Hausdorff distance and interquartile range of 4.7 [3.9–5.6] mm. As expected, distensibility (Healthy aortas: 80 ± 15·10−3 kPa−1; AAAs: 29 ± 9.6·10−3 kPa−1) and circumferential strain (Healthy aortas: 0.25 ± 0.03; AAAs: 0.15 ± 0.03) were larger in healthy vessels compared to AAAs. Circumferential strain values were in accordance with literature. Global healthy aorta distensibility was significantly different from AAAs, as was demonstrated with a Wilcoxon test (p-value = 2·10−5). Improved image contrast and lateral resolution could help to further improve segmentation to improve mechanical characterization. The presented work has demonstrated how besides accurate geometrical assessment freehand 2D ultrasound imaging is a promising tool for additional mechanical property characterization of AAAs.
The gene regulatory network of Staphylococcus aureus ST239-SCCmecIII strain Bmb9393 and assessment of genes associated with the biofilm in diverse backgrounds
Authors: Costa Maiana de Oliveira Cerqueira e , Nascimento Ana Paula Barbosa do , Martins Yasmmin Cortes , Santos Marcelo Trindade dos , Figueiredo Agnes Marie de Sá , Perez-Rueda Ernesto , Nicolás Marisa Fabiana
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent and relevant pathogens responsible for a wide spectrum of hospital-associated or community-acquired infections. In addition, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus may display multidrug resistance profiles that complicate treatment and increase the mortality rate. The ability to produce biofilm, particularly in device-associated infections, promotes chronic and potentially more severe infections originating from the primary site. Understanding the complex mechanisms involved in planktonic and biofilm growth is critical to identifying regulatory connections and ways to overcome the global health problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Methods

In this work, we apply literature-based and comparative genomics approaches to reconstruct the gene regulatory network of the high biofilm-producing strain Bmb9393, belonging to one of the highly disseminating successful clones, the Brazilian epidemic clone. To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time the topological properties and network motifs for the Staphylococcus aureus pathogen. We performed this analysis using the ST239-SCCmecIII Bmb9393 strain. In addition, we analyzed transcriptomes available in the literature to construct a set of genes differentially expressed in the biofilm, covering different stages of the biofilms and genetic backgrounds of the strains.

Results and discussion

The Bmb9393 gene regulatory network comprises 1,803 regulatory interactions between 64 transcription factors and the non-redundant set of 1,151 target genes with the inclusion of 19 new regulons compared to the N315 transcriptional regulatory network published in 2011. In the Bmb9393 network, we found 54 feed-forward loop motifs, where the most prevalent were coherent type 2 and incoherent type 2. The non-redundant set of differentially expressed genes in the biofilm consisted of 1,794 genes with functional categories relevant for adaptation to the variable microenvironments established throughout the biofilm formation process. Finally, we mapped the set of genes with altered expression in the biofilm in the Bmb9393 gene regulatory network to depict how different growth modes can alter the regulatory systems. The data revealed 45 transcription factors and 876 shared target genes. Thus, the gene regulatory network model provided represents the most up-to-date model for Staphylococcus aureus, and the set of genes altered in the biofilm provides a global view of their influence on biofilm formation from distinct experimental perspectives and different strain backgrounds.
Increasing precipitation weakened the negative effects of simulated warming on soil microbial community composition in a semi-arid sandy grassland
Authors: Wang Shaokun , Jiang Xingchi , Li Junyao , Zhao Xueyong , Han Erniu , Qu Hao , Ma Xujun , Lian Jie
Published: January 2023

Soil microbial diversity, composition, and function are sensitive to global change factors. It has been predicted that the temperature and precipitation will increase in northern China. Although many studies have been carried out to reveal how global change factors affect soil microbial biomass and composition in terrestrial ecosystems, it is still unexplored how soil microbial diversity and composition, especially in microbial functional genes, respond to increasing precipitation and warming in a semiarid grassland of northern China. A field experiment was established to simulate warming and increasing precipitation in a temperate semiarid grassland of the Horqin region. Soil bacterial (16S) and fungal (ITS1) diversity, composition, and functional genes were analyzed after two growing seasons. The result showed that warming exerted negative effects on soil microbial diversity, composition, and predicted functional genes associated with carbon and nitrogen cycles. Increasing precipitation did not change soil microbial diversity, but it weakened the negative effects of simulated warming on soil microbial diversity. Bacterial and fungal diversities respond consistently to the global change scenario in semiarid sandy grassland, but the reasons were different for bacteria and fungi. The co-occurrence of warming and increasing precipitation will alleviate the negative effects of global change on biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation under a predicted climate change scenario in a semiarid grassland. Our results provide evidence that soil microbial diversity, composition, and function changed under climate change conditions, and it will improve the predictive models of the ecological changes of temperate grassland in future climate change scenarios.
Akkermansia deficiency and mucin depletion are implicated in intestinal barrier dysfunction as earlier event in the development of inflammation in interleukin-10-deficient mice
Authors: López-Cauce Beatriz , Puerto Marta , García Juan José , Ponce-Alonso Manuel , Becerra-Aparicio Federico , del Campo Rosa , Peligros Isabel , Fernández-Aceñero María J. , Gómez-Navarro Yésica , Lara José M. , Miranda-Bautista José , Marín-Jiménez Ignacio , Bañares Rafael , Menchén Luis
Published: January 2023

Background

Dysbiosis and mucin depletion are related with intestinal barrier dysfunction and seems to be an early pathophysiological event in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objective of this work is to study these parameters in the natural history of colitis in IL-10 deficient mice (IL-10−/−).

Methods

Wild type (WT) and IL-10−/−. mice were followed until sacrifice at 3, 5, 10, 20, 57, and 70 weeks. Body weight, colonic weight/length ratio and in vivo intestinal permeability were registered. Expression of inflammatory and adhesion molecules in the colon was explored by qPCR as Mucin-2 (MUC-2) and molecules involved in goblet cell maturation Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain 2 (WFDC2), the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers X-box-binding protein (Xbp-1) and Reticulon-4B (RTN-4B). Bacterial composition in feces and colonic mucosa was determined by massive sequencing of the V3–V4 regions of 16S rDNA gene.

Results

IL-10-/- mice showed histological inflammation at weeks 20 and 57, but most notably the intestinal permeability was significantly higher from week 10. Concordantly, the number of goblet cells and expression of MUC-2, IL-18, WFDC2 and Xbp-1 were significantly lower in KO from week 10. Nevertheless, no significant differences were found in the mRNA expression of MUC-2 or Xbp-1 between both groups—derived colon organoids. Significant bacterial differences began at week 5, being the Akkermansia deficiency in KO the most relevant result.

Conclusion

Gut microbiota alterations and mucin depletion are associated with early intestinal barrier dysfunction and precede overt gut inflammation in this animal model of IBD.
Enhanced protein degradation by black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and its gut microbes
Authors: Yu Yongqiang , Zhang Jia , Zhu Fengling , Fan Mingxia , Zheng Jinshui , Cai Minmin , Zheng Longyu , Huang Feng , Yu Ziniu , Zhang Jibin
Published: January 2023

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can convert a variety of organic wastes into biomass, and its gut microbiota are involved in this process. However, the role of gut microbes in the nutrient metabolism of BSFL is unclear. In this study, germ-free BSFL (GF) and gnotobiotic BSFL (GB) were evaluated in a high-protein artificial diet model. We used 16S rDNA sequencing, ITS1 sequencing, and network analysis to study gut microbiota in BSFL that degrade proteins. The protein reduction rate of the GB BSFL group was significantly higher (increased by 73.44%) than that of the GF BSFL group. The activity of gut proteinases, such as trypsin and peptidase, in the GB group was significantly higher than the GF group. The abundances of different gut microbes, including Pseudomonas spp., Orbus spp. and Campylobacter spp., were strongly correlated with amino acid metabolic pathways. Dysgonomonas spp. were strongly correlated with protein digestion and absorption. Issatchenkia spp. had a strong correlation with pepsin activity. Campylobacter spp., Pediococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were strongly correlated with trypsin activity. Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus spp. were strongly correlated with peptidase activity. Gut microbes such as Issatchenkia spp. may promote the gut proteolytic enzyme activity of BSFL and improve the degradation rate of proteins. BSFL protein digestion and absorption involves gut microbiota that have a variety of functions. In BSFL the core gut microbiota help complete protein degradation. These results demonstrate that core gut microbes in BSFL are important in protein degradation.
A role of salt bridges in mediating drug potency: A lesson from the N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors
Authors: Spassov Danislav S. , Atanasova Mariyana , Doytchinova Irini
Published: January 2023

The salt bridge is the strongest non-covalent interaction in nature and is known to participate in protein folding, protein-protein interactions, and molecular recognition. However, the role of salt bridges in the context of drug design has remained not well understood. Here, we report that a common feature in the mechanism of inhibition of the N-myristoyltransferases (NMT), promising targets for the treatment of protozoan infections and cancer, is the formation of a salt bridge between a positively charged chemical group of the small molecule and the negatively charged C-terminus of the enzyme. Substituting the inhibitor positively charged amine group with a neutral methylene group prevents the formation of the salt bridge and leads to a dramatic activity loss. Molecular dynamics simulations have revealed that salt bridges stabilize the NMT-ligand complexes by functioning as molecular clips that stabilize the conformation of the protein structure. As such, the creation of salt bridges between the ligands and their protein targets may find an application as a valuable tool in rational drug design.
Effect of static magnetic field on marine mollusc Elysia leucolegnote
Authors: Fei Fan , Zhang Peng , Li Xinyu , Wang Shun , Feng Erhui , Wan Yinglang , Xie Can
Published: January 2023

Artificial magnetic fields are unavoidable environment for offshore marine organisms. With the substantially increasing submarine cables, the impact of magnetic field generated by cables on marine organisms has gradually attracted people’s attention. However, there are few studies on the effect of magnetic field on molluscs. To explore whether magnetic fields could interfere with the physiological functions of offshore molluscs, here we systematically analyzed the change of metabolism and transcriptome of Elysia leucolegnote exposed to either geomagnetic field or 1.1 T static magnetic field. The blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes in E. leucolegnote were significantly increased upon the exposure to high static magnetic field for 10 days. Meanwhile, the activities of enzymes related to digestive performance and liver functions were decreased. Possible mechanisms were further revealed through comparative transcriptome analysis. A total of 836 differentially expressed genes were identified, 352 of which were up-regulated and 484 of which were down-regulated after exposure to the high static magnetic field. The up-regulated differential genes were mainly concentrated in lysosomal and apoptotic pathways, and down-regulated differential genes were mainly involved in digestive and immune systems including phagocytosis. This pattern was further confirmed by RT-qPCR analysis. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to a 1.1 T static magnetic field increased oxidative stress and blood glucose and lipid levels, and decreased immunity and physiological conditions in E. leucolegnote. The data we presented here provides a comprehensive view of metabolism change and gene expression pattern of E. leucolegnote exposed to static magnetic field. It may expand our knowledge on the magnetic field effects on offshore mollusc at molecular level, and contribute to clarification of the interaction between marine animals and artificial magnetic fields, which is certainly ecologically important.
Effectiveness of vortioxetine in patients with major depressive disorder and comorbid Alzheimer’s disease in routine clinical practice: An analysis of a post-marketing surveillance study in South Korea
Authors: Cumbo Eduardo , Adair Michael , Åstrom Daniel Oudin , Christensen Michael Cronquist
Published: January 2023

Background

Vortioxetine has demonstrated procognitive effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We assessed the effectiveness and safety of vortioxetine in a cohort of patients with MDD and comorbid Alzheimer’s disease participating in a large post-marketing surveillance study in South Korea.

Methods

Subgroup analysis of a 6-month, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional cohort study in outpatients with MDD with a pre-baseline diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease receiving vortioxetine in routine care settings (n = 207). Patients were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks; a subset of patients was also assessed after 24 weeks. Depression severity was assessed using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, cognitive symptoms using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire–Depression, Korean version (PDQ-K), and cognitive performance using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).

Results

Most patients were receiving a mean daily vortioxetine dose of 5 mg/day (174/190 patients; 91.6%). After 24 weeks of vortioxetine treatment, 71.4% of patients (40/56) had experienced overall clinical improvement (i.e., CGI–Improvement score ≤3) and 51.9% (28/54) had achieved remission from depressive symptoms (i.e., MADRS total score ≤10 points). Respective mean changes in MADRS, PDQ-K, and DSST total scores from baseline to week 24 were −11.5 (p < 0.0001), −5.1 (p = 0.03), and +3.8 points (p = 0.0524). Adverse events were reported by 27 patients (13.0%) and were mostly mild (89.2%).

Conclusion

Patients with MDD and comorbid Alzheimer’s disease receiving vortioxetine in routine care settings in South Korea demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in depressive symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and objective cognitive performance over the 6-month treatment period. Treatment with vortioxetine was well tolerated in this patient cohort, with reported adverse events consistent with the established tolerability profile of vortioxetine.
The expression pattern of GDF15 in human brain changes during aging and in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chiariello Antonio , Valente Sabrina , Pasquinelli Gianandrea , Baracca Alessandra , Sgarbi Gianluca , Solaini Giancarlo , Medici Valentina , Fantini Valentina , Poloni Tino Emanuele , Tognocchi Monica , Arcaro Marina , Galimberti Daniela , Franceschi Claudio , Capri Miriam , Salvioli Stefano , Conte Maria
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a mitochondrial-stress-responsive molecule whose expression strongly increases with aging and age-related diseases. However, its role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is still debated.

Methods

We have characterized the expression of GDF15 in brain samples from AD patients and non-demented subjects (controls) of different ages.

Results

Although no difference in CSF levels of GDF15 was found between AD patients and controls, GDF15 was expressed in different brain areas and seems to be predominantly localized in neurons. The ratio between its mature and precursor form was higher in the frontal cortex of AD patients compared to age-matched controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, this ratio was even higher for centenarians (p < 0.01), indicating that aging also affects GDF15 expression and maturation. A lower expression of OXPHOS complexes I, III, and V in AD patients compared to controls was also noticed, and a positive correlation between GDF15 and IL-6 mRNA levels was observed. Finally, when GDF15 was silenced in vitro in dermal fibroblasts, a decrease in OXPHOS complexes transcript levels and an increase in IL-6 levels were observed.

Discussion

Although GDF15 seems not to be a reliable CSF marker for AD, it is highly expressed in aging and AD brains, likely as a part of stress response aimed at counteracting mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation.
Transcranial alternating current stimulation combined with sound stimulation improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Shuzhen , Tang Can , Tang Keke , Liu Di , Chen Meilian , Mao Zhiqi , Xia Xuewei
Published: January 2023

Background

The number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) worldwide is increasing yearly, but the existing treatment methods have poor efficacy. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a new treatment for AD, but the offline effect of tACS is insufficient. To prolong the offline effect, we designed to combine tACS with sound stimulation to maintain the long-term post-effect.

Materials and methods

To explore the safety and effectiveness of tACS combined with sound stimulation and its impact on the cognition of AD patients. This trial will recruit 87 patients with mild to moderate AD. All patients were randomly divided into three groups. The change in Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) scores from the day before treatment to the end of treatment and 3 months after treatment was used as the main evaluation index. We will also explore the changes in the brain structural network, functional network, and metabolic network of AD patients in each group after treatment.

Discussion

We hope to conclude that tACS combined with sound stimulation is safe and tolerable in 87 patients with mild to moderate AD under three standardized treatment regimens. Compared with tACS alone or sound alone, the combination group had a significant long-term effect on cognitive improvement. To screen out a better treatment plan for AD patients. tACS combined with sound stimulation is a previously unexplored, non-invasive joint intervention to improve patients’ cognitive status. This study may also identify the potential mechanism of tACS combined with sound stimulation in treating mild to moderate AD patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05251649. Registered on February 22, 2022.
Early detection and monitoring of hearing loss in vestibular migraine: Extended high-frequency hearing
Authors: Guo Zhaoqi , Wang Jun , Liu Dan , Tian E. , Chen Jingyu , Kong Weijia , Zhang Sulin
Published: January 2023

Background

Vestibular migraine (VM) presents mainly with recurrent vestibular symptoms and migraine. A great number of patients with VM have cochlea symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with definite VM (dVM) and probable VM (pVM) who met the diagnostic criteria. Auditory-vestibular tests and psychological assessments were performed. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictive effect of EHF pure tone audiometry (PTA) for standard frequency (SF) hearing loss.

Results

Fifteen patients with pVM and 22 patients with dVM were recruited. Overall, the two most vertigo types were vestibulo-visual symptoms (83.78%) and internal vertigo (54.05%). A vertigo attack persisted for <5 min in approximately 57% of patients, compared with 5 min to 72 h in 43%, and lasted longer than 72 h in 8%. Approximately 87% of patients had psychological disorders. Most patients with VM (92%) suffered from some degree of EHF hearing impairment, and 68% had SF hearing loss, which is substantially higher than their complaints (43%). Moreover, the mean EHF hearing threshold cutoff value (57 dB HL) worked well in predicting SF hearing loss (area under curve, AUC, 0.827), outperforming distortion product optoacoustic emission (AUC, 0.748).

Conclusion

VM has a wide range of clinical manifestations. Hearing loss had a considerably higher rate compared to actual complaints. Moreover, patients with VM tended to have bilateral EHF and high-frequency hearing loss. The effectiveness of the mean EHF hearing threshold cutoff value in predicting hearing loss supported its use in the early detection of hearing loss and monitoring disease progression.
Electroacupuncture attenuates LPS-induced depression-like behavior through kynurenine pathway
Authors: Wu Xingying , Hu Rong , Jiang Shuo , Di Zhong , Chen Yi , Shi Mengting , Chen Bowen , He Kelin , Qian Kecheng , Guo Qin , Ma Ruijie
Published: January 2023

Background

A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation and changes in glutamate neurotransmission are two pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a common therapeutic tool for the treatment of depression. However, the potential antidepressant mechanism of EA remains obscure. The change of the kynurenine pathway (KP) is the research priority of antidepressant mechanisms. This study will investigate the role of EA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like behavior and explore its possible mechanism of action.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide was used to induce depression-like behavior, and EA was given at Hegu (L14) and Taichong (LR3) acupoints in C57BL/6J mice. Depression-like behaviors were measured by behavioral tests, including tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test (SPT), force swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT). The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and KP enzyme IDO1 were measured by qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the content of prefrontal cortex and hippocampal as well as serum glutamate, tryptophan (TRP), kynurenic (KYN), and quinolinic acid (QA).

Results

The results showed that (1) as evidenced by increased spontaneous locomotor activities, decreased immobility duration, and a stronger preference for sucrose in the sucrose preference test, EA reversed LPS-challenged depressive-like behavior. (2) EA at L14 and LR3 decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines, inhibited IDO1, and regulated KP metabolisms, as well as lowered the concentration of glutamate. (3) EA may exert anti-depression effects by acting on the kynurenine pathway.

Conclusion

This study evaluated the effects of EA on depression-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its regulation of inflammation and the glutamatergic system. Our results suggest that EA can ameliorate depression-like behaviors, lower the level of inflammation, and reduce the release of glutamate, possibly through the regulation of the kynurenine pathway in the brain.
Emergent dynamics in a robotic model based on the Caenorhabditis elegans connectome
Authors: Valencia Urbina Carlos E. , Cannas Sergio A. , Gleiser Pablo M.
Published: January 2023

We analyze the neural dynamics and their relation with the emergent actions of a robotic vehicle that is controlled by a neural network numerical simulation based on the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The robot interacts with the environment through a sensor that transmits the information to sensory neurons, while motor neurons outputs are connected to wheels. This is enough to allow emergent robot actions in complex environments, such as avoiding collisions with obstacles. Working with robotic models makes it possible to simultaneously keep track of the dynamics of all the neurons and also register the actions of the robot in the environment in real time, while avoiding the complex technicalities of simulating a real environment. This allowed us to identify several relevant features of the neural dynamics associated with the emergent actions of the robot, some of which have already been observed in biological worms. These results suggest that some basic aspects of behaviors observed in living beings are determined by the underlying structure of the associated neural network.
Multi-exposure electric power monitoring image fusion method without ghosting based on exposure fusion framework and color dissimilarity feature
Authors: Chen Sichao , Li Zhenfei , Shen Dilong , An Yunzhu , Yang Jian , Lv Bin , Zhou Guohua
Published: January 2023

To solve the ghosting artifacts problem in dynamic scene multi-scale exposure fusion, an improved multi-exposure fusion method has been proposed without ghosting based on the exposure fusion framework and the color dissimilarity feature of this study. This fusion method can be further applied to power system monitoring and unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring. In this study, first, an improved exposure fusion framework based on the camera response model was applied to preprocess the input image sequence. Second, the initial weight map was estimated by multiplying four weight items. In removing the ghosting weight term, an improved color dissimilarity feature was used to detect the object motion features in dynamic scenes. Finally, the improved pyramid model as adopted to retain detailed information about the poor exposure areas. Experimental results indicated that the proposed method improves the performance of images in terms of sharpness, detail processing, and ghosting artifacts removal and is superior to the five existing multi-exposure image fusion (MEF) methods in quality evaluation.
A computational approach based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis for biomarkers analysis of Parkinson’s disease and construction of diagnostic model
Authors: Wu Zhaoping , Hu Zhiping , Gao Yunchun , Xia Yuechong , Zhang Xiaobo , Jiang Zheng
Published: January 2023

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common age-related chronic neurodegenerative disease. There is currently no affordable, effective, and less invasive test for PD diagnosis. Metabolite profiling in blood and blood-based gene transcripts is thought to be an ideal method for diagnosing PD.

Aim

In this study, the objective is to identify the potential diagnostic biomarkers of PD by analyzing microarray gene expression data of samples from PD patients.

Methods

A computational approach, namely, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct co-expression gene networks and identify the key modules that were highly correlated with PD from the GSE99039 dataset. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis was performed to identify the hub genes in the key modules with strong association with PD. The selected hub genes were then used to construct a diagnostic model based on logistic regression analysis, and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the efficacy of the model using the GSE99039 dataset. Finally, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to validate the hub genes.

Results

WGCNA identified two key modules associated with inflammation and immune response. Seven hub genes, LILRB1, LSP1, SIPA1, SLC15A3, MBOAT7, RNF24, and TLE3 were identified from the two modules and used to construct diagnostic models. ROC analysis showed that the diagnostic model had a good diagnostic performance for PD in the training and testing datasets. Results of the RT-PCR experiments showed that there were significant differences in the mRNA expression of LILRB1, LSP1, and MBOAT7 among the seven hub genes.

Conclusion

The 7-gene panel (LILRB1, LSP1, SIPA1, SLC15A3, MBOAT7, RNF24, and TLE3) will serve as a potential diagnostic signature for PD.
A bibliometric analysis of telerehabilitation services for patients with stroke
Authors: Wu Dan , Zhang Haojie , Leng Yan , Li Kai , Li Shijue , Lo Wai Leung Ambrose
Published: January 2023

Background

Routine rehabilitation services were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Telehealth was identified as an alternative means to provide access to these services. This bibliometric study aimed to analyze the scientific literature to discover trends and topics in the potential applications of telerehabilitation for patients with stroke.

Methods

The Web of Science electronic database was searched to retrieve relevant publications on telerehabilitation. Bibliometric data, including visual knowledge maps of authors, countries, institutions, and references, were analyzed in CiteSpace. Visualization maps were generated in VOSviewer to illustrate recurrent keywords and countries actively involved in this research area.

Results

The analysis was performed based on 6,787 publications. The number of publications peaked between 2019 and 2021, coinciding with the years of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 113 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania had at least one publication in this research field, implying global attention in this research area. Nine of the top 10 most productive countries are developed countries, indicating a potentially higher capability to implement a telerehabilitation program.

Conclusion

The potential benefits and diversity of telerehabilitation are already highly visible from clinical studies, and further improvements in these technologies are expected to enhance functionality and accessibility for patients. More relevant research is encouraged to understand the barriers to increased adaptation of telerehabilitation services, which will finally translate into a significant therapeutic or preventive impact.