bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Framework for Modelling Seed Germination and Seedling Tillering of Winter Wheat in the Field
Authors: Chen Jinping , Whalley Peter A. , Li Zhongyang , Gao Yang , Zhang Xiaoxian , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Whalley W. Richard
Published: April 2022

Aims
Seed germination is regulated by multiple environmental cues in the field and understanding their relationship is critical to planning seed drilling and subsequent seedling management but challenging due to the trade-off impact of some environmental stimuli on metabolic reactions involved in the germination.
Methods
We develop a new framework by introducing a physiological dimension over which the metabolic reactions associated with seed germination can be modelled as a moving dynamic event. The influence of environmental cues and the heterogeneity of seeds is described by an average germination rate and a dispersion coefficient. Winter wheat seeds were drilled at different dates in field plots under different soil water contents, and the time course of germination in all treatments and the subsequent tillering development are used to validate the model.
Results
The model accurately reproduces the time course of germination in all treatments. We find that the average germination rate increases asymptotically rather than linearly as the temperature increases within the base-suboptimal temperature range, and that there is an optimal soil water content at which the germination rate peaks due to the trade-off impact of soil water on seed imbibition and soil anaerobicity. The average germination rate and the dispersion coefficient are closely related.
Conclusions
Using soil water content instead of matric potential in our model can naturally describe the simultaneous impact of soil water on soil anaerobicity and seed imbibition, and the physiological dimension can be extended to combine seed germination and seedling tillering development as a continued physiological process.
Fungal Community Succession on Decomposing Leaf Litter Across Five Phylogenetically Related Tree Species in a Subtropical Forest
Authors: Tennakoon Danushka S. , Kuo Chang-Hsin , Purahong Witoon , Gentekaki Eleni , Pumas Chayakorn , Promputtha Itthayakorn , Hyde Kevin D.
Published: April 2022

Fungi are an essential component of the ecosystem. They play an integral role in the decomposition of leaf litter and return nutrients to the ecosystem through nutrient cycling. They are considered as the “key players” in leaf litter decomposition, because of their ability to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes. Time-related changes of fungal communities during leaf litter decomposition have been relatively well-investigated. However, it has not been established how the tree species, tree phylogeny, and leaf litter chemistry influence fungal communities during decomposition. Using direct observations and a culturing approach, this study compiles fungi found in freshly collected leaf litter from five phylogenetically related, native tree species in Taiwan: Celtis formosana (CF), Ficus ampelas (FA), Ficus septica (FS), Macaranga tanarius (MT), and Morus australis (MA). We investigated (i) the effects of tree species (including tree phylogeny) and leaf litter chemistry on fungal community succession, and (ii) specific patterns of fungal succession (including diversity and taxonomic community assembly) on decomposing leaf litter across the selected tree species. We hypothesized that host species and leaf litter chemistry significantly affect fungal community succession. A total of 1325 leaves (CF: 275, FA: 275, FS: 275, MT: 275 and MA: 225) were collected and 236 fungal taxa were recorded (CF: 48, FA: 46, FS: 64, MT: 42 and MA: 36). Tree species relationships had variable associations on the fungal communities, as even closely related tree species had strongly differing communities during decomposition. A high number of species were unique to a single tree species and may indicate ‘host-specificity’ to a particular leaf litter. The overlap of microfungal species in pair wise comparisons of tree species was low (7–16%), and only 1–2% of microfungal species were observed in leaves of all tree species. The percentage of occurrences of fungal communities using Hierarchical Cluster Analyses (HCA) showed that there were at least four succession stages in each tree species during decomposition. Fungal diversity increased at the beginning of each tree species leaf decay, reached peaks, and declined at the final stages. Overall, our findings demonstrate that tree species and leaf litter chemistry are important variables in determining fungal diversity and community composition in leaf litter. This study also provides a host-fungus database for future studies on these hosts and increases the knowledge of fungal diversity in leaf litter. New fungal discoveries from this study (two new families, two new genera, 40 new species and 56 new host records) were described in our previous publications and are used for comparison here.
Birth outcomes of full-term pregnant women with false labor: A retrospective audit
Authors: Madumise Mikie , Yazbek Mariatha , Filmalter Celia , Botha Tanita
Published: April 2022

Background: The diagnosis of false labor is common. Sending a woman home in early or false labor may result in adverse maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The study evaluated the birth outcomes of full-term pregnant women following diagnosis of false labor.Methods: A quantitative, retrospective, and descriptive design was conducted in a midwife obstetric unit of a district hospital in South Africa. A hospital customized piloted audit tool was purposively completed from the register in the labor unit of the first 100 records of pregnant women who consulted and were discharged home after false labor from January to May 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the completed audit tools using frequency tables and charts.Results: None of the women discharged home after being diagnosed with false labor gave birth at home or during transit to the labor unit. Most pregnant women (79%) returned to the hospital between 1 day and 4 weeks for possible birth. Most women (81%) gave birth vaginally. None of the women or babies died, had an obstructed labor or a retained placenta. Only four babies were admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Conclusion: Discharging full-term pregnant women following diagnosis of false labor did not lead to poor birth outcomes. To protect normal birth, all women should be given adequate health education regarding active labor and correct admission protocols should be followed.
Entrance and Origin of the Extracranial Vertebral Artery: CTA Findings
Authors: Yi Xueting , Xie Ping , Zhang Lianwei , Lu Fengxia , Chen Hao , Liu Kefu
Published: April 2022

Objective
To investigated morphological variability of VA origin and its entrance level into cervical transverse foramina by CTA.
Methods
To retrospectively investigated computed tomography angiograms (CTA) of 223 subjects (446 VA courses). Postprocessing of source images was performed by using a multi-planar reformation (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) and volume rendering (VR) algorithms. Investigated were origin of the VA and its level of entrance into vertebral transverse foramen with notification of the sex and side of variation.
Results
The VA entered the C6 transverse process in 92.60% of specimens (413 out of 446 VA courses, 64.57% males and 28.03% females). Abnormal entrance of VA was observed in 7.40% of specimens (33 VA courses), with the level of entrance into the C3, C4, C5, or C7 transverse foramen at 0.22%, 2.24%, 4.72% and 0.22% respectively. Comparably, we observed that the overall variability of abnormal origin of VA was 3.14% (7 out of 223 subjects), which LVAs all arose from aortic arch (AA). Comparing subgroups of subjects with normal and abnormal origin, there was significance difference in the frequency of entrance variation in the level of transverse foramen.
Conclusion
Abnormal entrance and origin of VA were observed in 7.40% and 3.14% of cases, which can be accurately appeared by CTA.
CCM signaling complex (CSC) couples both classic and non-classic progesterone receptor signaling
Authors: Zhang Jun , Abou-Fadel Johnathan , Jiang Xiaoting , Grajeda Brian , Padarti Akhil , Ellis Cameron , Flores Esmeralda , O Alyssa-Marie Cailing-De La
Published: April 2022

Background: Breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer, remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and excessive Progesterone (PRG) or Mifepristone (MIF) exposure, including females under Hormone Replacement Therapy or taking hormonal contraceptives during their reproductive ages, may be at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. PRG exerts its cellular responses through signaling cascades involving classic, non-classic, or combined responses by binding to either classic nuclear PRG receptors (nPRs) or non-classic membrane PRG receptors (mPRs). Currently, the intricate balance and switch mechanisms between these two signaling cascades remain elusive. Three genes, CCM1-3, form the CCM signaling complex (CSC) which mediates multiple signaling cascades. Methods: Utilizing molecular cellular biology, Omics, and systems biology approaches, we analyzed the relationship among CSC, PRG, and nPRs/mPRs. Results: We discover that the CSC plays an essential role in coupling both classic and non-classic PRG signaling pathways by mediating crosstalk between them, forming the CmPn (CSC-mPRs-PRG-nPRs) signaling network. We found that mPR-specific PRG actions (PRG+Mifepristone) play an essential role in this CmPn network during breast cancer tumorigenesis; identified 4 categories of candidate biomarkers (9 intrinsic, 2 PRG-inducible, 1 PRG-repressive, 1 mPR-specific PRG-repressive, and 2 mPR-responsive) for Luminal-A breast cancers during tumorigenesis; and confirmed prognostic application of RPL13 and RPL38 as intrinsic biomarkers in Luminal-A breast cancers using a dual validation method. Conclusions: We discover that the CSC plays an essential role in the CmPn signaling network.
Chicken Intestinal Microbiota Modulation of Resistance to Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus Infection Through IFN-I
Authors: Chang Yin , Liu Liu , Zhang wei , Yang Qing-zhu , Yu Tian-fei , Jiang Xin-jie
Published: April 2022

Background
Mammalian intestinal microbiomes are necessary for antagonizing systemic viral infections. However, very few studies have identified whether poultry commensal bacteria play a crucial role in protecting against systemic viral infections. Nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a pathogenic coronavirus that causes high morbidity and multiorgan infection tropism in chickens.
Results
In this study, we used broad-spectrum oral antibiotics (ABX) to treat specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens to deplete the microbiota before infection with nephropathogenic IBV to analyze the impact of microbiota on IBV infections in vivo. Depletion of the SPF chicken microbiota increases pathogenicity and viral burden following IBV infection. The gnotobiotic chicken infection model further demonstrated that intestinal microbes are resistant to nephropathogenic IBV infection. In addition, ABX-treated chickens showed a severe reduction in macrophage activation, impaired type I IFN production, and IFN-stimulated gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the spleen. Lactobacillus isolated from SPF chickens could restore microbiota-depleted chicken macrophage activation and the IFNAR-dependent type I IFN response to limit IBV infection. Furthermore, exopolysaccharide metabolites of Lactobacillus spp. could induce IFN-β.
Conclusions
This study revealed the resistance mechanism of SPF chicken intestinal microbiota to nephropathogenic IBV infection, providing new ideas for preventing and controlling nephropathogenic IBV.
Ginsenoside Rh2 sensitizes the anti-cancer effects of sunitinib by inducing cell cycle arrest in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Hwang Hyun Ji , Hong Seong Hwi , Moon Hong Sang , Yoon Young Eun , Park Sung Yul
Published: April 2022

Sunitinib, a VEGF blockade, is used to treat clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the anti-cancer treatment effects of sunitinib do not last long in ccRCC patients. Ginsenoside, a natural medicine extracted from ginseng, has been studied in cancer treatment and shown to have anti-tumor effects and low toxicity. We assessed cell viability and cell cycle analysis in ccRCC cell lines after treatment with ginsenoside and sunitinib. DNA damage was evaluated by measuring 8-OHdG levels and comet assay. ROS levels, reflecting cause of oxidative stress, were also measured. Ginsenoside significantly enhanced the inhibition of cell viability by sunitinib, a result that was also confirmed in the xenograft model. In cell cycle analysis, combination treatment of ginsenoside and sunitinib enhanced G2M arrest in comparison with single-treatment groups. In addition, DNA damage was increased by ginsenoside and sunitinib according to the comet assay, and the level of 8-OHdG, which reflects oxidative DNA damage, also increased. We verified that ginsenoside enhances the efficacy of sunitinib to inhibit the proliferation of ccRCC cells via induction of oxidative DNA damage. The combination therapy of sunitinib and ginsenoside is an effective new treatment strategy for RCC patients.
Morphological Adaptations of Lingual Mucosa of Three Age-Stages of the Rock Pigeon Columba Livia Domestica: Using Histological and Immunohistochemical Techniques
Authors: Kandyel Ramadan , Basyouny Hebat Allah El , Hadad Seham , Massoud Diaa , Morsy Kareem , Madkour Naglaa , Abumandour Mohamed
Published: April 2022

The present study was designed to investigate the histological and immunohistochemical characterizations of Rock Pigeon tongue throughout three different age-stages young, adult, and aging. Histologically, the mucosa of examined pigeons consisted of a multilayered (parakeratinized, orthokeratinized and nonkeratinized epithelium) that cover the CT lamina propria and entoglossum cartilage. Surface multilayered mucosa can obviously differentiate into basal, intermediate, and superficial layers. No lingual papillae were observed over the dorsal lingual surface except over the area of the root in both adult and aging pigeons. Lingual glands were distributed along the three lingual parts in three age-stages. Their secretory cells showed a positive affinity toward Alcian blue and revealed a various degree of reactions with PAS except the root in both young and adult pigeons (negative). Both Collagenous and reticular fibers were noted in CT lamina propria layer and around the acini of lingual glands. These fibers were richly localized in aging pigeon tongue. Our findings revealed that PCNA expression in young pigeon was higher if compared to the other two ages. Cytokeratin expressions were markedly noticed in the dorsum epithelium of adult and gradually increase in aging one.Conclusion, these findings correlated with food intake mechanisms and with eating habits.
Terminalia catappa reverses insulin resistance, improves glucose transport and activates PI3K/AKT signalling in high fat/ streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Iheagwam Franklyn Nonso , Iheagwam Olawumi Toyin , Onuoha Michael Kemjika , Ogunlana Olubanke Olujoke , Chinedu Shalom Nwodo
Published: April 2022

Rising prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated surveys of antidiabetic medicinal plants. This study assessed the antidiabetic mechanism of Terminalia catappa aqueous leaf extract (TCA) in high fat/low dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. T2DM was induced by a combination of high-fat diet (HFD) and low dose STZ (30 mg/kg bw) and the animals were administered with TCA (400 and 800 mg/kg bw) orally daily for 28 days. Biochemical parameters and indices for diabetes including renal function tests and pancreatic histology were evaluated. Relative expression of hepatic insulin resistance, signalling and glucose transport genes were also assessed. Induction of T2DM resulted in significant (p < 0.05) weight loss, dysregulated glucose level and clearance, electrolyte imbalance and disrupted diabetic biochemical parameters. Diabetes onset also perturbed β-cell function and insulin resistance indices, damaged pancreas microanatomy, while disrupting the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT-4) mRNA. Oral treatment of diabetic animals with TCA significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated alterations due to T2DM induction in a manner comparable with glibenclamide. These results suggest TCA exerts its antidiabetic action by reversing insulin resistance, improving glucose transport and activating PI3K/AKT signalling.
Validity of Air Quality as a Measure of Human Mobility in Uganda. The COVID-19 Context.
Authors: Galiwango Ronald , Bainomugisha Engineer , Kivunike Florence , Kateete David Patrick , Jjingo Daudi
Published: April 2022

Background
Mobility patterns are valuable in identifying transmission patterns for infectious diseases and in deriving contact matrices that are used to parametrize mathematical models. Aggregated location data from mobile phones have been the main means of measuring human mobility on a population level. However, these data come with several limitations related to individual privacy, access and restriction of the GPS location by the user that limit their use.
Methods
We explored the viability of using ground monitored air quality data as an alternative to aggregated location data from mobile phones, as a measure of human mobility in two cities in Uganda. We determined associations between air quality and human mobility; and the effect of mobility restrictions on mobility and air quality using Pearson correlation (R), multivariate regression and visualized these relationships using scatter plots.
Results
Daily mean levels for PM2.5 in both cities were consistently higher than the WHO guideline limit, with a mean of 77.0µg/m3 (Range = 22.0–309) for Kampala and 60.0µg/m3 (Range = 18.2–331) for Wakiso. PM10 levels had a mean of 84.6µg/m3 (Range = 25.0–318) in Kampala and 67.9µg/m3 (Range = 21.0–340) in Wakiso. PM2.5 was negatively correlated with the government response stringency index for Kampala (R = -0.31, p < 0.001) and Wakiso (R = -0.21, p < 0.001). In Kampala, PM2.5 was positively associated with movement in grocery and pharmacy (R = 0.24, p < 0.001), parks (R = 0.25, p < 0.001), retail and recreation (R = 0.24, p < 0.001), transit stations (R = 0.3, p < 0.001) and work places (R = 0.2, p < 0.001); and negatively correlated with movement in residential places (R = -0.3, p < 0.001). Only associations between PM2.5 and movement in workplaces and residential places were statistically significant in Wakiso (R = 0.14, p < 0.001 and R = -0.19, p = 0.003 respectively).
Conclusions
These findings suggest that air quality data are linked to human mobility data and could thus be used to monitor human movement patterns. This work represents a pioneer study to empirically and quantitatively assess the value of air quality data as a surrogate for human mobility in Uganda.
Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain in memory clinic practice: evidence from a real-life study
Authors: Götze Karl , Vrillon Agathe , Bouaziz-Amar Elodie , Mouton-Liger François , Hugon Jacques , Martinet Matthieu , Dumurgier Julien , Cognat Emmanuel , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Hourrègue Claire , Paquet Claire , Lilamand Matthieu
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVE: To explore plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker for diagnosis and staging of cognitive impairment, in a large cohort with assessments performed in clinical practice. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, monocentric study, from a tertiary memory clinic. Patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid core Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker evaluation using ELISA or Elecsys methods, and plasma NfL analysis using the single molecule array technology. The patients’ biomarker data were examined for associations with: i/cognitive status ii/presence of neurodegenerative disease and iii/diagnostic groups. Differences in NfL were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Participants (N= 558, mean age= 69.2±8.8, 56.5% women) were diagnosed with AD (n=298, considering dementia and MCI stages), frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n=57), Lewy body disease (LBD, n=40, considering MCI and dementia stages), other neurodegenerative diseases (OND, n=53, e.g Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal degeneration), non-neurodegenerative cognitive impairment (NND, n=97, e.g vascular lesions, epilepsy or psychiatric disorders) or neurological controls (NC, n=53). Mean plasma NfL (log, pg/mL) levels were higher in neurodegenerative than non-neurodegenerative disorders (1.35±0.2 vs 1.16±0.23, p<0.001), higher in all diagnostic groups than in NC (1.06 ± 0.23) p<0.001), and associated with the stage of cognitive impairment (p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Plasma NfL may be considered as a clinical-decision support tool, to help distinguish neurodegenerative from non-neurodegenerative disorders.
Quantitative measurement of resistance force and subsequent attenuation during passive isokinetic extension of the wrist in patients with mild to moderate spasticity after stroke
Authors: Kawamura Kentaro , Etho Seiji , Noma Tomokazu , Hayashi Ryota , Jonoshita Yuiko , Natsume Keisuke , Niidome Seiichi , Yu Yong , Shimodozono Megumi
Published: April 2022

Background: Spasticity is evaluated by measuring the increased resistance to passive movement, primarily by manual methods. Few options are available to measure spasticity in the wrist more objectively. Furthermore, no studies have investigated the force attenuation following increased resistance. The aim of this study was to conduct a safe quantitative evaluation of wrist passive extension stiffness in stroke survivors with mild to moderate spastic paresis using a custom motor-controlled device. Furthermore, we wanted to clarify whether the changes in the measured values could quantitatively reflect the spastic state of the flexor muscles involved in the wrist stiffness of the patients. Materials and Methods: Resistance forces were measured in 18 patients during repetitive passive extension of the wrist at velocities of 30, 60, and 90 deg/s. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in the wrist and finger flexors was also assessed by two skilled therapists and their scores were summed (i.e. , total MAS) for analysis. Of the fluctuation of resistance, we focused on the damping just after the peak forces and used these for our analysis. A repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to assess velocity-dependence. Correlations between MAS and damping parameters were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation.Results: The damping force and normalized value calculated from damping part showed significant velocity-dependent increases.There were significant correlations (ρ=0.49–0.60) between total MAS and the normalized value of the damping part at 60 deg/s and 90 deg/s. The correlations became stronger when the MAS for finger flexors was added to that for wrist flexors (ρ=0.54–0.72).Conclusions: This custom-made isokinetic device could quantitatively evaluate spastic changes in the wrist and finger flexors simultaneously by focusing on the damping part, which may reflect the decrease in resistance we perceive when manually assessing wrist spasticity using MAS. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trial Registry, as UMIN000030672, on July 4, 2018.
Comparison of outcomes between two surgical techniques for patients with Intestinal Neuronal Dysplasia
Authors: Lin Yu , Shen Yong , Fang YiFan , Lin ZhiXiong , Wu DianMing
Published: April 2022

Objective: To investigate the clinical analysis of ileal Santulli stoma and ileal double-lumen stoma in children diagnosed with intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND).Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the children who were admitted to our hospital for intestinal obstruction from January 2014 to January 2019, underwent fistula operation and fistula closure operation, and were diagnosed with IND. The children with Hirschsprung's disease and other types of hirscholon homology, anorectal malformation, accompanied by other serious organic diseases and lost to follow-up were excluded. According to the different modes of fistula, the children were divided into ileal Santulli stoma group and ileal double-lumen stoma group. The body weight of the children in the two groups during the second stage of fistula closure operation was compared. The number of hospitalizations due to enteritis and dehydration during the two operations was compared.Results: A total of 23 cases (12 males and 11 females) were included in this study, including 10 cases in the Santulli group and 13 cases in the ileal double-lumen stoma group. There were no significant differences in baseline data (including gender, preoperative age and weight) and fistula location between the two groups. Compared with the ileal double-lumen stoma group, Santulli stoma group had significantly higher weight of fistula precursor (P<0.05), the interval between two operations was shorter (P<0.05), and less hospitalization for enteritis and dehydration during the two operations (P<0.05) Less economic cost after fistula (P<0.05).Conclusion: The clinical effect of ileum Santulli fistula is significantly better than double-lumen ileum fistula, which is not only beneficial to the growth and development of children after the first fistula, but also can shorten the time of fistula closure, reduce the incidence of dehydration, and reduce the economic burden of family members. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Effect of Desomumab on Improving ASD after Lumbar Fusion
Authors: Qu Gangbo , Zeng Zhijiang , Luo Bing , Zhao Lu , Yang Jiafu , Yang Ye , Yuan Jun
Published: April 2022

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Desomumab in the treatment of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar fusion surgery. Methods: a total of 100 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery in orthopedics department from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Patients who volunteered to experiment with Desomumab were the experimental group and those who did not use Desomumab were the control group. The imaging changes, occurrence of ASD, bone mineral density, JOA score and postoperative pain degree of the two groups were retrospectively observed and compared. Results: Physiological curvature of the lumbar spine appeared to improve after Desomumab treatment. Although the incidence of ASD did not change significantly, specific measures of ASD, such as increased Pfimnan grading, intervertebral height loss percentage, and increased osteoporosis, appeared to be better than those who did not receive Desomumab. At follow-up, bone mineral density, JOA scores, and VAS scores were significantly better in the Desomumab group than in the untreated group. Conclusions: Desomumab can indeed improve BMD, promote postoperative recovery, reduce patient pain, and reduce the likelihood of ASD.
Relationship Between Family-related Factors and Functional Constipation Among Chinese Preschoolers: a Case-control Study
Authors: Niu Yushuo , Liu Ting , Ran Ni , Li Kuinan , Sun Yaru , Wang Xin , Guo Kun , Yang Xiuling
Published: April 2022

Background Constipation is one of the common symptoms in childhood. The prevalence of FC is about 0.5–32% and still on the rise according to global statistics. The aim of this study is to explore the associations between family-related factors (e.g., parental conflict, parenting style, and parent-child relationship) and functional constipation of preschool children based on family system theory. Methods The study is a case-control survey of preschoolers in China. In total, 108 preschoolers with functional constipation diagnosed with pediatric Rome IV criteria and 324 healthy examination preschoolers without functional constipation were enrolled in the study. Parents completed the following 5 instruments: General information questionnaire, the Parental Conflict Scale, the Parenting Style Questionnaire, the Child-parent Relationship Scale and the Children's Emotional Adjustment Scale-Preschool Version. Results Nine categories of factors which significantly predicted functional constipation in preschoolers were retained in the final logistic regression model: Second child in birth order (OR = 0.456; 95% CI, 0.229 to 0.910), children picky eating (OR = 2.936; 95% CI, 1.133 to 7.611), bad bowel habits (OR = 2.896; 95% CI, 1.391 to 6.028), parental history of constipation (OR = 3.259; 95% CI, 1.600 to 6.639), parents blaming the child for having a bad bowel movement (OR = 3.788; 95% CI, 1.391 to 10.318), more than 3 hours of fathers-child interaction time per day (OR = 0.137; 95% CI, 0.024 to 0.778), parental conflict (OR = 1.981; 95% CI, 0.950 to 3.831), doting or authoritarian family style (OR = 1.644; 95% CI, 1.067 to 2.534, OR = 2.481; 95% CI, 1.362 to 4.519), and anxiety control or temper control in children (OR = 0.492; 95% CI, 0.303 to 0.799, OR = 0.189; 95% CI, 0.103 to 0.348). Conclusions This study identified the significant associations between family-related factors and functional constipation in preschool children, which provide implications for healthcare professionals to address functional constipation in early childhood using a preventive lens.
Sensitivity to interaural level and time differences in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Fujihira Haruna , Itoi Chihiro , Furukawa Shigeto , Kato Nobumasa , Kashino Makio
Published: April 2022

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are reported to exhibit degraded performance in sound localization. This study investigated whether the sensitivity to the interaural level differences (ILDs) and interaural time difference (ITDs), major cues for horizontal sound localization, are affected in ASD. Thresholds for discriminating the ILD and ITD were measured for adults with ASD and age- and IQ-matched controls in a lateralization experiment. Results show that the ASD group exhibited higher ILD thresholds than the control group. Although no significant difference in the central tendency of ITD thresholds was found between the two groups, there was a significant diversity of ITD sensitivity in the ASD group. The ASD group contained a larger proportion of participants with low ITD sensitivity than the control group. The current study suggests that deficits in relatively low-level processes in the auditory pathway are implicated in degraded performance of sound localization in individuals with ASD. The results are consistent with the structural abnormalities and great variability in the morphology in the brainstem reported by neuroanatomical studies of ASD.
Exploring HIV Testing Service Models for Enhanced Positivity Yield in Southern Africa, 2022: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mugauri Hamufare D. , Karakadzai Mujinga , Mugurungi Owen , Chirenda Joconiah , Takarinda Kudakwashe , Tshimanga Mufuta
Published: April 2022

Background: In 2015, the World Health Organization issued HIV testing guidelines that shifted the global focus on HIV testing, from testing for coverage to targeted testing. This was done to enhance positivity yield and increase efficiency in the utilization of finite resources. In response, various nations developed varied models of implementation, which has exposed varied implementation of the targeted testing mantra. Because of the varied interpretations as shown by the many models that were developed in response to the guidelines, the success of the strategies remains unknown. Targeted testing is particularly important for Southern Africa, which, until this day, bears a disproportionate burden of HIV. Methods: We, therefore, intend to conduct a systematic review of all studies on targeted testing models that were developed and are being implemented in Southern Africa. Further, we will examine each identified model and its documented contribution to the identification of HIV positive clientsDiscussion: In Southern Africa, HIV/AIDS caused 336,175 deaths and more than 20 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in 2017 alone (9,10). Southern Africa remain the epicentre of HIV/AIDS with the top 10 high burdened countries all being within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). This study will therefore recommend the most effective Targeted HIV testing models for utilization in resource-limited settings.
A study of the relationship between ABO blood group and Rh with the amount of IgG antibody titers in recovered corona-inflicted patients
Authors: Elahimanesh Farideh , Ghaderi Hosna , Roshani Daem , Nasab Adibeh Hosseini , Nikkhoo Bahram , Mohammadi Avin , Hessami Sana , Ghaznavi Hamid
Published: April 2022

Introduction
: In pandemic of infectious diseases, antibody evaluation and its effective factors are vital to control public health and eradicate the disease. Evaluation of susceptibility to viral infections among people with different blood groups is considered as an epidemiological indicator. This study aimed to evaluate the level of IgG antibodies for COVID-19 patients in ABO blood groups and Rh.
Material and Methods
This study was performed on 237 recovered corona-inflicted patients. None of these patients had been vaccinated. The level of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody titer was measured. Also, association between IgG antibody titer with RH and blood group types was examined.
Results
This study showed a significant correlation between IgG levels of individuals with their age. Also, IgG antibody titer was higher in men than women. In addition, patients with an age range of 20 to 60 years compared to individuals under 20 years and over 60 years had higher IgG. There was no significant relationship between blood groups and Rh with the amount of IgG antibody titers.
Conclusions
Our finding give us a valuable insight into the importance of considering SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody titer as an outstanding marker of COVID-19. Although no significant relationship was found between blood type and RH with the IgG antibody titer level of COVID-19 patients. To understand the prevalence of the disease in the community and its epidemiological control, IgG antibody titer test is recommended to determine the serological level of the community.
A phase Ib dose escalation study of oral monotherapy with KX2-391 in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kasner Margaret T. , Halloran Molly B. , Pan Jonathan , Ritchie Ellen K. , Fetterly Gerald J. , Kramer Douglas , Hangauer David G. , Thompson James E.
Published: April 2022

Background Poor tolerance to standard therapies and multi-drug resistance complicate treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is therefore imperative to explore novel tolerable agents and target alternative pathways. KX2-391 is an oral non-ATP-competitive inhibitor of Src kinase and tubulin polymerization. Methods This multi-center phase Ib open-label safety and activity study involved elderly patients with relapsed or refractory AML, or who declined standard chemotherapy. Results Twenty-four patients averaging 74 years of age were enrolled. The majority previously received hypomethylating agents. Five doses were tested: 40 mg (n=1), 80 mg (n=2), 120 mg (n=8), 140 mg (n=12), and 160 mg (n=1). Seven patients were treated for 12 days or less, nine for 15-29 days, five for 33-58 days, and three for 77-165 days. One patient receiving 120 mg for 165 days had reduced splenomegaly and survived 373 days. Another had no evidence of disease progression for 154 days. One patient receiving 160 mg for 12 days remained treatment-free for about 18 months. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in eight patients at: 120 mg (transaminitis, hyperbilirubinemia), 140 mg (mucositis, allergic reaction, transaminitis, acute kidney injury), and 160 mg (mucositis). The maximum tolerated dose for KX2-391 was 120 mg once daily. KX2-391 bone marrow concentrations were approximately similar to plasma concentrations. Conclusions This is the first study to evaluate the safety of KX2-391 in elderly patients with AML. Further studies are warranted, including alternative dosing phase I trials evaluating shorter courses at higher doses and phase II trials. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01397799 (July 20, 2011).
Dynamic tissue-specific H2Bub1 is required for human and mouse cardiogenesis
Authors: Barish Syndi , Drozd Jeffrey , Berg Kathryn , Berglund-Brown Isabella , Khizir Labeeqa , Wasson Lauren , Seidman Christine , Seidman Jonathan , Chen Sidi , Brueckner Martina
Published: April 2022

De novo variants affecting the core complex required for monoubiquitination of histone H2B (H2Bub1) are enriched in human congenital heart disease. H2Bub1 is an enigmatic chromatin modification required in stem cell differentiation, cilia function, post-natal cardiomyocyte maturation and transcriptional elongation. However, it is still unknown how H2Bub1 affects cardiogenesis (heart structure formation), which is distinct from cardiomyocyte maturation and underlies congenital heart disease. Here we show that the RNF20-core complex (RNF20-RNF40-UBE2B) is required for cardiogenesis in mouse embryos and is essential for differentiation of human iPSCs into cardiomyocytes. Mice with cardiac-specific deletion of Rnf20 are e12.5 lethal, have thinned myocardium, a deficient ventricular septum, and abnormal cardiac sarcomere organization. We analyzed H2Bub1 marks during the time course of differentiation of human iPSCs into cardiomyocytes, and demonstrated that H2Bub1 marks are erased from a majority of genes at the transition from cardiac mesoderm to cardiac progenitor cells, but are preserved on a subset of long cardiac-specific genes. Sarcomeric gene expression is dependent on normal H2Bub1 both in mice and in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Finally, we identify an accumulation of H2Bub1 near the center of tissue-specific genes in human cardiomyocytes, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and human fetal osteoblasts associated with transcriptional elongation efficiency that is absent in UBE2B knock-out H2Bub1-deficient cardiomyocytes. In summary, normal H2Bub1 distribution is required for cardiac morphogenesis and cardiomyocyte differentiation, and we propose that H2Bub1 regulates tissue-specific gene expression by increasing the efficiency of transcriptional elongation.
Body fat percentage, cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial blood pressure in children and adolescents: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Brand Caroline , Sehn Ana Paula , Fochesatto Camila Felin , Silveira João Francisco de Castro , Mota Jorge , Gomez David Martinez , Gaya Anelise Reis , Reuter Cézane Priscila , Renner Jane Dagmar Pollo
Published: April 2022

Background: a better understanding of how cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and adiposity interact to associate with arterial blood pressure over time remains inconclusive. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine whether changes in cardiorespiratory fitness moderates the association between body fat percentage (BF%) and arterial blood pressure in children and adolescents. Methods: This is an observational longitudinal study with 407 children and adolescents aged 8-17 years followed-up for three years from a city in the Southern Brazil. Participants were evaluated in 2011 and 2014. CRF was measured by validated field-based tests following the Projeto Esporte Brazil protocols and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was estimated. BF% was determined by the measures of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds using equations according to sex. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured with a sphygmomanometer according to standard procedures. Moderation analyses included multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, pubertal status, height, socioeconomic level, skin color, and the arterial blood pressure variable itself at baseline. Results: It was observed a significant inverse association between VO2peak at baseline with SBP (β=-0.646 CI95%=-0.976 -0.316) and DBP (β=-0.649 CI95%=-0.923 -0.375) at follow-up and a positive association between BF% at baseline with SBP (β=0.274; CI95%= 0.094 0.455) and DBP (β=0.301; CI95%=0.150 0.453) at follow-up. In addition, results indicated a significant interaction term between changes in VO2peak and BF% at baseline with both SBP (p=0.034) and DBP at follow-up (p=0.011), indicating that an increase of at least 0.35mL/kg/min and 1.78mL/kg/min in VO2peak attenuated the positive relationship between BF% with SBP and DBP. Conclusion: CRF moderates the relationship between BF% and SBP and DBP in children and adolescents.
Early Versus Delayed Enteral Nutrition in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Circulatory Shock: A Prospective Multicenter, Multi-National Cohort Study
Authors: Reyes Luis Alfonso Ortiz , Patel Jayshil J. , Jiang Xuran , Yataco Angel Coz , Day Andrew G. , Shah Faraaz , Zelten James , Tamae-Kakazu Maximiliano , Rice Todd , Heyland Daren K.
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Real-world evidence on the timing and efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) practices in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with circulatory shock are limited. We hypothesized early EN (EEN), as compared to delayed EN (DEN), is associated with improved clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients with circulatory shock. Methods: We analyzed a dataset from an international, multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating protein dose in ICU patients. EEN was defined as initiating <48 hours from ICU admission and DEN >48 hours. We identified MV patients in circulatory shock to evaluate the association between the timing of EN initiation and clinical outcomes. Results: We included 626 patients. Median age was 60 years [18-93], 55% had septic shock, 99% received norepinephrine alone and 91% received EN alone. Forty-two percent of EEN patients had persistent organ dysfunction syndrome-plus death at day 28, compared to 53% in the DEN group (p=0.04) (adjusted OR 0.60, 95% confidence intervals, 0.38-0.93, p=0.02). EEN was associated with more ICU-free days (9.3±9.2 vs. 5.7±7.9, p=0.0002), more days alive and free of vasopressors (7.1±3.1 vs. 6.3±3.2, p=0.007), and shorter duration of MV among survivors (9.8±10.9 vs. 13.8±14.5, p=0.0002). There were no differences in ICU/60-day mortality or feeding intolerance rates between groups.Conclusion: In MV patients with circulatory shock, EEN, as compared to DEN, was associated with improved clinical outcomes. RCTs comparing the efficacy of EEN to DEN in MV patients with circulatory shock are warranted.
Failure of Inhibition Provides Transition From Population-Scale Computation to Focal Seizure
Authors: Smith Graham , Cowan Jack , Palmer Stephanie , Drongelen Wim
Published: April 2022

Focal seizures begin in the epileptogenic zone (EZ), a theoretical concept that evades practical identification and definition. Recently researchers have considered the more experimentally tractable “core” to elucidate the origins and behaviors of focal seizures. This millimeter-scale core is recruited by a wavefront of hyper-excitatory activity, in which inhibitory neurons fail to fire despite supra-threshold excitation. Herein we argue that the same failure of inhibition (FoI) as in the focal core may be critical to a theoretical understanding of the EZ. In contrast, most models of neural population activity have assumed that with increasing pre-synaptic input, population activity only increases. Two population models have recently made the critical step to account for FoI, with substantial success in modeling data from focal seizures. We provide a first-principles derivation from a single neuron model to a novel population model analogous to prior models. We show that our model fits as well or better than prior ad hoc FoI models on synthetic neural input-response data. We motivate the tristability of our model: having states of rest, functional activity, and pathological seizure. By analysing the transitions between these states, we can characterize seizure susceptibility and rescuability relative to functional excitability and stability. Thus, by relating a drug’s mechanism of action to our model parameters , our model can predict not only its nuanced effect on focal seizure, but also its effect on functional activity. The balance of these two effects is a key consideration in the clinical feasibility of an anti-epileptic drug.
Genetic regulators of cytokine responses in children from West Africa: the impact of BCG vaccination
Authors: Boahen* Collins K. , Moorlag* S.J.C.F.M. , Jensen Kristoffer Jarlov , Matzaraki Vasiliki , Fanucchi Stephanie , Monteiro Ivan , de Bree Charlotte , Fok Ezio T. , Mhlanga Musa , Joosten Leo A.B , Aaby Peter , Benn Christine Stabell , Netea Mihai G. , Kumar Vinod
Published: April 2022

Genetic variation is a key factor influencing cytokine production capacity, but which genetic loci regulate cytokine production before and after vaccination, particularly in African population is unknown. Here, we aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) controlling cytokine responses (cQTLs) after microbial stimulation in infants of West-African ancestry, comprising of low-birth-weight neonates randomized to BCG vaccine-at-birth (intervention) or to the usual delayed BCG (control). Genome-wide cytokine QTL-mapping revealed 12 independent cQTLs, of which the LINC01082-LINC00917 locus influenced more than half of the cytokine-stimulation pairs assessed. Furthermore, nine distinct cQTLs were found among infants randomized to BCG. Functional validation confirmed that several complement genes affect cytokine response after BCG vaccination. We observed limited overlap of common cQTLs between the West-African infants and cohorts of Western European individuals. These data reveal strong population-specific genetic effects on cytokine production and may indicate new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and vaccine development in African populations.
Sulfuricystis multivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. and Sulfuricystis thermophila sp. nov., facultatively autotropic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria isolated from a hot spring, and emended description of the genus Rugosibacter
Authors: Kojima Hisaya , Watanabe Miho , Miyata Naoyuki , Fukui Manabu
Published: April 2022

Strains J5BT and M52T are facultatively autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a microbial mat from a hot spring. They were isolated and partially characterized in previous studies, as facultative anaerobes which use nitrate as electron acceptor. In this study, additional characterizations were made to determine their taxonomic status. In both strains, major cellular fatty acids were C16:1 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0. Their chemotihoautorophic growth was supported by thiosulfate and elemental sulfur. They used some organic acids as growth substrates. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated the highest sequence identities to species in the family Sterolibacteriaceae, but the identities were 95% or lower. Values of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization between strains J5BT and M52T were 87.93% and 34.3%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these strains belong to the family Sterolibacteriaceae but not to any existing genera. On the basis of phenotypic and genomic characteristics, Sulfuricystis multivorans gen. nov. sp. nov., and Sulfuricystis thermophila sp. nov. are proposed, with type strains of J5BT (= BCRC 81386T = DSM 104688T = NBRC 112605T) and M52T (= BCRC 81387T = NBRC 114016T), respectively. An emended description of the genus Rugosibacter is also proposed, for its reclassification to the family Sterolibacteriaceae.