bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Running Promotes Transformation of Brain Astrocytes Into Neuroprotective Reactive Astrocytes and Synaptic Formation by Targeting Gpc6 Through the STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Chen Zhe , Gao Meng , Su Yanlin , Liu Pengran , Sun Binlei
Published: May 2021

Ischemic stroke is caused by cerebral ischemia upon the blockage of an artery, which results in a high disability rate. Little is known regarding the mechanism of astrocyte function in cerebral ischemia. We aimed to determine the effects of running on the transformation of astrocytes, and subsequent synapse formation. A study of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) after running in vivo showed that running can promote the transformation of astrocytes toward the neuroprotective phenotype. Our findings of oxygen-glucose deprived astrocytes in vitro after running revealed that these astrocytes transformed into the neuroprotective phenotype, and that the expression of STAT3 and Gpc6 was increased. We confirmed that mechanistically, running can target Gpc6 through the STAT3 pathway and then regulate the number of synapses. We concluded that running promotes synapse proliferation by polarizing astrocytes toward the neuroprotective phenotype and ultimately leads to nerve regeneration.
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 and Human Gingival Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Differentiation: Molecular and Morphological Modifications
Authors: Marconi Guya D. , Fonticoli Luigia , Rajan Thangavelu Soundara , Lanuti Paola , Della Rocca Ylenia , Pierdomenico Sante D. , Trubiani Oriana , Pizzicannella Jacopo , Diomede Francesca
Published: May 2021

After oral mucosal injury, the healing response following specific steps that lead to wound closure and to tissue repair. Multiple cell populations are involved in this process; in particular, fibroblasts play a key role in the production of extracellular matrix (ECM). During wound healing the remodeling of ECM is a key stage to restore the tissue functionality through multifunctional fibroblast populations that are placed in the connective tissues of gingiva and periodontal ligament. Notably, a fibroblast sub-type (myofibroblast) is centrally involved in collagen synthesis and fibrillar remodeling. The present work evidenced the role of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) to mediate human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) differentiation into myofibroblasts derived from gingival fibroblasts (myo-hGFs). The morphological and functional features were analyzed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and western blotting analyses. The specific markers, such as alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA), Vimentin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and Smad 2/3, were modulated in myo-hGFs after the induction with TGF-β1, at different time points (24, 48, and 72 h). After 72 h of treatment TGF-β1 operates as an inducer of hGFs into myo-hGFs differentiation. We propose that TGF-β1 may promote in vitro the fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts transition via the morphological and molecular modifications, as the induction of α-SMA, Vimentin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and Smad 2/3.
Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 1 and Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion
Authors: Buscemi Lara , Blochet Camille , Magistretti Pierre J. , Hirt Lorenz
Published: May 2021

Lactate is an intriguing molecule with emerging physiological roles in the brain. It has beneficial effects in animal models of acute brain injuries and traumatic brain injury or subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. However, the mechanism by which lactate provides protection is unclear. While there is evidence of a metabolic effect of lactate providing energy to deprived neurons, it can also activate the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1), a Gi-coupled protein receptor that modulates neuronal firing rates. After cerebral hypoxia-ischemia, endogenously produced brain lactate is largely increased, and the exogenous administration of more lactate can decrease lesion size and ameliorate the neurological outcome. To test whether HCAR1 plays a role in lactate-induced neuroprotection, we injected the agonists 3-chloro-5-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid into mice subjected to 30-min middle cerebral artery occlusion. The in vivo administration of HCAR1 agonists at reperfusion did not appear to exert any relevant protective effect as seen with lactate administration. Our results suggest that the protective effects of lactate after hypoxia-ischemia come rather from the metabolic effects of lactate than its signaling through HCAR1.
Does Participative Leadership Matters in Employees’ Outcomes During COVID-19? Role of Leader Behavioral Integrity
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Ghani Usman , Cheng Jin , Farid Tahir , Iqbal Sadaf
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has badly affected the social, physical, and emotional health of workers, especially those working in the healthcare sectors. Drawing on social exchange theory, we investigated the effects of participative leadership on employees’ workplace thriving and helping behaviors among frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we examined the moderating role of a leader’s behavioral integrity in strengthening the relationship between participative leadership, and employees’ workplace thriving and helping behaviors. By using a two-wave time-lagged design and data collected from 244 healthcare workers, a moderated hierarchal regression was implemented to test the proposed hypotheses. As hypothesized, participative leadership predicted employees’ workplace thriving and helping behaviors. The leader’s behavioral integrity strengthened the relationship between participative leadership and employees’ thriving and moderated the relationship between participative leadership helping behaviors. Implications for research, theory, and practice are discussed.
Associations Between Sleep and Mental Health Among Latina Adolescent Mothers: The Role of Social Support
Authors: Yung Shun Ting , Main Alexandra , Walle Eric A. , Scott Rose M. , Chen Yaoyu
Published: May 2021

Adolescent mothers experience poorer sleep than adult mothers, and Latina adolescent mothers are at greater risk of postpartum depression compared with other racial/ethnic groups. However, social support may be protective against the negative effects of poor sleep in this population. The current study examined (1) associations between the quality and quantity of Latina adolescent mothers’ sleep and mental health (depressive symptoms and anxiety), and (2) whether social support buffered the effects of poor sleep on mental health. A sample of Latina adolescent mothers (N = 84) from an agricultural region in the United States reported on their sleep duration/quality, social support from family, friends, and significant others, and their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results showed that adolescent mothers reported poorer sleep than pediatric recommendations, and poorer sleep quality was associated with greater depressive and anxiety symptoms. Interestingly, when adolescent mothers reported better sleep, they had fewer depressive symptoms in the context of high support from friends compared with low support from friends. Sleep is important for mental health in Latina adolescent mothers, and better sleep combined with strong social support has positive associations with mental health in this population. Findings hold implications for improving mental health in adolescent mothers.
Music Therapy During COVID-19: Changes to the Practice, Use of Technology, and What to Carry Forward in the Future
Authors: Agres Kat R. , Foubert Katrien , Sridhar Siddarth
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the field of music therapy (MT) has increasingly embraced the use of technology for conducting therapy sessions and enhancing patient outcomes. Amidst a worldwide pandemic, we sought to examine whether this is now true to an even greater extent, as many music therapists have had to approach and conduct their work differently. The purpose of this survey study is to observe trends in how music therapists from different regions around the world have had to alter their practice, especially in relation to their use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, because of limited options to conduct in-person therapy due to social distancing measures. Further, the findings aim to clarify music therapists’ perspectives on the benefits and limitations of technology in MT, as well as online MT. In addition, this survey investigated what changes have been necessary to administer MT during COVID-19, in terms of virtual therapy and online tools, and how the changes made now may affect MT in the future. We also explored music therapists’ views on whether special technology-focused training might be helpful to support the practice of MT in the future. This is the first survey, to our knowledge, to break down opinions of and trends in technology use based on geographical region (North America, Europe, and Asia), and several noteworthy differences were apparent across regions. We hope our findings provide useful information, guidance, and a global reference point for music therapists on effectively continuing the practice of MT during times of crisis, and can encourage reflection and improvement in administering MT.
Gamification as Online Teaching Strategy During COVID-19: A Mini-Review
Authors: Nieto-Escamez Francisco Antonio , Roldán-Tapia María Dolores
Published: May 2021

The ongoing pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has enforced a shutdown of educative institutions of all levels, including high school and university students, and has forced educators and institutions to adapt teaching strategies in a hasty way. This work reviews the use of gamification-based teaching during the pandemic lockdown through a search in Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Semantic Scholar databases. A total of 11 papers from Chemistry, Business, Computer Science, Biology, and Medical areas have been identified and included in the present work. All of them analyzed the use of gamification strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed student’s learning and motivation outcomes. In general, students reported that gamification was innovative, engaging, and an efficient strategy to deliver curricula material; moreover, it was perceived as a fun activity. Some students reported that gamified videoconferences aided to connect with their classmates during isolation time providing effective social support. However, some students reported a bad physical or psychological condition, as consequence of the confinement, and did not get involved in the activity. Some weaknesses of the reviewed studies are the small sample size and its homogeneity, which makes it difficult to generalize their results to other scenarios and academic areas. Furthermore, although there is a feeling of learning during the activity, this result is mainly based on subjective perceptions, and any of the studies demonstrated that superior learning was achieved in comparison with traditional teaching strategies. Nevertheless, gamification can be implemented together with traditional lectures and can be a valuable instrument during post-COVID times.
Value Associations Modulate Visual Attention and Response Selection
Authors: Walle Annabelle , Hübner Ronald , Druey Michel D.
Published: May 2021

Every day, we are confronted with a vast amount of information that all competes for our attention. Some of this information might be associated with rewards (e.g., gambling) or losses (e.g., insurances). To what extent such information, even if irrelevant for our current task, not only attracts attention but also affects our actions is still a topic under examination. To address this issue, we applied a new experimental paradigm that combines visual search and a spatial compatibility task. Although colored stimuli did not modulate the spatial compatibility effect more than gray stimuli, we found clear evidence that reward and loss associations attenuated this effect, presumably by affecting attention and response selection. Moreover, there are hints that differences in these associations are also reflected in a modulation of the spatial compatibility effect. We discuss theoretical implications of our results with respect to the influences of color, reward, and loss association on selective attention and response selection.
Assessment of Personality Traits Influencing the Performance of Men in Team Sports in Terms of the Big Five
Authors: Piepiora Paweł
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this article is to define the perspective from which a coach should analyze and evaluate personality traits that influence sports performance in team sports. The subjects of the research are Polish players (N= 300) in senior age (20–29 years) from 10 team sports (eachn= 30). A sample of champions (n= 13) was selected from the study population, and the Big Five model was applied to examine their personality with the use of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed with the IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 25. The study revealed statistically significant differences between team sports in four personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Champions of team sports were characterized by a lower level of neuroticism, a higher level of extraversion, and openness to experiences in relation to other sportsmen. It was also confirmed that the personality traits distribution levels depend on the sport discipline. Therefore, an important role must be assigned to those mental training techniques that favor emotional balance, team communication, and tactical thinking skills and are manifested in triggering start-up readiness.
Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Its Associations With Quality of Life, Demographic and Clinical Characteristics in COVID-19 Survivors During the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Liu Zi-Han , Zhao Yan-Jie , Zhang Qinge , Zhang Ling , Cheung Teris , Jackson Todd , Jiang Guo-Qing , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: May 2021

Background: The prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in COVID-19 survivors is unclear. This study examined the prevalence of PTSS and its association with quality of life (QOL) among COVID-19 survivors during the post-COVID-19 era in China.

Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional study. PTSS, depressive symptoms, and QOL were assessed with standardized instruments.

Results: A total of 134 COVID-19 survivors and 214 non-infected controls (healthy controls hereafter) were recruited. Among COVID-19 survivors, the PTSS prevalence was 18.66% (95%CI: 11.98–25.34%), which was significantly higher than that (5.61%, 95%CI: 2.50–8.71%) of healthy controls (P < 0.001). After controlling for covariates, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that COVID-19 survivors had a higher PTSS total score than did healthy controls [F(1,348) = 4.664, P = 0.032]. A separate ANCOVA revealed there were no significant differences in overall QOL between COVID-19 survivors with and without PTSS [F(1,348) = 1.067, P = 0.304]. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that more severe depressive symptoms were significantly associated with PTSS in COVID-19 survivors (OR = 1.425, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: PTSS were more severe in COVID-19 survivors compared to healthy controls in the post-COVID-19 era. Considering their negative impact on daily life and functional outcomes, regular assessment and appropriate treatments of PTSS should be conducted in COVID-19 survivors.
Association of MTHFR C677T Polymorphism With Antipsychotic-Induced Change of Weight and Metabolism Index
Authors: Su Yi , Yan Hao , Guo Liangkun , Lu Tianlan ,   CAPOC, Zhang Dai , Yue Weihua
Published: May 2021

Although antipsychotic medication contributed to the improvement of psychotic symptoms and reduced relapse, it induced weight gain and metabolic syndrome during antipsychotic medication treatment, which was seriously concerning. To investigate the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism with antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolism parameter change, we employed 1,868 patients with schizophrenia in this study and randomly allocated them to seven antipsychotic medication treatment groups. All patients received antipsychotics monotherapy and were followed up for 6 weeks. Height, body weight, and metabolic parameters of the patients were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after antipsychotic treatment. We genotyped blood DNA from patients for MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and performed quantitative analyses using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) among three genotype groups.

We found a predominant association between MTHFR C677T and body weight mass index (BMI) change after 6-week risperidone treatment. After 6-week treatment of risperidone, the BMI change rate (%) of MTHFR C677 carriers was significantly higher than that of MTHFR TT genotype carriers [CC (2.81 ± 6.77)%, CT (3.79 ± 5.22)%, TT (1.42 ± 3.53)%, F = 4.749, P = 0.009]. Some of the abnormal metabolic parameters were found to be associated with the MTHFR 677T, including higher levels of low-density lipoprotein and waist circumference. Validation was performed in an independent cohort, consisting of 252 patients with schizophrenia treated with three atypical antipsychotic drugs. Overall, the MTHFR C677 was associated with high risk of antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolism abnormalities.
GABAA Alpha 2,3 Modulation Improves Select Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Schaefer Tori L. , Ashworth Amy A. , Tiwari Durgesh , Tomasek Madison P. , Parkins Emma V. , White Angela R. , Snider Andrew , Davenport Matthew H. , Grainger Lindsay M. , Becker Robert A. , Robinson Chandler K. , Mukherjee Rishav , Williams Michael T. , Gibson Jay R. , Huber Kimberly M. , Gross Christina , Erickson Craig A.
Published: May 2021

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability. FXS is caused by functional loss of the Fragile X Protein (FXP), also known as Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). In humans and animal models, loss of FXP leads to sensory hypersensitivity, increased susceptibility to seizures and cortical hyperactivity. Several components of the GABAergic system, the major inhibitory system in the brain, are dysregulated in FXS, and thus modulation of GABAergic transmission was suggested and tested as a treatment strategy. However, so far, clinical trials using broad spectrum GABAA or GABAB receptor-specific agonists have not yielded broad improvement of FXS phenotypes in humans. Here, we tested a more selective strategy in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice using the experimental drug BAER-101, which is a selective GABAA α2/α3 agonist. Our results suggest that BAER-101 reduces hyperexcitability of cortical circuits, partially corrects increased frequency-specific baseline cortical EEG power, reduces susceptibility to audiogenic seizures and improves novel object memory. Other Fmr1 KO-specific phenotypes were not improved by the drug, such as increased hippocampal dendritic spine density, open field activity and marble burying. Overall, this work shows that BAER-101 improves select phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice and encourages further studies into the efficacy of GABAA-receptor subunit-selective agonists for the treatment of FXS.
Altered Resting-State Brain Activity in Schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Compared With Non-psychiatric Controls: Commonalities and Distinctions Across Disorders
Authors: Zhang Yuyanan , Liao Jinmin , Li Qianqian , Zhang Xiao , Liu Lijun , Yan Jun , Zhang Dai , Yan Hao , Yue Weihua
Published: May 2021

Backgrounds: Schizophrenia (SCZ) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are classified as two chronic psychiatric disorders with high comorbidity rate and shared clinical symptoms. Abnormal spontaneous brain activity within the cortical–striatal neural circuits has been observed in both disorders. However, it is unclear if the common or distinct neural abnormalities underlie the neurobiological substrates in the resting state.

Methods: Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 88 patients with SCZ, 58 patients with OCD, and 72 healthy control subjects. First, we examined differences in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) among three groups. Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis with the brain region that showed different ALFF as the seed was then conducted to identify the changes in brain networks. Finally, we examined the correlation between the altered activities and clinical symptoms.

Results: Both the patients with SCZ and OCD showed increased ALFF in the right hippocampus and decreased ALFF in the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). SCZ patients exhibited increased ALFF in the left caudate [voxel-level family-wise error (FWE) P < 0.05] and decreased rsFC between the left caudate and right cerebellum, which correlated with positive symptoms. The left caudate showed increased rsFC with the right thalamus and bilateral supplementary motor complex (SMC) in OCD patients (cluster-level FWE P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The hippocampus and PCC are common regions presenting abnormal local spontaneous neuronal activities in both SCZ and OCD, while the abnormality of the striatum can reflect the differences. Increased ALFF in the striatum and symptom-related weakened rsFC between the caudate and cerebellum showed SCZ specificity. Enhanced rsFC between the caudate and SMC may be a key characteristic in OCD. Our research shows the similarities and differences between the two diseases from the perspective of resting-state fMRI, which provides clues to understand the disease and find methods for treatment.
Male Genital Schistosomiasis Along the Shoreline of Lake Malawi: Baseline Prevalence and Associated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Local Fishermen in Mangochi District, Malawi
Authors: Kayuni Sekeleghe A. , Alharbi Mohammad H. , Makaula Peter , Lampiao Fanuel , Juziwelo Lazarus , LaCourse E. James , Stothard J. Russell
Published: May 2021

Male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) is an often-overlooked chronic consequence of urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) associated with Schistosoma haematobium eggs and associated pathologies in the genital system of afflicted men. Despite the first formal description of MGS in 1911 by Madden, its epidemiology, diagnostic testing and case management of today are not well-described. However, since several interactions between MGS and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are known, there is renewed public health interest in MGS across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To shed new light upon MGS in Malawi, a longitudinal cohort study was set up among fishermen along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi in Mangochi District, Malawi, to document its prevalence and assess mens' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). After providing informed written consent, fishermen (n = 376) aged 18+ years (median age: 30 years, range: 18–70 years) were recruited and submitted urine and semen for point-of-care (POC) field and laboratory diagnostic parasitological tests. Individual questionnaires were administered to assess their KAP, with praziquantel (PZQ) treatment provided to all participants. Baseline prevalence of MGS (S. haematobium eggs in semen) was 10.4% (n = 114, median: 5.0 eggs per ml, range: 0.1–30.0) while for UGS (S. haematobium eggs in urine) was 17.1% (n = 210, median: 2.3 eggs per 10 ml, range: 0.1–186.0) and 3.8% were positive by POC circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA), indicative of a Schistosoma mansoni infection. Just under 10% of participants reported having experienced symptoms associated with MGS, namely genital or coital pain, or haemospermia. A total of 61.7% reported previous difficulties in accessing PZQ therapy, with 34.8% having received PZQ therapy before. There was a significant correlation between MGS infection and the frequency of fishing in a week (rho = −0.25, n = 100, p = 0.01). In conclusion, MGS is prevalent among local fishermen yet knowledge of the disease is poor. We therefore call for improved availability and accessibility to MGS diagnostics, PZQ treatment within ongoing control interventions. This will improve the lives and reproductive health of men, their partners and communities in this shoreline environment of Lake Malawi.
Factors Associated With Individual Emergency Preparedness Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among the Public in Three Chinese Provinces
Authors: Ning Ning , Hu Man , Qiao Jin , Liu Chaojie , Zhao Xiaowen , Xu Wei , Xu Weilan , Zheng Bin , Chen Zhiqiang , Yu Yi , Hao Yanhua , Wu Qunhong
Published: May 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to identify factors associated with individual emergency preparedness behaviors which play an important role in effective emergency response.

Methods: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted in China's Heilongjiang, Guangdong and Sichuan provinces in 2017. Questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews, and 2,506 were valid for data analyses. A structural equation model was established to test the direct and indirect effects of the relevant factors on individual emergency preparedness behaviors.

Results: Low levels of emergency preparedness were found: 28% of respondents reported being fully/partly prepared. The attitudes of the respondents toward emergency preparedness had the strongest association with emergency preparedness behaviors, with a total effect of 0.483. This was followed by self-efficacy (0.305) and training/exercise (0.295). Risk perception had the weakest effect (0.045) on emergency preparedness behaviors.

Discussion: Improving attitudes of the public as well as their ability to prepare for emergency events is important for effective emergency management.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pre-Treatment Delays, Detection, and Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis Patients in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , He Wencong , Lei Juan , Liu Guangtian , Huang Fei , Zhao Yanlin
Published: May 2021

Background: To contain the pandemic of COVID-19, China has implemented a series of public health interventions that impacted the tuberculosis control substantially, but these impacts may vary greatly depending on the severity of the local COVID-19 epidemic. The impact of COVID-19 on TB control in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is little known.

Methods: Based on the national TB Information Management System (TBIMS), this study accessed the actual impact of COVID-19 on TB by comparing TB notifications, pre-treatment delays, and clinical characteristics of TB cases between 2020 COVID-19 period and 2017–2019 baseline. The data were divided into three periods based on the response started to fight against COVID-19 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, including the control period (10 weeks before the pandemic), intensive period (10 weeks during the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region lockdown), and regular (10 additional weeks after Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region reopen).

Results: TB notification dropped sharply in the first week of the intensive period but took significantly longer to return to the previous level in 2020 compared with the 2017–2019 baseline. Totally, the TB notification rates decreased by more than 60% in the intensive period of COVID-19 compared with the average level of 2017–2019. The sputum smear-positive rate of TB patients diagnosed in intensive period of COVID-19 was significantly higher than that in the corresponding periods of 2017–2019 (P < 0.001). The rate of cavity on X-ray inspection of TB cases diagnosed in the intensive period of COVID-19 was significantly higher than that in period 2 of 2017–2019 (23.5 vs. 15.4%, P = 0.004). The patients' delay in the intensive period was significantly longer than that before the pandemic (P = 0.047).

Conclusions: The TB notification in Ningxia was impacted dramatically by the pandemic of COVID-19. To compensate for the large numbers of missed diagnosis as well as delayed diagnosis during the intensive period of COVID-19, an urgent restoration of normal TB services, and further emphasis on enhanced active case finding and scale-up of household contact tracing and screening for TB-related symptoms or manifestation, will be essential.
Key Determinants of Cell-Mediated Immune Responses: A Randomized Trial of High Dose Vs. Standard Dose Split-Virus Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults
Authors: Verschoor Chris P. , Haynes Laura , Pawelec Graham , Loeb Mark , Andrew Melissa K. , Kuchel George A. , McElhaney Janet E.
Published: May 2021

Background: Efforts to improve influenza vaccine effectiveness in older adults have resulted in some successes, such as the introduction of high-dose split-virus influenza vaccine (HD-SVV), yet studies of cell-mediated immune responses to these vaccines remain limited. We have shown that granzyme B (GrB) activity in influenza A/H3N2 challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) correlates with protection against influenza following standard dose vaccination (SD-SVV) in older adults. Further, the interferon-γ (IFNγ) to interleukin-10 (IL-10) ratio can be a correlate of protection.

Methods: In a double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02297542) older adults (≥65 years, n = 582) were randomized to receive SD-SVV or HD-SVV (Fluzone®) from 2014/15 to 2017/18. Young adults (20–40 years, n = 79) received SD-SVV. At 0, 4, 10, and 20 weeks post-vaccination, serum antibody titers, IFNγ, IL-10, and inducible GrB (iGrB) were measured in ex vivo influenza-challenged PBMC. iGrB is defined as the fold change in GrB activity from baseline levels (bGrB) in circulating T cells. Responses of older adults were compared to younger controls, and in older adults, we analyzed effects of age, sex, cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, frailty, and vaccine dose.

Results: Prior to vaccination, younger compared to older adults produced significantly higher IFNγ, IL-10, and iGrB levels. Relative to SD-SVV recipients, older HD-SVV recipients exhibited significantly lower IFNγ:IL-10 ratios at 4 weeks post-vaccination. In contrast, IFNγ and iGrB levels were higher in younger SD vs. older SD or HD recipients; only the HD group showed a significant IFNγ response to vaccination compared to the SD groups; all three groups showed a significant iGrB response to vaccination. In a regression analysis, frailty was associated with lower IFNγ levels, whereas female sex and HD-SVV with higher IL-10 levels. Age and SD-SVV were associated with lower iGrB levels. The effect of prior season influenza vaccination was decreased iGrB levels, and increased IFNγ and IL-10 levels, which correlated with influenza A/H3N2 hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers.

Conclusion: Overall, HD-SVV amplified the IL-10 response consistent with enhanced antibody responses, with little effect on the iGrB response relative to SD-SVV in either younger or older adults. These results suggest that enhanced protection with HD-SVV is largely antibody-mediated.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02297542).
CNN-Based LCD Transcription of Blood Pressure From a Mobile Phone Camera
Authors: Kulkarni Samruddhi S. , Katebi Nasim , Valderrama Camilo E. , Rohloff Peter , Clifford Gari D.
Published: May 2021

Routine blood pressure (BP) measurement in pregnancy is commonly performed using automated oscillometric devices. Since no wireless oscillometric BP device has been validated in preeclamptic populations, a simple approach for capturing readings from such devices is needed, especially in low-resource settings where transmission of BP data from the field to central locations is an important mechanism for triage. To this end, a total of 8192 BP readings were captured from the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen of a standard Omron M7 self-inflating BP cuff using a cellphone camera. A cohort of 49 lay midwives captured these data from 1697 pregnant women carrying singletons between 6 weeks and 40 weeks gestational age in rural Guatemala during routine screening. Images exhibited a wide variability in their appearance due to variations in orientation and parallax; environmental factors such as lighting, shadows; and image acquisition factors such as motion blur and problems with focus. Images were independently labeled for readability and quality by three annotators (BP range: 34–203 mm Hg) and disagreements were resolved. Methods to preprocess and automatically segment the LCD images into diastolic BP, systolic BP and heart rate using a contour-based technique were developed. A deep convolutional neural network was then trained to convert the LCD images into numerical values using a multi-digit recognition approach. On readable low- and high-quality images, this proposed approach achieved a 91% classification accuracy and mean absolute error of 3.19 mm Hg for systolic BP and 91% accuracy and mean absolute error of 0.94 mm Hg for diastolic BP. These error values are within the FDA guidelines for BP monitoring when poor quality images are excluded. The performance of the proposed approach was shown to be greatly superior to state-of-the-art open-source tools (Tesseract and the Google Vision API). The algorithm was developed such that it could be deployed on a phone and work without connectivity to a network.
The Use of Virtual Reality in the Teaching of Challenging Concepts in Virology, Cell Culture and Molecular Biology
Authors: Reen F. Jerry , Jump Owen , McSharry Brian P. , Morgan John , Murphy David , O’Leary Niall , O’Mahony Billy , Scallan Martina , Supple Briony
Published: May 2021

The rapidly expanding biotechnology sector horizon is expected to create a surge in demand for expertise underpinning cell and gene therapies, which are recognized as the next generation of medicines. New and innovative approaches to implement active and performative learning in the Molecular Life Sciences are required to support this and to address limitations associated with traditional “front of class” lectern delivery of challenging, three dimensional molecular concepts. Therefore, an immediate need exists for the development and implementation of immersive learning approaches in Virology, Cellular Sciences and Molecular Biology to underpin sustainable development of graduate students for academic and industrial research careers. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in the delivery of education globally, with online engagement and accelerated uptake of novel teaching and assessment modalities into majority practice within institutions. This development has been driven by externally imposed necessity and it remains to be seen what form teaching and learning will take post-Covid. Irrespective of the pandemic, technologies are available which can serve intrinsically motivated, discipline specific shifts toward enhanced learner experiences and learning outcomes. Immersive virtual reality offers one such approach to open new entry points for student learning of abstract molecular concepts, which will be just as relevant upon our return to face-to-face teaching. Key to delivering this will be engagement and collaboration by disciplinary and technical experts. Here, we discuss global advances in the area of VR and Molecular Science education and assess potential paths forward for teaching and learning impact and innovative education.
Nexus vs. Silo Investment Planning Under Uncertainty
Authors: Payet-Burin Raphaël , Kromann Mikkel , Pereira-Cardenal Silvio , Strzepek Kenneth Marc , Bauer-Gottwein Peter
Published: May 2021

Water, energy, and agricultural infrastructure investments have important inter-relations fulfilling potentially competing objectives. When shaping investment plans, decision makers need to evaluate those interactions and the associated uncertainties. We compare planning infrastructure under uncertainty with an integrated water-energy-food nexus framework and with sector-centered (silo) frameworks. We use WHAT-IF, an open-source hydroeconomic decision support tool with a holistic representation of the power and agriculture sectors. The tool is applied to an illustrative synthetic case and to a complex planning problem in the Zambezi River Basin involving reservoirs, hydropower, irrigation, transmission lines and power plant investments. In the synthetic case, the nexus framework selects investments that generate more synergies across sectors. In sector-centered frameworks, the value of investments that impact multiple sectors (like hydropower, bioenergy, and desalinization) are under- or overestimated. Furthermore, the nexus framework identifies risks related to uncertainties that are not linked to the investments respective sectors. In the Zambezi river case, we find that most investments are mainly sensitive to parameters related to their respective sectors, and that financial parameters like discount rate, capital costs or carbon taxes are driving the feasibility of investments. However, trade-offs between water for irrigation and water for hydropower are important; ignoring trade-offs in silo frameworks increases the irrigation expansion that is perceived as beneficial by 22% compared to a nexus framework that considers irrigation and hydropower jointly. Planning in a nexus framework is expected to be particularly important when projects and uncertainties can considerably affect the current equilibrium.
The Effect of Processing on Bioactive Compounds and Nutritional Qualities of Pulses in Meeting the Sustainable Development Goal 2
Authors: Acquah Caleb , Ohemeng-Boahen Godfred , Power Krista A. , Tosh Susan M.
Published: May 2021

Diversification of plant-based food sources is necessary to improve global food and nutritional security. Pulses have enormous nutritional and health benefits in preventing malnutrition and chronic diseases while contributing positively to reducing environmental footprint. Pulses are rich in diverse nutritional and non-nutritional constituents which can be classified as bioactive compounds due to their biological effect. These bioactive compounds include but are not limited to proteins, dietary fibres, resistant starch, polyphenols, saponins, lectins, phytic acids, and enzyme inhibitors. While these compounds are of importance in ensuring food and nutritional security, some of the bioactive constituents have ambivalent properties. These properties include having antioxidant, anti-hypertensive and prebiotic effects. Others have a deleterious effect of decreasing the digestibility and/or bioavailability of essential nutrients and are therefore termed antinutritional factors/compounds. Various processing techniques exist to reduce the content of antinutritional factors found in pulses. Traditional processing of pulses comprises soaking, dehulling, milling, germination, fermentation, and boiling, while examples of emerging processing techniques include microwaving, extrusion, and micronization. These processing techniques can be tailored to purpose and pulse type to achieve desired results. Herein, the nutritional qualities and properties of bioactive compounds found in pulses in meeting the sustainable development goals are presented. It also discusses the effect of processing techniques on the nutritional and non-nutritional constituents in pulses as well as the health and environmental benefits of pulse-diet consumption. Major challenges linked to pulses that could limit their potential of being ideal crops in meeting the sustainable development goal 2 agenda are highlighted.
Development of a Tactile Actuator with Non-Contact and Trans-Object Characteristics Using a Time-Varying Magnetic Field
Authors: Kim Hyung-Sik , Jo Ji-Hun , Lee Je-Hyeop , Jung Jin-Ju , An Jin-Su , Choi Mi-Hyun , Chung Soon-Cheol
Published: May 2021

A non-contact tactile stimulation system using a time-varying magnetic field was developed. The system comprises a control unit, power unit, output unit, and actuator. The control unit adjusts stimulation parameters, particularly the signal intensity and frequency. The power unit produces high voltages for generating the magnetic field, whereas the output unit transmits the energy generated according to the signal from the control unit to the actuator. A spiral coil actuator generates the magnetic field. To validate the effectiveness of the system, preliminary experiments on 10 male adults without neurological disorders (23.2 ± 3.05 years) were conducted. Magnetic field stimuli were presented to the right palm of the subjects at three different frequencies (10, 30, and 50 Hz), and corresponding electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were measured simultaneously. Event-related potential (ERP) analysis showed that N100 and P300 components were identified in somatosensory areas. Subjective evaluations revealed that feelings such as “tingling,” “trembling,” “tapping,” and “percussing” were induced. Moreover, as the stimulus frequency changes, differences may occur in induced feeling. The system uses a time-varying magnetic field, which not only induces tactile stimulation without contact but also has trans-object characteristics that can present tactile sensations, even when there is an obstacle between an actuator and skin.
Bee Bread Production—A New Source of Income for Beekeeping Farms?
Authors: Semkiw Piotr , Skubida Piotr
Published: May 2021

Bee bread, i.e., floral pollen collected and partially processed by honey bees, is a source of many compounds beneficial for the human health. So far, the level of bee bread production in apiaries has been low due to many factors. However, development of such production may be significant as a new source of income for beekeepers. In spring 2015 a three-year study was started to determine bee bread production scale in honey bee colonies and assess the economic efficiency of such production. The experiment included 28 honey bee colonies each year; the colonies were divided into four groups. Each group tested different brood nest configuration or frames’ placement against the hive entrance for the amount of harvested bee bread. All the costs, including labor input, were related to the process of bee bread production. Depending on the group, it was possible to harvest from 0.51 to 1.23 kg of bee bread from one colony. The average production amounted to 0.7 kg, and the entire apiary gave 20 kg of bee bread annually. Annual costs connected to bee bread production amounted to 679.5 EUR, while the estimated income from sales amounted to 1110 EUR. Thus, the profit was 430.5 EUR, i.e., 21.5 EUR per 1 kg of harvested bee bread. The highest costs were connected to labor and they may potentially comprise a factor limiting the development of bee bread production in apiaries.
Smart Sensing with Edge Computing in Precision Agriculture for Soil Assessment and Heavy Metal Monitoring: A Review
Authors: Akhtar Mohammad Nishat , Shaikh Abdurrahman Javid , Khan Ambareen , Awais Habib , Bakar Elmi Abu , Othman Abdul Rahim
Published: May 2021

With the implementation of the Internet of Things, the agricultural domain has become data-driven, allowing for well-timed and cost-effective farm management while remaining environmentally sustainable. Thus, the incorporation of Internet of Things in the agricultural domain is the need of the hour for developing countries whose gross domestic product primarily depends on the farming sector. It is worth highlighting that developing nations lack the infrastructure for precision agriculture; therefore, it has become necessary to come up with a methodological paradigm which can accommodate a complete model to connect ground sensors to the compute nodes in a cost-effective way by keeping the data processing limitations and constraints in consideration. In this regard, this review puts forward an overview of the state-of-the-art technologies deployed in precision agriculture for soil assessment and pollutant monitoring with respect to heavy metal in agricultural soil using various sensors. Secondly, this manuscript illustrates the processing of data generated from the sensors. In this regard, an optimized method of data processing derived from cloud computing has been shown, which is called edge computing. In addition to this, a new model of high-performance-based edge computing is also shown for efficient offloading of data with smooth workflow optimization. In a nutshell, this manuscript aims to open a new corridor for the farming sector in developing nations by tackling challenges and providing substantial consideration.
Sulfonamides in Tomato from Commercial Greenhouses Irrigated with Reclaimed Wastewater: Uptake, Translocation and Food Safety
Authors: Camacho-Arévalo Raquel , García-Delgado Carlos , Mayans Begoña , Antón-Herrero Rafael , Cuevas Jaime , Segura María Luz , Eymar Enrique
Published: May 2021

The presence of antibiotics in crops is mainly caused by their irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and by the use of organic amendments of animal origin. During this work, the fate of sulfonamide antibiotics in tomato crop has been assessed in two commercial greenhouses located in Almería (Spain) irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Samplings were made annually for two years. Sulfonamides in several parts of the plant (roots, leaves and fruits) as well as reclaimed wastewater, amendments and soils were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that sulfonamides accumulated in soils (sulfamethoxazole between 2 and 14 µg kg−1; sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine and sulfadimethoxine in concentrations below 1 µg kg−1) were in the reclaimed wastewater at concentrations in the ng L−1 range. Their distribution in plants depended on the sulfonamide. The sulfonamides detected in tomato were sulfadiazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamethazole, sulfamethoxazole and sulfadimethoxine. Sulfamethoxazole was the antibiotic with highest concentration in tomato fruit, exceeding 30 µg kg−1. All sulfonamides were below the Acceptable Daily Intake, however, further studies and legislation are needed to assure food safety.
Understanding the Dynamic of Rice Farming Systems in Southern Mozambique to Improve Production and Benefits to Smallholders
Authors: Ismael Fátima , Mbanze Aires A. , Ndayiragije Alexis , Fangueiro David
Published: May 2021

Rice farming systems (RFSs) in southern Mozambique are very heterogeneous and diversified, which has implications for smallholders’ adoption of each RFS, as well as on rice production and productivity in the region. In this regard, it is important to understand: (i) which RFS typologies can be leveraged to improve rice production and productivity; (ii) the drivers for smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt an RFS; and (iii) which policies/incentives could enhance existing RFSs. The present study was based on surveys of 341 smallholder rice farmers in the Chókwè Irrigation Scheme (CIS), southern Mozambique. Data on the productivity of rice, size of the herd, and total other crop types were used to frame the RFS typologies. A multinomial logit model (MLM) and multiple linear regression (MLR) were applied to determine the driver for each RFS, and predict the constraints for production and yield. Based on cluster analysis, four typologies of RFSs were identified: the subsistence farming system (FS), specialised rice FS, mixed crops FS, and rice–livestock FS. Farms with longer experience reported applying more fertiliser and seedlings per unit hectare. The availability of labour increased the likelihood of adopting the mixed crops FS and rice–livestock FS. Older households were more likely to adopt the subsistence FS, and live closer to the farming fields. Yield of rice was positively associated with inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and seedlings, as well as years of experience of the household. Our results suggest that smallholder farmers need more assistance and technical support to identify and adopt more productive and less costly RFSs in this region.