bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Modifications That Expand Oncolytic Virus Potency
Authors: Cristi Francisca , Gutiérrez Tomás , Hitt Mary M. , Shmulevitz Maya
Published: January 2022

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising type of cancer therapy since they selectively replicate in tumor cells without damaging healthy cells. Many oncolytic viruses have progressed to human clinical trials, however, their performance as monotherapy has not been as successful as expected. Importantly, recent literature suggests that the oncolytic potential of these viruses can be further increased by genetically modifying the viruses. In this review, we describe genetic modifications to OVs that improve their ability to kill tumor cells directly, to dismantle the tumor microenvironment, or to alter tumor cell signaling and enhance anti-tumor immunity. These advances are particularly important to increase virus spread and reduce metastasis, as demonstrated in animal models. Since metastasis is the principal cause of mortality in cancer patients, having OVs designed to target metastases could transform cancer therapy. The genetic alterations reported to date are only the beginning of all possible improvements to OVs. Modifications described here could be combined together, targeting multiple processes, or with other non-viral therapies with potential to provide a strong and lasting anti-tumor response in cancer patients.
Utility of a Recombinant HSV-1 Vaccine Vector for Personalized Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Uche Ifeanyi Kingsley , Stanfield Brent A. , Rudd Jared S. , Kousoulas Konstantin G. , Rider Paul J. F.
Published: January 2022

Current approaches to cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapy. These therapies have produced significant clinical success for specific cancers, but their efficacy has been limited. Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has emerged as a promising immunotherapy for a variety of cancers. Furthermore, the unique characteristics of OVs make them a good choice for delivering tumor peptides/antigens to induce enhanced tumor-specific immune responses. The first oncolytic virus (OV) approved for human use is the attenuated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) which has been FDA approved for the treatment of melanoma in humans. In this study, we engineered the recombinant oncolytic HSV-1 (oHSV) VC2-OVA expressing a fragment of ovalbumin (OVA) as a fusion protein with VP26 virion capsid protein. We tested the ability of VC2-OVA to act as a vector capable of stimulating strong, specific antitumor immunity in a syngeneic murine melanoma model. Therapeutic vaccination with VC2-OVA led to a significant reduction in colonization of tumor cells in the lungs of mice intravenously challenged B16cOVA cells. In addition, VC2-OVA induced a potent prophylactic antitumor response and extended survival of mice that were intradermally engrafted with B16cOVA tumors compared with mice immunized with control virus.
Mapping the Plasticity of Morphology, Molecular Properties and Function in Mouse Primary Microglia
Authors: Jiang Xue , He Hui , Mo Li , Liu Qin , Yang Fan , Zhou Ying , Li Liangyuan , Su Dapeng , Yi Saini , Zhang Jinqiang
Published: January 2022

Microglia exert diverse functions by responding in diverse ways to different stimuli, yet little is known about the plasticity of various phenotypes that microglia display. We used interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 to induce different phenotypes in mouse primary microglia. RNA sequencing was used to identify genes differentially expressed in response to stimulation, and the different stimulated populations were compared in terms of morphology, proliferative capacity, phagocytic ability and neurotoxicity. IFN-γ induced an “immunodefensive” phenotype characterizing both induction of filopodia and upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor α. Microglia with this phenotype mediated an acute inflammatory response accompanied by excellent proliferative capacity and neurotoxicity, and remained susceptible to remodeling for up to 48 h after initial stimulation. IL-4 induced an enduring “neuroimmunoregulatory” phenotype involving induction of lamellipodium and persistent upregulation of arginase (Arg)-1 and YM-1 expression. Microglia with this phenotype remained susceptible to remodeling for up to 24 h after initial stimulation. IL-10 induced an “immunosuppressive” phenotype involving induction of ameba-like morphology and upregulation of transforming growth factor β and IL-10 as well as inhibition of inflammation. This phenotype was accompanied by inhibition of self-proliferation, while its morphology, molecular properties and function were the least susceptible to remodeling. IFN-γ, IL-4, or IL-10 appear to induce substantially different phenotypes in microglia. The immunodefensive microglia induced by IFN-γ showed remarkable plasticity, which may help repair CNS inflammation damage under pathological condition. Chronic activation with IL-10 decreases microglial plasticity, which may help protect the brain form the immune response. Our research justifies and guides further studies into the molecular pathways that operate in each phenotype to help multitasking microglia regulate homeostasis in the brain.
Treatment and Postinterventional Management of a Fusiform Intracranial Aneurysm in a Professional Soccer Player: A Case Report
Authors: Etter Manina Maja , Bonati Leo , Tsogkas Ioannis , Hutter Gregor , Blackham Kristine , Guzman Raphael , Psychogios Marios-Nikos
Published: January 2022

Introduction

While intracranial aneurysms are common lesions affecting between 1 and 5% of the general population, the prevalence in professional athletes remains unknown. The result is uncertainty and lack of guidelines on appropriate treatment of these patients.

Case Presentation

A 29-year-old professional soccer player presented in our hospital with an incidentally found intracranial aneurysm. After detailed depiction of the aneurysm and interdisciplinary discussion, endovascular treatment using a flow diverter was chosen to be the best treatment modality. Postinterventional medication consisted of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. The main challenge in managing the case of our patient was the combination of the dual antiplatelet treatment regime with his professional career in a contact sport.

Conclusion

Due to lack of literature or similar reports regarding the management of professional athletes with intracranial aneurysms, the optimal treatment strategy remains unclear. Even though decisions should be made dynamically and case-adapted to each situation, developing a registry could help provide guidance and new ideas for similar cases in the future.
Speech Perception in Bilateral Hearing Aid Users With Different Grades of Asymmetric Hearing Loss
Authors: Hoppe Ulrich , Hast Anne , Hocke Thomas
Published: January 2022

Hearing loss is associated with decreased speech perception as well as with changes in the auditory pathway. The effects of those changes on binaural speech perception with hearing aids are not yet fully understood. To provide further evidence on the functional changes of the auditory pathway, several speech perception tests (unilateral and bilateral, aided and unaided, in quiet, and in noise) were conducted in a population of 370 bilateral hearing aid users covering the entire range of the World Health Organization’s most recent classification of hearing loss. To characterize the effects of asymmetric hearing thresholds, a generalized linear model was used for regression analysis. The model revealed a detrimental effect of the poorer ears’ thresholds on both the unaided and the aided unilateral word recognition scores that were attained by the better ear. Moreover, aided binaural word recognition (in quiet and in noise) was affected to a degree that cannot be explained on the sole basis of bilateral summation. Thus, this study provides evidence that there is reorganization and altered functioning of the afferent and efferent auditory pathways due to asymmetric hearing loss. Consequently, more attention should be paid to provision with a hearing aid as early as possible, and separately for each ear.
The Effect of Polyphenols on Working and Episodic Memory in Non-pathological and Pathological Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: de Vries Karin , Medawar Evelyn , Korosi Aniko , Witte A. Veronica
Published: January 2022

Life expectancy steadily increases, and so do age-associated diseases, leading to a growing population suffering from cognitive decline and dementia. Impairments in working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. While there are no effective pharmacological therapies to preserve or enhance cognition and to slow down the progression from mild memory complaints to dementia so far, plant-based nutrients including polyphenols have been suggested to exert beneficial effects on brain aging. This review studies whether supplementary polyphenols are effective in preserving or enhancing memory in both non-pathological and pathological aging, and whether there are polyphenol efficiency differences between WM and EM. A systematic literature search was conducted and 66 out of 294 randomized clinical trials with 20 participants or more per group, aged 40 years or older were included. These covered a daily intake of 35–1,600 mg polyphenols, e.g., flavonols, flavonoids, isoflovones, anthocyanins, and/or stilbenes, over the course of 2 weeks to 6.5 years duration. In total, around half of the studies reported a significantly improved performance after polyphenol administration compared to control, while three studies reported a worsening of performance, and the remainder did not observe any effects. According to pooled WM and EM meta-analysis of all memory outcomes reported in 49 studies, overall effect size for WM and EM indicated a significant small positive effect on EM and WM with similar estimates (b ~ 0.24, p < 0.001), with large study heterogeneity and significant Funnel asymmetry tests suggesting a positivity bias. These results remained similar when excluding studies reporting extremely large positive effect sizes from the meta-analyses. While Ginkgo biloba and isoflavones did not show benefits in subgroup meta-analyses, those suggested some effects in extracts containing anthocyanins, other flavonoids and resveratrol, again potentially resulting from publication bias. To conclude, a systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that short- to moderate-term polyphenol interventions might improve WM and EM in middle-to older aged adults, however, publication bias in favor of positive results seems likely, rendering definite conclusions difficult. Future studies with larger, more diverse samples and sensitive monitoring of cardiovascular, metabolic and beginning brain pathologies as well as longer follow-up are needed to better understand the impact of age, (beginning) pathologies, gender, and long-term use on polyphenol action.
Conservation Agriculture Affects Grain and Nutrient Yields of Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Can Impact Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Galani Yamdeu Joseph Hubert , Ligowe Ivy S. , Kieffer Martin , Kamalongo Donwell , Kambwiri Alfred Mexon , Kuwali Pamela , Thierfelder Christian , Dougill Andrew J. , Gong Yun Yun , Orfila Caroline
Published: January 2022

Maize is a major staple and plays an essential role in food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Conservation agriculture (CA), a climate-smart agriculture practise based on minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention, and crop diversification, has been widely advocated but without extensive research on the impact it may have on maize nutrient composition, and food and nutrition security. This study assessed the grain yield, macro- and micronutrient mineral content, and nutrient yield of eight maize varieties grown in Malawi, and how these are affected by CA practises over two seasons. The minerals were analysed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) coupled to optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and to mass spectroscopy (MS). Grain yield and Se content differed among the varieties, while C, N, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn were similar. The local variety Kanjerenjere showed lowest grain and nutrient yields. The open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) concentrated more minerals than the F1 hybrids, but the latter showed higher yields for both grain and nutrients. Typical consumption of the eight maize varieties could fully meet the protein and Mg dietary reference intake (DRIs) of Malawian children (1–3 years), as well as Mg and Mn needs of adult women (19–50 years), but their contribution to dietary requirements was low for Fe (39–41%) and K (13–21%). The trials showed that CA increased grain yield (1.2- to 1.8-fold) and Se content (1.1- to 1.7-fold), but that it had no effect on C, K, Mg, P, and Zn, and that N (1.1- to 1.2-fold), Mn (1.1- to 1.8-fold), and Fe (1.3- to 3.4-fold) were reduced. The high increase in grain yield under CA treatments resulted in increased yields of protein and Se, no effect on the yields of K, Mg, Mn, P, Zn, and reduced Fe yield. Conservation agriculture could contribute in reducing the risk of Se deficiency in Malawian women and children but exacerbates the risk of Fe deficiency. A combination of strategies will be needed to mitigate some of the foreseen effects of climate change on agriculture, and food and nutrition security, and improve nutrient intake.
High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy for Deeply Situated Gynecologic Tumors Guided by Combination of Transrectal and Transabdominal Ultrasonography: A Technical Note
Authors: Shimizu Yuri , Murakami Naoya , Chiba Takahito , Kaneda Tomoya , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Nakamura Satoshi , Takahashi Ayaka , Kashihara Tairo , Takahashi Kana , Inaba Koji , Okuma Kae , Nakayama Yuko , Itami Jun , Igaki Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) is recommended to obtain a better local tumor control for uterine cancer patients in specific situations such as bulky lesions, an extension to the lateral parametrium, or tumors with irregular shapes. Our group uses real-time transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to guide freehand interstitial needle insertion. Occasionally, target tumors locate deeper beyond the rectum and cannot be visualized by TRUS. CT can guide needles to deeply located tumors, but in such cases, repeated image obtainment is required to achieve ideal needle localization. In this report, we present nine cases of patients who underwent HDR-ISBT for deeply situated tumors guided by a combination of transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography (TR/TA-US).

Material and Methods

Nine uterine cancer patients whose tumors were located deeper than the reach of TRUS and underwent HDR-ISBT guided by TR/TA-US were presented. All nine cases had no distal organ metastasis and underwent external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to the pelvic region for 45–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions followed by boost HDR-ISBT for deeply situated tumors guided by TR/TA-US.

Results

There were seven cervical cancer and two endometrial cancer patients: six with extensive uterine corpus invasion, one cervical cancer with massive pelvic lymph node metastasis, one cervical cancer with postoperative pelvic recurrence, and one with left ovarian direct tumor invasion. The median follow-up period was 15 months (range 3–28 months). The average clinical target volume at the time of first HDR-ISBT was 131 ml (range 44–335 ml). The linear distance from the vaginal entrance to the deepest part of the tumor at first time brachytherapy of nine cases was 14.0 (9.0–17.0) cm. HDR-ISBT dose fractionation was 24–30 Gy in four or five fractions. Seven out of nine cases had no local recurrence in the follow-up period. One had local in-field recurrence 25 months after HDR-ISBT. Another case with carcinosarcoma could not obtain local control and underwent salvage hysterectomy for a residual uterine tumor 11 months after HDR-ISBT. Four cases had extra-field recurrence in lymph nodes or distant organs.

Conclusions

In brachytherapy for gynecologic malignancies, deeply situated tumors located out of reach of TRUS may obtain favorable local control by HDR-ISBT guided with TR/TA-US.
Interaction of ncRNA and Epigenetic Modifications in Gastric Cancer: Focus on Histone Modification
Authors: Yang Qingfan , Chen Yu , Guo Rui , Dai Yalan , Tang Liyao , Zhao Yueshui , Wu Xu , Li Mingxing , Du Fukuan , Shen Jing , Yi Tao , Xiao Zhangang , Wen Qinglian
Published: January 2022

Gastric cancer has developed as a very common gastrointestinal tumors, with recent effective advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer. However, the prognosis for gastric cancer remains poor. As a result, there is in sore need of better understanding the mechanisms of gastric cancer development and progression to improve existing diagnostic and treatment options. In recent years, epigenetics has been recognized as an important contributor on tumor progression. Epigenetic changes in cancer include chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation and histone modifications. An increasing number of studies demonstrated that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are associated with epigenetic changes in gastric cancer. Herein, we describe the molecular interactions of histone modifications and ncRNAs in epigenetics. We focus on ncRNA-mediated histone modifications of gene expression associated with tumorigenesis and progression in gastric cancer. This molecular mechanism will contribute to our deeper understanding of gastric carcinogenesis and progression, thus providing innovations in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing for Pediatric Humeral Shaft Fractures Under Ultrasonographic Guidance: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Jun , Wu Jun , Zhang Yuan , Gou Pan , Li Xiang , Shi Mingyan , Zhang Man , Wang Peikang , Liu Xing
Published: January 2022

Objective

Fixation with an elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) is a widely used technique for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Ultrasonography (US) is used as an auxiliary tool and alternative to radiography during surgery to reduce radiation damage, but whether it is effective in pediatric patients is not known. In this study we evaluated the utility of US in the treatment of pediatric humeral shaft fractures by closed reduction and fixation with an ESIN.

Methods

Children who were admitted to our hospital with humeral shaft fractures were retrospectively examined from January 2016 to March 2019. The patients were divided into 2 groups, US (treated by US-guided closed reduction and ESIN fixation) and non-US (treated with the same technique but with intraoperative radiography instead of US). The postoperative functional recovery of the 2 groups was compared.

Results

The study population comprised 28 boys and 17 girls (age range: 4–16 years) with humeral shaft fractures. US significantly reduced radiation exposure during the operation (P = 0.008), and intraoperative US facilitated the detection of nerve and vascular injury and aided surgical planning. There was no difference between the 2 groups in postoperative recovery based on the Constant–Murley shoulder score (CMS).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that US-guided closed reduction and ESIN fixation for humeral shaft fractures can limit radiation exposure and help doctors to determine the optimal surgical strategy to avoid radial nerve injury.
A Potential Mechanism of Kidney-Tonifying Herbs Treating Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: Clinical Evidence From the Homogeneity of Embryo Implantation and Tumor Invasion
Authors: Zhou Hang , Yang Yi , Deng Linwen , Yao Yongqing , Liao Xin
Published: January 2022

Background: Kidney-tonifying herbs (KTHs) are widely used to treat unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation and mechanistic explanation for these treatments.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy, and to investigate the potential mechanisms, of KTH based on TCM for the treatment of URSA.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted within PubMed, Embase, China Biomedical Literature database, Web of Science (WOS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, and the Wanfang database to find articles reporting on the Chinese herbal formula based around KTH for treating URSA, which were published between January 2010 and June 2021. A full bibliometric analysis was carried out; in addition, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles were selected for systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. The drugs with the highest frequency of KTHs were screened for meta-analysis. Finally, network analysis and molecular docking were used to study the key components and potential pathway of KTHs in the treatment of URSA.

Results: The meta-analysis included nine RCTs involving 1,054 subjects. Compared with the control groups, the clinical efficacy of TCM-based KTHs in the treatment of URSA patients significantly improved outcomes. Additionally, a component target pathway network was identified, which included 32 potential blood activating components and 113 main targets. Japonine, sopranol, lysine, and matrine were considered the most important bioactive molecules for KTHs. The key potential therapeutic pathway for URSA was a tumor-related signaling pathway. The target genes for URSA regulated by KTHs were highly similar to tumor biological processes such as the regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways, inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, and epithelial metabolic transition.

Conclusion: KTH has great potential for treating URSA. Because the maintenance of pregnancy has a high similarity with tumor invasion, the research relating to tumor mechanisms should also be followed up as it may lead to new ideas and breakthroughs for research into URSA. At the same time, embryonic and decidual cells share a high degree of cellular heterogeneity and spatial structural complexity with tumor cells, and a single cell combined with spatial omics may be the best future approach for validating KTH mechanisms.
Node Classification in Attributed Multiplex Networks Using Random Walk and Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Han Beibei , Wei Yingmei , Kang Lai , Wang Qingyong , Yang Yuxuan
Published: January 2022

Node classification, as a central task in the graph data analysis, has been studied extensively with network embedding technique for single-layer graph network. However, there are some obstacles when extending the single-layer network embedding technique to the attributed multiplex network. The classification of a given node in the attributed multiplex network must consider the network structure in different dimensions, as well as rich node attributes, and correlations among the different dimensions. Moreover, the distance node context information of a given node in each dimension will also affect the classification of the given node. In this study, a novel network embedding approach for the node classification of attributed multiplex networks using random walk and graph convolutional networks (AMRG) is proposed. A random walk network embedding technique was used to extract distant node information and the results are considered as pre-trained node features to be concatenated with the original node features inputted into the graph convolutional networks (GCNs) to learn node representations for each dimension. Besides, the consensus regularization is introduced to capture the similarities among different dimensions, and the learnable neural network parameters of GCNs for different dimensions are also constrained by the regularization mechanism to improve the correlations. As well as an attention mechanism is explored to infer the importance for a given node in different dimensions. Extensive experiments demonstrated that our proposed technique outperforms many competitive baselines on several real-world multiplex network datasets.
Deformation Analysis and Prediction of Foundation Pit in Soil-Rock Composite Stratum
Authors: Qin Zehong , Tao Zhe , Chen Zechao , Zhang Ziguang , Tang Chuangao , Liu Hao , Ren Quan
Published: January 2022

The deformation prediction of foundation pit is still an open issue in geotechnique engineering. This paper focuses on a new deformation prediction method of foundation pit in soil-rock composite stratum in Nanjing area. To do so, the field monitoring deformation data of deep foundation pit adjacent to the railway in a soil-rock combined stratum is firstly analyzed. Based on these field data, the characteristics of horizontal displacement and surface settlement of rock-socketed support pile, as well as its relationship with Earth excavation are discussed. Results show that the average value of maximum horizontal displacement of support pile in zone with shallow rock depth (soil layer >15 m) is relatively large, which is 3.5 times of that with shallow soil depth (10–12 m into moderately-weathered mudstone). The depth of maximum horizontal displacement is obviously linearly related to the thickness of soil layer (H), while the surface settlement does not change with the increase of soil/rock layer thickness ratio. Utilizing the relationship between the maximum water level displacement and excavation depth, a new Gaussian-type empirical formulation is established to predict horizontal deformation of soil-rock composite stratum with rock-socketed support pile. By comparison with two other methods, it is found that the improved Gaussian curve is in good agreement with the measured horizontal displacement curve. This indicates that the new method can provide a valid reference for the design and construction of foundation pit with rock-socketed support pile in Nanjing area.
Cherenkov Radiation–Based Coincidence Time Resolution Measurements in BGO Scintillators
Authors: Gonzalez-Montoro Andrea , Pourashraf Shirin , Cates Joshua W. , Levin Craig S.
Published: January 2022

Bismuth germanate oxide (BGO) scintillators can be re-introduced in time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET) by exploiting the Cherenkov luminescence emitted as a result from 511 keV interactions. Accessing the timing information from the relatively few emitted Cherenkov photons is now possible due to the recent improvements in enhanced near-ultraviolet high-density (NUV-HD) silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology, fast and low noise readout electronics, and the development of efficient data post-processing methods. In this work, we aim to develop a scalable detector element able to achieve excellent coincidence time resolution (CTR) required for TOF-PET using BGO scintillator elements of various lengths. The proposed detector element is optically coupled to 3.14 × 3.14 mm2 NUV-sensitive SiPMs mounted on a custom design circuit board. In particular, we have evaluated the CTR performance of BGO crystal elements of dimensions 3 × 3 × 3 mm3, 3 × 3 × 5 mm3, 3 × 3 × 10 mm3, and 3 × 3 × 15 mm3, with chemically etched surfaces and wrapped in Teflon tape. To achieve excellent CTR performance, we apply state-of-the-art post-processing methods during data analysis. Best values of 156 ± 6 ps, 188 ± 5 ps, 228 ± 8 ps, and 297 ± 8 ps CTR FWHM have been achieved for the 3, 5, 10, and 15 mm length BGO crystals, respectively. These values improve to 105 ± 6 ps, 127 ± 8 ps, 133 ± 4 ps, and 189 ± 8 ps CTR FWHM, when only considering the Cherenkov component of the timing signal, which is extracted by considering the events with the fastest rise time (20% of the total data). The accurate classification of the events based on their rise time is possible; thanks to the implementation of a dual threshold approach that sets the lower threshold below one light photon equivalent level and the upper one above the signal amplitude of a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD).
Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers
Authors: Veiga Santiago , Pla Robin , Qiu Xiao , Boudet David , Guimard Alexandre
Published: January 2022

Despite changes in the underwater sections of swimming races affecting overall performance, there is no information about the effects of the apnea-induced changes on the physiological state of competitive swimmers. The aim of the present research was to examine the effect of changes in the underwater race sections on the physiological [blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] and biomechanical (underwater time, distance, and velocity) parameters of competitive swimmers. Twelve youth competitive swimmers belonging to the national team (706 ± 28.9 FINA points) performed 2 × 75 m efforts under three different conditions, while maintaining a 200 m race pace: (1) free underwater sections, (2) kick number of condition 1 plus two kicks, and (3) maximum distance underwater. Overall performance was maintained, and underwater section durations increased from condition 1 to 3 as expected according to the experimental design. Heart rate and blood lactate concentration values did not show differences between conditions, but the RPE values were significantly greater (F2, 36 = 18.00, p = 0.001, η2: 0.50) for the constrained (conditions 2 and 3) vs. the free underwater condition. Underwater parameters were modified within the 75 m efforts (lap 1 to lap 3), but the magnitude of changes did not depend on the experimental condition (all lap × condition effects p > 0.05). Controlled increases of underwater sections in trained swimmers can led to optimizing performance in these race segments despite small increases of perceived discomfort.
Cucurbitaceae COld Peeling Extracts (CCOPEs) Protect Plants From Root-Knot Nematode Infections Through Induced Resistance and Nematicidal Effects
Authors: De Kesel Jonas , Degroote Eva , Nkurunziza Radisras , Singh Richard Raj , Demeestere Kristof , De Kock Karen , Anggraini Riska , Matthys Jasper , Wambacq Eva , Haesaert Geert , Debode Jane , Kyndt Tina
Published: January 2022

With nematicides progressively being banned due to their environmental impact, an urgent need for novel and sustainable control strategies has arisen. Stimulation of plant immunity, a phenomenon referred to as “induced resistance” (IR), is a promising option. In this study, Cucurbitaceae COld Peeling Extracts (CCOPEs) were shown to protect rice (Oryza sativa) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne graminicola and Meloidogyne incognita, respectively. Focusing on CCOPE derived from peels of melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis; mCOPE), we unveiled that this extract combines an IR-triggering capacity with direct nematicidal effects. Under lab conditions, the observed resistance was comparable to the protection obtained by commercially available IR stimuli or nematicides. Via mRNA sequencing and confirmatory biochemical assays, it was proven that mCOPE-IR in rice is associated with systemic effects on ethylene accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and cell wall-related modifications. While no negative trade-offs were detected with respect to plant growth or plant susceptibility to necrotrophic pests or pathogens, additional infection experiments indicated that mCOPE may have a predominant activity toward biotrophs. In summary, the presented data illustrate a propitious potential for these extracts, which can be derived from agro-industrial waste streams.
The Complete Mitogenome of Elymus sibiricus and Insights Into Its Evolutionary Pattern Based on Simple Repeat Sequences of Seed Plant Mitogenomes
Authors: Xiong Yanli , Yu Qingqing , Xiong Yi , Zhao Junming , Lei Xiong , Liu Lin , Liu Wei , Peng Yan , Zhang Jianbo , Li Daxu , Bai Shiqie , Ma Xiao
Published: January 2022

The most intriguing characteristics of plant mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) include their high variation in both sequence and structure, the extensive horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the important role they play in hypoxic adaptation. However, the investigation of the mechanisms of hypoxic adaptation and HGT in plant mitochondria remains challenging due to the limited number of sequenced mitogenomes and non-coding nature of the transferred DNA. In this study, the mitogenome of Elymus sibiricus (Gramineae, Triticeae), a perennial grass species native to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP), was de novo assembled and compared with the mitogenomes of eight Gramineae species. The unique haplotype composition and higher TE content compared to three other Triticeae species may be attributed to the long-term high-altitude plateau adaptability of E. sibiricus. We aimed to discover the connection between mitogenome simple sequence repeats (SSRs) (mt-SSRs) and HGT. Therefore, we predicted and annotated the mt-SSRs of E. sibiricus along with the sequencing of 87 seed plants. The clustering result based on all of the predicted compound mitogenome SSRs (mt-c-SSRs) revealed an expected synteny within systematic taxa and also inter-taxa. The mt-c-SSRs were annotated to 11 genes, among which “(ATA)3agtcaagtcaag (AAT)3” occurred in the nad5 gene of 8 species. The above-mentioned results further confirmed the HGT of mitogenomes sequences even among distant species from the aspect of mt-c-SSRs. Two genes, nad4 and nad7, possessed a vast number of SSRs in their intron regions across the seed plant mitogenomes. Furthermore, five pairs of SSRs developed from the mitogenome of E. sibiricus could be considered as potential markers to distinguish between the species E. sibiricus and its related sympatric species E. nutans.
Variation of Chromosome Composition in a Full-Sib Population Derived From 2x × 3x Interploidy Cross of Populus
Authors: Zhong Yu-Hang , Zheng Yun-Fei , Xue Yin-Xuan , Wang Lv-Ji , Zhang Jin-Wang , Li Dai-Li , Wang Jun
Published: January 2022

Interploidy cross commonly results in complex chromosome number and structural variations. In our previous study, a progeny with segregated ploidy levels was produced by an interploidy cross between diploid female parent Populus tomentosa × Populus bolleana clone TB03 and triploid male parent Populus alba × Populus berolinensis ‘Yinzhong’. However, the chromosome compositions of aneuploid genotypes in the progeny were still unclear. In the present study, a microsatellite DNA allele counting–peak ratios (MAC-PR) method was employed to analyze allelic configurations of each genotype to clarify their chromosome compositions, while 45S rDNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was used to reveal the mechanism of chromosome number variation. Based on the MAC-PR analysis of 47 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers distributed across all 19 chromosomes of Populus, both chromosomal number and structural variations were detected for the progeny. In the progeny, 26 hypo-triploids, 1 hyper-triploid, 16 hypo-tetraploids, 10 tetraploids, and 5 hyper-tetraploids were found. A total of 13 putative structural variation events (duplications and/or deletions) were detected in 12 genotypes, involved in chromosomes 3, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, and 18. The 46.2% (six events) structural variation events occurred on chromosome 6, suggesting that there probably is a chromosome breakpoint near the SSR loci of chromosome 6. Based on calculation of the allelic information, the transmission of paternal heterozygosity in the hypo-triploids, hyper-triploid, hypo-tetraploids, tetraploids, and hyper-tetraploids were 0.748, 0.887, 0.830, 0.833, and 0.836, respectively, indicating that the viable pollen gains of the male parent ‘Yinzhong’ were able to transmit high heterozygosity to progeny. Furthermore, 45S rDNA–FISH analysis showed that specific-chromosome segregation feature during meiosis and chromosome appointment in normal and fused daughter nuclei of telophase II of ‘Yinzhong,’ which explained that the formation of aneuploids and tetraploids in the progeny could be attributed to imbalanced meiotic chromosomal segregation and division restitution of ‘Yinzhong,’ The data of chromosomal composition and structural variation of each aneuploid in the full-sib progeny of TB03 × ‘Yinzhong’ lays a foundation for analyzing mechanisms of trait variation relying on chromosome or gene dosages in Populus.
Transgenic Medicago truncatula Plants That Accumulate Proline Display Enhanced Tolerance to Cadmium Stress
Authors: García de la Torre Vanesa S. , Coba de la Peña Teodoro , Lucas M. Mercedes , Pueyo José J.
Published: January 2022

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in agricultural soils constitutes a serious problem for crop yields and food safety. It is known that proline (Pro) can rapidly accumulate in plant tissues in response to abiotic stress. To analyze the potential protective effect of Pro accumulation against Cd toxicity, we compared the response to Cd stress of wild-type (WT) Medicago truncatula and a transgenic line that we had previously obtained and characterized (p18), which expressed the Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase gene from Vigna aconitifolia (VaP5CS), and accumulated high Pro levels. Cadmium significantly reduced germination of WT seeds compared to p18 seeds, and seedling relative root growth, a valid indicator of metal tolerance, was significantly higher for p18 than WT seedlings. We analyzed the relative expression of genes related to Pro metabolism, phytochelatin biosynthesis. antioxidant machinery, and NADPH recycling, which are relevant mechanisms in the response to Cd stress. They presented differential expression in the seedlings of both genotypes both under control conditions and under Cd stress, suggesting that the Cd response mechanisms might be constitutively activated in the transgenic line. Pro accumulation promoted higher survival, enhanced growth performance, and minor nutrient imbalance in transgenic p18 plants compared to WT plants. These facts, together with the recorded gluthatione levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities strongly suggested that VaP5CS expression and Pro accumulation conferred enhanced Cd tolerance to M. truncatula p18 plants, which was likely mediated by changes in Pro metabolism, increased phytochelatin biosynthesis and a more efficient antioxidant response. Moreover, p18 roots accumulated significantly higher Cd amounts than WT roots, while Cd translocation to the aerial part was similar to WT plants, thus suggesting that high Pro levels increased not only Cd tolerance, but also Cd phytostabilization by rhizosequestration.
Religious Belief-Related Factors Enhance the Impact of Soundscapes in Han Chinese Buddhist Temples on Mental Health
Authors: Zhang Dongxu , Kong Chunxiao , Zhang Mei , Kang Jian
Published: January 2022

In contemporary society, mental health issues have received increasing attention. Moreover, how people perceive the acoustic environment affects mental health. In religious places, the unique religious soundscape, composed of the acoustic environment and sounds, has an obvious effect on mental health. In China, Han Chinese Buddhism has a long history and is currently the religion with the largest number of believers. The soundscape of temples has always been an important component of creating a Buddhist atmosphere. For this study, questionnaires were distributed to believers and tourists inside and outside several well-known Han Chinese Buddhist temples in China to analyse the relationship between evaluations of temple soundscapes (including the overall acoustic environment and preferences for typical sounds) and mental health and the role of religious belief-related factors in this relationship. The results indicated that for the respondents, the overall acoustic environment of Buddhist temples was significantly correlated with mental health and that a preference for three sounds in Buddhist temples, i.e., bells, wind chimes and chanting sounds, was significantly correlated with mental health. Among religious belief-related factors, attitudes toward Buddhist thought, frequency of temple visitation and purpose for visiting temples can affect the correlation between personal evaluations of temple soundscapes and mental health. For people who partially believe in Buddhist thought, people who visit Buddhist temples twice or less per year, or people who visit temples for tourism purposes, the correlations between evaluations of the overall acoustic environment and mental health are higher than for people without these religious characteristics. For people who fully believe in Buddhist thought or who visit temples neither to worship Buddha nor for tourism purposes, the correlations between the preferences for bells and wind chimes and mental health are higher than for people without these religious characteristics. For people who partially believe in Buddhist thought, the correlation between the preference for chanting and mental health is higher than for people with other attitudes toward Buddhist thought.
Maternal Mood and Perception of Infant Temperament at Three Months Predict Depressive Symptoms Scores in Mothers of Preterm Infants at Six Months
Authors: Kmita Grazyna , Kiepura Eliza , Niedźwiecka Alicja
Published: January 2022

Postpartum depression is more prevalent in mothers and fathers of preterm infants compared to parents of full-term infants and may have long-term detrimental consequences for parental mental health and child development. The temperamental profile of an infant has been postulated as one of the important factors associated with parental depressiveness in the first months postpartum. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived infant temperament at 3 months corrected age, and depressive symptoms at 6 months corrected age among mothers and fathers of infants born preterm. We assessed 59 families with infants born before the 34th gestational week using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. We found that mothers’ scores on EPDS and infants’ Orienting/regulation at 3 months corrected age predicted mothers’ EPDS scores at 6 months corrected age. In particular, higher depressive scores were related to higher depressive symptoms at 6 months corrected age, whereas higher infant Orienting/regulation was related to lower depressive symptoms at 6 months corrected age. Due to the low internal consistency of EPDS at 6 months for fathers, we were unable to conduct similar analyses for fathers. Our results point to the importance of considering both early indices of maternal mood as well as mother-reported measures of preterm infant temperament in the attempts to predict levels of maternal depressiveness in later months of an infant’s life. Further studies are urgently needed in order to better understand the associations between depressiveness and infant temperament in fathers, and with more consideration for the severity of the effects of infant prematurity.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Interventions on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students
Authors: Camilleri Christina , Fogle Cole S. , O'Brien Kathryn G. , Sammut Stephen
Published: January 2022

Background

Mental health issues have continued to rise globally, including among university students. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the previously existing and concerning problem. Given that coping mechanisms have been proposed to mediate the relationship between stressors and mental health, the aim of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the mediation of coping mechanisms on the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health.

Methods

University students (≥18 years old; N = 676; 31% male, 69% female) were administered an anonymous survey addressing current demographics, COVID-19 pandemic-related demographics, personal experiences, sources of stress and perceived effect on mental health, politics, sources of news/information, and various pre-validated scales addressing mental health (DASS-21), the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (IES-R) and coping strategies utilized (Brief COPE).

Results

Our results indicate a substantial proportion of our sample reporting scores in the severe and extremely severe DASS-21 categories, in addition to ~50% reporting a perceived deterioration in mental health relative to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a substantial proportion of students reported IES-R scores at levels where PTSD is of clinical concern. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of females (~15%) reported scores reflecting potential long-term PTSD-related implications. Females tended to be more severely impacted in all mental health measures. Mediation analysis indicated that while dysfunctional coping mediated the relationship between the impact of the event (COVID-19 pandemic) and all three mental health outcomes, overall, this was not the case with the positive coping strategies.

Conclusion

Our study appears to indicate a reduced buffering influence on negative mental health outcomes by the positive coping mechanisms investigated in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and secondary interventions implemented. While the findings of this study pertain specifically to university students, they corroborate the existing extensive body of research (from physiological to behavioral, preclinical to clinical) pertaining to the response associated with major stressful events at every level of society. In this regard, the findings imply the necessity for health and other authorities, tasked with safeguarding public well-being, to avoid reactive interventions that do not appropriately balance the risks and benefits, potentially exacerbating pre-existing psychopathologies and compromising social order.
Comparison of Outcomes of Enucleation vs. Standard Surgical Resection for Pancreatic Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shen Xiaoying , Yang Xiaomao
Published: January 2022

Background

With advancement in health technology, the detection rate of pancreatic neoplasms is increasing. Tissue sparing surgery (enucleation) as well as standard surgical resection are two commonly used modalities of management. There are studies comparing clinical outcomes between these two modalities; however, there is lack of studies that systematically pool the available findings to present conclusive and reliable evidence.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Studies that were randomised controlled trials or cohort based or analysed retrospective data were considered for inclusion. Studies should have been done in adult patients with pancreatic neoplasms and should have examined the outcomes of interest by the two management modalities i.e., enucleation and standard surgical resection. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA software.

Results

A total of 20 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The operation time (in minutes) (WMD −78.20; 95% CI: −89.47, −66.93) and blood loss (in ml) (WMD −204.30; 95% CI: −281.70, −126.90) for enucleation was significantly lesser than standard surgical resection. The risk of endocrine (RR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.56) and exocrine insufficiency (RR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.34) was lower whereas the risk of post-operative pancreatic fistula (RR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.75) was higher in enucleation, compared to standard surgical resection group. There were no differences in the risk of reoperation, readmission, recurrence, mortality within 90 days and 5-years overall mortality between the two groups.

Conclusions

Enucleation, compared to standard surgical resection, was associated with better clinical outcomes and therefore, might be considered for selected pancreatic neoplasms. There is a need for randomised controlled trials to document the efficacy of these two management techniques.