bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Soil Microbial Community Structure and Biomass to Mitigate Soil Greenhouse Gas Emission
Authors: Muhammad Ihsan , Lv Ju Zhi , Wang Jun , Ahmad Shakeel , Farooq Saqib , Ali Shamsher , Zhou Xun Bo
Published: April 2022

Sustainable reduction of fertilization with technology acquisition for improving soil quality and realizing green food production is a major strategic demand for global agricultural production. Introducing legume (LCCs) and/or non-legume cover crops (NLCCs) during the fallow period before planting main crops such as wheat and corn increases surface coverage, retains soil moisture content, and absorbs excess mineral nutrients, thus reducing pollution. In addition, the cover crops (CCs) supplement the soil nutrients upon decomposition and have a green manure effect. Compared to the traditional bare land, the introduction of CCs systems has multiple ecological benefits, such as improving soil structure, promoting nutrient cycling, improving soil fertility and microbial activity, controlling soil erosion, and inhibiting weed growth, pests, and diseases. The residual decomposition process of cultivated crops after being pressed into the soil will directly change the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and thus affect the soil microbial activities. This key ecological process determines the realization of various ecological and environmental benefits of the cultivated system. Understanding the mechanism of these ecological environmental benefits provides a scientific basis for the restoration and promotion of cultivated crops in dry farming areas of the world. These findings provide an important contribution for understanding the mutual interrelationships and the research in this area, as well as increasing the use of CCs in the soil for better soil fertility, GHGs mitigation, and improving soil microbial community structure. This literature review studies the effects of crop biomass and quality on soil GHGs emissions, microbial biomass, and community structure of the crop cultivation system, aiming to clarify crop cultivation in theory.
Parishin From Gastrodia Elata Ameliorates Aging Phenotype in Mice in a Gut Microbiota-Related Manner
Authors: Zhao Xinxiu , Zhou Shixian , Yan Ren , Gong Caixia , Gui Qifeng , Zhang Qin , Xiang Lan , Chen Lufang , Wang Peixia , Li Shumin , Yang Yunmei
Published: April 2022

The physiological and pathological processes that accompany aging can seriously affect the quality of life of the elderly population. Therefore, delaying aging and developing antiaging products have become popular areas of inquiry. Gut microbiota plays an important role in age-related phenotypes. The present study aimed to investigate the antiaging effects and underlying mechanism of parishin, a phenolic glucoside isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Gastrodia elata. Samples from adult (12 weeks), low-dose (10 mg/kg/d) or high-dose (20 mg/kg/d) parishin-treated and untreated aged (19 months) mice were collected to determine blood indicators, gut microbiota and metabolome, and cardiopulmonary histopathological features. The results showed that parishin treatment ameliorates aging-induced cardiopulmonary fibrosis and increase in serum p16Ink4a, GDF15, and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, parishin treatment alleviated dysbiosis in gut microbiota, including altered microbial diversity and the aberrant abundance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria such as Turicibacter and Erysipelatoclostridium. Gene function prediction and gut metabolome analysis results indicated that the parishin treatment-altered gut microbiota played important roles in sugar, lipid, amino acid and nucleic acid metabolism, and improved gut metabolic disorders in aged mice. In conclusion, the present study provides an experimental basis of potential applications of parishin against aging.
Small Things Matter: The 11.6-kDa TraB Protein is Crucial for Antibiotic Resistance Transfer Among Enterococci
Authors: Berger Tamara M.I. , Michaelis Claudia , Probst Ines , Sagmeister Theo , Petrowitsch Lukas , Puchner Sandra , Pavkov-Keller Tea , Gesslbauer Bernd , Grohmann Elisabeth , Keller Walter
Published: April 2022

Conjugative transfer is the most important means for spreading antibiotic resistance genes. It is used by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and archaea as well. Conjugative transfer is mediated by molecular membrane-spanning nanomachines, so called Type 4 Secretion Systems (T4SS). The T4SS of the broad-host-range inc18-plasmid pIP501 is organized in a single operon encoding 15 putative transfer proteins. pIP501 was originally isolated from a clinical Streptococcus agalactiae strain but is mainly found in Enterococci. In this study, we demonstrate that the small transmembrane protein TraB is essential for pIP501 transfer. Complementation of a markerless pIP501∆traB knockout by traB lacking its secretion signal sequence did not fully restore conjugative transfer. Pull-downs with Strep-tagged TraB demonstrated interactions of TraB with the putative mating pair formation proteins, TraF, TraH, TraK, TraM, and with the lytic transglycosylase TraG. As TraB is the only putative mating pair formation complex protein containing a secretion signal sequence, we speculate on its role as T4SS recruitment factor. Moreover, structural features of TraB and TraB orthologs are presented, making an essential role of TraB-like proteins in antibiotic resistance transfer among Firmicutes likely.
Additive Manufacturing of a Removable Partial Prosthesis in Titanium Using Binder Jetting Technology: A Brief Research Report
Authors: Hagman Cecilia , Svanborg Per
Published: April 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the surface roughness and compare the fit of a cobalt-chromium selective laser-melted removable partial denture framework and a titanium binder jetting removable partial denture framework.

Materials and methods: A design for a removable partial prosthesis framework was made using 3Shape software, and thereafter, one framework was additively manufactured in cobalt-chromium with selective laser melting and one in titanium using binder jetting technology. The weight of the frameworks was measured, and the surface parameters Sa, Sds, and Sdr were measured by white light interferometry. The fit of the frameworks was analyzed using visual inspection and the pressing test.

Results: The weight of the frameworks in their post-printed state was 15.66 g and 7.43 g for cobalt-chromium and titanium, respectively. After finishing and polishing, the cobalt-chromium framework’s outer surface showed a high shine and smooth surface, with lower values in the Sa and Sdr parameters. The visual inspection showed gaps in the titanium framework, and the pressing test detected movement greater than 0.5 mm for the same material.

Conclusion: The Ti framework showed higher surface roughness and was left with a lackluster finish after polishing. Also, the fit of the Ti framework was not clinically acceptable. The additive manufacturing binder jetting technology for titanium needs improvement or an adjustment of the settings to be used for clinically removable partial dentures. The cobalt-chromium framework manufactured by selective laser melting showed an acceptable clinical fit and surface roughness.
Fast Alpha Activity in EEG of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease Is Paralleled by Changes in Cognition and Cholinergic Markers During Encapsulated Cell Biodelivery of Nerve Growth Factor
Authors: Eyjolfsdottir Helga , Koenig Thomas , Karami Azadeh , Almqvist Per , Lind Göran , Linderoth Bengt , Wahlberg Lars , Seiger Åke , Darreh-Shori Taher , Eriksdotter Maria , Jelic Vesna
Published: April 2022

Background

Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are dependent on nerve growth factor (NGF) for growth and survival and these cells are among the first to degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Targeted delivery of NGF has been suggested as a potential therapy for AD. This hypothesis was tested in a clinical trial with encapsulated cell biodelivery of NGF (NGF-ECB) in AD patients. Three of six patients showed improved biomarkers for cognition by the end of the study. Here, we report on the effects of targeted delivery of NGF on human resting EEG.

Materials and methods

NGF-ECB implants were implanted bilaterally in the basal forebrain of six AD patients for 12 months. EEG recordings and quantitative analysis were performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months of NGF delivery, and analyzed for correlation with changes in Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and levels of the cholinergic marker choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Results

We found significant correlations between the topographic variance of EEG spectral power at the three study points (baseline, 3 and 12 months) and changes in MMSE and CSF ChAT. This possible effect of NGF was identified in a narrow window of alpha frequency 10–11.5 Hz, where a stabilization in MMSE score during treatment was related to an increase in EEG alpha power. A similar relation was observed between the alpha power and ChAT. More theta power at 6.5 Hz was on the contrary associated with a decrease in CSF ChAT during the trial period.

Conclusion

In this exploratory study, there was a positive correlative pattern between physiological high-frequency alpha activity and stabilization in MMSE and increase in CSF ChAT in AD patients receiving targeted delivery of NGF to the cholinergic basal forebrain.
Association Between Tea Drinking and Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Shi Mengyuan , Cao Limin , Liu Huiyuan , Zhou Yuhan , Zhao Yuhong , Xia Yang
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Previous research has shown that tea drinking has a bearing on Cognitive Disorders, but the conclusions are inconsistent. The purpose of this research was to systematically assess the published evidence pertaining to tea drinking and the risk of cognitive disorders in older adults using a meta-analysis, and to concurrently evaluate the dose-response association.

Design

A meta-analysis.

Setting and Participants

We used the PubMed and Web of Science databases for a literature search until 30 May 2021. We initially retrieved 20,908 studies (14,884 from PubMed and 6,024 from the Web of Science), Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (7 case-control, 16 cohort, and 13 cross-sectional studies), involved 224,980 participants.

Methods

Pooled odd ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association under a fixed- or random-effect model according to heterogeneity test results.

Results

The results showed that drinking tea was negatively associated with cognitive disorders (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.70–0.82). Moreover, dose-response associations were found between tea drinking and cognitive disorders (1 time/day: OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70–0.95; 1 cup/day: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.94). In addition, subgroup analyses were performed according to study designs, study population, types of tea drinking, outcomes and methods used to assess outcomes. Most of the results in the subgroup analyses were consistent with the main results.

Conclusion

The results of the present study provided abundant evidence that tea drinking is inversely proportional with the occurrence of cognitive disorders in older adults. A linear dose-response association between tea drinking and decreased prevalence of cognitive disorders was found.
Glymphatic System Dysfunction in Central Nervous System Diseases and Mood Disorders
Authors: Zhang Dianjun , Li Xinyu , Li Baoman
Published: April 2022

The glymphatic system, a recently discovered macroscopic waste removal system in the brain, has many unknown aspects, especially its driving forces and relationship with sleep, and thus further explorations of the relationship between the glymphatic system and a variety of possible related diseases are urgently needed. Here, we focus on the progress in current research on the role of the glymphatic system in several common central nervous system diseases and mood disorders, discuss the structural and functional abnormalities of the glymphatic system which may occur before or during the pathophysiological progress and the possible underlying mechanisms. We emphasize the relationship between sleep and the glymphatic system under pathological conditions and summarize the common imaging techniques for the glymphatic system currently available. The perfection of the glymphatic system hypothesis and the exploration of the effects of aging and endocrine factors on the central and peripheral regulatory pathways through the glymphatic system still require exploration in the future.
Effectiveness and Success Factors of Bilateral Arm Training After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Siyun , Qiu Yuqi , Bassile Clare C. , Lee Anita , Chen Ruifeng , Xu Dongsheng
Published: April 2022

Bilateral arm training (BAT) presents as a promising approach in upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation after a stroke as it may facilitate neuroplasticity. However, the effectiveness of BAT is inconclusive, and no systematic reviews and meta-analyses have investigated the impact of different factors on the outcomes of BAT. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to (1) compare the effects of bilateral arm training (BAT) with unilateral arm training (UAT) and conventional therapy (CT) on the upper limb (UL) motor impairments and functional performance post-stroke, and (2) investigate the different contributing factors that may influence the success of BAT. A comprehensive literature search was performed in five databases. Randomized control trials (RCTs) that met inclusion criteria were selected and assessed for methodological qualities. Data relating to outcome measures, characteristics of participants (stroke chronicity and severity), and features of intervention (type of BAT and dose) were extracted for meta-analysis. With 25 RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria, BAT demonstrated significantly greater improvements in motor impairments as measured by Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) than CT (MD = 3.94, p = < 0.001), but not in functional performance as measured by the pooled outcomes of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and the time component of Motor Function Test (WMFT-time) (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.313). The superior motor impairment effects of BAT were associated with recruiting mildly impaired individuals in the chronic phase of stroke (MD = 6.71, p < 0.001), and applying a higher dose of intervention (MD = 6.52, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that bilateral functional task training (BFTT) improves both motor impairments (MD = 7.84, p < 0.001) and functional performance (SMD = 1.02, p = 0.049). No significant differences were detected between BAT and UAT for motor impairment (MD = −0.90, p = 0.681) or functional performance (SMD = −0.09, p = 0.457). Thus, our meta-analysis indicates that BAT may be more beneficial than CT in addressing post-stroke UL motor impairment, particularly in the chronic phase with mild UL paresis. The success of BAT may be dose-dependent, and higher doses of intervention may be required. BFTT appears to be a valuable form of BAT that could be integrated into stroke rehabilitation programs. BAT and UAT are generally equivalent in improving UL motor impairments and functional performance.
The Neurorobotics Platform Robot Designer: Modeling Morphologies for Embodied Learning Experiments
Authors: Feldotto Benedikt , Morin Fabrice O. , Knoll Alois
Published: April 2022

The more we investigate the principles of motion learning in biological systems, the more we reveal the central role that body morphology plays in motion execution. Not only does anatomy define the kinematics and therefore the complexity of possible movements, but it now becomes clear that part of the computation required for motion control is offloaded to body dynamics (a phenomenon referred to as “Morphological Computation.”) Consequentially, a proper design of body morphology is essential to carry out meaningful simulations on motor control of robotic and musculoskeletal systems. The design should not be fixed for simulation experiments beforehand, but is a central research aspect in every motion learning experiment that requires continuous adaptation during the experimental phase. We herein introduce a plugin for the 3D modeling suite Blender that enables researchers to design morphologies for simulation experiments in, particularly but not restricted to, the Neurorobotics Platform. We include design capabilities for both musculoskeletal bodies, as well as robotic systems in the Robot Designer. Thereby, we hope to not only foster understanding of biological motions and enabling better robot designs, but enabling true Neurorobotic experiments that may consist of biomimetic models such as tendon-driven robot as a mix of both or a transition between both biology and technology. This plugin helps researchers design and parameterize models with a Graphical User Interface and thus simplifies and speeds up the overall design process.
Why Hearing Aids Fail and How to Solve This
Authors: Stoop Ruedi
Published: April 2022

Hearing is one of the human’s foremost sensors; being able to hear again after suffering from a hearing loss is a great achievement, under all circumstances. However, in the long run, users of present-day hearing aids and cochlear implants are generally only halfway satisfied with what the commercial side offers. We demonstrate here that this is due to the failure of a full integration of these devices into the human physiological circuitry. Important parts of the hearing network that remain unestablished are the efferent connections to the cochlea, which strongly affects the faculty of listening. The latter provides the base for coping with the so-called cocktail party problem, or for a full enjoyment of multi-instrumental musical plays. While nature clearly points at how this could be remedied, to achieve this technologically will require the use of advanced high-precision electrodes and high-precision surgery, as we outline here. Corresponding efforts must be pushed forward by coordinated efforts from the side of science, as the commercial players in the field of hearing aids cannot be expected to have a substantial interest in advancements into this direction.
Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 May Benefit Cerebral Ischemia via Facilitating Lactate Transport From Glial Cells to Neurons
Authors: Zhang Mao , Wang Yanyan , Bai Yun , Dai Limeng , Guo Hong
Published: April 2022

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is expressed in glial cells and some populations of neurons. MCT1 facilitates astrocytes or oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the energy supplement of neurons, which is crucial for maintaining the neuronal activity and axonal function. It is suggested that MCT1 upregulation in cerebral ischemia is protective to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Otherwise, its underlying mechanism has not been clearly discussed. In this review, it provides a novel insight that MCT1 may protect brain from I/R injury via facilitating lactate transport from glial cells (such as, astrocytes and OLs) to neurons. It extensively discusses (1) the structure and localization of MCT1; (2) the regulation of MCT1 in lactate transport among astrocytes, OLs, and neurons; and (3) the regulation of MCT1 in the cellular response of lactate accumulation under ischemic attack. At last, this review concludes that MCT1, in cerebral ischemia, may improve lactate transport from glial cells to neurons, which subsequently alleviates cellular damage induced by lactate accumulation (mostly in glial cells), and meets the energy metabolism of neurons.
Somatotopic Organization of Hyperdirect Pathway Projections From the Primary Motor Cortex in the Human Brain
Authors: Pujol Sonia , Cabeen Ryan P. , Yelnik Jérôme , François Chantal , Fernandez Vidal Sara , Karachi Carine , Bardinet Eric , Cosgrove G. Rees , Kikinis Ron
Published: April 2022

Background

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective neurosurgical target to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) subthalamotomy is being explored as a therapeutic alternative to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the STN. The hyperdirect pathway provides a direct connection between the cortex and the STN and is likely to play a key role in the therapeutic effects of MRgFUS intervention in PD patients.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the topography and somatotopy of hyperdirect pathway projections from the primary motor cortex (M1).

Methods

We used advanced multi-fiber tractography and high-resolution diffusion MRI data acquired on five subjects of the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to reconstruct hyperdirect pathway projections from M1. Two neuroanatomy experts reviewed the anatomical accuracy of the tracts. We extracted the fascicles arising from the trunk, arm, hand, face and tongue area from the reconstructed pathways. We assessed the variability among subjects based on the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the fibers. We evaluated the spatial arrangement of the different fascicles using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of spatial overlap and the centroids of the bundles.

Results

We successfully reconstructed hyperdirect pathway projections from M1 in all five subjects. The tracts were in agreement with the expected anatomy. We identified hyperdirect pathway fascicles projecting from the trunk, arm, hand, face and tongue area in all subjects. Tract-derived measurements showed low variability among subjects, and similar distributions of FA and MD values among the fascicles projecting from different M1 areas. We found an anterolateral somatotopic arrangement of the fascicles in the corona radiata, and an average overlap of 0.63 in the internal capsule and 0.65 in the zona incerta.

Conclusion

Multi-fiber tractography combined with high-resolution diffusion MRI data enables the identification of the somatotopic organization of the hyperdirect pathway. Our preliminary results suggest that the subdivisions of the hyperdirect pathway projecting from the trunk, arm, hand, face, and tongue motor area are intermixed at the level of the zona incerta and posterior limb of the internal capsule, with a predominantly overlapping topographical organization in both regions. Subject-specific knowledge of the hyperdirect pathway somatotopy could help optimize target definition in MRgFUS intervention.
EEG Oscillatory Networks in Peri-Ictal Period of Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Li Zhiye , Huang Jialing , Wei Wei , Jiang Sili , Liu Hong , Luo Hua , Ruan Jianghai
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate the dynamical brain network changes before and after an absence seizure episode in absence epilepsy (AE).

Methods

21 AE patients with a current high frequency of seizures and 21 sex- and age-matched health control (HC) who reported no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders and visited the hospital for routine physical examinations were included. Each included subject underwent a 2-h and 19-channel video EEG examination. For AE patients, five epochs of 10-s EEG data in inter-ictal, pre-ictal, and post-ictal states were collected. For the HC group, five 10-s resting-state EEG epochs were extracted. Functional independent components analysis (ICA) was carried out using the LORETA KEY tool.

Results

Compared with the resting-state EEG data of the HC group, the EEG data from AE patients during inter-ictal periods showed decreased alpha oscillations in regions involving the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (BA11). From inter-ictal to pre-ictal, SFG (BA10) showed maximum decreased delta oscillations. Additionally, from pre-ictal to post-ictal, superior temporal gyrus (STG) (BA 22) presented maximum increased neural activity in the alpha band. Moreover, compared with inter-ictal EEG, post-ictal EEG showed significantly decreased theta activity in SFG (BA8).

Conclusion

The changes in SFG alpha oscillations are the key brain network differences between inter-ictal EEG of AE patients and resting-state EEG of HCs. The brain networks of EEG oscillatory during peri-ictal episodes are mainly involving SFG and STG. Our study suggests that altered EEG brain networks dynamics exist between inter-ictal EEG of AE patients and resting-state EEG of HCs and between pre- and post-ictal EEG in AE patients.
Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation: First-in-Man of Patient-Specific Positioning Jigs
Authors: Salcher Rolf , John Samuel , Stieghorst Jan , Kluge Marcel , Repp Felix , Fröhlich Max , Lenarz Thomas
Published: April 2022

A minimally-invasive surgical (MIS) approach to cochlear implantation, if safe, practical, simple in surgical handling, and also affordable has the potential to replace the conventional surgical approaches. Our MIS approach uses patient-specific drilling templates (positioning jigs). While the most popular MIS approaches use robots, the robotic aspect is literally put aside, because our high-precision parallel kinematics is only used to individualize a positioning jig. This jig can then be mounted onto a bone-anchored mini-stereotactic frame at the patient's skull and used to create a drill-hole through the temporal bone to the patient's cochlea. We present the first clinical experience where we use sham drill bits of different diameters instead of drilling into the bone in order to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy.
The Relationship Between Aortic Arch Calcification and Recurrent Stroke in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source—A Case-Control Study
Authors: Cai Xiaofeng , Geng Yu , Zhang Sheng
Published: April 2022

Background

Aortic arch calcification (AoAC) is associated with plaque development and cardiovascular events. We aimed to estimate the predictive value of AoAC for stroke recurrence in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

Methods

Consecutive patients with ESUS who were admitted to our center between October 2019 and October 2020 and who had a 1-year follow-up of stroke recurrence were retrospectively reviewed. According to our AoAC grading scale (AGS), AoAC was classified into four grades based on chest computed tomography (CT) findings: no visible calcification (grade 0), spotty calcification (grade 1), lamellar calcification (grade 2), and circular calcification (grade 3).

Results

Of the 158 patients with ESUS (age, 62.1 ± 14.5 years; 120 men) enrolled, 24 (15.2%) had recurrent stroke within a 1-year follow-up. The Cox regression analysis showed that stroke history [hazard ratio (HR), 4.625; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.828–11.700, p = 0.001] and AoAC (HR, 2.672; 95% CI, 1.129–6.319; p = 0.025) predicted recurrent stroke. AGS grade 1 was associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke recurrence than AGS grade 0 (HR, 5.033; 95% CI, 1.858–13.635, p = 0.001) and AGS grade 2 plus 3 (HR, 3.388; 95% CI, 1.124–10.206, p = 0.030). In patients with AoAC, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that AGS had a good value in predicting stroke recurrence in patients with ESUS, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.735 (95% CI = 0.601–0.869, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Aortic arch calcification, especially spotty calcification, had a good predictive value for stroke recurrence in patients with ESUS.
Is Hearing Impairment Causally Associated With Falls? Evidence From a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Dan , Tian E. , Guo Zhao-Qi , Chen Jing-Yu , Kong Wei-Jia , Zhang Su-Lin
Published: April 2022

Background

Observational studies have suggested that hearing impairment (HI) was associated with the risk of falls, but it remains unclear if this association is of causal nature.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted to investigate the causal association between HI and falls in individuals of European descent. Summary data on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with HI were obtained from the hitherto largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) (n = 323,978), and statistics on the association of SNPs with falls were extracted from another recently published GWAS (n = 461,725). MR Steiger filtering method was applied to determine the causal direction between HI and falls. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the main approach to analyze the causal association between HI and falls, whereas weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode, and MR-Egger methods were used as complementary analyses. The MR-Egger intercept test, the MR-PRESSO test, and Cochran's Q statistic were performed to detect the potential directional pleiotropy and heterogeneity, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to evaluate this association.

Results

A total of 18 SNPs were identified as valid instrumental variables in our two-sample MR analysis. The positive causality between HI and risk of falls was indicated by IVW [OR 1.108 (95% CI 1.028, 1.194), p = 0.007]. The sensitivity analyses yielded comparable results. The “leave-one-out” analysis proved that lack of a single SNP did not affect the robustness of our results. The MR-Egger intercept test exhibited that genetic pleiotropy did not bias the results [intercept = −2.4E−04, SE = 0.001, p = 0.832]. Cochran's Q test revealed no heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Our MR study revealed a causal association between genetically predicted HI and falls. These results provide further evidence supporting the need to effectively manage HI to minimize fall risks and improve quality of life.
Verbal Suggestion Modulates the Sense of Ownership and Heat Pain Threshold During the “Injured” Rubber Hand Illusion
Authors: Tanaka Tomoya , Hayashida Kazuki , Morioka Shu
Published: April 2022

The appearance of the self-body influences the feeling that one’s body belongs to oneself, that is, a sense of ownership (SoO) and pain perception. This can be identified by measuring the SoO and pain thresholds after performing the rubber hand illusion (RHI) with an injured rubber hand. The generation of SoO is thought to be caused by multisensory integration of bottom-up factors (vision, proprioceptive, and touch), and by top-down factors, such as the context effect. The appearance is one of the context effects which may become more effective when used simultaneously with other context effects (e.g., verbal suggestion). However, in the RHI, when appearance and other context effects are used simultaneously, the effect is unclear. In this study, we attempted to identify the influence of verbal suggestion on the SoO and heat pain threshold (HPT). As a preliminary step, in Experiment 1, the “normal” rubber hand and “penetrated nail” as injured rubber hand were used to clarify the context effect with appearance alone during RHI (synchronous/asynchronous), which was conducted within-subjects. In Experiment 2, we only used the “penetrated nail” rubber hand to clarify the context effect with verbal suggestion and appearance during RHI. We randomly classified participants into two suggestion groups (“fear” and “no-fear”). The RHI (synchronous/asynchronous) was conducted for each group. In each experiment, the effect of each condition was assessed by subjective measures of SoO, such as questionnaire, and objective measures of SoO, such as proprioceptive drift and electrodermal activity. Following RHI in each condition, HPT was measured. The main finding was that, in the synchronous condition, the “penetrated nail” appearance with “fear” verbal suggestion modulated questionnaire and HPT, but not electrodermal activity. We conclude that the context-included multisensory integration affected the subjective factors because it contains a higher cognitive process by verbal suggestion.
Age-Related Changes in the Perception of Emotions in Speech: Assessing Thresholds of Prosody and Semantics Recognition in Noise for Young and Older Adults
Authors: Dor Yehuda I. , Algom Daniel , Shakuf Vered , Ben-David Boaz M.
Published: April 2022

Older adults process emotions in speech differently than do young adults. However, it is unclear whether these age-related changes impact all speech channels to the same extent, and whether they originate from a sensory or a cognitive source. The current study adopted a psychophysical approach to directly compare young and older adults’ sensory thresholds for emotion recognition in two channels of spoken-emotions: prosody (tone) and semantics (words). A total of 29 young adults and 26 older adults listened to 50 spoken sentences presenting different combinations of emotions across prosody and semantics. They were asked to recognize the prosodic or semantic emotion, in separate tasks. Sentences were presented on the background of speech-spectrum noise ranging from SNR of −15 dB (difficult) to +5 dB (easy). Individual recognition thresholds were calculated (by fitting psychometric functions) separately for prosodic and semantic recognition. Results indicated that: (1). recognition thresholds were better for young over older adults, suggesting an age-related general decrease across channels; (2). recognition thresholds were better for prosody over semantics, suggesting a prosodic advantage; (3). importantly, the prosodic advantage in thresholds did not differ between age groups (thus a sensory source for age-related differences in spoken-emotions processing was not supported); and (4). larger failures of selective attention were found for older adults than for young adults, indicating that older adults experienced larger difficulties in inhibiting irrelevant information. Taken together, results do not support a sole sensory source, but rather an interplay of cognitive and sensory sources for age-related differences in spoken-emotions processing.
Early-Life Sleep Deprivation Enhanced Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent Rats
Authors: Atrooz Fatin , Alrousan Ghalya , Hassan Arham , Salim Samina
Published: April 2022

Evidence in the literature suggests that sleep deprivation during early-life developmental stages, by impacting important processes such as the reward circuit maturation, may increase the vulnerability for alcohol and substance use. The mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In this study, utilizing our previously established model, we examined the impact of early-life sleep deprivation on alcohol consumption in adolescent rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats served as either the control (CON) or sleep-deprived (SD) group. Sleep deprivation was induced using a Pinnacle automated sleep deprivation apparatus. The SD group of rats was sleep deprived for 6–8 h/day for 14 days from postnatal day (PND)19 to PND32. At PND33, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were assessed in rats using elevated plus maze and sucrose splash test, respectively. At PND39, alcohol consumption was assessed in rats for five consecutive days using the two-bottle choice paradigm, water versus 5% ethanol. SD rats exhibited significant anxiety- and depression-like behaviors as compared to CON rats. Interestingly, SD rats consumed a larger volume of alcohol when compared to CON rats, which was significantly higher at day 5 (mean of alcohol consumption (ml) ± SD; CON = 6.67 ± 3.42; SD = 19.00 ± 6.05, p = 0.0126). SD rats also showed high preference for alcohol over water, which was significantly higher at day 5 (mean of alcohol preference (%) ± SD; CON = 26.85 ± 14.97; SD = 57.69 ± 5.61, p = 0.014). Our data suggest that early-life sleep deprivation enhanced alcohol consumption in adolescent rats.
Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry as a Powerful Analytical Tool for the Discrimination of Truffle Species According to Their Volatiles
Authors: Kalogiouri Natasa P. , Manousi Natalia , Paraskevopoulou Adamantini , Mourtzinos Ioannis , Zachariadis George A. , Rosenberg Erwin
Published: April 2022

This study provides the first assessment of the volatile metabolome map of Tuber Aestivum and Tuber Borchii originating from Greece using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the extraction of the volatile fraction, the SPME protocol was optimized after examining the effects of sample mass, extraction temperature, and extraction time using the one-variable at-a-time approach (OVAT). The optimum parameters involved the extraction of 100 mg of homogenized truffle for 45 min at 50°C. Overall, 19 truffle samples were analyzed, and the acquired data were normalized and further processed with chemometrics. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (HCA) was used to identify the groups of the two species. Partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to develop a chemometric model that could discriminate the truffles according to the species and reveal characteristic volatile markers for Tuber Aestivum and Tuber Borchii grown in Greece.
Diet and Culture Among Chinese Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Song Yan , Wang Jing , Liu Huan , Chen Xiaolan , Zhan Minqi
Published: April 2022

A growing body of research showed that diet management, such as promoting protein and vitamin intake and food restriction play a crucial role in extending time to morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, the current dietary recommendations in nutrition guidelines lack examination of cultural factors. The study aimed to understand the diet influenced by culture in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 23 patients, aged 23–75 years, undergoing hemodialysis in a local tertiary hospital. Interview questions mainly focused on patients' real experience about diet, and their perceptions and attitudes toward diet. Each interview was digitally recorded, and conventional content analysis was used to attain information. The majority of patients reserved Chinese traditional dietary habits about salt and calcium intake. Although Chinese herbal medicine was not consumed, dietary therapy including brown sugar and dates was included in the participants' diet. Eggs, broth, and seafood were three prominent preferences and taboos profoundly impacted by culture. Additionally, Chinese social culture influenced patients' dietary behavior of eating at home and knowledge attainment. Diet in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis was still strongly influenced by culture. Culturally sensitive interventions regarding the improvement of diet intake are urgently needed.
Effect of Different Ratios of Glycerol and Erythritol on Properties of Corn Starch-Based Films
Authors: Wang Bin , Xu Xin , Fang Youxin , Yan Shouxin , Cui Bo , Abd El-Aty A. M.
Published: April 2022

The demand for biodegradable products has increased; hence, a suitable method for producing green composites is essential. This study prepared corn starch-based films using the solution casting method, and the physicochemical properties of the prepared films were investigated using a mixture of glycerol (GLY) and erythritol (ERY) at different ratios (4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, and 0:4) as plasticizing agents. The crystallinity, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, oxygen and water vapor, surface roughness, and thermal stability of corn starch-based films were analyzed using small-angle X-ray diffraction, water contact angle, automatic tensile testing machine, oxygen permeability tester and water vapor permeability analyzer, atomic force microscope, and thermogravimetric analyzer. With the increase in GLY ratio, the thickness, water-solubility, water content, water vapor permeability, elongation at break, oxygen permeability and V-shaped crystallization of the corn starch-based films increased. The tensile strength and the thermal stability decreased with increasing the GLY ratio. We developed a new plasticizer using glycerol and erythritol to improve the properties of starch films and provided the basis for the industrial production of corn starch-based films.
Transcription Factors as Novel Therapeutic Targets and Drivers of Prostate Cancer Progression
Authors: Xie Kangzhe , Tan Keely , Naylor Matthew J.
Published: April 2022

Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among men worldwide. Androgen deprivation therapy, the most common targeted therapeutic option, is circumvented as prostate cancer progresses from androgen dependent to castrate-resistant disease. Whilst the nuclear receptor transcription factor, androgen receptor, drives the growth of prostate tumor during initial stage of the disease, androgen resistance is associated with poorly differentiated prostate cancer. In the recent years, increased research has highlighted the aberrant transcriptional activities of a small number of transcription factors. Along with androgen receptors, dysregulation of these transcription factors contributes to both the poorly differentiated phenotypes of prostate cancer cells and the initiation and progression of prostate carcinoma. As master regulators of cell fate decisions, these transcription factors may provide opportunity for the development of novel therapeutic targets for the management of prostate cancer. Whilst some transcriptional regulators have previously been notoriously difficult to directly target, technological advances offer potential for the indirect therapeutic targeting of these transcription factors and the capacity to reprogram cancer cell phenotype. This mini review will discuss how recent advances in our understanding of transcriptional regulators and material science pave the way to utilize these regulatory molecules as therapeutic targets in prostate cancer.
High Expression of TGF-β1 Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis via Regulating Tumor Immunity
Authors: Jin Xiuli , Zhang Shuairan , Wang Ningning , Guan Lin , Shao Chuanli , Lin Yingbo , Liu Jianping , Li Yiling
Published: April 2022

Background

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling is essential in initialization and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, a treatment targeting TGF-β pathway may be a promising option for HCC control.

Methods

First, publicly available RNA-seq datasets and clinical characteristics of 374 HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were downloaded. Then, Cox regression analysis and LASSO analysis were used to construct a prognostic model for TGF-β family genes. The area under the curve (AUC) of the risk signature was calculated to evaluate the predictive power of the model. Cox regression analysis was applied to predict whether TGF-β1 can be an independent prognosis factor for HCC. Next, hazard ratio and survival analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between TGF-β1 expression and survival time. Furthermore, differential expression level of TGF-β1 in HCC tissues and cells was determined. In addition, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified the top significantly activated and inhibited signal pathways related to high expression of TGF-β1. Finally, the CIBERSORT tool was adopted to correlate the tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) with TGF-β1 expression in HCC cohorts.

Results

Cox regression analysis and LASSO analysis revealed that seven TGF-β family members (including TGF-β1) could be used as prognostic factors for HCC. Interestingly, TGF-β1 was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic factor of HCC. RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the high expression of TGF-β1 in HCC cell lines and tissues, which is significantly related to pathological classifications, poor prognosis, and short survival time. Finally, GSEA and CIBERSORT analyses suggested that TGF-β1 may interact with various immune cells and influence the prognosis of HCC patients through Tregs and γδ T cells.

Conclusion

We established a novel prognostic prediction method to predict the risk scores of TGF-β genes in HCC prognosis. TGF-β1 is highly expressed in HCC cell lines and tissues, correlates to poor prognosis, and thus can be used as a potential biomarker to predict HCC prognosis. We showed that TGF-β1 may play its roles in HCC prognosis by modulating the immune microenvironment of tumor cells. Our data may shed more light on better understanding the role of TGF-β1 in HCC prognosis.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving the Thymus and Heart With Simultaneous Thymoma: A Case Report
Authors: Ji Ting , Zhong Yuxia , Cheng Deyun
Published: April 2022

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease characterized by clonal expansion of CD1a+/CD207+ cells in lesions. The most frequent sites involved are bone and, less commonly, lymph nodes, lungs, and skin. The thymus or heart is rarely involved with LCH. In this case, we present a 73-year-old woman with a mediastinal mass. Histopathology after thymectomy identified this mass as type AB thymoma; notably, subsequent immunohistochemical tests showed lesions of LCH scattered in the region of thymoma. 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (18-FDG-PET/CT) was performed to make an overall assessment of the extent of this disease, which demonstrated suspicious cardiac involvement of LCH. This report highlights the importance of differentiating abnormalities of the thymus or mediastinal mass from LCH and the necessity of comprehensive evaluation for patients with LCH.
Integrating Clinical Signs at Presentation and Clinician's Non-analytical Reasoning in Prediction Models for Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Children Presenting to Emergency Department
Authors: Urbane Urzula Nora , Petrosina Eva , Zavadska Dace , Pavare Jana
Published: April 2022

Objective

Development and validation of clinical prediction model (CPM) for serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with febrile illness, based on clinical variables, clinician's “gut feeling,” and “sense of reassurance.

Materials and Methods

Febrile children presenting to the ED of Children's Clinical University Hospital (CCUH) between April 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Data on clinical signs and symptoms at presentation, together with clinician's “gut feeling” of something wrong and “sense of reassurance” were collected as candidate variables for CPM. Variable selection for the CPM was performed using stepwise logistic regression (forward, backward, and bidirectional); Akaike information criterion was used to limit the number of parameters and simplify the model. Bootstrapping was applied for internal validation. For external validation, the model was tested in a separate dataset of patients presenting to six regional hospitals between January 1 and March 31, 2019.

Results

The derivation cohort consisted of 517; 54% (n = 279) were boys, and the median age was 58 months. SBI was diagnosed in 26.7% (n = 138). Validation cohort included 188 patients; the median age was 28 months, and 26.6% (n = 50) developed SBI. Two CPMs were created, namely, CPM1 consisting of six clinical variables and CPM2 with four clinical variables plus “gut feeling” and “sense of reassurance.” The area under the curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of CPM1 was 0.744 (95% CI, 0.683–0.805) in the derivation cohort and 0.692 (95% CI, 0.604–0.780) in the validation cohort. AUC for CPM2 was 0.783 (0.727–0.839) and 0.752 (0.674–0.830) in derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. AUC of CPM2 in validation population was significantly higher than that of CPM1 [p = 0.037, 95% CI (−0.129; −0.004)]. A clinical evaluation score was derived from CPM2 to stratify patients in “low risk,” “gray area,” and “high risk” for SBI.

Conclusion

Both CPMs had moderate ability to predict SBI and acceptable performance in the validation cohort. Adding variables “gut feeling” and “sense of reassurance” in CPM2 improved its ability to predict SBI. More validation studies are needed for the assessment of applicability to all febrile patients presenting to ED.