bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary results of a pilot study on the safety and efficacy of balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube for nasopharyngeal cancer patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction post irradiation
Authors: Wong M S L , Prepageran N 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveEustachian tube dysfunction is a known complication following radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited, with significant associated morbidity. Balloon Eustachian tube dilatation has been used successfully to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction; hence, this study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of this method in treating Eustachian tube dysfunction in post-radiotherapy patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodThis interventional cohort pilot study on patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction compared those with nasopharyngeal carcinoma to patients without. Outcome assessment was based on tympanometry type and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire score.ResultsA total of 14 ears (12 patients) were tested. Only 14 per cent of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cohort showed improvement, while 71 per cent of the non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were successfully treated. No significant adverse effect was reported in any patient during this study.ConclusionBalloon Eustachian tube dilatation was not shown to be beneficial for post-radiotherapy Eustachian tube dysfunction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in the preliminary stages of this pilot study.
Humanoid adaptive locomotion control through a bioinspired CPG-based controller
Authors: Yao Chenpeng , Liu Chengju , Xia Li , Liu Ming , Chen Qijun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo achieve adaptive gait planning of humanoid robots, a hierarchical central pattern generator (H-CPG) model with a basic rhythmic signal generation layer and a pattern formation layer is proposed to modulate the center of mass (CoM) and the online foot trajectory. The entrainment property of the CPG is exploited for adaptive walking in the absence of a priori knowledge of walking conditions, and the sensory feedback is applied to modulate the generated trajectories online to improve walking adaptability and stability. The developed control strategy is verified using a humanoid robot on sloped terrain and shows good performance.
A comprehensive overview of RDF for spatial and spatiotemporal data management
Authors: Zhang Fu , Lu Qingzhe , Du Zhenjun , Chen Xu , Cao Chunhong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCurrently, a large amount of spatial and spatiotemporal RDF data has been shared and exchanged on the Internet and various applications. Resource Description Framework (RDF) is widely accepted for representing and processing data in different (including spatiotemporal) application domains. The effective management of spatial and spatiotemporal RDF data are becoming more and more important. A lot of work has been done to study how to represent, query, store, and manage spatial and spatiotemporal RDF data. In order to grasp and learn the main ideas and research results of spatial and spatiotemporal RDF data, in this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of RDF for spatial and spatiotemporal data management. We summarize spatial and spatiotemporal RDF data management from several essential aspects such as representation, querying, storage, performance assessment, datasets, and management tools. In addition, the direction of future research and some comparisons and analysis are also discussed in depth.
Socio-cognitive engagement (but not socioeconomic status) predicts preschool children's language and pragmatic abilities
Authors: SCHULZE Cornelia , SAALBACH Henrik 
Published: June 2021

AbstractParental socioeconomic status (SES) strongly influences children's language abilities but less is known about its influence on pragmatic abilities (e.g., inferring intentions from relevance implicatures). Moreover, by focussing on SES, the role of socio-cognitive engagement (e.g., joint parent-child interactions) has been overlooked.We tested four- and six-year-old children (n = 92) with a communication task, a questionnaire assessed parents’ SES and socio-cognitive engagement.Socio-cognitive engagement predicted children's communication abilities while the parental educational background and income did not. This emphasizes the notion that communication is a highly socio-cognitive task, one which children perform the better the more frequently they engage in socio-cognitive interactions.
Be Fit, Be Sharp, Be Well: The Case for Exercise as a Treatment for Cognitive Impairment in Late-life Depression
Authors: Dotson Vonetta M. , Gradone Andrew M. , Bogoian Hannah R. , Minto Lex R. , Taiwo Zinat , Salling Zachary N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjective:To lay out the argument that exercise impacts neurobiological targets common to both mood and cognitive functioning, and thus more research should be conducted on its use as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment in late-life depression (LLD).Method:This narrative review summarizes the literature on cognitive impairment in LLD, describes the structural and functional brain changes and neurochemical changes that are linked to both cognitive impairment and mood disruption, and explains how exercise targets these same neurobiological changes and can thus provide an alternative or adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment in LLD.Results:Cognitive impairment is common in LLD and predicts recurrence of depression, poor response to antidepressant treatment, and overall disability. Traditional depression treatment with medication, psychotherapy, or both, is not effective in fully reversing cognitive impairment for most depressed older adults. Physical exercise is an ideal treatment candidate based on evidence that it 1) is an effective treatment for depression, 2) enhances cognitive functioning in normal aging and in other patient populations, and 3) targets many of the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie mood and cognitive functioning. Results of the limited existing clinical trials of exercise for cognitive impairment in depression are mixed but overall support this contention.Conclusions:Although limited, existing evidence suggests exercise may be a viable alternative or adjunctive treatment to address cognitive impairment in LLD, and thus more research in this area is warranted. Moving forward, additional research is needed in large, diverse samples to translate the growing research findings into clinical practice.
Conceptual discussion around the notion of the human being as an inter and multiplanetary species
Authors: Chon-Torres Octavio Alfonso , Murga-Moreno César Andreé 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe current advances in our exploration of Mars have made us think of the human species as a multiplanetary species. However, we have certain challenges before we can truly consider ourselves such a species, especially moral ones. Therefore, astrobioethics would be the right one to examine what it takes to consider ourselves a multiplanetary species. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the meaning and significance of being an inter- and multiplanetary species. To achieve this, a philosophical and critical analysis will be made, using as input aspects of biology, ethics and moral community. We conclude that to be a truly multiplanetary species, more than the technological aspects that allow us to reach other planets, a change at different levels will be needed.
Effects of increased body mass index on employment status: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Campbell Desmond D. , Green Michael , Davies Neil , Demou Evangelia , Ward Joey , Howe Laura D. , Harrison Sean , Johnston Keira J. A. , Strawbridge Rona J. , Popham Frank , Smith Daniel J. , Munafò Marcus R. , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe obesity epidemic may have substantial implications for the global workforce, including causal effects on employment, but clear evidence is lacking. Obesity may prevent people from being in paid work through poor health or through social discrimination. We studied genetic variants robustly associated with body mass index (BMI) to investigate its causal effects on employment.Dataset/methodsWhite UK ethnicity participants of working age (men 40–64 years, women 40–59 years), with suitable genetic data were selected in the UK Biobank study (N = 230,791). Employment status was categorised in two ways: first, contrasting being in paid employment with any other status; and second, contrasting being in paid employment with sickness/disability, unemployment, early retirement and caring for home/family. Socioeconomic indicators also investigated were hours worked, household income, educational attainment and Townsend deprivation index (TDI). We conducted observational and two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses to investigate the effect of increased BMI on employment-related outcomes.ResultsRegressions showed BMI associated with all the employment-related outcomes investigated. MR analyses provided evidence for higher BMI causing increased risk of sickness/disability (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04, 1.11, per 1 Kg/m2BMI increase) and decreased caring for home/family (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 0.99), higher TDI (Beta 0.038, 95% CI 0.018, 0.059), and lower household income (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96, 0.99). In contrast, MR provided evidence for no causal effect of BMI on unemployment, early retirement, non-employment, hours worked or educational attainment. There was little evidence for causal effects differing by sex or age. Robustness tests yielded consistent results.DiscussionBMI appears to exert a causal effect on employment status, largely by affecting an individual’s health rather than through increased unemployment arising from social discrimination. The obesity epidemic may be contributing to increased worklessness and therefore could impose a substantial societal burden.
A translational perspective on the anti-anhedonic effect of ketamine and its neural underpinnings
Authors: Pulcu Erdem , Guinea Calum , Cowen Philip J. , Murphy Susannah E. , Harmer Catherine J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAnhedonia, a pronounced reduction in interest or pleasure in any of life’s daily activities, is a cardinal symptom of major depression. In this Perspective article, we synthesise the recent evidence from rodent, monkey and human neuroimaging literature to highlight how the habenula, a small evolutionarily conserved subcortical structure located in the midbrain, may orchestrate the behavioural expression of anhedonia across fronto-mesolimbic networks. We then review how this circuitry can be modulated by ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist with rapid antidepressant properties. We propose that experimental paradigms founded in reinforcement learning and value-based decision-making can usefully probe this network and thereby help elucidate the mechanisms underlying ketamine’s rapid antidepressant action.
LINC00842 inactivates transcription co-regulator PGC-1α to promote pancreatic cancer malignancy through metabolic remodelling
Authors: Huang Xudong , Pan Ling , Zuo Zhixiang , Li Mei , Zeng Lingxing , Li Rui , Ye Ying , Zhang Jialiang , Wu Guandi , Bai Ruihong , Zhuang Lisha , Wei Lusheng , Zheng Yanfen , Su Jiachun , Deng Junge , Deng Shuang , Zhang Shaoping , Zhu Shihao , Che Xu , Wang Chengfeng , Wu Chen , Chen Rufu , Lin Dongxin , Zheng Jian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe molecular mechanism underlying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) malignancy remains unclear. Here, we characterize a long intergenic non-coding RNA LINC00842 that plays a role in PDAC progression. LINC00842 expression is upregulated in PDAC and induced by high concentration of glucose via transcription factor YY1. LINC00842 binds to and prevents acetylated PGC-1α from deacetylation by deacetylase SIRT1 to form PGC-1α, an important transcription co-factor in regulating cellular metabolism. LINC00842 overexpression causes metabolic switch from mitochondrial oxidative catabolic process to fatty acid synthesis, enhancing the malignant phenotypes of PDAC cells. High LINC00842 levels are correlated with elevated acetylated- PGC-1α levels in PDAC and poor patient survival. Decreasing LINC00842 level and inhibiting fatty acid synthase activity significantly repress PDAC growth and invasiveness in mouse pancreatic xenograft or patient-derived xenograft models. These results demonstrate that LINC00842 plays a role in promoting PDAC malignancy and thus might serve as a druggable target.
Gut microbiota mediate the FGF21 adaptive stress response to chronic dietary protein-restriction in mice
Authors: Martin Anthony , Ecklu-Mensah Gertrude , Ha Connie W. Y. , Hendrick Gustaf , Layman Donald K. , Gilbert Jack , Devkota Suzanne 
Published: June 2021

AbstractChronic dietary protein-restriction can create essential amino acid deficiencies and induce metabolic adaptation through the hepatic FGF21 pathway which serves to maintain host fitness during prolonged states of nutritional imbalance. Similarly, the gut microbiome undergoes metabolic adaptations when dietary nutrients are added or withdrawn. Here we confirm previous reports that dietary protein-restriction triggers the hepatic FGF21 adaptive metabolic pathway and further demonstrate that this response is mediated by the gut microbiome and can be tuned through dietary supplementation of fibers that alter the gut microbiome. In the absence of a gut microbiome, we discover that FGF21 is de-sensitized to the effect of protein-restriction. These data suggest that host-intrinsic adaptive pathways to chronic dietary protein-restriction, such as the hepatic FGF21 pathway, may in-fact be responding first to adaptive metabolic changes in the gut microbiome.
Acoustoelectronic nanotweezers enable dynamic and large-scale control of nanomaterials
Authors: Zhang Peiran , Rufo Joseph , Chen Chuyi , Xia Jianping , Tian Zhenhua , Zhang Liying , Hao Nanjing , Zhong Zhanwei , Gu Yuyang , Chakrabarty Krishnendu , Huang Tony Jun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe ability to precisely manipulate nano-objects on a large scale can enable the fabrication of materials and devices with tunable optical, electromagnetic, and mechanical properties. However, the dynamic, parallel manipulation of nanoscale colloids and materials remains a significant challenge. Here, we demonstrate acoustoelectronic nanotweezers, which combine the precision and robustness afforded by electronic tweezers with versatility and large-field dynamic control granted by acoustic tweezing techniques, to enable the massively parallel manipulation of sub-100 nm objects with excellent versatility and controllability. Using this approach, we demonstrated the complex patterning of various nanoparticles (e.g., DNAs, exosomes, ~3 nm graphene flakes, ~6 nm quantum dots, ~3.5 nm proteins, and ~1.4 nm dextran), fabricated macroscopic materials with nano-textures, and performed high-resolution, single nanoparticle manipulation. Various nanomanipulation functions, including transportation, concentration, orientation, pattern-overlaying, and sorting, have also been achieved using a simple device configuration. Altogether, acoustoelectronic nanotweezers overcome existing limitations in nano-manipulation and hold great potential for a variety of applications in the fields of electronics, optics, condensed matter physics, metamaterials, and biomedicine.
The Atr-Chek1 pathway inhibits axon regeneration in response to Piezo-dependent mechanosensation
Authors: Li Feng , Lo Tsz Y. , Miles Leann , Wang Qin , Noristani Harun N. , Li Dan , Niu Jingwen , Trombley Shannon , Goldshteyn Jessica I. , Wang Chuxi , Wang Shuchao , Qiu Jingyun , Pogoda Katarzyna , Mandal Kalpana , Brewster Megan , Rompolas Panteleimon , He Ye , Janmey Paul A. , Thomas Gareth M. , Li Shuxin , Song Yuanquan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAtr is a serine/threonine kinase, known to sense single-stranded DNA breaks and activate the DNA damage checkpoint by phosphorylating Chek1, which inhibits Cdc25, causing cell cycle arrest. This pathway has not been implicated in neuroregeneration. We show that in Drosophila sensory neurons removing Atr or Chek1, or overexpressing Cdc25 promotes regeneration, whereas Atr or Chek1 overexpression, or Cdc25 knockdown impedes regeneration. Inhibiting the Atr-associated checkpoint complex in neurons promotes regeneration and improves synapse/behavioral recovery after CNS injury. Independent of DNA damage, Atr responds to the mechanical stimulus elicited during regeneration, via the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo and its downstream NO signaling. Sensory neuron-specific knockout of Atr in adult mice, or pharmacological inhibition of Atr-Chek1 in mammalian neurons in vitro and in flies in vivo enhances regeneration. Our findings reveal the Piezo-Atr-Chek1-Cdc25 axis as an evolutionarily conserved inhibitory mechanism for regeneration, and identify potential therapeutic targets for treating nervous system trauma.
The combined action of CTCF and its testis-specific paralog BORIS is essential for spermatogenesis
Authors: Rivero-Hinojosa Samuel , Pugacheva Elena M. , Kang Sungyun , Méndez-Catalá Claudia Fabiola , Kovalchuk Alexander L. , Strunnikov Alexander V. , Loukinov Dmitri , Lee Jeannie T. , Lobanenkov Victor V. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCTCF is a key organizer of the 3D genome. Its specialized paralog, BORIS, heterodimerizes with CTCF but is expressed only in male germ cells and in cancer states. Unexpectedly, BORIS-null mice have only minimal germ cell defects. To understand the CTCF-BORIS relationship, mouse models with varied CTCF and BORIS levels were generated. Whereas Ctcf+/+Boris+/+, Ctcf+/−Boris+/+, and Ctcf+/+Boris−/− males are fertile, Ctcf+/−Boris−/− (Compound Mutant; CM) males are sterile. Testes with combined depletion of both CTCF and BORIS show reduced size, defective meiotic recombination, increased apoptosis, and malformed spermatozoa. Although CM germ cells exhibit only 25% of CTCF WT expression, chromatin binding of CTCF is preferentially lost from CTCF-BORIS heterodimeric sites. Furthermore, CM testes lose the expression of a large number of spermatogenesis genes and gain the expression of developmentally inappropriate genes that are “toxic” to fertility. Thus, a combined action of CTCF and BORIS is required to both repress pre-meiotic genes and activate post-meiotic genes for a complete spermatogenesis program.
Dissecting regulatory pathways for transcription recovery following DNA damage reveals a non-canonical function of the histone chaperone HIRA
Authors: Bouvier Déborah , Ferrand Juliette , Chevallier Odile , Paulsen Michelle T. , Ljungman Mats , Polo Sophie E. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTranscription restart after a genotoxic challenge is a fundamental yet poorly understood process. Here, we dissect the interplay between transcription and chromatin restoration after DNA damage by focusing on the human histone chaperone complex HIRA, which is required for transcription recovery post UV. We demonstrate that HIRA is recruited to UV-damaged chromatin via the ubiquitin-dependent segregase VCP to deposit new H3.3 histones. However, this local activity of HIRA is dispensable for transcription recovery. Instead, we reveal a genome-wide function of HIRA in transcription restart that is independent of new H3.3 and not restricted to UV-damaged loci. HIRA coordinates with ASF1B to control transcription restart by two independent pathways: by stabilising the associated subunit UBN2 and by reducing the expression of the transcription repressor ATF3. Thus, HIRA primes UV-damaged chromatin for transcription restart at least in part by relieving transcription inhibition rather than by depositing new H3.3 as an activating bookmark.
Despite vaccination, China needs non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent widespread outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2021
Authors: Yang Juan , Marziano Valentina , Deng Xiaowei , Guzzetta Giorgio , Zhang Juanjuan , Trentini Filippo , Cai Jun , Poletti Piero , Zheng Wen , Wang Wei , Wu Qianhui , Zhao Zeyao , Dong Kaige , Zhong Guangjie , Viboud Cécile , Merler Stefano , Ajelli Marco , Yu Hongjie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 vaccination is being conducted in over 200 countries and regions to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission and return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle. However, understanding when non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) can be lifted as immunity builds up remains a key question for policy makers. To address this, we built a data-driven model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission for China. We estimated that, to prevent the escalation of local outbreaks to widespread epidemics, stringent NPIs need to remain in place at least one year after the start of vaccination. Should NPIs alone be capable of keeping the reproduction number (Rt) around 1.3, the synergetic effect of NPIs and vaccination could reduce the COVID-19 burden by up to 99% and bring Rt below the epidemic threshold in about 9 months. Maintaining strict NPIs throughout 2021 is of paramount importance to reduce COVID-19 burden while vaccines are distributed to the population, especially in large populations with little natural immunity.
Climate and the latitudinal limits of subtropical reef development
Authors: Toth Lauren T. , Precht William F. , Modys Alexander B. , Stathakopoulos Anastasios , Robbart Martha L. , Hudson J. Harold , Oleinik Anton E. , Riegl Bernhard M. , Shinn Eugene A. , Aronson Richard B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractClimate plays a central role in coral-reef development, especially in marginal environments. The high-latitude reefs of southeast Florida are currently non-accreting, relict systems with low coral cover. This region also did not support the extensive Late Pleistocene reef development observed in many other locations around the world; however, there is evidence of significant reef building in southeast Florida during the Holocene. Using 146 radiometric ages from reefs extending ~ 120 km along Florida’s southeast coast, we test the hypothesis that the latitudinal extent of Holocene reef development in this region was modulated by climatic variability. We demonstrate that although sea-level changes impacted rates of reef accretion and allowed reefs to backstep inshore as new habitats were flooded, sea level was not the ultimate cause of reef demise. Instead, we conclude that climate was the primary driver of the expansion and contraction of Florida’s reefs during the Holocene. Reefs grew to 26.7° N in southeast Florida during the relatively warm, stable climate at the beginning of the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) ~ 10,000 years ago, but subsequent cooling and increased frequency of winter cold fronts were associated with the equatorward contraction of reef building. By ~ 7800 years ago, actively accreting reefs only extended to 26.1° N. Reefs further contracted to 25.8° N after 5800 years ago, and by 3000 years ago reef development had terminated throughout southern Florida (24.5–26.7° N). Modern warming is unlikely to simply reverse this trend, however, because the climate of the Anthropocene will be fundamentally different from the HTM. By increasing the frequency and intensity of both warm and cold extreme-weather events, contemporary climate change will instead amplify conditions inimical to reef development in marginal reef environments such as southern Florida, making them more likely to continue to deteriorate than to resume accretion in the future.