Effect of video games training on the gross motor skills of children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis / Efecto del entrenamiento con videojuegos en la motricidad gruesa de niños con parálisis cerebral: revisión sistemática y meta-análisis

Abstract The purpose of this work was to systematically evaluate the intervention effects of video games training (VGT) on the gross motor skills (GMS) development of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Seven Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, EBSCO) were searched. Data were retrieved from randomized controlled trials on the GMS among individuals with CP. The retrieval was from the inception of each database to March 16, 2021. The included studies were evaluated quantitatively using the PEDro Scale. Then, relevant data were inputted and analyzed in Review Manager 5.4. Thirteen papers were included: seven written in English and six in Chinese. In the three subordinate concept of GMS, VGT could significantly improve locomotor skills (LS) (standardized mean difference = 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.55-105, P<0.00001), and non-locomotor skills (NLS) (standardized mean difference = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.28, P=0.0003) in CP. However, there was no significant difference in object control skills (OCS), when compared with the control group (standardized mean difference = 0.55, 95% confidence interval -0.01-0.72, P=0.05). VGT can improve LS and NLS in CP, but the effect on OCS is uncertain; therefore, it is recommended that additional high-quality literature be included in the future. In general, VGT has been proven an effective intervention tool on the GMS development in CP.

Resumen Este artículo intentó evaluar sistemáticamente el efecto de la intervención del entrenamiento con videojuegos (VGT) en el desarrollo de las habilidades motoras gruesas (GMS) de niños con parálisis cerebral (CP), basándose en un cuerpo de datos logrado de las conclusiones de pruebas controladas aleatorias sobre las habilidades motoras gruesas de niños con CP, obtenidos de la búsqueda sistemática en siete bases de datos chinos y extranjeros, tales como PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang y EBSCO. El lapso de búsqueda fue desde la fecha de establecimiento de cada base de datos hasta el 16 de marzo del 2021. Se aplicó la escala PEDro para realizar un estudio cuantitativo y después, se analizaron los datos relevantes con Review Manager 5.4. Se incluyeron 13 publicaciones, 7 artículos escritos en inglés y 6 en chino. En el marco del concepto de los tres subordinados de GMS, la VGT podría mejorar significativamente la habilidad locomotora (LS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.80, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.55-105, P<0.00001), y las habilidades no locomotoras (NLS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.83, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.38-1.28, P= 0,0003) en PC; pero no hubo una diferencia significativa en las habilidades de control de objetos (OCS), cuando se compararon con el grupo control (diferencia de medias estandarizada= 0,55, intervalo de confianza del 95% -0,01-0,72, P= 0,05). En conclusión, el VGT puede mejorar las LS y NLS en CP, pero el efecto sobre OCS es incierto; por lo que se recomienda la inclusión de literatura adicional de alta calidad en el futuro. De este modo se pudo demostrar que el VGT es una herramienta de intervención eficaz en el desarrollo de las GMS en niños con CP.

A global meta-analysis of the impacts of exotic plant species invasion on plant diversity and soil properties.

Plant diversity and biogeochemical cycles are rapidly changing in response to exotic plant species invasion. However, there are conflicting conclusions regarding the quantification of such changes in the soil properties and plant diversity. Moreover, the relationships between soil properties and plant diversity are unclear. Here, a global meta-analysis was conducted on the impact of exotic species invasion on soil physicochemistry, microbial activity, and plant diversity using data from 123 published reports and 332 samples. Exotic species invasion significantly enhanced the soil pH, soil microbial activity, and soil nutrient content. The impact was more substantial for grass than for shrub and tree. Exotic species invasion did not significantly affect soil texture, but significantly reduced the plant diversity, richness, and evenness by 36.97%, 64.72%, and 47.21%, respectively. Soil pH, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen were significantly correlated with plant diversity reduction. The response ratio of plant richness and evenness gradually increased with precipitation. However, the response ratio of phosphatase, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial biomass phosphorus, total nitrogen, and soil moisture gradually decreased with precipitation. Overall, exotic species invasion significantly increased the soil nutrient content and soil microbial activity, but significantly decreased plant diversity. These effects were influenced by exotic species types and precipitation.

Probing mesoporous character, desulfurization capability and kinetic mechanism of synergistic stabilizing sorbent CaxCuyMnzOi/MAS-9 in hot coal gas.

Developing structurally stable sorbents for high-temperature H2S direct removal is recognized as a valuable energy-saving strategy for efficient utilization of hot coal gas (HCG), which depends upon their mesoporous features and desulfurization capabilities. Herein, tailored hierarchical CaxCuyMnzOi/MAS-9 sorbents were fabricated via a facile sol-gel method using high-activity phase CaxCuyMnzOi anchored onto versatile mesoporous MAS-9. After O/S-exchange procedure, noteworthy straight channels of MAS-9 (SBET = 808 m2 g-1) provided enough available spaces for the storage of generative large MeSy nanoparticles, which was better than other conventional zeolites. The probing of variables (i.e. support type, active ingredient, loadings, and sulfidation temperature) on H2S removal revealed that 50%Ca3Cu10Mn87Oi/MAS-9 shared an excellent breakthrough sulfur capacity (171.57 mg g-1) at 800 °C, even it experienced six reusable cycles, due to synergistic stabilizing effect of Ca-Cu-Mn and high-temperature tolerance of SiOAl framework of MAS-9. Especially, CaO dopant endowed the sorbent with superficial alkalinity and high-temperature resistance. The brilliant desulfurization behavior was also described by the fast H2S diffusion or component deactivation vs. duration time on stream according to the followed kinetic investigation. Thus, the refined Ca3Cu10Mn87Oi/MAS-9 possesses the expected representative desulfurization nature and great potentiality for raw HCG in practical applications.

Role of low dose 256-slice CT perfusion imaging in predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: CT perfusion (CTP) is an imaging technique that can be used to evaluate the changes in the microcirculation of tumor tissues. Our study aimed to investigate the role of CTP in predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Clinical data of 58 patients who received surgical resection of lung cancer and lymph node dissection in our hospital from June 2012 to December 2014 were collected. Patients were divided into a positive lymph node metastasis group and a negative lymph node metastasis group. Parameters of CTP, including peak enhancement intensity (PEI), perfusion value (PV), as well as blood volume (BV), were compared between the two groups. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to predict mediastinal lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: The PV of the positive lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that of the negative group (p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that PV can be used as an index to predict mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of a PV greater than 7.5ml·min-1·ml-1 in predicting lymph node metastasis of lung cancer were 78.3 % and 91.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PV of low dose CT perfusion can be used as an index for predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer.

Role of low dose 256-slice CT perfusion imaging in predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: CT perfusion (CTP) is an imaging technique that can be used to evaluate the changes in the microcirculation of tumor tissues. Our study aimed to investigate the role of CTP in predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Clinical data of 58 patients who received surgical resection of lung cancer and lymph node dissection in our hospital from June 2012 to December 2014 were collected. Patients were divided into a positive lymph node metastasis group and a negative lymph node metastasis group. Parameters of CTP, including peak enhancement intensity (PEI), perfusion value (PV), as well as blood volume (BV), were compared between the two groups. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to predict mediastinal lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: The PV of the positive lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that of the negative group (p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that PV can be used as an index to predict mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of a PV greater than 7.5ml·min-1·ml-1 in predicting lymph node metastasis of lung cancer were 78.3 % and 91.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PV of low dose CT perfusion can be used as an index for predicting mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: A perfusão por TC objetiva (CTP) é uma técnica de imagem que pode ser usada para avaliar as alterações na microcirculação de tecidos tumorais. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo investigar o papel da CTP na predição de metástases em linfonodos mediastinais. MÉTODOS: Dados clínicos de 58 pacientes que receberam ressecção cirúrgica de câncer de pulmão e dissecção de linfonodos em nosso hospital de junho de 2012 a dezembro de 2014 foram coletados. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupo positivo para metástase linfonodal e grupo negativo para metástase linfonodal. Parâmetros de CTP incluindo pico de intensidade de realce (PEI) e valor de perfusão (PV), bem como volume de sangue (BV), foram comparados entre os dois grupos. A curva característica de operação do receptor (ROC) foi usada para predizer metástase linfonodal mediastinal. RESULTADOS: PV do grupo de linfonodos metastáticos positivos foi significativamente maior do que o grupo negativo de linfonodos metastáticos (p<0,001). A análise da curva ROC mostrou que a PV pode ser usada como um índice para predizer a metástase linfonodal mediastinal do câncer de pulmão. A sensibilidade e a especificidade da VP maior que 7,5ml · min-1 · ml-1 na predição de metástase linfonodal de câncer de pulmão foram de 78,3% e 91,4%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A VP de perfusão por TC de baixa dose pode ser usada como um índice para a predição de metástase linfonodal mediastinal de câncer de pulmão.

Characterization of the Widely Distributed Novel ECF42 Group of Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factors in Streptomyces venezuelae.

Extracytoplasmic function σ factors (ECFs) represent the third most abundant fundamental principle of bacterial signal transduction, outranked only by one- and two-component systems. A recent census of ECFs revealed a large number of novel groups whose functions and regulatory mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here, we report the characterization of members of the novel group ECF42. ECF42 is a highly abundant and widely distributed ECF group that is present in 11 phyla but is predominantly found in Actinobacteria Analysis of the genomic context conservation did not identify a putative anti-σ factor. Instead, ECF42 genes are cotranscribed with genes encoding a conserved DGPF protein. We have experimentally verified the target promoter of these ECFs (TGTCGA in the -35 region and CGA/TC in the -10 region), which was found upstream of the ECF42-encoding operons in Streptomyces venezuelae, suggesting that ECF42s are positively autoregulated. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to define the regulons of the three ECF42 proteins in S. venezuelae, which identified mostly genes encoding DGPF proteins. In contrast to typical ECFs, ECF42 proteins harbor a long C-terminal extension, which is crucial for their activity. Our work provides the first analysis of the function and regulatory mechanism of this novel ECF group that contains a regulatory C-terminal extension.IMPORTANCE In contrast to the one- and two-component signal transduction systems in bacteria, the importance and diversity of ECFs have only recently been recognized in the course of comprehensive phylogenetic and comparative genomics studies. Thus, most of the ECFs still have not been experimentally characterized regarding their physiological functions and regulation mechanisms so far. The physiological roles, target promoter, and target regulons of a novel group of ECFs, ECF42, in S. venezuelae have been investigated in this work. More importantly, members of this group are characterized by a C-terminal extension, which has been verified to harbor a regulatory role in ECF42s. Hence, our work provides an important source for further research on such C-terminal extension containing ECFs.

Co-culture of apoptotic breast cancer cells with immature dendritic cells: a novel approach for DC-based vaccination in breast cancer

A dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine strategy could reduce the risk of recurrence and improve the survival of breast cancer patients. However, while therapy-induced apoptosis of hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma cells can enhance maturation and antigen presentation of DCs, whether this effect occurs in breast cancer is currently unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of doxorubicin (ADM)-induced apoptotic MCF-7 breast cancer cells on the activation of DCs. ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells could effectively induce immature DC (iDC) maturation. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of DC maturity marker CD83 was 23.3 in the ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cell group compared with 8.5 in the MCF-7 cell group. The MFI of DC co-stimulatory marker CD86 and HLA-DR were also increased after iDCs were treated with ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the proliferating autologous T-lymphocytes increased from 14.2 to 40.3% after incubated with DCs induced by apoptotic MCF-7 cells. The secretion of interferon-γ by these T-lymphocytes was also increased. In addition, cell-cell interaction between apoptotic MCF-7 cells and iDCs, but not soluble factors released by apoptotic MCF-7 cells, was crucial for the maturation of iDCs. These findings constitute a novel in vitro DC-based vaccine strategy for the treatment of breast cancer by ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells.

Co-culture of apoptotic breast cancer cells with immature dendritic cells: a novel approach for DC-based vaccination in breast cancer.

A dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine strategy could reduce the risk of recurrence and improve the survival of breast cancer patients. However, while therapy-induced apoptosis of hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma cells can enhance maturation and antigen presentation of DCs, whether this effect occurs in breast cancer is currently unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of doxorubicin (ADM)-induced apoptotic MCF-7 breast cancer cells on the activation of DCs. ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells could effectively induce immature DC (iDC) maturation. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of DC maturity marker CD83 was 23.3 in the ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cell group compared with 8.5 in the MCF-7 cell group. The MFI of DC co-stimulatory marker CD86 and HLA-DR were also increased after iDCs were treated with ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the proliferating autologous T-lymphocytes increased from 14.2 to 40.3% after incubated with DCs induced by apoptotic MCF-7 cells. The secretion of interferon-γ by these T-lymphocytes was also increased. In addition, cell-cell interaction between apoptotic MCF-7 cells and iDCs, but not soluble factors released by apoptotic MCF-7 cells, was crucial for the maturation of iDCs. These findings constitute a novel in vitro DC-based vaccine strategy for the treatment of breast cancer by ADM-induced apoptotic MCF-7 cells.

A comparison study of local injection and radiofrequency ablation therapy for traumatic portal vein injure guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: To compare local injection of hemostatic agents and radiofrequency (RF)-assisted hemostasis in the management of bleeding from the portal vein with varying diameters and blood flow velocities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen Bama pigs were used. Laparotomy was performed to expose the liver and inner diameters and blood flow velocities of the pre-injured portal vein in the hepatic segments and subsegments were measured. Vascular injuries in the portal vein were produced (4 in each pig). The pigs were randomly divided into two groups and local injection of hemostatic agents was performed in one group and RF-assisted hemostasis in the other, both techniques monitored by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Time to hemostasis was measured, and the extent of liver injury was determined 2 h after treatment. RESULTS: In the local injection group, the rates of successful hemostasis were 100, 88.9, and 50% with portal veins with inner diameters of < 1 mm, 1-2 mm, and 2-3 mm, respectively, and the maximum time to achieve hemostasis was 24.0 ± 7.2 s. Hemostasis was not successful when the diameter was > 3 mm. In the RF-assisted group, hemostasis was successfully at all sites regardless of vessel diameter; however, the maximum time to achieve hemostasis was 156.8 ± 31.2 s. Injury to surrounding tissue was significantly greater in the RF-assisted group. CONCLUSION: Both methods can achieve hemostasis with small diameter portal vein injuries; however, RF-assisted hemostasis is necessary for larger vessels, though it is associated with greater damage to surrounding tissue.

Seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 in swine populations in Canada and Costa Rica.

Porcine circovirus (PCV) was recently divided into 2 antigenically distinct types that differ (65% amino acid identity) in the protein encoded by open reading frame 2 (ORF2). Porcine circovirus 1 is apparently non-pathogenic and, in contrast, PCV2 is associated with porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Our objective was to determine the extent of exposure of normal pigs in Canada and Costa Rica to PCV2. Recombinant DNA techniques were used to produce an antigen from ORF2 of PCV2 that was suitable for the detection of antibody in swine sera. The presence of PCV2 nucleotide sequences was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Using these tests, specific antibody and nucleotide sequences were demonstrated in sera from a cohort of pigs during a PMWS outbreak. Antibody was detected in normal, healthy hogs slaughtered in Canada (82.4% of 386) and in Costa Rica (14.6% of 322). This is the first report indicating the presence of PCV2 in Latin America. More than 50% of these sera also contained PCV2 nucleotide sequence. Although these hogs were healthy when slaughtered, they were infected with PCV2 and may have previously been ill. The widespread occurrence of PCV2 in swine suggests that this virus is adapted to replication in porcine tissue.