bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colossal negative magnetoresistance in field-induced Weyl semimetal of magnetic half-Heusler compound
Authors: Ueda Kentaro , Yu Tonghua , Hirayama Motoaki , Kurokawa Ryo , Nakajima Taro , Saito Hiraku , Kriener Markus , Hoshino Manabu , Hashizume Daisuke , Arima Taka-hisa , Arita Ryotaro , Tokura Yoshinori
Published: March 2023

The discovery of topological insulators and semimetals triggered enormous interest in exploring emergent electromagnetic responses in solids. To explore multifunctional topological states, a particular attention has been focused on ternary half-Heusler compounds, whose electronic structure bears analogy to the topological zinc-blende compounds and which furthermore involve magnetic rare-earth ions coupled to conduction electrons [1, 2]. Most of them reported so far are band-inverted zero-gap semiconductors such as RPtBi [3-5] and RPdBi [6], which still do not fully exhaust the large potential of this materials class. Here, we report a less-studied member of half-Heusler compounds, HoAuSn, which is a trivial semimetal or narrow-gap semiconductor at zero magnetic field but revealed to undergo field-induced transition to a Weyl semimetal, accompanying huge negative magnetoresistance exceeding four orders of magnitude at low temperatures. The combined study of Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations and first-principles calculation suggests that the exchange field from Ho 4f moments reconstructs the band structure to induce Weyl points which play a key role in the strong suppression of large-angle carrier scattering. Our findings demonstrate the unique mechanism of colossal negative magnetoresistance and provide pathways towards realizing topological electronic states in a large class of magnetic half-Heusler compounds.
Outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer patients with indeterminate response to initial treatment
Authors: Calabretta Juan Matias , Iglesias Maria Laura , Califano Ines
Published: March 2023

Background: Data on long term outcomes of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with indeterminate response to initial treatment (IR) is lacking.
Objective: a) to assess long term outcomes of patients with IR, b) to describe differences in evolution according to type of IR positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) vs positive thyroglobulin (Tg) and c) to determine factors related to worse prognosis in this population
Patients and methods: Retrospective study of 58 DTC patients with IR after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation. Population was divided in two groups: TgAb (+) and Tg (+).
Results: After a median follow-up of 6.2 years, structural disease was found in 3.4% of cases, all of them in the Tg (+) group. Final IR were more frequent in the TgAb (+) group (75% vs 23% in the Tg (+) group, p <0.0005), they were caused by declining TgAb levels in 83% of cases. Patients with final excellent and IR had smaller tumor at diagnosis (11.5 vs 44.4 mm, p 0.03), initial high risk was less frequent (14.8 vs 60%, p 0.02), and preablation Tg levels were lower (10.1 vs 42.9 ng/ml, p 0.03) compared with patients with structural or biochemical persistence.
Conclusions: Most patients with IR had favorable outcomes. Structural disease was found only in patients with Tg (+). Patients with worse final outcomes had adverse initial parameters. Management strategies should be tailored according to these findings.
Significance Statement: Our objective was to evaluate the long-term evolution of patients with an indeterminate response to initial treatment, to investigate differences in the final state between the different types of indeterminate response (positive antithyroglobulin antibodies vs. detectable thyroglobulin), and to determine factors that are associated with worse evolution in this population. We found it relevant to study this population given the little evidence published to date on this group of patients.
Searching for intra-cloud positive leaders in VHF
Authors: Scholten Olaf , Hare Brian , Dwyer Joe , Liu Ningyu , Sterpka Chris , Mulrey Katie , Veen Sander ter
Published: March 2023

We have used the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) to search for the growing tip of an intra-cloud (IC) positive leader.Even with our most sensitive beamforming method, where we coherently add the signals of about 170 antenna pairs, we were not able to detect any emission from the tip. Instead, we put constraints on the emissivity of very-high frequency (VHF) radiation from the tip at 0.5 pJ/MHz at 60 MHz, integrated over 100 ns. The limit is independent on whether this emission is in the form of short pulses or continuously. The non-observation of VHF radiation from intra-cloud positive leaders implies that these proceed in an extremely gradual process, which is in sharp contrast with the observations of other parts of a lightning discharge.
Diagnostic potential of myocardial early systolic lengthening for patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Zhang Wanwei , Cai Qizhe , Lin Mingming , Tian Runyu , Jin Shan , Qin Yunyun , Lu Xiuzhang
Published: March 2023

Background
During early systole, ischemic myocardium with reduced active force experiences early systolic lengthening (ESL). This study aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of myocardial ESL in suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
Methods
Overall, 195 suspected NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion and LVEF, who underwent speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before coronary angiography were included. Patients were stratified into coronary artery disease (CAD) group when there was ≥ 50% stenosis in at least one major coronary artery. CAD patients were further stratified into significant (≥ 70% reduction of vessel diameter) stenosis group and non-significant stenosis group. Myocardial strain parameters, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), duration of early systolic lengthening (DESL), early systolic index (ESI) and post-systolic index (PSI) were analyzed using STE and compared between groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish the independent and incremental determinants for the presence of significant coronary stenosis.
Results
DESL and ESI were higher in patients with CAD than those without CAD. In addition, CAD patients with significant coronary stenosis had higher DESL and ESI than those without significant coronary stenosis. The ROC analysis revealed that ESI was superior to PSI in identifying patients with CAD, and further superior to GLS and PSI in predicting significant coronary stenosis. Moreover, ESI could provide independent and incremental predictive efficacy on significant coronary stenosis in patients with CAD.
Conclusions
Myocardial ESI is of great value for the diagnosis and risk stratification in clinically suspected NSTE-ACS patients with normal LVEF and wall motion.
Prenatal exposure to environmental air pollution and psychosocial stress jointly contribute to the epigenetic regulation of the serotonin transporter gene in newborns
Authors: Provenzi Livio , Nazzari Sarah , Cagliero Lucia , Grumi Serena , Pisoni Enrico , Mallucci Giulia , Bergamaschi Roberto , Maccarini Julia , Giorda Roberto
Published: March 2023

Antenatal exposures to maternal stress and to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) have been independently associated with developmental outcomes in early infancy and beyond. Knowledge about their joint impact, as well as possible biological mechanisms of their effects, is still limited. Both PM2.5 and maternal stress exposure during pregnancy might result in altered patterns of DNA methylation in specific stress-related genes, such as the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4 DNAm), that might, in turn, influence infant development. Here, we investigated the independent and interactive influence of variations in antenatal exposures to maternal pandemic-related stress (PRS) and PM2.5 on SLC6A4 DNAm levels in newborns. Mother–infant dyads (N=307) were enrolled at delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infants’ methylation status was assessed in 13 CpG sites within the SLC6A4 gene’s region (chr17:28562750–28562958) in buccal cells at birth and women retrospectively report on PRS. PM2.5 exposure over gestation and at each gestational trimester was estimated using a spatiotemporal model based on residential address. Higher levels of SLC6A4 DNAm at 6 CpG sites were found in newborns born to mothers reporting higher levels of antenatal PRS and greater PM2.5 exposure across gestation, while adjusting for infant’s sex. These effects were especially evident when exposure to elevated PM2.5 occurred during the second trimester of pregnancy. Understanding the interplay between environmental and individual-level stressors has important implications for the improvement of mother-infant health during and after the pandemic.
High local supersaturation formation for precipitated calcium carbonate synthesis by applying a rotating disk reactor
Authors: Adavi Kazem , Tahery Danial , Khajouei Mohammad , Latifi Mohammad
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a spinning disk reactor (SDR) was applied and tested successfully for precipitated calcium particle synthesis. The proposed SDR reactor consists of a spinning disk rotating at 4,000–16,000 rpm. The proposed SDR resulted in high local supersaturation due to the intense energy dissipation produced by a high-speed spinning disk. The higher rotational speed of SDR results in the production of calcium carbonate nanoparticles with smaller mean particle sizes and higher aragonite content. At the rotating speed of 15,000 rpm, precipitated calcium carbonate nanoparticles with a size of around 975 nm were produced. In addition, aragonite content increased from 10 wt% to 95 wt% by increasing disk speed from 4,000 rpm to 15,000 rpm.
Preoperative Frailty Assessed Comprehensively by a Questionnaire Predicts a Poor Survival Following Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tamura Tatsuro , Sakurai Katsunobu , Ryu Kaoru , Murata Tomoko , Miyamoto Hironari , Nishi Satoshi , Deguchi Sota , Nambara Mikio , Miki Yuichiro , Yoshii Mami , Toyokawa Takahiro , Kubo Naoshi , Tanaka Hiroaki , Lee Shigeru , Ohira Masaichi , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: March 2023

Background: With the increasing number of elderly people in Japan, there are more and more opportunities for physicians to treat elderly patients. In general, elderly patients are considered to be at increased risk for treatment due to a decreased organ reserve. In recent years, the concept of frailty has been attracting attention as a comprehensive indicator of the various effects of aging, but no conclusion has been reached on how to evaluate it. The present study investigated the adverse effect of preoperative frailty on short- and long-term outcomes in patients with gastric cancer using a questionnaire about frailty.
Methods: Of the 149 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our department between April 2015 and December 2016 and had pathological stage (p Stage) I/II/III, 125 were enrolled in this study, excluding 24 patients who failed to respond to the preoperative questionnaire on frailty.The frailty index (FI) was calculated by dividing the total score of 50 questions, consisting of 1 point per question, by 50. The study used a multiple logistic regression analysis with the 5-year overall survival (OS) as the endpoint to create a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the cut-off point for the FI. Based on the results, patients were classified into frail and non-frail groups. The short- and long-term outcomes of the frail and non-frail groups were then compared, and prognostic factors for the OS were examined. Postoperative complications were defined as those of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3a.
Results: Regarding the short-term outcomes, the postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between the frail and non-frail groups. Regarding the5-year OS rates of the patients with p Stages II/III, the outcomes in the frail group were significantly poorer than those in the non-frail group. In the multivariate analysis of the OS, frailty was independently associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with gastric cancer.
Conclusion: Frailty in the present study encompasses not only patients' physical factors but also their psychological and social factors, which may be useful for predicting the long-term prognosis of patients undergoing surgical treatment for advanced gastric cancer.
Growth origin of large-scale fiberform nanostructures in He-W co-deposition environment
Authors: Hori Kenta , Kajita Shin , Zhang Rongshi , Tanaka Hirohiko , Ohno Noriyasu
Published: March 2023

When tungsten (W) is deposited with helium (He) plasma (He-W co-deposition) on W surface, enhanced growth of fiberform nanostructure (fuzz) occurs, and sometimes it grows into large-scale fuzzy nanostructures (LFNs) thicker than 0.1~mm.In this study, different numbers of mesh openings (apertures) and W plates with nanotendril bundles (NTBs), which are tens of micrometers high nanofiber bundles, were used to investigate the condition for the origin of the LFN growth.It was found that the larger the mesh openings, the larger the area where LFNs are formed and the faster the formation tends to be. On NTB samples, it was found that NTBs grew significantly when exposed to He plasma with W deposition, especially when the size of the NTB reached $\sim$0.1~mm. The concentration of the He flux due to the distortion of the shape of the ion sheath is proposed as one of the reasons to explain the experimental results.
Identification of hub genes and potential mechanisms that linked hyperbaric oxygen therapy to traumatic injury Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Zhen , Ge Baiping , Li ao , Wang Gang
Published: March 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of acquired disability worldwide. Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment for TBI, the mechanism underlying its function remains unclear. Herein, we comprehensively analyzed the RNA sequencing data from public databases using bioinformatics analyses and identified three hub genes (IL10, MMP9, and PECAM1) associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and TBI. CIBERSORT was used to analyze patient data to infer the relative proportions of 22 infiltrating immune cells and to perform Pearson correlation analysis on gene expression and immune cell content levels. The three hub genes were significantly associated with infiltrating immune cells and had a predictive ability for TBI. In addition, the transcription factors of these three hub genes were identified and found to be enriched in immune functions. In conclusion, three hub genes and potentially relevant immune cells and biological processes were identified, which are associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and TBI. This will provide new evidence for further research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and TBI.
Ultra-High Capacity, Multifunctional Nanoscale Sorbents for PFOA and PFOS Treatment
Authors: Fortner John , Lee Junseok , Kim Changwoo , Liu Chen , Wong Prof Michael S , Capiro Natalie , Penell Kurt
Published: March 2023

Here, we describe surface functionalized, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (IONCs) for ultrahigh PFAS sorption and precise, low energy (magnetic) separation, considering perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). As a function of surface coating, sorption capacities described are considerably higher than previous studies using activated carbon, polymers, and unmodified metal/metal oxides, among others. In particular, positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated IONCs demonstrate extreme sorption capacities for both PFOA and PFOS due to electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, along with high polymer grafting densities, while remaining stable in water, thus maintaining available surface area. Further, through a novel method using a quart crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), we present real-time, interfacial observations (e.g. sorption kinetics). Through this method, we explore underpinning mechanism(s) for differential PFAS (PFOA vs PFOS) sorption behavior(s), demonstrating that PFAS functional head group strongly influence molecular orientation on/at the sorbent interface. The effect of water chemistry, including pH, ionic composition of water, and natural organic matter on sorption behavior are also evaluated and along with material (treatment) demonstration via bench-scale column studies.
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection of diabetic foot ulcers in an eastern diabetic foot center in China: A retrospective study
Authors: Chen Yixin , Yang Jie , Wang Ying , You Jiaxing , Zhu Weifen , Liu Chao , Li Lin , Li Hong
Published: March 2023

Background
Diabetic foot concerns are a major public health problem. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) plays a significant role in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has become notorious for skin and skin soft tissue infections over the last two decades. This study investigated MRSA infection in DFU at a tertiary hospital, focusing on the epidemiology and characteristics of CA-MRSA.
Methods
A total of 149 patients with diabetic foot infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus were selected. Epidemiological investigations, clinical characteristics, laboratory index records, antibiotic susceptibility analysis, and clinical outcome tracking were performed in all cases. Based on oxacillin resistance, cases were divided into methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) groups. Subgroup analysis of the MRSA group was performed in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control definition: CA-MRSA and hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA).
Results
Compared with the MSSA group (72.5%), the MRSA group (27.5%) had a longer duration of DFU, longer hospital stay, and higher hospitalization costs. The MRSA group was further subdivided into (CA-MRSA) and hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) groups. The severity of infection in the CA-MRSA group was higher than that in the HA-MRSA group. The analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility of 41 MRSA isolates showed that the resistance rates to erythromycin, clindamycin, quinolone, gentamicin, tetracycline, and rifampicin were 78.0%, 70.7%, 34.1%, 17.1%, 9.8%, and 2.4%, respectively. All the MRSA strains were sensitive to linezolid, tigecycline, and vancomycin. The resistance rates to quinolones and gentamycin in the CA-MRSA group (both 0%) were lower than those in the HA-MRSA group.
Conclusion
Emergence of MRSA in DFU was associated with a prolonged wound duration and increased consumption of medical resources. CA-MRSA strains predominated among MRSA isolates from diabetic foot wounds and caused more severe infections.
Spatial Estimation of Daily Precipitation in Thailand based on Infrared Satellite Images using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Inkeaw Papangkorn , Wongsaijai Ben , Poochinapan Kanyuta , Oonariya Chalump , Chaijaruwanich Jeerayut
Published: March 2023

Precipitation data highly benefits water management and flood warning. In Thailand, an agricultural country, the number of rain gauge stations is relatively small compared to the country’s area. To deal with the problem, many spatial interpolation methods have been adopted. They utilized only geological data from stations with known rainfall values to estimate values at other locations. Characteristics of clouds captured in infrared satellite images could be used to infer rainfall. In this study, infrared satellite satellite images from every 30 minutes were integrated with geological data to spatially estimate daily precipitation. Under different assumptions, we proposed three estimation models, namely AveragedIR-ANN, IRs-ANN, and LocalIRs-CNN. All three models used artificial neural networks as the estimator. The AveragedIR-ANN model used the average of 48 black body temperature (TBB) values to present IR images at the target location as an input. Meanwhile, the 48 TBB values were directly fed into the IRs-ANN. Not only the TBB values at the target location, but the LocalIRs-CNN also used the TBB values around the target location as inputs. Experiments were performed on 24 days per year between 2016 and 2019 with multiple tries. The results show that the LocalIRs-CNN outperformed by minimizing the median highest root mean square error. The model was suggested for northern, western and central Thailand.
Management of encounters related to subfertility and infertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females in Australian general practice
Authors: Gilbert Emily , Rumbold Alice , Campbell Sandra , Boyle Jacqueline , Grzeskowiak Luke
Published: March 2023

Objective: To investigate the management of subfertility and infertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females attending Australian general practice.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of 1,258,581 women (18-49 years) attending general practice between January 2011 and June 2019, utilising data from NPS MedicineWise MedicineInsight, a national general practice database in Australia.
Results: The prevalence of subfertility/infertility encounters was lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females (12.4 per 1000) than for non-Indigenous females (16.6 per 1000). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females with a subfertility/infertility encounter were younger and more likely to live outside Major cities and in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage than non-Indigenous females. Rates of prescribed infertility medications were not different between groups, however Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females were more likely to receive a pelvic ultrasound (24.3% vs. 19.9%); tests for LH (31.9% vs. 25.7%), testosterone (14.9% vs. 10.0%) and HbA1c (6.3% vs. 3.4%); but less likely to receive an AMH test (2.8% vs. 7.0%).
Conclusions: Lower encounter rates for infertility/subfertility among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may indicate access issues, preferred use of Aboriginal community-controlled health centres or younger average age at first birth and thus less age-related infertility.
Implications for public health: Future efforts should focus on maximising the inclusiveness of infertility surveillance. There is also a needfor further research into the experiences of and preferences for infertility care and associated barriers among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Oxidative stress increases in liver of lactating rats after BPF-low-dose exposure: perinatal effects in the offspring
Authors: Linillos-Pradillo Beatriz , Rancan Lisa , Murias Julio García , Schlumpf Margret , Lichtensteiger Walter , Tresguerres J. A.F. , Vara Elena , Paredes Sergio D.
Published: March 2023

Bisphenol F (BPF) is replacing Bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacture of products due to endocrine-disrupting effects. BPF monomers can also be released into the environment and enter the food chain, resulting in human exposure to low doses. Since bisphenols are primarily metabolized by the liver, this organ is more vulnerable to lower doses of bisphenols than others. Exposure during prenatal development may increase the risk of diseases in adulthood. The aim was to evaluate whether BPF administration could generate oxidative stress in liver of lactating rats, and whether these effects may be also observed in female and male postnatal day 6 (PND6) offspring. Long Evans rats received oral treatment: Control, BPF-low-dose (LBPF) 0.0365 mg/kg b.w./day, and BPF-high-dose (HBPF) 3.65 mg/kg b.w./day. The levels of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GR, GPx and GST), glutathione system (GSH, GSSG) and lipid damage markers (MDA, LPO) were measured using colorimetric methods in liver of both lactating dams and in PND6 offspring. Mean values were analyzed using Prism-7. LBPF affected liver defense mechanisms (antioxidant enzymes and glutathione system), increasing ROS levels and producing lipid peroxidation in lactating dams. Similar effects were found in female and male PND6 offspring as a consequence of perinatal exposure.
The Yinota-O-trial: Efficacy of an online yoga-intervention in high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers – patient-reported outcomes and serum stress parameters - a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rabe Antonia , Keßler Almuth Friederike , Hagemann Carsten , Jörg Schubert , Elisabeth Jentschke
Published: March 2023

Background: High-grade glioma patients and their caregivers often suffer from distress and a lower quality of life. Results from studies with patients with mixed cancer entities suggest that yoga can be an effective support. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers. This study aims to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based online yoga for patients and their caregivers on emotional distress, quality of life and stress-associated physiological parameters compared to a waiting control group (WCG).
Methods: The study is designed as a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Adult glioma patients (CNS WHO grades 3 & 4) and their caregivers will be recruited. Examined yoga instructors deliver the intervention (1 h/week) in a synchronous format over 8 weeks via video conferencing. The WCG will receive standard care during the 8-week waiting period. Data will be collected before and after the end of the intervention and another 3 months later using questionnaires as well as blood serum and hair samples to evaluate biochemical stress parameters. Primary outcome is self-reported generalized anxiety and secondary outcomes are self-reported progression anxiety, depression, quality of life as well as BDNF, DHEA/DHEAS, Ferritin and hair cortisol. We hypothesize better outcomes in the intervention group (IG) compared to the WCG at all measurement points. 70 patients and 70 caregivers will be recruited consecutively. Primary endpoints are significant effect detections in the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 of patients and caregivers at the end of the intervention. Analyses of covariance will be performed to analyze treatment effects.
Discussion: This is the first study to analyze the effectiveness of mindfulness-based online yoga for high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers with well-defined inclusion criteria. The consideration of biochemical stress markers will objectively increase the validity of self-reports in addition to supporting results of previous studies on yoga for cancer patients. If online yoga therapy proves effective, it could make yoga classes more attractive compared to face-to-face classes, as glioma patients are often limited in their mobility and caregivers have less time due to caregiving.
Trail registration: German Clinical Trial Register (Nr. DRKS00029554, 08/2022).
Community and Provider Perceptions and Experiences of Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Bolivia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Basagoitia Armando , Burrowes Sahai , Solis Maria Teresa , MacMillan Genevieve , Sullivan Sarah
Published: March 2023

Background: Despite efforts to increase cervical cancer screening access in rural Bolivia, uptake remains low. Bolivia has one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the Americas. As it redoubles efforts to deliver universal health care, the Bolivian government needs information on the factors constraining cervical cancer screening access, and utilization, especially in rural areas.
Methods: Our qualitative study explored cervical cancer screening barriers and described community and provider perceptions and experiences of care. Bolivian and US researchers analyzed data collected from eight focus groups with male and female community members (n=80) and interviews with healthcare providers (n=6) in four purposively selected rural communities in Monteagudo, Bolivia. Deductive and inductive codes were used to thematically analyze data using MaxQDA software.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data: lack of knowledge/misconceptions, health system inadequacy, lack of confidence in providers, and opportunities for improvement. Both men and women displayed misconceptions about the causes of cervical cancer, its consequences, the recommended screening frequency, and the means of accessing care. Providers noted community members’ lack of knowledge and low risk-perception as utilization barriers but also highlighted poor health service quality and inconsistent health education as factors. Poor healthcare quality was a significant barrier; this included poor patient-provider communication, lack of transportation to screening facilities, and severe delays in receiving test results. Providers also noted problems with provider training and physical space for screening. Community members reported low confidence in nurses to perform screening, preferring doctors and specialists. They also expressed discomfort in having male healthcare providers conduct screening. Providers reported low confidence in government officials to support cervical cancer screening improvements. Suggestions for improvements included more intensive cervical cancer outreach to rural areas, mobile screening, and having specialists train lower-level providers to perform screening.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that poor healthcare quality has affected screening uptake in addition to physical barriers to care. They indicate a need for initiatives to reduce reporting time for Pap test results, the incorporation of community-based HPV self-testing into screening protocols, and the implementation of programs to improve community confidence in providers’ ability to perform screening.
Establishing a Nomogram to Predict the Risk of Pulmonary Embolism in Oncology Patients
Authors: Liuyi Qiu , Tenggao Chen , Yifang Lu , Wenchen Li , Jianping Chen , Xu Ma
Published: March 2023

Objective
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious disease that can result in high morbidity and mortality among cancer patients. The aim of this study was to create a nomogram to accurately predict PE risk in oncology patients to enhance their medical treatment and management.
Methods
This study was designed as a retrospective analysis; information on medical history, complications, specific clinical characteristics, and laboratory biomarker results was collected for suspected PE patients admitted to the oncology department at the Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2012 and December 2021. A total of 512 patients were randomly divided into training and validation groups based on a 6:4 ratio. LASSO and multivariate logistic regressions were used to develop a nomogram-based scoring model. Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (AUC), calibration, and clinical decision curves.
Results
In our study, over 50 features from 512 patients were analyzed. The nomogram-based scoring model was established using five predictive features, including the neutrophil count, sex, systolic blood pressure, surgical status, and D-dimer levels, which achieved AUC values of 0.758 and 0.702 in the training (95% CI 0.695–0.804) and validation cohorts (95% CI 0.630–0.776), respectively. For our model, the sensitivity was 85.58%, the specificity was 35.78%, the positive predictive value was 72.44%, and the negative predictive value was 55.71%. The calibration curve results showed a strong consistency between the probability predicted by the nomogram and the actual probability. Decision curve analysis (DCA) also demonstrated that the nomogram-based scoring model produced a favorable net clinical benefit.
Conclusions
In this study, we successfully developed a novel numerical model that can predict PE risk in oncology patients, enabling appropriate selection of PE prevention strategies and reducing unnecessary computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scans and their associated adverse effects.
Functional traits of fine roots are primary determinants of richness and composition of microbial communities in subtropical forest soil
Authors: Pan Jinwen , Wu Huili , Xiang Wenhua , Ouyang Shuai , Chen Liang , Zeng Yelin , Deng Xiangwen , Zhao Zhonghui , Zeng Weixian , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: March 2023

Aims Although plant–microbial interactions are essential in sustaining terrestrial ecosystem functions, root–microbial interactions remain poorly understood. Therefore, effects of fine root species richness, composition and biomass, and functional traits on soil microbial community richness and composition were assessed in subtropical secondary forests.
Methods Fine root identity (DNA meta bar coding) was linked with microbial species (high-throughput Illumina sequencing) to reveal root effects on richness and composition of bacterial and fungal communities.
Results The results showed that bacterial and fungal richness was principally determined by functional dispersion of specific root length (FDis_SRL) and community weighted means of root diameter (CWM_diam), and their richness increased with these two root parameters. Microbial community composition was mainly regulated by FDis_SRL, and the abundance of eutrophic bacteria (r-strategists, e.g., Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria), saprotrophs and pathogens increased with FDis_SRL. These two root parameters still directly affect microbial community richness and composition even after accounting for soil and aboveground plant properties and also indirectly by increasing pH, total nitrogen, TP, and AP and decreasing C:N ratio. Furthermore, the richness and composition of fungi were more affected by fine root traits than bacteria, whereas bacteria were more strongly influenced by soil properties.
Conclusions Overall, soil microbial community richness and composition in subtropical secondary forests were primarily determined by fine root functional traits, especially FDis_SRL and CWM_diam. These results will improve our understanding of the important role of root–microbial interactions in terrestrial biogeochemical processes.
Novel antigenic proteins of Mycoplasma synoviae as potential vaccine candidates
Authors: Shi Huoying , Zhang Guihua , Han Lejiabao , Li Zewei , Chen Yifei , Li Quan , Wang Shifeng
Published: March 2023

Mycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) is a serious avian pathogen causing severe economic losses to chicken and turkey producers worldwide. The currently available live attenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccine on the market elicit only limited protection. The aim of this study was to identify antigenic proteins of M. synoviae as potential subunit vaccine candidates. In immunoproteomics and reverse vaccinology analyses, a total 24 candidate antigens were picked out. Five candidate antigens were selected to evaluate immunogenicity and preliminary protection in a chicken model, including RS01790 (lipoprotein, putative sugar ABC transporter), BMP (BMP family ABC transporter substrate-binding protein), GrpE (nucleotide exchange factor), RS00900 (putative nuclease) and RS00275 (Uncharacterized protein). The results showed that the five antigens had good immunogenicity. They could be localized on the M. synoviae cell membrane and adhere to DF-1 cells using indirect immunofluorescence assay. They induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Vaccine efficacy was evaluated by observing weight gain, pathogen load, pathological changes. As a result, the vaccinated chickens revealed significantly higher body weight gain, with lower air sac lesion scores and tracheal mucosal thicknesses. The vaccinated chickens also showed lower M. synoviae loads in throat swabs than nonvaccinated chickens. The protective effect of BMP, GrpE and RS00900 vaccines is better than that of RS01790 and RS00275. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of using subunit vaccine, providing new ideas for the development of M. synoviae vaccines. The vaccine candidates may contribute to the future development of therapeutic strategies to control the spread of M. synoviae worldwide.
Bioinspired bi-phasic 3D nano-flowers of MgO/Mg(OH) 2 coated melamine sponge as novel bactericidal agent
Authors: Agarwal Ashutosh , Senevirathna Hasanthi L. , Hwee Koo Seok , Wong Crystal Shie Lyeen , Lim Terence , Cheong Ng Foo , Anariba Franklin , Wu Ping
Published: March 2023

By roughly mimicking the surface architectural design of dragonfly wings, novel bi-phasic 3D nano-flowers of MgO/Mg(OH)2 were successfully synthesized via electrospinning technique. The 3D nano flowers were coated over commercial melamine sponge and extensively characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR and EDS. The formation of distinct dense 3D nano petals was revealed by SEM images whereby the mean petal thickness and mean distance between the adjacent petals were found to be 36 nm and 121 nm, respectively. The bactericidal activities of synthesized 3D nano-flowers coated melamine sponges were assessed against five different bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This study demonstrated significant bactericidal activity of MgO/Mg(OH)2 3D nano flowers coated MS against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Plausible bactericidal mechanisms include physical stretching, puncture and shearing of bacteria cell walls. This study serves to introduce novel bioinspired biomaterial with capacity to reduce risk associated with pathogenic bacterial infections especially in medical devices.
Fine mapping of two recessive powdery mildew resistance genes from Aegilops tauschii accession CIae8
Authors: Tang Xiong , Dai Fangxiu , Hao Yongli , Chen Yiming , Zhang Jianpeng , Wang Guoqing , Li Xingyue , Peng Xiaojin , Xu Tao , Yuan Chunxia , Sun Li , Xiao Jin , Wang Haiyan , Wang Zongkuan , Wang Xiue
Published: March 2023

Wheat powdery mildew (Pm), one of the worldwide destructive fungal diseases, could cause significant yield loss up to 30%. The identification of new Pm resistance genes will enrich the genetic diversity of wheat breeding for Pm resistance. Aegilops tauschii, the ancestor donor of sub-genome D of hexaploid wheat, is a gene pool of beneficial genes that can be easily transferred into wheat by production of synthetic hexaploid wheat followed by genetic recombination. We assessed the Pm resistance level of 35 Ae. tauschii accessions from different origins. Accession CIae8, exhibiting high resistance was used for gene mapping. Inheritance analysis using F2 and F2:3 populations derived from the cross between CIae8 and a Pm susceptible accession PI574467 revealed the Pm resistance was controlled by two independent recessive genes. Bulked segregate analysis using a 55 K SNP array revealed the polymorphic SNPs were concentrated distributed on 2DS (13.5-20 Mb) and 7DS (4.0-15.5 Mb). The Pm resistance loci were named as pmAet-2DS and pmAet-7DS, respectively. By recombinant screening, we narrowed the pmAet-2DS into a 370-kb interval flanked by markers CINAU-AE7800 (14.89 Mb) and CINAU-AE20 (15.26 Mb), mapped the pmAet-7DS to a 160-kb interval flanked by markers CINAU-AE58 (4.72 Mb) and CINAU-AE25 (4.88 Mb). The molecular markers closely linked with the resistance loci and the produced two synthesized hexaploid wheat (SHW) lines laid the foundation for the cloning of the two resistance loci and for their transferring into common wheat.
Interactive Role of Silicon on Attenuating Aluminum Toxicity in Sugarcane by Modifying Growth, Root Morphoanatomy, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Gas Exchange Parameters
Authors: Junior Gilmar da Silveira Sousa , Hurtado Alexander Calero , Alves Rita Cassia , Gasparino Eduardo Custodio , Santos Durvalina Maria Mathias
Published: March 2023

Aluminum (Al) inhibits growth and limits plant productivity in acidic soils. An important strategy to increase Al tolerance is the use of silicon (Si) nutrition. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the interactive function of Si supplementation on the biological responses of sugarcane s (Saccharum officinarum L., cultivars 'CTC9002' and 'CTC9003') under Al toxicity. Two pots experiments with four replications were conducted as a factorial scheme (2 × 4), in a completely randomized design to study the impact of Si (2 mM) on attenuating Al toxicity (0, 10, 15 e 20 mg L−1, as Al2(SO4)3·18H2O) in sugarcane seedlings. After 35 days, Al stress decreased sugarcane growth and the Si uptake capacity by decreasing the root growth and increasing Al uptake and translocation. Si attenuated Al toxicity in the sugarcane seedlings by limiting Al uptake and transport to the shoots, caused positive changes in roots morphoanatomy, higher content pigments, improving gas exchange parameters, thereby increased growth. The attenuation of Al toxicity by Si is more evident in the cultivar CTC9003. The findings of this study suggest that Si plays a notable role in improving anatomical and physiological aspects, in particular the growth of sugarcane seedlings under Al toxicity.
Optoelectronic performance of Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films structured by Sub-Picosecond Direct Laser Interference Patterning
Authors: Heffner Herman , Soldera Marcos , Lasagni Andrés Fabián
Published: March 2023

A route to increase the efficiency of thin film solar cells is improving the light-trapping capacity by texturing the top Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) so that the sunlight reaching the solar absorber scatters into multiple directions. In this study, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) thin films are treated by infrared sub-picosecond Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) to modify the surface topography. Surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy reveals the presence of periodic microchannels with a spatial period of 5 m and an average height between 15 and 450 nm decorated with Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) in the direction parallel to the microchannels. A relative increase in the average total and diffuse optical transmittances up to 10.7% and 1,900%, respectively, was obtained in the 400-1,000 nm spectral range as an outcome of the interaction of white light with the generated micro- and nanostructures. The estimation of Haacke’s figure of merit suggests that the surface modification of ITO with fluence levels near the ablation threshold might enhance the performance of solar cells that employ ITO as a front electrode.
PD-L1 expression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma treated with lenvatinib
Authors: Yamazaki Haruhiko , Okubo Yoichiro , Yokose Tomoyuki , Iwasaki Hiroyuki , Sasada Tetsuro , Masudo Katsuhiko , Toda Soji , Matsui Ai , Kadoya Mei , Rino Yasushi , Miyagi Yohei
Published: March 2023

Purpose
This study aimed to estimate the proportion of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) at our institution who are likely to have the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment by investigating programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Additionally, we investigated the association between PD-L1 expression and treatment outcomes of lenvatinib in patients with ATC.
Methods
The 19 lenvatinib-treated patients with ATC whose tissue samples available for immunohistochemistry were included in this study. The tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%was determined as positive for PD-L1 expression
Results
Of the 19 patients, 5 (26%) and 14 (74%) had a partial response to lenvatinib treatment and PD-L1 expression positivity, respectively. The median TPS was 30% in patients with positive PD-L1 expression. The median OS for all 19 patients was 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8–6.6) months with a 6-month OS rate of 36.8%. Furthermore, the median OS for patients with positive or negative PD-L1 expression was 5.3 (95% CI, 1.6–7.8) and 4.2 (95% CI, 1.1–not available) months, respectively (p = 0.277).
Conclusion
No correlation was observed between the PD-L1 expression in the ATC tissue samples and efficacy of lenvatinib. Furthermore, in our study, 14 (74%) of 19 patients with ATC had PD-L1 expression positivity. Although lenvatinib monotherapy may have limited efficacy, some patients with ATC have the possibility that the addition of ICI on lenvatinib is effective.
Delineation of Phenotypes and Genotypes of Facial Infiltrating Lipomatosis Associated with PIK3CA Mutations
Authors: Chen Hongrui , Sun Bin , Gao Wei , Qiu Yajing , Hua Chen , Lin Xiaoxi
Published: March 2023

Background: Facial infiltrative lipomatosis (FIL) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by unilateral facial swelling, for which surgery is the prevailing therapeutic option. Several studies have shown that the development of the FIL is closely associated with PIK3CA mutations. This study aimed to further identify the rare clinical features as well as the underlying molecular variants in patients with FIL.
Results: A series of 18 patients were included in this study, and all patients had presented infiltrative manifestations of adipose tissues confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. We observed that macrodactyly, polydactyly, hemimegalencephaly and hemihyperplasia could also be seen in patients with FIL. In total, eight different PIK3CA mutations were detected in tissues obtained from sixteen patients, respectively, missense mutation p.His1047Arg (n=4), p.Cys420Arg (n=2), p.Glu453Lys (n=2), p.Glu542Lys (n=2), p.Glu418Lys (n=1), p.Glu545Lys ( n=1), p.His1047Tyr (n=1) and deletion mutation p.Glu110del (n=3). Furthermore, the GNAQ mutation p.Arg183Gln was also detected in the epidermal nevus tissue of one patient. Imaging revealed that several patients carrying hotspot mutations had more severe adipose infiltration and skeletal deformity.
Conclusions: The clinical presentation and genetic profile of FIL were abundant, but make it difficult to treat. PIK3CA mutations drive the pathogenesis of FIL, and PIK3CA hotspot mutations may lead to more extensive infiltration of lipomatosis. Understanding the molecular variant profile of FIL will facilitate the application of novel PI3K-targeted inhibitors.
Neutral Point Equipment Selection on 26-kV Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Li Jisheng , He Xiao , Sun Xinfeng , Wang Yu
Published: March 2023

Large-capacity nuclear power plants are generally equipped with generator circuit breakers (GCBs) and capacitors connected in parallel at each end of the GCB to limit transient recovery voltages. However, an increase in capacitance to ground caused by shunt capacitors can lead to arcing ground overvoltage during single-phase short-circuit faults. This study conducts theoretical calculations and simulations to analyze the effects of reducing the resistance of the secondary side of the neutral grounding transformer and reducing the ratio of the grounding transformer on transient overvoltage limitation during single-phase short-circuit faults. The study also investigates the relationship between the size of the shunt capacitor at each end of the GCB and the single-phase short-circuit voltage and current to provide a reference for the optimal configuration of generator neutral equipment in practical engineering scenarios.