bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between insulin resistance and thyroid cancer in Chinese euthyroid subjects without conditions affecting insulin resistance
Authors: Xu Ning , Liu Haixia , Wang Yuan , Xue Yimiao
Published: March 2022

Backgrounds

In recent years, many studies have shown that insulin resistance is related to the occurrence of thyroid cancer, but there are few reports on whether the two are related under the premise that thyroid function is normal and the metabolic components related to insulin resistance are excluded. This study aims to analyze the insulin resistance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after excluding the population with abnormal metabolic components, and to study the risk factors of thyroid cancer in this population.

Methods

61 subjects diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) formed the DTC group and 262 subjects with benign nodules formed the control group. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), waist circumference (WC), lipid profiles, and free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid globulin antibody (TGAb), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting serum insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were measured.

Results

Mean subjects age (P = 0.021), BMI (P = 0.049), WC (P = 0.01), serum insulin concentration (P = 0.006), and HOMA-IR level (P = 0.005) were significantly greater in the DTC group than in the control group. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified advanced age (OR = 1.027 [1.003–1.051], P = 0.029) and an increased HOMA-IR level (OR = 1.572 [1.277–1.935], P < 0.001) as significant risk factors for thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

IR may increase the risk of thyroid cancer development even in the absence of conditions affecting insulin resistance.
Evaluation of glycemic control and related factors among outpatients with type 2 diabetes at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abera Rodas Getachew , Demesse Eyouel Shimeles , Boko Wako Dedecha
Published: March 2022

Background

The goals of glycemic management for patients with diabetes are to prevent or delay complications and optimize quality of life. However, in clinical practice, the recommended glycemic control target is difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is important to identify factors that influence the outcomes of glycemia to improve the quality of diabetic management.

The study aimed to evaluate the level and factors associated with glycemic control among type 2 diabetic outpatients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among systematically selected 325 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended diabetic clinics at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Pretested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic and diabetes-related information from March 1 to May 30, 2021. HbA1c was used to assess glycemic control according to the HbA1c target of < 7% (‘good’ control) as recommended by the American Diabetes Association for non-pregnant adults. The HbA1c level in the range of 7–8% was defined as ‘inadequate’ control and ‘poor’ at levels > 8%. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS v26. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of glycemic control.

Results

The median level of HbA1c of the participants was 8.4% (IQR 6.8–10.1). And approximately three-quarters (73.8%) of the patients had inadequate and poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%). Older age (AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.28–6.01), DM duration of > 10 years (AOR: 3.15, 95% CI: 2.22–6.54), insulin therapy (AOR: 3.07, 95% CI: 2.10–6.12), poor diet compliance (AOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.28–3.52) and failure to set goals for glycemic control (AOR: 3.42, 95% CI: 2.17–5.97) were factors associated with inadequate and poor glycemic control.

Conclusions

The study revealed that a significant number of diabetic patients had inadequate and poor glycemic control levels. And this was associated with older age, longer duration of DM, insulin therapy, poor diet compliance, and failure to set control goals. This requires a focus on the associated factors identified and tailored management mechanisms to maintain good glycemic control.
Predictors of effective clinical teaching – nursing educators’ perspective
Authors: Al-Rawajfah O. M. , Al Hadid L. , Madhavanprabhakaran G. K. , Francis F. , Khalaf A.
Published: March 2022

Background

The clinical teaching is the core component of the nursing curriculum, the alarming pandemic rates brought uncertainty to clinical teaching, weighing the safety of patients, students, and faculty, which demanded essential modification in clinical teaching and resulted in challenges in relation to effective response to clinical teaching requirements. This study aimed to assess the effective clinical teaching from the nurse educators’ perspective during the remote teaching that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study is a national Web-based descriptive study. Participants were recruited from five major Nursing Colleges in Oman. Descriptive and inferential as well as multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.

Results

A total of 127 nurse educators completed the survey with mean age of 43.9 (SD = 6.9) years. The overall effective clinical teaching score was 54.4 (SD = 10.9) which is considered acceptable, although the nurse educators in Oman reported the highest score on the safety dimension of the effective clinical teaching. Furthermore, females, doctoral prepared nurse educators, and those who acted as preceptors reported higher effective clinical teaching levels compared to their counterparts. The regression analysis showed that age, gender, and attending infection control training are significant predictors of effective clinical teaching.

Conclusion

The paradigm shift in clinical teaching requires adequate measures including identification and appropriate training of clinical instructors and preceptors to meet clinical teaching demands in remote teaching. It is also important to take actions that promote and maintain the safety prioritization in bedside clinical teaching. These measures might positively impact on the nursing education process.
Prognostic signature of esophageal adenocarcinoma based on pyroptosis-related genes
Authors: Li Guo-Sheng , He Rong-Quan , Liu Jun , He Juan , Fu Zong-Wang , Yang Lin-Jie , Ma Jie , Yang Li-Hua , Zhou Hua-Fu , Zeng Jiang-Hui , Chen Gang
Published: March 2022

Background

The role of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains unknown.

Methods

In this study, the first PRGs prognostic signature (PPS) of EAC was constructed based on the results of multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis. Based on 1,047 samples of EAC and normal esophagus (NE), differentially expressed PRGs were selected for the establishment of the PPS. The discrimination effect of this PPS was detected by receiver operating characteristic curves, and the prognosis value of this PPS was determined through Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves. Net benefits of the EAC patients from the nomogram (constructed based on the PPS and some clinical parameters) were assessed via decision curve analysis. The potential molecular mechanism of the PPS in EAC was explored via gene set enrichment analysis. The ability of PPS to distinguish EAC and NE was evaluated based on the results of summary receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

The significant prognostic value of PPS can be observed at all of the training cohort, test cohort, and validation cohort, such as its independent risk role in the prognosis of the EAC patients (hazard ratio > 0; 95% CI not including 0). The positive net benefits of the nomogram for the EAC patients can be detected via decision curve analysis, and the potential molecular mechanism of the PPS in EAC is likely related to cell pyroptosis. Last, some of the PRGs (particularly CASP5) included in this PPS specifically support its feasibility for identifying EAC (area under the curves > 0.7).

Conclusions

The construction of this PPS in EAC enhances the present understanding of the relationship between PRGs and EAC, thus representing a novel approach to the clinical identification and management of EAC based on PRGs.
Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside suppresses DHT-induced dermal papilla cell senescence by modulating p38-dependent ER-mitochondria contacts
Authors: Jung Young Hyun , Chae Chang Woo , Choi Gee Euhn , Shin Him Cha , Lim Jae Ryong , Chang Han Seung , Park Joonmo , Cho Ji Hyeon , Park Mo Ran , Lee Hyun Jik , Han Ho Jae
Published: March 2022

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a genetic disorder caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), accompanied by the senescence of androgen-sensitive dermal papilla cells (DPCs) located in the base of hair follicles. DHT causes DPC senescence in AGA through mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanism of this pathogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the protective role of cyanidins on DHT-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and DPC senescence and the regulatory mechanism involved.

Methods

DPCs were used to investigate the effect of DHT on mitochondrial dysfunction with MitoSOX and Rhod-2 staining. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity assay was performed to examine the involvement of membrane AR-mediated signaling in DHT-induced DPC senescence. AGA mice model was used to study the cyanidins on DHT-induced hair growth deceleration.

Results

Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside (C3A) effectively decreased DHT-induced mtROS accumulation in DPCs, and C3A reversed the DHT-induced DPC senescence. Excessive mitochondrial calcium accumulation was blocked by C3A. C3A inhibited p38-mediated voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) expression that contributes to mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) formation and transfer of calcium via VDAC1–IP3R1 interactions. DHT-induced MAM formation resulted in increase of DPC senescence. In AGA mice models, C3A restored DHT-induced hair growth deceleration, which activated hair follicle stem cell proliferation.

Conclusions

C3A is a promising natural compound for AGA treatments against DHT-induced DPC senescence through reduction of MAM formation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Image features for quality analysis of thick blood smears employed in malaria diagnosis
Authors: Fong Amaris W. M. , Martinez Carol , Cortés-Cortés Liliana J. , Suárez Daniel R.
Published: March 2022

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides protocols for the diagnosis of malaria. One of them is related to the staining process of blood samples to guarantee the correct parasite visualization. Ensuring the quality of the staining procedure on thick blood smears (TBS) is a difficult task, especially in rural centres, where there are factors that can affect the smear quality (e.g. types of reagents employed, place of sample preparation, among others). This work presents an analysis of an image-based approach to evaluate the coloration quality of the staining process of TBS used for malaria diagnosis.

Methods

According to the WHO, there are different coloration quality descriptors of smears. Among those, the background colour is one of the best indicators of how well the staining process was conducted. An image database with 420 images (corresponding to 42 TBS samples) was created for analysing and testing image-based algorithms to detect the quality of the coloration of TBS. Background segmentation techniques were explored (based on RGB and HSV colour spaces) to separate the background and foreground (leukocytes, platelets, parasites) information. Then, different features (PCA, correlation, Histograms, variance) were explored as image criteria of coloration quality on the extracted background information; and evaluated according to their capability to classify images as with Good or Bad coloration quality from TBS.

Results

For background segmentation, a thresholding-based approach in the SV components of the HSV colour space was selected. It provided robustness separating the background information independently of its coloration quality. On the other hand, as image criteria of coloration quality, among the 19 feature vectors explored, the best one corresponds to the 15-bins histogram of the Hue component with classification rates of > 97%.

Conclusions

An analysis of an image-based approach to describe the coloration quality of TBS was presented. It was demonstrated that if a robust background segmentation is conducted, the histogram of the H component from the HSV colour space is the best feature vector to discriminate the coloration quality of the smears. These results are the baseline for automating the estimation of the coloration quality, which has not been studied before, but that can be crucial for automating TBS’s analysis for assisting malaria diagnosis process.
Distinct bronchial microbiome precedes clinical diagnosis of lung cancer
Authors: Marshall Erin A. , Filho Fernando S. L. , Sin Don D. , Lam Stephen , Leung Janice M. , Lam Wan L.
Published: March 2022

Resident microbial populations have been detected across solid tumors of diverse origins. Sequencing of the airway microbiota represents an opportunity for establishing a novel omics approach to early detection of lung cancer, as well as risk prediction of cancer development. We hypothesize that bacterial shifts in the pre-malignant lung may be detected in non-cancerous airway liquid biopsies collected during bronchoscopy. We analyzed the airway microbiome profile of near 400 patients: epithelial brushing samples from those with lung cancer, those who developed an incident cancer, and those who do not develop cancer after 10-year follow-up. Using linear discriminate analysis, we define and validate a microbial-based classifier that is able to predict incident cancer in patients before diagnosis with no clinical signs of cancer. Our results demonstrate the potential of using lung microbiome profiling as a method for early detection of lung cancer.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell promotes angiogenesis via integrin β1/ERK1/2/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling pathway for off-the-shelf breast tissue engineering
Authors: Wu Mian , Chen Lifeng , Qi Yuhan , Ci Hai , Mou Shan , Yang Jie , Yuan Qiaoyu , Yao Weiqi , Wang Zhenxing , Sun Jiaming
Published: March 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-based tissue engineered breast represent the visible future for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. However, autologous MSCs might not be appropriate for the large graft construction due to cell senescence during excessive cell expansion, thus hindering its further off-the-shelf application. The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have been found to induce low immune response and can be easily stored, making them ideal for off-the-shelf tissue engineering application. Here, we explored the feasibility of using umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as tissue-engineered breast seed cells.

Methods

The allogenic hUCMSCs were injected into transplanted fat tissue with or without breast scaffolds as an alternative for breast tissue engineering in vivo, and its potential mechanism of angiogenesis in vitro was explored.

Results

Transplantation of hUCMSCs promoted proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through paracrine mechanism by activating the integrin β1/ERK1/2/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling pathway. Histological examination of grafted fat revealed that the group which received hUCMSCs transplantation had more fat tissue [(93.60 ± 2.40) %] and fewer MAC2+CD206− M1 macrophages [(0.50 ± 0.47) cells/field] compared to the control group [fat tissue (45.42 ± 5.96) and macrophage cells/field (5.00 ± 2.23)]. Moreover, the hUCMSCs- labeled with a tracing dye differentiated into adipocytes and vascular endothelial cells in the adipose tissue. When applied to the tissue-engineered breast with a scaffold, the group treated with hUCMSCs had more adipose tissues and CD31+ cells than the control group.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that allogeneic hUCMSCs promote the regeneration of adipose tissue and can be used to construct a tissue engineered breast.
Shining the light on clinical application of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Jasim Saade Abdalkareem , Yumashev Alexei Valerievich , Abdelbasset Walid Kamal , Margiana Ria , Markov Alexander , Suksatan Wanich , Pineda Benjamin , Thangavelu Lakshmi , Ahmadi Seyed Hossein
Published: March 2022

The autoimmune diseases are associated with the host immune system, chronic inflammation, and immune reaction against self-antigens, which leads to the injury and failure of several tissues. The onset of autoimmune diseases is related to unbalanced immune homeostasis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells which have capability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types that exert a critical role in immunomodulation and regenerative therapy. Under the certain condition in vitro, MSCs are able to differentiate into multiple lineage such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, and neuron-like cells. Consequently, MSCs have a valuable application in cell treatment. Accordingly, in this review we present the last observations of researches on different MSCs and their efficiency and feasibility in the clinical treatment of several autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune liver disease, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
A direct, sensitive and high-throughput genus and species-specific molecular assay for large-scale malaria screening
Authors: Zhao Yaling , Zhao Ye , Sun Yu , Fan Lihua , Wang Duoquan , Wang Heng , Sun Xiaodong , Zheng Zhi
Published: March 2022

Background

Infectious disease diagnostics often requires sensitive molecular assays that identify at both genus and species levels. For large scale screening, such as malaria screening for elimination, diagnostic assay can be a challenge, as both the throughput and cost of the assay must be considered. The requirement of nucleic acid extraction hampers the throughput of most molecular assays. Co-amplification of multiple species or multiplex identification either can result in missed diagnosis or are too costly for large-scale screening. A genus- and species-specific diagnostic assay with simplified procedure, high sensitivity and throughput is still needed. This study aimed to develop a sensitive and high-throughput approach for large-scale infectious disease screening.

Methods

We developed multi-section Capture and Ligation Probe PCR (mCLIP-PCR) for the direct detection of RNA without extraction and reverse transcription. Multiple tailed sandwich hybridization probes were used to bind at genus- and species-specific sections of the target RNA to cooperatively capture the target onto a 96-well plate. After enzymatic ligation of the bound probes, a single-stranded DNA formed at each section with distinct tail sequence at the ends. They were separately PCR-amplified with primers corresponding to tail sequences for genus or species identification. We applied the method to the active screening of Plasmodium infections of 4,580 asymptomatic dried blood spot samples collected in malaria endemic areas and compared the results with standard qPCR using linear regression.

Results

With multi-section cooperative capture but separate amplification strategy, we accurately identified genus Plasmodium and species P. falciparum and P. vivax without RNA extraction, with favorable sensitivities among the published reports. In the active screening, our method identified all 53 positive infections including two mixed infections, and two P. vivax infections that were missed by standard qPCR.

Conclusions

mCLIP-PCR provides a sensitive and high-throughput approach to large-scale infectious disease screening with low cost and labor, making it a valuable tool for malaria elimination in endemic region.

Graphical Abstract
Domain decomposition involving subdomain separable space representations for solving parametric problems in complex geometries
Authors: Kazemzadeh-Parsi Mohammad Javad , Ammar Amine , Chinesta Francisco
Published: March 2022

A domain decomposition technique combined with an enhanced geometry mapping based on the use of NURBS is considered for solving parametrized models in complex geometries (non simply connected) within the so-called proper generalized decomposition (PGD) framework, enabling the expression of the solution in each subdomain in a fully separated form, involving both the space and the model parameters. NURBS allow a compact and powerful domain mapping into a fully separated reference geometry, while the PGD allows recovering an affine structure of the problem in the reference domain, facilitating the use of the standard PGD solver for computing the parametric solution in each subdomain first, and then by enforcing the interface transmission conditions, in the whole domain.
Conceptualising specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM): current evidence and future directions
Authors: Kiely Laura , Touyz Stephen , Conti Janet , Hay Phillipa
Published: March 2022

Background

Current evidence-based treatments for adult anorexia nervosa (AN) have limitations, with high attrition, very poor outcomes for 20% of people, and no clearly superior manualised therapy for adults with AN. Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) was designed as a control treatment but has evolved as a valid first line treatment. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the evidence base for SSCM and a pedagogical reconceptualization with expansion by theoretical integration (TI).

Body

A secondary meta-analysis endorses SSCM as a promising treatment. This paper positions SSCM as a manualised therapy for adult AN with six unique features, namely (1) a philosophy which is person-centred, non-prescriptive, and informed by the person’s strengths and values, (2) a focus on the person through inclusion of supportive psychotherapy and problem (clinical management), within target symptoms as defined in relation to AN, (3) a flexible and responsive therapy that could be delivered by a variety of clinicians with experience treating AN (4) a commitment to reversing starvation though a directional approach and a defined yet flexible stance on dietetic intervention (5) a commitment to the therapeutic relationship within all three phases of treatment, and (6) a therapy ‘uncluttered’ by specific mandates. In addition, this paper positions SSCM as a treatment that may be strengthened by other modalities and may also be adapted to the treatment of other eating disorders (ED), not just AN. The level of therapist sophistication to deliver upon the supportive psychotherapy component is explored and future directions are offered.

Conclusion

SSCM is a unique and valid first line treatment for AN and would benefit from further expansion in line with emerging understandings of AN to strengthen it as a treatment. Speculation on aspects of potency would benefit from further testing. The proposed re-conceptualisation of SSCM in the context of its evidence may strengthen it as a treatment overall, position it as adaptable for treatment of other eating disorders and make it more accessible to clinicians.
Quality indicators and performance measures for prison healthcare: a scoping review
Authors: Bellass Sue , Canvin Krysia , McLintock Kate , Wright Nat , Farragher Tracey , Foy Robbie , Sheard Laura
Published: March 2022

Background

Internationally, people in prison should receive a standard of healthcare provision equivalent to people living in the community. Yet efforts to assess the quality of healthcare through the use of quality indicators or performance measures have been much more widely reported in the community than in the prison setting. This review aims to provide an overview of research undertaken to develop quality indicators suitable for prison healthcare.

Methods

An international scoping review of articles published in English was conducted between 2004 and 2021. Searches of six electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, PsycInfo and Criminal Justice Abstracts) were supplemented with journal searches, author searches and forwards and backwards citation tracking.

Results

Twelve articles were included in the review, all of which were from the United States. Quality indicator selection processes varied in rigour, and there was no evidence of patient involvement in consultation activities. Selected indicators predominantly measured healthcare processes rather than health outcomes or healthcare structure. Difficulties identified in developing performance measures for the prison setting included resource constraints, data system functionality, and the comparability of the prison population to the non-incarcerated population.

Conclusions

Selecting performance measures for healthcare that are evidence-based, relevant to the population and feasible requires rigorous and transparent processes. Balanced sets of indicators for prison healthcare need to reflect prison population trends, be operable within data systems and be aligned with equivalence principles. More effort needs to be made to meaningfully engage people with lived experience in stakeholder consultations on prison healthcare quality. Monitoring healthcare structure, processes and outcomes in prison settings will provide evidence to improve care quality with the aim of reducing health inequalities experienced by people living in prison.
Assessing meaningful work among Hungarian employees: testing psychometric properties of work and meaning inventory in employee subgroups
Authors: Csordás Georgina , Matuszka Balázs , Sallay Viola , Martos Tamás
Published: March 2022

Background

The construct of meaningful work (MW) has become the subject of various studies. Workers who experience MW have higher career and organizational commitment, report fewer days absent, and are characterized by a higher level of well-being. The aim of this study is to test a measure of MW, the Work and Meaning Inventory by Steger et al. This measure was created on theoretical background, and it constructs MW from three dimensions: psychological meaning, meaning-making, and greater good motivation.

Methods

The analysis was conducted in a Hungarian sample (N = 2,498), using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multiple-group CFA.

Results

The three-dimensional model of the WAMI was confirmed in the analysis. In our study, the measure proved to be reliable, even in the test–retest analysis. Moreover, the discriminant and convergent validity of the WAMI was tested, with various relevant constructs: the presence and the search for life meaning, life satisfaction, and job satisfaction. Also a multiple-group CFA was conducted with the three-factor model, confirming measurement invariance regarding sex and working position.

Conclusions

In line with the original version of the WAMI, the three-dimensional model was confirmed, with good psychometric properties in the Hungarian working context.
Professional self-understanding of teachers in different career stages: a phenomenological analysis
Authors: Yağan Ersin , Özgenel Mustafa , Baydar Fatih
Published: March 2022

Teachers’ sense of identity plays a central role in understanding their actions as individuals inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, it is important to determine teachers’ understanding of who they are. Thus, teachers’ opinions about their professional self-understanding in the study were aimed to be analysed. Although teacher training practices are gaining importance rapidly, it is seen that studies on how teachers evaluate themselves are not sufficiently included in the literature. For this purpose, the research was carried out using the qualitative research method and phenomenology pattern to consider teachers’ opinions about their professional self-understanding holistically. The research study group consists of 44 teachers working in primary, secondary, and high schools in the Pendik district of Istanbul. Research data were obtained from in-depth interviews with teachers through semi-structured interview forms. The findings obtained were grouped under five themes: “Image, Respect, Job Motivation, Perception of Duty, and Future Views”, considering the relevant literature. The study revealed that professional self-understanding is closely affected by emotions and teachers’ social status. Considering the relationship between social status, acceptance, and individual motivation, it is thought that the negative judgments in society about the teaching profession make individuals reluctant to choose this profession. For this reason, it can be evaluated that studies should be carried out to restore the eroded reputation of the profession in society and that this profession should be provided with much more attractive opportunities economically.
The key to immunotherapy: how to choose better therapeutic biomarkers for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Pan Yue , Fu Yucheng , Zeng Yue , Liu Xiaohan , Peng Yurong , Hu Chunhong , Deng Chao , Qiu Zhenhua , Zou Jian , Liu Yuxuan , Wu Fang
Published: March 2022

Immunotherapy has become the standard of care for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), either in combination or monotherapy. However, there are still some patients who cannot benefit from it. Immunization strategies for NSCLC are based on the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and TMB, and although these indicators have a certain predictive effect, their predictive performance is not good. Therefore, clinicians must make adjustments to recognize markers. This is a review article that summarized immunotherapeutic biomarkers according to the “seed-soil-environment”, generalizes primary resistance to immunotherapy, and summarizes the integration of markers.
Motion detection and classification: ultra-fast road user detection
Authors: Ojala Risto , Vepsäläinen Jari , Tammi Kari
Published: March 2022

With the emerge of intelligent and connected transportation systems, driver perception and on-board safety systems could be extended with roadside camera units. Computer vision can be utilised to detect road users, conveying their presence to vehicles that cannot perceive them. However, accurate object detection algorithms are typically computationally heavy, depending on delay-prone cloud computation or expensive local hardware. Similar problems are faced in many intelligent transportation applications, in which road users are detected with a roadside camera. We propose utilising Motion Detection and Classification (MoDeCla) for road user detection. The approach is computationally lightweight and capable of running in real-time on an inexpensive single-board computer. To validate the applicability of MoDeCla in intelligent transportation applications, a detection benchmark was carried out on manually labelled data gathered from surveillance cameras overseeing urban areas in Espoo, Finland. Separate datasets were gathered during winter and summer, enabling comparison of the detectors in significantly different weather conditions. Compared to state-of-the-art object detectors, MoDeCla performed detection an order of magnitude faster, yet achieved similar accuracy. The most impactful deficiency of MoDeCla was errors in bounding box placement. Car headlights and long dark shadows were found especially difficult for the motion detection, which caused incorrect bounding boxes. Future improvements are also required for separately detecting overlapping road users.
Characteristics of the foreshock occurrence for Mj3.0 to 7.2 shallow onshore earthquakes in Japan
Authors: Peng Hong , Mori James
Published: March 2022

We use the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) earthquake catalogue from January, 2001 to February, 2021 to investigate the spatiotemporal foreshock occurrence for shallow (within 30 km depth) onshore earthquakes (Mj3.0 to 7.2). We find clear peaks for the numbers of small earthquakes within 10 days and 3 km prior to the larger earthquakes, which are considered as our definition of foreshocks. After removing the aftershocks, earthquake swarms and possible triggered earthquakes by the 2011 Mw9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake, we find that for the 2066 earthquakes (mainshocks), 783 (38%) have one or more foreshocks. There is a decreasing trend of foreshock occurrence rate with mainshock depth. Also, normal faulting earthquakes have higher foreshock occurrence rate than reverse faulting earthquakes. We calculate the earthquake occurrence rate as a function of the magnitudes of foreshocks and mainshocks, and we have found no clear trend between the magnitudes of foreshocks and mainshocks.

Graphical Abstract
Branching and converging pathways in fungal natural product biosynthesis
Authors: Wei Xingxing , Wang Wei-Guang , Matsuda Yudai
Published: March 2022

In nature, organic molecules with great structural diversity and complexity are synthesized by utilizing a relatively small number of starting materials. A synthetic strategy adopted by nature is pathway branching, in which a common biosynthetic intermediate is transformed into different end products. A natural product can also be synthesized by the fusion of two or more precursors generated from separate metabolic pathways. This review article summarizes several representative branching and converging pathways in fungal natural product biosynthesis to illuminate how fungi are capable of synthesizing a diverse array of natural products.
Campimetry and visual changes after RHZE treatment for tuberculosis
Authors: Taffner Brunella Maria Pavan , da Cruz Luiz Guilherme Ito , de Ávila Fowler Flávio , Nawa Carolynne Cardoso , Savioli Marcia Telma , Rodrigues Denise Silva , Magalhães Junior Octaviano , Belfort Junior Rubens
Published: March 2022

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a high prevalence in Brazil (Global tuberculosis report 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020). The ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy damage is partly reversible, making its early diagnosis essential to reduce permanent visual damage.

Purpose

To observe alterations in the computerized campimetry, Ishihara test and visual acuity secondary to rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrimethamine, ethambutol (RHZE) treatment.

Methods

Patients undergoing treatment with RHZE at the tuberculosis service of the Federal University of São Paulo were recruited from March 2019 to December 2020. The best-corrected visual acuity (VA) measurements, Ishihara test and visual fields were performed at baseline, monthly, until 2 weeks after treatment.

Results

Twenty-five patients were included. The VA decreased significantly (P = 0.0129) post-treatment compared to month 1. The mean deviation (MD) did not decrease significantly (P > 0.05); the pattern standard deviation (PSD) decreased post-treatment compared to month 1 (P = 0.0371). Changes in the Ishihara test increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in the second month.

Conclusion

The VA and PSD decreased significantly after RHZE treatment. Changes in the Ishihara test were observed in the second month.

Trial registration: The Research Ethics Committee of Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine approved the study in March 2019. CAAE 04297018.4.0000.5505.
Immediate faculty feedback using debriefing timing data and conversational diagrams
Authors: Coggins Andrew , Hong Sun Song , Baliga Kaushik , Halamek Louis P.
Published: March 2022

Background

Debriefing is an essential skill for simulation educators and feedback for debriefers is recognised as important in progression to mastery. Existing assessment tools, such as the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH), may assist in rating performance but their utility is limited by subjectivity and complexity. Use of quantitative data measurements for feedback has been shown to improve performance of clinicians but has not been studied as a focus for debriefer feedback.

Methods

A multi-centre sample of interdisciplinary debriefings was observed. Total debriefing time, length of individual contributions and demographics were recorded. DASH scores from simulation participants, debriefers and supervising faculty were collected after each event. Conversational diagrams were drawn in real-time by supervising faculty using an approach described by Dieckmann. For each debriefing, the data points listed above were compiled on a single page and then used as a focus for feedback to the debriefer.

Results

Twelve debriefings were included (µ = 6.5 simulation participants per event). Debriefers receiving feedback from supervising faculty were physicians or nurses with a range of experience (n = 7). In 9/12 cases the ratio of debriefer to simulation participant contribution length was ≧ 1:1. The diagrams for these debriefings typically resembled a fan-shape. Debriefings (n = 3) with a ratio < 1:1 received higher DASH ratings compared with the ≧ 1:1 group (p = 0.038). These debriefings generated star-shaped diagrams. Debriefer self-rated DASH scores (µ = 5.08/7.0) were lower than simulation participant scores (µ = 6.50/7.0). The differences reached statistical significance for all 6 DASH elements. Debriefers evaluated the ‘usefulness’ of feedback and rated it ‘highly’ (µ= 4.6/5).

Conclusion

Basic quantitative data measures collected during debriefings may represent a useful focus for immediate debriefer feedback in a healthcare simulation setting.
Phase field simulations of FCC to BCC phase transformation in (Al)CrFeNi medium entropy alloys
Authors: Zuo X. J. , Coutinho Y. , Chatterjee S. , Moelans N.
Published: March 2022

Microstructure simulations for quaternary alloys are still a challenge, although it is of high importance for alloy development. This work presents a Phase field (PF) approach capable of resolving phase transformation in a multicomponent system with a simple and effective way to include the thermodynamic and kinetic information for such a complex system. The microstructure evolution during diffusional transformation between FCC and BCC phase at 700 °C for AlCrFeNi alloys was simulated, accounting for composition dependence and off-diagonal terms in the diffusion tensor. The reliability of the presented PF method is validated by comparing the 1-D simulation results with simulations by Diffusion Module (DICTRA) of Thermo-Calc Software. Additionally, 2-D PF simulations of precipitate growth and Ostwald ripening are performed for different alloy systems, and the coarsening behavior is compared. Results showed that thermodynamic and kinetic information is accurately described in the applied PF method. The simulation results show that the diffusion behavior is influenced evidently by variations in the amounts of the different elements in the system. These findings demonstrate the necessity of applying accurate thermodynamic and kinetic models to fully understand the complex interdiffusion behavior in high and medium entropy alloys.
Antagonistic and growth enhancement activities of native Pseudomonas spp. against soil and tuber-borne diseases of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Lal Mehi , Kumar Ashvani , Chaudhary Sorabh , Singh R. K. , Sharma Sanjeev , Kumar Manoj
Published: March 2022

Background

Soil and tuber-borne diseases are serious threat for potato cultivation worldwide which causes severe economical losses in terms of yield, quantity and quality. Generally, these diseases managed by chemical pesticide, are a major concern for human health and environment. Therefore, finding an eco-friendly alternative management strategies are necessary. The native bacterial isolates collected from different crops rhizosphere soil were evaluated against Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium spp and were also tested for their growth enhancement attributes on potato crop and phosphate solubilising efficiency.

Results

Based on the morphological and phenotypic characters, most of the isolates were identified as Pseudomonas spp (18 isolates). A total of twenty-two bacterial isolates were screened for bio-control activity in dual culture assay. Isolate Pf14 showed the highest mycelial inhibitory potential (ranged from 62.2 to 59.3%) against R. solani, S. sclerotiorum, S. rolfsii and Fusarium spp. In sealed plate assay, Pf14 produced antifungal volatile compounds that significantly inhibited mycelial growth (ranged from > 80 to > 50%). Maximum reduction in fungal biomass (ranged from > 80%) was observed in King’s broth in shake liquid culture in all the pathogens. Cell-free culture filtrate of the selected isolate inhibited mycelial growth ranged from 68.9 to 42.6% of the tested pathogens with 48-h old culture filtrate. Additionally, the isolates exhibited higher phosphorus solubilizing efficiency on PVK media. Under field conditions, talc based formulation of Pf14 showed enhanced agronomical characters and inhibits black scurf severity up to 67.59%. This treatment also recorded a highest tuber yield (21.90 t/ha) with increase of 15.38% in comparison to untreated control.

Conclusion

Overall, antagonistic bacterium Pf14 can be recommended as bio fertilizers for eco-friendly management of major potato fungal diseases as well as increasing marketable yield and used as an alternative to the pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Cervical lymphangioma with myxoid degeneration: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Li Hongyi , Zhang Meng , Ye Jingzhi , Chen Yanxia , Xiao Mengqiang
Published: March 2022

Background

Lymphangioma is a multi-systemic disease mostly affecting the mesentery, omentum, mesocolon and retroperitoneum and rarely involving bone, with fewer than 30 cases reported so far. Lymphangioma usually has no specific clinical manifestation and could be easily misdiagnosed. Lymphangioma with myxoid degeneration was not reported. We report a histopathologically proved case of lymphangioma of 6th and 7th cervical vertebra (C6–7) with myxoid degeneration.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old male who suffered from pain in the right shoulder for 1 month, aggravated with numbness in the right little finger and ring finger and radiating pain for half a month. CT showed multiple cystic bone destruction areas in C6–7 vertebral right part and appendage with marginal osteosclerosis and surrounded by soft tissue density. The size of the lesion was about 36 mm × 41 mm . MRI: the margin of the lesion appears lobulated. Lesion showed slightly hypointense on T1WI, slightly hyperintense on T2WI and STIR. Multiple patchy T1WI hypointense and T2WI hyperintense shadows were seen within the lesion. No enhancement was observed in the lesion after injection of contrast, and there was no abnormal signal in surrounding soft tissue and bone. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioma with myxoid degeneration after surgical resection. After over 2 years of follow-up, there were no signs of disease recurrence and progression.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in English language literature of lymphangioma with myxoid degeneration.
Contradictions and continuities: a historical context to Euro-American settlement era fires of the Lake States, USA
Authors: Meunier Jed
Published: March 2022

Background

The Lake States experienced unprecedented land use changes during Euro-American settlement including large, destructive fires. Forest changes were radical in this region and largely attributed to anomalous settlement era fires in slash (cumulation of tops and branches) following cutover logging. In this study, I place settlement era fires in a historical context by examining fire scar data in comparison to historical accounts and investigate fire-vegetation-climate relationships within a 400-year context.

Results

Settlement era fires (1851–1947) were less frequent than pre-settlement fires (1548–1850) with little evidence that slash impacted fire frequency or occurrence at site or ecoregion scales. Only one out of 25 sites had more frequent settlement era fires, and that site was a pine forest that had never been harvested. Settlement era fires were similar across disparate ecoregions and forest types including areas with very different land use history. Settlement fires tended to burn during significantly dry periods, the same conditions driving large fires for the past 400 years. The burned area in the October 8, 1871, Peshtigo Fire was comprised of mesic forests where fuels were always abundant and high-severity fires would be expected under the drought conditions in 1871. Furthermore, slash would not have been a major contributor to fire behavior or effects in the Peshtigo Fire when logging was still limited to relatively accessible pine forests.

Conclusions

Historical written accounts of fires and settlement era survey records provide a reference point for landscape changes but lack temporal depth to understand forest dynamics. Tree-ring analyses provide a longer (ca. 400 year) context and more mechanistic understanding of landscape dynamics. While settlement land use changes of Lake States forests were pervasive, fires were not the ultimate degrading factor, but rather likely one of the few natural processes still at work.
The microbiome of common bedding materials before and after use on commercial dairy farms
Authors: Ray Tui , Gaire Tara Nath , Dean Christopher J. , Rowe Sam , Godden Sandra M. , Noyes Noelle R.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background

Bovine mastitis is one of the most economically important diseases affecting dairy cows. The choice of bedding material has been identified as an important risk factor contributing to the development of mastitis. However, few reports examine both the culturable and nonculturable microbial composition of commonly used bedding materials, i.e., the microbiome. Given the prevalence of nonculturable microbes in most environments, this information could be an important step to understanding whether and how the bedding microbiome acts as a risk factor for mastitis. Therefore, our objective was to characterize the microbiome composition and diversity of bedding material microbiomes, before and after use.

Methods

We collected 88 bedding samples from 44 dairy farms in the U.S. Unused (from storage pile) and used (out of stalls) bedding materials were collected from four bedding types: new sand (NSA), recycled manure solids (RMS), organic non-manure (ON) and recycled sand (RSA). Samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3–V4 region.

Results

The overall composition as well as the counts of several microbial taxa differed between bedding types, with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominating across all types. Used bedding contained a significantly different microbial composition than unused bedding, but the magnitude of this difference varied by bedding type, with RMS bedding exhibiting the smallest difference. In addition, positive correlations were observed between 16S rRNA sequence counts of potential mastitis pathogens (bacterial genera) and corresponding bedding bacterial culture data.

Conclusion

Our results strengthen the role of bedding as a potential source of mastitis pathogens. The consistent shift in the microbiome of all bedding types that occurred during use by dairy cows deserves further investigation to understand whether this shift promotes pathogen colonization and/or persistence, or whether it can differentially impact udder health outcomes. Future studies of bedding and udder health may be strengthened by including a microbiome component to the study design.