bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XPS and AFM-IR correlative analysis of a ziggurat-structured ZDDP tribofilm
Authors: Lyon Stuart , Despotelis Kostas , Morsch Suzanne , Spencer Ben
Published: May 2022

Dynamic single asperity contact, using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) probe tips, have been recently shown to be a powerful tool for investigating the tribological properties of surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a novel in-situ approach that produces a multilayer, ziggurat-structured, tribofilm developed over time. On a single sample produced during one uninterrupted experiment, each distinct layer uniquely represents a different stage of tribofilm development arising from decomposition of zinc dialkyl-dithiophosphate (ZDDP). We were able to successfully analyse the structure of the most developed inner layers, which reached a thickness of more than 130 nm, and the less developed outer regions, which were just a few nm thick, as well as intermediate layers. Thus, selected area X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, measured a shift in the composition of zinc, sulphur and phosphorus, and a decrease in the sulphide:sulphate and ZnS:ZnO ratios as the film developed. Furthermore, AFM-IR, used in this application for the first time, directly identified S = O groups in the early stage of tribofilm growth as well as in the thermofilm. However, during later stages of growth, and particularly in the most developed central layers of the ‘ziggurat’, structure (poly)phosphates were detected (P = O, P-O-P, P-O-C). This confirms the previously suspected changes in the chemistry of such tribofilms as they develop.
Spiritual care needs attributes among hospitalized patients with breast cancer based on Kano model approach: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Zhangyi , Zhao Haomei , Zhu Yue , Piao Jingjing , Xiao Luwei , Yang Zhihua , Zhang Yajun
Published: May 2022

Purpose To qualitatively analyze spiritual care needs attributes among hospitalized patients with breast cancer based on Kano model approach, in order to provide a reference for formulating intervention measures to meet their spiritual care needs.Methods A descriptive design was implemented, and the STROBE Checklist was used as the foundation of the study. The sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, and an questionnaire on spiritual care needs attributes among hospitalized patients with breast cancer based on Kano model approach were used. A total of 357 hospitalized patients with breast cancer from three tertiary grade-A hospitals in China were investigated by using convenience sampling. Descriptive, maximum frequency, importance-satisfaction matrix, and blue-sea strategy analyses were used to analyze the data.Results Among the 12 items of spiritual care needs among hospitalized patients with breast cancer, 3 items (25.0%) were attractive attributes, all of which were located in reserving zone IV; 5 items (41.7%) were one-dimensional attributes, of which 3 were located in predominance zone I, 2 were located in improving zone II; 2 items (16.7%) were must-be attributes, all of which were located in improving zone II; 2 items (16.7%) were indifference attributes, all of which were located in secondary improving zone III. Conclusion The must-be and one-dimensional attributes of spiritual care needs among 357 hospitalized patients with breast cancer mainly focus on creating a good atmosphere and sharing self-perception dimensions, while attractive attributes of needs mainly focus on sharing self-perception and helping thinking dimensions. It is suggested that hospital managers should develop and innovate attractive attributes of needs on the basis of maintaining and perfecting must-be and one-dimensional attributes of needs, and objectively analyze and optimize indifference attributes of needs.
Development and validation of a risk prediction algorithm for evaluating the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant TACE therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Tao Jie , Shi Xiaoli , Feng Xu , Wu Xinhua , Qi Shiguai , Feng Guoying , Yang Xu , Zhao Yufei , Zuo Hangjia , Shi Zhengrong
Published: May 2022

Background and purpose
There is a lack of a reliable outcome prediction model for patients evaluating the feasibility of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) therapy. Our goal was to develop an easy-to-use tool specifically for these patients.
Methods
From January 2013 to June 2017, patients with liver cancer from the Liver Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University received postoperative adjuvant Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy after liver cancer resection. A Cox’s proportional hazards model was established for these patients, followed by internal validation (enhanced bootstrap resampling technique) to further evaluate the predictive performance and discriminance, and compare with other predictive models. The prognostic factors considered included tumour number, maximum tumor diameter, Edmondson-Steiner (ES) grade, Microvascular invasion (MVI) grade, Ki67, age, sex, hepatitis B surface antigen, cirrhosis, Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, Child-pugh grade, body mass inex (BMI), Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).
Results
The end point of the study was overall survival. The median overall survival was 31.8 (95%CI: 30.0-33.6 ) months, with 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival rates being 96.3%, 84.0% and 75.3%, respectively. Tumour number, MVI grade, and BMI was incorporated into the model, which had good differentiation and accuracy. Internal validation (enhanced bootstrap ) suggested that Harrell’s C statistic is 0.72 (a measure of discrimination, with higher values indicating better discrimination). The model consistently outperforms other currently available models.
Conclusions
This model may be an easy-to-use tool for screening patients suitable for PA-TACE treatment and guiding the selection of clinical protocols. But further research and external validation are required.
Computing with two quantum reservoirs connected via optimized two-qubit non-selective measurements
Authors: Vintskevich Stephen , Grigoriev Dmitry
Published: May 2022

Currently, quantum reservoir computing is one of the most promising and experimentally accessible techniques for hybrid, quantum-classical machine learning. However, its applications are limited due to practical restrictions on the size of quantum systems and the influence of noise. Here we propose a novel approach to connect two quantum reservoirs in a network to overcome these issues and enhance their computing performance. To transfer information between quantum reservoirs, we perform optimized two-qubit non-selective measurements. We suggest a general heuristic optimization strategy based on tensor network language and matrix representation of two-qubit quantum channels specified for quantum reservoir computing. In addition, we introduce a single qubit purification channel and its optimization for further enhancement of quantum reservoir computing. We also demonstrate that the optimized channels applied to a seven-qubit network can efficiently transfer information between its parts with the resulting performance comparable to a network up to twenty-five qubits connected via a classical information link.
An analysis of the heat source contribution of ball screw based on WNN and PSO
Authors: Wu Huayang , Li Jiejing , Zuo Dunwen
Published: May 2022

Fundamentally, the heat source in the ball screw feed system accounts for the thermal behavior of the ball screw. Based on the analysis of the contribution of each heat source in the system to the thermal deformation of the ball screw, this paper sets out to provide a new method for thermal error compensation. It aims to explore the thermal deformation of ball screw and optimize the distribution of heat source contribution so as to provide theoretical guidance for the cooling of ball screw heat source. Firstly, the relationship between heat source and temperature, temperature and thermal deformation is analyzed theoretically, for the sake of illuminating the relationship between heat source and thermal deformation and the further deduction of the implicit mathematical expression of heat source contribution. Secondly, the network model of ball screw thermal deformation and temperature at the heat source is constructed based on wavelet neural network (WNN). Combined with the mathematical analysis results, the explicit mathematical expression of thermal deformation and heat source under this working condition is deduced, and the explicit mathematical expression of heat source contribution is further obtained. After that, keeping the total heat source contribution constant under this working condition, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to determine the heat source contribution distribution that can minimize the thermal deformation of the ball screw. Finally, the simulation results of ball screw temperature field and thermal deformation before and after optimization are analyzed to examine the rationality and accuracy of the optimization results.
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of maize CMS-S subtypes provides new insights into male sterility stability
Authors: Xiao Senlin , Xing Jingfen , Nie Tiange , Su Aiguo , Zhang Ruyang , Zhao Yanxin , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran
Published: May 2022

Background: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a trait of economic importance in the production of hybrid seeds. In CMS-S maize, spontaneous revertants appear frequently in field-grown female populations where only male-sterile plants were expected. Loss of sterility conferring regions or other rearrangements in the mitochondrial genome were reported to associate with these reversions. However, the relationship about mitochondrial function and sterility stability is largely unknown. Results: Here we reported different spontaneous reversion rates between two CMS-S subtypes, one with high rate of reversion to fertility (CMS-Sa) and another with more stable sterility (CMS-Sb). Through next-generation sequencing, we assembled and compared mitochondrial genomes of two CMS-S subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strong similarity between two mitochondrial genomes. The sterility associated regions, S plasmids, and terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) were intact in both. Two subtypes maintained high level of sterility gene orf355 transcription in anther tissue. Majority of the functional genes are identical in both amino acid and nucleotide sequence in both subtypes, except for that of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). In the mitochondrial genome of CMS-Sb, 3.3-kilobase sequence was lost in the 17-kb repeat region, leading to the elimination of one copy of nad1 exon1. Consequently, there are two copies of nad1 exon1 in CMS-Sa, but only one copy in CMS-Sb. During pollen development, obvious induction of nad1 transcription and mitochondrial biogenesis were observed in anther of CMS-Sa, but not in anther of CMS-Sb. We suggested that the impaired mitochondrial function in anther of CMS-Sb is associated with the enhanced sterility stability.Conclusions: Comprehensive analysis revealed the sequence diversity in copy number of mitochondrial encoding gene nad1 in two subtypes of CMS-S maize. This copy number shift affects the gene transcription and organelle biogenesis of anther tissue, and is associated with different spontaneous sterility reversion. Our study suggests the mechanism that the robustness of mitochondrial function underlying the sterility stability of CMS-S maize.
Eye tracking technology to improve communication with intubated critical care patients: a randomized study
Authors: SZYMKOWICZ Emilie , BODET-CONTENTIN Laetitia , MARECHAL Yoann , EHRMANN Stephan
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Communication with patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit represents a challenge. The aims of the study were (1) to describe communication difficulties related to mechanical ventilation as experienced by caregivers and patients, and (2) to compare the use of a conventional low-tech communication board and a high-tech eye tracking technology-based device in order to improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care.Methods: This prospective study consisted of a descriptive cross-sectional part describing the communication difficulties in the intensive care unit and an experimental randomized crossover part comparing the use of two technologically opposed augmentative and alternative communication interfaces. A mixed method approach was applied with a quantitative primary method and a qualitative complementary method.Results: A total of 101 caregivers and 44 patients participated. Regarding the descriptive part, the communication difficulty analysis confirmed that mechanical ventilation constitutes a major problem in patient-caregiver communication. Regarding the quantitative experimental part, the treatment effects on transmitted messages quantity (2 median messages per exchange for the board versus 4 median messages per exchange for the eye tracking, p < 0.0001), success rate (80% for the board versus 100% for the eye tracking, p < 0.05) and patient satisfaction (68% negative satisfaction level for the board versus 100% positive satisfaction level for eye tracking, p < 0.0001) were significant. Regarding the qualitative experimental part, the communication content covered 8 themes for the board compared to 9 themes for the eye tracking and he use difficulties included 4 categories for the board as well as for the eye tracking. Conclusion: The eye tracking device may improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients compared to the conventional communication board, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
New fossils from Kromdraai and Drimolen, South Africa, and their distinctiveness among Paranthropus robustus
Authors: Braga José , Chinamatira G. , Zipfel B. , Zimmer V.A.
Published: May 2022

Most fossil hominin species are sampled with spatial, temporal or anatomical biases that render difficult the assessments of their paleodiversity, and may not yield genuine evolutionary signals. We use new fossils from the Kromdraai (Unit P) and Drimolen sites to provide insights into the paleodiversity of Paranthropus robustus and to assess the possible occurrence of “robust” features in Australopithecus africanus. Our focus is first, the shape allometry of the semi-circular canals (SCC), an aspect that has not yet been investigated among southern African australopiths, and second, the morphology of the temporal bone. We find significant differences in P. robustus SCC shape between the sites of Kromdraai, Drimolen and Swartkrans, with some allometric trends. This site-related variation is consistent with other differences in the morphology and overall size of the temporal bone. P. robustus from Kromdraai Unit P is distinctive because of its smaller adult temporal bone and its smaller SCC size combined with its proportionally less developed posterior SCC, independently of age and sex. This SCC pattern is interpreted as either the consequence of allometric scaling of body size, or as a yet unknown ecological/functional diversity in P. robustus. Combined with the occurrence of plesiomorphic features of its temporal bone, the P. robustus palaeodiversity may result from either an adaptive radiation subsequent to the origin of this species, or phyletic evolution.
Beyond Steps per Day: Other Measures of Real-World Walking After Stroke Related to Physical Health
Authors: Miller Allison , Collier Zachary , Reisman Darcy S.
Published: May 2022

Background
The health implications associated with reduced physical activity have facilitated the measurement of real-world walking activity in people with stroke. However, significant variability exists in how real-world walking has been measured in prior studies, and it is unknown which measures are most important for physical health in stroke. Measures of walking capacity are strong predictors of real-world walking activity, suggesting these measures could serve as a proxy for real-world walking. However, whether real-world monitoring is more informative than laboratory-based measures of capacity in the context of physical health is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine a subset of real-world walking activity measures most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) in people with stroke and if these measures are associated with SBP above and beyond walking capacity.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional analysis of 276 individuals with chronic (≥ 6 months) stroke. Participants wore an activity monitor for ≥ 3 days. Measures of activity volume, activity frequency, activity intensity, and sedentary behavior were calculated. Best subset selection and lasso regression were used to determine which activity measures were most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure. Sequential linear regression was used to determine if these activity measures were associated with systolic blood pressure after accounting for walking capacity (6-Minute Walk Test).
Results
Average bout cadence and the number of long sedentary bouts were most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure. These measures were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (ΔR2 = 0.027, p = 0.02) after accounting for covariates (ΔR2 = 0.089, p < 0.001) and walking capacity (ΔR2 = 0.002, p = 0.48). Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with older age (β = 0.219, p < 0.001), male gender (β = -0.121, p = 0.046), black race (β = 0.165, p = 0.008), and a slower average bout cadence (β = -0.159, p = 0.022).
Conclusions
Measures of activity intensity and sedentary behavior may be superior to commonly used measures, such as steps/day, when the outcome of interest is physical health. The relationship between walking activity and physical health cannot be inferred through laboratory-based assessments of walking capacity.
Conjugated STING-agonist nanoparticles enhance antitumor immunity in multiple tumor models
Authors: Dosta Pere , Cryer Alexander M. , Dion Michelle Z. , Shiraishi Tsubasa , Langston Steven P. , Lok David , Wang Jianing , Harrison Sean , Ferber Shiran , Kalash Santhosh , Prado Michaela , Rodríguez Alma L. , Abu-Yousif Adnan O. , Artzi Natalie
Published: May 2022

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist is a promising activator of antitumor immunity. However, the systemic delivery of STING agonist, based on cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), yields limited anticancer activity owing to poor serum stability and cellular internalization. Here, we show, in multiple models of murine cancer, that the intravenous administration of sub-microgram doses of chemically-modified CDNs covalently bound to poly(β-amino ester) nanoparticles (CDN-NP) results in potent innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses. The combination of CDN-NPs and immune checkpoint blockade led to largely curative outcomes, even after tumor re-challenge, in mouse models of melanoma and colon cancer and to survival benefit in a preclinical murine breast cancer model. The NPs activated STING signaling in immune cells in tumor and lymphoid tissues. We demonstrate, in a mouse melanoma model, that cancer-cell STING signaling is not necessary for therapeutic responses, but act as a nanoparticle reservoir, releasing CDN to proximal immune cells.
Get screened! The role of fear and disgust in the activation of behavioural harm avoidance in medical settings
Authors: Birkás Béla , Kiss Botond , Coelho C. M. , Zsidó András N.
Published: May 2022

Although adaptive defence mechanisms are useful in helping us avoid getting injured, they are also triggered by medical interventions and procedures, when avoidance is harmful. A body of previous results showed that both fear and disgust play a pivotal role in medical avoidance. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of experience, perceived control and pain on medical avoidance with disgust and fear as mediating factors from an evolutionary perspective. We accessed participants’ knowledge of and experience with medical procedures and former negative medical experiences, lack of health-related information; their life history strategy variation; pain-related fear and anxiety of medical procedures; perceived control over emotional reactions and extreme threats; disgust sensitivity; blood-injury-injection phobia and medical treatment avoidance. We found that more knowledge, experience and a slower life strategy were linked to a greater level of perceived control and attenuated emotional reactions. Further, better ability to control affective and stress reactions to negative experiences was linked to reduced disgust and fear of pain, and thus might mitigate the level of perceived threat, and diminish fear and disgust reactions. Altogether this might decrease the probability of avoiding medical situations. Implications to treatment are discussed. Results support the importance of targeting these contextual factors in preventions to increase the likelihood of people attending regular screenings or seeking medical care when needed.
Downregulation of Sp1 suppresses cell proliferation and migration in breast cancer
Authors: RAO Langyu , CUI Zhigang , XIE Na , QI Yaling , LAN Yonghong
Published: May 2022

Background: Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a transcription factor which has been associated with metastasis in several cancers. Recent study found that Sp1 expression was upregulated in breast cancer. However, the precise function of Sp1 in breast cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the expression of Sp1 and its effect on proliferation and migration in breast cancer.Methods: Expression of Sp1 in breast cancer and adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting assays were utilized to measure mRNA and protein expression levels of cells, respectively. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection was performed to suppress the expression of Sp1. MTT assay and Transwell assays were used to determine the cell proliferative and migratory ability. Results: The expression of Sp1 was significantly increased in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. The knockdown of Sp1 significantly inhibited the Sp1protein and mRNA expressions, and downregulation of Sp1 significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Sp1 may be involved in metastasis of cancer cell and considered as potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Workforce Diversity and Disparities in Opioid Treatment Wait Time and Retention
Authors: Guerrero Erick G. , Kong Yinfei , Khachikian Tenie , Wang Suojin , D’Aunno Thomas , Howard Daniel L.
Published: May 2022

Background: Workforce diversity is a key strategy to improve treatment engagement among members of racial and ethnic minority groups. In this study, we seek to determine whether programs with higher workforce diversity show differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment for opioid use disorders among individuals self-identified as Black/African American or Latino/Hispanic. We account for the role of Medicaid expansion and program ownership type (i.e., public, non-profit, for-profit) among opioid treatment programs (OTP) located across the United States. Methods: We examined four waves of the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey (NDATSS), a nationally representative longitudinal dataset (2000- 2017), to assess the associations between OTPs’ program ownership type and workforce diversity on wait time and retention. We conducted comparative and predictive analysis in an analytic sample of programs pre- and post-Medicaid expansion (162 in 2000, 173 in 2005, 282 in 2014, and 300 in 2017). We considered the moderated effect of workforce diversity and program ownership type on wait time and retention. Results: We found significant differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment across waves. Average days waiting decreased in the last two waves of the NDATSS (2014 and 2017) (post Medicaid expansion per the Affordable Care Act), while retention rates varied across years. Key findings show that programs with both a higher percent of African American staff and a higher percent of African American clients were associated with longer wait times to enter treatment. Programs with both a higher percent of Latino staff and a higher percent of Latino clients were associated with lower retention in treatment. Program ownership type (public, non-profit and for-profit) played an important role in whether diversity was related to wait time and/or retention. Conclusions: Findings show decreases in wait time over the years with significant variation in retention during the same period. Workforce diversity was associated with higher wait time and lower retention when programs also had high percentages of African American and Latino clients. Findings have implications for OTPs in minority communities to enhance wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment.
A machine learning-based SNP-set analysis approach for identifying disease-associated susceptibility loci
Authors: Silva Princess P. , Gaudillo Joverlyn , Vilela Julianne A. , Roxas-Villanueva Ranzivelle Marianne L. , Tiangco Beatrice J. , Domingo Mario , Albia Jason
Published: May 2022

BackgroundIdentifying disease-associated susceptibility loci is one of the most pressing and crucial challenges in modeling complex diseases. Existing approaches to biomarker discovery are subject to several limitations including underpowered detection, neglect for variant interactions, and restrictive dependence on prior biological knowledge. Addressing these challenges necessitates more ingenious ways of approaching the “missing heritability” problem.ObjectivesThis study aims to discover disease-associated susceptibility loci by augmenting previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the integration of random forest and cluster analysis.MethodsThe proposed integrated framework is applied to a hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance GWAS data. Multiple cluster analyses were performed on (1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) considered significant by GWAS and (2) SNPs with the highest feature importance scores obtained using random forest. The resulting SNP-sets from the cluster analyses were subsequently tested for trait-association. ResultsThree susceptibility loci possibly associated with HBsAg seroclearance were identified: (1) SNP rs2399971, (2) gene LINC00578, and (3) locus 11p15. SNP rs2399971 is a biomarker reported in the literature to be significantly associated with HBsAg seroclearance in patients who had received antiviral treatment. The latter two loci are linked with diseases influenced by the presence of hepatitis B virus infection.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed integrated framework in identifying disease-associated susceptibility loci. With further validation, results herein could aid in better understanding complex disease etiologies and provide inputs for a more advanced disease risk assessment for patients.
Propagation properties of radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model array beams
Authors: yang xiangyang , fu wenyu
Published: May 2022

We introduce a new class of vector array beams named radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model array (RPGSMA) beams for producing far fields with controllable optical lattice average intensity patterns, and derive the realizability conditions for a RPGSMA source and the beam condition for radiation produced by this source based on the unified theory of coherence and polarization, Moreover, the statistical properties of such beam propagating in free space are investigated in detail. It is found that, the statistical properties of the RPGSMA beams on propagation are closely related to source parameters of the beam. with an appropriate choice of the source parameters, the average intensity will produce far fields with controllable optical lattice average intensity patterns, and the degree of coherence (DOC) from the lattice distribution on the original plane evolves into a Gaussian profile in the far field, Furthermore, the degree of polarization (DOP) appears a periodical grid-like distribution on propagation. These results may be useful in optical trapping and free-space optical communications.
WHO cone bioassay boards with or without holes: Relevance for bioassay outcomes in long-lasting insecticidal net studies
Authors: Koinari Melanie , Bubun Nakei , Amos Brogan , Kiari Kiari , Lahu David , Karl Stephan
Published: May 2022

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay is a key method used to evaluate the bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) used for vector control. These tests also play an important role in LLIN product prequalification and longitudinal monitoring. Standardization of these assays is therefore important. While many parameters for WHO cone bioassays are defined in the respective WHO guidelines, others are not. One of these undefined parameters is the exact configuration of the bioassay boards. In cone bioassays, LLIN samples are pinned onto a bioassay board for testing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bioassay boards with holes behind the LLIN samples lead to greater exposure to insecticide, as the mosquitoes are ‘forced to stand on the net material’. This may increase the key assay outcomes of 60 min knockdown (KD60) and 24h mortality (M24). Here, we test this hypothesis in two facilities using two fully susceptible mosquito strains.Methods: WHO cone bioassays were performed using bioassay boards with holes and boards without holes in parallel following WHO guidelines. Five brands of LLINs with four new and unwashed samples per brand were used (total n=20). Knock-down (KD) was recorded in 10 min intervals within the first hour after exposure and mortality was recorded at 24 h. Assays with Anopheles farauti were done at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) and assays with Aedes aegypti were done at James Cook University, Australia.Results: Results varied not only with bioassay board configuration but also with mosquito strain. In particular, with An. farauti we observed significantly higher M24 when boards with holes were used, while this was not observed with Ae. aegypti. WHO cone bioassay results were systematically biased between the two facilities such that the use of An. farauti at PNGIMR predicted higher KD60 and M24.Conclusion: The present study highlights the need for further harmonization of WHO cone bioassay methodology. Parameters such as bioassay board configuration and mosquito species systematically affect the observations, which impedes generalizability of WHO cone bioassay outcomes.
Food-to-food fortification of a traditional pearl millet gruel with a natural source of β-carotene (sweet potato) improves the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc
Authors: Mawouma Saliou , Awoudamkine Emmanuel , Ponka Roger , Ndjidda Yaya Verlai
Published: May 2022

Iron and zinc deficiencies are still a public health concern in the Far North region of Cameroon where staple foods are mainly cereals containing appreciable amounts of minerals, but also inhibitors of their intestinal absorption. In this work, the effect of food-to-food fortification of a traditional pearl millet gruel with a natural source of β-carotene on the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc was assessed. A sensory evaluation of a gruel fortified at 20, 30 and 40% with mashed sweet potato were first carried out. Then the studied samples were analysed for carotenoids, polyphenols, phytates, iron and zinc contents using spectrophotometric methods. Bioaccessible iron and zinc were evaluated through a simulated in vitro digestion technique. The results showed that fortified gruels were more appreciated than the control (p˂0.05). Carotenoids, phytates and polyphenols were higher in fortified gruels (p˂0.05) while iron and zinc were lower. A maximum increase (p˂0.05) in the bioaccessibility of both iron and zinc was observed in the gruel fortified at 20 and 30%. By improving the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc, food-to-food fortification of pearl millet gruels with mashed sweet potato could contribute to alleviate these minerals deficiencies in the Far North region of Cameroon.
WITHDRAWN: Adaptive quantization scheme for image compression based on human visual contrast sensitivity
Authors: Hu Yongle , Lian Yusheng , Liu Zilong , Hu Xiangmei , Zhang Wan , Huang Beiqing , Wang Caiyi
Published: May 2022

We propose an adaptive quantization scheme for image compression based on human visual contrast sensitivity. The contrast sensitivity (CS) of different color attributes is measured by psychophysical experiments. The color dependent contrast sensitivity function (CSF) models including one lightness model, six chroma models and twelve hue models are established. According to the color attributes of each 8×8 sub-block of image, these models are used to calculate the corresponding CS. We use the CS of each sub-block to adaptively quantize the frequency spectrum coefficients of image. After adaptively quantizing, we set a threshold to make the high frequency coefficients zero to achieve image frequency domain compression. In order to evaluate the objective performance of the proposed scheme, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), universal image quality index (UQI), average structural similarity index (ASSIM), and visual information fidelity (VIF) of our scheme and other two methods are calculated. The psychophysical experiments with blurring, block and ringing artifacts as indicators are carried out to evaluate the visual quality of images compressed by different methods. The results show that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the compression artifacts and improve the perceptual quality of images while maintaining the compression ratio.
MiR-128-1-5p inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis via targeting PRKCQ in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jia Qingan , Liao Xia , Xu Binghui , Li Yufang , Liang Lei
Published: May 2022

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of highly conserved and endogenous noncoding RNA which can regulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration and metastasis. Aberrant expression of miR-128-5p, has been shown to be a key regulator in tumorigenesis and cancer development. But the role and the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-128 in CRC still remain largely unknown.
Methods
The expression and clinical significances of miR-128-1-5p in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines was quantified by qRT-PCR. Stably transfected cell lines were established by infecting SW620 and LOVO cells with lentiviruses. The functions of miR-128-1-5p were measured by CCK-8 assay, Annexin V- DY-634 PI Apoptosis Staining / Detection, and Xenograft model. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), luciferase reporter assays and Bioinformatic Analysis were also used in this study.
Results
MiR-128-1-5p was downregulated in CRC and was associated with optimal survival in CRC. Overexpression of miR-128-1-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Protein tyrosine kinase C theta isoform (PRKCQ) was a direct target of miR-128-1-5p and was involved in miR-128-1-5p-mediated proliferation and apoptosis.
Conclusions
These results provide novel insight into the role of miR-128-1-5p in CRC. Overexpression of miR-128-1-5p was associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC. Knockdown of miR-128-1-5p reduced CRC growth by modulating PRKCQ expression and is a possible new therapeutic target for patients with CRC.
Spatial bias in sampling small rodents in the Atlantic Forest: a landscape and accessibility perspective
Authors: Candelária Lana Pavão , Bosco Nicolas Silva , Layme Viviane Maria Guedes , Sobral-Souza Thadeu , Rodrigues Domingos Jesus
Published: May 2022

Understanding the effects of habitat loss on species spatial distribution is a challenge mainly because the species occurrences knowledge is biased. Some sites are more sampled than others causing spatial sampling biases that are normally neglected. The needs to assess the sampling biases urge particularly in threatened regions, as the global hotspots. Here, we aimed to assess the spatial biases in the samplings of small rodents in the Atlantic Forest using an integrative approach toward accessibility and landscape metrics. We hypothesized that the well-sampled sites are spatially aggregated and closed to roads, urban centers, and larger fragments with a major percentage of habitat cover. First, we found 9910 species occurrence records for the Atlantic Forest including information from digital platforms and local communities databases. We also calculated the inventory completeness of small rodents achieving 507 sites as well-sampled sites that cover less than 1% of the Atlantic Forest spatial surface (in 1km² cell-size resolution). Spatially the well-sampled sites are aggregated, biased toward roads, urban centers, larger fragments and habitat with major forest cover percentage. Our findings suggest that even though the Atlantic Forest is highly diverse the spatial sampling knowledge of small rodents remains absent for most of its spatial extension. These results may be important to biome conservation tasks and sampling planning in still unknown regions.
The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus on top of glucocorticoids in the management of IIM-ILD: a retrospective and prospective study
Authors: Chen Yuxue , Bai Zhiqian , Zhang Ziyun , Hu Qiongjie , Zhong Jixin , Dong Lingli
Published: May 2022

Objective. To examine the efficacy of tacrolimus on top of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the management of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies-associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) and further assess the therapeutic benefit and safety of low-dose pirfenidone followed above treatments. Methods. IIM-ILD patients hospitalized in Tongji Hospital from 2014 to 2020 were included. Demographic data, survival outcomes, and recurrence rates over the 1-year follow-up period were retrospectively analyzed. In the retrospective study, patients were divided into two groups based on treatment with tacrolimus or other conventional immunosuppressants. For the prospective study, a total of 34 IIM-ILD patients either treatment-naïve or after a sufficient period of washout were enrolled from 2018 to 2020 and treated with tacrolimus alone (n=12) or in combination with low-dose pirfenidone (n=22). Clinical characteristics, survival outcomes and multifarious assessment scales were followed up at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary endpoint was 12-month survival rate and the secondary endpoints included respiratory-related events, adverse events, exacerbation in HRCT findings and laboratory parameters during therapy courses, and changes in respiratory function.Results. A total of 250 IIM-ILD patients followed up for over 1 year were identified. Tacrolimus group (n=93) had a significantly higher survival rate (HR=0.428, p=0.018) and a lower relapse rate (HR=0.587, p=0.009) compared with patients with other types of immunosuppressant (n=157) after adjustment. The prospectively enrolled 34 IIM-ILD patients were treated with tacrolimus with or without combination with low-dose pirfenidone. After 12 months of treatment with tacrolimus, patients showed significant improvements in cardio-pulmonary function, disease activity, muscle strength, and mental scale. Sub-group analysis indicated that patients with tacrolimus+pirfenidone combination therapy showed better chest HRCT scores and lower respiratory-related relapse rates than those in tacrolimus only group (log-rank p=0.0029). The incidence rate of drug-associated adverse events (AEs) was comparable between two groups and none of the patients discontinued the treatment due to severe AEs.Conclusion. Tacrolimus is well-tolerated and effective in improving both myositis and lung involvements. Furthermore, low-dose pirfenidone add-on treatment seems could result in multidimensional improvements in IIM-ILD patients. Trial registration. Chinese clinical trial Register, http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100043595.
Asymmetry of signal intensities of corticofugal tracts in T2-weighted brain images reflects manual dexterity
Authors: Oka Noriyuki , Sakoh Masaharu , Hirayama Misato , Niiyama Mayu , Gjedde Albert
Published: May 2022

The corticofugal tracts (CFT) are key agents of upper limb motor function. Although the tracts form high-intensity regions relative to surrounding tissue in T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (T2WI), the precise relations of signal intensities of the left and right CFT regions to hand function are unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the different signal intensities between the left and right CFT signify clinically important differences of hand motor function. Six right-handed and six left-handed healthy volunteers participated in the study. Based on horizontal T2WI estimates, we confirmed the relationship between the signal intensity ratios of the peak values of each CFT in the posterior limbs of the internal capsules (right CFT vs. left CFT). The ratios included the asymmetry indices of the hand motor functions, including grip and pinch strength, as well as the target test (TT) that expressed the speed and accuracy of hitting a target ([right-hand score – left-hand score]/[right-hand score + left-hand score]), using simple linear regression. The signal intensity ratios of each CFT structure maintained significant linear relations with the asymmetry index of the speed (R2 = 0.542, P = 0.006) and accuracy (R2 = 0.408, P = 0.025) of the TT. We found no significant association between left and right CFT structures for grip or pinch strengths. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the different signal intensities of the left and right CFT images captured by T2WI serve as biological markers that reflect the dominance of manual dexterity.
Triptolide-induced apoptosis in p53 mutant hepatoma cells involves ROS-mutant p53- dependent inhibition effect on p21 expression
Authors: Liu Weixia , Zhu Haihong , Zheng Min , Chen Feng , Chen Zhi
Published: May 2022

Chemotherapeutic drugs had poor cytotoxic effects on cancer cells with mutation in the p53 gene. However, triptolide induced apoptosis in tumor cells with mutant (mt) p53. Here we study the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of triptolide against human liver cancer cells bearing mt p53. One hepatic cancer cell line with mt p53 (Huh7) and another p53-deficient hepatic cancer cell line (Hep3B) were evaluated for cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction following treatment with triptolide. Triptolide inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in Huh7 but not Hep3B cells at lower concentrations. In triptolide-treated Huh7 cells, mt p53 and p21 expressions were induced but significant increase of p21 was later than that of mt p53. Increases in the mt p53 and p21 proteins were mediated by enhanced transcriptions resulting from overproduction of ROS. Triptolide rendered Huh7 cells accumulate in S phase. Additionally, triptolide induced p21 and caused cell cycle to be arrested in G1 phase in Hep3B cells. The expression of exogenous mt p53 prevented increase in p21 induced by triptolide and increased apoptosis in Hep3B cells. The above findings suggest that triptolide-induced mt p53, by repressing p21 elevation, accelerates apoptosis in hepatoma cells.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Inflammation and Neuroendocrine Activity: A Longitudinal Analysis of Compositional and Contextual Effects
Authors: Hamilton Odessa S. , Steptoe Andrew
Published: May 2022

Socioeconomic determinants are well-established modulators of inflammation and neuroendocrine activity. Less clear is whether neighbourhood-contextual or individual-compositional factors are more closely associated with gradients in these biomarkers. Here, we examine how immune and neuroendocrine activity are cross-sectionally and longitudinally nested in meso-level socioeconomic characteristics. Participants, male and female, aged ≥ 50, were recruited from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Neighbourhood (Index of Multiple Deprivation [IMD]) and individual (Wealth/Education/Occupational Social Class [OSC]) factors were drawn from wave 4 (baseline; 2008). Immune and neuroendocrine biomarkers (indexed by C-reactive protein [CRP; n = 3,968]; fibrinogen ([Fb] n = 3,932); white blood cell counts [WBCC; n = 4,022]; insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1; n = 4,056]) were measured at baseline and 4-years later (wave 6; 2012). Covariates at baseline included demographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with heighted inflammation and lower neuroendocrine activity unadjusted both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. With few exceptions, cross-sectional associations remained significant after full adjustment. Prospectively, low IMD remained associated with higher CRP and WBCC; wealth with WBCC; and education and OSC with Fb and WBCC. IMD-biomarker associations were reduced when wealth was simultaneously taken into account. Lifestyle accounted for the greatest variance in associations between socioeconomic indicators and inflammation (≤ 42.11%), but demographics were more salient to neuroendocrine activity (≤ 88.46%). Neighbourhood-contextual factors were stronger indicators of aberrant biomarker activity than individual-compositional factors in cross-sectional analyses but were largely explained by wealth differences prospectively. Therefore, immune and neuroendocrine changes depended on the composition of the population living in an area, rather than the area itself.
A molecule based nomogram optimized the prediction of relapse in stage I NSCLC
Authors: Bian Rongrong , Zhu Guorong , Zhao Feng , Zhang Jin , Wang Lin , Chen Qiang
Published: May 2022

Background:
Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is being diagnosed increasingly, and in 30% of diagnosed patients, recurrence will develop within 5 years. Thus, it is urgent to identify recurrence-related markers to optimize the management of patient-tailored therapeutics. The study aimed to develop a feasible tool to optimize the recurrence prediction of stage I NSCLC.
Methods:
The eligible datasets were downloaded from TCGA and GEO. In the discovery phase, two algorithms, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operation and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination, were used to identify candidate genes. The recurrence-associated signature was developed by penalized cox regression. The nomogram was constructed and further tested via two independent cohorts.
Results:
In this retrospective study, 14 eligible datasets and 7 published signatures were included. In the discovery phase, 42 significant genes were highlighted as candidate predictors by two algorithms. A 13-gene based signature was generated by penalized cox regression categorized training cohort into high-risk and low-risk subgroups (HR = 8.873, 95% CI:4.228–18.480 P < 0.001). Furthermore, a nomogram integrating the recurrence related signature, age, and histology was developed to predict the recurrence-free survival in the training cohort, which performed well in the two external validation cohorts (concordance index: 0.737, 95%CI:0.732–0.742, P < 0.001; 0.666, 95%CI: 0.650–0.682, P < 0.001; 0.651, 95%CI:0.637–0.665, P < 0.001 respectively).
Conclusions:
The proposed nomogram is a promising tool for estimating recurrence-free survival in stage I NSCLC, which might have tremendous value in guiding adjuvant therapy. Prospective studies are needed to test the clinical utility of the nomogram in the individualized management of stage I NSCLC.