bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review on the diagnosis of animal trypanosomoses
Authors: Desquesnes Marc , Gonzatti Marisa , Sazmand Alireza , Thévenon Sophie , Bossard Géraldine , Boulangé Alain , Gimonneau Geoffrey , Truc Philippe , Herder Stéphane , Ravel Sophie , Sereno Denis , Jamonneau Vincent , Jittapalapong Sathaporn , Jacquiet Philippe , Solano Philippe , Berthier David
Published: February 2022

This review focuses on the most reliable and up-to-date methods for diagnosing trypanosomoses, a group of diseases of wild and domestic mammals, caused by trypanosomes, parasitic zooflagellate protozoans mainly transmitted by insects. In Africa, the Americas and Asia, these diseases, which in some cases affect humans, result in significant illness in animals and cause major economic losses in livestock. A number of pathogens are described in this review, including several Salivarian trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei sspp. (among which are the agents of sleeping sickness, the human African trypanosomiasis [HAT]), Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax (causing “Nagana” or animal African trypanosomosis [AAT]), Trypanosoma evansi (“Surra”) and Trypanosoma equiperdum (“Dourine”), and Trypanosoma cruzi, a Stercorarian trypanosome, etiological agent of the American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease). Diagnostic methods for detecting zoonotic trypanosomes causing Chagas disease and HAT in animals, as well as a diagnostic method for detecting animal trypanosomes in humans (the so-called “atypical human infections by animal trypanosomes” [a-HT]), including T. evansi and Trypanosoma lewisi (a rat parasite), are also reviewed. Our goal is to present an integrated view of the various diagnostic methods and techniques, including those for: (i) parasite detection; (ii) DNA detection; and (iii) antibody detection. The discussion covers various other factors that need to be considered, such as the sensitivity and specificity of the various diagnostic methods, critical cross-reactions that may be expected among Trypanosomatidae, additional complementary information, such as clinical observations and epizootiological context, scale of study and logistic and cost constraints. The suitability of examining multiple specimens and samples using several techniques is discussed, as well as risks to technicians, in the context of specific geographical regions and settings. This overview also addresses the challenge of diagnosing mixed infections with different Trypanosoma species and/or kinetoplastid parasites. Improving and strengthening procedures for diagnosing animal trypanosomoses throughout the world will result in a better control of infections and will significantly impact on “One Health,” by advancing and preserving animal, human and environmental health.

Graphical Abstract
Overexpression of OASL upregulates TET1 to induce aberrant activation of CD4+ T cells in systemic sclerosis via IRF1 signaling
Authors: Zeng Zhuotong , Wang Yaoyao , Xiao Yangfan , Zheng Jie , Liu Ruizhen , He Xinglan , Yu Jiangfan , Tang Bingsi , Qiu Xiangning , Tang Rui , Shi Yaqian , Xiao Rong
Published: February 2022

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology and pathogenesis, is characterized by abnormal autoimmunity, vascular dysfunction, and progressive fibrosis of skin and organs. Studies have shown that a key factor in the pathogenesis of SSc is aberrant activation of CD4+ T cells. Our previous studies have shown that a global hypomethylation state of CD4+ T cells is closely related to aberrant activation. However, the exact mechanism of hypomethylation in CD4+T cells is not yet clear.

Methods

Illumina HiSeq 2500 Platform was used to screen differentially expressed genes and explore the role of OASL, TET1, and IRF1 in the abnormal activation of CD4+T cells in SSc. Finally, double luciferase reporter gene experiments were used to analyze the interaction between IRF1 and TET1.

Results

OASL overexpression could upregulate TET1 to increase the hydroxymethylation levels of CD4+ T cells and induce high expression of functional proteins (CD40L and CD70), thus promoting CD4+T cell aberrant activation. Moreover, OASL upregulated TET1 via IRF1 signaling activation, and a double luciferase reporter gene experiment revealed that IRF1 can bind to the TET1 promoter region to regulate its expression.

Conclusions

OASL participates in the regulation of abnormal hypomethylation of CD4+ T cells in SSc, which implies a pivotal role for IFN signaling in the pathogenesis of SSc. Regulating DNA methylation and IFN signaling may serve as therapeutic treatments in SSc.
Low-calorie sweeteners and health outcomes: an evaluation of rapid versus traditional evidence mapping
Authors: Lam Juleen , Elmore Rebecca , Howard Brian , Shah Ruchir R.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Scientific evidence related to environmental exposures continues to mount. Tools such as evidence mapping support decision making, but can be resource- and time-intensive. We explored “rapid evidence mapping” to efficiently map scientific evidence using rigorous and transparent methodologies. We undertook a proof-of-concept case study on the topic of low-calorie sweeteners. Our intent was to conduct a traditional evidence map based on the same evidence base from a prior rapid evidence map case study to compare approaches, findings, and conclusions. We searched the literature, screened full text of studies, manually tagged and categorized articles, and created visualizations to map the evidence.

Results

We conducted full-text screening of studies from the prior rapid evidence map and identified 255 relevant studies. Our findings corroborated those of the rapid evidence map, identifying most studies as short-term conducted in healthy individuals studying outcomes of appetite, energy sensing and body weight. We identified gaps in research areas related to outcomes of appetite and dietary intake, particularly in study populations with diabetes. Our findings illustrate the promise of rapid evidence mapping as a rigorous approach that can summarize scientific evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and identify areas for a future systematic review in a time-efficient manner.
Assessment of deep learning algorithms to predict histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer: first Moroccan prospective study on a private dataset
Authors: El Agouri H. , Azizi M. , El Attar H. , El Khannoussi M. , Ibrahimi A. , Kabbaj R. , Kadiri H. , BekarSabein S. , EchCharif S. , Mounjid C. , El Khannoussi B.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Breast cancer is a critical public health issue and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Its early diagnosis and detection can effectively help in increasing the chances of survival rate. For this reason, the diagnosis and classification of breast cancer using Deep learning algorithms have attracted a lot of attention. Therefore, our study aimed to design a computational approach based on deep convolutional neural networks for an efficient classification of breast cancer histopathological images by using our own created dataset. We collected overall 328 digital slides, from 116 of surgical breast specimens diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma of non-specific type, and referred to the histopathology department of the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat, Morocco. We used two models of deep neural network architectures in order to accurately classify the images into one of three categories: normal tissue-benign lesions, in situ carcinoma or invasive carcinoma.

Results

Both Resnet50 and Xception models achieved comparable results, with a small advantage to Xception extracted features. We reported high degrees of overall correct classification accuracy (88%), and sensitivity (95%) for detection of carcinoma cases, which is important for diagnostic pathology workflow in order to assist pathologists for diagnosing breast cancer with precision. The results of the present study showed that the designed classification model has a good generalization performance in predicting diagnosis of breast cancer, in spite of the limited size of the data. To our knowledge, this approach can be highly compared with other common methods in the automated analysis of breast cancer images reported in literature.
Additional insights into the organization of transcriptional regulatory modules based on a 3D model of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome
Authors: Poinsignon Thibault , Gallopin Mélina , Camadro Jean-Michel , Poulain Pierre , Lelandais Gaëlle
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Transcriptional regulatory modules are usually modelled via a network, in which nodes correspond to genes and edges correspond to regulatory associations between them. In the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the topological properties of such a network are well-described (distribution of degrees, hierarchical levels, organization in network motifs, etc.). To go further on this, our aim was to search for additional information resulting from the new combination of classical representations of transcriptional regulatory networks with more realistic models of the spatial organization of S. cerevisiae genome in the nucleus.

Results

Taking advantage of independent studies with high-quality datasets, i.e. lists of target genes for specific transcription factors and chromosome positions in a three dimensional space representing the nucleus, particular spatial co-localizations of genes that shared common regulatory mechanisms were searched. All transcriptional modules of S. cerevisiae, as described in the latest release of the YEASTRACT database were analyzed and significant biases toward co-localization for a few sets of target genes were observed. To help other researchers to reproduce such analysis with any list of genes of their interest, an interactive web tool called 3D-Scere (https://3d-scere.ijm.fr/) is provided.
Arterial stiffness and cardiometabolic health in omnivores and vegetarians: a cross-sectional pilot study
Authors: Mayra Selicia T. , Johnston Carol S.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Arterial stiffness is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality, and often precedes elevations in blood pressure. This cross-sectional pilot study examined differences in arterial stiffness, blood pressure, cardiometabolic markers, anthropometric outcomes, and inflammation in vegetarians and matched omnivores. Participants were healthy, non-smoking adults (18–65 years old) adhering to either a vegetarian/vegan or omnivore diet. Omnivores were matched to vegetarians using broad body mass index (BMI) categories.

Results

Arterial stiffness trended higher in omnivores versus vegetarians (7.0 ± 1.5 and 6.8 ± 1.1 m/s, respectively; p = 0.073). This trend was mainly driven by the male omnivores (p = 0.006 for gender effect and p = 0.294 for eating pattern effect). Omnivores displayed higher HDL concentrations compared to vegetarians, 63.8 ± 18.5 and 55.2 ± 16.9 mg/dL; however, total cholesterol/HDL ratio did not vary significantly between groups; p = 0.310. In men, a vegetarian eating pattern may reduce arterial stiffness; however, this benefit may be limited in women, particularly those who are premenopausal. Future research should examine arterial stiffness and cardiometabolic health outcomes in younger versus older female vegetarians, as these data can provide valuable insights on the role of plant-based eating patterns on arterial stiffness and cardiometabolic health.
Evaluation of HIV infection in febrile patients visiting health centers in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Akinnusi Ololade O. , Bello Adebayo J. , Adeleye Isaac A. , Nutor Jerry John
Published: February 2022

Objective

Acute febrile infections compatible with malaria are the most prevalent presentation at sub-Saharan African health clinics, accounting for 30–50% of outpatient visits. Acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can mimic acute malaria symptoms. As a result, screening people with malaria symptoms for HIV infection is critical. The goal of our study was to find out how common HIV infection was among feverish patients.

Results

Out of the 310 individuals screened, 9 (3.0%) had HIV-1 infection, with 5 (55.5%) being females and 4 (44.4%) being males. This study found no evidence of HIV-2 infection or HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection. HIV infection was found in 1–3% of patients with probable malaria at different sites in Lagos, Nigeria.
Bisulfite profiling of the MGMT promoter and comparison with routine testing in glioblastoma diagnostics
Authors: Tierling Sascha , Jürgens-Wemheuer Wiebke M. , Leismann Alea , Becker-Kettern Julia , Scherer Michael , Wrede Arne , Breuskin David , Urbschat Steffi , Sippl Christoph , Oertel Joachim , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter J. , Walter Jörn
Published: February 2022

Background

Promoter methylation of the DNA repair gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is an acknowledged predictive epigenetic marker in glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma. Patients with methylated CpGs in the MGMT promoter benefit from treatment with alkylating agents, such as temozolomide, and show an improved overall survival and progression-free interval. A precise determination of MGMT promoter methylation is of importance for diagnostic decisions. We experienced that different methods show partially divergent results in a daily routine. For an integrated neuropathological diagnosis of malignant gliomas, we therefore currently apply a combination of methylation-specific PCR assays and pyrosequencing.

Results

To better rationalize the variation across assays, we compared these standard techniques and assays to deep bisulfite sequencing results in a cohort of 80 malignant astrocytomas. Our deep analysis covers 49 CpG sites of the expanded MGMT promoter, including exon 1, parts of intron 1 and a region upstream of the transcription start site (TSS). We observed that deep sequencing data are in general in agreement with CpG-specific pyrosequencing, while the most widely used MSP assays published by Esteller et al. (N Engl J Med 343(19):1350–1354, 2000. 10.1056/NEJM200011093431901) and Felsberg et al. (Clin Cancer Res 15(21):6683–6693, 2009. 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-2801) resulted in partially discordant results in 22 tumors (27.5%). Local deep bisulfite sequencing (LDBS) revealed that CpGs located in exon 1 are suited best to discriminate methylated from unmethylated samples. Based on LDBS data, we propose an optimized MSP primer pair with 83% and 85% concordance to pyrosequencing and LDBS data. A hitherto neglected region upstream of the TSS, with an overall higher methylation compared to exon 1 and intron 1 of MGMT, is also able to discriminate the methylation status.

Conclusion

Our integrated analysis allows to evaluate and redefine co-methylation domains within the MGMT promoter and to rationalize the practical impact on assays used in daily routine diagnostics.
A bivalent porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), PCV2a-PCV2b, vaccine offers biologically superior protection compared to monovalent PCV2 vaccines
Authors: Bandrick Meggan , Balasch Monica , Heinz Andrea , Taylor Lucas , King Vickie , Toepfer Jeri , Foss Dennis
Published: February 2022

Recent publications suggest PCV2 vaccine-induced protection is superior when the vaccine and challenge are closely matched. PCV2’s evolutionary rate, propensity for recombination, and genotype shifting, all provide rationale for modernizing PCV2 vaccines. One mechanism to increase a vaccine’s epitope breadth is by designing a bivalent vaccine. The objective of these studies was to evaluate efficacy of a monovalent (PCV1-2 chimera, cPCV2a or cPCV2b) and bivalent (cPCV2a–cPCV2b) vaccine in terms of homologous and heterologous efficacy. In Study A, pigs were vaccinated with cPCV2a or saline and challenged with PCV2a or PCV2b. In Study B, pigs were vaccinated with cPCV2a, cPCV2a–cPCV2b bivalent, or saline, and challenged with PCV2a. In Study C, pigs were vaccinated with cPCV2b, cPCV2a–cPCV2b bivalent, or saline, and challenged with PCV2b. In all studies vaccines and saline were administered intramuscularly to pigs at three to four weeks of age. Virulent PCV2b or PCV2a was administered to all animals approximately three weeks post-vaccination. Both mono and bivalent vaccinated groups demonstrated significantly lower viremia, percent of animals ever viremic, percent of animals with lymphoid depletion and/or histiocytic replacement, and percent of animals with PCV2 colonization of lymphoid tissues compared to saline controls. In Study A, a biologically relevant, though not significantly different, improvement in homologous versus heterologous protection was observed. In Studies B and C, biologically superior efficacy of the bivalent cPCV2a–cPCV2b vaccine compared to either monovalent vaccine was demonstrated. Taken together, cross-protection among mismatched PCV2 vaccine and challenge genotypes is not 100%; a bivalent PCV2 vaccine may provide the best opportunity to broaden coverage to circulating strains of PCV2.
Insight into the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and cancer: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Wang Ge , Fan Yumei , Cao Pengxiu , Tan Ke
Published: February 2022

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is an evolutionarily conserved protective transcriptional response that maintains mitochondrial proteostasis by inducing the expression of mitochondrial chaperones and proteases in response to various stresses. The UPRmt-mediated transcriptional program requires the participation of various upstream signaling pathways and molecules. The factors regulating the UPRmtinCaenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans) and mammals are both similar and different. Cancer cells, as malignant cells with uncontrolled proliferation, are exposed to various challenges from endogenous and exogenous stresses. Therefore, in cancer cells, the UPRmtis hijacked and exploited for the repair of mitochondria and the promotion of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. In this review, we systematically introduce the inducers of UPRmt, the biological processes in which UPRmtparticipates, the mechanisms regulating the UPRmtinC. elegansand mammals, cross-tissue signal transduction of the UPRmtand the roles of the UPRmtin promoting cancer initiation and progression. Disrupting proteostasis in cancer cells by targeting UPRmtconstitutes a novel anticancer therapeutic strategy.
Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) indicated frailty is associated with increased in-hospital and 30-day mortality in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rottler Máté , Ocskay Klementina , Sipos Zoltán , Görbe Anikó , Virág Marcell , Hegyi Péter , Molnár Tihamér , Erőss Bálint , Leiner Tamás , Molnár Zsolt
Published: February 2022

Background

The concept of frailty provides an age-independent, easy-to-use tool for risk stratification. We aimed to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of frailty tools in risk assessment in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

The protocol was registered (CRD42021241544). Studies reporting on frailty in COVID-19 patients were eligible. The main outcomes were mortality, length of hospital stay (LOH) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in frail and non-frail COVID-19 patients. Frailty was also compared in survivors and non-survivors. Five databases were searched up to 24th September 2021. The QUIPS tool was used for the risk of bias assessment. Odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 and χ2 tests.

Results

From 3640 records identified, 54 were included in the qualitative and 42 in the quantitative synthesis. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was used in 46 studies, the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) by 4, the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) by 3 and three studies used other scores. We found that patients with frailty (CFS 4–9 or HFRS ≥ 5) have a higher risk of mortality (CFS: OR: 3.12; CI 2.56–3.81; HFRS OR: 1.98; CI 1.89–2.07). Patients with frailty (CFS 4–9) were less likely to be admitted to ICU (OR 0.28, CI 0.12–0.64). Quantitative synthesis for LOH was not feasible. Most studies carried a high risk of bias.

Conclusions

As determined by CFS, frailty is strongly associated with mortality; hence, frailty-based patient management should be included in international COVID-19 treatment guidelines. Future studies investigating the role of frailty assessment on deciding ICU admission are strongly warranted.
Free resources for forced phonetic alignment in Brazilian Portuguese based on Kaldi toolkit
Authors: Batista Cassio , Dias Ana Larissa , Neto Nelson
Published: February 2022

Phonetic analysis of speech, in general, requires the alignment of audio samples to its phonetic transcription. This could be done manually for a couple of files, but as the corpus grows large, it becomes infeasibly time-consuming. This paper describes the evolution process toward creating free resources for phonetic alignment in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) using Kaldi, a toolkit that achieves state of the art for open-source speech recognition, within a toolkit we call UFPAlign. The contributions of this work are then twofold: developing resources to perform forced alignment in BP, including the release of scripts to train acoustic models via Kaldi, as well as the resources themselves under open licenses; and bringing forth a comparison to other two phonetic aligners that provide resources for BP, namely EasyAlign and Montreal Forced Aligner (MFA), the latter being also Kaldi-based. Evaluation took place in terms of phone boundary and intersection over union metrics over a dataset of 385 hand-aligned utterances, and results show that Kaldi-based aligners perform better overall, and that UFPAlign models are more accurate than MFA’s. Furthermore, complex deep-learning-based approaches still do not improve performance compared to simpler models.
Effects of high-intensity interval training on blood lactate levels and cognition in healthy adults: protocol for systematic review and network meta-analyses
Authors: Jacob Nithin , So Isis , Sharma Bhanu , Marzolini Susan , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Green Robin
Published: February 2022

Background

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown to confer cognitive benefits in healthy adults, via a mechanism purportedly driven by the exercise metabolite lactate. However, our understanding of the exercise parameters (e.g., work interval duration, session volume, work-to-rest ratio) that evoke a peak blood lactate response in healthy adults is limited. Moreover, evidence relating HIIT-induced blood lactate and cognitive performance has yet to be reviewed and analyzed. The primary objective of this systematic review is to use network meta-analyses to compare the relative impact of different HIIT work-interval durations, session volumes, and work-to-rest ratios on post-exercise blood lactate response in healthy adults. The secondary objective is to determine the relationship between HIIT-induced blood lactate and acute post-HIIT cognitive performance.

Methods

A systematic review is being conducted to identify studies measuring blood lactate response following one session of HIIT in healthy adults. The search was carried out in (1) MEDLINE, (2) EMBASE, (3) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, (4) Sport Discus, and (5) Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text (CINAHL+). After abstract and full-text screening, two reviewers will independently extract data on key outcomes variables and complete risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Network meta-analyses will be used to generate estimates of the comparative effectiveness of blood lactate on cognitive outcomes using corresponding rankings for each work-interval duration, session volume, and work-to-rest ratio category. Where applicable, meta-regressions analyses will be performed to test the relationship between changes in the blood lactate and changes in cognitive performance. Analyses will be conducted using MetaInsight Software.

Discussion

This study will provide evidence on how to structure a HIIT protocol to elicit peak blood lactate response in healthy adults and will increase our understanding of the relationship between HIIT-induced blood lactate response and associated cognitive benefits.

Systematic review registration

PROSPEROCRD42020204400
Determinants of birth asphyxia among preterm newborns in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies protocol
Authors: Tadesse Abay Woday , Muluneh Muluken Dessalegn , Aychiluhm Setognal Birara , Mare Kusse Urmale , Wagaw Gebeyaw Biset
Published: February 2022

Background

Birth asphyxia accounted for nearly 50% of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan African countries. This scenario has been worst in Ethiopia where every two out of three deaths attributed to birth asphyxia. Moreover, studies conducted in Ethiopia were highly variable and inconclusive to estimate the pooled prevalence and determinants of perinatal birth asphyxia among preterm babies.

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of birth asphyxia and its determinants among preterm newborns in Ethiopia.

Methods

The protocol for this review is registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42020158224. A comprehensive online databases (PubMed, HINARI, Scopus, EMBASE, Science direct, and Cochrane library database), Google Scholar, African Journals online, other gray and online repository accessed studies will be searched using different search engines. In addition, maternity and infant care databases uploaded at Ethiopian Health Development Journal and Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences will be searched until 30 June 2020. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) will be used for critical appraisal of studies. Three reviewers will screen all retrieved articles, conduct data extraction, and then critically appraise all identified studies. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence of birth asphyxia and associated factors among neonates in Ethiopia will be considered. The analysis of data will be done using STATA 11.0. We will demonstrate pooled estimates and determinants of birth asphyxia with effect size and 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity among the included studies will be assessed through the CochraneQtest statistics andI2test. Publication bias will be checked using funnel plot and Egger’s test. Finally, statistical significance level will be declared at apvalue of less than 0.05.

Discussion

The result from this systematic review will inform and guide health policy planners to invest limited resources on maternal and neonatal health. Furthermore, it will be a stimulus for future cumulative meta-analysis researchers in developing nations.
Mapping soil nutrients via different covariates combinations: theory and an example from Morocco
Authors: John Kingsley , Bouslihim Yassine , Isong Isong Abraham , Hssaini Lahcen , Razouk Rachid , Kebonye Ndiye M. , Agyeman Prince C. , Penížek Vit , Zádorová Tereza
Published: February 2022

Background

Mapping of soil nutrients using different covariates was carried out in northern Morocco. This study was undertaken in response to the region's urgent requirement for an updated soil map. It aimed to test various covariates combinations for predicting the variability in soil properties using ordinary kriging and kriging with external drift.

Methods

A total of 1819 soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–40 cm using the 1-km grid sampling method. Samples were screened for their pH, soil organic matter (SOM), potassium (K2O), and phosphorus (P2O5) using standard laboratory protocols. Terrain attributes (T) computed using a 30-m resolution digital elevation model, bioclimatic data (C), and vegetation indices (V) were used as covariates in the study. Each targeted soil property was modeled using covariates separately and then combined (e.g., pH ~ T, pH ~ C, pH ~ V, and pH ~ T + C + V). k = tenfold cross-validation was applied to examine the performance of each employed model. The statistical parameter RMSE was used to determine the accuracy of different models.

Results

The pH of the area is slightly above the neutral level with a corresponding 7.82% of SOM, 290.34 ppm of K2O, and 100.86 ppm of P2O5. This was used for all the selected targeted soil properties. As a result, the studied soil properties showed a linear relationship with the selected covariates. pH, SOM, and K2O presented a moderate spatial autocorrelation, while P2O5 revealed a strong autocorrelation. The cross-validation result revealed that soil pH (RMSE = 0.281) and SOM (RMSE = 9.505%) were best predicted by climatic variables. P2O5 (RMSE = 106.511 ppm) produced the best maps with climate, while K2O (RMSE = 209.764 ppm) yielded the best map with terrain attributes.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that a combination of too many environmental covariates might not provide the actual variability of a targeted soil property. This demonstrates that specific covariates with close relationships with certain soil properties might perform better than the compilation of different environmental covariates, introducing errors due to randomness. In brief, the approach of the present study is new and can be inspiring to decision-makers in the region and other world areas as well.
Linking regional autonomy–embeddedness value orientation and innovation
Authors: Soloviov Vladyslav
Published: February 2022

Culture, as a key driver of innovative activity, has been largely analysed at the national and organisational levels by interdisciplinary studies. This article investigates the relationship between Schwartz’s cultural dimensions and innovation, proxied by the number of patent applications to the European Patent Office, at the regional level. Using European Social Survey questionnaire, Eurostat and European Patent Office data and employing factor analysis and multilevel models, the link between culture and innovation is examined for regions of 26 European countries. The results of the analysis show that cultural differences are significantly related to differences in patenting even between regions of the same country. In particular, a higher autonomy–embeddedness score is significantly positively linked to patent applications at the regional level. The study highlights the usefulness of region-level cultural dimensions, providing evidence of more precise results obtained when these dimensions are used in the analysis.
Validation of indwelling vaginal sensor to monitor body temperature in ewes
Authors: Lewis Baida Bobbie E. , Baumert Mathias , Kushwaha Alok , Swinbourne Alyce M. , Leu Stephan T. , van Wettere William H. E. J.
Published: February 2022

Remote-sensing technology facilitates longitudinal collection of body temperature during periods of hot or cold environmental stress without human interference, producing high-frequency measurements whilst reducing labour and stress to the animal. A pilot study was conducted to validate an improved, minimally invasive method for the continual measurement of vaginal temperature (VT) in female sheep. A silicon mould of a modified controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device (Zoetis Animal Health, Parsippany), was manufactured to securely house a temperature logger (Micro-T 16-bit; Star Oddi, Iceland) and allow direct contact at the collection site. These temperature-sensing CIDR devices were validated against manual rectal temperature (RT) measurements collected from 15 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating Merino ewes. Rectal temperature was measured from each individual, six times per day in 2-h intervals for 14 consecutive days. The simultaneous measures of VT and RT did not differ significantly within each ewe (P > 0.05) and demonstrated a moderate linear relationship (R2 = 0.62,P < 0.05). The mean (± SEM) difference between RT and VT was small (0.010 ± 0.004 °C), with a 95% confidence interval of − 0.26 to 0.29 °C. Additionally, the coefficient of variation was lower on average for VT (0.49%) compared to RT (0.59%). Differences among paired readings were likely due to interval variation as well as penetration depth, air influx and faecal temperature when collecting RT. The initial silicone manufacturing costs were high (2200 AUD), with each unit costing 1.25 (AUD) thereafter; however, the temperature-sensing CIDR device was an effective and efficient research tool for the remote monitoring of body temperature. While further validation of these devices within extensive grazing environments is warranted, the collection and analysis of longitudinal physiological data from ewes has the potential to improve a variety of management aspects related to extensively grazed ewes maintained and joined in harsh conditions.
Ameliorating cognitive control in patients with binge eating disorder by electrical brain stimulation: study protocol of the randomized controlled ACCElect pilot trial
Authors: Giel Katrin E. , Schag Kathrin , Martus Peter , Max Sebastian M. , Plewnia Christian
Published: February 2022

Background

The current first-line treatment for binge eating disorder (BED), which is psychotherapy, is moderately effective in terms of abstinence from binge-eating. Neurobiological evidence suggests that people affected by BED show difficulties along the spectrum of impulsivity, including inhibitory control impairments and highlights the potential of novel treatment approaches directly targeting inhibitory control, including cognitive training approaches and non-invasive brain stimulation.

Methods

ACCElect is a prospective, randomized controlled pilot trial investigating a novel, food-related inhibitory control training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). 40 patients with BED will be randomly assigned to receive the training either combined with verum or with sham stimulation (control condition). The inhibitory control training is based on principles of the antisaccade paradigm and comprises six training sessions over two weeks. Core aims are the investigation of feasibility and clinically relevant effects of a tDCS-enhanced inhibitory control training in BED patients and the establishment of a data basis for a larger efficacy trial. The primary clinical endpoint is binge-eating (BE) frequency in terms of changes in BE episodes four weeks after treatment termination as compared to baseline. Key secondary outcomes comprise ED pathology and general psychopathology, inhibitory control capacities, quality of life as well as acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention.

Discussion

The results of the present trial will contribute to the development of novel neurobiologically informed treatment approaches for patients suffering from BED.

Trial registration The ACCElect trial was prospectively registered on October 1, 2020, under the registration number NCT04572087 at ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04572087).
COVID-19 and psychosis, depression, obsession and quality of life in Lebanese patients with schizophrenia: Any changes after 5 months of quarantine?
Authors: Haddad Chadia , Dib Joseph E. , Akl Nadine , Hallit Souheil , Obeid Sahar
Published: February 2022

Background

Previous research revealed an absence of any previous studies reporting the impact that pandemics may have on psychotic symptomology, nor on the physical health of people with psychosis in response to the epidemics of the COVID-19. The direction of the impact of the COVID-19 on schizophrenia is unknown, as the risk of infection could vary from patients to patients according to clinical comorbidities, cognitive impairment, acute symptoms, and family support. To the best of our knowledge, no study has provided details on the variation of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia during the quarantine of COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, the primary objective of the study is to investigate the variation of psychotic symptoms, depression, obsession and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia before and after 5 months of quarantine and evaluate factors associated with these variations during the quarantine period.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 190 chronic patients institutionalized for schizophrenia for more than 1 year at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross. The baseline assessment was done in December 2019; the second assessment was done in August 2020 (5 months after the lockdown).

Results

Getting updates about the coronavirus minimally, some and most of the times were significantly associated with a decrease in positive psychotic and psychopathologic symptoms 5 months after quarantine compared to before it. Practicing religiosity some and all the time versus not was significantly associated with a decrease in negative, psychopathology symptoms and total PANSS score after 5 months of quarantine compared to before it. Finally, female gender (B = 1.77) was significantly associated with an increase in the WHO Domain 3 score (better social relations) after 5 months of quarantine compared to before it.

Conclusion

Patients with schizophrenia fare better symptomatically after 5 months of quarantine if they receive constant updates about COVID-19 and if they tended to practice religiosity.
The value revitalization model of Qajar religious schools in Tehran
Authors: Taher Tolou Del Mohammad Sadegh , Saleh Sedghpour Bahram , Kamali Tabrizi Sina
Published: February 2022

Religious schools are institutions for teaching Islamic sciences. Nowadays, many religious schools in Tehran, which were built during the Qajar period, have been destroyed due to natural erosion and urban expansion. Since there is no comprehensive research on the conservation and revitalization of these schools, the present study aims to model the value revitalization of Qajar religious schools in Tehran. The present research is a mixed-methods study (a qualitative-quantitative study using a simulation). The data required are collected using a questionnaire. The statistical population includes school teachers who complete the structured questionnaire after visiting the schools through a virtual tour. The teachers are selected using a random sampling technique and the sample size (number of participated teachers) is 948. The sampling adequacy is confirmed with the KMO test. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire are also verified by Cronbach's alpha and the model fit index, respectively. The data are analyzed by modeling and path analysis in SPSS and AMOS software. Research results show that architectural phenomena (i.e., independent variable), through value conservation (i.e., mediator variable), have the most significant effect on the value revitalization (i.e., dependent variable) of Qajar religious schools in Tehran. Also, the path analysis shows three essential relations with a large effect size in the model: (1) The conservation of compound values influenced by social interactions in the building revitalizes the semi-tangible aesthetic factor of the building; (2) The conservation of physical values influenced by the building structure revitalizes the tangible aesthetic factor of the building; and (3) The conservation of semantic values influenced by the moral values of the building revitalizes the intangible aesthetic and educational factors of the building. In value revitalization, two basic aesthetic and educational factors play the most important role because they do not influence any other variable while all variables influence them.
Semantic segmentation and photogrammetry of crowdsourced images to monitor historic facades
Authors: Liu Ziwen , Brigham Rosie , Long Emily Rosemary , Wilson Lyn , Frost Adam , Orr Scott Allan , Grau-Bové Josep
Published: February 2022

Crowdsourced images hold information could potentially be used to remotely monitor heritage sites, and reduce human and capital resources devoted to on-site inspections. This article proposes a combination of semantic image segmentation and photogrammetry to monitor changes in built heritage sites. In particular, this article focuses on segmenting potentially damaging plants from the surrounding stone masonry and other image elements. The method compares different backend models and two model architectures: (i) a one-stage model that segments seven classes within the image, and (ii) a two-stage model that uses the results from the first stage to refine a binary segmentation for the plant class. The final selected model can achieve an overall IoU of 66.9% for seven classes (54.6% for one-stage plant, 56.2% for two-stage plant). Further, the segmentation output is combined with photogrammetry to build a 3D segmented model to measure the area of biological growth. Lastly, the main findings from this paper are: (i) With the help of transfer learning and proper choice of model architecture, image segmentation can be easily applied to analyze crowdsourcing data. (ii) Photogrammetry can be combined with image segmentation to alleviate image distortions for monitoring purpose. (iii) Beyond the measurement of plant area, this method has the potential to be easily transferred into other tasks, such as monitoring cracks and erosion, or as a masking tool in the photogrammetry workflow.
Detection of fickle trolls in large-scale online social networks
Authors: Shafiei Hossein , Dadlani Aresh
Published: February 2022

Online social networks have attracted billions of active users over the past decade. These systems play an integral role in the everyday life of many people around the world. As such, these platforms are also attractive for misinformation, hoaxes, and fake news campaigns which usually utilize social trolls and/or social bots for propagation. Detection of so-called social trolls in these platforms is challenging due to their large scale and dynamic nature where users’ data are generated and collected at the scale of multi-billion records per hour. In this paper, we focus on fickle trolls, i.e., a special type of trolling activity in which the trolls change their identity frequently to maximize their social relations. This kind of trolling activity may become irritating for the users and also may pose a serious threat to their privacy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that introduces mechanisms to detect these trolls. In particular, we discuss and analyze troll detection mechanisms on different scales. We prove that the order of centralized single-machine detection algorithm is$$O(n^3)$$O(n3)which is slow and impractical for early troll detection in large-scale social platforms comprising of billions of users. We also prove that the streaming approach where data is gradually fed to the system is not practical in many real-world scenarios. In light of such shortcomings, we then propose a massively parallel detection approach. Rigorous evaluations confirm that our proposed method is at least six times faster compared to conventional parallel approaches.
TIPS improves outcomes in patients with HCC and symptomatic portal hypertension: a multi-institution experience
Authors: Yan Huzheng , Qiu Zhenkang , Xiang Zhanwang , Feng Kai , Huang Mingsheng , Gao Fei
Published: February 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with symptomatic portal hypertension (SPH) has poor prognosis. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) relieves SPH, but its application in HCC remains unclear. We evaluated TIPS efficacy in patients with HCC and SPH.

Methods

Pre- and post-TIPS Child–pugh(C–P) scores and stages in 123 HCC patients with SPH from three centers were compared. The impact of postoperative C–P stage indicators on overall survival (OS) was explored.

Results

Post-TIPS responses to SPH included complete response (CR) (92 [74.8%]), partial response (PR) (23 [18.7%]), and nonresponse (NR) (8 [6.5%]). The control (proportion of CR and PR) for SPH was 93.5%. Median C–P scores pre-TIPS and at one month post-TIPS were 8 (IQR 6–9) and 7 (IQR 6–8), respectively (P < 0.001). Forty-one (33.3%) patients had C–P downstaging; 73 (59.3%) had lowered C–P scores; and 73 (59.3%) received intrahepatic local therapy post-TIPS. The median OS was 10.7 (1.1–55.2) months. Among the five indicators of C–P stage, lower post-TIPS ascites grading [(0/1)/(2/3); P = 0.014, HR = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.12–0.79)] and bilirubin [< 34/ ≥ 34 µmol/L; P = 0.022, HR = 0.47 (95% CI: 0.23–0.82)] and prothrombin time prolongation < 6 s [< 6/ ≥ 6 s; P = 0.001, HR = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.06–0.47)] were independent protective indicators of OS. These three indicators were included in the nomogram model to predict survival probabilities.

Conclusions

TIPS is safe and effective for HCC with SPH. This procedure can relieve the symptoms, enable subsequent antitumor therapy, and bring survival benefits, possibly through improved liver function by reducing C–P stage.
Effect of population density on oviposition, development, and survival of Alloeocranum biannulipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) preying on Dinoderus porcellus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)
Authors: Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle , Toffa Joelle , Gavoedo Dieudonné Martin , Kitherian Sahayaraj , Orobiyi Azize , Tamò Manuele
Published: February 2022

Background

Alloeocranum biannulipes Montr. and Sign.(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a predator present in stored yam chips and a promising biological control agent against Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Numerical responses of A. biannulipes to different densities (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8) of D. porcellus larvae were evaluated under ambient laboratory conditions (T°: 25 ± 2 °C; RH: 75–80%; photoperiod 12:12 h (L/D)). The number of consumed prey, duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition, number of eggs laid, pre-imaginal development times and mortality rate of the predator were recorded.

Results

The results revealed that A. biannulipes females preying on the highest larval density of D. porcellus (8) presented the highest predation rate (4.34 ± 0.18 larvae/predator/day), shortest pre-oviposition period (11.01 ± 0.57 days) and the highest oviposition period (15.83 ± 1.02 days). The daily number of eggs laid by A. biannulipes female (y) as a function of the number of D. porcellus larvae consumed (x) was modelled by the equation y = 0.158x2 – 0.4073x + 3.8151 (R2 = 0.571). The efficiency of prey conversion into eggs of A. biannulipes females decreased with increased prey density. The prey density did not affect the hatching rate of A. biannulipes eggs and the pre-imaginal development times. However, A. biannulipes nymphs fed with more (2 to 8) D. porcellus showed a significantly higher survival rate than those fed with a single larva.

Conclusions

The positive numerical response of A. biannulipes suggests that this predator could play a key role in biological control program against D. porcellus.
Relation of serum level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha to cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: El-Kattan Manal Mahmoud , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Shazly Sara Refaat , Ismail Rania Shehata
Published: February 2022

Background

Inflammation is suggested to play a role in the development of non-motor Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms. We aimed to investigate the association between serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and cognition in PD patients. Thirty patients with PD and 30 healthy controls were included. Evaluation and staging of PD were done using Unified PD Rating Scale. Cognitive assessment was done using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) and trail making B tests. Measurement of serum levels of TNF-α was done.

Results

Patients had significantly worser cognitive scores than controls except for language subclass of ACE score. Mean serum TNF-α level was significantly greater in PD patients as compared to controls. TNF-α serum level was significantly negatively correlated with ACE visuospatial function. Sensitivity and specificity of TNF-α to detect cognitive dysfunction in PD using ACE III and trail making B tests were (73.1, 75%), (57.1, 56.2%), respectively, whereas sensitivity and specificity of TNF-α to detect severity of PD using H&Y staging in PD were 50%.

Conclusion

Patients with PD frequently have cognitive impairment. Elevated serum TNF-α levels in patients with PD, and association of this cytokine to visuospatial impairment, implicate this pro-inflammatory cytokine in the neurobiology of cognitive impairment in PD.